June 23 in Scientology history

We've been hearing from some readers about this, so we thought we'd acknowledge it at the blog. If for no other reason, we wanted to make you aware of it so our tipsters and researchers can keep their eyes on it. What we're talking about is the minor media blitz going on right now involving two of Scientology's celebrities, who are each begging for attention for their latest projects. Rebecca Minkoff has been getting a lot of fawning press for the release of her book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success, which came out last week. According to the breathless press coverage, Minkoff was in the process of writing her memoir about the way she became a successful handbag designer when the pandemic hit and she had to scramble and reinvent her business once again.

Tags: 1952, 1969, 1970, 1996, Austin, Casey Kasem, Congress, Cult Awareness Network, David Minkoff, Donald Sharman, England, France, GQ, Ideal Org, Jason Scott, Jim Meskimen, Kendrick Moxon, Kerri Kasem, Len Zinberg, Lisa McPherson, New York City, NYPD, Rebecca Minkoff, Reuters, Scientology doctor

...or at least they are trying to according to Michael Lewis (who seems to be everywhere — giving seminars on how to conduct life etc etc, perhaps this is a really long amends project following the massive bad PR his son generated). It's interesting to see the admission that Ed Parkin is his "boss"... The facade that STAND is a group of "like-minded individuals" who happen to share a common goal to eradicate religious persecution is of course a sham. This is in fact an OSA front group run by an OSA Int staff member, Ed Parkin, which has a select group of people who take orders from OSA to do what they are told. And here we have the aforementioned Fast Eddie making a fool of himself once again with his latest tweet:

Tags: Ed Parkin, Facebook, Michael Lewis, Office of Special Affairs, OSA Int, OT, Quicky, Sea Org, STAND, Twitter

The day we broke the news in 2017 that Danny Masterson was being investigated on rape allegations by the Los Angeles Police Department, we heard from Gary Morehead about Danny's DJ nickname, which actually turned out to be relevant. We knew that Masterson DJ'd under the cute name "DJ Mom Jeans," but Gary pointed out that in an earlier time he went by the much more unsavory moniker "DJ Donkey Punch." Gary even still had a 2001 party pass from back in the day, when he actually knew Masterson. We added the image to our story that day, and noted the Wiktionary definition: "The Donkey Punch is a relatively simple maneuver. When engaged in anal sex from behind, simply punch your partner in the back of the neck so that the sphincter clenches up."

Tags: 1952, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, Bobette Riales, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Class XII, Danny Masterson, Environmental Protection Agency, Gary Morehead, Jackie Lacey, LAPD, Los Angeles, Marty Singer, Michael Jackson, OT VIII, Police, SEC, The Sun, Tom Mesereau

The Freewinds will be empty again by tomorrow. Dear Leader's annual scuba diving holiday Maiden Voyage celebrations have come to an end and everyone is heading home with their new "OT Ambassador" orders (which are the same as last year — collect money for Ideal Orgs and IAS). The "OT Base" that sails "off the crossroads of the world" reverts to its real status "Ghost ship sitting at dock off the crossroads of the world." Bouncing between Curacao and Aruba, she is a cruise ship without a cruise. And without passengers. In their desperation, they hold all sorts of oddball "conventions" and "weeks" to try to attract anyone to fly all the way down there to sit at a dock (fuel is expensive so they ration it, they still have to feed the crew...)

Tags: Aruba, Curaçao, Facebook, Freewinds, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, Maiden Voyage, OT, OT Ambassador, OT VIII, Quicky, Twitter

In the back of a nondescript building at the University of Maryland, a team of researchers combs through the files of homegrown extremists who have plotted attacks in the name of far-right causes. In each case, researchers are hunting for the motivation, the ideology, that inspired the violence. That means digging into the many elements that make up the far right, as researcher Michael Jensen explained on a recent afternoon. "White supremacist, white nationalist, white extremist, sovereign citizen, anti-government, Patriot [movement], neo-Nazis, skinhead. What else?" Jensen asked two of his colleagues, Elizabeth Yates and Patrick James.

Tags: 2020, Alt-Right, California, Christchurch, Congress, Critic, Donald Trump, Florida, Maryland, Muslim, New Zealand, NPR, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Politics, Terrorism, US Department of Justice, US State Department, White House (Trump), White nationalism, White supremacist

Scientology is keeping a secret: The location of its new Continental Narconon in Australia. In 2013, the church announced the creation of a system of "Continental" Narconons. Just as each Scientology "continent" has a Sea Org org called the Continental Liaison Office (CLO), each continent would have a Continental Narconon drug rehab facility that would treat patients and train staff in the program to serve in the smaller surrounding facilities. Since 2013 they have opened Narconon Ojai in California; Narconon Latin America in Villa Victoria, Mexico; Narconon Europe in Helsinge, Denmark; Narconon Nepal in Kathmandu; and Narconon United Kingdom in Heathfield, England. Narconon Trout Run in Maryland received permission to open a smaller facility than Scientology wanted, and they're now hiring. But the planet-wide plan hit several snags. Several sites in Ontario were rejected by local officials to be the Continental Narconon Canada. Narconon Africa never materialized. Narconon Australia was planned for Yarramalong, New South Wales but permission to open a treatment center there was denied by a vote of 8-0 by shire councillors.

