April 7 in Scientology history

Lucas Catton is a well-known figure here at the Bunker. He was once president of Scientology's flagship rehab clinic, Narconon Arrowhead in Oklahoma, but then he became a whistleblower who has been featured on national television, and who continues to expose Scientology at his own YouTube channel. We're indebted to Luke for the many stories he's helped us report about Scientology and Narconon over the years, and now we're going into even deeper debt to him. He's handed over to us raw intel, something so massive we are turning to you, our readers, for help sifting through it.

Tags: 1950, 1970, 1972, 1997, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, Apple, Atlanta, California, Cult Awareness Network, Danny Porter, England, FBI, Field Staff Member, Georgia, Gwinnett County, Japan, Jonestown, Lucas Catton, Mary Rieser, Michigan, Narconon, Narconon Arrowhead, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, OT, Paul Wilkening, Per Wickstrom, Quentin Hubbard, Quicky, Revolt in the Stars, Sea Org, Sherry Mowell, YouTube

We want to thank the tipster who sent us a link to this fabulous video put out by Scientology's New York 'Ideal Org.' It's pretty much everything we needed in this moment. We don't hear too much from the New York org. Despite its amazing location right off of Times Square on 46th Street, New York City isn't really a big Scientology town, and the church here takes a back seat to the major outlets in England, Los Angeles, and Clearwater, Florida. So it's fun to finally see some faces at the Time Square location, and to hear from them as they, like all of the other orgs around the world, try to fulfill "command intention" and promote leader David Miscavige's program that he spelled out in a March 13 special bulletin.

Tags: 1950, 1972, California, Clearwater, David Miscavige, England, Facebook, Florida, Ideal Org, Johannesburg, Knowledge Report, Los Angeles, New York, New York City, OT, Quicky, Revolt in the Stars, Sea Org, Sunday service, Sussex

The Jehovah's Witnesses have been predicting the end of the world "Armageddon" since the creation of the movement by Charles Taze Russell in the late 19th century. Some of their earlier predictions had specific dates, but as these came and passed, and they came up with explanations as to why the dates were not correct (generally that God was revealing more truth and making things clearer now…) COVID-19 has their apocalyptic juices flowing. The JW's are run by a group of old men called the "Governing Board." There is a lot to know about the JW's and my good friend "John Cedars"/Lloyd Evans (@lloydevanscedars on Facebook and @cedarsjwsurvey on Twitter) is one of the world's leading experts on the subject.

Tags: Armageddon, Coronavirus, David Miscavige, Disconnection, Facebook, Governing Body, Jehovah's Witnesses, John Cedars, Lloyd Evans, OT IX, Quicky, Saturday Night Live, Stephen Lett, Twitter

#Scientology #ExScientologist #Cult On episode 103 of SOMEWHERE IN THE SKIES, Ryan is joined once again by Joey Chait, an ex-member of the church of Scientology. In part 2 of this series, they discuss what happened after Joey was kicked out of the infamous "Sea Org" for being gay. Then Joey runs us through the incredible story of how and why he was sent to federal prison, testified under oath about what he endured in his lifetime with the church of Scientology, and what happened when he finally left completely. Then, Joey describes his interactions with the mysterious, new leader of Scientology, David Miscaviage, and his complete hijacking of the entire religion. Joey then answers listener questions to help clear up misconceptions and confirmations about the church, its followers, and what comes next for him as an ex-member speaking out against Scientology.

Tags: 2016, Cult, David Miscavige, Joseph Chait, LGBTQ, Los Angeles, Patreon, Quicky, Sea Org, Twitter

Some have been incredulous when told that young children participate in scientology auditing and training. And that it is PAID FOR. Well, here is a new promo piece from the "ideal" org in Pasadena, right under the nose of Church of Scientology International.

Tags: Church of Scientology International, Facebook, Pasadena, Purification Rundown, Quicky, Twitter

This week, my wife Melissa and I did a live stream, answering a record number of questions in the hour we did the show. We read the questions out as we were going and some of them were just for my wife too! Enjoy!

Tags: Critic, Quicky

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comment section of my Critical Q&A shows or sent to me by email at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week, the questions I answer are: (1) When I was a kid there was a story in a major magazine that talked about how our skin was covered with little bacteria. I remember my Mom and Dad talking about the fact that there was no way to scrub these bacteria off and they were freaking out. Of course since then, science has realize that these bacteria actually help us. Companies are beginning to realize the importance of this microbiome and are selling products that protect these bacteria, but at the time this first came out, we were all very uncomfortable with the whole idea. Jumping ahead to Scientology and "body thetans," I've watched a ton of critics and only heard this touched on briefly. Some Scientologists, after being told they're covered with little disembodied entities that they can't break free of, lose it. I could see how this might send somebody straight off a cliff since it's so similar to the microbiome thing. From what I gather, Lisa McPherson may have even had this problem. I'm not a psychiatrist but if somebody gets out of their car, gets completely naked and walks around on the street in traffic, it would make sense that they were trying to get rid of something that's attached all over their body.

