Holiday reading – web pages censored by Universal Medicine
Posted: December 17, 2014 Filed under: censorship, Cult Characteristics 27 Comments
Painting by Juan Ford
For the past two years alternative medicine conglomerate and religion, Universal Medicine, has spammed Google Australia with complaints of defamation. Some succeeded. The following is an incomplete list of URLs removed by Google from search results. It includes links to blogs, including this one, and links to news reports from major media outlets. So much for free speech and a free press in Australia. UPDATED with new links and a list of complaints. PLUS a false DMCA copyright complaint removing post about NSW Parliamentary Inquiry.
A claim of defamation cannot succeed if the statements are substantially true. None of Universal Medicine’s defamation whinges have been tested in court, and in spite of having a clutch of lawyers in their service and a large legal fund at its disposal, we have not received any legal threats.
Censored news reports:
- au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/lifestyle/article/-/14419028/healing-gurus-cult-resort/
- abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/07/23/3551582.htm
- couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/esoteric-healer-serge-benhayon-plans-college-of-universal-medicine-in-goonellabah/story-e6freoof-1226474375480
- echonews.com.au/news/healer-denies-cult-claims/1479639/
- news.com.au/national/new-age-medicine-of-serge-benhayon-leaves-trail-of-broken-families/story-fndo4ckr-1226467645378
- smh.com.au/nsw/cult-cures-on-medicare-20120721-22gsn.html
- nbnnews.com.au/index.php/2012/12/14/experts-target-online-bullying/
Censored websites and blogs:
- http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?nomo=1&hl=en-AU&q=cache:x2-T65Xux0QJ:http://umsupportgroup.blogspot.com/?m%3D1%2B
- doubtfulnews.com/tag/serge-benhayon/
- doubtfulnews.com/2012/07/universal-medicine-movement-called-cult-has-unconventional-treatments/
- doubtfulnews.com/2012/09/universal-medicine-continues-to-be-labeled-new-age-cult-by-some/
- freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/07/22/but-will-they-come-when-you-do-call-for-them/
- womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=15549
- annamariacom.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/new-australian-cult.html
- tntmagazine.com/news/weird/new-age-cult-lead-by-man-claiming-to-be-reincarnation-of-leonardo-di-vinci-getting-referrals-from-brisbane-health-centre
- goodreads.com/book/show/15709154-esoteric-teachings-and-revelations—a-new-study-for-mankind
- forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=9097004
- whyweprotest.net/community/threads/the-universal-medicine-cult-not-scientology-but-similar-business-model.113257/
- museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/comments/esoteric_breast_massage
- sott.net/article/250917-New-Age-Medicine-of-Serge-Benhayon-Leaves-Trail-of-Broken-Families
- reasonablehank.com/2013/04/02/anti-vaccination-network-slammed-in-nsw-parliament/
- universalmedicinecult.wordpress.com/
- universalmedicinecult.wordpress.com/category/serge-benhayon-cult/
- universalmedicinecult.wordpress.com/about/
- universalmedicinecult.wordpress.com/category/lords-of-form/
- universalmedicinecult.wordpress.com/category/universal-medicine-cult/
- universalmedicinecult.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/the-lords-of-form-and-money-for-unimed/
- universalmedicinecult.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/the-real-world-of-universal-medicine-the-cult/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/death-drive-part-2-serge-benhayon-the-cult-doctors/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/death-drive-part-1-serge-benhayons-cult-of-death-the-doctrine/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/esoteric-legal-action-universal-medicines-latest-censorship-fail/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/feel-good-fascists-feminine-bullying-within-the-universal-medicine-cult/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/brimful-of-prana-a-special-and-joy-full-message-for-the-universal-medicine-cult-from-very-scary-darkly-venus/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/universal-medicines-womens-health-special-having-your-genitals-touched-by-the-one-and-any-other-cult-member-who-feels-to/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/universal-medicine-cult-easter-gossip/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/dismantling-sergespeak-universal-medicine-cult-glossary-meets-reality-tester/
- universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/our-mission
- factsaboutsergebenhayon.wordpress.com/
- factsaboutuniversalmedicine.wordpress.com/
- factsaboutuniversalmedicine.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/serge-benhayon-says-were-all-in-a-cult/
- factsaboutuniversalmedicine.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/not-on-the-payroll-an-esoteric-mystery/
- factsaboutuniversalmedicine.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/an-esoteric-call-to-arms-universal-medicine-cult-initial-propaganda-push/
UPDATE: The following are recent removals, including one removal of a link to the cult’s own propaganda.
