Why Bother really got the ball rolling…
Here is some further evidence of the complete fail of scientology’s programs.
Though there has been a decline in interest in “Drug Rehabilitation” and “Drug abuse”, the in interest in Narconon is virtually non-existent. There were a couple of hiccups back in 2005 and 2007, but otherwise it looks like a snake on the freeway. Even the negative publicity brought about by the lawsuits against Narconon has had no effect.
You could substitute Narconon for “parrot” in the famous Monty Python dead parrot sketch and be entirely accurate.
Once again, thanks to Wei Botha for bringing all this to our attention — and to our readers for taking the time to check these statistics and forward them to me.
And just for good measure — here is an article that appeared in the UK yesterday that scientology’s ad has been banned because they could not support their claim that 24 million people had been helped by their humanitarian aid.
Wish such a body existed in the US to review the patently false claims they have made in ads here.
Jenny Lee de Becker says
What happened to zl the born revolutionaries LHR thought he had that were supposed to go blow up central HQ?
Ann B Watson says
Hi Jenny Lee de Becker, I have not had my coffee yet,so off the top of my head, all of us who may have followed Ron’s command back in the day,are now out,sadly disappeared or having a fine time playing tag amoung the galaxies.Sad sad the real power of Clear and OT Destroy souls , but take all the money they have for Clear OT & back up and down the bridge again first.Thank you dm what a star! lol ( gosh I just used that abbreviation at my age, do I get my own pin?! Always enjoy your posts.Love,Ann
The Oracle says
Dave, You are out of favor with the Gods. Even your “P.R”, that you PAY for, turns into a huge out P.R. flap for the Church. This is as bad as it gets.
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/02/watchdog-bans-church-scientology-tv-ad-misleading
https://www.rt.com/uk/334320-scientology-advert-banned-misleading/
http://www.christianexaminer.com/article/advertising-regulator-says-church-of-scientology-humanitarian-ad-claims-are-unsubstantiated/50468.htm
http://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/03/02/church-scientology-ad-banned-asa-misleading-claims-over-volunteer-work
http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/asa-bans-misleading-church-scientology-international-ad/1385741
The Oracle says
Well, as bad as it gets after Tom took on endorsing Walmart alongside the C of S. I mean, you squeeze your members to build palaces (Ideal Orgs) while Tom plugs Walmart?
http://news.yahoo.com/video/tom-cruise-talks-walmart-women-040638733.html
4chanpartyvan says
Mr Botha,
When you guys cock something up you don’t do it in half measures do you.My advice if your going to troll maybe start small Beiber or Myley Cyrus fans would be a good launching point then once you have mastered that maybe you could have another try here.
Good luck champ.
threefeetback says
Dave,
There seems to be a lot of shit hitting the fan. How are things looking for Thursday at 2?
Newcomer says
DAVE: ” rather shitty – I’m gonna find the CICSMF and RPF em!”
Old Surfer Dude says
It’s me, Coop. I admit it. So…..which RPF will I be going to?
Gadfly says
You’ll never make it OSD. They don’t allow surfing.
LDW says
I don’t know what the fuss is about. People and companies exaggerate successes and put out puff PR all the time.
Although miscavige does seem to do it about 475 % more than anyone else I’m aware of.
The Oracle says
Dave, Those friggin Wog Watchdog people are all over your ass for false reporting. What the hell Dave? All over U.S. channels now.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/church-scientology-tv-advert-banned-121028074.html
The Oracle says
How does this translate Dave? “The I.A,S, in ethics trouble for false reporting?” “Church busted for mass media fraud?” “Can’t buy me love?”
Gadfly says
Dave’s cognition after re-watching Jaws on his state of the art entertainment center: “We need a bigger hole!”
The Oracle says
Laughter! The Int base. The only place where false reports are now considered part of a “normal” condition. Yes, some people see it as a normal. Everyone does it, it is part of a normal condition. Sure, it’s just P.R., we all do it. Yes,this is standard op, lies lies lies and fraud. Like I should buy into that and go with the flow. Yes, yes can we all agree this is kind of a “normal” high condition activity?
Um, no, not really even in the “wog” world. Fraud is fraud. WTF????
fraud
frôd/Submit
noun
wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
“he was convicted of fraud”
synonyms: fraudulence, cheating, swindling, embezzlement, deceit, deception, double-dealing, chicanery, sharp practice; More
a person or thing intended to deceive others, typically by unjustifiably claiming or being credited with accomplishments or qualities.
