'Simpsons' actress stirs up Springfield with schools program linked to Scientology - Chicago Sun-Tim

[News Thetan]

'Simpsons' actress stirs up Springfield with schools program linked to Scientology - Chicago Sun-Times
10 May 2011, 2:36 am

SPRINGFIELD — Bart Simpson is creating a stir at the Statehouse.

The actress who lends her voice to the iconic “The Simpsons” character wants children to love their parents, not break the law and treat others as they want to be treated.

The character-building “Good Choices” program that espouses those virtues and that Nancy Cartwright developed through her non-profit organization could become an accepted tool for public school teachers to teach character development under an Illinois House resolution.

The Emmy Award-winning actress acknowledged in an online video that her program is based on “The Way to Happiness,” a book written by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology of which she is a member.

That tie to Scientology has triggered a backlash from some Republicans, who question why the state would put its imprimatur on Hubbard’s controversial teachings and expose schoolchildren to them, albeit indirectly.

State Rep. Dan Burke (D-Chicago), the lead sponsor of House Resolution 254, said even though he’s read but three pages of Hubbard’s “Dianetics,” he is not interested in promoting the Florida-based religion that includes Cartwright and actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta as devotees.

“I’ve been assured it’s not a Scientology promotion,” Burke said. “It’s a separate not-for-profit. It’s just basic good manners, good principles that kids sometimes don’t get exposed to in some of the more challenged areas of our state.”

Burke’s resolution praises the program for teaching “common sense guidelines covering specific tools to help children evaluate situations and make good decisions that will improve life for themselves and others” and encourages its use in state classrooms.

Burke said he was approached about including the Cartwright program by a non-profit organization known as the Good Citizens Foundation, which is headed by a Sycamore chiropractor named Jim McCoy.

The legislator said he is convinced there is no Church of Scientology dogma in Cartwright’s material and only a brief mention of Hubbard “on a back page.” The name of his book is featured on the material’s front cover, based on a representation on Cartwright’s website.

Initial reservations set aside, Burke said he became enthusiastic about backing the resolution because it would be “fun to have Bart Simpson’s voice down there.”

Cartwright is scheduled to testify on behalf of the resolution before a Wednesday House panel and will attend a Springfield reception Tuesday night.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/5277982-417/simpsons-actress-stirs-up-springfield-with-schools-program-linked-to-scientology.html

[mefree]

I wish our state representatives would do their homework before promoting something like this.

Rep. Burke is convinced based on what he was told? A bit more evidence might be appropriate.

We know that Scientology has recruited a few chiropractors.

There is a Jim McCoy found in Scientology Completions:

http://www.truthaboutscientology.com/stats/by-name/j/jim-mccoy.html

Rep. Burke's contact info is found on this site: http://www.housedem.state.il.us/members/burked/

[News Thetan]

Bill would put Scientology in Ill. schools - Chicago Tribune (blog)
10 May 2011, 3:04 pm



Bill would put Scientology in Ill. schools

Chicago Tribune (blog)

Should the teachings of the Church of Scientology shape the integrity and moral rectitude of children in Illinois' public schools? A resolution before the state's House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee this week poses that very question. ...


comments are open at http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2011/05/scientology-in-illinois-public-schools.html#more

[News Thetan]

Scientology in Illinois' public schools? - Chicago Tribune
10 May 2011, 9:02 pm



Should the teachings of the Church of Scientology shape the character of children in Illinois' public schools? State legislators must decide.

Among three programs recommended for shaping the character of children in Illinois' public schools is one based on a book by Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

State Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling, said he had no problem with the content of the book — 21 precepts closely resembling the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule and motherly advice — until he turned to the back page, which listed Hubbard as the author.

"I'm not arguing with their beliefs," Mitchell said. "When the man's name is on the back of the book … I'm not sure the public schools should be in the business of allowing that kind of relationship to be fostered."

more at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-scientology-curriculum-0511-20110510,0,2369626.story

[News Thetan]

Ill. panel balks at measure linked to Scientology - Greenwich Time
11 May 2011, 12:54 pm

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Not even the voice of Bart Simpson could convince Illinois lawmakers to approve a resolution aimed at teaching character in public schools because of its link to the Church of Scientology.

The resolution endorsed a program called Good Choices as an example of how to teach morals and values. The program is based on "The Way to Happiness" by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Actress Nancy Cartwright, a Scientologist who also provides Bart's voice on the U.S. version of "The Simpsons," testified before a House education committee that the program has "nothing to do with religion."

She said it stresses moral concepts such as respecting others' religion, living up to promises and treating other people the way you want to be treated.

"This book is not part of any religious doctrine," Cartwright said....

.....The resolution sponsored by Rep. Dan Burke, D-Chicago, lists Good Choices as one of several successful programs for teaching character. It commends Good Choices' "common sense guidelines covering specific tools to help children evaluate situations and make good decisions that will improve life for themselves and others."

Burke acknowledged the link between Scientology and Good Choices was stronger than he realized. Burke said he would rewrite the resolution and bring it up again later.

more at http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Ill-panel-balks-at-measure-linked-to-Scientology-1375421.php

[mefree]

Burke acknowledged the link between Scientology and Good Choices was stronger than he realized. Burke said he would rewrite the resolution and bring it up again later.

He is either a complete tool or a shill. 

[mefree]

The resolution is HR254.

Online: http://www.ilga.gov

Cartwright's testimony http://blogs.sj-r.com/podcasts/index.php/2011/05/11/voice-of-bart-simpson-testifies-at-statehouse/

[ethercat]

State Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling, said he had no problem with the content of the book — 21 precepts closely resembling the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule and motherly advice — until he turned to the back page, which listed Hubbard as the author.

"I'm not arguing with their beliefs," Mitchell said. "When the man's name is on the back of the book … I'm not sure the public schools should be in the business of allowing that kind of relationship to be fostered."

I wonder how Representitive Mitchell would feel to know that the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's official website links to Narconon on the "Meth Resources and Links" page? 

http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,6711.0.html