A new press release about the Fort Harrison hotel is more important for what it DOES NOT say than what it does.
Scientology puts out these paid puff releases pretty routinely. I came across this one accidentally, and of course, the lies flew off the page.
Everything that emanates from scientology is designed to create an impression of normalcy that is part of the grand deception. This is no different.
They proudly announce they provide “monthly tours” to the public.
They see the 9th floor. A room. The lobby. The Auditorium. And a restaurant. Hardly a “tour”. 21 people (though the shot only shows 9 — I would guess 9 is closer to the truth) being escorted around the Ft Harrison once a month is worthy of a press release?
There are LOT of things they did not see. And certainly had no opportunity to speak with staff other than those hand-chosen to be standing ready for when the “tour” came through.
Perhaps one of the readers of this blog could sign up and take th3 tour and give us an insiders view of what they let you see, what they tell you and how they refuse to answer any questions?
But here is the big lie.
Scientology maintains this is a hotel “open to the public”? To qualify to participate in the Chamber of Commerce type organizations, they state that non-scientologists can rent rooms and stay at the Ft Harrison. That is a lie. Non-scientologists cannot book a room. Try calling the Ft Harrison to make a reservation. They will ask you how you heard about the hotel or if you are a scientologist in order to determine whether you are “Flag public”. If they figure out you are NOT a scientologist, they will then tell you “Sorry, we have no rooms available” even though the entire hotel is empty.
Here is how they appear on Google — you will note they seem to go to some lengths to get “reviews” — and of course, they are from scientologists. The ONLY people that can stay there.
I did mange to find a couple of reviews from people who had TRIED to book, and were refused.
You know why they will not allow non-scientologists to stay at the hotel? It’s not because they don’t want their money….
Because they are TERRIFIED that one of them will begin talking to the staff there and ask them how long they work each day. Or if they go to school. Or when they last went on vacation. And then put the answers on social media. Or walk across the street to the Clearwater Police Department or call the Tampa Bay Times.
Or god forbid, one of the staff asks a non-scientologist staying in the hotel to help them escape.
Any of this would be catastrophic to the facade that this is just a “normal” hotel and not the Bates Motel.
So, you can try every trick in the book to get a room inside this hotel if you are not a scientologist and they will block it every chance they get. Despite the fact that their participation in the SKAL International society which according to their website is for “all branches of the travel and tourism industry” — which is the LAST thing the Ft Harrison is about:
And look who is on their Directory — Lisa Mansell, the local PR for scientology (she has NOTHING to do with hotels and restaurants). Apparently SKAL have even had meetings at the Ft Harrison, which further creates the facade that the place is “open to the public.”
There is more: one of the suckers people who took the tour bought the lie about charity events for “non-profits” that retain all their fundraising. What he or she doesn’t know is that the non-profit “charity” is a scientology front group. Scientology creates front groups, then “donates” their facilities to the front group, and allows them to keep all the money they raise (as in, they keep it all for themselves).
And the final lie – 11,000 “scientology Churches, Missions and groups spanning six continents” – is absolutely absurd.
If David Miscavige personally stood to gain a million dollars if he could prove this lie he couldn’t find even 1,000. Maybe not even 500. It’s the same 150 “churches” it has been since the 1970’s, and less missions and less groups. They’ve been saying 11,000 for a decade now — somehow the number never goes up despite their touted “massive international expansion.”
When you scratch the veneer of normal they try to present, the sordid truth seeps out. Every. Single. Time.
11,000 “scientology Churches? LOL. there aren’t even 11,00 parishioners!
I think they might have 20K IAS members in good standing. Reportedly they have about 15K in a closed Facebook group, which is probably about the number still connected enough to Scientology to show up at an org at least once a year.
If half of those were actively taking services, and there are about 3.5K Sea Org, then together it could account for 11K “parishioners” of a sort.
They claim “Churches, Missions and groups,” which gives them plenty of room to weasel the numbers and count every group down to those who co-audit; technically, 3 people co-auditing could be counted as 3 or 4 different groupings.
Peacemaker, I suspect that there might have been 20,000 members in good standing in the IAS WHEN they donated, but scientology dares not cross-referencethat number with how many have been declared or died since. It’s like the number of pre-OTs who have started on NOTS. The number DARE not ever drop.
Irrelevant stats PeaceMaker. I haven’t been declared and had a lifetime membership but haven’t been in the church for decades. There were thousands of HASI LT members too that are dead but I guarantee they don’t track who is no longer alive but, still count them as “members”.
Also there is not 15k orgs of ANY type on the entire planet. You are taking HEAVY mind altering drugs if you entertain that figure.
In the US there are at most hundreds taking services. The rest of the world combined is smaller than the USA numbers.
Hell, I’d volunteer for the tour and videotape and ask a lot of awkward questions lol
I live near by and everytime I have to go down there, I always feel like asking one of those poor drones if they wanna escape, I’ll help. Jump in my car.
I went on a tour of an LDS (aka Mormon) temple a few years ago — anyone can go see inside before it is dedicated, and I was curious, so I went.
The old guy in front of me in the line was going on and on about what happens in the celestial room very very loudly, so I accidentally heard some stuff I shouldn’t have any idea about.
I doubt very much that kind of stuff happens at the Fort Harrison, though. I mean, all of those OTs and their superhuman powers wouldn’t ever have hearing issues as they age or anything, right?
