John Carmichael (Scientology)

John Carmichael (born 1947) is president of the Church of Scientology of New York. Carmichael was born a Presbyterian and became involved in Scientology after reading the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health while attending Cornell University. He became an ordained minister with the Church of Scientology in 1973, and in 1985 he headed the organization's operations in the State of Oregon.

John Carmichael
Carmichael in May 2008
Born1947 (age 73–74)[1]
United States
NationalityAmerican
CitizenshipUnited States
EmployerChurch of Scientology International
Children1

He has served as the President of the Church of Scientology of New York since 1987. In 1993 Carmichael was New York Contributing Editor to the Church of Scientology's publication: Freedom Magazine. Carmichael supervised the efforts of the Church of Scientology's Volunteer Ministers group at Ground Zero after 9/11. In 2002 he received the Church of Scientology's "IAS Freedom Medal". He is the public affairs director for the Church of Scientology in New York. In 2006 he represented 12 Scientology organizations in New Jersey and New York.

Career

Early work in Scientology

Carmichael was born a Presbyterian, and grew up in Florida and Illinois.[1] Having become an atheist, he began to learn about Scientology after reading Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health while attending college at Cornell University.[1]

He became an ordained minister with the Church of Scientology in 1973 and says he has devoted "half his life to the religion" because "it works".[1] In 1985, he was President of the Scientology mission in Portland, Oregon,[2][3] and also head of the Church of Scientology's operations in the State of Oregon.[4][5]

President of the Church of Scientology of New York
John Carmichael in February 2008 – the Church of Scientology building in New York City is visible in the background

Carmichael has served as the President of the Church of Scientology of New York since 1987,[6] and has performed work for the Church of Scientology in San Francisco, California, Paris, France, and Munich, Germany.[1] He serves as the Church of Scientology's New York public affairs director,[7] representing 12 Scientology organizations in New Jersey and New York in 2006,[8] and is a regional spokesperson for Scientology.[9] In 1993 Carmichael was New York Contributing Editor to the Church of Scientology's publication: Freedom Magazine.[10]

Carmichael oversaw efforts of the Church of Scientology's Volunteer Ministers group at Ground Zero after 9/11.[11] "The overall purpose of Scientology is to create a better world. By getting volunteers out in the community, helping individuals one-on-one, that's one way we can do it," said Carmichael in an interview with The Journal News about the Church of Scientology's activities at Ground Zero.[11] He appeared on a special Fox News program "Attack on America" on September 16, 2001, explaining to correspondent Rick Leventhal activities of members of the Church of Scientology at the Ground Zero work site.[12]

In 2002, Carmichael was recognized for his efforts by being named as a recipient of the Church of Scientology's "International Association of Scientologists Freedom Medal".[13] In 2006, Carmichael heard about a musical which was in production in New York City which parodied Scientology called: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant.[14] He showed up unannounced at a rehearsal of the play to complain, and also sent a letter of complaint to Kyle Jarrow, the play's author.[14]

In November 2007, Carmichael was one of a group of Scientologists invited by Tom Cruise to attend a private screening of the film Lions for Lambs, along with other stars of the film and their guests.[15] In May 2008 Carmichael was involved in an altercation with anti-Scientology protesters near a Church of Scientology building in New York City.[16][17]

References
  1. Waldman, Amy (September 20, 2001). "Changed Lives - Religious Leader Takes His Calling to Ground Zero". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. p. A22. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  2. Applegate, Howard (United Press International) (May 20, 1985). "Scientology Rally Begins In Portland". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. A02.
  3. United Press International (May 20, 1985). "Scientologists protest verdict $39 million fraud award prompts rally". Columbia Missourian. University of Missouri.
  4. Pesarchick, Mike (May 20, 1985). "Angry Church". The Orlando Sentinel. Sentinel Communications Co. p. A6.
  5. Associated Press (May 20, 1985). "Scientologists Protest Fraud Ruling". San Francisco Chronicle. p. 5.
  6. Barron, James (October 6, 1987). "Defendant in Park Murder Tried to Join Scientologists". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  7. Koch, John (February 4, 1997). "Steve Hassan's War on Cults The Ex-Moonie Says the Groups Have Become More Menacing As They Have Gone Mainstream". The Boston Globe. p. E1.
  8. Brozan, Nadine (November 12, 2006). "For Mrs. Cruise, Perhaps a Cat". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  9. O'Reilly, David (December 28, 1997). "Church Of Scientology Hits Critics Where They Live". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  10. Carmichael, John (Letter to the Editor) (May 25, 1993). "Reviewer took a leap of illogic over `Wild Palms'". The Washington Times. News World Communications. p. F2.
  11. Stern, Gary (March 5, 2002). "Scientology outreach criticized". The Journal News. p. 1A.
  12. Asman, David; Rick Leventhal (September 16, 2001). "Attack on America". Fox News. Fox News Network, LLC.
  13. Staff writer (December 2, 2002). "IAS Recipients 2002". Impact Magazine.
  14. Beggy, Carol; Mark Shanahan (November 20, 2006). "A different kind of Scientology pageant". The Boston Globe. p. 5C.
  15. Friedman, Roger (November 6, 2007). "Tom Cruise Rewards Scientology Honchos". Fox News. Fox News Network, LLC. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  16. Giove, Candice M. (May 28, 2008). "NY Scientology Chief: "I Smell Pussy"". Runnin' Scared. The Village Voice. Archived from the original on May 30, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
  17. Ortega, Tony (May 27, 2008). "Jason Beghe Turned Away at NY Scientology Building". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
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