This is the announcement of the latest “Ideal Mission” on the scientology.org website.
Here is the Mission’s website that has NO MENTION of scientology — it is called the “Orange County Life Improvement Center”:
Even when you click on “Counseling” this is what you see:
Why are they hiding the scientology connection? This does NOT seem very “ideal”??
Surprised they have “Church of Scientology” on the front of the building. Perhaps they put that up temporarily for the ribbon yanking video?
Seems that being scientology isn’t much of a selling point.
And this is the best mission in the world — the one that routinely wins the international birthday game.
What does this say about the massive, straight up and vertical, monumental expansion of scientology?
Missions have since very very long hidden their scientology origins by using names like dianetics centers, and they are still doiing the same on OSA WW orders, since in many countries, particularly those where christian cults or islamic ones are quite controlling. I did that myself as soon as I opened our scam cult “Franchise” inb France… moreover so since everybody in the cult knew very well that “religion” had been choosen by LRH and his exec assistants to avoir taxes. Perhapos one of the worse errors of admi,nistrative he decided or accepted!
I found this awesome site: as an experiment, a man went to one different church every week for a year. 52 total, of all types, including: Catholic, Muslim, Jehovah’s Witness, Buddhist, Mormon, Hindu, Jewish, Christian Science, Quaker, Methodist, and yes… Scientology. Each has a simple page summarizing what he found there. Here’s the link to the Scientology summary: http://churchexperiment.blogspot.com/2009/02/church-5-church-of-scientology.html
Makes for interesting reading doesn’t it. Seen through his eyes scn does sound very bizarre.
Fascinating. The Church of Scientology’s “expansion” is indeed “unprecedented” in that they cannot expand if they tell people who they actually are and what they actually do. Terrific article, thank you, Mike. God, you can’t make this shit UP!
Suggestion to Co$: Do the Enemy Formula. “Find out who you really are.” And weep.
Powerful statement, Aquamarine.
I had to go to a place across from the Pasadena Ideal Org the other day. I was able to look in the front door and back door (the two different entrances into the org), and through the windows both coming and going. So that makes a minimum of 4 searching glances. There was no one, NO ONE in the org visible from the back or front. No one inside the Ideal Org. The only person I saw was one lone body router out front who was passing out promo. The promo didn’t have the Scn name on it, but was just an invitation to see the movie and get a stress test. She put it in my hand without a word. She seemed solid and down tone. Later, on the way back, she sat inside alone at a desk and a man had taken her place outside passing out promo. When I looked at her I perceived hopelessness and failure and resignation. I guess effete would be the word for it. The church is dying and its palaces are empty.
That is because everyone is upstairs taking classes. Including me!
How many people did you see on course, Aaron, including you? Are you Aaron Gluck by the way?
I forgot to add there was no receptionist and no staff anywhere I the org on the main floor where raw public would walk in IF they decided to check it out. No one to receive them.
Aaron why would people taking classes upstairs be the reason for the CoS to be dying?
They’re scared of calling it Scientology to anyone outside the bubble because Scientology is a very bad and often laughable word. Thus their strategy must be to lure people in, get them some “wins”, then let them know it is Scientology, then commence the bilking and endless donations for the super powers! That said, isn’t hiding that they are Scientology tantamount to a high crime?
The brand is toxic, and even the people running it know it. Very deceptive that they go out of their way to hide their affiliation to the cult, but it is there if you look for it. The ‘Detoxification’ page talks about the Purification Rundown. It mentions Narconon, and at the very bottom of the page, in very tiny grey text that is almost unreadable unless you highlight it is a legal blurb that mentions Hubbard, the Church of Scientology, and RTC.
They are not licensed to offer to offer psychological counseling in the State of California. What they are doing is against the law. And they have been doing it for a while in that location; this didn’t just spring up recently. So they are being successful at it. Why? Because no activists are demonstrating in front of the place; no activist is filing a complaint with the proper authorities, then following up, then being persistent.
It makes me laugh, because the picture is supposed to communicate people very high on the tone scale actively participating in this unprecedented expansion event, the opening of a new ideal mission. But, there are never any people in the church actively expanding it so how can this be true? The Church of Scientology should try living with the truth once in a while if at all possible as they expect others to do, if they do that at all. 🙂
Well they couldn’t do worse than what currently passes for psychological counseling.
