As I have been doing after each program, I am putting this here as a place for people to make comments about the show that has just aired.
I must say, this was the toughest episode to film. So heartbreaking and Aaron is such a good man, father and friend. Tough to watch too. But unfortunately, it is the horrible truth. And if you have not already done so, I recommend you check out Tony Ortega’s blog this morning. Aaron, in his usual meticulous detail, rips apart the scientology smear site and POW videos that were put up a couple of hours after the show aired.
On a more positive note, the outpouring of support has not only continued, it continues to grow. It is quite amazing how far and wide this show is reaching and to how many people who have not had personal experiences with scientology but now feel they must do something about the abuses that are being exposed. Thank you all. I try to respond to messages and emails and PMs and tweets, but it is physically impossible to do so. If I have not gotten back to you, I apologize. But let this post serve as my response.
As always, I am interested in your views – including criticisms and things you think might be better explained or covered.
For new readers here I thought you might find it instructive to be directed to some earlier postings that may help explain some things, including the one from today about scientology lies.
Perhaps you have seen some of the over-the-top statements about Leah, me or anyone who has a differing opinion of scientology’s infallibility and dares voice it. It is perhaps the hardest thing for someone new to this subject to grasp. If you operate on the “where there’s smoke there must be fire” principle you can easily wonder whether there might be some truth to the smears they spread. It is a difficult concept to accept that people will simply LIE, even give false sworn testimony under penalty of perjury, because they believe they are protecting “man’s only hope for salvation.”
To begin to understand the mindset scientologists have about those who criticize any part of it, read this article:
Dealing with Critics of Scientology — The L. Ron Hubbard Playbook
And then read this one:
And here is a fairly short explanation of how disconnection is used in scientology (and how they try to spin the practice):
Disconnection: the PR and the Truth
An overview of the efforts by scientology to smear Leah Remini:
Scientology Dead Agents* Itself
And finally this is a post about the lies they tell about their “expansion”:
Scientology “expansion” debunked
What You Can Do
Call your Congressman and Senator to do something about the ongoing abuses. Initiate a Congressional Hearing. Ask them to demand the FBI or IRS look into things with the church. Write to the IRS. Support and comment on media articles and blogs that cover the abuses (like Tony Ortega at the Underground Bunker) and express your support to A&E for stepping up and taking on scientology.
Watch Leah Remini: Scientology The Aftermath every week and tell your friends to do so.
Don’t ever think you have no voice or there is nothing you can do. There is plenty.
Your support of Leah and everyone else involved is invaluable and appreciated. Please don’t stop. Knowing there are a lot of people out there on our side is comforting and gives strength.
My wife and I are astounded that people who say they’re bettering themselves, waste so much time attacking and ruining people who decide it’s not for them. We are raising awareness among friends in our tiny corner of California, so people don’t have to suffer on alone.
Get them, Mike and Leah; We’re rooting for you. Keep at it!
As for Cruise and Travolta, just stop seeing their films. Hit them at the box office, where itc will hurt.
They need little attention, and no more income from their films, past, present or future.
Let it be known that as long as they participate in the cover up, they get no more monies from any fans.
I totally agree with your actions. It seems to me that shortly after both Cruise/Travolta camps have been experiencing poor box office for their most recent ventures. and since they have become more vocal about their support for the CULT.. Also, Cruise’s speah about CoB , I feel, was simply expounding his own flatulance as it stank to high heaven. He may think he is what he says he is but it is more likely he wishes he was that important. Doesn’t it seem odd, both have , in the recent past, have had both proffesional and family issues, most likely steaming from their beliefs in Scientology.The “marriage of the ages” did not have much stay power.
I am looking forward to round two. Keep the great work.
Dear Mr. Miscaviage(miscreant):
Maybe you have not heard this quote……
If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, IT’S A DUCK!