- http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=243521&page=2
- http://universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/category/universal-medicine-cult/
- http://universalmedicinefacts.com/the-facts-about-the-universal-medicine-cult-allegations/
- http://estherrockett.com/2014/05/29/whos-bullying-who-the-universal-medicine-cults-retaliation-overkill/
- https://factsaboutuniversalmedicine.wordpress.com/tag/serge-benhayon/
- https://universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/tag/universal-medicine-accountability/
False copyright infringement complaint
The following post on the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry report that singled out UM was removed from Google search due to a false copyright infringement claims. Phoenix Global are squealing copyright infringement for use of Desiree Delaloye’s EPA logo, even though I did not claim it as my own work, provided a link to the EPA site (coming soon since 2009), and am not making money from selling it or anything else. By law it would be regarded as ‘fair use‘ for the purposes of commentary, journalism or criticism. False statements in legal complaints are against the law. http://universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2014/12/07/universal-medicine-slammed-by-nsw-parliamentary-committee/
The Streisand Effect
UM’s critics were not happy when informed they’d been censored, and they blogged and tweeted about it. Hello Streisand Effect.
Doubtful News: Web pages, including ours, deemed “critical” of Universal Medicine removed from Google Search results
James Randi Educational Forum: Esoteric Healing organization used Google blocking to manipulate their online reputation
Neurologica Blog: Universal Medicine uses Google to silence critics
Chilling Effects Listings
The source for the list of URLs is the Chilling Effects website. Chilling Effects is a non profit organisation that monitors material deleted from internet searches via defamation or copyright infringement complaints. Chilling effect is a term used to describe the effect of censorship and legal threats on free speech.
Those responsible for having these URLs removed from Google Search results are Paula Fletcher of Universal Law, Mullumbimby, and Gold Coast security firm, Phoenix Global and Internet Reputation Australia, which is operated by Michael Featherstone and his son Zach. Mick Featherstone was arrested on December 18 on charges of fraud and seeking to pervert the course of justice. Desiree’s false copyright complaint was submitted on December 14.
Phoenix Global also managed to get my Facebook pages closed to Australian readers. Facebook & PG refused to disclose the grounds of the complaints and allow no recourse. This is what Australia calls free speech – unchecked censorship by cults and organised crime figures.
From one of the Phoenix Global complaints:
The site makes imputations that suggest Serge Benhayon is operating a cult. These comments are untrue, and not in the public interest. b. Serge Benhayon has never operated a cult. Serge Benhayon have not been charged, arrested, or convicted of any dishonesty offence. Serge Benhayon would not be involved with any offences of this nature. This content has been spread through numerous websites with the intention to defame Serge Benhayon. c. These comments are currently appearing on Google.com, Google.com.au, and Google.co.nz. The comments harm my reputation and cause damage to my business. Google.com.au: The publishers and distributors of this material would be liable for civil damages under the Defamation Act 2005 (Qld). Due to the possible retaliation, and threat to my safety caused by that the claims that in am engaged in criminal enterprises, this violates Criminal defamation sections of Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld). Google.co.nz: These comments are in breach of the NZ Defamation Act 1992.
From the cult leader responsible for 23 defamatory webpages to date about me alone, and dozens more on other complainants, victims and journalists.
The following is believed to be a full listing of UM’s complaints to Google, available on the Chilling Effects website (thank you to the person who dug them all out) (Update – the links are now redundant since Chilling Effects changed platforms):
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/893962
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/1434607
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/829230
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/829231
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/831693
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/951474
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/581475
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/180545
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/910947
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/315766
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/322971
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/817300
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/1201305
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/1635388
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/10251543
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/1201211
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/1201213
- https://www.chillingeffects.org/notices/910879
Defamation claim or censorship – Universal Medicine’s complaints to Google
When cults become the new internet censor – with the help of Google
Universal Medicine CULT Exposed 
This says it all:
”A handful of people say what we have here is a cult. What if I can bring 2000 people to say it’s not?”
The wisdom of Serge.
But what if we asked everyone in the world, Sergio? My sample size was small but when I presented people (who had not heard of UM before) with YOUR super websites and ageless wisdom, 14 out of 14 people either said “is this scientology?” or “sounds like a cult.”
If it sounds like a cult, if it’s run like a cult, and if it’s members behave like brain-amputated bunny rabbits, then, in all likelihood: it’s a cult.
Oh and by the way, Sergio: things don’t become “true” or “right” by majority vote. Ask the Germans.
I’ve had the same experience. They’d probably be dismayed to know that I freely send people to it because it proves my point. Everyone I know that has seen it has expressed the same view as your sample. A recent remark to me was “was legitimate organization would need to put up a site like this?”
We know the answer, but it seems Serge and the students have no capacity to see how it looks to regular folk. And if we’re just the astral cult and are too pranic to get it, why bother putting it up to defend themselves.
Cult.
I am absolutely disgusted after reading the pages of Censored News Reports and Censored websites?. What is Serge Benhayon and his/her group of Musketeers Frightened Of?–
The truth.
Reading up on the siege summary today in all the major papers
Seems that Monis was a “spiritual healer who massaged women’s breasts”
Is there some sort of step by step guide out there somewhere on “How to start a cult and be a spiritual healer”
They all seem to follow the same pattern, along with pilfering free money for themselves and their chosen cause from the taxpayer via the government loopholes.
This sicko was particularly savage killing off his first wife via his new brainwashed young wife who did the actual stabbing and burned her alive. Power and control, attention seeking narcissism, its all there, just minus the lovingness.
News footage showed him ranting about bringing ‘peace’ to the Australian community. He was on the steps of the law courts in Sydney in the process of being disowned by his lawyers on a charge of writing hate letters to the families of military casualties. I’m sure if we dug into his background he would have been ranting about ‘love of humanity’ as well.
The moral of the story – it’s not what they say but what they do that counts.
And personally, I’ve been deeply suspicious of anyone who calls themselves a healer for a very long time.
Gold Coast security firm Phoenix Global was hired by the cult to make some of these complaints to Google. This article reveals them to be the kind of dirty tricks outfit that attempts to sue or at least intimidate consumer advocates. http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/09/white-shoe-brigade-kicks-back/
Phoenix Global also managed to get my Facebook pages shut down and have refused to disclose on what grounds – because the grounds are false. Probably false complaints of copyright infringement, and very poor form of FB to not allow any form of redress – as the WordPress blog platform does.
Phoenix Global, dodgy chief bully-boy for UM, and their director Mick/Michael Featherstone now in deep sh*t themselves.
http://abc.net.au/news/2014-09-02/former-senior-detective-at-centre-of-ccc-fraud-probe/5712832
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-19/palmer-media-adviser-detained-over-alleged-kidnap/5978632
Yep, real high calibre protection there Serge – linked to bikies, bent cops & real estate shonks, implicated in a kidnaping, witness intimidation plot and a massive gambling scam.
How very Esoteric.
How very esoteric indeed. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the police investigation in to Global and its clients reveals.
Search a little more and you come up with this:
“Phoenix Global specialises in finding and removing adverse or defamatory internet posts about its clients, and also offers investigative services to people facing criminal charges.
Mr Featherstone’s clients have included convicted child rapist John Chardon, whose wife Novy is missing, presumed dead; convicted fraudster Glenn Connelly; and Mario Girardo, who was jailed in 2010 over kidnap and extortion.
He has also worked for three-time bankrupt property spruiker and so-called ‘King Con’ Dudley Quinlivan, and is a director of several companies connected to Michael King, the former Gold Coast lawyer who was behind the MFS mortgage broking company.”
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-19/crook-featherstone-smith-profiles/5976970
Wonderful partners Universal Medicine has chosen to do business with.
Lol! What were you saying about integrity again Sergio?
Hiring a fucking Gold Coast organised crime figure to make dirty internet complaints is integrity. Cheese is evil.
Happy Sergmess!
Serge knows this guy via someone else he did business with in 1994 to set up a company just before declaring bankruptcy. Or at least, the person who helped him set up the company by acting a stand in director-briefly- has a connection with Featherstone.
It appears Serge set the company up to have a vehicle to do various business deals while in bankruptcy. He declared no interest in a private company in his statement of affairs. However mail for this company went to three addresses he occupied during those years. And it was eponymously named. Thus avoiding half a million debt, and putting his name out there all at the same time. A big fuck you, look how smart I am. Seem familiar?
Yes, Serge has been getting advice from the best for years. He is drawn towards those with his level of integrity.
