Of course, they cite nothing to support their bold claims -- but then again any scientologist would NEVER even think to question the IAS. After all, this is the international association of the most ethical group on earth. There is nothing to substantiate the figures of distribution at all, they pluck these numbers out of the sky usually. Someone paid for a printing of the booklets. They may or may not have actually printed that many. No doubt, however many they printed, they did NOT get distributed. Often they end up being dumped. And the "network of 1400 … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2019
Scientology TV — What’s Missing?
Scientology is making a really big deal about their new episode featuring Chick Corea. Chick is an interesting story that has been mentioned before. He got into financial troubles when his wife was hammering his credit cards. David Miscavige had known Chick for a long time because his father, Ron, was good friends with Ron Moss, Chick's manager. (Ron Moss is father of Elisabeth Moss of Handmaid's Tale fame). Miscavige was alerted to the problem and not wanting a "flap" with one of scientology's longest term celebrities, brought in Lyman Spurlock as a CPA to look through his finances. … [Read more...]
Kanye, the IRS and Scientology
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: Distinct legal existence; Recognized creed and form of worship; Definite and distinct ecclesiastical government; Formal code of doctrine and discipline; Distinct religious history; Membership not associated with any other church o … [Read more...]
The Aftermath Keeps Winning
I don't often comment on these things on this blog, as it can come across as bragging. But there are a couple of noteworthy recognitions for The Aftermath in the past few weeks, and as Fast Eddie and scientology like to constantly assert the show was a failure that “nobody watched” (unlike the massive, unprecedented, epic success that is scientologyTV) I thought this was appropriate. First, it was included in a list of the best TV shows of the decade: Entertainment Weekly Best TV Shows of the Decade This is what their TV critic had to say: KRISTEN: At your urging, Darren, I’v … [Read more...]
Regraded Being
Thursday Funnies
It's an Extravaganza And it's being done by Quentin Strub no less. He was the CO WISE EUS back in the 1980's and has risen no further. What an extravaganza of leadership and success he is. Freetown perhaps? Seems they have trouble with spelling and grammar everywhere... Free Admission But if you show your military ID you get free tickets for each child? A "professional" Life Improvement Counselor You have to wonder how you make a profession out of delivering free seminars? A major purpose of getting children … [Read more...]
What Are Ideal Orgs Up To?
The fabulous "ideal" orgs that have been opened are "proof" (at least in the mind of scientologists) that things are peachy-keen in the shrinking world of scientology. But reality is starkly different. Old Ron would be turning in his grave like the cartoon Tasmanian Devil I used to see on the Looney Tunes as a kid if he saw what was ACTUALLY going on in these orgs. Here is the latest news from Inglewood: Mocktails? Artisinal cupcakes? Paint-n-Savor? Free hair product samples? And who the hell is "Stuff'T"? And for only $25? Here is what Hubbard wrote in one of his last … [Read more...]
Rev. Alfraudie Johnson
Recent posts on Tony Ortega's site include some excellent first-hand reporting from Jeffrey Augustine on the ground in criminal court in Los Angeles. Hana Islam and her son Rizza are in deep hot water. They have allegedly been engaged in a massive fraudulent scheme, bilking the government out of millions at the World Literacy Crusade. The always dapper Rev. Alfreddie Johnson is the founder and big cheese of the WLC. He was married to Hanan and claims credit for raising Rizza as his "son." Somehow, like a Teflon Don, he has managed to escape indictment. I have written about him … [Read more...]
What Those IAS Billions Buy
Back in October Tony Ortega's article about Nancy Cartwright highlighted how much money people give to the IAS. More recently Tracey McManus got Bob Duggan on the phone and he informed her that the Forbes information stating he had given $360 million to scientology was in fact considerably on the low side, that is was "much more" (half a billion maybe?) Scientology constantly claims that this money is used for all their social betterment programs around the world -- it is their standard plea for more money "we need to do more good." But how much good does this money actually do? Simply … [Read more...]
LRH Master Photographer
This is a follow up to an earlier post entitled LRH, his Photographs and the IRS where Hubbard had talked about "photo stories" and how he was occupied with these. I showed one example of a photograph in that post and a reader sent in some more. Scientology loves to promote Hubbard as a "Master Photographer" and devotes pages of their hagiographic website to his brilliance with the camera, darkroom, lighting and every other aspect of the craft. They even have one of their "Ron Series" books devoted entirely to this subject. It's an interesting microcosm on the subject of … [Read more...]