Hi Good People,
I think psychological counseling is a LOT better than telling people their problems stem from invisible gremlins left over from volcanic explosions of beings previously preserved in glycol……MY GOD…..how does anyone stay in after hearing that? I
can’t even write that without shaking my head.
I’m just trying to figure out if I am more amazed that Hubbard pulled it off or that people actually bought it.
Hi CC, Your comment at face value seems right and mine seems wrong. Congratulations. However you are grossly over simplifying the situation. Most Scientologists never learn of the gremlins you mention. And honestly I know many friends and family that have received “Psychology” and I didn’t see any great improvements in them. And as for western civilization, it’s not really any saner than Scientology. I come to this sight to learn and share my view point, without attacking peoples character or idiosyncrasies. You should try doing the same. You might not sound so arrogant.
Roan, you are incorrect. The ad doesn’t pitch psychological counseling (YES, the words used matter) and, any church can offer counseling. No license needed. In all 50 States.
The mission in Sacramento – Riverpark Mission, I think, – did this a year or so ago. http://saclifeimprovement.com/
But they are also listed as a church of scientology mission.
http://www.riverpark.scientologymissions.org/
Question: When did the Scn “brand” become toxic? So toxic, that staff and public feel compelled to withhold the very name? I recall in the mid-80s this being the case, but being pre-internet days, we can’t point the finger at the web.
So, when did it start?
Or, perhaps, it was ever NOT toxic?
Statpush it was that way in the 70’s I know. And that was in the Bay Area where, as you know, the atmosphere is NOT conservative.
So, maybe always…
Is there no limit to these calculated, misleading, fraudulent, deceptions advanced by Scientology?
I think I just answered my own question.
Outrageous that they are foisting themselves off as “therapists” to an unwitting, vulnerable public.
Scientology has made itself a toxic brand. Therefore, just as with Narconon, they try to obscure the Scientology control and origin.
Amway did the same thing. Their PR was bad and people ridiculed them all the time, so they changed their name. I forget what the new name was. But my friend who had been in Amway leaned on me to buy some stuff from the “new” company and only later reluctantly admitted it was the same company but different name.
Scientology is done. Stick a fork in it.
Stick a pitchfork in it. That’s apropos.
I’ll play devils advocate and keep things interesting. As long as I’ve known of Scientology(early nineties) it’s been viewed as an unpopular cult. Scientology will out last all of these anti Scientology blogs.
I would expect so. You cannot kill an idea. The books will always be around. What I hope does NOT outlast these blogs are the abuses it perpetrates on a daily basis.
Yes Sir! I completely agree.
Of course it will Good People. Nazism still exists. Long after its original victims have been mostly laid to rest. I’ll be around 100 years from now too and some will hang Hitler’s pics on their wall. Just as they will with Hubbard. I don’t know why that is significant or what your point is.
“Life Improvement Center” is not a compelling sales proposition. It’s impossibly vague and potentially meaningless. If you want to sell something to the masses, it had better offer something more specific that people already know they want — “Massage Parlor,” or “Soft Ice-cream Parlor,” or “Go-cart Track,” for instance.
If you were ask people what they would need to improve their lives, I think most would say “more money.” But the Scientology “Life Improvement Center” moves money the wrong direction, which is super easy to detect. Most of the rest of the people would say “regular sex” or “taco truck on every corner.” Scientology isn’t delivering those things either. This venture is going to be a bust.
hgc10, well they could always advertise what El Con Tubbolard said were the E.P.’s to various states and levels in scamology. That’ll bring people in. Until they realize it is a fraud. Then it will go down hill. Just like it did by the mid 70’s.
Life improvement center ? Hmm doesn’t sound too tax exempt to me. Hey IRS lets go and tax these guys!!!
By the way what was David Mayo’s group called?
This looks like good news, low alcohol content religion! Looks like the real thing, promises a lot & is easy on the palate. When the phone calls start the next day, then the hangover really sets in!
There is no such thing as a substitute for Scientology, named or unnamed. It’s the same tar pit, with or without a label. However, it has apparently been forced to hunt by camouflage & ambush.
The website looks like that of a legitimate counseling center staffed with professionals trained to deliver results to people who aren’t required to disseminate propaganda for the center and who aren’t subject to being assigned a “condition”.