I got into Scientology back in the late 80’s in Los Angeles. I was working in the industry of celebrities of all kinds, such as famous musicians, actors, etc that were and still are Scientologist and I thought I would look into it, too. After all, if it worked so well for them, then there must be something to it. But I also came across many ex-Scientologist and I listened to everything they had to say about it. I continued with Scientology, but I was getting pressured to join the Sea Org. I moved to L.A. for a career and life change, and I was not about to leave it. Well to make a long story short, after several events and situations, I ended up leaving Scientology. But I was getting pressured by some celebrities and rock musicians to get my ass back online. Luckily, I have a high rebellious nature and very independent and that saved me, along with the fact I had to go into hiding due to an ex-Scientologist tried to kill me (a long story) and an auditor told me he would never be clear in this lifetime, but I knew that already. When you live and work in L.A., Scientologist are everywhere! I thought I was free and clear of all of it—-fast forward to 2012 and I had already moved to another state and guess what? They (Scientology) tracked me down and now they continue to mail me so much of their crap, sometimes my mailbox overflows. I just could not believe it and I have mailed back some of the mail and have written them letters to stop……guess what? They won’t stop, even after several letters telling them too. I have taken another step to threaten them with a lawyer and court if it doesn’t stop. There are many, many musicians and actors that do not say anything public about being a Scientologist, so many people would be very surprised by who is a Scientologist. There is so much more going on and Leah and Mike have just begun to take the layers of lies off, from what is really going on with Scientology. I know my fight right now is small, compared to what you guys are going thru, but I will be there with high hopes that the fight that Leah, Mike and all the others are dealing with has a positive ending. Remember–there is strength in education and educating the public with the truth will
***Remember–there is strength in education and educating the public with the truth will set the planet free!
I had the same problem. Sometimes I worry, that when I die, I’ll come back as a scientologist because I signed that damn contract. LOL That religion breeds paranoia..in all its members and even ex members.
I may have overlooked it, but have Cruise or Travolta come forward to address any of these issues to defend/deflect: If not, why not? Are they that entrenched in drinking the koolaid? Thank you. Love the show
Mike, just a technical point. When Aaron is in the big emotion, the music back up it like in fiction. It’s making look cheaper, looks less genuin than without. Silence is better. Also you don’t need a shot on Leah who is wiping a tear (excuse me for my poor english). Also on the presentation, it looks to some degree like a church presentation on psychs abuse. it’s kind of too much, dont have to be exagerated.
The fact are strong, true, they are enough in itself.
Well that’s my europeen feeling. But if you see american movie and series now, they are quite subtil. And please, stop with the “fuck” (I actually don’t care of the language, it’s natural, but the bleeping is just making you wrong and disturb me, who has to listen on a langage I sometimes not fully grasp when it’s too fast).
Have been watching the A&E series with you and Leah Remini on Scientology and am astounded. Tom Cruise states in his Scientology video that “being a Scientologist you know absolutely that you can help them.” Except apparently not his three SP ex-wives. This is something of a conundrum as he goes on to say “they” can unite cultures (but apparently a significantly long-term one-on-one union is beyond his capabilities). He laughs about the question “Have you met an SP?” which is ridiculous as apparently not only did he meet them he then married them. It amazes me that someone so enlightened and “high up on the bridge” would take that long to figure them out and/or not be able to “help” them. The bottom line I gather is if you are a regular parishioner and you have difficulties with your relationship you should have auditing and accept responsibility. However, if you are Tom Cruise, you label them SPs and move on. The Miscavige and Cruise show would almost be comical if it were not for the absolute destruction and devastation of the lives of the regular “parishioners” who do not have the luxury of millions of dollars and the cult of celebrity. Kudos to both of you for exposing this cult for what it is and I fervently hope our government takes a hard look at their tax exemption status and ongoing abuse.
So exactly when was the last time Tom Cruise actually SAW his biological daughter Suri? Surely Katie has been declared an SP……so does that mean that their daughter Suri is an “SC”…Suppressive Child since she is has not yet had her first “Auditing Session”…..
Just saw Leah on the 20/20 Scientology show…..laughable that the lawyer said “I raised MY KIDS CATHOLIC”…..WT??? She could not make permanent EYE contact with the ABC Interview, she fluttered her eyelashes, blinking constantly, looked everywhere but not directly at him, could not seemingly sit still, and didn’t answer any questions honestly.
