Aaron Saxton
Encyclopedia
Aaron Saxton is a former Scientologist and member of the organisation's elite group called the Sea Org
. He contacted Senator Nick Xenophon
of Australia, who quoted statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate
in November 2009.
His critical comments about Scientology have attracted both media and political attention.
, an elite unit within the organisation. After joining Scientology staff, Saxton moved to work with the organisation in Sydney, Australia. Saxton's mother signed over guardianship of her son to Scientology when he was 16 years old. Saxton was assigned to become a security officer for the organisation. According to Saxton staff in Scientology were not given sufficient drugs or medical attention, and so he removed his own teeth without usage of medication for pain.
Saxton received influential positions within the organisation, both in Sydney and the United States. Senator Nick Xenophon
stated that Saxton "rose to a position of influence in Sydney and the United States" within Scientology. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Saxton "rose to a senior level" within the Sea Org
, 3 News
characterised the Sea Org as "Scientology's senior management". The Editor-in-Chief of The Village Voice
reported that Saxton served as "one of the Sea Org's ruthless enforcers during the 1990s". In their book Cults and New Religions, Douglas E. Cowan
and David G. Bromley
describe the Sea Org writing, "Described by the Church as 'a fraternal religious order,' members of the Sea Org 'occupy the most essential and trusted positions in the senior churches in the Scientology hierarchy'." Rolling Stone wrote, "Sea Org members staff all of the senior ecclesiastic positions in the church hierarchy". In 2010, there were 5,000 members in the Sea Org.
Between 1989 and 1996, Saxton worked for the Church of Scientology of Australia, as well as at the headquarters of Scientology in the U.S. In 1991, Saxton was assigned to work at Scientology facilities in Florida. While in the Sea Org, Saxton spent the majority of his time assigned to Scientology facilities in Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, Saxton worked at the division of International Management for Scientology. He also functioned within the organisation as an Ethics Officer
, and worked out of the Communications Office.
In this role, Saxton learned policies relating to Scientology's Flag Organization
and its Office of Special Affairs
. While a member of the Commodore's Messenger Organization
(CMO), Saxton tried to make sure those under his supervision had adequate nourishment. As a recruiter for the CMO, Saxton tried to get Scientologists between ages 13 to 14 to join the organisation. Saxton left Scientology in 2006. He came to question why he had done some of the actions within the Sea Org that he later came to regret. He felt ashamed for what he had witnessed, as well as the part he played in controversial acts in the organisation.
, and worked as an information technology
contractor. He contacted Senator Nick Xenophon
of Australia, who read statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate
. In a November 2009 speech, Xenophon said, "Aaron has now left the organisation and is willing to cooperate with police investigations into these matters." Senator Xenophon characterised Saxton as a "victim" of Scientology that had written to him about the organisation. Saxton's statement was tabled in Australian parliament.
Xenophon said, "In his statement Aaron also says he was forced to participate in the illegal confinement and torture of a follower who was kept under house arrest. ... He says while under control of Scientology he was involved in coercing female followers to have abortions (because) ... this was in line with a policy designed to keep followers loyal to the organisation and to allow them to keep working for the organisation." He read into the record, "Aaron says women who fell pregnant were taken to offices and bullied to have an abortion. If they refused, they faced demotion and hard labour ... Aaron says one staff member used a coat-hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment. He says she was released from the organisation and the files were destroyed." Saxton said that while a member of the Scientology organisation, he had participated in actions including torture and blackmail
. He stated that Scientology members deemed to be underperforming in their tasks were ordered to eat rations of beans and rice.
According to Xenophon, Saxton said he had participated in the "forced confinement and torture" of a woman in Scientology who had been relocated to a rural area in New South Wales. Senator Xenophon stated Saxton was, "ordered by superiors to remove documents that would link a Scientology staff member to murder". While an official for Scientology, Xenophon stated Saxton had "ordered more than 30 people to be sent to Scientology's work camps, where they were forced to undertake hard labour". While in the organisation, Saxton had access to Auditing
files on celebrity Scientologists
, and he was later critical of the way information from these files could be used as leverage.