Tags: Critic, David Miscavige, Knowledge Reports, Lisa McPherson, Quicky, Sea Org, Squirrel

Rod Keller keeps us up on the latest news about Scientology's plans for expansion... With the recent opening of the Advanced Org for Africa in Kyalami Castle, attention is being given to a stalled project that Scientology has not forgotten. It's the Advanced Org for Latin America at the Palmas Plaza in Mexico City. The situation on the ground hasn't changed since 2017, when we reported that officials sealed the building site for lack of proper permits. But that doesn't stop the fundraising. In order to open this island of sanity to deliver OT levels, a safe environment at a continental level MUST be created. For this, LOTS of campaigns on 4th dynamic MUST be executed RIGHT AWAY (CCHR, ABLE, NARCONON, VMs…) And, of course, the building needs to be renovated too!!!

Tags: 2017, 2018, ABLE, Advanced Org, Africa, American Power and Gas, Bob Duggan, Castle Kyalami, CCHR, Clear, Colombia, Continental Liaison Office, Copenhagen, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Fundraising, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, L. Ron Hubbard, Los Angeles, Mexico, Mexico City, Narconon, OT, OT IX, Rod Keller, Safe Point, Tom Cummins, Valencia, Venezuela, Volunteer Ministers

LIKE serial killers and small men, Scientologists like to be taken seriously. Some of them even wear suits – civilised society's most familiar reality distortion technique. With a matching blazer and kecks, any rogue can take advantage of the subconscious mind's meek subservience to authoritative garb, with instant wisdom and sincerity bestowed upon the wearer. Yet, even the subterfuge of Savile Row or Burtons' finest can't protect a Scientologist from societal mockery. And certainly not in cynicism's ground zero – Scotland – where the church has now inexplicably chosen to purchase a large building in the heart of Edinburgh, after failing in its bid to occupy the city's historic Lothian Chambers. If its new Westfield House property is destined to become one of the religion's infamously tacky headquarters, the sight of Auld Reekie's skirted men blowing into sheep's stomachs to summon the dirges of genocides past will only become slightly less ridiculous.

Tags: Edinburgh, E-meter, Ideal Org, Scotland

A couple of times recently in our discussions with Lloyd Evans, the issue of Jehovah's Witnesses and natural disasters has come up. Jehovah's Witnesses are obsessed with the idea that a bloody, global apocalypse is imminent, and so we've wondered how the organization is dealing with the actual localized catastrophes that come up from time to time. We did notice that at the JW.org website, there's a section for us reporters called the "newsroom," and it struck us how many of the press releases being put out by the organization had to do with counting the number of Jehovah's Witnesses had been affected by an earthquake somewhere, or some other calamity. And then, we happened to receive this very interesting story from a reader named Michael Paddock, who agreed to let us share it with you. Michael Paddock: I was raised as a JW, and I lived totally convinced it was the truth until a couple of years ago. I served as a pioneer/elder and was invited to be a substitute C.O. So, I've seen some interesting things. One of the more puzzling periods of my serving as an elder involved the relief work done in connection with Hurricane Katrina. I lived in Dallas at the time and many survivors were coming into our area. The relief committee was focused on trying to find as many as possible. One of the areas we were tasked with searching was Red Cross shelters. To do this, my wife and I were sent to volunteer at the Red Cross, which involved several hours of training as to their way of handling things. The Red Cross are very concerned with protecting those under their charge and limit any outside contact, for their safety. So, it was necessary for us to become full-fledged members of the Red Cross.

Tags: Dallas, Hurricane Katrina, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lloyd Evans, Michael Paddock, Quicky, Red Cross

The owner of Le Drague Cabaret Club in Quebec City filed a complaint with police after a hate message was discovered on social media — a message targeting the local LGBTQ community. The message warned the club's customers that extremist groups were organizing a "hunt" on Friday night in the neighbourhood where the popular, long-time gay bar is located. The warning message claimed the hunt would target members of the LGBTQ community and "all those who identify publicly with the left." It also mentions antifascists, non-binary people and people of diverse backgrounds.