Tags: 2010, 2013, 2018, Africa, AOSH ANZO, Australia, California, Chatswood West, Columbus, Continental Liaison Office, David Miscavige, Denmark, England, Europe, Heathfield, Ideal Org, Kathmandu, Kevin Chapman, Kon Vatskalis, Maryland, Mexico, Narconon, Narconon Canada, Narconon Europe, Narconon Ojai, Narconon Trout Run, Nepal, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Ohio, Ontario, Quicky, Sea Org, Sydney, Victoria, Volunteer Ministers, Yarramalong Valley

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

We have another entry in our ongoing series of book excerpts about Scientology, this time some startling material about the church's obsession with celebrities which appears in Amy Scobee's book Scientology — Abuse at the Top. Amy was one of several high-ranking executives who came out of Scientology in the 2000s and changed the way the church is viewed by the media. The Watchdog Committee (WDC) position over the Celebrity Centre sector was unfilled and the handling of "key" Scientology celebrities was being done directly by the Religious Technology Center, under David Miscavige's supervision. Therefore, the post of WDC for Celebrity Centres (WDC CC) became my next top priority post to fill. While working to locate someone suitable, I was briefed that I'd be doing a special project in Los Angeles to establish the Tom Cruise household with staff who were all Scientologists. Without telling these people who we were hiring for, I was to call in and video interview upscale Scientologists in the LA area for specific positions. This included locating an executive housekeeper, cook, cleaner, and nanny. Shelly Miscavige (David's wife and personal assistant) supervised me directly on this project.

Tags: 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000, Abuse at the Top, Amy Scobee, Anne Archer, Audio, Billy Sheehan, Celebrity Centre, Chicago Fire, Christian Stolte, CMO Int, David Miscavige, David Petit, DC, Edgar Winter, Freewinds, Hollywood, HowdyCon, Int Base, Isaac Hayes, Jenna Elfman, John Travolta, Juliette Lewis, Karen Hollander, Kelly Preston, Kirstie Alley, L. Ron Hubbard, L. Ron Hubbard House, LGBTQ, Lisa Marie Presley, Los Angeles, LRH House, Manor Hotel, Marc Yager, Maxine Nightingale, Nancy Cartwright, Nicole Kidman, Office of Special Affairs, Orange County, Pacific Palisades, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Saint Hill, Scientology celebrity, Sea Org, Secret Service, Shelly Miscavige, Tom Cruise, Tommy Davis, Watchdog Committee

The big push to "go ideal" is happening at the perpetually moribund Foothills Mission. There is in fact no such thing as an "Ideal Mission" — there is a policy by Hubbard called "The Ideal Org" which is what is used to name the concept Miscavige has foisted off of raising money to buy and renovate a new building for an old church. In fact, the "ideal orgs" don't resemble the Hubbard policy. But there isn't even a policy about "Ideal Missions" so this is even more squirrel... BUT, it's being touted as a new fundraising cause:

Tags: David Miscavige, Foothills Mission, Ideal Mission, Ideal Org, Quicky, Squirrel

Marty Explains the ASC -- Part 2

Tags: Quicky

Tags: Quicky, Regraded Being

On social media, his supporters, some from right wing groups, support his calls to shut down Muslim schools and ban Muslims from the Middle East coming to Australia. But strangely for a Muslim leader, he has very few supporters in the Muslim community. He has no mosque, and only a handful of followers. And just as curiously, he only appeared in the media for the first time just over a year ago. So who was he before he became a media star?

Tags: 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, Adelaide, American Islamic Forum for Democracy, Australia, Facebook, Iran, Iraq, Islamic Association of South Australia, Mohamad Tawhidi, Mohammad, Muslim, South Australia, Today Tonight, Zuhdi Jasser

(Partying on L. Ron Hubbard Way) Starting tomorrow, L. Ron Hubbard Way in Los Angeles will be transformed into the Caribbean Sea as the always naval-minded Church of Scientology celebrates one of holy dates on its space-age calendar. Over the next four weeks, Scientologists around the world are being called down to their local orgs for a series of videos that were shot recently on the church's private cruise ship, the Freewinds, which spends its time in Caribbean waters (but as we reported earlier, has fewer places to drop anchor).

