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December 8 in Scientology history

2020

2 years ago
-- Peter Gillham 13 Nov 1927 - 6 Dec 2020
2020-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Peter's daughter, Janis, informed me that her father had passed away. She and her sister Terri and brother Peter, wrote this tribute and made this video. I have known the Gillham children for nearly 50 years. They are a wonderful family and have always been people I liked and trusted, both in and out of the Sea Org and scientology. Their father lived a full, accomplished and in many regards astonishing life, as they have documented below. Peter F. Gillham 13 Nov 1927 - 6 Dec 2020
Tags: 1927, Peter Gillham, Quicky, Sea Org
-- Scientology social media: Gearing up for R6, or what you humans call 'Christmas'
2020-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Our thanks again to the source who gives us a glimpse into what Scientologists are sharing with each other on social media. This week, the usual miracles continue to salvage this planet, and Scientologists, like everyone else, are gearing up for the holiday season. Of course, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard preached that the Jesus story and everything else about modern religion was just a lot of hot air known as the "R6 implant" that had been fed to our souls (known as thetans) some 75 million years ago, long before human beings had even evolved on this planet. But as long as silly human beings are going to stay attached to their ephemeral traditions, Scientologists will gladly hijack them for recruiting purposes!
Tags: 1954, 1968, 1995, 1996, 2010, A&E, Aruba, Bernie Sanders, Christie Collbran, Christmas, Clear, Craig Reisdorf, Criminon, Decon7, Delphian School, Disconnection, Dublin, FEMA, Freewinds, International Association of Scientologists, Jesus, Kansas City, L. Ron Hubbard, Las Vegas, Leah Remini, Los Angeles, Marcab, Mike Rinder, National Guard, New York Times, OT VIII, Scientology and the Aftermath, Sea Org, SMERSH

2019

3 years ago
-- A-J: What Scientology Wants to Know Before It Approves You to Receive Services
2019-12-08, Jeffrey Augustine, Scientology Money Project
You've signed the four contracts of adhesion whereby the Church of Scientology strips you of all your legal rights. Now you're ready to get started with auditing right? No. Still one more hurdle to cross: The A-J Eligibility Security Check.
Tags: 1990, CIA, Dianetics, E-meter, Emma Best, Ethics Officer, Facebook, FBI, Hubbard Communications Office, IRS, Jewish, Keep Scientology Working, Muckrock, Office of Special Affairs, Ponzi scheme, Quicky, Reed Slatkin, Scientology staff, Sea Org, Sec Check, Tony Ortega
-- Kanye, the IRS and Scientology
2019-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
This is an interesting recent Forbes magazine article. The author covers how Kanye West, who has changed his name to Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West and conducts "Sunday Services," could actually file for tax exemption and reap mighty benefits. He describes what the IRS criteria are for granting such a religious exemption:
Tags: Christian, City of Clearwater, Facebook, Forbes, Inurement, IRS, Kanye West, Membership, New York Times, Quicky, Sunday service, Tax exempt, Twitter
-- SantaCon: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (Web Exclusive)
2019-12-08, LastWeekTonight, YouTube
The holiday season brings with it a host of annual traditions. John Oliver discusses one of the worst. Connect with Last Week Tonight online... Subscribe to the Last Week Tonight YouTube channel for more almost news as it almost happens: www.youtube.com/lastweektonight
Tags: David Miscavage, Facebook, John Oliver, Quicky, Twitter
-- Scientology's biggest donors of late 2019: The whales giving millions to David Miscavige
2019-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Yesterday, we showed you the lesser whales from this year's big IAS spectacular that took place in October at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England. This is the fourth time this year Scientology leader David Miscavige has feted his big donors, and once again he's outdone himself: Today we have the large number of wealthy Scientologists who were celebrated for turning in at least a $1 million each to curry favor with the organization. As we pointed out yesterday, Scientology makes a game out of giving the church huge sums, begging big donors — we call them "whales" — to turn over more and more in the hopes of reaching a new status level, a bigger trophy, and the prospect of being included in Impact magazine.
Tags: 1954, 1957, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, Baton Rouge, Bob Duggan, California, China, Clearwater, David Miscavige, Diamond Laureate, Diamond Meritorious, Dianetics, Duane Anderson, Dusseldorf, East Grinstead, England, Fair Game, Field Disseminator, Field Disseminators, Field Staff Member, Florence, Florida, Forbes, Frankfurt, Germany, Gigi Bridgeforth, Giovanni Citterio, Gold Meritorious, Haiti, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, Italy, Kansas City, Knowledge Report, L. Ron Hubbard, Los Angeles, Louisiana, Luana Baggio, Mace-Kingsley Ranch, Miami, Michael Holstein, Monika Lidl, Munich, Narconon, New Civilization Builder, Omar Jazzar, OT Committee, Patron, Patron Maximus, Platinum Maximus, Platinum Meritorious, Portland, Quicky, Rome, Saint Hill Manor, Saudi Arabia, Silicon Valley, Sri Lanka, Stevens Creek, Study Technology, Stuttgart, Susanne Marks, Tampa Bay Times, The Way to Happiness, Tracey McManus, Trish Duggan, Truth About Drugs, USA, Victoria, Victoria Cummins, WISE