Tags: Alt-Right, LGBTQ, Quebec City

The show where I answer your questions. Please leave any comments or feedback in the comments section here below. I see everything and want to hear from you. SHOP FOR CRITICAL MERCHANDISE http://shop.spreadshirt.com/chrisshelton

Tags: Audio, Critic, Quicky, Scientology: A to Xenu

Here is the reality of an "ideal org". They bring in virtually all the staff from outside the area — even from outside the COUNTRY. In fact, they circulate a bunch of these people around from one ideal org to the next to create the appearance that there is a bustling staff ready, willing and able to serve the floods of people who will begin arriving the minute the doors open.

Tags: Clearwater, Ideal Org, Orlando, Peggy Seiwert, Quicky

Chris Crimy: "In this first part of my conversation with Tony, he talks about covering Scientology, possible Trump connections and much more! I also have been in touch with Lori Hodgson. She was disconnected from her son and daughter when the "Church" made them choose. Later when they were on TV as part of a "POW" style propaganda video, Lori was deeply hurt. She still loves her children and wants them in her life. She wrote letters to them expressing this. In the event this podcast somehow reaches them, I promised to read them on the air. Plus a special past guest drops in and we have a great brief chat!!

Tags: 2017, Aftermath Foundation, Big Blue, Call Me, Come Get Sum, Cult, David Miscavige, DC, Disconnection, Lori Hodgson, Marty Rathbun, Miami, OT, Phil Jones, Quicky, Tony Ortega, Twitter

I've told this before for many years...but I think it's important to remind people, especially as we have so many new people interested. THIS IS IMPORTANT. I'm not saying people cannot disagree...no, that is *totally* different than the 3 Goals of OSA. Check it out, and have a wonderful week-end!! :) Tory/Magoo

Tags: Office of Special Affairs, Quicky

We open our article with a graphic from Scientology TV: This graphic is taken from Scientology's official website and informs us that Scientology TV launched with only 25 hours of original content (1500 minutes). This is hardly a number to brag about — particularly after Scientology leader David Miscavige spent about $100 million to purchase, equip, and launch Scientology Media Productions and Scientology TV. David Miscavige purchased the old KCET studio in 2011, so we also must factor in the seven years of time he took to actually get his 25 hours of original Scientology TV content on air. Looked at from a business perspective, this is a terrible and inefficient use of time and money. Like the Ideal Orgs or the Super Power Building, Scientology TV is yet another money-grabbing and financially wasteful Miscavige vanity project which absolutely fails to address the real issues that are destroying the Church of Scientology from within and without.

Tags: 1947, 1948, 1951, 2009, 2011, 2017, ABC, Basics, Birthday Event, Bridge Publications, Child labor, Colombia, Cult, David Miscavige, Dianetics, Dianetics Foundation, Disconnection, eBay, Elisabeth Moss, Fair Game, Forbes, HBO, Hollywood, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, International Scientology News, John Travolta, Kansas, KCET, Kelly Preston, Knowledge Reports, L. Ron Hubbard, Laura Prepon, Nation of Islam, NBC, New Jersey, Office of Special Affairs, OT, Richard Acunto, Rome, Scientology Media Productions, Scientology TV, Sea Org, Super Power Building, The Way to Happiness, Tom Cruise, Variety, Volunteer Ministers, Wichita, Xenu

Tags: Quicky, Regraded Being

The fractured elements of what was once called the alt-right were unified once more on Thursday night in condemning Donald Trump's airstrike in Syria as a mistake. Or as Milo Yiannopoulos put it, "FAKE and GAY." This loose confederation of Web-savvy, anti-establishment right-wingers formed an important vanguard of Trump's online support in last year's election, and its unified opposition to the airstrike forewarns a political downside to intervention in Syria. While foreign wars tend to boost presidents' popularity in the short term, Trump risks losing the segments of his base that flocked to his isolationist, "America First" message. In addition to its nationalist, anti-interventionist and anti-"globalist" views, the alt-right and its fellow travelers have also displayed a marked affinity for Syria's ally Russia, whose government has returned the love by tweeting images of the alt-right's mascot, Pepe the Frog, from official accounts. In reacting to the airstrikes, leaders of the movement placed those ideological reflexes over their personal loyalty to Trump.

Tags: 2000, Alt-Right, America First, Barack Obama, Chuck Johnson, Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Easter, Gavin McInnes, Hollywood, Iraq, Mike Cernovich, Milo Yiannopoulos, NBC News, Proud Boys, Pulitzer Prize, Richard Spencer, Ricky Vaughn, Russia, Skype, Stefan Molyneux, Syria, Twitter, White nationalism

You really have to hand it to Scientology. It just never gives up. Sure, the church may be shrinking and on a collision course with oblivion, but the people who remain after all the theetie weetie dilettantes have been chased off are hardcore fanatics, and church leader David Miscavige has them pushing Scientology's sneaky front groups in all kinds of directions and with all kinds of clever efforts at subterfuge. One of our eagle-eyed tipsters noticed a very subtle and successful new move by someone we've told you about before. He's Kenneth Kramer, a private investigator who helps Scientology agitate against the psychiatric profession, which L. Ron Hubbard hated with a passion. Even today, as it dwindles, the church believes that it's on a mission to destroy the psychiatric profession utterly.

