August 13 in Scientology history

Though there has been an "official L. Ron Hubbard biographer" since I first hired him in 1991, there is still no L. Ron Hubbard biography. "LRH biographer" or more often now "The Biographer", Dan Sherman spends his days penning prolix fluffery for David Miscavige to read from a teleprompter at his "international events" and Ideal Org ribbon yankings. Over the span of 25 years, the silver mullet and his team of biographical "researchers", headed by Andy Lenarcic, have gathered an enormous amount of information, photographs and artifacts about the life of L. Ron Hubbard. They have literally scoured the world and have amassed a great deal of information. They have spent enormous amounts of time and effort seeking to prove L. Ron Hubbard's version of his life to be true.

Tags: 1991, Andy Lenarcic, Bare-Faced Messiah, Blackfeet, Chris Owen, Cuba, Dan Sherman, David Miscavige, Dianetics, Eagle Scout, Ideal Org, Japan, L. Ron Hubbard, Mary Sue Hubbard, Oregon, OT, OT XV, Quicky, Rhodesia, Russell Miller, Russia, Science of Survival, Submarine, Wichita

In our last story about Efrem Logreira, we told you that he had turned down the offer of a check for $8,415 from the Church of Scientology. We explained that Logreira, 75, joined Scientology only last year, but his handlers at the Los Angeles "org" ran up charges of $73,000 on credit cards that it opened for him — and then barred him from coming to Scientology events or taking more courses, which the money was supposed to pay for. Since then, he's been trying to get his money back while getting hit with fees and interest on those charges. We started talking to him earlier this year after he quietly reached out to us, and we also reported that he has been talking to law enforcement. And in our last story we revealed that he has been talking to attorney Graham Berry, a figure well known for taking on cases against the church. Well, now we have another report about how desperate the Church of Scientology is to solve its Efrem problem.

Tags: Church of Scientology Western US, Continental Liaison Office, Efrem Logreira, Facebook, Graham Berry, Kendrick Moxon, Los Angeles

Things don't seem to be flourishing and prospering at the L. Ron Hubbard "literary agency" these days. They are offering up their premises as a shooting location.... Next they will be renting out parking spaces in their building for the tourists on Hollywood Blvd — much like Denver Ideal Org does when the Rockies are playing at home.

Tags: Author Services Inc, David Miscavige, Denver, El Cadiz, Hollywood, Ideal Org, Leah Remini, Quicky

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions based on what is left for me in the comments section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week, the questions answered are: (1) I'm not sure if you've answered this already but have you had any noteworthy moments after leaving Scientology where you go "Woh, I had that all backwards, I can't believe I ever thought otherwise," or anything of that nature that comes to mind? (2) I'm curious about a couple of things. Does the Sea Organization's billion year contract state anything about what the Church of Scientology will do for members who make this commitment? Also, have medical liaisons or supervisors ever suggested that the sick go to their disconnected family to ask for money for medical needs? So don't contact your family, but well it's ok to do so now that you are sick?

Tags: Class V, Critic, David Miscavige, Elena Cardone, E-meter, Kay Rowe, Potential Trouble Source, Quicky, Sea Org, Tom Cummins

Rod Keller helps us keep an eye on Scientology overseas, and he has this report for us about Taiwan... A tipster sent us the photo above of staff at the Kaohsiung Ideal Org in Taiwan celebrating a "highest ever" for WDAHWO, or Well Done Auditing Hours With Out Purif. Scientology tracks a large number of statistics by the week, and Kaohsiung is actually two orgs - one for Day and the Foundation org for the nights and weekends. We asked former Johannesburg staff member Shelley Ashurst if this is a good stat or not. She tells us it's fairly typical for Ideal Orgs, but the stat breaks down to a rather small number of Scientologists active in the org. "A student doing the TRs and Objectives Course can account for 35 to 40 hours per week, so that 600 hours could equate to fewer than 20 PCs being serviced either in session, or in the course room. Every Ideal Org is built with enough auditing rooms and course rooms capable of delivering tens of thousands of hours per week. So the fact that they've reached 601 hours is embarrassing actually." [Contributor to the planned Taipei Ideal Org. The Taipei 101 building, once the tallest in the world, forms part of the logo]