2018

4 years ago
-- Academic goes 'Among the Scientologists' to bring back what we already knew
2018-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Your proprietor spent a lot of time in academia and has a huge respect for the scholar who wants to advance knowledge in a particular area by doing the scholarly thing — investigating, listening, measuring, while trying to be as objective as possible. That, however, does not describe what's going on in Donald Westbrook's newly published Among the Scientologists: History, Theology, and Praxis, and so we don't really feel a motivation to dive into it too deeply. From the beginning, Westbrook's sneering contempt for the journalists who have risked their careers, their livelihoods, and perhaps even their lives to get us information about what's really going on in Scientology is tiresome. This is a book that takes potshots at consummate professionals like Russell Miller and Lawrence Wright and then admits that its 69 interviews with Scientologists were arranged by the church's own notorious Office of Special Affairs.
Tags: Academic, Bette Orsini, Celebrity Centre, Church of Spiritual Technology, Clear, CNN, David Miscavige, Donald Westbrook, Gordon Melton, Janet Reitman, Joe Childs, Joel Sappell, Jon Atack, Karin Pouw, Keep Scientology Working, Lawrence Wright, Office of Special Affairs, OT, Reza Aslan, Richard Behar, Richard Leiby, Robert Welkos, Russell Miller, Theology, Tom Tobin, Tracey McManus
-- Tis the Season
2018-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
L. Ron Hubbard hating giving anything away for free and insisted on charging a hefty price for most all things connected with Scientology. He preached that people didn't value goods and services that were given freely. Anything worth having was worth paying for. Paying for something meant it was valuable. Given freely, it was not. This philosophy has hardened the hearts of countless Scientologists, driving many toward the level of "No Sympathy" on his infamous Tone Scale. The typical church member has little compassion for those without means or who don't meet LRH's exacting standards. They also have no sympathy for Scientologists not working tirelessly to get up the bridge as fast as they can.
Tags: Doctor, L. Ron Hubbard, Medical, Terra Cognita, Tone Scale