“mediums exposed as tricksters and frauds”
synonyms: impostor, fake, sham, charlatan, quack, mountebank; More
How the FK is the Scientology community trying to push this over as a fkn “normal”?
Richard says
Oracle – Good catch. This also caught my eye.
Top Pakistani religious body rules women’s protection laws “un-Islamic”
The WOMEN’S PROTECTION ACT, passed by Pakistan’s largest province of Punjab last week, . . .(caps mine) . . . article continues about protection from abuse.
Hooray for sane opposition to Islamic hardliners
The Oracle says
Wow!
T.J. says
Good for the Advertising Standards Authority! The I.A.S. is a fraud, it does not give aid to people as it claims. They need accountability. Where is the proof they help anyone? They have taken huge amounts of money in donations, yet cannot show where it went.
We have seen a few photos of yellow-shirted people with people in need, but no receipts. Where are the receipts for food, water, clothing, housing aid they have supposedly given? Where is the proof?
Where is their “pie chart” that most legit charities have, showing what percentage of their funds goes to direct aid, and how much is slotted for “administrative costs” or “fundraising” – that is the very first thing I look at when deciding if we will donate to a charity. If they put 80% towards administration and advertising, our money goes somewhere else, to another charity.
We have also heard of money from I.A.S. funds being used to pay for Private Investigators to stalk former members of the Church of Scientology, including D. Miscavige’s father. The first things they need to do is show proof of where the donations are going… real proof, not some staged photos.
Gadfly says
A good example of art imitating life in ‘A Few Good Men’ as Col. Jessup (Jack Nicholson) rails at Lt. Kaffee (Tom Cruise): “You can’t handle the truth!”
Gadfly says
Keeping Slappy Working (KSW)
So the ogre which might eat us up is not Mike Rinder or the SPs. It’s our possible failure to restrain and enforce our mythology.
We’re not playing some minor game in Miscavology.
The whole aggrandized future of this planet, every car, plane, cash asset and real estate investment and your own destiny for the next endless gazillions of years depend on what you do here and now fundraising for Miscavology.
This is a deadly serious activity. And if we miss getting out of the flaps now, we may never again have another chance.
Donate now and we’ll win.
FG says
Donate now and we will win. Your money count in eternity!
justmeteehee says
I’m afraid our wee pal Wei may no longer Botha sharing trends tech but even still I hope the poor Florida not wasn’t RPF’d
justmeteehee says
Sheesh spell correct… Fella not Florida
Gimpy says
The stats for people helped will doubtless include those individuals reluctantly routed into the yellow tents when they used to take them out to shows and markets, little wonder they are unable to substantiate their numbers. Good on the ASA I’d be surprised if there is not a similar body in the US.
Ryan Kelly says
I’m sure that Scientologists who have given donations believe that 24 million people have been assisted by the Church. I’m convinced that this is the true audience that the Church is trying to reach. Of course the 24 million number is absurd. Scientologists have been trained to never disagree with David Miscavige. If he says that the Church is coming to the direct aid of 24 million in times of need, then it must be true and they should donate even more money!
Karen#1 says
Regarding Mike Rinder’s final sentence in above essay re wishing the US had a watchdog entity for patently false claims, I was informed that Federal Trade Commission voiced that if a bunch of us file a complaint against the Church of Scientology for fraud and deceptive practices – the FTC would go after them.
Karen#1 says
For YEARS the Scientology Inc ploy is to turn in targets and critics and Exes to Government agencies for arrest and other hassles. How Karmic it is that in this day and age, people seek to turn the CULT into Government agencies. And justice for all.
Idle Morgue says
Karen – that is a great idea!
Why don’t we all file complaints on May 1st or even April 1st, 2016?
If we all do it and then alert the media it is being done – it would be like protesting the Orgs around the planet, similar effect as Anonymous, but we don’t have to leave the house, hide our faces and wear masks.
We can let the media spread the word!
We now have sufficient proof that Scientology uses deceptive practices, has committed fraud and does nothing but false advertising. Just look at KSW and think of how many times this “church” has re-sold and re graded their stuff after advertising in KSW “it is done” and “We now have the Tech”.
Jeff Augustine has collected data on the billions they are sitting on too and they don’t spend a dime to help anyone. “The Money Project”
Talk about breaking the rules of the Religious Cloak. David Miscavige and Inurement???
David MIscavige wears John Lobb Shoes costing parishioner’s $5,000 a pair? The list is too big to mention but we have those that lived with him that survived to tell the truth about his lavish lifestyle whilst hiding it from parishioner’s.
