This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-41697303
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Church of Scientology opens Birmingham HQ | Church of Scientology opens Birmingham HQ |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Church of Scientology has opened a £4.2m HQ in Birmingham. | The Church of Scientology has opened a £4.2m HQ in Birmingham. |
| Grade II listed Pitmaston House, in the Moseley suburb, was snapped up in 2007 by the group, which was founded by science fiction author L Ron Hubbard. | Grade II listed Pitmaston House, in the Moseley suburb, was snapped up in 2007 by the group, which was founded by science fiction author L Ron Hubbard. |
| There was a heavy security presence around the building during an opening ceremony, at which senior church figures gave speeches. | There was a heavy security presence around the building during an opening ceremony, at which senior church figures gave speeches. |
| An request for an interview about the new "Ideal Org", or headquarters, was turned down. | An request for an interview about the new "Ideal Org", or headquarters, was turned down. |
| The church claims the building, which is the second of its kind in the UK, will house a training centre and a chapel. | The church claims the building, which is the second of its kind in the UK, will house a training centre and a chapel. |
| 'Betterment of Birmingham' | 'Betterment of Birmingham' |
| A huge blue rosette and ribbons were draped across the front of the building ahead of the opening ceremony, while lighting and camera equipment could also be seen. | A huge blue rosette and ribbons were draped across the front of the building ahead of the opening ceremony, while lighting and camera equipment could also be seen. |
| Speeches were played back on two large screens erected on either side of the main entrance. | Speeches were played back on two large screens erected on either side of the main entrance. |
| Groups of protesters, including ex-church members, gathered outside during proceedings, according to the Birmingham Mail. | Groups of protesters, including ex-church members, gathered outside during proceedings, according to the Birmingham Mail. |
| Scientology explained | Scientology explained |
| Scientology offers believers a life improvement strategy it calls dianetics. | Scientology offers believers a life improvement strategy it calls dianetics. |
| People take courses of dianetics counselling, known as auditing, in the hope of ridding themselves of destructive influences from their current or past lives. | People take courses of dianetics counselling, known as auditing, in the hope of ridding themselves of destructive influences from their current or past lives. |
| Scientologists say it is a religion, but a string of defectors have accused it of being a dangerous cult. They allege physical and emotional abuse, brainwashing and unethical fundraising, which the church has always strongly denied. | Scientologists say it is a religion, but a string of defectors have accused it of being a dangerous cult. They allege physical and emotional abuse, brainwashing and unethical fundraising, which the church has always strongly denied. |
| It has a number of celebrity followers, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta. | It has a number of celebrity followers, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta. |
| A promotional video released by the church claimed the new HQ would provide "community programmes for the betterment of Birmingham". | A promotional video released by the church claimed the new HQ would provide "community programmes for the betterment of Birmingham". |
| It claims to have had a dedicated following in the area since the 1980s. | |
| Plans to convert Pitmaston House met with some opposition when they were approved in 2013, although a local community group said its main worry was an increase in traffic. | Plans to convert Pitmaston House met with some opposition when they were approved in 2013, although a local community group said its main worry was an increase in traffic. |
| Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning |