This is the last post on this site. I have shuffled off this mortal coil in accordance with the immutable law that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes.
The site will remain as an archive of more than 4000 posts and 300 thousand comments.
It has been a labor of love and passion which has allowed me to speak my mind and offer my perspective with no outside filters.
I have been lucky — living two lives in one lifetime. The second one the most wonderful years anyone could wish for with all of you and my new family!
My only real regret is not having achieved what I said I wanted to — ending the abuses of Scientology, especially disconnection and seeing Jack into adulthood. If you are in any way fighting to end those abuses please keep the flag flying — never give up. And please, if you are able in some way, help Christie and the boys to move forward into the next chapter of their lives.
I know many of you will be inclined to send flowers, I ask you not to. Instead contribute to Jack’s family college fund. Unfortunately this is a government site so is not very user friendly, if you want to use a credit card click this donation button and Christie will redirect it.
Let the flowers grow and look to the future…
With that said, I rest in peace.
Mike
The life of the dead is placed in
the memory of the living — Cicero
Maria Lorentzen says
I’m sure Miscavege is happy the thorn in his side is gone.. it’s up to us to take up the mantle and become a bigger thorn than ever before. Peace and comfort to all who loved Mike.
Tracie says
Farewell to a champion and compassionate person. My condolences to Christie and the family. He will be missed by all.
AnEx says
May you journey boldly to the halls of Valhalla, where warriors rest in honor and eternal peace!
Anette Feron says
Rest in peace Mike. 🌹
Astrid says
“And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed. ”
– Maya Angelou
Farewell, Mike. Thank you for fighting the good fight, and for never giving up.
TrevAnon says
Condolences to Christie, the boys, and other loved ones.
Just wanted to note here that Mike’s legacy reached more people than just (ex-)scientologists.
Over at the the subreddit exmormon people mourn too.
https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/1hujx75/rip_mike_rinder/
I myself was never in Scientology and also never in mormonism. One of the reasons my interest for mormonism started was the interview Mike did with Mormon Stories host John Dehlin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL4Y-VtmEww
A very good way to understand you’re in a cult is too see what it’s like in OTHER cults.
Carly says
Thankyou for everything you have done in this fight, you cannot imagine what an impact you have had on me and so many others. You will be sorely missed Mike.
Arnold Erickson says
I never met Mike, but I felt like I knew him as a friend from just reading this blog. his book, and Aftermath. Even for those of us never in Scientology, he was an example of what it means to be human — to have the capacity to change and to grow. He was a genius of compassion.
I think his fundamental honesty eventually led him to leave Scientology. There are some people who cannot be contained. Mike was one of them. Like us all, he made mistakes but he had the courage to find his way and help so many others.
I am just glad that he had the support and love of his family and friends. And that he knew how much he was loved by so many of us like myself. It is an understatement to say he will be missed. The world is diminished by his passing.
Peter Blood says
So sorry to hear you have passed Mike. I was never “in” but experienced some of that Scientology world as an outside contractor with Golden Media Productions and the obvious cult I was witnessing first hand though thankfully briefly. So I appreciate all you did to help people out of that cult. I think the damage has been done and I hope a fatal wound has been delivered to end that sham once and for all. You and Leah helped make that possible.
There’s a great Twilight Zone called Changing Of The Guard where the professor played by Donald Pleasence reads a quote by Horace Mann – “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” You Michael have nothing to be ashamed of. Thank you for your service to humanity. And God rest your eternal soul.
Joe Pendleton (aka mike berman) says
A good man who will be missed. Best to his wife and two young sons.
Chris M says
God speed Mike
imajapgerm says
💕💕💕
Karl Woodrow says
Mike Rinder. I will always appreciate the kindness and courage of your example and your demeanor. You have stood up against evil with grace. But I disagree that you “shuffle off this mortal coil”. I feel that you can confidently walk off “this mortal coil” knowing that countless friends you have made will carry on too.
