We start 2022 with one of our favorites — a Listener Question episode. As always, we cover a wide scope of topics, from Fair Game campaign tactics to preserving Hubbard’s “legacy” on stainless steel plates in titanium capsules in nuclear-bomb-proof vaults and the embarrassing “We Stand Tall” song… It’s a lot of fun and hopefully includes new information for our listeners.
Here are some of the things we mentioned:
The activities of Church of Spiritual Technology (CST) to preserve the tech. Scientology is so proud of this, and treat it with such earnestness they have a fully dedicated video on ScientologyTV expounding on the brilliance of their program.
Here is some less hypey information: Wikepedia entry on CST
The infamous We Stand Tall video. It is embarrassing as hell, me standing right behind David Miscavige belting out the La-La-La-Le-Lah’s, but Leah insisted I post it:
But it does afford the opportunity to post one of the greatest parodies of scientology ever done — the SNL Neurotology Music video. Watching them back to back is a real treat. We Stand Tall got exactly what it deserved:
We talk about the physical healing claims of NOTs — something I have written about before:
Fair Game activities…
Wikipedia Scientology Controversies
What Judges Have Said About Scientology
Leah often mentions books she has read as part of her therapy or to better understand her trauma. Could you post a list of these somewhere? It would be helpful for those who may have experienced similar trauma to have as resources. I’d really appreciate it.
You can find a list of them here: https://www.mikerindersblog.org/episode-14-listener-questions-part-2/
Whenever you guys mention the term “Wog” if I am spelling that correctly. In all of lrh’s naval history, I have to think that he is referring to a “polliwog’ which is what a baby frog is before it has grown legs. When it is incapable of hopping and jumping and croaking as an adult and transformed frog. What are your thoughts on this could I be right?
At least by the time Hubbard got to Saint Hill, he should have known that “wog” was a racist term that was highly offensive, from his British staff and students. So it’s definitely a travesty that he, and they, continued to use such a slur to refer to outsiders, knowing better.
If a scientologist gives birth to a child with Down Syndrome or some other type of mental retardation, what do they do?
Leah, as an actor, and friends of Scientology actors, what was it like playing a “normal” person? Was it a secret escape? Or did you pity your character?
Hi Mike! I absolutely love the podcast. Although I don’t have any personal connection to Scientology, I find it fascinating as wall as enraging. Leah has touched on this in previous episodes, but I’d love to hear more about the day to day life of Scientologists, both SO and parishioners. How much is their internet usage monitored, especially when it comes to social media? Do they have any type of free time? Do people (parishioners or employees) live in the buildings owned by Scientology or do they typically have their own homes and commute to the buildings? Leah, what were the other parishioners like? Sorry if this is too many questions, but it’s something I wonder about a lot. Thank you!
Love these Listener Questions episodes! I have a few questions that maybe can be addressed in the next one?
1. Who would succeed David M. as the head of Scientology if he were to die?
2. How has COVID-19 impacted the activities of Scientology? Are all the execs in quarantine?
3. What, in your opinion, would need to happen to take down Scientology once and for all?
That was going to be my question! Lol what will happen when David M dies?
Also, I would like to know how some of the celebrities are always posting pics with non Scientologists? Michelle Stanford and Sharon Case who are both soap stars do this often. Michelle also used Ivf and Sharon I believe is dating her costar that is not a Scientologist.
I love the podcast and I love Leah and Mike. Watching the show you can see all of your pain and it hurts to see. You both are doing so much good now. Stay strong
My ex, the father of our 2 teenagers, isca Scientologist for over 7 years now. I just found out 2 years ago after watching your series. With all the information i have heard through your show and podcasts i managed to keep our communication as simple and to a minimum as possible, but nevertheless it has been very difficult and things will never be the same again.
Last week i posted an article about Scientology on my only-for-friends-Facebook page. Nothing special you would say. Yesterday i received a typed letter by mail (normally we always communicate via email) from him. A lot of “we both love our children so much, i hope we can better our communication for them” bla bla bla. But what the letter was really about: “i heard you posted something on FB about Scientology and you should always talk to me first before you do that”, “before you say/post things about Scientology, resolve it with me first”.
