SCIENTOLOGY SCHIZO By LINDA STASI - New York Post Online Edition

SCIENTOLOGY SCHIZO
HIS MOM'S RELIGION SAID, NO MEDS. THAT EDICT MAY HAVE COST HER LIFE
By LINDA STASI - New York Post Online Edition (Fair Use Exerpts)

"October 27, 2006

PERHAPS it's less of a stretch for Scientologists to believe that aliens arrived here in a spaceship, exploded, and stuck bits of their souls on us, than it is for other religions to believe there was a talking, burning bush or a savior who walked on water.

All religions believe they are the, er, gospel truth.

Most religions, however, have withstood the test of some time and were not created by a science fiction writer. "

"The story is about the horrific 2003 murder of a gorgeous, upstate, Scientologist mom, Elli Perkins, by her 28-year old schizoid son, Jeremy.

"And what a show it is! It will make your hair stand on end. "

The unmistakable conclusion is that the burden for her murder (Jeremy stabbed his mom 77 times!) lies with Scientology and its belief that - as one Scientology former bigwig put it - "psychology and psychiatrists are the rats and vermin of our society."

"The Perkins family refused to have Jeremy treated with anti-psychotic medications despite the fact that he'd been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic .......... "

"You will hear from many of the principals involved, as well as experts recommended by the Citizen's Commission on Human Rights International, which is a group whose letterhead explains that it was "established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology to investigate and expose psychiatric violations of human rights."

"Watch this excellent report and decide for yourself. It will be one of the most riveting hours you'll see on TV this year."

"48 Hours Mystery: Scientology - A Question of Faith" Tomorrow night at 10 on CBS

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10272006/tv/scientology_schizo_tv_linda_stasi.htm

SCIENTOLOGY - A QUESTION OF FAITH

Did A Mother's Faith Contribute To Her Murder?

Don't miss this important story : 48 HOURS Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006 on CBS 10 p.m. ET/PT

'(CBS) Why would a 28-year-old man, described as sweet, kind and gentle, take a knife to his mother one morning in 2003 and stab her over 70 times?

Jeremy Perkins, who had been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, came to believe that his mother, Elli, was evil and out to get him. Experts say the brutal murder might never have occurred, had he received proper treatment to control his psychotic delusions. But Jeremy’s parents were devout Scientologists and their religion strongly opposes psychiatric treatment.

Did Elli Perkins' faith contribute to her death? 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant explores the issue this Saturday, Oct. 28, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. '



"I tried to slit my wrists...but I wouldn't die, so I decided to do my mom instead," Jeremy Perkins told police after the murder.

'Jeremy’s chilling words describe his actions on March 13, 2003, while he was in an active psychotic state.

The Perkins family cared deeply for their son and sought treatment within the principles of their faith. A lawyer for Jeremy's father told 48 Hours that Jeremy was seen by both physicians and mental health practitioners, including a psychiatrist. But court records unsealed by 48 Hours indicate that Jeremy’s treatment was limited to mostly vitamins and other holistic healing methods. The family filled prescriptions for an anti-anxiety drug and a sleeping aid. Medical experts and a doctor who treated Jeremy after the murder dismiss these methods as ineffective for an individual with paranoid schizophrenia.

Today the Church of Scientology claims more than 10 million members worldwide. Its religious opposition to psychiatry is well-known. In June of 2005, the issue was brought to national attention when actor Tom Cruise took a very public stance on NBC’s "Today" show. "I know that psychiatry is a pseudo-science," he told Matt Lauer. "You don’t know the history of psychiatry. I do." Van Sant examines the roots of Scientology’s opposition to psychiatry and the tragic death of a caring mother who desperately wanted to help her beloved son. '

Produced By Miguel Sancho©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/25/48hours/main2124568.shtml