We could send them to the FTC and copies of complaints to the FBI, the: Attorney General of your state as well as the AG of the United States, IRS, Senator’s, Governor’s and Congressman.
What shall we call it? “Operation Expose the Deception and Fraud of Scientology”
We could wrap it up folks. Count us in!! We want to help – what is next? We need a command center!
Let’s Git er done in 2016!
Hurricane Leah, I am sure, will love to help too!! So will other Celebrities like Paul Haggis, Michael Fairman, Jason Beghe, Larry Anderson, Lisa Marie Presley and others.
Newcomer says
A couple of issues that come to mind are the obvious ‘False Advertising’ and failure to return ‘Funds put on Account but not used for services’.
Perhaps the FTC jurisdiction could include statements made about how the organization operates and proven false ………….. I guess that would include pretty much the whole ethics, tech and admin written works of El Con.
Yo Dave,
Now I see why you have scrapped the tech and admin vols. And the MAA kids run on verbal direct from you I suppose. Since you don’t practice disconnection, have my daughter give me a call. In fact, I suggest you get all of your See Ogres to send a letter home in advance of the new billboard add. Have them tell their parents about how well they are doing not having masturbated or had sexual relations in 5 years. The married ones can discuss how well the abortion went.
You’re gonna be pissed at Thursday at 2:01 Dave so plan your day acccordingly.
Chee Chalker says
Karen, this is a great idea! Is there an address or point of contact that you can provide?
Karen#1 says
Thank you Chee
https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/submit-consumer-complaint-ftc
Valerie says
@Karen, I think you’re right. Starting last Friday, in 3 days I received 12 texts from 12 different numbers in all sorts of area codes from people claiming to be Social Security Disability advocates informing me that they had received my claim and needed to talk to me.
Ummm…I hadn’t filed a claim. Each time they texted me, I blocked that number and reported them to the FTC and the OIG.
Today I had a nice long call with the OIG (they called me) and I forwarded all 12 of the texts to them. I was amazed at the rapidity of the response and was happy to send on the information.
Whether or not it makes a difference remains to be seen, but if those of us who are defrauded make noise, it appears as though someone in the federal government is paying attention.
Mike Wynski says
Does the FTC sue charitable Orgs for lying about # of people it gives aid to? If so it might be worth it.
SILVIA says
Fantastic reports and evidence that the decline is a fact. Thank you Mike
Espiando says
Here’s another good comparison:
https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=education%20reform%2C%20Applied%20Scholastics&cmpt=q&tz=Etc%2FGMT%2B6
Or this one:
https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=Common%20Core%2C%20Hubbard%20Study%20Tech&date=1%2F2011%2061m&cmpt=q&tz=Etc%2FGMT%2B6
And people pay how much for Student Hat?
Old Surfer Dude says
Espi, thanks for those two graphs. These graphs are just breathtaking! There’s no more interest. None. The cult is becoming a global failure. And the global failure is gaining speed…..
Victoria Pandora says
Excellent news at the bunker this morning too about Ken Danders nightmare.
APPEALS COURT STRIKES SCIENTOLOGY’S $1 MILLION JUDGMENT AGAINST KEN DANDAR
tonyortega.org
Idle Morgue says
Awesome News about Ken Dandar. So happy the Church of Scientology lost out on that one big time!! Go Ken Dandar!
mwesten says
More available at https://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2016/3/Church-of-Scientology-International/SHP_ADJ_309089.aspx
dibythesea says
The Federal Trade Commission takes complaints about false/misleading advertisements here in the US.
McCarran says
Well, there were many lies in that Super Bowl ad. So there’s one.
Murray Luther says
I found these Alexa stats interesting:
Narconon home page; global – 119,732 / US – 35,661
COS main site; global – 145,052 / US – 54,208
Fairly impressive in either case.
Although Alexa isn’t consistently reliable, it serves as an informative gauge to compare websites with a similar public or similar content.
It’s no mystery why the COS vigorously creates and promotes various social betterment groups. There’s significant interest and reach there that the church can’t generate on its own.
Tara Nightingale says
Scientology is dead in the UK, there are more Jedi Knights than there are scientologist, according to the last census conducted in the UK. Apparently the London org is staffed by a few Scientologist families and that is, there was a very interesting Google review that was very critical about them, but has since been taken down, unfortunately. I remember the old ‘Trust’ adverts that were being shown on a few stations on cable in the mid 90’s and the then culture secretary, David Mellor, on the news having to explain why they were allowed on there. The good thing is that there is a Bunkerite in the British government at the moment who would I imagine would be reading this blog as well.
