Scientology in Sheffield

Scientology rolls into Sheffield but not as you know it

Hearing that the mysterious church of scientology was in town I popped along expecting to see Tom Cruise. Instead I found a congregation of grannies dancing and jiving outside the town hall.

Whilst walking up the main artery of Sheffield city centre hearing the tones of songs such as Mac the knife and when the river rhythm starts to play. A sense of being in a fifties jazz club gripped me and many passers by. Then I saw it!

Standing on stage was a jive band like something out of the blues brothers. They were all wearing identical blue suits and a crowd had gathered watching the five man band perform their set.

What was amazing was the diversity of the audience which encapsulated every kind of person watching the now visible Jive Aces. Personally I had never heard of them before but apparently as there banner and website says they are the number one jive band in Britain? This has to be questioned but they were very good.

Above the group was a banner which matched their suits being big bold and blue with the slogan "Say no to drugs, say yes to life". Then a young child about ten handed me an anti drugs leaflet and a promotional flyer for the band.

So whilst listening to another song I think it was Sinatra's "I won't dance" it caught my attention the stage and banner both said sponsored by the church of Scientology which of course instantly made me curious.

An American religion created by the writer L. Ron Hubbard based on his book dianetics which focuses on helping readers lead happier lives understanding the human spirit and their relationship with the universe and creator? Although what makes the church increasingly interesting is the Hollywood A list actors who have joined the mysterious cult church such as John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and Jason Lee.

Also after looking at the Scientologist official website it is visible to see that the religion is growing internationally so why are events being put on in towns such as Sheffield. Is it part of a Scientology indoctrination plan I thought I best check it out?

So after another twenty minutes of listening to swing I grabbed the 6ft 5 saxophonist John Fordham and questioned him. He was very polite and said in his London accent: 'The Campaign son! is totally focussed on just trying to stop kids getting into drugs, I recently went to a couple of rehab centres and its not just the effect it has on the addicts but their families so anything we can do to help we will do, come and talk to Clarky.'

I soon found out this was the lead singer Ian Clarkson who at the age of 43 had been bouncing about on stage like a twenty year old and was very welcoming. Again in that cockney accent I was greeted with "Alwight Son what can we do for ya!" So we started talking and he openly said we are all scientologists but we aren't trying to gain new members. 'Our campaign is solely based on what we've seen in rehab centres and other musicians who have thrown their careers away through alcohol and drug use.' He then started to talk about the drugs culture of Britain and how he found it detestable that stars like Amy Winehouse promote drugs to a young audience through their music and their lifestyles. In the end he said: 'We try and show young people that you can get up be mad and enjoy yourself but you can do this without taking drugs.'
To this extent I admired the band and their aims but then things went a little sour when they started talking about dianetics and attempting to sell me effectively the scientology bible. At this point it seemed right to finish the interviews and split before I began believing in supernatural life forms.

However the campaign message which is of fore most importance "Say no to drugs. Say yes to life" is a great initiative in the fight against the British drug culture especially with an increase in drug use within adolescents. In fact Chris Bond of the Yorkshire Post wrote an article in which the UN's drug control agency condemned the actions of stars and their actions with the effects they have on impressionable youngsters. It also expanded on the reality TV shows like Big Brother which make no bodies into somebody's without having to be talented to become famous.

Although the movements and actions may be slow and small in attempting to break this culture it is great to see artists such as the Jive Aces performing in an attempt to inform youngsters and entertain so long as indoctrination of alienation is not in their plans.

As for myself I have not yet turned my head to the thought of the creator, alien life forms and cult churches but like many of the other people in Sheffield’s city centre I do like jive, but if you have to become a scientologist to appreciate Sinatra’s smooth tones it looks like I’ll be turning to Indie rock music.