Tags: ANZO, Australia, California, CCHR, China, Clearwater, David Pomeranz, Dianetics, Falun Gong, Flag Land Base, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Freewinds, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, Johannesburg, Kaohsiung, Mission, Narconon, Netherlands, Phoenix, Portland, Purification Rundown, Quicky, Rod Keller, Sea Org, Shelley Ashurst, Taichung, Taipei, Taiwan, The Way to Happiness, Tokyo, Tucson, We Stand Tall, Well Done Auditing Hours, West Virginia

Originally Uploaded on Nov 25, 2009.

Tags: 2009, Aaron Saxton, Cult, Quicky, Sea Org

Aaron Saxton (born 1974) is a former Scientologist and member of the organisation's elite group called the Sea Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_S... Aaron : From my position within the Church of Scientology I oversaw transportation of sensitive materials of celebrities that was to be used for blackmail.

Tags: 1974, 2009, Aaron Saxton, Blackmail, Quicky, Sea Org

On Thursday, we had a special treat for you: A photograph of Diana Hubbard taken in 1982 that had sat in a photographer's collection for 34 years before he dug it out and sent it to us. It was a stunning image of the daughter of L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology's founder, and it produced a flood of really interesting memories of her from some of our commenters. It also motivated several other people to dig out old photos of their own, and we've put a few of them together today to show you. And thank you again, to our great friends of the Underground Bunker. Our first correspondent let us know that he'd managed to track down a 1951 college yearbook for the University of Texas at Austin, where a young woman named Mary Sue Whipp graduated that year. Says our sleuth, "Mary Sue graduated in 1951 with a degree in English from the College of Liberal Arts. According to the Cactus Yearbook senior pictures section, she participated in the Women's Inter-Community Association (WICA), Touche (fencing), Tumble (gymnastics - it's misspelled 'Tumle' in the caption), and was part of the Houston Club (presumably because she's originally from Houston)."

Tags: 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 2002, 2013, AOLA, Arthur Hubbard, ASHO, Austin, Bill Robertson, Call Me, Chris Shelton, Clark Carr, Clearwater, Diana Hubbard, Disconnection, E-meter, Epilepsy, FBI, Gretchen Schwartz, Guardian's Office, Hollywood, Houston, Int Base, Jane Kember, Joanne Devito, L. Ron Hubbard Way, LAX, Los Angeles, Los Feliz, Mary Sue Hubbard, Master at Arms, Narconon, Narconon International, OT 7, Phil Jones, Quentin Hubbard, Quicky, Sea Org, Snow White Program, Suzette Hubbard, Tijuana, Toronto, University of Texas, Wichita, Yuval Laor

Who are the Merchants of Chaos? Scientology teaches that Suppressive Persons are Merchants of Chaos - relaying only "entheta" and generally upsetting people around them with bad news. Seems quite sensible you would not want to associate with this sort of person. And of course, L. Ron Hubbard declared the media are ALL Merchants of Chaos. A Special Correspondent sent this letter to me, pointing out just how much "bad news" the ED of St Louis is spreading around to one and all.

Tags: Brussels, Dallas, International Association of Scientologists, Jeff Pomerantz, L. Ron Hubbard, Merchants of Chaos, Michael Roberts, Moscow, Quicky, St. Louis, Suppressive Person, Teddy Breggin

Lloyd Evans is an ex-Jehovah's Witness and now an advocate against the destructive cult practices of that group. He has a YouTube channel under the name "John Cedars" and a website at http://jwsurvey.org. For the last three years he has been campaigning hard, doing excellent work to expose the crimes committed in the name of religion.