Gadfly says
Paradise at the Pacifica Bridge!
http://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/scientology/inside-look-at-a-scientology-family-as-they-progress-to-
Mike Rinder says
Religion News is on a par with PR Newswire. They take pre-written articles with staged promotional shots and run them as-is…
Gadfly says
Mike, it appears you have a different take on the analytical mind than what is found in the writings of L. Ron Hubbard. 😉
Old Surfer Dude says
Gosh, Mike! You’re making all of us very nervous with your “free thinking.”
Lawrence says
Mike this kind of news is beyond amazing. World organizations are forcing the Church of Scientology to stop its false advertising to and misleading of people looking for a better world. How much more corrupt can a group of people be than that? Your blog gives others the real ARC and insight needed to see the Church of Scientology for what it is, a group that impersonates people of good will out the help the world. Thanks. 🙂
Old Surfer Dude says
I agree with Lawrence, Mike. When you posted those stats, it was almost an earth shaking experience for me. I mean, not only is there no interest, it’s SEVERE no interest. Their momentum towards destruction is amplifying exponentially.
And, Lawrence, it’s ALWAYS been a cult. But, I will say DLHDM amped up the cultage quite a bit. Now it’s all about money and, really, nothing else.
Your stats brought tears of happiness to my eyes, Mike. It’s still hard to believe how far & fast, they have fallen.
Lawrence says
Thanks for the acknowledgement Old Surfer Dude. We come back. 🙂
Gadfly says
“Please don’t kick Dave when he’s down.” Tommy Davis Replacement Spokesperson
threefeetback says
Dave,
What kind of a spike are you expecting when the Hollywood Reporter shines the SPOTLIGHT on your father’s new book and the subsequent movie, “Let Him Die”?
Rick Mycroft says
He has hundreds of Ron Miscavige domains registered, a futile pointless waste of time and money. So I think that he’s shaking in his elevator shoes.
Old Surfer Dude says
Rick, he’s not only shaking in his elevated shoes, he’s also shaking the peach box he’s standing on….
thegman77 says
I just checked a great possibility for Ron’s site name, but won’t post it here since Ol’ Misk would grab it up. What to do???
Roger From Switzerland Thought says
LOL
Jennifer says
This is awesome news! Finally someone is holding them ac-count-able! Yay!!!!
Lori S says
Accountability – something that Scientology dodges at every turn. Way to go ASA!
Old Surfer Dude says
Lori, just saying that word, “accountability,” will certainly rile them cult members up. Who knows, they may come looking for you!
hgc10 says
Yeah, but what’s the trend on “Ideal Narcanon?” That shit is orders of magnitude.
Old Surfer Dude says
You’re right, HGC, their orders of magnitude are nothing but shit!
Jose Chung says
Thank you Wei Botha.
There is a bottle of Prize scotch with your name on it.
Keep up the good work.
Newcomer says
Yo Wei,
I think it’s time for you to get going on your cause resurgence rundown.
It’s hard to imagine a one day excursion into the real world blogosphere would put you out of commission. We are just lowly wogs and ess pees out here on the fringes ………. and so easy for you big beings at OSA to handle.
Ask Dave how to do it!
clearlypissedoff says
Hey Little Wei Wei,
I think it best to stay off of the anti-SCN blogs. I hear though that billboards work pretty good to get your message across. Maybe on Hollywood Blvd…
Gadfly says
I think Wei, Jenny, Mark and Dave qualify as The Deadly Quartet.
Roger Y says
SHOCKING, just shocking that the an organization, especially the church of scientology, was unable to provide evidence of its “giving aid to 24 million”. What is even more shocking is that anyone would question or doubt the church’s claim. What possible reason would the church have in making unsubstantiated claims?
Where is my checkbook & do I make my check payable to the church of Scientology or to the IAS? So many questions & so little time………
amy says
Please make check payable to Amy Horizon and I will forward to the proper terminal. Thanks!
Old Surfer Dude says
Roger, I can see, maybe, 24 people, but, 24 million is completely ridiculous, nonsensical, asinine, and so far from the truth, that, and I know I’m going out on a limb, but, Roger, I think they may be lying. It’s just a hunch, though.
Idle Morgue says
Yeah Old Surfer Dude – I was a victim of a Hurricane and lost my home and my family. I was hurt and in shock.