Tags: Alanna Masterson, Bernie Headley, Brian Sheen, Caribbean, Cathy Schenkelberg, Cindy Plahuta, Claire Headley, David Miscavige, Denver, Derek Bloch, Disconnection, Freewinds, HowdyCon, Jamie Sorrentini, Joe Reaiche, Kate Bornstein, Kim O'Brien, L. Ron Hubbard Way, Lois Reisdorf, Lori Hodgson, Los Angeles, Maiden Voyage, Marc Headley, Marie Bilheimer, Mary Jane Sterne, Mary Kahn, Mike Rinder, My Scientology Movie, Quailynn McDaniel, Quicky, Ramana Dienes-Browning, Renata Lugli, Sara Goldberg, Steve Cannane, Warren Young, Willie Jones

I wanted to talk very briefly about language and how it can be used harmfully by destructive cults and people who do not have your best interests at heart. Language is not just a tool to communicate ideas but is a way of creating and controlling the way people think about things. It is perhaps one of the most powerful tools Mankind ever created. How it is used can determine the fate of nations and can alter the very nature of reality. Let's talk about a few ways this works. We all know the people, especially some authors, who use big words to impress or intimidate rather than communicate. Sure, there are lots of times when big words are exactly the right ones to use to communicate specific concepts, but there are also times when the speaker is just showing off or trying to make his audience fell less intelligent. And most of the time it works. Often, people will automatically grant authority to someone who is throwing words at them they don't understand, assuming that this authority figure is the one who knows what he or she is talking about and that they are the ones who are ignorant. But you know what? That's not always the case.

Tags: George Orwell, Quicky

While Rod Keller was doing his usual rounds looking for Scientology's footprint in social media this week, he ran across a flier that made him do a double take. And we're glad he did, because he sent over this entertaining look at a slice of Scientology history we thought you'd want to see. Last night the Tampa Ideal Org hosted veteran Sea Org member Wick Allcock for an evening of stories about his experiences with L. Ron Hubbard. As the flier indicates, Allcock has a long history with Scientology and witnessed many of its key moments. And as you'll see, he's perhaps uniquely qualified to talk to Scientologists about where his career in the church has brought him. Born Warwick Gregory Allcock in New Zealand in 1956, "Wick" and his brothers Richard (known as "Wak") and John served aboard the yacht Apollo, L. Ron Hubbard's flagship that he used to run Scientology from sea during the years 1967 to 1975. The Allcock brothers served in the engine room. All three were well liked by the crew.

Tags: 1956, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1988, 2000, 2008, 2011, 2014, Apollo, Asbestos, Bahamas, Big Blue, Bodhi Elfman, California, Caribbean, Chick Corea, Chris Shelton, Clearwater, Curaçao, Daily Mail, David Mayo, Days of Thunder, Daytona Beach, DC, Dunedin, East Grinstead, East Grinstead Courier, England, FBI, Flag Land Base, Florida, Fort Harrison, Freewinds, Gilman Hot Springs, Google, Guardian's Office, Hemet, Hollywood, Hollywood Guaranty Building, Ideal Org, Int Base, Jenna Elfman, John Allcock, John Travolta, KCET, Kirstie Alley, L. Ron Hubbard, La Quinta, Los Angeles, Mad Hatter Studios, Maiden Voyage, Mediterranean, Melanie Seidler, Miami, Neptune Inn, New York, New Zealand, OSA Int, OT, Paramount, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Rickard Allcock, Rod Keller, Saint Hill Manor, Scientology Media Productions, Sea Org, Snow White Program, Sunset Boulevard, Super Power, Tampa, Tom Cruise, Tony Dunleavy, Warwick Gregory Allcock, Washington, YouTube

(Jim Dincalci says he took this photo of L. Ron Hubbard in Queens in 1973 — or did he?) We thought we'd toss off a bonus post this evening to let you know about something happening late tonight. Alabama resident and former Church of Scientology member Randy McDonald, who was once the editor of Scientology's Celebrity magazine and a Sea Org worker from 1971 to 1983, will be appearing on the "Coast to Coast" radio program from 1 am to 3 am, Eastern time. We plan to be sleeping soundly by that time, but we thought we'd alert our west coast readers that they might tune in and catch what should be a fun treat.

