Scientologists offer free ‘stress tests’ as part of recruitment drive at the Perth Royal Show

The Church of Scientology has made a return to the Perth Royal Show, offering free “stress tests” to punters in an effort to recruit them into the controversial organisation. Positioned between a paintball and a Tupperware stand, the Church of Scientology is operating under the banner of the “Dianetics Foundation” at the State’s biggest agricultural fair. At least four workers were operating the stand on Monday and Tuesday, speaking to showgoers about dianetics, a methodology developed by Church of Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard. As part of the stall, several E-metres — an electronic device that the church uses to “audit” people spiritually — were on display and available for use as punters jumped at the opportunity to get their stress levels tested. I was among the punters to give it a go. After being asked to grip two metal tubes that — according to the volunteers — measure the electric “charge” associated with certain thoughts, I braced for a barrage of questions about my personal life from a young Scientologist. He was a passionate man, around the same age as me, who had only just begun conducting the tests at the show. My answers surrounding housework and procrastination received high-level stress readings as the volunteer tried to unpack what was causing the spike. “Why is that” and “what do you think is causing that” guided most of the conversation as I watched the dial bounce around while discussing me doing the laundry. Sudden movements also impact the reading on the E-metre. After 20 minutes of sitting in a chair staring at the machine, I was officially invited to visit the $9.5 million Belmont Scientology church for a stress test with a “qualified auditor” and a lecture on dianetics. That was after I filled out a form that asked for my full name, address, phone number and email. Concerns over the use of the E-metre formed part of the basis for legislation that passed parliament in 1968 — banning the church from operating in WA. The Scientology Act was lifted in 1972, allowing the church to continue practicing. A flyer inviting people to the church depicts a volcano erupting alongside text that reads: “What is the key to happiness? What makes a person tick? Find out.” The organisation’s 66th church opened in the eastern suburbs of Perth in 2018, with its leader David Miscavige cutting the ribbon to the $9.3 million facility. Situated on Belmont Avenue in Rivervale, the two-storey chapel features a cafe, bookstore and a public information centre containing 500 films on scientology translated into multiple languages. When questioned, volunteer Josey said suggestions the Church of Scientology is a cult was a “conspiracy theory”. “It’s opening people’s avenues to finding out themselves and finding out more about themselves and about other groups and identities, which is critical,” she said. “Our doors have never been closed, the idea that the doors are closed is a complete conspiracy theory in itself. “A cult means a closed-off group and we’ve always been open from 9am to 9pm to everyone.” Marking her fourth year at the stand, Josey said people have been attracted to the dianetics stall after becoming “curious, especially since COVID”. “In our case, Scientology has an avenue, those who are curious come through and we show them what it is that we have available,” she said. “If they’re interested, they can purchase a book and if they’re not, they get to meet a Scientologist ... which is pretty cool.” A Royal Agricultural Society of WA spokesman said the organisation did not oppose the group holding a stall. “We have a lot of diverse exhibitors onsite including a number of religious organisations and political parties who pay to have a stand at the show, along with community organisations and businesses,” he said. “We don’t have a position on any of their views.” The group’s appearance at the Show comes as US actor Leah Remini sues the Church of Scientology for “mob-style tactics”. The Los Angeles Times reported that in a 64-page lawsuit, Ms Remini alleged that she was “stalked, surveilled, harassed, threatened, intimidated and, moreover, has been the victim of intentional malicious and fraudulent rumours via hundreds of Scientology-controlled and coordinated social media accounts that exist solely to intimidate and spread misinformation”. Shelly Miscavige — who married the group’s leader David Miscavige — has been missing since August 2007. Among the religions most notable followers is actor Tom Cruise — the poster boy of Scientology. But an article by The Mirror suggests the Holllywood star has not visited the church’s UK headquarters in three years as speculation continues that he has stepped away from the group.