TheOriginalBigBlue
Gold Meritorious Patron
The Church of Scientology can use the USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom) as a vehicle to provide cover for the exportation of the unique protections granted to them by the IRS' Religious Status determination. Other countries that want to provide stronger protections to individuals can feasibly be coerced by the US into tolerating abuses and abusive organizations that receive a form of immunity in the US.
The law that establishes the Commission is up for renewal by the US Congress on September 30, 2015 and the Church of Scientology has signed onto the letter to Congress requesting renewal.
The spirit of the Commission may be well intended but it's mission statement should include provisions to address abusive organizations that operate under the cloak of religion. Here are some links and partial texts to provide an overview:
_____
http://m.cnsnews.com/news/article/l...ious-leaders-call-congress-re-authorize-vital
US Bishops, Religious Leaders: Congress Must Re-Authorize International Religious Freedom Commission
By Lauretta Brown | September 2, 2015 | 3:43 PM EDT
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joined other civic and religious leaders last weekurging Congress to re-authorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) with only a month remaining before its mandate expires.
///
_____
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20030130.html
The IRFC accused France of religious oppression for merely proposing to distinguish "cults" or "sects" from mainstream religions. The root of the condemnation comes from the U.S.'s constitutional tenet that the government may not distinguish between mainstream, emerging, and fringe religions. Under our law, they are all equally religions for religious liberty purposes.
///
France has been struggling, as some States have here in the U.S., with the issue of how to regulate those religious groups that prey on children or the psychologically enfeebled through brainwashing. In the recent past, people have died in cults in France. It is a vexing issue of how to serve the needs of children and disabled adults without infringing religious liberty.
///
In French lawsuits involving the Scientologists, millions of pages of evidence suddenly were missing, making it difficult for prosecutors to go forward. France investigated, and considered the Scientologists themselves as possible suspects. It had every right to do so, for it has every right to do what it can to protect its prosecutorial system from infiltration intended to undermine successful prosecutions.
///
_____
http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/writings/armstrong-ltr-2003-04-09.html
I think that the U.S. Government must publicly discuss the nature, policies, practices, products and personnel of self-determined “religions” if the Government is going to publicly support them or publicly criticize any country that opposes those “religions.” That Congress debates the condemnation of countries for standing up to Scientology’s totalitarianism and criminality without debating what it is those countries are objecting to is wrong.
///
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http://www.uscirf.gov/about-uscirf
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the President,the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties.
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_____
http://www.uscirf.gov/about-uscirf/authorizing-legislation-amendments
SEC. 405. DESCRIPTION OF PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS. [22 USC 6445.]
(a) DESCRIPTION OF PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS.--Except as provided in subsection (d), the Presidential actions referred to in this subsection are the following:
(1) A private demarche.
(2) An official public demarche.
(3) A public condemnation.
(4) A public condemnation within one or more multilateral fora.
(5) The delay or cancellation of one or more scientific exchanges.
(6) The delay or cancellation of one or more cultural exchanges.
(7) The denial of one or more working, official, or state visits.
(8) The delay or cancellation of one or more working, official, or state visits.
(9) The withdrawal, limitation, or suspension of United States development assistance in accordance with section 116 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(10) Directing the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, or the Trade and Development Agency not to approve the issuance of any (or a specified number of ) guarantees, insurance, extensions of credit, or participations in the extension of credit with respect to the specific government, agency, instrumentality, or official found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402.
(11) The withdrawal, limitation, or suspension of United States security assistance in accordance with section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(12) Consistent with section 701 of the International Financial Institutions Act of 1977, directing the United States executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose and vote against loans primarily benefiting the specific foreign government, agency, instrumentality, or official found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402.
(13) Ordering the heads of the appropriate United States agencies not to issue any (or a specified number of ) specific licenses, and not to grant any other specific authority (or a specified number of authorities), to export any goods or technology to the specific foreign government, agency, instrumentality, or official found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402, under
(A) the Export Administration Act of 1979;
(B) the Arms Export Control Act;
(C) the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; or
(D) any other statute that requires the prior review and approval of the United States Government as a condition for the export or re-export of goods or services.