2017

5 years ago
-- A grim anniversary that should remind us Scientology has no business 'testing' anyone
2017-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
In Australia, what is known as the Queen St. Massacre is still marked yearly by the press, and still resonates with the public as a horrific incident in a country that doesn't have the frequency of mass killings that happen in this country. What isn't always remarked on, even by the Australian press, is that two months before he began his murderous rampage, Vitkovic had taken part in something that had reportedly deepened his depression, and left him brooding. It was something he was apparently still thinking about up to the day he went on his killing spree. Vitkovic had taken a Scientology personality test.
Tags: 1941, 1987, 1988, 2011, Australia, Eleanor Simpson, Frank Vitkovic, Melbourne, Melbourne Org, OCA, Oxford Capacity Analysis, Oxford University, Personality test, Rod Keller
-- Arizona congressman to resign after discussing child surrogacy with female staffers
2017-12-08, Lauren Gambino, The Guardian
The Arizona congressman Trent Franks said he will resign from Congress at the end of January after discussing child surrogacy with two female staff members. Franks announcement came as the House ethics committee said it would launch an investigation into whether the congressman "engaged in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment". "I have recently learned that the ethics committee is reviewing an inquiry regarding my discussion of surrogacy with two previous female subordinates, making each feel uncomfortable," Franks said in a statement on Thursday. "I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress."
Tags: 2014, 2018, Abortion, Africa, Arizona, Arizona Republic, Congress, Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood, John Conyers, Minnesota, New York Times, Paul Ryan, Quicky, Republican, Sexual assault, Texas, Trent Franks, Washington, Washington Post
-- Clearwater woman arrested for practicing medicine without a license
2017-12-08, ABC Action News, YouTube
A 59-year-old Clearwater woman was arrested for practicing medicine without a license. Clearwater Police conducted an undercover operation where Veronika Zaitsevskiy told undercover detectives she ran a cash-only business and did not accept health insurance.
Tags: Clearwater, Police, Quicky, Veronika Zaitsevskiy
-- Clearwater woman charged with practicing medicine without a license
2017-12-08, Tampa Bay Times
In May, an undercover Clearwater police officer witnessed a woman diagnose a client with lupus using a headset attached to a computer that allegedly scanned the body. This week, police arrested and charged Veronika Zaitsevskiy, 59, with one felony count of practicing medicine without a license. Zaitsevskiy operated her business from a second floor office at 1130 Cleveland St., the building that also houses the Tampa Bay Times Clearwater bureau.
Tags: Clearwater, Clearwater Police Department, Cleveland, Comm Line, Quicky, Veronika Zaitsevskiy
-- Is Marty Rathbun Hiding Settlement Funds via New Business?
2017-12-08, Steven Mango, YouTube
Marty Rathbun and his wife Monique both registered new businesses. After Monique's lawsuit was dropped, Marty was able to make a down payment on a home and just recently started two new business entities. Is this a possible way to conceal settlement funds via real estate and business LLC's? My new channel: http://www.youtube.com/c/mangotea SUPPORT ME:
Tags: 2012, Amazon, Celebrity Centre, Church of Scientology of California, CIA, Facebook, Hollywood, International Association of Scientologists, Marty Rathbun, Quicky, Settlement, Twitter
-- Regraded Being
2017-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Tags: Quicky, Regraded Being
-- Scientology Youth for Human Rights Toronto Event
2017-12-08, Ontario Against Scientology, YouTube
Youth for Human Rights Toronto Event (1st Dec 2017) held at the Ontario Science centre
Tags: Ontario, Quicky, Toronto, Youth for Human Rights International
-- Scientology Youth for Human Rights Toronto Event
2017-12-08, Ontario Against Scientology, YouTube
Youth for Human Rights Toronto Event (1st Dec 2017) held at the Ontario Science Centre.
Tags: Ontario, Quicky, Toronto, Youth for Human Rights International