I seem to remember someone who said they were either not allowed to attend a wedding reception held in the ballroom at the Ft Harrison or the bride/groom were told some of their guests could not attend because of their SPness.
For all those looking at wedding venues – red flag #1: when the hotel asks you to provide your guest list in advance in order for the guests to be vetted.
Makes me wonder if rooms would be available for their N.O.I. friends/associates who are taking “the courses of study”…….
Hello, this is Tony Muhammad, I’d like to book a few rooms at the Ft Hamilton Please?
A picture of a large group of NOIs taking the tour would be an interesting promotion piece. The caption might read,
“Members of the Nation of Islam enjoying the tour. At the conclusion of the tour the Rev. Louis Farrakhan gave a stimulating two hour talk.”
In reality it would be Minister Tony giving the talk. If Louie ever shows up for a weekend the place might sell out all the rooms. There would also be a lot of media coverage for both Scn and the NOI. Think big. As far as I know, Louie has been pretty quiet about publicly promoting Dianetics and Scientology and only personally acknowledges various members on their progress up The Bridge.
This is all facetious, of course. In reality DM prefers isolation and Scn staying out of the news while promoting Scn through mail outs and front groups which provide some income and possible converts. The “We Stand Tall” days are over.
Richard. We stand small instead. Lol
They try to make themselves appear warm and welcoming like a real church is.. but even on their “guided” tour they dictate and control you. Their so phony! And CREAPY!
I just spent most of the day on twitter instead of listening at the conference, but I did manage to stop in at one of the places I mentioned and dropped off a nice packet of information for him to look into. No promises yet, but there was definitely some interest. I wish I had time to book a ‘tour’ of the ‘hotel’ and bring someone named Shelly, but I probably wont get that chance! Im going to try to see someone tomorrow at the IRS fraud department to discuss charities and front groups! Thats if I dont get asked to leave the conference early for ignoring everything and twittering (?tweeting?) about a cult!
Kat
and I hope you don’t mind, but I’m taking that tax return from drug free world to them…
Kat,
Why can’t people like you – honest, concerned, dedicated, energetic, can-do, passionate people like you – run for President?
Aqua.
PS: I’m not kidding.
None one in politics trusts people like that.
Aqua,
I think there is some law against it! LOL
Kat
Aquamarine opined: “Kat,
Why can’t people like you – honest, concerned, dedicated, energetic, can-do, passionate people like you – run for President?
Aqua.
”
Possibly because she’s too honest.Politics depends upon only only talking in what scn would call “Acceptable truths”.
AND AFAICT, politics scrubs the energetic and can-do right outta ya’. Friend of mine ran for office. Lost due to being that oxymoron, an ‘honest lawyer’. He couldn’t lie any better than I can; friends say it’s a sad thing to see, me trying to lie.
Thanks, jere. I hear you on everything and could not agree more. Its possible I’m longing for some ethical, American ideal that never existed in the first place.
Aqua,
Dont give up hope. it could still happen, but most politicians tend to be able to talk out of both sides of their mouths- I dont think you can make 100% of the people happy under any conditions. It would be an absolutely miserable job, and I really dont know why anyone would WANT to do it, much less fight to do it!!
But still, I remain an optimist!
Kat
A tour of the former “Grand Dam of the social elite”???? Tours available once a month?
What’s say a small group of “us” just TRY to make a reservation for a tour……I guess we won’t be using the name Mike Rinder to book THAT tour however, bawhahahahaha!
I would be happy to join on a “tour”! I live nearby and am going by there often. I’ve always wanted to see inside anyway, so let’s do it!
Cindie:”I would be happy to join on a “tour”! I live nearby and am going by there often. I’ve always wanted to see inside anyway, so let’s do it!”
From the pictures I’ve seen recently, they redecorated from a fairly conservative, if dated hotel decor, to a pimped-out version of some little guy’s fantasies. The old ballroom was really getting tired when I was there, woodwork paint cracking and chipping away. I expect, at a minimum, that they repainted with the best high-test leaded paint they could find on the international market.
That dig entered, I doubt there’ll be much that is too very interested to a non-scientologist who isn’t drinking deeply of the flavor-aide.
I know how this could be done.
Mike is right, though – it would be complicated.
It would take some planning.
But it could be done, successfully.
The cult would never know.
Or, at least, they’d never be sure.
Yo OSA reading this!
Keep your eyes on new people going into your orgs.
Put on your thinking caps, guys.
You’re gonna need all your “attention units” for this one.
Paranoid yet?
You’d better be!
Aqua has a plan.
A pretty good one, too.
And (gasp) its actually going to get communicated to… others!
Your worst nightmare, right?
“People talking to other people”.
Ooooh…can’t have that!
Well that’s all I can tell you, OSA.
I’ll keep you in the game but fair is fair, I can’t spill the whole thing.
What’s that, OSA?
Oh, alright, alright, pay attention, OK, and I’ll give you a hint…
After all, I wouldn’t want your boss to get Scarlet with rage
(Gee, I just knew that one day being a Sherlock Holmes fan would be helpful in some way.)
Now, OSA go back and Study some LRH aand then go to bed before the Dwarf goes into Hound of the Baskervilles Mode.
Much love,
Aqua
Aqua,
LOVE IT!
Kat
Do they have a list of SPs…. just in case one showed up for the “tour” ? I know know the list would be a long one… but would that affect their publicity if they denied a person?