(14) Prohibiting any United States financial institution from making loans or providing credits totaling more than $10,000,000 in any 12month period to the specific foreign government, agency, instrumentality, or official found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402.
(15) Prohibiting the United States Government from procuring, or entering into any contract for the procurement of, any goods or services from the foreign government, entities, or officials found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402.
(b) COMMENSURATE ACTION.--Except as provided in subsection (d), the President may substitute any other action authorized by law for any action described in paragraphs (1) through (15) of subsection (a) if such action is commensurate in effect to the action substituted and if the action would further the policy of the United States set forth in section 2(b) of this Act. The President shall seek to take all appropriate and feasible actions authorized by law to obtain the cessation of the violations. If commensurate action is taken, the President shall report such action, together with an explanation for taking such action, to the appropriate congressional committees.
(c) BINDING AGREEMENTS.--The President may negotiate and enter into a binding agreement with a foreign government that obligates such government to cease, or take substantial steps to address and phase out, the act, policy, or practice constituting the violation of religious freedom. The entry into force of a binding agreement for the cessation of the violations shall be a primary objective for the President in responding to a foreign government that has engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
(d) EXCEPTIONS.--Any action taken pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) may not prohibit or restrict the provision of medicine, medical equipment or supplies, food, or other humanitarian assistance.
_____
https://www.worldmag.com/media/docs/s_1798__uscirf_reauth_letter__aug242015.pdf
Dear Chairman Corker and Ranking Member Cardin,
We write as an informal group of organizations and individuals who are scholars,
religious leaders, human rights advocates and practitioners to urge you to facilitate the
swift passage of S. 1798, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
(USCIRF) Reauthorization Act of 2015. This bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 16, 2015, and we are hopeful that it will pass the Senate, with bipartisan support, before USCIRF’s current authorization expires on September 30, 2015.
///
Letter signed by:
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLGY NATIONAL AFFAIRS OFFICE
Rev. Sue Taylor
National Public Affairs Director
Church of Scientology National Affairs
Office
_____
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1798/text
S.1798 - United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015114th Congress (2015-2016)
The law that establishes the Commission is up for renewal by the US Congress on September 30, 2015 and the Church of Scientology has signed onto the letter to Congress requesting renewal.
The spirit of the Commission may be well intended but it's mission statement should include provisions to address abusive organizations that operate under the cloak of religion. Here are some links and partial texts to provide an overview:
_____
http://m.cnsnews.com/news/article/l...ious-leaders-call-congress-re-authorize-vital
US Bishops, Religious Leaders: Congress Must Re-Authorize International Religious Freedom Commission
By Lauretta Brown | September 2, 2015 | 3:43 PM EDT
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joined other civic and religious leaders last weekurging Congress to re-authorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) with only a month remaining before its mandate expires.
///
_____
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hamilton/20030130.html
The IRFC accused France of religious oppression for merely proposing to distinguish "cults" or "sects" from mainstream religions. The root of the condemnation comes from the U.S.'s constitutional tenet that the government may not distinguish between mainstream, emerging, and fringe religions. Under our law, they are all equally religions for religious liberty purposes.
///
France has been struggling, as some States have here in the U.S., with the issue of how to regulate those religious groups that prey on children or the psychologically enfeebled through brainwashing. In the recent past, people have died in cults in France. It is a vexing issue of how to serve the needs of children and disabled adults without infringing religious liberty.
///
In French lawsuits involving the Scientologists, millions of pages of evidence suddenly were missing, making it difficult for prosecutors to go forward. France investigated, and considered the Scientologists themselves as possible suspects. It had every right to do so, for it has every right to do what it can to protect its prosecutorial system from infiltration intended to undermine successful prosecutions.
///
_____
http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/writings/armstrong-ltr-2003-04-09.html
I think that the U.S. Government must publicly discuss the nature, policies, practices, products and personnel of self-determined “religions” if the Government is going to publicly support them or publicly criticize any country that opposes those “religions.” That Congress debates the condemnation of countries for standing up to Scientology’s totalitarianism and criminality without debating what it is those countries are objecting to is wrong.