Tags: Combatting Cult Mind Control, Jehovah's Witnesses, John Cedars, Lloyd Evans, Quicky, Steven Hassan, YouTube

The complete interview with ex-Scientologist Nick Lister, covering his entire life growing up in Scientology, experiences at a private Scientology school, being heavily recruited to be part of the Sea Organization, joining staff at a Scientology church and then leaving and what happens when you try to break away from Scientology.

Tags: Nick Lister, Quicky, Sea Org

Scientology keeps looking for people in distress and duress who might be vulnerable to their gibberish. According to the 2014 Federal tax filing for the Jett Travolta Foundation, John Travolta pitched in like a good soldier last year. His Jett Travolta Foundation gave $3,000 to the Way of Happiness Foundation, a Scientology organization started by L. Ron Hubbard. The purpose was to distribute booklets in Ferguson and St. Louis, Missouri after the Michael Brown shooting and during the racial tension there.

Tags: Autism, Ferguson, Haiti, Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential, Janet Doman, Jett Travolta Foundation, John Travolta, Quackwatch, St. Louis, The Way to Happiness

It's a surprise... Don't tell anyone. The Wonders of the ALL NEW Clearing Course

Tags: Albuquerque, AOLA, Armelle Keppler, Birmingham, Blake Silber, Bridge Publications, Camelback, Celebrity Centre, Chairman of the Board, Clear, Clearing Course, Clive Rabey, CLO UK, Dallas, Dianetics, Dissemination, Flag Service Organization, Freedom Medal, Freewinds, Golden Age of Tech, Graham Payne, Harvey Jacques, Hermann Keppler, Hubbard Academy of Personal Independence, Ian Faulkner, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, Jim Mathers, Kansas City, KCET, Khalida Perwaiz, L. Ron Hubbard, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mental Health, Michael Roberts, Orange County, OT, Pakistan, Phoenix, Planetary Dissemination, Quicky, Randy Mednick, Reactive Mind, Robert Jenkins, Ryan Woodley, Scotland, Stevens Creek, Thursday Funnies, Walt Carleton

Laura DeCrescenzo In 2013, the Underground Bunker provided live coverage as Laura DeCrescenzo's forced-abortion lawsuit survived a major challenge by the Church of Scientology. Laura sued the church in 2009 because she alleges that she was abused as a "Sea Org" worker who, for example, was made to work 90-hour weeks for pennies an hour — and that's when she was 12 years old. When she turned 13, she was moved to an adult schedule of 112-hour weeks. At 17, while still technically a child, she says she was coerced into having an abortion — something other women have alleged was standard policy in the Sea Org, where having children was forbidden because it would prevent them from working so much. After four years of complex legal wrangling — which even included Scientology's failed attempt to have the US Supreme Court intervene — DeCrescenzo's legal team convinced LA Superior Court Judge Ronald Sohigian that there was enough evidence of Scientology's shocking treatment of Laura that a jury should sort out who was telling the truth. Sohigian denied Scientology's motion for summary judgment. Sohigian then retired, and the new judge in the case scheduled trial for December 7, 2015. But now, as that trial date looms, Scientology has filed yet another voluminous motion for summary judgment — and this time, it's a familiar refrain.

Tags: 2005, 2009, 2013, Aaron Smith-Levin, Abortion, Bert Deixler, Boston, California, Cambridge, Claire Headley, David Miscavige, Disconnection, Growing Up In Scientology, Hemet, Hong Kong, Int Base, Jesse DeCrescenzo, John Travolta, Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain, Judge Ronald Sohigian, Laura DeCrescenzo, Leah Remini, Massachusetts, Miss Lovely, Narconon, Nick Lister, OT, Paulette Cooper, Quicky, Sea Org, Skeptics, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, US Supreme Court, YouTube