For some reason when I first heard the news of your passing, words from a famous Civil War song came to mind:
“HIS TRUTH GOES MARCHING ON”
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Mike Fitzpatrick says
I’m so very sorry to learn this tragic news. My deepest sympathies to Mike’s family and friends, his memory will live on. Rest in peace, Mike.
Pamela K. says
It is rare that the loss of someone I don’t “know” hits this hard. But then, I feel we did know you. You shared so much of yourself with all of us, warts and all. I believe that there is something after this earthly life, and that you have more than redeemed yourself for any wrongs you believe you’ve done. I am sad for Christie and the boys, and for all who loved you. I will miss your humor and grace, your strength and character. Rest well, Mike, and thank you for all you’ve done to help others. Thank you for enriching my life by knowing you in the limited capacity I did as a listener/viewer of your podcast and videos, and a reader of your book. Rest easy.
Bob Johnson says
Thank you, Mike! My family and I learned much about the Scientology cult because of you. You did wonderful work for the benefit of humanity. Thanks for your very important work.
Michelle Carpenter says
Mike, you are so beloved. You touched many more people than you could dream of. 💔
Sandy Gale says
Dear, Dear, Mike,
I am heartbroken. I have admired you ever since seeing you in the Aftermath documentary with Leah. Ever since I’ve steeped myself in Scientology — I’m a Never In, but fascinated by cults. It WILL be taken down.I send my deepest condolences to you, your family, and your chosen family. All you have loved and have loved you.
You have touched so many lives. You have done amazing things to help battles Scientology. I loved your book. You have helped so many people.
It always astounds me that I’ve never met you yet feel you have been an important part of my life.
May you be at peace. Many, many people love you. Many, many miss you.
Love,
Sandy, Ann Arbor, MI
Anne says
Oh dear Mike,
The world has lost a very good man and a Champion for truth and justice. As you wished, I donated to Jack’s 529 plan. My heart is so heavy knowing this day has come. I know you are free but this community will surely miss you so much. I can’t even imagine how Christie and the boys, your many friends and other fans are coping. Rest. Rest. Rest. In peace!
Anne Piccolo from Oregon
Kimberly says
🤍
Cathy says
Rest in peace Mike. Thank you for all that you have done. My love and best wishes to Christie
and your children.
Roberta Kellogg says
Oh, Mr. Rinder, you will be missed 😢 💔.
Joy says
I love you, Mike. Thank you for everything
Linda says
Rest peacefully my earthly friend. Your work here is done. Others will gladly carry on what you have begun. ♥️
Allen says
Thank you Mike.
Bane says
I never met you Mike, but I am so heartbroken that you have left us.
Not everyone gets two lives, you lived your second to the fullest, sadly cut short.
Your presence will be greatly missed.
Carolyn Wirastika says
💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
Tallulah says
Christie I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers to your family. Please know Mike touched so many lives with his work since leaving scientology, he showed us what can happen when people work together for a common goal, bringing the truth to the wider world about scientology. I hope you take strength from all he did and the lives he touched. Never forget the bumps in the road they show the truth of the people who ride them with you. I wish you peace and strength for the future and hope his legacy lives on through the people he leaves behind.
mwesten says
Safe travels, Mike.
Legends never die.
Johnny Tank says
Rest in peace, Mike.
Jenn Marie says
May Mike’s memory be a blessing. I appreciate all the years of hard work to fight the abuses of Scientology. My heart goes out to Christie and Jack, as well as to all who loved Mike. F Cancer!
Pam says
May you rest in peace 🙏 You did your darnedest to expose the cult. Let others continue the fight!
Benjamin says
Farewell to a great man. My sympathies to all his friends and family.
Rose says
We will miss you.
Glenn says
I have known you since 1975 and will never forget you. See you in the next life old friend.
Ivan Lazarus says
Farewell Mike and Rest In Peace. You were a champion for your cause and it is regretful that you didn’t see the end of the cult in your time.
Thank you for everything you did and hopefully you will continue to fight for the next billion years in the afterlife.
Good bye.