Tags: 1950, 1960, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1986, Alabama, alibi, Apollo, Ashton Gray, California, Celebrity magazine, CIA, Clearwater, Clearwater hearings, David Miscavige, Dianetics, George Meister, Hemet, Hoax, Janis Gillham, Jim Dincalci, John Brousseau, Kidnapping, L. Ron Hubbard, Morocco, Nevada, OT, Queens, Randy McDonald, Revolt in the Stars, Richard Nixon, Science of Survival, Sea Org, Steve Pfauth, Susan Meister

Join Staff Or not. I guess I am the wrong public. There is no way this would interest me in joining staff in Birmingham... It has the opposite effect. If this represents the homo novis world of scientology then it's a sorry future indeed. Valley STILL not done

Tags: 1978, Battle Creek, Birmingham, Buffalo, Chicago, David Miscavige, Detroit, Freewinds, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, Grenada, Harlem, Humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard, Long Island, LRH Hall, Maiden Voyage, Miami, New Haven, New York, OT, Quicky, Scientology Media Productions, Scotland, Super Power, Thursday Funnies, Tom Cummins, UK

At their annual national meeting in Atlanta last month, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) unveiled a new drug education tool to help a million volunteers and 2.5 million Scouts nationwide to learn the truth about drugs. BSA executives officially recognized the Foundation for a Drug-Free World's "Truth About Drugs" educational program for use by Scout leaders and troop volunteers to help their Scouts reach their Second Class rank.

Tags: Atlanta Dental Center, Boy Scouts, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Joshua Benk, Tom Paquette, Truth About Drugs

This morning, Paulette Cooper and your proprietor will be on the hot seat at the Scientology conference in Toronto. Jon Atack has asked us to speak about Paulette's legendary harassment by the Church of Scientology as a way to discuss the Guardian's Office and the Office of Special Affairs — the spy wings of the only church that we know of that has a spy wing. In advance of our talk, Atack sent us out a questionnaire. We did our best to provide some cogent answers. So here we go... JON: You've grilled (broiled?) me many times over the last two years, so it must be my turn, by now. I was near the end of my first stint, back in 1995, when you first appeared on the scene, and I really did avoid anything to do with Scientology for 17 years thereafter, so I don't really know how you got here. First please fill in your back story – where were you born and what you studied at college.

Tags: 1981, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, Alex Gibney, Arizona Republic, Arkansas, Bellflower, Bob Duggan, Bruce McMahan, California, Christian, Christine Hansen, Compton, Cult Awareness Network, David Lubow, David Miscavige, FBI, Fort Lauderdale, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, Greg Arnold, Guardian's Office, Holocaust, IRS, Joel Sappell, Jon Atack, Kansas City, Kelly Cramer, LAPD, Laura DeCrescenzo, Leah Remini, Len Zinberg, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Mike Rinder, Miss Lovely, Monique Rathbun, Nan McLean, New York, New York City, NYPD, Office of Special Affairs, Oregon, Pat Broeker, Paul Marrick, Paulette Cooper, Phoenix, Phoenix New Times, Private investigator, Quicky, Rick Ross, Robert Welkos, Ron Wyden, Rupert Murdoch, Santa Cruz, Shelly Miscavige, Simon Wiesenthal Center, Snow White Program, Suppressive Person, Tampa Bay Times, Tax exempt, Tom Cruise, Toronto, University of Alberta, Village Voice

Having trotted out just about every conspiracy theory in the book against the tightening of vaccination laws in California, the opponents of Senate Bill 277 have come up with a new and truly cynical angle – race. Echoing vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and using forums owned by the Church of Scientology, among other platforms, the head of the Nation of Islam and the group's Los Angeles leader have spent the last several weeks denouncing the measure, which would eliminate the state's overly broad "personal belief" exemption to school vaccination. Last week, the Rev. Louis Farrakhan urged black families in Los Angeles to keep their kids home from school if state lawmakers pass SB 277, citing discredited claims that vaccines are linked to autism, particularly among black male children.

Tags: Anti-vaxx, Autism, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Louis Farrakhan, NAACP, Nation of Islam, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., SB 277, Tony Muhammad

Mary-Jo Alburger, former wife to convicted Ponzi schemer Reed Slatkin, confirmed to us this afternoon that her former husband died Saturday at about 3 pm of a massive heart attack. He was 66. "He was alone and he made it to the hospital. He seemed to know he was having a heart attack and he collapsed and fell dead," Alburger told us in a telephone call today. In 2003, Slatkin pled guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. At the time, he was accused of operating one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history until it was eclipsed by the fraud perpetrated by Bernie Madoff. Slatkin had raised some $593 million in assets from investors before he was shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission in May 2001 and was then raided by the FBI.

Tags: 1949, 2001, 2003, 2013, Bernie Madoff, Detroit, FBI, Garry Scarff, Los Angeles, Ponzi scheme, Quicky, Reed Slatkin, Scott Pilutik

Cheap Sunglasses — Rose Tinted Hardly a surprise to learn that the IAS might not be completely accurate and honest in their "fundraping" efforts. Here is their promotional item to extract funds from the suckers.

