Birmingham Post

Scientolog­y leaflets irk new neighbours of base Group calls on locals to join it for so-called ‘personalit­y tests’

- Luke Beardswort­h Staff Reporter

ANGRY neighbours of a new Church of Scientolog­y base in Birmingham have condemned it for posting invitation­s for ‘personalit­y tests’ through doors.

The group claims it can test “10 key personalit­y traits that determine your future success and happiness” and help you “find out how to improve them”.

But local Jonnie Daly said: “If they are an honest free respectful ‘religion’ they shouldn’t be using cheap sales and marketing techniques to sucker us in.”

Others merely noted that the tests would be good for bonfire night.

The opening of the new Church of Scientolog­y building reported in last week’s Post drew protesters from far and wide who claim the group is not a religion but a mere cult “of greed and power”.

Some protesters were former members of the group and have been campaignin­g against Scientolog­y for 20 years. The US-founded group, invented by science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard, denies it is a cult.

Graeme Wilson, the Church of Sci- entology’s UK-based public affairs director, claimed: “The personalit­y test is a measure of how people see themselves, particular­ly if they want to learn more about life and improve conditions for self and others. “We are planning to distribute invitation­s for tours and a cup of tea, and it appears that a couple of our enthusiast­ic volunteers distribute­d some personalit­y test vouchers in the meantime. “We do welcome neighbours and Moseley residents who want to come for a tour and a compliment­ary cup of tea or coffee, and they don’t need to take a personalit­y test in order to visit.” Among other bizarre beliefs, scientolog­ists claim humans are inhabited by eternal souls called thetans.

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The new Moseley Scientolog­y base. Right, a protester
> The new Moseley Scientolog­y base. Right, a protester

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