They might not have a physical list of SPs, but I bet they can pull up a searchable Database from OSA of “troublemaker” that they can check seconds after you give them your name.
O/T, but this may be of interest to people here. The Independent Reformed Church of Scientology (IRCS) is live. It is a California corporation. It now has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the U.S. “Board members at this time are Lana Mitchell, Mike Eldredge and Chris Black.” It has announced a General Amnesty.
The IRCS is a different entity than the First Independent Church of Scientology (FICS), which is also incorporated in California and also has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the U.S.
The Independent Reformed Church of Scientology website:
https://scientologyreformed.org/
ESMB thread with background, Articles of Incorporation, tax status, etc.:
http://www.forum.exscn.net/threads/independent-reformed-church-of-scientology-incorporated-in-california.49366/
My tweets on the subject because that is what I do:
https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/1115120989736767488
https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/1115359691188637696
/
It’s interesting. I went to check this out.
I find them (Lana) accusing me of trying to destroy “Milestone 2” (the former effort to organize “independent KSW scientologists”). Lana believes I coined the term “KSW Nazis” — which I don’t remember, but I might have done so.
For the record I bear these people no ill will whatsoever. I like John Aaron Williams a great deal as a person and he has been to our home many times. Lana too is a lovely person. I’ve known Mike Eldredge for 40+ years.
They can audit and train away to their heart’s content as long as they are not abusing people with fraudulent, predatory financial scams or breaking up families with disconnection. I am certain they are not doing that. They are free to believe and live their lives any way they wish.
They think I don’t adequately distinguish between the organization and the subject. Certainly not for their liking. My view is that the organization IS an outgrowth and product of the subject.
Somehow they justify and explain the Hubbard writings that they find objectionable as “not written by Ron” or “it was warranted given the circumstances” or “the subject was constantly evolving” or some other explanation. But then they claim THEY are the ones that REALLY follow Ron and the church does not. Both sides selectively determine what is right and wrong about Hubbard to suit their needs and ends while proclaiming they are doing exactly what he wanted.
I would choose the IRCS over the official church of scientology any day — if I had to pick one or the other. Fortunately, I don’t — and I choose neither.
I doubt this organization is going to last a year. But I wish them good luck in what I believe are their sincere efforts to try to help people.
“My view is that the organization IS an outgrowth and product of the subject.” Yes, one cannot just brush off the oppressive organization as not being reflective of the subject itself. One can excuse away all one wants and blame it on SPs altering tech and policy, but there are endless statements in tech and policy which invite abuses and create the mindset that results in the oppressive and abusive organizational conduct. The proof is in the pudding in this case.
Well said
I agree with you SSOA!
I’m with Rinder. People should be able to believe whatever they want. But I must be frank. Indie Scios remind me of die hard communists after the Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Union was dissolved. Both stubbornly maintain that theirs is workable system–but only if it’s applied correctly. I wouldn’t follow spiritual advice from Hubbard any more than take business advice from Karl Marx.
Excellent analogy
Yea, fuck you and your amnesty. I don’t need you to fuckin pardon me…..for what?
For wanting to help an organization and then being shit on? Who the fuck are you to decide you’ll pardon me. Drop the amnesty bullshit. You’re creeping back into the abyss.
Overun,
I apologize if my question comes across as impertinence because its a sincere question and its also obvious that you’re angry. My intention is not in the least to annoy you even further but merely to be satisfy my curiosity. So, with that preface, my question is: At WHOM are you angry?
WHO was it that shit on you after you tried to help their organization?
Was it someone or staff/Sea Org at LRH/Miscavige’s “cherch” or this Indie group, or some other Indie group?
I’d be interested if you’re willing or able to give any details.
I don’t expect NAMES of people, of course. And its fine if you need/want to vent also. (God knows I myself do plenty of venting and ranting on this blog 🙂 so, you know, go for it ):
On the other hand, if you don’t feel like it, that’s OK too.
Edit: “…merely to satisfy my curiosity.”
I’m with you on that. Scientologists who follow Hubbard’s policy all have an altitude complex as far as I’m concerned. No wonder Hubbard dreamed up something like a military chain of command like the SO to oversee it all. I really don’t think the scam could have survived without it. A religion that demands a, “yes sir” mentality as a route to self determinism?? Think about that…
Great point!
Thanks for the news.
Ultimately, I think this is a sign of how fractured and desperate the indies are. These are people who don’t even have the interest to keep their old websites active.
I do like the look of their new website, which seems to hit all the right points for questioning or disaffected members of the CofS, and I wish them luck attracting people away. They, and originally the FICS, seem to have also broken ground for use of the term Scientology outside of the CofS, which is another nail in the coffin of that abusive and failing organization.
Ultimately, there may be enough of an exodus from the CofS to revitalize the indie movement for a while. That’s happened at multiple points in the past, most notably in the 1980s, and then after Debbie Cook’s 2011 e-mail; some of the now-derelict or defunct websites are the aftermath of that typical Scientology pattern of boom followed by bust.
Also, I find it interesting that as ISN has posted over at ESMB, another indie “org”* is sniping that the IRCS grade chart is that same as that put out two years ago by the FICS because it’s the “Exact same cast of characters, that’s why”:
http://www.forum.exscn.net/threads/independent-reformed-church-of-scientology-incorporated-in-california.49366/#post-1205143
The FICS website hasn’t been updated since the posting of that grade chart in April, 2017, so it’s become yet another derelict monument to faltering indie efforts; it was apparently spearheaded by someone not on the current cast of characters, so perhaps there’s been yet another schism. So it seems to go in the indie world, which apparently now consists of a very small number of people who have trouble agreeing on anything.