Did you ever wonder why scientologists are so comfortable with and accomplished at issuing 'acceptable truth' (scientology euphemism for lie)? This may shed some light on the question. For starters, scientologists are taught from the get-go that whatever is true for the individual is true. That datum is presented by L. Ron Hubbard in such wise that usually it is taken as a tremendous validation and empowerment of the reader. It is so universally accepted as such that it is about the last scientology stable datum a recovering scientologist is willing to question. They find it difficult to reckon that such an idea can ultimately serve as a cement ceiling to any growth beyond wherever scientology might take them. In fact, it is the first step toward a sort of chronic self-hypnotic state that ultimately automatically converts the scientologist's subjective world into the objective world. To a scientologist there is no objective universe, but for the one he or she deigns to be true.* Over time that subjective reality is thoroughly shaped and molded by the universe view of L. Ron Hubbard. Once fully converted to accepting that wholly subjective, albeit influenced by indoctrination, universe view as objective fact, a hard core scientologist can act rather insanely. No matter how hard you try to convince him about the existence of an objective fact he will increasingly cling to his 'reality' (which after all to him is the only true source of objective fact) no matter how fanciful or insane that reality may be. Ironically, that is insanity according to Hubbard's own definition – unable to sense and perceive that which just about everybody else is able to. That is one reason why scientology organizations can smugly count on any scientologist in good standing to comfortably commit perjury for scientology and its leaders. Scientologists can and do perform that feat with the greatest aplomb, without the slightest sense of guilt or remorse for doing so. I have watched lawyers become dumbfounded witnessing scientologists so perform so facilely while under oath. Those skills are honed in scientology's 'Success Through Communication ' course that teaches one to comfortably lie as a supposed social necessity. They are refined in lengthy, arduous witness coaching sessions with scientology legal staff (sessions that are promptly and conveniently forgotten upon command by the scientologist's cultivated ability to create his own reality). Connected to legal proceedings or not, the scientologist's subjective universe view reins so supreme that he can even be unaware that he is lying through his teeth while doing so.

Tags: Quicky, The Age

Denise Brennan, a former Scientology executive in the 1970s and 1980s who became a vocal whistle blower about the organization's structure and finances, died of a heart attack in New Hampshire yesterday morning at about 8 am. Brennan, 62, had told numerous friends that she had been writing so much about Scientology in recent years in part because she didn't expect to be around much longer.

Tags: 1952, 1970, 1973, 1978, 1980, 1991, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, Advanced Org, Anonymous, AOLA, Australian Senate, Big Blue, Boston, Bridge to Total Freedom, Church of Spiritual Technology, Connecticut, David Miscavige, DC, Denise Brennan, Dianetics, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, Gregg Housh, Hamburg, Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion, Janet Reitman, Jon Atack, Kate Bornstein, Kimberly Perkins, Larry Brennan, Lawrence Wright, LGBT, London, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Maryland, Mike Rinder, New Hampshire, New York, Operating Thetan, PAC Base, Patty Moher, Pennsylvania, Saint Hill Manor, Sandy Brennan, Scientology executive, Scientology staff, Sea Org, Seattle, UK, Watchdog Committee

Please, please, please come in. Pretty please. They will resort to anything to try and get people to come into their idle morgues.... Really?

Tags: David Miscavige, Denise Brennan, OT, Quicky, Sonya Jacques, Thursday Funnies, Tony Ortega

The constant "give us your money" drumbeat is only growing louder. But it is becoming ever more brazen and the "reasons" are getting more and more absurd. This new email contains so many outpoints it is difficult to comprehend that anyone in their right mind would have sent it.

Tags: ASHO, Clear, Colombia, Flag Order, Harlem, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, Kaohsiung, L. Ron Hubbard, New York, OT, Quicky, Sea Org, Taiwan

Claire Headley is taking us on our journey to train as Scientologists. She and her husband Marc were Sea Org workers who escaped from Scientology's International Base in 2005. She spent years working with Scientology's "tech," and was trusted to oversee the auditing of Tom Cruise. Go here to see the first part in this series. Claire, we're starting to get into some serious money this week as things suddenly kick up. And that's exciting. Up to now, we've noticed that our trip up Scientology's Bridge to Total Freedom has contained a lot of repetition and rather simple concepts about communication, learning, and control. So far, there's been no space opera and even less excitement in our Scientology training. But with the price increasing, can we expect some thrills? CLAIRE: Well, Expanded Grade 0 is our next step, and it's the level in Scientology that deals with communication on all "flows." The ability gained for this level is: Ability to communicate freely with anyone on any subject.