Tags: 1959, 1967, 2016, Canada, CCHR, Clearwater, David Miscavige, Denver, East Grinstead, Farsec, Flag Land Base, Fort Harrison, Freedom Medal, Holocaust, Ken Kramer, Los Angeles, Mike Rinder, Oak Cove, Private investigator, Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum, Quicky, Saint Hill Manor, Sexual assault, Sunset Boulevard, Tampa Bay Times, Tracey McManus, UK, USA Today, Xenu

In this 4-part series, I interview my Mom about Scientology, our mutual history with it and how she helped me to escape. In this second part, we talk about some of the big differences between Scientology back in the 1970s compared to now and how it has become much harsher and more authoritarian.

Tags: 1970, Quicky

With neutral white text against a collage of faces, a new billboard in Echo Park appears to be encouraging Scientologists to pick up the phone and seek help. The large sign on Glendale Boulevard reads in part, "to my loved one in Scientology... call me." Phil and Emily Jones, who put up the ad, say that they are just trying to contact their children. Former members of the church themselves, the Joneses tell ABC News that their daughter is employed by the church and both she and her brother have cut off communication with people outside of the religion. The Joneses hope that the billboard also helps draw attention to the practice of "disconnection" that they say the church encourages. According to the couple's website, "disconnection is the severance of all ties between a Scientologist and a friend, colleague, or family member deemed to be antagonistic towards Scientology." Phil Jones says this is part of the church's efforts to control its members. "We know what the conditioning is and what goes on there," he says. "It is a form of hypnosis. We've experienced it, we went through it."

Tags: ABC, ABC News, Billboard, Disconnection, Echo Park, Emily Jones, Glendale, Hollywood Boulevard, Phil Jones, Quicky

FL-Sen: Rule no. 1 for political candidates: Never try to edit your own Wikipedia page. Rule no. 2: Definitely don't try to scrub out references to your links with Scientology. And rule no. 3: For godsakes, don't associate with those lunatic Scientology slave-lords in the first place! Republican Rep. David Jolly has, however, broken all three of these rules. Jolly's ties to the "Church" of Scientology are long-established and well-known. The group has a prominent headquarters in the town of Clearwater, which is located in Jolly's district, and Jolly has often participated in Scientology events: Just last year, he was feted as a "guest of honor" at a Scientology festival.

Tags: Clearwater, David Jolly, Quicky, Wikipedia

An LA couple have spent over $8,000 on a billboard advert in central Los Angeles in a desperate bid to reach their children who they say have been 'lost' to Scientology. Former Scientologists Phil and Willie Jones have had very limited contact with their son and daughter for years and the advert is a last ditch attempt to reach out to them. The billboard was erected on Glendale Blvd in Echo Park Monday after two Billboard companies pulled out of the contract last minute. It reads: 'To my loved one in Scientology...call me' against a backdrop of hundreds of family photos of those who have been affected by the church's 'disconnection' program.

Tags: Billboard, Call Me, David Miscavige, Disconnection, Emily Jones, Facebook, Former Scientologists, Glendale, GoFundMe, Hollywood, John Travolta, LAist, Lamar Media, Los Angeles, Marty Rathbun, Mike Jones, Outfront Media, Page Six, Phil Jones, Regency Outdoor, Sea Org, Suppressive Person, Tom Cruise, Underground Bunker, Willie Jones

Phil and Willie Jones and their billboard have really hit the big time. Expect to see them on both the Today Show on NBC and Good Morning America on ABC this morning. Yesterday, we sat back and let our commenters report on the action happening in Los Angeles as the billboard, which we reported had gone up on Monday morning, attracted a gaggle of television teams to film the dedication ceremony. We asked Phil at the end of the day if he would send us some thoughts about how it had gone. He sent us the following, and we're also grateful to several Bunker readers who supplied us with photos. Wednesday was 'Billboard Dedication Day.' It turned out to be a lot more than we possibly could have imagined. Since the billboard went up on Monday we figured it would be a bit low key on Wednesday, with maybe 5 or 10 people, and if we were lucky a news crew or two.