2016

6 years ago
-- Deconstructing Scientology: Chapter 14
2016-12-08, Chris Shelton, Critical Thinker at Large
This week we continue on our slugfest of apologetics contained in this book, Scientology, edited by James R. Lewis and containing essays and articles written by sociologists, religious scholars, psychologists and the like, mostly slanted favorably towards Scientology and its status as a tax-exempt religious organization. I am deconstructing this nonsense so you don't have to. This week's puff piece about Scientology's legal battles in various countries is unfortunately not an exception to most of what we have covered, so I'm going to skim lightly over this and spare you most of the obviously biased nonsense. Author James T. Richardson is a Professor of Sociology and Judicial Studies and the Director of the Master of Judicial Studies Degree Program at the University of Nevada in Reno. According to his wikipedia article, he is notably outspoken on high-profile cases such as Elizabeth Smart and Patty Hearst and is a scientific critic of brainwashing theories. I looked into this a bit and found that he is a co-hort of Gordon Melton, who I have talked about already at length earlier in this series as one of the most intellectually dishonest academic advocates for Scientology and other destructive cults. While claiming to be objective, I've already shown you in this series how Melton all but parrots Scientology's own promotional materials, writes off any former member's testimony as unworthy of his attention and even went so far as to testify in favor of Aum Shinrikyo after they used sarin gas to try to commit mass murder. I have no patience for this man's apologetics as he is literally so blind to his own biases that he feels it is a perfectly acceptable practice for what he calls "new religious movements" to destroy families, extort millions of dollars from their members and even blatantly violate the law as a standard practice of their "religious beliefs." So when I saw that James T. Richardson was not only allied with Melton but even writing academic papers in defense of destructive cults, my hackles of course went up. I want to clarify something about these apologetic scholars. To give them the benefit of the doubt, it appears to me that many of them do what they do because they believe in the concept of religious freedom and they want to see people express themselves however those people desire when it comes to religious expression. Now I don't have any argument with such a view when it comes to basic principles. However, what these scholars don't seem to realize is that because they are on a crusade to speak in defense of any group that calls itself a religion, their biases have blinded them to the harm that some, not all, of these new religious movements cause. They're either blind to it or they just don't care what damage these groups cause, because these academics think that you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. This end-justifies-the-means approach indicates to me that their ability to be forward or nuanced thinkers is severely hampered by their opinions and this colors everything they say or write in defense of these groups.
Tags: 1954, 1988, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2007, Aum Shinrikyo, Brainwashing, California, Clearwater, Dianetics, Elizabeth Smart, European Court of Human Rights, Florida, France, Gordon Melton, IRS, James Lewis, James Richardson, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lawrence Wollersheim, Legal, Lisa McPherson, Mormon, Nevada, Patty Hearst, Quicky, Scientology organization, Sea Org, University of Nevada
-- Leah Remini told you about Scientology's 'Fair Game' - and here's the worst example of it
2016-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
(Leah Remini, Paulette Cooper, and Paul Noble) In this week's episode of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, we learned about former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder and the "Fair Game" he's experienced since leaving the church in 2007. For Rinder, it's meant almost constant surveillance and harassment since he first began in 2009 to speak publicly about Scientology's current leader, David Miscavige. Examples shown in the episode included being followed and accosted by private eyes, keeping watch on him with the use of a remote camera in a bird feeder, and even paying sanitation workers for Rinder's garbage. (In Tuesday's post, we listed other examples of Fair Game that Rinder has had to endure that weren't mentioned in the show.)
Tags: 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1980, 2007, 2009, 2010, Barbara Cordova Oliver, Chris Shelton, David Miscavige, Ethics Order, Fair Game, FBI, Guardian's Office, Jesus, Leah Remini, Life Center for a New Tomorrow, Manhattan, Marc Vallieres, Mike Rinder, New York, Paul Noble, Paulette Cooper, Quicky, Scientology and the Aftermath, Steven Mango, Suppressive Person, Tennessee, The Scandal of Scientology, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, Twitter
-- Scientology Security Following Us During Protest in LA
2016-12-08, Steven Mango, YouTube
While Fred & I were holding a protest at Scientology's Los Angeles Org, Security Guard Jason pulled out his video camera to make his own movie about us as we protested "To My Loved One In Scientology, Call Me" outside of the cult. This video came from my summer protesting live stream, so friends and Scientology watchers go to ask Jason anything during an impromptu Q&A we had with him. This video is funny, however there were serious occurrences that happened during the summer protests I staged. This is the first video in the series of protesting movies I will be releasing over the current weeks. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel!
Tags: 2012, Call Me, Celebrity Centre, Facebook, Hollywood, International Association of Scientologists, Los Angeles, Quicky, Twitter
-- Scn Aftermath Episode 2: Scientology Sort Of Responds
2016-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Hurricane Leah continues to roll, blowing aside the scientology house of cards in its path. Their denials and ridiculous responses are becoming lamer and less believable by the day. Their latest effort now takes issue with the fact they harass people. Everything they do is dictated by the L. Ron Hubbard Playbook for dealing with critics.
Tags: 2010, A&E, Amy Scobee, Australia, Benjamin Rinder, Claire Headley, David Miscavige, Denver, Disconnection, Europe, Facebook, Fair Game, Harassment, Jefferson Hawkins, Joe Childs, Leah Remini, London, Marc Headley, Marty Rathbun, Monique Yingling, Private investigator, Quicky, Robert Minton, Sam Domingo, Scientology and the Aftermath, Sea Org, St. Petersburg Times, Syria, Tom DeVocht, UK, USA Today

2015

7 years ago
-- Leaked Scientology video: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes front and center for 'psych busting'!
2015-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Our video source has come through for us once again. Cast your mind, Scientology watcher, back to October 2006. This was a year after Tom Cruise had made his weird splash as Scientology's awkward ambassador on Today with Matt Lauer and as a human jumping bean on Oprah's couch. Although those events had resulted in major pieces by the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, this was not the major media storm Scientology would experience later. For now, things had calmed down, and events like the black turtleneck video and the rise of Anonymous were still more than a year away. You could forgive David Miscavige for thinking he was just about at the height of his power. It was the annual meeting of the International Association of Scientologists in East Grinstead, England under the big top of the IAS tent, there were thousands in attendance, and Tom Cruise with the comically large "Freedom Medal of Valor" he received two years earlier was front and center in the first row.
Tags: 1985, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013, 9/11, Anonymous, CCHR, Christian, Cult Awareness Network, Dan Sherman, David Miscavige, Debbie Cook, Disconnection, East Grinstead, England, Escape, Facebook, Flag Service Organization, Freedom Medal of Valor, Hemet, International Association of Scientologists, Iraq, Karen de la Carriere, Karen Downing, Karin Pouw, Karry Campbell, Katie Holmes, L. Ron Hubbard, Leah Remini, Legoland, Los Angeles Times, Luis and Rocio Garcia, Marty Rathbun, Matt Lauer, Mike Rinder, Portland, Psychiatry: An Industry of Death, Quicky, Rolling Stone, Scott Campbell, Sea Org, The Hole, TIME, Tom Cruise, Tommy Davis, Youth for Human Rights International
-- Narconon - It's "ALL New"
2015-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Seriously? They are going to hold a "Ribbon cutting ceremony" for the "new program introduction." I wonder what the "new program" could be?
Tags: First Amendment, Judy Britt, Narconon, Narconon Fresh Start, OT, Purification Rundown, Quicky