And I forgot to note in my earlier comment, that the IRCS website lists few than 10 auditors across the US and in other countries. APIS lists 6 and a supposed “Southern Cal Tech Team.”
I don’t necessarily mind the indies, except for the KSW types and the hardcore true believers who want to attack anyone who who doesn’t agree with them. The argument that Scientology “works” is tiresome, and is belied by the reality-check that even the indies have never been able create a scene that is viable and thriving, and instead are failing and shrinking at least as fast as the CofS; I wish they’d just serve as a sort of respite for people on their way out of the CofS, offering some counseling and “repair” but not continuing to promote the illusion of the “bridge,” and leave it at that.
* Advanced Org of the Great Plains, which appears to be the effort of one person, though it claims 6 staff and has a picture on its website with 4 aging old-timers and 1 younger person in it.
The most ironic things about the FICS are; 1) It was founded by a criminal just like the CoS was. 2) It was ostentatiously founded to bring back “standard tech”. However their first tech action was to publish a squirreled (non-LRH) Grade Chart)
This may very well be controversial but my opinion is that, whatever one might think about Scientology auditing or training, in other words, the subject itself, the Indies are performing a valuable function by siphoning off Still Ins away from Co$.
I know the purists who want to kill the subject entirely – and I’m not being pejorative, btw, just telling it like it is – the purists who hate Hubbard and the tech and everything about Scientology won’t be in the least satisfied with merely bleeding off of people from Miscavige’s cherch to some Indie group They believe the only way to really kill Scientology is to “cut it off at the head”.
I understand this concept and don’t disagree with it per se but I don’t think it works in this instance. Scientology the subject and Miscavige and his cherch, the organization cannot be “cut off at the head”.
Co$ has enormous staying power due to its enormous wealth and 1st Amendment protection.
It seems to me the only realistic weapons we have at present and for the foreseeable future are PR weapons.
Getting the truth out there as Mike and Leah are doing is keeping people from signing up; no new people except the tiny NOI are singing up for services at orgs.
Now,if there are Indies groups out there that Still Ins decide are viable alternatives to Co$, “orgs” where they can get “standard” auditing and training, done better, cheaper and without crush regging, IAS donations, Ideal M’org donations, and all the stuff all of them secretly loathe, then let them become Indies! ,
On the one hand, the cult’s horrible PR prevents new sign ups, while at the same time the Indies bleed existing Still Ins away!
I’d call that practical, realistic, strategic planning.
A two-pronged approach that has a good chance of being effective.
Again, this is just my opinion, but expecting Still Ins to stop doing Scientology cold turkey is unrealistic.
They need somewhere to GO. Why not to the Indies – who cares?
The major goal, as I understand it – correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the major goal is to end Disconnection and Fair Game, which means that Co$ has to be brought DOWN.
And the ONLY way WE have to kill it is to KEEP THEIR ORGS EMPTY.
The die-hard still in oldsters, in the cult for 30-40-50 years – that group, for which doing Scientology is a deeply ingrained HABIT as well as the die-hard cult YOUNGSTERS, who, from infancy have known NOTHING but Scientology – both groups, I believe, CAN be WEANED off Co$ but you’re not going to be able to take them off the tit without giving them a bottle.
Sorry for the crude metaphor. We live in crude times 🙂 Feel free to disagree.
“…bleeding off people”, not “off of people”. Sigh. And with the edit button restored I have NO excuse.
Aquamarine:”This may very well be controversial but my opinion is that, whatever one might think about Scientology auditing or training, in other words, the subject itself, the Indies are performing a valuable function by siphoning off Still Ins away from Co$.”
As I see it, they’re not siphoning off anyone. The whole Indie movements are just THERE when the still-ins have left the CO$ of their own accord, but still want “scientology lite”, without the patently insane stuff that Miscavige has injected into the arena. IOW, they have half-left, but not really.
I dont think this is very controversial at all.
Most people who manage to extricate themselves are still “believers”…
The idea that there is somewhere else to “get your eternity” is a valuable thing for people convinced they need to have this bestowed on them by someone using “LRH tech.”
Exactly, thank you.
And what Former Innie parents, disconnected and estranged from their Still Innie kids, wouldn’t be ecstatic, wouldn’t be kissing the ground in gratitude if said kids became Indies and as such allowed and encouraged by these very Indies to mend fences with their loved ones, to reunite with their families?
Makes sense to me.
Look at this way, those here who can’t stand LRH and the tech (which is FINE, btw) – look at it this way:
If Scientology is heroin, then the Indies are its methadone :).
God, that’s horrible.
Let me go to bed before I become too gruesome even for me.
Aqua,
I definitely get your points and- to a degree- agree with your assessment. It’s very hard to get true believers to completely disconnect from what they have been indoctrinated to. Indie groups give them a “step-down”. Basically leaving with training wheels.
Now for the other side of this- many of the “policies” we are fighting against come directly from Hubbard, and would be continued in a “purist” group. The “fair game” and the “destroy them utterly” policies, and at least to a degree disconnection, are Hubbard’s.