It has the appearance of a mental health facility in which clients don’t have to worry about being sent to ETHICS for wrong-doings unknown or not taking place in this life time. It looks like a center that isn’t recruiting members for a crusade to CLEAR THE PLANET and SAVE MANKIND which requires dossiers compiled of snitch-reports on members who aren’t doing as they’re told.
In short, the Mission looks like a safe and inviting place in which the last thing you would ever hear is a client being ordered to NEVER SPEAK TO THEIR PARENTS AGAIN because they disagree with the client’s treatment plan.
I was looking up the Lake Forrest Life Improvement Center to see if I could find a picture of my disconnected son and came across another one – this one in McKinney, Texas. I wonder how many other of these fake SCN Missions exist. That would be like Seven Up soda marketing their product as Seven Down. Still in the same green bottle and still tastes the same. If their execs were beating up staff before they are still doing it now.
What corporation has such a toxic reputation that they have to hide behind a fake name to sell their product? Companies such as that tend to just give it up and close up doors.
https://www.facebook.com/McKinneyLifeImprovement/
I remember the days when if you said you didn’t mention you are a Scn, or you moved out your Scn books and tapes when a new boyfriend (a mere “wog)) came over, you’d be sent to ethics to be handled as PTS.
Guarantee you it is still that way today Cindy. Just a lot of double standards inside the bubble. It all depends on what makes money. If labeling you PTS (or horror of horrors “PTS to the Middle Class”) then causes you to be enrolled on the PTS/SP course for the 4th time, it’s a moneymaker. On the other hand, if a mission manages to snare a few people and sign them up for intro courses by not mentioning anything about scientology, then this is a “scuccessful action” that generates income – so it’s A-OK.
Mike, you’re right. Money is the sole motivation of the church today under DM.
To suppress the word “Scientology” is also listed as a crime in their ‘ethics and justice’ codes:
CRIMES of the Church of the Church of Scientology …
112) Condoning the suppression of the word SCIENTOLOGY in its use or practice
http://www.holysmoke.org/cos/crime-syndicate-ethics.html
To clearlypissedoff: that might be a Ron’s Org group pushing hubbardisms
in McKinney.
Call the Hubbard scam by any name does not eliminate the destructive ideas which spewed forth from him.
Be that name be abreaction with some twists and additives named a science of Dianetics by a pseudo-doctor, or OTO theories blended into the already exposed often unworkable and very risky development of Scientology. Then for the sake of brevity of this comment, subsequently named Hubbard college of ? (COSRIE) ANOTHER TAX DODGE in England, offering ‘ Personal Efficiency ‘ courses.
Then around the time of the Volunteer MINISTER handbook the routes onto the ‘bridge’ ” life improvement mini courses .
That of course hasn’t included all the front groups.
It has become like “sugar FREE” bread with sucrose as the second most abundant ingredient.
Have a slice and while it may provide some nourishment there are demonstrable risks.
They say “We use techniques developed over a 30 year period”. I actually thought I read something about Dianetics being written in 1950 or thereabouts. Isn’t that like 66 years? They must be referring to when DM got on the scene and fixed that founder dude’s faulty technology.
Speaking of DM, the website specifically mentions helping the many people suffering with anger issues and marriage difficulties. I think DM should definitely attend this Life Improvement Center thingy – heck he could bring Shelley along with him. I know LRH definitely could have benefitted from the counseling they are offering.
‘I think DM should definitely attend this Life Improvement Center thingy – heck he could bring Shelley along with him. ”
Can you imagine the look on the auditors face when Shelly comes barging through the doors, dragging DM behind her to get counselling?
That’s gold Jerry, Gold!
Oh Dave….this is just getting better and better.
In marketing, this is called “line extension.” A variation of an already familiar product. An appropriate slogan would be, “Scientology services for those who hate Scientology.” It’s about time DM cashed in on that market.
Check out the missions Facebook page. There it is very clear that it’s Scientology.
And the SCN symbol is on the front of the building.
However they are being sneaky to brand new public. ScumSuckers.
No mention of any licensed professional counselors there…
No need…it’s…spiritual.
I thought that the “public” wanted Ron’s version of scamology? Where is the mention of El Con on that site?
I’m surprised Hillary and Trump haven’t accused the other of being a Scientologist. Maybe they thought it would be too low of a blow even in this election race.
Hmm. Mutually Assured Embarrassment?
LOL! +1! Now that’s some funny shit!