A guy in a yellow T-shirt found me in the rubble and told me to look at that wall. I saw the wall of my home destroyed. I cried and cried until I had no more tears. He kept saying “good, fine, okay very well done” as I continued to cry and then “look at that wall”. There were no walls to look at. I cried some more until he ran away!
WTF was that all about??? Oh – that was Scientology Volunteer Ministers “helping” during disasters.
Another woman was passing out The Truth About Drugs booklet. My friends leg was missing and he wanted pain killers. She was giving him a “briefing” on Psych Drugs and offered a touch assist.
We found out these two people were Tu Dee’s to some staff members in Miami and had to pay their own way,. Some outfit was taking a lot of photos of them giving massages to victims of the hurricane.
Wow – Scientology and Slappy Miscavige is sitting on Billions of dollars and this is the help Scientology brags about?
Cringing…
Gadfly says
L. Ron Hubbard:
“If it isn’t written, it isn’t true.”
Gadfly:
“If it’s written, it isn’t ipso facto true.”
Ira Gershwin:
“It ain’t necessarily so.”
David Miscavige:
“Truth in advertising? Fuck that shit!”
Old Surfer Dude says
Ron Miscavige Sn: It is written that my son, David “LET HIM DIE” Miscavige, wants me to die. I hate that punk ass kid! So I’m going to write all about that sociopath in my book.
james hollingsworth says
S-lie-entology aired the same commercial during the 60 Minutes broadcast on Sunday Feb 28. Is there some US agency like the FCC we could complain to? Post a link, Mike!
Years ago, a study was done using a rubber snake in the road. Some drivers ignored it, some avoided it, and some ran it over deliberately, with one backing-up and getting it again and again. Good idea when it comes to a certain “church”. Snake on the freeway is a synonym for flat, but that’s not to say it couldn’t be flatter.
So people, GET THAT SNAKE! Even if you have to back-up to do it…….Vroom, vroom! Screech!
Idle Morgue says
L Ron Hubbard was a Charlatan. He spent the last 15 years of his life hiding from the law in a trailer in San Luis Obisbo. This is well documented if you can handle the truth (lurkers).
The members were lied to – the Organziation told them he was off doing research. There is no OT Nine and Ten…hence – the long, drawn out GAT I, GAT II, Super Powers, Need real estate so everyone go broke for big, empty buildings, Re-do the Bridge – Re grade your Grades etc…
Hubbard tried to commit suicide a few times. He went stark raving mad.
He was married several times. He destroyed everyone who came in his path. He never had the accomplishments Scientology peddles. It was all LIES!
Management is missing. A Psychopath, David Miscavige, is living a luxurious lifestyle – keeping it cleverly hidden out of members view.
Scientology is one of the biggest scams in the history of the 21st Century.
The wall of fire – Xenu, the Galactical Warlord, in order to deal with population control – flew people here on DC-8 type aircraft, put them in Volcanoes *hence the volcanoe on the cover of “Dianetics” and blew them up with H-Bombs and their disembodied spirits are attached to us and we have to audit them off? One has to spend $$$$$$$$$ to do 6 month Sec Checks at the Mecca of Technical Extortion – FLAG?
The Government needs to shut Scientology down and give everyone their money back.
We were duped beyond belief. It is a hard pill to swallow. The truth, however, is the only thing that will set you free.
Old Surfer Dude says
+1! Great post, Idle! I feel your anger. We all do. However, I never knew Hubbard attempted to off himself several times! But, I can certainly see him going stark raving mad!
Ann B Watson says
Hi Idle Morgue, I have been absorbing all the wonderful posts concerning Scientology’s rapid slide to oblivion. Thank you for yours. You brought laughter and tears together for me. Just the thought that the abuses of this cult will come fully to light is overwhelming and long past due.We all deserve the truth- we have earned that through blood, sweat and tears.Always Love,Ann.
Mark says
Federal Trade Commission
https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/submit-consumer-complaint-ftc
Idle Morgue says
I like the way you think Mark!
Old Surfer Dude says
Thanks for the link, Mark!
Willie AKA Good Old Boy says
Scientology has turned into a brainwashing cult to extract money from good meaning people. Their ADs are a total complete lie and their facts are false. The old carrot before the horse trick is the con of this Scam.
The sucker will never get the carrot and will loose everything trying. Besides that, have a great day.
Cognited and Out says
So the weekly OT Committee pushed stat of helping with $cn tech (“uh, I defined a word for my kid.”) isn’t credible? Gee, who’d have thought?