Tags: 1970, 20/20, Billboard, Chris Shelton, Chris White, Daily Mail, East Grinstead, England, Florida, Gore v. Narconon, Heidi Gore, Inside Edition, Jamie DeWolf, Judge Carol Edmead, Los Angeles, Mike Rinder, Mission, Narconon, Nathaniel Gore, NBC, New York, Nora Crest, Phil Jones, Quicky, Saint Hill, Saint Hill Manor, Sec Check, Today Show, Tom Cruise, UK, Willie Jones

Today we are joined by former second-generation Scientologist Aaron Smith-Levin. Aaron became a member of the Church of Scientology at around the age of 4, after his mother joined up in Philadelphia. Aaron details his life within Scientology, from joining staff at age 12, to signing his billion year Sea Org contract in his 20's, to eventually leaving the cult along with his wife and children. We discuss what it was like as a child growing up knowing nothing other than Scientology. We discuss how Scientology is often contradictory and at odds with its own belief system, along with the posthumous influence of L Ron Hubbard, regarded by Scientologists as both god and man. Later Aaron relates the fascinating story of how Patt and Annie Broeker were ousted by David Miscavige in the course of his quest to gain control of the group. We also discuss Scientology's dangerous and barbaric views about disabled people; Aaron describes the "superman" mentality of Scientologists and how they blame disabled people for their handicaps. Aaron explains that Scientology doesn't regard them as worthy of help, and explains the Scientological concept of "making the able more able." We round off the podcast with a discussion of the current state of Scientology -- Aaron and I talk about the involvement of Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam with Scientology, and what this means for the future. We briefly consider the rumors of OJ Simpson being a Scientologist, and Aaron notes some other interesting celebrities who dabbled in Scientology. For show notes and Mp3 download please visit: https://porkinspolicyreview.com/2016/04/07/porkins-policy-radio-ep-48-aaron-smith-levin-on-growing-up-in-scientology/

Tags: Aaron Smith-Levin, Annie Broeker, David Miscavige, L. Ron Hubbard, Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam, Pat Broeker, Philadelphia, Sea Org, Video

Scientology's problem with sexuality, gays, and gender fluidity is discussed with ex-Scientologist Nora Crest. Crest details growing up within the walls of the church, entering Sea Org and the dangers and consequences of sexual exploration under the watchful eye of the church. L. Ron Hubbard's decidedly anti-gay positions, and how pressure within Scientology drove her to a harrowing suicide attempt is all exposed in this episode of Media Mayhem hosted by Allison Hope Weiner. GUEST BIO: Nora Crest is a survivor of the Cult of Scientology. Born in. Worked for, as clergy for them for 5 years at the Celebrity Centre International, got sent to their Concentration/ReConditioning Camp called the RPF (Rehabilitation Project Force) for almost 3 years and escaped. I am a realist. I know that a lot of that crazy rubbed off on me and I am still working on scrubbing it off.

Tags: Allison Hope Weiner, Buddha, Celebrity Centre, Cult, Dianetics, Leaving Scientology, Nora Crest, Quicky, Rehabilitation Project Force, Sea Org, Suicide, Tom Cruise

The Old Guard Generally reflecting the state of scientology, the old guard is pretty much all there is left... Fatten them up before the slaughter...

Tags: 2011, AOSHUK, Atlanta, Cincinnati, David Miscavige, Freewinds, Ideal Org, John Danilovich, OT VIII, Porn, Quicky, Scientology Media Productions, Thursday Funnies

One of the Bunker's great contributors, Jeffrey Augustine, has put together for us a list of the biggest whoppers told by Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and a couple of canards thrown around by the church itself. We think you're going to enjoy the collection Jeffrey put together for us... 1. The lie: "I happen to be a nuclear physicist; I am not a psychologist nor a psychiatrist nor a medical doctor." — L. Ron Hubbard, in the 1952 lecture "Dianetics: The Modern Miracle." Also found transcribed in the Research and Discovery series, Vol. 3 page 470, and New Tech Volumes, Vol. 5 page 143. The truth: Hubbard flunked both high school and college, leaving after his sophomore year at George Washington University during which he failed a course of "Molecular and Atomic Physics."