In response to the statements by former Scientologists read into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate by Senator Xenophon, the Australian PM Kevin Rudd
said he would ponder opening an inquiry into Scientology. The Prime Minister called the concerns raised in the statements by former Scientologists including Saxton "grave", and stated, "Many people in Australia have real concerns about Scientology. I share some of those concerns. But let us proceed carefully, and look carefully at the material which he has provided, before we make a decision on further parliamentary action." Senator Xenophon said that Saxton had been in touch with the office of the Prime Minister, and had offered to provide additional statements and testimony regarding the assertions made in the Australian Senate. In March 2010, Xenophon's call for an inquiry was "overwhelmingly rejected" by the Australian Senate, the senators voting 33 to 6 against, with 37 abstentions.
, he said, "There are no forced abortions in Scientology and if Aaron Saxton or anyone else coerced someone into having an abortion then they are way outside of the Church's policy and ethical conduct."
In February 2010, Scientologist Sue Hunt tried to get an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) filed against Saxton. Hunt said Saxton had banged on her car window during a protest against Scientology. Saxton said that he did not know the individual. According to Today Tonight
, "Scientologist Sue Hunt completed a course called 'PTS/SP'. This course is designed to teach Scientologists how to attack, intimidate, harass, even lie about anyone or any group that criticises Scientology." Saxton said that the AVO was an attempt to suppress his right to freedom of speech
. Magistrate Paul Falzon questioned the legitimacy of Hunt's assertions, and said the court would require demonstration of "reasonable apprehension" of a threatening or violent action. "Have you seen what happens to Nicole Kidman?", queried the Magistrate regarding Hunt's assertions.
Senator Xenophon spoke out critically about Scientology's actions against Saxton, and referenced the practice of Fair Game
. "Since Aaron has spoken out he says he's been harassed at work, his mother's been visited by private investigators, he's been getting a number of unexplained phone calls to his private number and you've got to ask the question has this got anything to do with the Scientology doctrine of Fair Game? Let me just quote you what L Ron Hubbard said about it. He said Scientology critics can be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed. They are the words of the founder of Scientology," said Senator Xenophon.
called Saxton a whistleblower
against Scientology, and 3 News
said that Saxton's "whistleblowing about the Church has made it all the way to the Australian Parliament". The New Zealand Herald described the statements given to Senator Xenophon by Saxton as "at the centre" of the Senator's speech in the Australian Senate criticising Scientology. The New Zealand Herald commented, "Saxton's allegations about behind-the-scenes church activities caused an uproar after they were quoted in the Australian Senate", and reported that Saxton's statements "formed part of a blistering attack in the Australian Senate". The Australian current affairs program, produced by the Seven Network, Today Tonight, described Saxton's revelations as "shocking". Today Tonight commented, "He joined a group of former Scientologists in revealing stunning, shocking claims of abuse, tabled by federal independent Senator Nick Xenophon." The Editor-in-Chief of The Village Voice
stated that Saxton's statements comprised "some of the most cited after Xenophon's speech", and commented, "Saxton's profile in Australia blew up overnight after Xenophon's speech, and his story quickly became familiar there".
Sea Org
The Sea Organization or Sea Org is an association of Scientologists established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and founder of Scientology. Its members are found in the central management organizations of the Church of Scientology as well as in individual churches...
. He contacted Senator Nick Xenophon
Nick Xenophon
Nicholas "Nick" Xenophon is a South Australian barrister, anti-gambling campaigner and politician. He attended Prince Alfred College, and studied law at the University of Adelaide, attaining his Bachelor of Laws in 1981. Xenophon established and became principal of his own law firm, Xenophon & Co....
of Australia, who quoted statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
in November 2009.
His critical comments about Scientology have attracted both media and political attention.
Australia and United States
A New Zealander, Aaron Saxton's parents were Scientologists. Saxton's father committed suicide when he was 14, and this had a significant impact on him. At age 15 he joined the Scientology group called the Sea OrgSea Org
The Sea Organization or Sea Org is an association of Scientologists established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and founder of Scientology. Its members are found in the central management organizations of the Church of Scientology as well as in individual churches...
