By Lindsay Melvin
June 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
In a story that ran today about the Memphis Scientology church moving to Collierville, I wasn't able to add this extra information because it came in after deadline.
Besides wanting to be closer to its flock, the church had outgrown its old mansion location in Central Gardens, according to Scientology headquarters in Los Angeles.
Although, they would not commit to a number, they said they have several hundred members in Memphis.
By Lindsay Melvin
May 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
The Church of Scientology Mission of Memphis is planning to move out of its large mansion in Midtown and head out east to be closer to its flock, church trustee David Slaughter has told The Daily News.
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=29633
According to the article, Slaughter will announce where the church intends to relocate in the next few days..
Meantime, Slaughter and wife, Benetta, have purchased the property at 1440 Central Ave. for $635,486.
It's reported they intend to fix up the church and resell it for residential use.
I was told they're out of town until next week.
By Lindsay Melvin
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Business reporter Cassandra Kimberly was recently driving in Midtown when an odd scene caught her eye.
A cluster of about 15 masked men and women were holding up signs across from the Church of Scientology,1440 Central Ave.
One sign read "This Cult Kills."
It turns out they are part of a group called Anonymous, which are waging an online war against the church.
Various sites, like Xenu.net, claim the religious group is a cult. They've posted anti-Scientology stories as well as organized worldwide protests against the church.
The masks--the face of the character V from "V for Vendetta"--are meant to hide protestors' identities and protect them from retribution from Scientology members, they claim.
The group has been gathering monthly in Memphis to rally against COS. Here's a video of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKsIOGp-ook
But the most feedback they've gotten on their YouTube video seems to be from the residents living in the building directly behind the protesters, who were none too happy with the loud music or blocking of sidewalks.