Tags: 1927, 1930, 1940, 1941, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1986, 1993, Alaska, Aleister Crowley, Australia, Blackfoot, Blood brother, Bluebird, Boston, Brisbane, Clear, Dianetics, Disconnection, Earle Cooley, E-meter, Food and Drug Administration, Gene Denk, George Washington University, Granada Television, Hollywood, Indonesia, IRS, Jack Parsons, Japan, Jeffrey Augustine, Jewish, Jon Atack, Mary Sue Hubbard, Mongolia, Nevada, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland, Oregon, Pasadena, Purple Heart, Reza Aslan, Sara Northrup, Sequoia University, Submarine, Tax exempt, Tibet, US Army, US Navy, Vistaril, War record, Washington

This video is about Scientology following the HBO Going Clear Documentary and Saturday Night Live's parody. Our answer is, NO, Scientology should not be IRS tax…

Tags: CNN, Don Lemon, Paulette Cooper, Tony Ortega, Tory Christman

See the new article in People magazine which reports on John Travolta's response to Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. I give him kudos for at least being willing to speak (more than Cruise. Alley or even Miscavige) and trying to defend his religion instead of merely sending out statements from his lawyer saying everyone is a liar. But, and there are a few very large "buts":

Tags: David Miscavige, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, John Travolta, OT, Quicky, Spanky Taylor

John Travolta has broken his silence on the controversial Scientology exposé Going Clear and says he never intends to watch the documentary. Speaking to the Tampa Bay Times while promoting his upcoming film The Forger, Travolta said his decades of personal experience in the organization have been nothing but positive -- nothing like the blackmailing, physically abusive cult portrayed in the film. 'I haven't experienced anything that the hearsay has (claimed), so why would I communicate something that wasn't true for me?' he said.

Tags: 2012, Alex Gibney, Bohemian Rhapsody, Celebrity, David Miscavige, Facebook, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, HBO, Hollywood, John Travolta, Katie Holmes, New Yorker, Nicole Kidman, Paul Haggis, Quicky, Rehabilitation Project Force, Sea Org, Sundance, Tampa, Tampa Bay Times, The Hole, Tom Cruise

The storks are busy. Hushmail must be experiencing heavy traffic. This is a debrief of a "mandatory" briefing for Class VIII's in Ideal PAC (in fact in "ASHO's" Lebanon Hall). The image is an artists' rendition, he mistakenly thought it was the audience at an "international event" not a mandatory briefing in Ideal PAC in which case he would have only included 5 attendees. But as he went to all the trouble, I used it anyway as it conveys the message he wanted. It is amazing how they can try to shift the blame to.... anyone else they can think of than themselves, and certainly it has NOTHING to do with the man who is single-handedly salvaging this sector of the universe with his brilliant handlings of all facets of everything.

Tags: AOLA, ASHO, Class VIII, CLO WUS, David Miscavige, Golden Age of Tech, Hubbard Communications Office Bulletin, L. Ron Hubbard, OT, OT IX, Purification Rundown, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Student Hat

Last May, we told you about a slim volume of home-spun tales by a retired musician remembering his 1940s childhood in rural Pennsylvania. What made that book, True Confessions of a Kid, remarkable, however, was that it was written by Ron Miscavige, father to Scientology leader David Miscavige, and a man who literally had to escape from Scientology's secretive International Base in California in 2012. We broke the news of Ron's escape from Scientology, and we're still waiting to hear the man tell his story of souring on his son's organization. Instead, Ron put out a book of childhood yarns. And now, he's done it again. In Hideouts for Midgets on the Lam and other totally disrelated stories, we are told again about what it was like to grow up in Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, where coal was king, and where young Ron began playing trumpet professionally in bars at only 13.

Tags: 1940, 1945, 1946, 2012, California, Catholic, David Miscavige, Denise Miscavige Gentile, Dianetics, Hugh Urban, Int Base, Jack Parsons, Ohio, OT, Peaches Geldof, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Purification Rundown, Quicky, Ron Miscavige

reference: Scientology and Presentiment Several commenters speculated as to my purposes for posting Scientology and Presentiment. My purpose was simple: I wanted to hear what other people thought about it. As far as implications are concerned - that is the question I asked folks to weigh in on - my view before I posted was largely reinforced by considering the hundreds of comments. From my perspective, the most important implication is that it is more evidence that Scientologists are trained into constructs – to the point of confusing the map for the territory. Their attention is focused with a great deal of intention and discipline on mental trauma. Conscious, two-valued logic based, and three-dimensional time-space construct based perception is finely disciplined. This results in increased focus and force of intention. The unthinking, yes/no binary device called the e-meter facilitates this training. In exercising such scientologists are led toward attainment to pre-defined abilities and states of consciousness – known as end phenomena in Scientology auditing. They are promoted and preached as static, permanent states (again using two-valued logic, materialistic terms). I have seen evidence of people becoming better at communication, problem solving, personal responsibility, handling of upsets, and moving out of fixed conditions through application of these constructs. Sometimes they even achieve alleviation of psychosomatic disabilities along the road.