Although I get that it’s not “Scientology” and therefore should be tolerated as a “lesser evil”, I’m not sure that it would be.
Just recently, at the bunker, some posters was discussing a woman rejoining Scientology because of the treatment she received in one of the indie groups. That does not bode well. Also, our own lively foolproof is a self proclaimed “indie” who isn’t following mainstream Scientology. He still sounds like he drank the koolaide then licked the pitcher.
I’m trying to see both sides, and just hope the independent group doesn’t become the fringe group that a lot of sects quickly evolve into. They are sometimes more brutal and hard core than the mainstream groups- FLDS and Warren Jeff’s proves that easily enough.
Kat
Kat, I’m no expert on Indies groups and Indies auditors. I’ve had no direct experience with any of them. I’ve not to date had any auditing or training in the Indie field, so I don’t know to what extent some of them are “purists” as re Hubbard’s complete tech. Suffice to say I’d reverse my entire opinion about the Indies being a beneficial force to entice Still Ins out of the cult if said Indies, like the cult, were applying the Disconnection and Fair Game policies. I don’t believe they any of them are, but I can’t say that I know., one way or another. Certainly, if any of them ARE, I would be against such an Indie group, or Indie auditor 100 PERCENT.
Kat, I think the paradox is that indie groups are too small to do much harm – but if they grew big enough to be able to really throw their weight around, that could change. As I like to point out, it was actually several of the larger independently owned CofS mission franchises of Scientology’s heyday, that pioneered some of the exploitative financial tactics that we now see the orgs using.
That isn’t to say that any independent Scientology group, even relative Hubbard loyalists, are necessarily going to go down the same road of abuse and exploitation if given the chance – though a few might. However, I do predict that at a point if the CofS really starts to come apart and splinter, there’s likely to arise for at least a while a large hardcore group that will carry out policies and practices like disconnection and Scientology “justice,” and maybe even devolve into abuses such as running their own RPF.
Definitely a good service Aqua. No one needs to kill the subject. It is dead already. Most people who get out soon realize that they were in a bubble and a scam. But, a stepping stone to that for many is a non-church connected scamology group to huddle with while going through withdraw from the brainwashing. They act like a replacement security blanket.
There you go. Well and Wynskyly put 🙂
Aqua, I generally agree that independent Scientology can have an important role to play in getting people out of the CofS – comparisons have been made to halfway houses, and methodone treatment. I noted such in a subsequent reply.
To me, the quandry is, how much less harmful and evil than the CofS, is it really acceptable for indies to be? Are we going to take a strictly ends-justifies-the-means utilitarian viewpoint that anything other than the CofS is better, even if it’s still abusive, exploitative, dangerous, or dishonest to some extent, or do we draw a line somewhere – and if so, where?
As far as I know, none of the indies engage in financial exploitation and asset stripping the way the CofS does. And they don’t have a Sea Org or otherwise control people physically – though, come to think of it, I’d like to know what they do with their PTS III cases, if not the Introspection Rundown. But perhaps that eliminates the worst of it.
Still, I think the evidence is that anything other than the most basic auditing, carries an unacceptably high risk of causing people to go “PTS Type III” psychotic. And the purif, which some indie orgs try to deliver, can be dangerous. Plus they may have the same attitudes about “beings in small bodies” that’s a set-up for a certain amount of child abuse – and there was a history of sexual misconduct in some of the independent mission franchises in the old days, whose proprietors went on to become some of the first generation of indies. Those are things that I think ought to be illegal, or at least properly regulated, but that aren’t currently – so perhaps they have to be accepted.
But the indies are failing and fading, anyway. It seems to me that part of that is because people who leave the CofS now tend to quit more cold turkey, than they used to – plus more are just going out the door feet first. And the indies as currently constituted, don’t seem to be effective at attracting many people disaffected from the CofS, the way they used to – perhaps because many are now just too old to leave, regardless. I’m not sure quite what’s going on with that, but maybe independent Scientology no longer serves much of a purpose, anyway.
I do object when indies decide to come around aggressively claiming that the “tech” somehow “works,” when that’s been proven false both by a certain number of studies, and its long-term failure to produce any notable results in the real world. I’d prefer that they just claimed to provide personal counseling for people who were comfortable with the auditing methodology, as well as a certain spiritual community.
Perhaps at this point they’d actually attract more people out of the CofS, if they stopped trying to look so much like it. At least as of one point, it seemed to me as if the best and most appealing indie auditors were old-timers who had gone back to “book one” basics without a meter.
PeaceMaker, I wouldn’t worry much. Based on the amount of people who have left Scamology (TENS of thousands) and the number of real Indies (a couple score) you are right in thinking that most people who leave just leave cold turkey. Maybe 1 in 500 temporarily seek out an Indie group.
The Indies are fruit loops. One group recently announced a “reformed” Church and that they will offer scamologists “Amnesty” to reinstate certificates if they will ask pretty please. They actually think they have some power over other people who are scamologists. These people are as bat sh!t crazy as Miss Cabbage & Co.
Just wondering what would be done in the IRCS with an ex-scientologist who has read the OT Levels and might (but isn’t very likely) want some lower-bridge auditing?
When they can actually show an example of a Clear per Dianetics explanation of one or an OT that can can do what the Bridge’s ‘abilities gained’ states they can do, then I’ll reassess my attitude. Until then I’ll reflect on what that religion has done to my myself, family, relatives & friends. We even have a history of unsavory experiences going back to even before Miscavige gained control.