Tags: 1993, 2004, 2005, Bridge to Total Freedom, Canada, Claire Headley, Class V, Clear, CNN, Dan Koon, David Miscavige, Feshbach, Inspector General Network, Int Base, KABC, Leah Remini, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Matt Feshbach, OT, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Sea Org, Shelly Miscavige, Tom Cruise

You might be interested in getting yourself declared (excommunicated) by Scientology Inc. in a rapid, efficient and relatively painless fashion. All you need to do is associate with me. A number of people have achieved the instant-declared status by simply being seen communicating with me or by being found to be posting on this blog. The advantages of the instant, causative declare stem from the fact that when you ride with me nobody in the church messes with you. You won't have family members recruited to act as covert spies for Scientology Inc. You won't have confidential confessional information used by family and friends to push your buttons so as to convince you to change your mind. You won't have the 'this is your life' missions sent using family and friends (starting with the highest of 'affinity' of course) to subject you to lengthy invalidation and evaluation sessions accentuated with heavy doses of doomsday scenario scare tactics. If you choose this route, of course your friends, family and associates affiliated with corporate Scientology will disconnect from you. They will be plied with all manner of exaggerated and manufactured stories about you to get them to comply. That comes with the territory; whether you go the instant declare route or not. All I am offering is a means to expedite the process so that it is a clean, quick break. If you are sufficiently briefed about and exterior to Scientology Inc. culture you will understand that all that is going to happen no matter which way you choose to cut the umbical cord. The relatively painless declare speeds the process so that you don't go through months of drama. I am garlic as far as the vampire in chief (David Miscavige) is concerned. Once some of it rubs off on you - Miscavige and his minions must stay far, far away for fear of being enervated by contact.

Tags: David Miscavige, Quicky

Adam joined Scientology's Sea Org at the age of 18. He served at the Toronto Org, and two years later he realized that he wasn't helping people like he was promised he would. He was working long hours, had no time off, and the lack of contact with his family was taking its toll on him. Adam wanted to visit his Father for Christmas. That was the beginning of the end for Adam. He knew that there would be lasting consequences, but the heartbreaking outcome is no less difficult for Adam, and his family, to endure.

Tags: Adam Holland, AOSH Canada, Quicky, Sea Org, Toronto Org

For several years, a man named Jamie DeWolf has been getting noticed for his slam poetry. But now, it looks like he's really about to break out. Why? Well, we posted this video recently, and the response was pretty huge. Just watch and you'll probably understand why:

Tags: 1950, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1991, 2000, Boston, Clearwater, Drama, FBI, Florida, Hollywood, Jamie DeWolf, Jesse Prince, L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition, Las Vegas, Lisa McPherson, Lisa McPherson Trust, Margaret Grubb, Marty Rathbun, Mary Sue Hubbard, Penthouse magazine, Quentin Hubbard, Robert Vaughn Young, Ron DeWolf, Sea Org, Snow White Program, Tory Christman, Washington, Washington Post

12 August, 2010 Eliott Abelson General Counsel

Tags: 1981, 2009, California, Church of Scientology International, Clear, David Miscavige, Elliot Abelson, Ingleside, L. Ron Hubbard, Murder, Office of Special Affairs, OT, Police, Private investigator, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Sea Org

My good friend Nancy Many asked me to post this on Leaving Scientology. Nancy, of course, was speaking out against the Church long before many of us got up the nerve. She experienced the evil of the Church up close and personal, as she details in her book, My Billion Year Contract. Her comments about Marty are relevant, particularly as the Church has singled Marty out for some particularly vile dirty tricks. I don't think they have any idea how many friends and allies Marty really has. Here's what Nancy has to say: Re Marty Rathbun – I have recently discovered that I have forwarded incorrect information regarding Marty. It came from a person in RTC at the time, whom I trusted. I have since discovered there were other falsehoods this person gave to me.

