A tale of two cults

New York Post/August 8, 2005

Mayor Bloomberg isn't mincing words when it comes to Sciento logy — whose members dumped loads of cash into Councilwoman Margarita Lopez's campaign for Manhattan borough president after she steered tax funds to a church-run "detox" unit for 9/11 victims.

If only the mayor were equally outspoken about Lenora Fulani — who's been the recipient of significant private and city-funded largesse, courtesy of Mike Bloomberg.

Following The Post's revelation of the Lopez-Scientology connection, Bloomberg blasted the controversial church.

"I don't think it's real science," he said. "Everything I've read about it — and that's not a lot — it doesn't make a lot of sense to me."

Mayor Mike was referring to a "detoxification project" that got $630,000 in city funding thanks to Lopez. The program rejects traditional remedies in favor of large doses of niacin, exercise, certain oils and long sauna baths.

The "therapy" has been dismissed as ineffective by the FDNY, the firefighters union and the medical community.

Say this much for them, though: No officials from the Church of Scientology, as far as we're aware, have ever denounced Jews as "mass murderers of people of color."

We've never read of top Scientologists traveling to Libya to meet with Moammar Khadafy at the height of his support for terrorism. But that would describe Fulani and her band.

Both the Scientologists and the Fulani organization have been accused of being cults, though both deny the charge.

Fulani's crowd does use a "social therapeutic approach" propounded by her mentor and close colleague, Marxist therapist Fred Newman.

Yet Bloomberg has not only steered personal and corporate donations their way, he also agreed to provide tax-free status for $8.35 million in bonds sold to build a new headquarters for the Fulani-Newman crowd.

What's the biggest difference between Fulani and the Church of Scientology?

That's easy: Scientologists don't control a political party with an automatic line on the state's general election ballot.

Which no doubt is why Bloomberg is so free with his words about the Scientologists — and so careful when it comes to Lenora Fulani.

For shame, Mr. Mayor.