There are no new telepathic messages from Target 2. What a disappointment. Same old, same old.
The Scientology brand name is too publicly discredited. Any Indie group hoping to appeal to a new audience needs a different approach. “New! Revised and Updated! Simplified! Satisfaction Guaranteed!” etc.
A continuing problem as I see it is confidentiality. If an Indie group continues with scientology auditing procedures using a meter and recording session notes sent to a Case Supervisor for review, then a lot of trust in the group would be needed. Full honesty and disclosure of one’s “overts and withholds” is needed for “case gain”. I didn’t have any criminal or deviant background and the thought never crossed my mind back in the 1970’s that my session history might ever be publicly revealed.
I just looked at the ESMB reference PeaceMaker posted above and part of the Articles of Incorporation state:
“The specific purpose of this corporation is to disseminate and propagate the religion of Scientology . . . blah, blah . . . and not any “revised”, expanded, edited . . . blah, blah versions of the works of L. Ron Hubbard.”
So much for offering anything “new” – laughter
Everyone on the tour is carrying plastic bags. Either that is for vomiting into, or they are loaded up with $cio crap. Why can’t you just take a tour of the vintage hotel without the cherch gobbledegook.
Ft. Harrison Casino – where only the house wins.
Kristin G.,
My vote is barf bags. definitely barf bags!
Kat
The “church” put out a press release about their January 2019 tour and that press release was obviously printed as was written because the byline for the article is “Amber Skjelset, Neighbor.” (She is clearly the PR person for Scientology and Manager of the Scientology Information Center.) In the “news article,” Clearwater resident Laurie MacAdams is quoted as saying she has been on the tour 5 times because she loves learning so much.
Here is the press release/news article and quote. https://patch.com/florida/clearwater/church-scientology-announces-fort-harrison-tour-2019
What’s interesting is that Laurie MacAdams also left a review on TripAdvisor for the Church of Scientology Information Center. She gave it 5 circles (they don’t use stars). Here is her quote about the Information Center on TripAdvisor.
“All are welcome: I find it very inviting and informative. Although I am not a Scientologist, I am totally on board with principles they live by. I wish the whole world would live by them! You can always pick up a small book, THE WAY TO HAPPINESS. Everyone should read it! The Information Center is always open to the community and very friendly. As always you can ask any questions about Scientology. Amber’s hospitality to everyone is amazing. This is definitely a place to visit! The building is gorgeous – even the bathrooms, right down to the gold fixtures.
Laurie MacAdams”
I’m not saying that Laurie MacAdams isn’t real or that she is actually a Scientologist because I don’t have time to do that research today. However, she uses enough exclamation points in her TripAdvisor review to be considered for a position on their poster-making editorial board.
The real question is why ISNT Laurie McAdams a scientologist if she thinks it is so great?
That’s what I was thinking.
Right. We don’t call it “ExCLAM Tech” for nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha, sorry, horrible pun, couldn’t resist.
Yes, that was a bad one. AM, worse than one of my own.
I’m flattered 🙂
Aqua,
I love bad puns, so bravo!!
Kat
“The building is gorgeous – even the bathrooms, right down to the gold fixtures.”
Ahh yes. Gold fixtures. The sign of a great religion.
BIz as usual at the church of spin.
I will bet that the general public were not the actual visitors on this tour. Here is a link to the Eventbrite listing. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-fort-harrison-tour-tickets-55120956264# You have to RSVP before the event and you have to show an ID upon entering the building. That is a way they can vet the people or say that the free event is “sold out.” I’ve taken a lot of tours of historic buildings and I’ve never had to show an ID. What would an ID prove except to get my name and address or to check to see if I have a name that is not welcome?
They had the tour listing on Eventbrite for January and February, but the tour is no longer listed as something to do in 2019. My guess is that they are not having them for the rest of the year.
You can, however, sign up to take a photography class at the Fort Harrison Hotel through The Way to Happiness Association on May 18.
I just called and tried to book a room there for the fun of it. I was told I couldn’t have a room because they were a religious retreat and had limited availability. She was nice enough to offer to give me the number to the Marriott.
Maybe you should have told them you were a Rabi or something. I thought Scioland always promoted they are open to all denominations. Guess not…
Thanks for that reality-check, I was wondering if there was any chance Scientology had loosened their policies out of desperation, or was just still being as disingenuous as ever – now we know.
Could you send a complaint to Skal International? They say “Skål International is the only professional organisation promoting global tourism and friendship,” but Scientology’s policy certainly isn’t touristic or friendly – not to mention which, they’re trying to “safepoint” Skal in order to provide cover for their human trafficking and other abuses.
Here’s a link to a piece on Scientology’s human trafficking:
https://scientologymoneyproject.com/tag/human-trafficking/
And here’s the best piece I could find from Mike, on Scientology safepointing tactics:
https://www.mikerindersblog.org/clearwater-and-how-scientology-buys-influence/
I wish there were one really good site that had a lot of succinct explanations (of the sort that Mike has written some of) and good references oriented towards outsiders in groups that Scientology tries to influence and manipulate, including the press and local law enforcement as well. Unfortunately, it’s something I’m not in a position to do it myself at this point.