2014

8 years ago
-- Conversations With Scientologists
2014-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
A couple of people have recently sent me copies of email correspondence they have had with people in the church. They were not working together, but both hit upon the same concept: responding to church efforts to get new people in or collect money from existing public and using this as an opportunity to present some facts to people they might not otherwise be able to reach. It is also interesting to see the reactions, responses and "pitches" that are employed.
Tags: 9/11, American Psychiatric Association, Big League Sales Closing Techniques, Bridge to Total Freedom, Buddha, Buddhism, Buddhist, Christian, Clear, Clearwater, Cleveland, Debbie Cook, Dianetics, Disconnection, Doctor, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, Hinduism, Janet Reitman, Jesus Christ, L. Ron Hubbard, Lawrence Wright, Les Dane, Mission, Mitch Talevi, Muslim, New York Times, OT, Pulitzer Prize, Quicky, Washington
-- SUNDANCE BOUND: HBO's film about Scientology will debut in Utah on January 25
2014-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
The Sundance Film Festival announced today that it has selected Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney's HBO-produced documentary about Scientology, Going Clear, for its 2015 lineup. The two-hour movie, based on Lawrence Wright's 2013 book, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, & the Prison of Belief, will make its premiere at the festival, screening for the first time at 2:30 pm on Sunday, January 25 in Park City, Utah. Your proprietor was interviewed for the film and has been invited to the premiere. We are looking forward to what we believe will be a devastating look at the effect Scientology has on its adherents. We can't say much more about what's in the movie. Gibney's production company issued this terse synopsis of the film...
Tags: 1991, 1995, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, Alex Gibney, Anderson Cooper, Atlanta, BBC, Bert Fields, CIA, CNN, Comedy Central, Creative Artists Agency, David Miscavige, Documentary, Fort Harrison, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, HBO, Hollywood, Hollywood Reporter, Ideal Org, Iraq, Jeffrey Riffer, Joe Childs, John Sweeney, Lawrence Wright, Mike Rinder, Mission Impossible, Park City, Peabody Award, Quicky, Scientology and Me, Sheila Nevins, South Park, Sundance, Sundance Film Festival, Tampa Bay Times, Tax, The Secrets of Scientology, Time magazine, Tom Cruise, Trapped in the Closet, Utah, Vanity Fair, Viacom, Washington Post, WikiLeaks
-- Sundance Premieres Include Ewan McGregor as Jesus, Plus Scientology, Viola Davis, And A New Noah Baumbach
2014-12-08, Roger Friedman, Showbiz 411
Park City is going to be brimming with hollow eyed Scientologists trying to get into see Alex Gibney's "Going Clear." Sundance will be like a zombie movie. Cool. What happens when they get wet? Lots of good stuff here. Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief / U.S.A. (Director: Alex Gibney) - Going Clear intimately profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, shining a light on how they attract true believers and the things they do in the name of religion.
Tags: Alex Gibney, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, Sundance