Is this a typical thing Scientologists do?
Very typical unfortunately. This is OSA monitoring Facebook and then him being pulled in for a “handling” where he has to try to resolve the situation (the situation being that you are antagonistic to scientology). There is a lot more to know about this, but this is the brief answer.
What’s going to be the next step? What to expect? I have no idea how to handle this shit. How to communicate with him? I hoped he was in this with one toe. But this is turning into the real deal. (I know i know, you always said “all the way in is the only way in”. But you keep hoping for the best outcome.) Is it even safe for me to talk openly about this?
If it’s important for you to maintain your relationship then you should not post on social media as that will label you an “enemy” and he will be required to disconnect. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that is the way things are when dealing with scientology.
What would actually be very interesting with the We Stand Tall video is to look behind the front line. Everyone points out the execs; who has left or ‘been vanished’, who was in the hole, who’s still clinging on for dear life etc, but assuming the entire chorus of singers is sea org it would be fascinating for someone with no life and far too much time on their hands to go through and try uncover who else is in the lineup and whether they’re still SO, staff, public, or out of Scientology entirely. I’m not sure it’s possible, but it certainly would be interesting to know what percentage of those faces are now gone entirely.
Ps, thanks for answering my question Mike, even if Leah did explode into a rant 4 words in hahaha!
I was just thinking I would love to see a “where are they now” follow up!
Hi both,
My question is if LRH died/went on an intergalactic mission in 1986 what is to stop some 35 year old with all the knowledge walking into one of the main buildings and claiming they are LRH in a new form?
Even if it was believable – which it isn’t. Do you think the COTB would call bullshit and a way round it?
I can imagine that would be the case but if they’re waiting for his return, how do they prove or disprove it’s LRH?
Thanks. Best wishes both
Its been tried in the past without success. The person attempting this will need some very esoteric knowledge that hardly a soul knows. That wont be all though, they will need unbelievable conviction, Scientology knowledge , unbreakable confidence and they must be absolutely willing to go through with the claims.
Plenty have claimed to be Jesus – theirs a man in Australia claiming to be who has several followers, its likely in the future somebody else will claim to be LRH, either to mock the group, personal gain by taking others money or through mental illness and genuinely believing they are.
Never post that video again. “We Stand Tall” is now my ear worm.
As far as Ron’s being known via his earlier fiction (Prior to May ’50): Ours was a science fiction family; I grew up with SF as the most readily-available reading material. There were NO books by LRH in our libraries. I have his post-’80 dreck solely because I wasn’t quite disconnected yet. I still have it because I’m incapable of throwing ANY book out. Any LRH name-recognition goes the other way around, not towards scn, as he just wasn’t a memorable fiction writer.
Hi Mike! With all this stimulus money coming into the american economy, what is happening with sea org members stimulus???? Is it being taken by scientology? Would love for y’all to talk about that on the podcast!! 💔💔
I have a question for the next episode! Do the higher ups in the cut ie Miscavage, Cruise etc really believe in the cults teachings or do they just use them to their advantage? Also – OK I have two questions – did John Travolta raise his kids in the church? Love you guys!!!
Great episode and happy new year. Last year I sent Leah a support you guys video. I wish she would show you that.
If it is any consolation, every time I watch the ‘We Stand Tall’ video, it brings a smile to my face.
Especially watching COB sing his little heart out while wearing his special, new man-blouse.
I enjoy the Neurotolgy parody video. I just wish they had called it Psychotology instead as that would enrage Scientologists.
Can’t wait to hear it.
The parody of Neurotology is brilliant and to laugh at for a long time.
They retired we stand tall video because most of those seen in it eighter escaped or ended up in disgrace in some lost RPF (and not yet an ‘ideal’ one).
If they had to do it again there would be DM singing alone with the famous Chorus of the Hole.