Tags: 2014, Chairman of the Board, David Miscavige, Dissemination, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, Maiden Voyage, Nepal, OCA, OT, OT Committee, OTC, Philippines, Quicky, Tony Ortega, Truth About Drugs, United for Human Rights, Venezuela, Volunteer Ministers

Grand opening of the Las Vegas Ideal Org in 2010 I'm in Las Vegas for a convention, so after the event closed for the day I met up with a friend and he said that the new Scientology Ideal Org was a short trip through the slummier part of Las Vegas. Maybe I could go over there and get a photo? So we roll up to this place that is far out in the middle of nowhere and on a weekday night (which, in the 1980s, was routinely the busiest time of the day for an org). I spotted about 25 cars parked in a lot that had room for more than a hundred.

Tags: 1980, 2010, Blown for Good, David Miscavige, Ideal Org, Jeffrey Augustine, Las Vegas, Marc Headley, Quicky, Steve Hall

CC Int has made 15 Clears in 7 months. A clear every two weeks! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop the presses for this "unprecedented expansion." CC Int is single-handedly "Clearing LA". At 50 per year, they are "progressing" at about the same rate as lightning strikes are killing off the population. And if there was a need for any further confirmation of the GAG II Circular Bridge, they have 76 OTs signed up for the SRD and 46 people on Purif. This is the majority of their public.

Tags: Arizona, Baha'i, Bridge to Total Freedom, Buddhist, Christian, Clear, Clear Certainty Rundown, Delaware, Florida, Golden Age of Tech, OT, Purification, Purification Rundown, Quicky, Registrar, SEC, South Carolina, Survival Rundown

The first and earliest site on the Web which was most ex-Religious Technology Center and ex Sea org vets that exposed the internal conduct and behavior of the Scientology Cult hierarchy (Gold Base/Int base) was the site created by Steve Hall. http://www.scientology-cult.com/ Steve spent 22 years in the Sea Org (mostly at INT Base) and he shares his thoughts and stories in his first interview.

Tags: Cult, Facebook, Google, Int Base, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Sea Org, Steve Hall, Twitter

This article was written for those who are new to Scientology by one of our Special Correspondents. I think it may be useful to some, and certainly a get a LOT of emails from people who have come across the subject and are curious, so I will from now on be able to direct them to this post. If you are interested in Scientology this article is important reading. If you are considering taking a course, this article is absolutely vital to your future happiness. Scientology- The Good

Tags: 1920, 1940, ABLE, David Miscavige, Disconnection, Independent Scientologists, Independent Scientology, John Travolta, L. Ron Hubbard, OT, Quicky, Scientology organization, Sea Org, Sleep deprivation, Suppressive Person, Tom Cruise

We've learned that, if you're in Orange County, California next weekend, there's a way to get some exercise, pelt yourself with fun colors, and raise money for Scientology causes all at the same time! We want to thank the tipster who sent us information about the 5K race that's been organized by a powerful OT VIII Scientologist by the name of Myles Binford. Before we tell you more about him, check out the nifty video that was made for his upcoming 5K, which he calls The Charity Bomb!

Tags: 1980, Boy Scouts, California, CCHR, Charity Bomb, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Dianetics, Holocaust, Ideal Org, Irvine, Karen de la Carriere, Larry Marshall, Los Angeles, Myles Binford, Narconon, Operating Thetan, Orange County, OT VIII, Phoenix, Pur Detox, Robin Marshall, San Fernando Valley, Snow White Program, Sunday Funnies, The Way to Happiness, Valley Ideal Org

A quick update — we don't have official wedding photos yet. This shot was taken by Karen DelaCarriere. Many friends were in attendance, quite a number of whom are still here. It was a thoroughly enjoyable time, and its still ongoing.

Tags: Quicky, Wedding

Several people who frequent this blog have asked about Diana Hubbard Horwich's (L. Ron Hubbard's daughter) attitude toward Scientology Inc. supreme leader David Miscavige. The following excepts from a written debrief of the 2003 Maiden Voyage events on the Freewinds gives a real time account that I find to be very accurate in terms of what I observed Diana's attitude toward Miscavige to be continuously between 1982 and 2004 as I witnessed the two interact. This report is dated 24 June 2003 and was written by another person many have asked about here, Karen Hollander. Maiden Voyage 2003 Events Crew Debrief by Karen Hollander: Another thing came up during that afternoon. Diana had been working with ED CC Paris who then wrote an acceptance speech for the St. Hill size award. Diana and Gail reviewed it and thought it was good but too long (about 4 minutes). In it, the ED had acknowledged and thanked COB and RTC for removing arbitraries and for the direction Alain received, stating this was why they were finally able to achieve St. Hill size. Gail had been working on reducing the length of the acceptance speech and making some edits. She asked Diana if it was OK to have this part in his acceptance speech, and Diana was adamant it should be deleted as she felt "it would create a hidden data line". COB Asst investigated and questioned Diana on this and Diana admitted she took this out. Diana had it thoroughly justified. After that Diana remained on C deck and off of the Management night and production of any other events. This whole incident created further enturbulation during the event evolution.