2013

9 years ago
-- 25th Annual Drug-Free Marshals "Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life" Christmas Festival
2013-12-08, The Grid
The event has a theme of drug-abuse prevention through education and is sponsored by the Church of Scientology of Toronto and the Foundation for a Drug-Free World Toronto with participation of downtown merchants and is open to all free of charge.
Tags: Christmas, Drug Free Marshals, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Say No to Drugs, Toronto
-- Scientology Daily Digest: Saturday, December 7, 2013
2013-12-08, John P. Capitalist, Reasoned.Life
Probably the biggest news today is the Lori Hodgson interview on Inside Edition, a US news magazine show, where she traveled to her son's workplace in Austin, Texas and paid him a surprise visit which was recorded. But the best performance clearly goes to Mark Bunker's three-minute appearance in front of the Clearwater City Council on the anniversary of Lisa McPherson's death, where he eloquently pointed out the absurdity of trying to make peace with the cult given how they've treated the citizens of the Clearwater area for the last forty years. Tony Ortega's Blog
Tags: Austin, Bert Fields, Cause Resurgence Rundown, Clearwater, David Miscavige, Disconnection, E-meter, Huffington Post, Inside Edition, Int Base, Karen de la Carriere, Katie Holmes, Kirstie Alley, Leah Remini, Lisa McPherson, Lori Hodgson, Mark Bunker, Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, Narconon, National Enquirer, Quicky, Sam Domingo, Samantha Domingo, Skip Press, Super Power, Texas, Tony Ortega, TV Guide, WhyWeProtest, Wise Beard Man
-- Sunday Funnies: Scientology Gets Ideal in Taiwan
2013-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
Now that Scientology has re-jiggered its Bridge to Total Freedom, by golly, there's no holding it back. And next stop on its crusade to take over the world is a new "Ideal Org" in Taiwan. Our tipsters came through again this week with a great collection of new Scientology mailers and fliers from around the world. At Saturday's grand opening in Kaohsiung, Taiwan it looks like a fine time was had by all. We're still waiting to hear if Scientology honcho David Miscavige made the scene.
Tags: Bridge to Total Freedom, David Miscavige, Freedom Medal, Ideal Org, Kaohsiung, OT, Quicky, Saint Hill, Scotland, Sunday Funnies, Taiwan
-- Super Power Marketing
2013-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Here is further proof, as if it were needed, that fundamentalist Scientology is 97.5% marketing hype and 2.5% product. Even when they are wanting money for an actual service (as opposed to buildings, IAS, library campaigns, "planetary dissemination", CCHR, ABLE etc etc etc) the lies and hype are simply out of this world. Barbara Dews is not writing this foolishness. This is the approved promotion for Super Power. The blind ARE still leading the blind.
Tags: 1960, 1969, 1978, ABLE, Barbara Dews, CCHR, Clear, Dan Koon, Dianetics, Ethics, False Data Stripping, Hubbard Communications Office Bulletin, International Association of Scientologists, IRS, L. Ron Hubbard, Matt Feshbach, NASA, OT, OT III, OT V, OT VII, OT VIII, Planetary Clearing, Purification Rundown, Quicky, Super Power

2012

10 years ago
-- Scientology and Past Lives: Was L. Ron Hubbard Actually Serious?
2012-12-08, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker
A funny thing happened on Thursday. We reviewed Vance Woodward's book, Addicted to Scientology, and noted that one of the more interesting things in it was Woodward's contention that a close reading of Scientology's foundational texts convinced him that L. Ron Hubbard thought of past-life therapy as a form of make-believe. Scientologists, however, take very seriously the idea that when they go through "auditing" and bring up memories from millions or billions of years ago they are making use of an exact science and their memories are very real. On the same day we brought up Woodward's doubts about that, over at Marty Rathbun's blog, the former church executive did something really remarkable: he surveyed his readership about this very issue.
Tags: 1952, Addicted to Scientology, DC, E-meter, L. Ron Hubbard, Marty Rathbun, OT, Philadelphia Doctorate Course, Quicky, San Francisco, Vance Woodward, Winnipeg

2011

11 years ago
-- David Miscavige: Merchant of Chaos
2011-12-08, Marty Rathbun, Moving On Up a Little Higher
In the following excerpt from the October,2011 International Association of Scientologists (IAS) event, David Miscavige preaches the benefits of the destruction of the Twin Towers and the loss of the lives of 3,000 people in New York City on 9/11/01. Possible Questions for discussion? 1) Is there anyone in the free world who ten years later is still so excited about the "virtues" of the terrorist attacks on New York City?
Tags: 9/11, David Miscavige, International Association of Scientologists, New York City, Quicky
-- Miscavige Megalomania, In Three Languages
2011-12-08, Marty Rathbun, Moving On Up a Little Higher
Megalomania is a psycho-pathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of power, relevance, or omnipotence. 'Megalomania is characterized by an inflated sense of self-esteem and overestimation by persons of their powers and beliefs'. - Wikipedia For those revolted by the last post here, David Miscavige: The Narcissist, you may want to secure your coffee before proceeding or skip this post entirely.
Tags: David Miscavige, International Association of Scientologists, Quicky, Wikipedia
-- Tom Cruise Denies Paying for Indian Extras to Cheer Him, And More Thursday Scientology Stats!
2011-12-08, Tony Ortega, Runnin' Scared, Village Voice
Each Thursday at 2 pm, Scientology staffers rush to turn in their weekly statistics. We like to do our part by rounding up the week's stories around the world and tallying up how the church fared. This week, we have items from India to Australia, but first, friendly correspondent Angry Gay Pope sends us this priceless promotional video from what was Scientology's Melrose Mission in Los Angeles. AGP has watched as Scientology opened the boutique org on one of LA's fanciest shopping arteries. He speculates that the micro-location (Scientology already has plenty of bigger facilities around the LA basin) was the result of a celebrity donation. Well, whatever prompted the new branch, it's now closed.
Tags: 2004, 2007, Angry Gay Pope, Australia, Bryan Seymour, CCHR, Celebrity Centre, Clearwater, David Miscavige, David Pomeranz, Florida, Freewinds, Hollywood, Hollywood Reporter, International Association of Scientologists, Los Angeles, Louis Farrakhan, Mission, Mumbai, Paramount, Phoenix, Quicky, Republican, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Scientology staff, Sea Org, Stacy Francis, Super Power Building, Tom Cruise