Tags: Marty Rathbun, My Billion Year Contract, Nancy Many, Quicky, Religious Technology Center

Scientology's Purification Rundown is so dangerous it almost killed one of his clients, former Scientologist Roger Gonnet told the Paris court. So far Roger Gonnet had been answering questions from President of the Court, Judge Sophie-Hélène Château. Now Maître Olivier Morice took up the questioning of the former Scientologist, who he had called as a witness for the plaintiffs in the case. Morice recalled that the defendant Alain Rosenberg, while confirming that he was executive director of the Paris Celebrity Centre, had said his role had been a spiritual one rather than involving any financial responsibilities. Was that Gonnet's understanding of the post? It was not.

Tags: 1974, 1983, 2008, Alain Rosenberg, Apostate, Ballo, Caroline Letkeman, Celebrity Centre, Church of Scientology International, Copenhagen, David Miscavige, Disconnection, East Grinstead, England, Eric Roux, France, Judge Sophie-Hélène Château, L. Ron Hubbard, Lyon, Maisonneuve, Netherlands, Niacin, Olivier Morice, Operating Thetan, Paris, Patrick Maisonneuve, Personality test, Purification Rundown, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Roger Gonnet, Saint Hill, Suppressive Person, Telex

Meanwhile, Klein's stance toward the Church of Scientology softened over time, according to a 2001 Tribune story. For years, Klein's department collected criminal intelligence on the church, mostly based on complaints regarding refunds sought by disgruntled members. The often-strained relationship between Klein and the church reached its nadir with Lisa McPherson, a church member who died in December 1995 after a 17-day stay in the church's Fort Harrison Hotel. The church was leveled with criminal charges, which were later dropped. But Scientologists went after Klein, accusing him of Gestapo tactics, suggesting he was associated with organized crime. And in 1997, Scientology supporters picketed the police station.

Tags: Clearwater, Sid Klein, St. Vincent de Paul

According to records from the Clark County assessor's office, the Church of Scientology, Creative Mission of Las Vegas, in October 2005 purchased the 3.71-acre parcel from Congregation Ner Tamid, a large Reform synagogue that has since moved to Henderson, for $2.9 million. According to Calley, the church is spending about another $3 million on renovations. The renovated church, set to open in November, will have added space for executive offices.

Tags: Carolyn Calley, Celebrity Centre, Gary Reese, Karin Pouw, Las Vegas, Nashville, Oscar Goodman, Steve Ross

The controversial religion is renovating a former synagogue complex near the corner of Eastern and Emerson avenues so it can become Scientology's focal point in Nevada, with 36,845 square feet of space and a "Celebrity Centre" to specially cater to high-profile artists, celebrities and community leaders. The Las Vegas celebrity center will be Scientology's fourth such center in the U.S. The others are in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville, Tenn.

Tags: Carolyn Calley, Celebrity Centre, Ideal Org, Karin Pouw, Las Vegas, Nashville, Nevada, Todd Lake

Masked protesters are taking to Seattle streets as the church eyes new facilities downtown and in lower Queen Anne.

Tags: Ann Pearce, Anonymous, Real estate, Seattle

An ex-Scientologist and an army of online pranksters attempt to bring down the controversial religion. But Gorman's loyalty to Scientology turned to rage against it in 2001, after his then-teenage friend Jennifer Stewart, now his wife, alleged she was forcibly raped by an adult staff member of the Mountain View branch of the church. Both say that Scientology officials, including Quiros, urged them not to go to the police. Scientology staffers vigorously deny both allegations. In a later civil suit, the church weighed the bad press that might come from the "incendiary" allegations coming out at trial and paid Stewart a handsome 2005 out-of-court settlement that barely made the news.