, an elite unit within the organisation. After joining Scientology staff, Saxton moved to work with the organisation in Sydney, Australia. Saxton's mother signed over guardianship of her son to Scientology when he was 16 years old. Saxton was assigned to become a security officer for the organisation. According to Saxton staff in Scientology were not given sufficient drugs or medical attention, and so he removed his own teeth without usage of medication for pain.
Saxton received influential positions within the organisation, both in Sydney and the United States. Senator Nick Xenophon
Nick Xenophon
Nicholas "Nick" Xenophon is a South Australian barrister, anti-gambling campaigner and politician. He attended Prince Alfred College, and studied law at the University of Adelaide, attaining his Bachelor of Laws in 1981. Xenophon established and became principal of his own law firm, Xenophon & Co....
stated that Saxton "rose to a position of influence in Sydney and the United States" within Scientology. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Saxton "rose to a senior level" within the Sea Org
Sea Org
The Sea Organization or Sea Org is an association of Scientologists established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and founder of Scientology. Its members are found in the central management organizations of the Church of Scientology as well as in individual churches...
, 3 News
3 News
3 News is the television, internet and radio news service of New Zealand's TV3. Its flagship bulletin, which airs every evening at 6:00pm, is anchored by Hilary Barry and Mike McRoberts. Carolyn Robinson and Simon Shepherd are weekend and substitute anchors...
characterised the Sea Org as "Scientology's senior management". The Editor-in-Chief of The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
reported that Saxton served as "one of the Sea Org's ruthless enforcers during the 1990s". In their book Cults and New Religions, Douglas E. Cowan
Douglas E. Cowan
Douglas E. Cowan is a Canadian academic in religious studies and the sociology of religion and currently holds a teaching position at Renison College, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada...
and David G. Bromley
David G. Bromley
David G. Bromley is a professor of sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. He has written extensively about "cults", new religious movements, apostasy, and the anti-cult movement.- Education and career :Bromley received his...
describe the Sea Org writing, "Described by the Church as 'a fraternal religious order,' members of the Sea Org 'occupy the most essential and trusted positions in the senior churches in the Scientology hierarchy'." Rolling Stone wrote, "Sea Org members staff all of the senior ecclesiastic positions in the church hierarchy". In 2010, there were 5,000 members in the Sea Org.
Between 1989 and 1996, Saxton worked for the Church of Scientology of Australia, as well as at the headquarters of Scientology in the U.S. In 1991, Saxton was assigned to work at Scientology facilities in Florida. While in the Sea Org, Saxton spent the majority of his time assigned to Scientology facilities in Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, Saxton worked at the division of International Management for Scientology. He also functioned within the organisation as an Ethics Officer
Ethics (Scientology)
According to the Church of Scientology, "Ethics may be defined as the actions an individual takes on himself to ensure his continued survival across the dynamics. It is a personal thing. When one is ethical, it is something he does himself by his own choice."...
, and worked out of the Communications Office.
In this role, Saxton learned policies relating to Scientology's Flag Organization
Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc.
The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization is an American 501 non-profit corporation. Within the worldwide network of Scientology corporations and entities, the FSO is officially referred to as the "spiritual headquarters" of the Church of Scientology...
and its Office of Special Affairs
Office of Special Affairs
The Office of Special Affairs or OSA is a department of the Church of Scientology. According to the Church, the OSA is responsible for directing legal affairs, public relations, pursuing investigations, publicizing the Church's "social betterment works," and "oversee[ing its] social reform programs"...
. While a member of the Commodore's Messenger Organization
Commodore's Messenger Organization
The Commodore's Messenger Organization is a unit in the Church of Scientology organization that communicates and enforces policies of the Religious Technology Center....
(CMO), Saxton tried to make sure those under his supervision had adequate nourishment. As a recruiter for the CMO, Saxton tried to get Scientologists between ages 13 to 14 to join the organisation. Saxton left Scientology in 2006. He came to question why he had done some of the actions within the Sea Org that he later came to regret. He felt ashamed for what he had witnessed, as well as the part he played in controversial acts in the organisation.