2010

12 years ago
-- Claudio and Renata Lugli are Free
2010-12-08, Marty Rathbun, Moving On Up a Little Higher
Claudio and Renata Lugli, OTVIII and OTVII have left the Church Of Scientology. Claudio and Renata have been vital pillars to the start and growth of Scientology in Italy, they are internationally known as Scientologists and as Fashion Designers. Here is their statement. My wife and I have decided to leave the current Church of Scientology and to cease any kind of support and participation in it. We haven't been able to find the spiritual attributes that once constituted the basics in which its founder L. Ron Hubbard had originally built Scientology on. That, and only that, was the determining factor for our dedication of 36 years in Scientology. It has been for both of us the answer of a spiritual journey that took a few lifetimes. The certainty we achieved throughout the enormous spiritual wins we gained from our Bridge progress was the reassurance that we did find what we were looking for. The teachings of Scientology have always been a landmark and a constant source of inspiration to enhance our existence and that of the people around us.
Tags: 1952, DC, Independent, Italy, L. Ron Hubbard, OT, Quicky, Renata Lugli, St. Petersburg Times
-- Claudio and Renata Lugli are Free
2010-12-08, Mike Rinder, Something Can Be Done About It
Claudio and Renata Lugli, OTVIII and OTVII have left the Church Of Scientology. Claudio and Renata have been vital pillars to the start and growth of Scientology in Italy, they are internationally known as Scientologists and as Fashion Designers. Here is their statement. My wife and I have decided to leave the current Church of Scientology and to cease any kind of support and participation in it. We haven't been able to find the spiritual attributes that once constituted the basics in which its founder L. Ron Hubbard had originally built Scientology on. That, and only that, was the determining factor for our dedication of 36 years in Scientology. It has been for both of us the answer of a spiritual journey that took a few lifetimes. The certainty we achieved throughout the enormous spiritual wins we gained from our Bridge progress was the reassurance that we did find what we were looking for. The teachings of Scientology have always been a landmark and a constant source of inspiration to enhance our existence and that of the people around us.
Tags: 1952, DC, Independent, Italy, L. Ron Hubbard, OT, Quicky, Renata Lugli, St. Petersburg Times
-- The Dark Side
2010-12-08, Jefferson Hawkins, Leaving Scientology
It has become a favorite phrase within the Church of Scientology to say that someone has "gone over to the dark side" when they leave the Church. I recently heard a story about someone who was told that they could not talk to a friend of theirs as they had "gone over to the dark side." The person asked what they had done, but the Ethics Officer couldn't say. "That's confidential," he said, "All I can tell you is that he's gone over to the dark side." There are several definitions of the word dark. One definition is "evil or wicked." But another definition is "hidden or obscured." Imagine Scientology as a building with all of the windows blacked out so no one can see outside. Those who are inside are told that what is outside the building is evil. They are not allowed to talk to anyone outside the building. They cannot read anything from the outside world. If their friends or family are outside, then they are not allowed to talk to them. You can imagine them sitting in this building, staring at the blacked-out windows, and wondering what is on the other side – the "dark side."
Tags: Ethics Officer, Quicky

2008

14 years ago
-- Las Cruces Mayor Stops Church's Anti-drug Program
2008-12-08, Associated Press, Albuquerque Journal
The city of Las Cruces is ending an anti-drug program aimed at third-graders after it was revealed it was backed by the Church of Scientology. The Drug-Free Marshal program started in late November. It had been presented to five schools, but was intended to be promoted eventually among all third-graders in the Las Cruces Public Schools.
Tags: Drug Free Marshals, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Ken Miyagishima, New Mexico
-- Las Cruces nixes anti-drug program
2008-12-08, Santa Fe New Mexican
The city of Las Cruces is ending an anti-drug program aimed at third-graders after learning it was backed by the Church of Scientology. The Drug-Free Marshal program started in late November. It had been presented to five schools, but was intended to be promoted eventually among all third-graders in the Las Cruces Public Schools.
Tags: Drug Free Marshals, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, New Mexico
-- LC mayor halts program sponsored by Scientologists
2008-12-08, Ken Molestina, KVIA ABC
It's a program aimed at getting kids off the streets and away from drugs. But now Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima is saying "not so fast." The program is called the Drug-Free Marshall Program, and it was quite a hit until the mayor found out it was sponsored by the Church of Scientology.
Tags: Drug Free Marshals, Ken Miyagishima, New Mexico

