Scientology Defectors: A Timeline - 2017-01-30

Scientology Defectors: A Timeline January 30, 2017, Nina Hernandez, Rolling Stone

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The Church of Scientology might be one of the most secretive organizations in the country, but there's one thing it can't seem to keep quiet: defections. Since its creation in 1953, a string of celebrities and higher-ups have left the church. For years, those who defected largely kept quiet about what they'd seen on the inside – but increasingly, that's changed.

In 2009, a St. Petersburg Times series revealed a host of former high-level executives who shared their stories. Then, in 2015, an HBO documentary called Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief – based on a 2013 book by journalist and screenwriter Lawrence Wright – told the stories of many of these defectors. Just months after that film was released, sitcom star and former Scientologist Leah Remini wrote a book about her 30 years in the church, and this year, followed it up with her A&E show Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, in which she tells her story and interviews fellow defectors.

Now, it seems, Scientology's greatest blessings – its celebrity followers and devoted lifers – have become their biggest liability. But how far back do the defections go? Here, 10 people whose lives revolved around Scientology –then made the conscious decision to leave.

Wikipedia cite:

{{cite news | first = Nina | last = Hernandez | title = Scientology Defectors: A Timeline | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/lists/scientology-defectors-a-timeline-w461675 | work = Rolling Stone | date = January 30, 2017 | accessdate = February 7, 2019 }}