Tags: Anonymous, Carl Tennenbaum, Electric Klan, Fair Game, Ford Greene, Gabriel Williams, Jason Herr, Jeff Quiros, Jennifer Stewart, Kevin Creech, Kristi Wachter, Lawrence Wollersheim, Mark Warlick, Office of Special Affairs, Rape, San Francisco, Scientology Parishioners League, Sea Org, Steven Hassan, Suppressive Person, Tommy Gorman, Tory Christman

So when Wollersheim -- the ex-Scientologist who won a $8.7 million judgment from the organization for "infliction of emotional distress" -- invited the Anons to come discuss the direction of the anti-Scientology movement on the boat of his spiritual non-profit, which doubles as his crib while the Nevada resident is in the Bay Area, the Anons weren't exactly lining up to RSVP. Some posted on the Bay Area Anonymous message board that it was "a trap." One posted: "Super-sekret meetings and invite-only treeforts are for faggots" (Anonymous' favorite name for each other). Some worried Scientologist moles would show up to take their photos. They decided to wear their masks, and to be wary of being used for any ulterior motive by Wollersheim's other non-profit FACTNet (Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network).

Tags: Anonymous, FACTNet, Jason Beghe, Jennifer Gorman, Lawrence Wollersheim, Tommy Gorman

In 2003, to accommodate new members, the church spent $3.5 million to buy 220 125th Street – a six-story industrial building the organization has begun renovating into a church. Within the coming year, its 30,000 to 50,000 square feet (according to the real estate broker's and Hines's figures, respectively) will have a sauna – part of the church's anti-toxin purification program – a film center, and a variety of classrooms and training rooms. All of this is standard in a Scientology church, but this one will be decorated to suit the people it's aimed at serving: Computer renderings of what the place will look like show rooms with African motifs. Even the current office, however small, has a few well-placed gourds.

Tags: Earl Kooperkamp, Harlem, Jerry Hines, Lucille McEwen, New York City, The Way to Happiness

U.S. marshals seized computer equipment and files yesterday from a Virginia man accused by the Church of Scientology of posting its most sacred texts on the Internet. Marshals also served Arnaldo Lerma, 44, with a restraining order barring him from revealing more of the church's copyrighted documents in a federal copyright infringement suit filed by the church Friday.

Tags: Arnaldo Lerma

The Church of Scientology International filed a $120-million federal lawsuit against 17 Washington- and Los Angeles-based Internal Revenue Service officials Monday, accusing them of waging a 33-year campaign of illegal acts against Scientology and a large number of its members. According to the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and testimony from IRS officials detail a lengthy history and unchanging pattern of improper, harassing and illegal activities against the church by IRS officials. Among those sued are IRS agents who in the mid-1980s conducted a criminal tax investigation against Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, whose death in 1986 reportedly ended the probe. The suit alleges that IRS agents in Los Angeles, along with a former church member, schemed to plant forged documents in the Church of Scientology's files, which the IRS could then seize in a raid.

Tags: 1986, Alan Lipkin, Church of Scientology International, Freedom of Information Act, Heber Jentzsch, Internal Revenue Service, IRS, L. Ron Hubbard, Philip Xanthos, Robert Giannangelli, William Connett, William Drescher

Historically, the basis for most, if not all, prejudice in this country has been the lack of genuine, true information about groups or organizations. Lack of genuine knowledge about someone or something leaves a vacuum that can be filled by bigoted statements that do nothing to further understanding.

Tags: 1993, Clearwater, Congress, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Larry King, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, White House

When both conveyors are running, the Pinellas Park store can make 120 pizzas an hour. That kind of quantity is important to stores in the the Clearwater area, which have been known to get orders from the Church of Scientology for up to 200 pies at one time.

Tags: Clearwater, Pizza