If the former members separately interviewed suffered the same types of abuses from CO$, are they ALL lying? Seems unlikely so many former members can document stories so well. Seeing Rathbun harassed so completely was horrific but WHY drop the lawsuit and “backdown”??? What’s with thatn
I love these shows. I’ve read the Paulette Cooper book, MarcHeadleys, Ron Miscavge, & Leahs book….it’s amazing to me how so many good, decent ppl fall under the spell of someone or something….Jim Jones, Waco, CoS, FLDS, Manson Family, it’s just unbelievable…and they are all strikingly similar- in many, many aspects….preying on ppl deep seated desire to have revelance & meaning…everybody searches for it….to improve their selves & others…
LEAH RIMINI and MIKE RINDER are doing a great job with the A & E series: SCIENTOLOGY and the AFTERMATH
LEAH and MIKE interview a number of long time 30 year average members and former key executives of Scientology as they travel from Seattle to Denver to Clearwater.
Amy Scobee – former head of the Celebrity Center
Jeff Hawkins – former head of Marketing
Mark Headly – former head of production for events
Aaron Smith-Levin – former Auditing expert
Tom DeVougcht – former head of construction and renovation for buildings
and
Ron and Becky Miscavige – Father of the “leader” David Miscavige.
These were people who devoted years of their lives to 100 hour work weeks and who made Scientology what it is. Now they reveal themselves as VICTIMS of a cult.
Could it be that the “we are all victims” approach is a mistake?
There is no power in victimhood. These people have conceded and allowed David Miscavige to seize and maintain power over a very powerful entity worth billions of dollars. Is this the best way to end the abuses of Scientology? I don’t think so AND IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO ALTER COURSE AND TACTICS.
David Miscavige took control of Scientology as Chairman of the Board of the Religious Technology Center or RTC. David Miscavige declared himself the COB of the RTC and the RTC holds the copyrights to the materials of LRH. It appears Miscavige simply took control and no one thought to try to stop him.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/former-church-of-scientology-accountants-novel-strategy-get-insiders-to/2245311
The former accountant for LRH, Certified Accountant James J. Jackson has another idea. He is still a devoted OT VIII Scientologist and he believes that Scientologists should take control from David Miscavige.
Seems to the lawyers in CA that James J. Jackson has a point. Why don’t Rinder, Rathbun, Ortega, Rimini, and the former executives join Jackson and simply seize control of the church by filing suit in California to challenge the dictatorship of Miscavige? Insist that DM cease and desist from disbursement of any funds or properties while legal proceedings are in progress.
Use the ONLINE resources to appeal to everyone who was ever a Scientologist and who purchased anything. Use Leah Rimini’s program to announce the plans and then promote the plan using the online presence:
The weblogs of Ortega, Rinder and Rathbun have a following
There are the Ask the Scientologist
the Operation Clambake Forum with over 500,000 views of some threads
and EX Scientologist Forum with over 175,000 views of some threads
These websites are off limits to SEA ORG and other’s – so much the better. If they don’t use the net then they will not be informed of the plans.
So with all of these online communications tools for contacting Scientologists of the past it should be quite easy to get a Class Action together with a large number of people who paid for memberships and auditing but were either “declared” or who felt forced out by Miscavige. These people who paid for the materials and auditing have standing to claim they are part of Scientology as church members.
If there are currently less than 30,000 active Scientologists – how many are truly Miscavige supporters? how many displaced or declared SCN members could be found to join a Class Action to retake control?
Is it now possible that a CRITICAL MASS has been achieved where the number of disaffected ex-Scn people outnumber the current actives who would fight to support Miscavige? If a serious assault on DM’s leadership were mounted in CA how many Gold Base and LA people would rally to the support of the little Pope? His leadership style doesn’t lend itself to loyalty in the rank & file and if he has continued his combative management style it would seem likely that he could easily lose support from SEA ORG execs who have been browbeaten and assaulted.
The AFTERMATH could well spell the removal of this monster and it would be good if Rinder, Rimini, and Rathbun were among the people there to pick up the pieces along with Hawkins, Scobee, Headley, DeVougcht, and Smith-Levin. They could insure that all disconnections ended and that those who were destroyed financially could be made whole by liquidating the properties and assigning the proceeds to those who spend hundreds of thousands.
Perhaps Scientology will cease to exist – or perhaps some who still believe the Tech has merit and a purpose will continue in a much different manner.