I found it telling that one of the reviews by a real member of the (non-scientologist) public who tried to get a reservation but found they couldn’t, complained that it is “just a private club.” I think that points to one of Scientology’s long-term liabilities, that eventually the IRS will downgrade them, or at least some of their corporate entities, to a tax status such as that of a private club because they aren’t really open to or serving the public, and aren’t providing any public benefit.
And there might have been a time at Scientology’s peak decades ago, that they had 11,000 “groups” if they counted everything down to local chapters of their front groups, and every pair of people co-auditing. Nowadays it’s open to question if they even have 11,000 “public” members left; they almost certainly don’t have that many who are active enough to attend events regularly, or do major services in any given year.
Can you imagine for a second that a Christian HOTEL group tried to only allow Christians to stay at their hotel? First of all it would never exist, then secondly if it did, They’d get sued for discrimination!
Marriott would go out of business for sure if they only allowed Mormons.
Nothing like dangling a carrot in front of a horse to get them interested in a “tour” of this place. Don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out…..”ALL are welcome! We would be ever so happy to show you around our beautiful building”.
“Now sir/ma’am….if you will just FILL OUT this card so we can keep you updated on any future events or special events going on within these walls”. “Oh my goodness, are you aware that we also offer a FREE Personality Test?” Yes, that’s right that Personality Test is FREE, can you believe it!” ” BTW…Let me also mention our “Way To Happiness” book…tips on how to have a happier more fulfilling life….and it’s only $$$ & worth EVERY penny”.
BAM, NOW they’ve got your personal information & can begin to solicit or entice you to “come join the fun of COS”.
There ever GROWING LIST of people has now increased by 20, OR is it 9? Well damnit…they DO have some more names to use to say “we’re expanding”….. scheez….
Hotel California…You can check in anytime you like but you can never leave.
“Hotel” scientology; you can check in (join) anytime, but you can never leave (unscathed).
And on that faked photo of the tour of 9 people there is something missing…the security guard trailing behind them.
There is such a paranoia that any non-scientology visitor calls for the whole force of security guards, cameras, trailing the person, walkie talkies with numerous messages to keep an eye on the visitor, and so on.
They have too, too, too many crimes to hide.
More crimes than you’ve ever known. “Criminals R Us.”
That stairway has an M. C. Escher look. I guess $cientology is M C Escher lithographs made into words.
And it isn’t just Non Scns who cannot stay at the Mariott. Now even Scns have to be vetted in order to stay there. When you come in for a six month check, for the first few days until they get to know your face and that you’re OK to be there, the guard won’t let you in until he talks on his walkie talkie and tells them your name and has them look at your face on the cameras posted everywhere. Every six month check they insisted on getting a pic of me. I said no cuz I’m not photogenic and they insisted. I found out from a friend that the reason they do this is to have photo ID of everyone on OT VII by face and name. And that way they can recognize you and refuse you entry if your status changes (such as changes to being called an SP). On one of the blogs, a former SO member from Int said their cameras and facial recognition programs were even better than, more sophisticated than, those in Las Vegas. So why would a church doing good works need all that surveillance? Why would they let some in and not others? Other churches welcome people with open arms with no questions asked. Not this one.
It’s SO NOT a church!
Correction to my post. I meant to say, “…it isn’t just Non Scns who cannot stay at the Ft Harrison.” I didn’t mean to say Mariott.
Sylvia, the security guard was that 9th person in the picture…. And the 8 people ahead of him, too. Or at least they were staff or scientologists, perhaps public waiting for service on the “shoot” day.
Merrik Levetan, one of the reviewers, is a 30 staff member in Atlanta.
That’s 30 years as a staff member, doh!!
One guest said after the tour “I had no idea that the church of scientology sponsors charity events for non profits….”.
Maybe the reason you have no idea they do that is because they DON’T.
Absolutely they don’t. Which begs the issue of them sponsoring a charity event for anything, anytime and anywhere!
A $cientology charity event is spelled ‘GIVE US ALL YOUR MONEY, YOUR KIDS AND YOUR TIME RIGHT FUCKING NOW’.
I don’t believe for a second that any guest said that, and I’m a never-in. It doesn’t read like a real quote at all, but a Scientology propaganda statement for the article.
Leanne Heuman, your cynicism is certainly well-placed. I’d not bet AGAINST your supposition that it wasn’t a real quote.
I’m with you, Leanne Heuman. That glowing report is so obviously a Scn trying to make it look like a Non Scn posted that quote. The over the top accolades and overuse of exclamation points seals it. If they can and do pay click farms in India to “like” their social media stuff and website stuff, why wouldn’t they have a clam write a fake review?
I wonder what they would do if someone took the tour and started asking questions like, where is shelly ? Why do you abuse your members ? Why do you protect rape st and child abusers ? Did y’all know LRH wrote more fake shit then anyone every , you know like your so called religion .
Thats what I would start saying
You would need to wait til the end of the tour, otherwise it would be a VERY short tour.
Scientology’s tolerance for free speech ends as soon as the subject of scientology enters the equation. Then speech is STRICTLY limited.
Making a scene by asking ‘Where’s Shelly’ and having the tour cut short, wouldn’t be such a bad thing, would it? The non-scions on the tour would certainly get an eyeful and an earful of how the cult works first hand. Oh, I wouldn’t just blurt out ‘where’s Shelly’ accusingly. I’d start with ‘I read somewhere that Shelly Miscavige hasn’t been seen in years; is this true,’ etc. etc, pretending to be naive. And if I REALLY wanted to make a scene, I’d refuse to leave and make the sci-thugs escort me out. However it went down, it would be most interesting.