Tags: 1982, 2003, 2004, Chairman of the Board, David Miscavige, Diana Hubbard, Freewinds, Karen Hollander, Maiden Voyage, Paris, Quicky, Religious Technology Center

Kate Bornstein is an outspoken transsexual activist and author of "Gender Outlaw." In her new memoir, "Queer and Pleasant Danger," Kate opens up about her time as a high-ranking Scientologist the 1970's, as a member of the elite Sea Organization and first mate on L. Ron Hubbard's private yacht. Kate spoke to Brent about why Scientology appealed to her, her ex-communication, and her experiences at sea with Hubbard.

Tags: A Queer and Pleasant Danger, Audio, Kate Bornstein

Order your copy at Amazon Books here: What Is Wrong With Scientology? Excerpt from Chapter Seven - Confessional: In this wise, a new moral code is imposed upon individuals, covertly and against their own determinisms. It is exacerbated by repeated questioning about the individual's failure to report on other Scientologists. After a while, a corporate Scientologist modifies her behavior accordingly, in order to avoid more security checks. She not only edits her own behavior and thoughts, she attempts to do the same with Scientologist friends and family members, so that she does not get into trouble for overlooking such transgressions of others. Thus, a process that was originally intended to free a person from the self-imposed mental prison she has created by her own inability to live up to what she considers right and ethical conduct becomes reversed. The preclear is instead forced to agree to a new mental prison, imposed by the organization based on what it decrees to be right or wrong. In short, the process replaces a person's native judgment with a new judgment of its own. In practice, it is a dark and painful operation, making a person less self-determined and more other-determined.

Tags: Amazon, Dianetics, Quicky

media links to this story: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/06/scientologys_en.php http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/23/scientology-enemies-list-revealed_n_882997.html#s296918&title=_Paul_Haggis

Tags: David Miscavige, Mississippi, Office of Special Affairs, Quicky

In the document, dated January 22, 2010, an OSA executive writes that some new facilities are opening up in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and she wants to make sure that certain people in the Western U.S. don't show up to the festivities. What then follows is a long list of Scientologists who are apparently out of favor, as well as another long list of ex-Scientologists, journalists, and church critics. In other words, it's a handy Scientology Enemies List!

Tags: 1980, 2004, 2010, Blown for Good, Celebrity Centre, Claire Headley, David Miscavige, Fair Game, Graham Berry, Grant Cardone, Hollywood, Janet Reitman, Jason Beghe, Jeff Jacobsen, Jefferson Hawkins, Jenna Miscavige Hill, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Marc Headley, Mark Bunker, Mark Ebner, Marty Rathbun, New Yorker, Office of Special Affairs, Paul Haggis, Robert Cipriano, Tory Christman, Wise Beard Man

On my last trip to LA, I had lunch with an old high school buddy. He told me, with some surprise, that he had been recently contacted by the Church of Scientology. Some background: my friend took a few courses and did some auditing back in 1968-69. We got into Scientology at the same time. After about a year, he decided it wasn't for him and left. It took him several years to get off the mailing lists. But after he changed addresses several times and threatened legal, they stopped sending him stuff. Now, suddenly, 40 years later, they're baaaaaack.

Tags: 1968, Blow Drill, Central Files, Class V, Field Staff Member, John Brousseau, OT, Pasadena, Planetary Dissemination, Quicky, Sea Org, Texas

The leader of the Church of Scientology in the central Kazakh city of Qaraghandy has said he will appeal a decision to close their church, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports. The Qaraghandy Appeals Court on June 12 upheld a lower-court decision to close the church. Church leader Vadim Vitushkin told RFE/RL that if the decision to close his church stands, then other churches could face closure in the future. He said the closure of his church violates Kazakh law and the rights of the 5,000 followers of the Church of Scientology in Qaraghandy.

Tags: Kazakhstan, Vadim Vitushkin

Those who join the Sea Org dedicate their lives to Scientology and sign a 1-billion-year contract, to symbolize their commitment to serve in this life and the next ones. Many of those who leave undergo a "security check" to see if they have ill intentions for the church, and many are cut off from contact with family still in Scientology.