Tags: 1978, Ability Congress, Christian, Dianetics, E-meter, Freedom Congress, Memoirs of a Scientology Warrior, Muslim, OT, Quicky, Sea Org

The Underground Bunker has copies of some stunning documents that were just released by our old friend, Jeff "OTVIIIisgrrr8!" Augustine. They are 990-T returns for the 2011 tax year submitted by the Church of Scientology International and the Church of Spiritual Technology, and they show that CSI and CST — which are just two of Scientology's many entities — have a combined book value of $1.2 billion. Since 1993, Scientology has had tax-exempt status, and your tax dollars — your IRS — has helped the church amass huge wealth. Scientology puts constant pressure on its members to donate huge amounts, it pays its workers pennies an hour because it is exempt from labor laws, and the result are these incredible amounts. SEE UPDATES below for explanations of the revenue figures in these documents and for a statement by Mike Rinder, Scientology's former spokesman.

Tags: 1981, 1993, 2004, 2011, 2012, ABLE, Applied Scholastics, CCHR, Celebrity Centre, Church of Scientology International, Church of Scientology Religious Trust, Church of Spiritual Technology, Clearwater, Criminon, David Miscavige, DC, Flag Service Organization, Flag Ship Service Organization, Florida, Foundation International Membership Services Administrations, Freewinds, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, IRS, KCET, Mike Rinder, Narconon, Narconon International, OT, OT 8, Philippines, Quicky, Red Cross, Rena Weinberg, Super Power, Tax exempt, The Hole, The Way to Happiness, US IAS Members Trust

The great Jim Brown, struggling to understand what he's doing here. On Sundays here at the Bunker, we like to bring you the latest Scientology mailers and fliers that our tipsters have forwarded to us. We call it Sunday Funnies, and we have another set of items that we think you'll find interesting. But first, we wanted to bring a little context to the explosion of stories we've been posting about Scientology's drug rehab network, Narconon.

Tags: A Forever Recovery, Andrew Cuomo, Anne Archer, Artists for Human Rights, Atlanta, California, Clearwater, David Petit, Eric Tenorio, Florida, Jim Brown, Kerry Kennedy, Kurt Feshbach, Michigan, Nancy Cartwright, Narconon, New York, Oklahoma, Per Wickstrom, Quicky, Richard Teague, Sunday Funnies, Taiwan, Terry Jastrow

In this follow-up to their August 16, 2012 report (link below) NBC Rock Center takes another look at Narconon and its connection with the Church of Scientology. Harry Smith speaks with two ex-Scientologists and former Narconon executives Lucas Catton (Narconon Arrowhead, Oklahoma) and Eric Tenorio (Narconon Freedom Center, Michigan), who are both ashamed of their involvement with Narconon and Scientology. Both men give more damning testimony that exposes the organizations for the "fraud" that they are, and in their words they describe Narconon's methods of treatment as "pseudo-science", and Scientology as a "cult" that trains its people to "listen for the money". If you have someone close to you who is in need of addiction therapy and you are concerned about finding qualified professional assistance please contact your local hospital or mental health facility for assistance in seeking out properly qualified, addiction therapy counselors and/or facilities near you.

Tags: 2012, cnews, Eric Tenorio, Fraud, Harry Smith, Lucas Catton, Michigan, Narconon, Narconon Arrowhead, Narconon Freedom Center, NBC, Oklahoma, Quicky, Rock Center

This weekend's UK Independent magazine cover story hits kinda close to home. Warning: contains juvenile descriptions of OT III data. UPDATE 4/7: GAWKER coverage. I am informed that Scientology Inc is already spamming the Independent's site with hate messages, including a full Freedom magazine article, in response.

Tags: Freedom magazine, Independent, OT III, Quicky, UK

Here, in this seaside hamlet, full of retirees and fishermen, Marty Rathbun was fighting an extraordinary religious war. The 'squirrel busters' were among its (possibly self-appointed) foot soldiers. At stake in the dispute, which has now been running for almost three years, is the future of one of the world's most controversial and headline-prone spiritual institutions: the Church of Scientology.

Tags: Bert Fields, Carter-Ruck, David Miscavige, David Touretzky, Debbie Cook, Fair Game, Greta Van Susteren, Janet Reitman, John Brosseau, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Lisa McPherson, Luis Garcia, Mark Collette, Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, Monique Rathbun, Norman Moore, Paul Haggis, Samantha Domingo, Sea Org, Squirrel Busters, Tom Cruise, Tony Ortega, Xenu, Yvonne Jentzsch

The Church of Scientology wants to get down with its bad self and expand the golf course next to its San Jacinto, Calif., headquarters. Sounds fun -- we assume scientologists are pretty good with a 7-iron -- except two residents of Sleepy Hollow trailer park are the last ones standing in the way of the construction.

