Easter marks the cornerstone to Christianity, so what better theme for March’s Sunday Wise than religion. If you’ve ever wondered what it is about Scientology that pushes Tom Cruise’s buttons or why Druids dress up in robes and watch the sunrise over Stonehenge, then this is the month for you. From Druidism to Scientology, the Catholic Church to Christianity, on March 31 we’ll welcome four incredible speakers debating faith and devotion in the 21st Century.
Mark Pinchin joined the Church of Scientology as Public Affairs Director. He’ll be joining us for an in-depth discussion around Scientology, a 21st Century religion described by critics as a cult. In contrast, we’ll also be welcoming Philip Carr-Gomm one of the few remaining members of the Iron Age religion, Druidism. He has been leading the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids for over twenty years. We also have Peter Owen-Jones an Anglican Clergyman recruited by the BBC to front a series of religious TV programmes and finally,Gordon Thomas author of The Pope’s Jews. An expert on the pope he will no doubt be discussing the future of The Vatican.
If all that sounds a bit heavy, feast your ears on the inspired street poetry of Stephanie (Sonority) Turner plus other surprise artists. And after lunch, yet more hilarious comedy acts. Did anyone spot February’s Eric Lampaert in Dizzie Rascal’s new music video? Click here to check it out! Sunday Wise, we’re so hot right now!
Book your tickets now for only £20 per person (ticket price does NOT include food or drink). If you would like to book a table for Lunch in the Piano Bar (informal setting) or the Drawing Room (formal setting), please emailreservations@the-ivyclub.co.uk.
Mark Pinchin joined the Church of Scientology as Public Affairs Director. He’ll be joining us for an in-depth discussion around Scientology, a 21st Century religion described by critics as a cult. In contrast, we’ll also be welcoming Philip Carr-Gomm one of the few remaining members of the Iron Age religion, Druidism. He has been leading the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids for over twenty years. We also have Peter Owen-Jones an Anglican Clergyman recruited by the BBC to front a series of religious TV programmes and finally,Gordon Thomas author of The Pope’s Jews. An expert on the pope he will no doubt be discussing the future of The Vatican.
If all that sounds a bit heavy, feast your ears on the inspired street poetry of Stephanie (Sonority) Turner plus other surprise artists. And after lunch, yet more hilarious comedy acts. Did anyone spot February’s Eric Lampaert in Dizzie Rascal’s new music video? Click here to check it out! Sunday Wise, we’re so hot right now!
Book your tickets now for only £20 per person (ticket price does NOT include food or drink). If you would like to book a table for Lunch in the Piano Bar (informal setting) or the Drawing Room (formal setting), please emailreservations@the-ivyclub.co.uk.
MARK PINCHIN
Public Affairs Director, Church of Scientology, London
Public Affairs Director, Church of Scientology, London
Mark was born in Edgware and lived in Watford. His family moved to Tatsfield in Kent in 1982. Following school he attended West Kent College where he studied Computer Studies. During this time Mark was a keen sports enthusiast, playing football for Fulham Juniors and his county. He also played a lot of golf. Unfortunately interest in these sports dropped as a result of taking drugs.
When he was 21, Mark discoveredScientology which allowed him to take control over his drug taking and make progress towards his main goal – becoming a professional golfer. Since then he has set up his own business, won golf tournaments and put his life back on track, including delivering drug education in schools using his experience and knowledge researched by L Ron Hubbard.
After helping as a Scientology Volunteer Minister during theLondon Bombings he decided to volunteer full time at the Church in London as the Public Affairs Director and spokesperson for London. He loves to travel, watch Watford football club and play golf.
PHILIP CARR-GOMM
Leader of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
Leader of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
Philip Carr-Gomm lives in Sussex, England, with his wife Stephanie. From an early age Philip studied with Ross Nichols, the founder of The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids.
He has a degree in psychology fromUniversity College London, and trained in psychotherapy for adults atThe Institute of Psychosynthesis, and in play therapy for children with Dr Rachel Pinney.
He also trained in Montessori education with the London Montessori Centre, and founded the Lewes Montessori School. In 1988 he wasasked to lead The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, and he combines his role in the Order with writing, and giving talks and workshops.
His books are published byHarperCollins, Random House,Simon & Schuster, St.Martin’s Press, Quercus, John Murray, Granta and Reaktion, and have been translated into many foreign language editions.
He has been leading the Order for over twenty years.
PETER OWEN-JONES
Anglican Clergyman, Author and TV Presenter
Anglican Clergyman, Author and TV Presenter
Owen-Jones dropped out of public school at the age of 16. He started inadvertising as a messenger boy, slowly working his way up to Creative Director.
In his late 20s he gave up his commercial life to follow a calling to the Anglican ministry by enrolling atRidley Hall, Cambridge. In early 1996 he gained notoriety when he conducted a service for the Newbury bypass protestors.
In 1998, he ran three parishes in Cambridgeshire before resigning from his post in 2005. He was recruited by the BBC to front a series of religious television programs which would look at different aspects of Christianity and other faiths for which he has received critical acclaim from many quarters.
In his BBC documentary How to Live a Simple Life (2009), Owen-Jones tried to live a life without money, in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Book review: Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape
Is this the book that will bring down Scientology? Its power lies partly in the author’s name: Jenna is the niece of David Miscavige, who has been the leader of Scientology since L. Ron Hubbard died in 1986. The rest of the book’s power comes from Jenna’s shocking story of childhood endangerment, parental abandonment and institutional indoctrination.Born in 1984, Jenna was a third-generation Scientologist. Her parents soon decided to leave their life in New Hampshire and dedicate themselves to the church. They joined an organization of committed Scientologists called the Sea Org in California. That’s when the family unravelled and Jenna was sent to a remote labour camp for kids called the Ranch in Riverside County. Small children were expected to renovate the property, making rock walls, digging trenches and dragging roofing materials. Everyone was supposed to run, not walk, while putting in 35 hours of work a week. Jenna’s broken knee was ignored. The kids’ education, called “Chinese School,” was based on parroting back dogma. Evenings were filled with mandatory staring contests and something called “bull baiting” that supposedly taught emotional control. Children were encouraged to snitch on each other, handing out demerit points with harsh punishments. Meanwhile, Jenna’s parents—like most couples—were kept apart while they rose inside the executive offices of the church.
Life as a teenager inside the Sea Org started to bristle. Jenna began acting out against the public beratings and mind-control tactics and finally left. (Her parents had already quit the organization by that point.)
So will this exposé shake the foundation of Scientology? Nobody in the Sea Org will get to read it, but other Scientologists will be hard-pressed to ignore its content. Certain celebrities should want to distance themselves.
Visit the Maclean’s Bookmarked blog for news and reviews on all things literary
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