Tags: 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, Anne Joasem, Australia, BBC, California, Catherine Bernardini, Chairman of the Board, Clearwater, Corpus Christi, David Miscavige, Denver, East Grinstead, E-meter, England, Florida, Hemet, Jennifer Linson, London, Los Angeles, Marty Rathbun, Matt Pesch, Orlando, Rehabilitation Project Force, Sea Org, Seattle, Sec Check, Suppressive Person, Sussex, Tampa, Texas, Tom DeVocht, UK, Victoria, Virginia

Either several former ranking, long-term members of the Church of Scientology have all simultaneously decided to lie to the St. Petersburg Times, in a thorough, orchestrated and masterful conspiracy … Or else they are not lying, and they confirm that the church is led by a man, David Miscavige, with serious issues of power and paranoia, even given to not-infrequent physical attacks, all of which permeate the culture of the church's upper echelons.

Tags: 1995, Criminal, David Miscavige, IRS, Joe Childs, Lisa McPherson, Lyon, Marty Rathbun, St. Petersburg Times, Thomas C. Tobin

The tactics to keep executives in line "are wrong from a Scientology viewpoint," said Rinder, who walked away two years ago. "They are not standard practice of Scientology. They are just not humanitarian. And they are just outright evil." Church spokesmen confirm that managers are ordered into pools and assembled for group confessions. It's part of the "ecclesiastical justice" system the church imposes on poor performers.

Tags: 1968, 1970, 1980, 1986, 1997, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, Amy Scobee, Apollo, Bohemian Rhapsody, California, Clearwater, David Bloomberg, David Miscavige, Faith Schermerhorn, Jefferson Hawkins, Jessica Feshbach, Lisa McPherson, Los Angeles, Marc Yager, Mark Ingber, Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, Monique Yingling, Norman Starkey, Pope, Ray Mithoff, Sea Org, St. Petersburg Times, Super Power, Suppressive Person, The Hole, Tom DeVocht, Tommy Davis

When Armstrong met up with the Apollo, it was sailing aimlessly around the Atlantic Ocean and West Indies. Crowded onboard were four hundred Scientologists, along with Hubbard, his wife and young female messengers. Hubbard was a bearish, redheaded and seemingly paternalistic man. "He was bigger than I thought, a very big man," remembers Armstrong. "Very bulky with huge forearms and deep voice … He surrounded himself with young girls, they were the messengers. Wherever he went he had this group of young girls with him, to carry his ashtray for him. He chain-smoked non-filtered Kools, never stopped. He tried to dress in a very flamboyant manner -- cravats, capes, boots, and on board he generally had on his nautical officer's cap."

Tags: Apollo, David Miscavige, Fair Game, Gerry Armstrong, Gilman Hot Springs, Guardian's Office, Judge Breckenridge, Larry Brennan, Omar Garrison, PC folders, Rehabilitation Project Force, Religious Technology Center, Sea Org, Stephen Kent

Scientology is trying to transform its image from that of a shadowy cult A copy of the latest Cosreci accounts filed at Companies House shows an annual income of £10 million and nonproperty assets of £10.8 million including £6.7 million cash. The main Hubbard-influenced charity is Narconon, which claims to provide therapy and education against drug abuse. It has an annual income of £520,000. The Greenfields School, which promotes Hubbard's teachings for pupils aged 1 to 19, has £2.4 million assets and an annual turnover of £1 million.

Tags: Australia, Bob Keenan, Celebrity Centre, Church of Scientology Religious Education College Inc, Church of Spiritual Technology, Companies House, Corporation of London, David Miscavige, East Grinstead, Greenfields School, Ian Luder, Ideal Org, Monique Yingling, Narconon, Queen Victoria Street, Real estate, Religious Technology Center, Saint Hill Manor, Saint Hill Special Briefing Course, UK, WISE

A change in the legal definition of religion has opened the way for Scientology to claim a multi-million-pound British tax break by registering as a charity.

Tags: Bob Keenan, Monique Yingling, UK, UK Charity Commission

BOSTON, June 23 (UPI) -- Tom Cruise got annoyed when a Boston journalist asked him about Scientology, but cooled off when Steven Spielberg said the reporter was with "a good paper." The Boston Phoenix said its reporter, Gary Sussman, asked Cruise at a press conference promoting the new movie "War of the Worlds" to talk about his religion in the context of the movie's theme -- an alien invasion of Earth from outer space. The paper said Cruise "snapped" in response to the question. "What paper are you from?" said Cruise.