Whistleblower against organisation
In 2009, Saxton lived in Perth, AustraliaPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, and worked as an information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
contractor. He contacted Senator Nick Xenophon
Nick Xenophon
Nicholas "Nick" Xenophon is a South Australian barrister, anti-gambling campaigner and politician. He attended Prince Alfred College, and studied law at the University of Adelaide, attaining his Bachelor of Laws in 1981. Xenophon established and became principal of his own law firm, Xenophon & Co....
of Australia, who read statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
. In a November 2009 speech, Xenophon said, "Aaron has now left the organisation and is willing to cooperate with police investigations into these matters." Senator Xenophon characterised Saxton as a "victim" of Scientology that had written to him about the organisation. Saxton's statement was tabled in Australian parliament.
Xenophon said, "In his statement Aaron also says he was forced to participate in the illegal confinement and torture of a follower who was kept under house arrest. ... He says while under control of Scientology he was involved in coercing female followers to have abortions (because) ... this was in line with a policy designed to keep followers loyal to the organisation and to allow them to keep working for the organisation." He read into the record, "Aaron says women who fell pregnant were taken to offices and bullied to have an abortion. If they refused, they faced demotion and hard labour ... Aaron says one staff member used a coat-hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment. He says she was released from the organisation and the files were destroyed." Saxton said that while a member of the Scientology organisation, he had participated in actions including torture and blackmail
Blackmail
In common usage, blackmail is a crime involving threats to reveal substantially true or false information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand is met. It may be defined as coercion involving threats of physical harm, threat of criminal prosecution, or threats...
. He stated that Scientology members deemed to be underperforming in their tasks were ordered to eat rations of beans and rice.
According to Xenophon, Saxton said he had participated in the "forced confinement and torture" of a woman in Scientology who had been relocated to a rural area in New South Wales. Senator Xenophon stated Saxton was, "ordered by superiors to remove documents that would link a Scientology staff member to murder". While an official for Scientology, Xenophon stated Saxton had "ordered more than 30 people to be sent to Scientology's work camps, where they were forced to undertake hard labour". While in the organisation, Saxton had access to Auditing
Auditing (Scientology)
Auditing was developed by L. Ron Hubbard, and is described by the Church of Scientology as "spiritual counseling which is the central practice of Dianetics and Scientology".-Description:...
files on celebrity Scientologists
Scientology and celebrities
Recruiting Scientologist celebrities and getting them to endorse Scientology to the public at large has always been very important to the Church of Scientology. Scientology has had a written program governing celebrity recruitment since at least 1955, when L. Ron Hubbard created "Project...
, and he was later critical of the way information from these files could be used as leverage.
In response to the statements by former Scientologists read into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate by Senator Xenophon, the Australian PM Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
said he would ponder opening an inquiry into Scientology. The Prime Minister called the concerns raised in the statements by former Scientologists including Saxton "grave", and stated, "Many people in Australia have real concerns about Scientology. I share some of those concerns. But let us proceed carefully, and look carefully at the material which he has provided, before we make a decision on further parliamentary action." Senator Xenophon said that Saxton had been in touch with the office of the Prime Minister, and had offered to provide additional statements and testimony regarding the assertions made in the Australian Senate. In March 2010, Xenophon's call for an inquiry was "overwhelmingly rejected" by the Australian Senate, the senators voting 33 to 6 against, with 37 abstentions.
Scientology response
Scientology in November 2009 said that Saxton's letter to Senator Xenophon was not reliable. The Church of Scientology released a statement in 2009 referring to Saxton as "a mean hateful young man". The head of Scientology in New Zealand, Mike Ferriss, characterised Saxton as a "nutter" and a "consummate liar". In a statement given by Ferriss to Campbell LiveCampbell Live
Campbell Live is a half-hour long New Zealand current affairs programme weeknights at 7.00pm, on TV3 and is hosted by New Zealand television personality, John Campbell...
, he said, "There are no forced abortions in Scientology and if Aaron Saxton or anyone else coerced someone into having an abortion then they are way outside of the Church's policy and ethical conduct."
In February 2010, Scientologist Sue Hunt tried to get an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) filed against Saxton. Hunt said Saxton had banged on her car window during a protest against Scientology. Saxton said that he did not know the individual. According to Today Tonight
Today Tonight
Today Tonight is a controversial Australian News and Current Affairs program, produced by the Seven Network and shown weeknightly at in direct competition with rival Nine Network program A Current Affair....