///
_____
http://www.uscirf.gov/about-uscirf
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the President,the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties.
///
_____
http://www.uscirf.gov/about-uscirf/authorizing-legislation-amendments
SEC. 405. DESCRIPTION OF PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS. [22 USC 6445.]
(a) DESCRIPTION OF PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS.--Except as provided in subsection (d), the Presidential actions referred to in this subsection are the following:
(1) A private demarche.
(2) An official public demarche.
(3) A public condemnation.
(4) A public condemnation within one or more multilateral fora.
(5) The delay or cancellation of one or more scientific exchanges.
(6) The delay or cancellation of one or more cultural exchanges.
(7) The denial of one or more working, official, or state visits.
(8) The delay or cancellation of one or more working, official, or state visits.
(9) The withdrawal, limitation, or suspension of United States development assistance in accordance with section 116 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(10) Directing the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, or the Trade and Development Agency not to approve the issuance of any (or a specified number of ) guarantees, insurance, extensions of credit, or participations in the extension of credit with respect to the specific government, agency, instrumentality, or official found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402.
(11) The withdrawal, limitation, or suspension of United States security assistance in accordance with section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(12) Consistent with section 701 of the International Financial Institutions Act of 1977, directing the United States executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose and vote against loans primarily benefiting the specific foreign government, agency, instrumentality, or official found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402.
(13) Ordering the heads of the appropriate United States agencies not to issue any (or a specified number of ) specific licenses, and not to grant any other specific authority (or a specified number of authorities), to export any goods or technology to the specific foreign government, agency, instrumentality, or official found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402, under
(A) the Export Administration Act of 1979;
(B) the Arms Export Control Act;
(C) the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; or
(D) any other statute that requires the prior review and approval of the United States Government as a condition for the export or re-export of goods or services.
(14) Prohibiting any United States financial institution from making loans or providing credits totaling more than $10,000,000 in any 12month period to the specific foreign government, agency, instrumentality, or official found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402.
(15) Prohibiting the United States Government from procuring, or entering into any contract for the procurement of, any goods or services from the foreign government, entities, or officials found or determined by the President to be responsible for violations under section 401 or 402.
(b) COMMENSURATE ACTION.--Except as provided in subsection (d), the President may substitute any other action authorized by law for any action described in paragraphs (1) through (15) of subsection (a) if such action is commensurate in effect to the action substituted and if the action would further the policy of the United States set forth in section 2(b) of this Act. The President shall seek to take all appropriate and feasible actions authorized by law to obtain the cessation of the violations. If commensurate action is taken, the President shall report such action, together with an explanation for taking such action, to the appropriate congressional committees.
(c) BINDING AGREEMENTS.--The President may negotiate and enter into a binding agreement with a foreign government that obligates such government to cease, or take substantial steps to address and phase out, the act, policy, or practice constituting the violation of religious freedom. The entry into force of a binding agreement for the cessation of the violations shall be a primary objective for the President in responding to a foreign government that has engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
(d) EXCEPTIONS.--Any action taken pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) may not prohibit or restrict the provision of medicine, medical equipment or supplies, food, or other humanitarian assistance.
_____
https://www.worldmag.com/media/docs/s_1798__uscirf_reauth_letter__aug242015.pdf
Dear Chairman Corker and Ranking Member Cardin,
We write as an informal group of organizations and individuals who are scholars,
religious leaders, human rights advocates and practitioners to urge you to facilitate the
swift passage of S. 1798, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
(USCIRF) Reauthorization Act of 2015. This bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 16, 2015, and we are hopeful that it will pass the Senate, with bipartisan support, before USCIRF’s current authorization expires on September 30, 2015.
///
Letter signed by:
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLGY NATIONAL AFFAIRS OFFICE
Rev. Sue Taylor
National Public Affairs Director
Church of Scientology National Affairs
Office
_____
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1798/text
S.1798 - United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015114th Congress (2015-2016)