Tags: Boston, Boston Phoenix, Gary Sussman, Katie Holmes, Phoenix, Quicky, Steven Spielberg, The Phoenix, Tom Cruise, War of the Worlds

BOSTON, June 23 (UPI) -- Tom Cruise got annoyed when a Boston journalist asked him about Scientology, but cooled off when Steven Spielberg said the reporter was with "a good paper." The Boston Phoenix said its reporter, Gary Sussman, asked Cruise at a press conference promoting the new movie "War of the Worlds" to talk about his religion in the context of the movie's theme -- an alien invasion of Earth from outer space. The paper said Cruise "snapped" in response to the question. "What paper are you from?" said Cruise.

Tags: Boston, Boston Phoenix, Gary Sussman, Katie Holmes, Phoenix, Quicky, Steven Spielberg, The Phoenix, Tom Cruise, War of the Worlds

But after stories in The Chronicle raised questions about the science behind the teachings and the presence of religious concepts in classroom lectures, school district officials ordered the program to revise part of its curriculum by this Thursday or be kicked out of the district. Specifically, the district has disputed three Narconon claims: that all drugs are poisons, that drugs are stored in fat for years and may cause cravings for more drugs, and that alcohol is "made of dead rotted food." In addition, The Chronicle stories cited several doctors who disputed the Narconon claims that drugs wreak havoc until they are sweated out.

Tags: Arlene Ackerman, Greg Hooper, Narconon, Pam Parker, San Francisco, Tony Bylsma

School district officials in Los Angeles have ordered a review of an anti-drug program whose teachings are linked with the Church of Scientology and are warning teachers that its instruction "is not based on science."

Tags: Arlene Ackerman, Clark Carr, Detox, Jack O'Connell, Los Angeles, Narconon, Purification Rundown, San Francisco, Tim Buresh

LOS ANGELES, June 23 (UPI) -- Los Angeles school officials are warning teachers an anti-drug program whose teachings are linked with the Church of Scientology is not based on science. Known as Narconon, it reaches thousands of students in at least 20 California districts, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday. Los Angeles is the second district in the state to issue warnings about the program.

Tags: California, Los Angeles, Narconon, Quicky, San Francisco, San Francisco Chronicle

LOS ANGELES, June 23 (UPI) -- Los Angeles school officials are warning teachers an anti-drug program whose teachings are linked with the Church of Scientology is not based on science. Known as Narconon, it reaches thousands of students in at least 20 California districts, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday. Los Angeles is the second district in the state to issue warnings about the program.

Tags: California, Los Angeles, Narconon, Quicky, San Francisco, San Francisco Chronicle

Clark Carr is president of Narconon International (www.narconon.org).

Tags: Narconon, Truth About Drugs

(CBS/AP) More than a dozen U.S. lawmakers turned out for a Capitol Hill reception honoring the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the controversial leader of the Unification Church. Some of the lawmakers later said they were duped when questioned about their presence at the event held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 23. The Washington Post reported that Moon received a crown that was placed on his head. The crown was carried on a pillow by Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., who wore white gloves, the newspaper said. [Details of the reception were first reported by Salon.com.]

Tags: 1982, 2002, Associated Press, Congress, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Moonies, New York City, Republican, Reverend, Sun Myung Moon, Unification Church, Washington Post, Washington Times

She first dramatized her importance by appearing on the TV show Inside Edition. Yet when medical professionals hired by Scientology expressed opposing views, Wood changed significant details on the autopsy, which forced prosecutors to drop the charges. A state attorney memo said Wood was unable "to coherently explain her decision even under benign questioning."

Tags: Bernie McCabe, Inside Edition, Jeb Bush, Joan Wood, Lisa McPherson, Medical

The French parliament yesterday adopted Europe's toughest anti-sect legislation yet, creating a controversial new crime of "mental manipulation" punishable by a maximum fine of £50,000 and five years imprisonment. The move was applauded by Alain Vivien, head of a government committee that has identified 173 dangerous quasi-religious groups in France, but was denounced by both the Church of Scientology and the Unification Church as fascist, anti-democratic and in breach of basic human rights laws.

Tags: France

The head of the Chilocco Development Authority - which owns the Indian land on which a controversial drug and alcohol treatment center is located here - is concerned the facility is being operated by Narconon without state certification. "We want them to abide by state rules and regulations," said CDA chairman Robert Chapman, who is chief of the Pawnee tribe. "I expect that to be state-certified, like the plans in the beginning." He emphasized that the tribes have no interest in asserting Indian sovereignty to be exempt from state law.

Tags: Bruce Pyle, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Certification, Chilocco Alumni Association, Chilocco Development Authority, Delbert Cole, Della Warrior, Hank Hartsell, James McGirt, Kaw, Narconon, Narconon Chilocco, Narconon International, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Health Planning Commission, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca, Robert Chapman, Rosemary Brown, Tonkawa, Virginia Combrink, Wanda Stone