John Carmichael (Scientologist)

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John Carmichael
Born United States
Residence New York
Nationality American
Employers Church of Scientology International
Religious beliefs Scientology
Children 1

John Carmichael (born 1947[1]) is a Scientology ecclesiastic minister and president of the Church of Scientology organization in New York.[2] He is the representative for 12 Scientology organizations in New Jersey and New York,[3] and the regional spokesman for Scientology.[4]

Contents

[edit] Career

[edit] Early work in Scientology

Carmichael was born a Presbyterian, and grew up in Florida and Illinois.[1] He began to learn about Scientology after reading Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health while attending college at Cornell University, and became an ordained minister with the Church of Scientology in 1973.[1] In 1985, he was President of the Scientology mission in Portland, Oregon,[5][6] and also head of the Church of Scientology's operations in the State of Oregon.[7][8]

[edit] President of the Church of Scientology of New York

Carmichael has served as the President of the Church of Scientology of New York since 1987,[9] and has performed work for the Church of Scientology in San Francisco, California, Paris, France, and Munich, Germany.[1] He also serves as the Church of Scientology's New York public affairs director.[10] In 1993 Carmichael was New York Contributing Editor to the Church of Scientology's publication: Freedom Magazine.[11]

Carmichael oversaw efforts of the Church of Scientology's Volunteer Ministers group at Ground Zero after 9/11.[12] "The overall purpose of Scientology is to create a better world. By getting volunteers out in the community, helping individuals one-on-one, that's one way we can do it," said Carmichael in an interview with The Journal News about the Church of Scientology's activities at Ground Zero.[12] He appeared on a special FOX News program "Attack on America" on September 16, 2001, explaining to corespondent Rick Leventhal activities of members of the Church of Scientology at the Ground Zero work site.[13] In 2002, Carmichael was recognized for his efforts by being named as a recipient of the Church of Scientology's "IAS Freedom Valor medal".[14] In 2006, Carmichael heard about a musical which was in production in New York City which parodied Scientology called: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant.[15] He showed up unannounced to a rehearsal of the play to complain, and also sent a letter to the playwright Kyle Jarrow.[15]

In 2007 Carmichael sent a letter to New York City Council member Peter Vallone, Jr. after Vallone was quoted in the New York Post referring to Scientology as a "cult".[16] Vallone had questioned the scientific value of the Scientology clinic Downtown Medical, also known as the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, saying: "No responsible elected official would ever back this. We should not be conferring legitimacy on a cult."[17] Vallone responded to Carmichael's letter with one of his own, in which he questions the "very troubling history" of Scientology and responded to points raised by Carmichael.[18]

In November 2007, Carmichael was one of a group of Scientologists invited by Tom Cruise to attend a private screening of the film Lions for Lambs, along with other stars of the film and their guests.[19]

In May 2008 near a Church of Scientology building in New York City where Carmichael was taunted by anti-Scientology protesters with calls to take "your spaceship and go away!" he said to an individual protester "Let me tell you this: I smell pussy. You in particular."[20][21]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Waldman, Amy. "Changed Lives - Religious Leader Takes His Calling to Ground Zero", The New York Times Company, September 20, 2001, p. A22. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
  2. ^ Chasan, Alice (April 18, 2006). Rev. John Carmichael, Church of Scientology, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, silent birth, L. Ron Hubbard. Beliefnet. Beliefnet, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
  3. ^ Brozan, Nadine (November 12, 2006). For Mrs. Cruise, Perhaps a Cat. The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  4. ^ O'Reilly, David (December 28, 1997). Church Of Scientology Hits Critics Where They Live. The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  5. ^ Applegate, Howard (United Press International). "Scientology Rally Begins In Portland", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 20, 1985, p. A02. 
  6. ^ United Press International (May 20, 1985). Scientologists protest verdict $39 million fraud award prompts rally. Columbia Missourian. University of Missouri. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  7. ^ Pesarchick, Mike. "Angry Church", The Orlando Sentinel, Sentinel Communications Co., May 20, 1985, p. A6. 
  8. ^ Associated Press. "Scientologists Protest Fraud Ruling", San Francisco Chronicle, May 20, 1985, p. 5. 
  9. ^ Barron, James (October 6, 1987). Defendant in Park Murder Tried to Join Scientologists. The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  10. ^ Koch, John. "Steve Hassan's War on Cults The Ex-Moonie Says the Groups Have Become More Menacing As They Have Gone Mainstream", The Boston Globe, February 4, 1997, p. E1. 
  11. ^ Carmichael, John (Letter to the Editor). "Reviewer took a leap of illogic over `Wild Palms'", The Washington Times, News World Communications, May 25, 1993, p. F2. 
  12. ^ a b Stern, Gary. "Scientology outreach criticized", The Journal News, March 5, 2002, p. 1A. 
  13. ^ Asman, David; Rick Leventhal. "Attack on America", FOX News, FOX News Network, LLC, September 16, 2001. 
  14. ^ Staff writer. "IAS Recipients 2002", Impact Magazine, December 2, 2002. 
  15. ^ a b Beggy, Carol; Mark Shanahan. "A different kind of Scientology pageant", The Boston Globe, November 20, 2006, p. 5C. 
  16. ^ Seifman, David (April 19, 2007). MIKE THUMPS TOM. New York Post. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  17. ^ DeSio, John. The Rundown on Scientology’s Purification Rundown. New York Press. www.nypress.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  18. ^ DeSio, John (May 31, 2007). Vallone's Letter To Scientology. New York Press. www.nypress.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  19. ^ Friedman, Roger (November 6, 2007). Tom Cruise Rewards Scientology Honchos. FOX News. FOX News Network, LLC. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  20. ^ Giove, Candice M. (May 28, 2008). NY Scientology Chief: "I Smell Pussy". Runnin' Scared. The Village Voice. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
  21. ^ Ortega, Tony (May 27, 2008). Jason Beghe Turned Away at NY Scientology Building. The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.

[edit] External Links

Scientology Portal