, "Scientologist Sue Hunt completed a course called 'PTS/SP'. This course is designed to teach Scientologists how to attack, intimidate, harass, even lie about anyone or any group that criticises Scientology." Saxton said that the AVO was an attempt to suppress his right to freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
. Magistrate Paul Falzon questioned the legitimacy of Hunt's assertions, and said the court would require demonstration of "reasonable apprehension" of a threatening or violent action. "Have you seen what happens to Nicole Kidman?", queried the Magistrate regarding Hunt's assertions.
Senator Xenophon spoke out critically about Scientology's actions against Saxton, and referenced the practice of Fair Game
Fair Game (Scientology)
The term Fair Game is used to describe policies and practices carried out by the Church of Scientology towards people and groups it perceives as its enemies. Founder L. Ron Hubbard established the policy in the 1960s, in response to criticism both from within and outside his organization...
. "Since Aaron has spoken out he says he's been harassed at work, his mother's been visited by private investigators, he's been getting a number of unexplained phone calls to his private number and you've got to ask the question has this got anything to do with the Scientology doctrine of Fair Game? Let me just quote you what L Ron Hubbard said about it. He said Scientology critics can be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed. They are the words of the founder of Scientology," said Senator Xenophon.
Commentary
The Courier-MailThe Courier-Mail
The Courier-Mail is a daily newspaper published in Brisbane, Australia. Owned by News Limited, it is published daily from Monday to Saturday in tabloid format. Its editorial offices are located at Bowen Hills, in Brisbane's inner northern suburbs, and it is printed at Murarrie, in Brisbane's...
called Saxton a whistleblower
Whistleblower
A whistleblower is a person who tells the public or someone in authority about alleged dishonest or illegal activities occurring in a government department, a public or private organization, or a company...
against Scientology, and 3 News
3 News
3 News is the television, internet and radio news service of New Zealand's TV3. Its flagship bulletin, which airs every evening at 6:00pm, is anchored by Hilary Barry and Mike McRoberts. Carolyn Robinson and Simon Shepherd are weekend and substitute anchors...
said that Saxton's "whistleblowing about the Church has made it all the way to the Australian Parliament". The New Zealand Herald described the statements given to Senator Xenophon by Saxton as "at the centre" of the Senator's speech in the Australian Senate criticising Scientology. The New Zealand Herald commented, "Saxton's allegations about behind-the-scenes church activities caused an uproar after they were quoted in the Australian Senate", and reported that Saxton's statements "formed part of a blistering attack in the Australian Senate". The Australian current affairs program, produced by the Seven Network, Today Tonight, described Saxton's revelations as "shocking". Today Tonight commented, "He joined a group of former Scientologists in revealing stunning, shocking claims of abuse, tabled by federal independent Senator Nick Xenophon." The Editor-in-Chief of The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
stated that Saxton's statements comprised "some of the most cited after Xenophon's speech", and commented, "Saxton's profile in Australia blew up overnight after Xenophon's speech, and his story quickly became familiar there".
See also
- List of Scientologists
- Scientology in AustraliaScientology in AustraliaScientology has existed in Australia since the mid 1950s. Their numbers vary depending upon the source: according to the 2007 census it has a growing population, 2507 members, up from 1489 ten years ago, while Scientology itself has claimed 150,000 members in Australia. It has headquarters in...
- Scientology and abortionScientology and abortionThe intersection of Scientology and abortion has a controversial history which began with Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's discussion of abortion in his 1950 book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Hubbard wrote in Dianetics that abortion and attempts at abortion could cause trauma...
- Scientology controversies
- Sea OrgSea OrgThe Sea Organization or Sea Org is an association of Scientologists established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and founder of Scientology. Its members are found in the central management organizations of the Church of Scientology as well as in individual churches...
External links
- Aaron Saxton, category at Xenu TV, by Mark BunkerMark BunkerMark Bunker is a television journalist. He won an Emmy Award in 2006 from the Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards division of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences...
- Aaron Saxton, at Scientology library, compiled news reports