Tags: Candice Savage, Int Base, Joseph Neely

Let's say: You find out your husband has inoperable cancer and must go through months of chemotherapy and radiation. Let's say:

Tags: 2004, 2005, Author Services Inc, Chairman of the Board, International Association of Scientologists, L. Ron Hubbard, Quicky, Rachel Denk, Seattle, Spokane

Good news: your friendly neighborhood Church of Scientology is expanding their golf course! Bad news: that involves evicting all the residents of Sleepy Hollow, a 30-year-old trailer park located near their San Jacinto headquarters. 21 tenants have already left the premises, but two brave souls are holding out. Candice Savage and Joseph Neely have already been served their eviction notices, which named yesterday as their deadline to leave, with or without their RVs. As of today, they still haven't budged, pointing to a state law which requires them to be given at least one year notice to vacate a mobile home park. It's not like the Church has been entirely unfeeling in this whole, unfortunate affair. At first, they offered Savage $800 and two months to leave. She refused, so the offer was withdrawn. But the kindness didn't end there:

Tags: Candice Savage, Catherine Fraser, Gilman Springs Road, Golden Era, Joseph Neely, Press-Enterprise, Quicky, San Jacinto

The Church of Scientology has ambitious plans for growing in the Twin Cities area, hoping to double or even triple the number of Twin Cities adherents in the next five years. As part of those plans, Scientology members dug deep and came up with $3 million to convert the old Science Museum of Minnesota, 505 N. Wabasha St., into a new regional headquarters.

Tags: Ellen Maher-Forney, Minnesota, Purification Rundown, Real estate

On Feb. 27, 2009, long-time Scientology parishioner Larry Anderson met with two church officials, Tommy Davis and Jessica Feshbach, in Burbank, Calif. Anderson, the star of the Scientology film, Orientation, openly recorded their 90-minute conversation.

Tags: 2009, Burbank, Jessica Feshbach, Larry Anderson, Orientation, Quicky, Tommy Davis

On Feb. 27, 2009, long-time Scientology parishioner Larry Anderson met with two church officials, Tommy Davis and Jessica Feshbach, in Burbank, Calif. Anderson, the star of the Scientology film, Orientation, openly recorded their 90-minute conversation.

Tags: 2009, Burbank, Jessica Feshbach, Larry Anderson, Orientation, Quicky, Tommy Davis

On Feb. 27, 2009, long-time Scientology parishioner Larry Anderson met with two church officials, Tommy Davis and Jessica Feshbach, in Burbank, Calif. Anderson, the star of the Scientology film, Orientation, openly recorded their 90-minute conversation.

Tags: 2009, Burbank, Jessica Feshbach, Larry Anderson, Orientation, Quicky, Tommy Davis

Tory Christman and Andreas Heldal-Lund visiting the Queen of Scientology critics in Hemet, California, April 3rd 2008.

Tags: Anonymous, California, Hemet, Ida Camburn, Quicky, Tory Christman

8/19/00 - Maureen O'Keefe insists that I walk to the corner to be insulted by an OT hairstylist named Sheryle Festa.

Tags: 2000, Clearwater, Maureen O'Keefe, OT, Quicky, Sheryle Festa

The Post reported yesterday that Monserrate is one of the hosts of an April 19 fund-raiser for the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, where Cruise is appearing, and where tickets are going for as much as $100,000 for a table of eight.

Tags: Detox, Hiram Monserrate, Jim Woodworth, New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, Pat Bahnken, Stephen Kent, Tom Cruise

Just weeks after opening their first facility in St. Petersburg, Scientologists have irked two of the city's most respected institutions - the Holocaust and Dali museums. Representatives of both museums say they were misled when asked to support a human rights march but not told that the organizers are a rights advocacy group affiliated with the Church of Scientology.

Tags: Clearwater, Florida, Florida Holocaust Museum, Karla Jo Helms, Linda Drazkowski, Muslim, Nation of Islam, Peter Mansell, Postcard Mania, Salvador Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, Youth for Human Rights International

After listening to legal arguments over two days, Pinellas-Pasco Chief Circuit Judge Susan F. Schaeffer said Thursday she will take a month to decide whether to dismiss the criminal case against the Church of Scientology. She also expressed support for key arguments raised by the church, which is defending itself against two charges in the 1995 death of Lisa McPherson. Schaeffer said she's convinced McPherson consented to go with fellow Scientologists to the church's Fort Harrison Hotel, where church staffers tried over 17 days to help her through a severe mental breakdown.

Tags: 1995, Clearwater, Doug Crow, Eric Lieberman, Fort Harrison, Judge Susan Schaeffer, Lee Fugate, Lisa McPherson, Mental breakdown, Morton Plant Hospital, Pat Jones, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Scientology lawyer, Scientology staff