2007

15 years ago
-- German ministers try to ban Scientology
2007-12-08, Kate Connolly, Special reports, The Guardian
Germany paved the way yesterday for a ban on the Church of Scientology, with federal and regional ministers declaring that the US-based organisation contravened the constitution and posed a danger to democratic order. In a sharp escalation of a decade-long row, German officials asked the domestic intelligence agency to gather evidence that could be used in support of a legal move to secure a ban.
Tags: Germany, Sabine Weber
-- Germany moves to ban Scientology
2007-12-08, BBC News
Germany's federal and state interior ministers have declared the Church of Scientology unconstitutional, clearing the way for a possible ban. The ministers have asked Germany's domestic intelligence agency to examine whether the Church's legal status as an association could be challenged. Scientology is not recognised as a religion in Germany.
Tags: Germany
-- Germany working to ban 'unconstitutional' Scientology
2007-12-08, Bernard Hibbitts, Paper Chase, JURIST
German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and his 16 regional counterparts have consider Scientology [church website] "an organization that is not compatible with the constitution", and will work to ban it in Germany, Schäuble said at the end of a two-day ministerial meeting Friday.
Tags: Germany
-- Wassa madda wit you, hat?
2007-12-08, Pink Munky, YouTube
Pink Munky nails it with a funky mix to hubbards own insane ramblings from his lectures.
Tags: L. Ron Hubbard, Lulz, Video

2006

16 years ago
-- C.A. Rejects Attorney's Lien Claim in Scientology Case
2006-12-08, Kenneth Ofgang, Metropolitan News-Enterprise
The Court of Appeal for this district has rejected an attorney's claim to a portion of the millions of dollars recovered by a former Scientologist in the decades-long suit over what he said were coercive tactics by the church. Div. Two Wednesday affirmed Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert L. Hess' ruling invalidating Leta Schlosser's attorney fee lien against Lawrence D. Wollersheim's $8.7 million recovery from the Church of Scientology and its affiliated organizations.
Tags: Judge Robert Hess, Justice Ashmann-Gerst, Lawrence Wollersheim, Leta Schlosser, US Supreme Court

1999

23 years ago
-- When can a church be accused of a crime?
1999-12-08, Howard Troxler, St. Petersburg Times
Lisa McPherson, 36, was a Scientologist who died after being under the church's care in Clearwater in 1995. The state has filed charges of abuse and practicing unlicensed medicine against the church's Flag Service Organization, or simply "Flag." McPherson died that Dec. 5 after 17 days at the church's Fort Harrison Hotel under the supervision of Scientologists. The state says she died of a pulmonary embolism, with dehydration and immobility as contributing factors. The state says her final days featured raving delusions and forced medication. Flag's lawyers seek to have the charges dismissed.
Tags: 1995, 1998, Bernie McCabe, Christian, Clearwater, First Amendment, Flag Service Organization, Florida, Fort Harrison, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lisa McPherson, Mormon, Religious Freedom Restoration Act

1982

40 years ago
-- Treatment Center Denies 'Brainwashing' Tactics
1982-12-08, Eve Zibart, Washington Post
Officials of Straight, Inc., a drug rehabilitation operation sued recently by a former patient from Fairfax County, yesterday called allegations that they brainwash patients "reckless exaggeration," and went to court in an attempt to stop four current patients from being called as witnesses. At a morning press conference at Straight's recently opened Springfield office, national directors of the Florida-based program belittled the suit by 20-year-old Fred Collins, calling up three former program participants who endorsed the program. Collins' father, Fred Collins Jr., also attended the press conference and in a prepared statement said, "I have no sympathy with his claims against Straight." Straight attorney Ronald Goldfarb also accused Collins' attorneys of conducting a "trial by press release."
Tags: Bill Oliver, Brainwashing, Drug Free America, Fairfax County, Florida, Fred Collins, Miller Newton, Quicky, Ronald Goldfarb, South Bend
FrontCite 12/04/2022 08:15a
See also:
FrontCite Mediawiki
xenu-directory.net: Scientology in the news
Scientology in the UK Media