Yes, it would be interesting.
Especially if it was recorded on someone’s phone.
Take a woman called Shelly with you and before the tour starts make an agreement she tries to get out of the tour so you can rightly scream “Shelly, where are you?”
🙂
That’s funny trevAnon !
Shelley with an “e” here. I am local.
Let’s go!*
*No, not really. For all the reasons already mentioned. Nobody has time for that type of crazy.
Brilliant.
I expect that any mention of anything but the current scientology “line” would end the tour immediately. Waiting until the nominal end of the tour might get you out on the sidewalk very darned quickly, without anything on your person which could bemused to record anything — including their reactions. [I’m assuming they’ll do a semi-pro search for such things before anyone is allowed to start the tour, which I suspect will be a few blocks away, requiring a bus ride surrounded by “trusted” scientologists ‘happening’ to be going the same way.
SORRY if I’m just too cynical tonight. Finally finished that “Ghost Advenures” episode on “L Ron Hubbard’s LA Satanism Lair, or whatever they called it… Reminded me of a bunch or pre-teens going to the cemetery to tell scary ghost stories all night. *LAME*
” When you scratch the veneer of normal they try to present, the sordid truth seeps out. Every. Single. Time.”
This past weekend we had the opportunity to see two productions created by Cathy Shenkelberg, ‘Squeeze my cans’ and her new ‘Cabaret Show’ which sliced and diced through the lies known as Scientology.
She does a great job of exposing the truth based on her own experiences and puts them all into a wonderful comedy setting that is hilarious!
Most of the public were never-ins and they really seemed to get how a modern day cult operates ……………….. LIES, LIES and then MORE LIES, told with humor.
I understand she is bringing the show to Tampa and Orlando in the next months. I highly recommend it for a good laugh and real dose of the truth.
Yes, Squeeze My Cans is amazing. Looking forward to her new show.
I’m on the other side of the country. She’s got to come to Seattle or Vancouver some time. Can’t wait to see it.
bixntram,
As it turns out Cathy just returned from a tour in Australia and starts a show in Portland in the next few days. I’ll see if I can post a link to her website or perhaps google ‘squeeze my cans’.
She did her last show in Tuolumne within a mile of the CST compound but I didn’t see anyone with crossed arms in the theater so I assume they couldn’t afford the time off work!
You can find her dates at https://www.squeezemycans.com/dates.
I wonder what they would say if someone on the “tour” asked to see the infamous underground carpark where the RPF are made to sleep.
Coincidentally, I just read about that RPF place in the Fort Harrison garage a few moments ago.
Nancy Many “My Billion Year Contract”, Chapter 8
Excerpts:
“It was my very own assignment to the Rehabilitation Project Force; they have come for me. … They walked me through the back corridors of the hotel to the garage. …
The room where the members studied and slept was also a sloppily built room of old lumber. These illegal constructions were so hastily thrown together that when local building inspectors would come, several mattresses would be stacked in front of the RPF entrances and the space would be labeled storage. No city official would have ever doubted this, for who could imagine fifty or sixty or even a hundred people shut off and living in a garage like this. …
… that since I was five months pregnant, it was not appropriate to have me living in a garage with carbon monoxide and other noxious fumes. …
That Hubbard would send a pregnant woman to live in a garage was shocking to me.”
PAUL SAID:
“I wonder what they would say if someone on the “tour” asked to see the infamous underground carpark where the RPF are made to sleep.”
I suspect you’ve conflated a couple or more things. In my experience the Clearwater RPF might have been been berthed in the 3rd Floor Garage, possibly high on the 2nd floor. which isn’t underground, though might as well be since fumes from the ground floor readily wafted up to the bunk beds. It wasn’t the top floor of the structure, because there was at least one floor above serving as a roof to keep the PC folders dry(-ish) just a few feet away. Folders were in a ramshackle temporary “room” they built out plywood. As I recall, the smell of mold was strong in any folders brought forth. you know,STRANGELY, I have no memory of what accommodations were made for some little privacy getting dressed and undressed. Can’t even remember the showering facilities. Must have been on the first floor as I think a bit.
Damn, Mike. Nailed ’em. Pulled back the thin veneer that conceals Scientology’s creepiness. I’ve observed the veneer and the creepiness for 40 years. Nothing has changed. Scientology must follow Hubbard’s policies, which at their heart embody this “Us vs. Them” view of life.
Hubbard invites you to become one of Us (the enlightened) vs. the unenlightened remainder of mankind (Wogs). Since only Scientologists can ultimately salvage mankind, it matters little what happens to Wogs, other than as potential, future converts.
Hubbard gets your adoration and your money. What Scientologists get before & after they wake up to the scam: emotional ruin, financial ruin and loss of family members.
There’s even a grand name for the “Us”: “homo novis,” or new man. It’s largely unspoken, unlike “wog,” but it’s an important part of the construct that Hubbard set up. And ironically, it’s very parallel to the Soviet New Man of Communist Russia or the New Socialist Man of China, totalitarian regimes that Hubbard loved to hate – and ended up emulating in many ways.
“When you scratch the veneer of normal they try to present, the sordid truth seeps out. Every. Single. Time.” Boy, isn’t that the truth! The church of scientology’s “thin social veneer” is wearing very thin. One can easily see through it.