The Church of Scientology Argues That Danny Masterson Stalking Suit Should Go to "Religious Arbitration" | THR News - video Dailymotion

New court papers argue that four suing women consented to "ecclesiastical rule" and forever relinquished their right to sue.

Transcript

00:00The Church of Scientology is saying Danny Masterson's stalking suit must now go to

00:04religious arbitration.

00:07Chrissy Carnell Bixler, Marie Rialis and two Jane Does filed a lawsuit in August

00:11claiming they were stalked and harassed after they told the LAPD about sexual

00:15assaults by That 70s show actor Danny Masterson.

00:18In reaction, Masterson spoke to The Hollywood Reporter calling the suit

00:22beyond ridiculous and that the, quote, public will finally be able to learn the truth.

00:26But now the Church of Scientology, a co-defendant in the case, is arguing that the

00:30lawsuit should go to religious arbitration.

00:33Their argument is that these women agreed to ecclesiastical or religious justice

00:37procedures when they first committed to practicing Scientology.

00:40Los Angeles Superior Court judge has been presented with their written agreements.

00:44A motion to compel religious arbitration states,

00:47"...under the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the United States and California

00:52Constitutions, the Church may establish its own rules governing its relationships with

00:56its members exempt from civil law. The Church's ecclesiastical arbitration is a condition

01:01of participating in Scientology services. This court may not interfere with this condition

01:06by imposing civil laws for arbitration. The Church's arbitration agreements, as written

01:11and agreed to, must be enforced."

01:13According to new court papers, the women each executed such agreements, stating in part,

01:18"...my freely given consent to be bound exclusively by the discipline, faith, internal

01:23organization, and ecclesiastical rule, custom, and law of the Scientology religion in all

01:28matters relating to Scientology religious services."

01:32The Church of Scientology anticipates that the women alleging Dani Masterson abuse or

01:36Scientology stalking will challenge this arbitration agreement.

01:39To read the full story, head to THR.com.

01:42For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Neha Joy.

01:44To be continued...