Maybe they are considering twinning up on the comm course. They have already mastered bullbait apparently.
IMO it says they are close to ‘hiding’.
IMO…they ARE hiding!
More like can’t hide.
Absolutely, the old hide/can’t hide scenario of Scientology’s religious make up now they’ve shot themselves in both feet so many times. There’s a tell tale odor connected with Scientology in any form it attempts to put out there. Like a worm texting a fish where they’re going for a swim.
Avoiding the mention of “Scientology” in promotions is not a new thing. Three years ago, a WWP denizen got their hands on a “Hat Write-Up” for Craigs List. Since then, and despite strenuous efforts to prevent it. Craigs List has become infested with hundreds of ads covertly promoting Scientology in the form of various “life improvement” services. While the counter-effort has dwindled somewhat, it is reassuring in some ways to see cult centres such as South Coast mimic the Craigs List strategy. It, pretty much, confirms that as a brand Scientology is still more deplorable than “ebola coated kiddie porn”. Lets keep it that way.
(Heh! As an aside, the South Coast Scientology Mission has had to resort to using stock pics in order to suggest there are some people actually willing to enter its doors . . .
http://www.gettyimages.co.nz/detail/photo/marriage-therapy-couple-talking-to-counselor-royalty-free-image/495693724 )
Got a few minutes to spare? Help out on Craigs List . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbterDh1AkU
” It, pretty much, confirms that as a brand Scientology is still more deplorable than “ebola coated kiddie porn”. Lets keep it that way.”
Absolutely! At the very bottom of Hillary’s basket of deplorables lies $cn, a religious brand that many now recognize as “the cruelest religion on earth”. Everyone who’s done their part to inoculate the public against this pernicious meme disease is highly commended…please remember to always KSW (Keep $cn Withering).
With the “Free Xenu!” campaign about to launch in early Dec,, we’re still taking submissions for Xenu artwork that can be easily transferred to t-shirts, bumper stickers and coffee mugs. All profits from the sale of “Free Xenu!” products will donated to the Body Thetan Rehabilitation Project Force Fund.
Classic 🙂
Mike, I can’t help but think back to your post a couple of days ago where you provided a list of scientology’s ‘high crimes’. In my estimation, this degree of hiding and overtly not mentioning even the words dianetics or scientology would fall under the ‘high crime’ of:
Public disavowal of Scientology or Scientologists in good standing with Scientology Organizations
By denying the existence of their very nature, how could this not be a public disavowal?
“Seems that being scientology isn’t much of a selling point.” No shit Sherlock.
John Oliver’s HBO show, “Last Week Tonight” used a $cientology comparison last night. $cientology is the punch line of so many jokes in all media that only Ebola kiddy porn is lower in the public’s estimation.
The ‘comparision’ was on Multi Level Marketing. Using Amway and Herbalife as 2 of the offenders. Anyone remember pallet loads of Basics in their garage?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6MwGeOm8iI
Sounds squirrel ? Lol
LRH would be proud. But then again maybe he would do the same thing. ?
We stand tall?
All but one of us….
🙂
DM has to stand on a crate. 🙂
And that’s just so he can see the top of his bed…
Oh goodie – another sing along!
This is actually somewhat shrewd of the mission holder, to hide the Scientology connection.
“Scientology” and “Dianetics” are utterly destroyed brands in the minds of the general populace.
The problem lies in the area of how does the mission divulge to the potential customer that the “therapy” offered it is actually Scientology?
Doubtless, many people likely up and leave at that point, seeing (correctly) a bait and switch. But some percentage probably stays if they’ve been sufficiently love-bombed.
But at least the mission could get people into the building, get them going on the love-bombing process, before they were told “it’s Scientology.”
Could be certainly contributing to why they are the top mission.
As far as I know, there is no such thing as a “mission holder”. They were all declared in 1982 as the czerch stole all their funds at one time and declared most of them for resisting. Back then, a “mission” was a “franchise” and the mission holder was a franchisee, paying 10% weekly of any income. Back earlier, the mission system fed tens of thousands of very satisfied individuals on to the orgs. Once the system was destroyed, the czerch began running them directly and the entire system became corrupt. I left shortly thereafter, the mission I’d been working in closed its doors and the tidal wave of outbound scientologists took place, many thousands of us.
Seems pretty out KSW 1!