More on Mick:
I’ve just updated the post – the source for these links was chillingeffects.org. Those responsible for having these URLs removed from Google Search results are Paula Fletcher of Universal Law, Mullumbimby, Gold Coast security firm, Phoenix Global and Internet Reputation Australia.The complaints found so far span approximately one year from the end of 2012.Technically, it’s my opinion the complaints are illegal, as a defamation claim can only be made by an individual or organisation with less than 10 employees. Universal Medicine, Serge Benhayon and Paula Fletcher operate as part of a large commercial business/religious group/CULT. It’s hard to believe Google allowed these complaints, particularly the removal of links to news articles.
Re the censor demands sent to Google. Serge quotes unlawful actions under defamamation laws but will not take legal action. This behaviour makes any business person or lawyer very quizzical.
But as stated before Serge and UM could not cope with a court case because he would have to deal with the facts and evidence of claims made by victims against him. And he’d look a right pratt. The DPP would probably take a keen interest in his pathetic responses in such a case.
What can we do about it? Is there a Google appeal process? I’m angry Google could do this without notifying the website.
Hi Doubtful News, no there is no appeals process. Chilling Effects had a major backlog and didn’t post the urls for more than a year. Last year, prior to that, I contacted Google several times and asked them to release the complaints. After several months, they sent me some.
http://universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/2014/03/14/defamation-claim-or-censorship-universal-medicines-complaints-to-google/
For redress Google suggests you hire a lawyer.
In other words, they remove links without a court order, and at the request of multi-million dollar organisations with dedicated legal teams. The law in Australia, NZ and the UK is the same. US law does not allow this, and US users of Google can find anything they want – removals can only take place with a court order.
Having said that, the cult hasn’t succeeded with a number of their complaints – probably the majority – and none this year that I can find.
And they’re not responding to legitimate ones now. Probably fatigued from dealing with bullshit. However, Google do have a lot to answer for. They are capricious, self governing, and end up being the judge and executioner. My guess is that if you can make enough noise (by bringing 2000 people to show you are not a cult, say) they will cave. If you are a minority battling a cacophony of lies, you’re going to struggle. Google need to get their shit together.
By the way, it is hard to “Google” but you can find people whinging about this. It just doesn’t come up on the first 10 pages of results.
Do no evil hey? They sound like Serge.
It’s difficult Sharon and no, they don’t notify the site owner whose results they are removing.
Google are a law unto themselves. It’s like the wild west. The guys with the ugliest posse win. Google isn’t interested in truth, or what is right or wrong. They just respond to words on bits of paper and if they get enough of them they might do something. We’ve had contradictory responses from them, and their processes are opaque.
What is clear is that if you are a master of woo with a dodgy background and need to get yourself off the internet, Google can help you out. If you’re trying to get something done about woo-meister Google aren’t interested.
Ironically, we’d need to start our own cult so we can make enough noise for them to listen.
“Featherstone started bombarding Google with take-down requests. In Australia, the *criminals decide what information you are allowed* to access, so the blog posts were blocked for Australian readers.” (from drbenway.blogspot)
“Phoenix Global specialises in finding and removing adverse or defamatory internet posts about its clients, and also offers investigative services to people facing criminal charges.
Mr Featherstone’s clients have included convicted child rapist John Chardon, whose wife Novy is missing, presumed dead; convicted fraudster Glenn Connelly; and Mario Girardo, who was jailed in 2010 over kidnap and extortion.
He has also worked for three-time bankrupt property spruiker and so-called ‘King Con’ Dudley Quinlivan, and is a director of several companies connected to Michael King, the former Gold Coast lawyer who was behind the MFS mortgage broking company”
“Energetic” integrity.
In the Sydney Telegraph on Tuesday 30 December Police stated that today, they were expecting to charge Tony Smith over claims he, a former detective, kidnapped a bank NAB executive to force him to change a statement in a $70 million lawsuit. Smith flew back from Bali, the day previously and was staying on the Gold Coast. Smith is accused of plotting with PR man Andrew Crook and former detective Mick Featherstone.Police will allege that, when the man refused to change his statement, two Indonesian men detained him and seized his passport.
Police said Mr Palmer had no knowledge of the alleged ruse.
So we can expect justice to prevail, and finally the great Trio, will have their day in …jail?
As Admiral Lutjens used to say, this is good. I’m going to hit the astral plane and see what pranic mischief I can cook up.
Someone left this link on another post – another blog removed from Google Blogger in early 2012.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?nomo=1&hl=en-AU&q=cache:x2-T65Xux0QJ:http://umsupportgroup.blogspot.com/?m%3D1%2B
Thank you. I’ve added it to the list above.