Why don’t Rinder, Rathbun, Ortega, Rimini, and the former executives join Jackson and simply seize control of the church by filing suit in California to challenge the dictatorship of Miscavige? Insist that DM cease and desist from disbursement of any funds or properties while legal proceedings are in progress.
First, have absolutely NO inclination to be involved in scientology, least of all to be involved in organized scientology which I think should be disbanded
Second, this is a fool’s errand that will never come to pass. People have been talking about this for years. It won’t work.
Thirdly, if I had a couple of million dollars to engage in this sort of litigation, I would spend it on something far more remunerative than lawyers.
Understand your lack of desire to be involve with Scientology, but suggest that leaving it with DM in power if there is any potential to do what James J Jackson suggests is wrong.
Would be interested to know why “it won’t work”.
Jackson appears to disagree –
“talking about it for years”? Stop talking and take action.
There are evidently thousands and thousands of former Scientology “victims” out here using Clambake, and Ex-Scn Forums and only some 20,000 current active Scientologists who may or may not support DM if given a choice.
There has to be a way to give them that choice.
DM is COB of RTC – there has to be a method to replace him. What happens if he dies? OR better yet what happens if he is indicted or declared incompetent or criminally insane?
There must be a B (board) if he is COB. Who are they?
Seems to me it is quite likely that the current execs who “support” DM do so out of fear as you did once. When Jeff Hawkins and you described the board room and watching Hawkins attacked – you say you and other’s did not intervene for fear of being next.
How many current potential occupants of that position would stand up for what is right if given an opportunity? They cannot all be blind cowards can they? You finally came to your senses along with many others.
Seems to me all of you who participated in the FRAUD of SCIENTOLOGY owe many people a debt and the way to pay that debt is to take over Scientology – Then once it is in the hands of reasonable people you can leave it again.
But for now claiming with thousands of other “victims” or “adherents” that you have a right to a a vote on the leadership seems to be the least you can do.
It should start as an online gathering of support for a march on GOLD BASE
What happens if thousands of people willing to stop it surround the base?
How many of the current “prisoners” might come out to join the protesters? And if they do that how can the CA legislature and courts refuse to step in to arbitrate?
I believe you have the support with LEAH and others to defeat Miscavige.
The current SEA ORG people have no clue what is going on if they cannot access the web or news – but if they see a thousand or more people surrounding Gold Base they would get the idea pretty fast that things are very different.
As you so eloquently said: the civil rights marches didn’t achieve overnight success. You might have to plan and execute several such events.
It might be easier to gather large crowds of protesters at that Celebrity Center and the Big Blue building in Hollywood first. There are SCN locations that are open to walk ins. What happens if you and hundreds of people inspired by AFTERMATH and GOING CLEAR all walk into those locations together?
What if you OCCUPY or SIT IN like the Civil Rights and Anti-war protest groups.
With AFTERMATH you have created a huge following and sympathy. If an OCCUPY of the downtown LA locations and then Clearwater location makes one disconnected child like Sammy Kahn leave the “church” it would be worth it.
I believe you people have the opportunity and the obligation to try to undo what has been done and to gain control of all those billions in assets to 1) either return it to those who were ripped off or 2) to use it to save the planet.
Stop being dense. I do NOT want to “save” the church of scientology. I don’t want to replace “COB”. I have no interest other than ending the abuses perpetrated by the organization. If they were to end, Miscavige can carry on til his dying days. The problem is, scientology cannot change, the organization cannot change, so it must be changed from without.
Mike – love the show. Thanks for clarifying your position. This is going to stop when people stop supporting it. The show will be a huge contributing factor that will prevent people from joining it. Hopefully, somewhere in the cobweb corners of the COS, there will be lots of defectors should they ever be exposed to these stories. I’m really curious to know if somebody can call 911 and have the police escort them off the grounds?
Revolutions and coups originate from within. Outside influences can offer encouragement and support but mutiny can’t take place without broad internal appeal. The reformation of the church is the independent movement. People who want pre-Miscavige scientology can have it. Even without the jacked-up Hubbardian prices.
If that movement were setting the world on fire it would draw members from the church but the independents aren’t flourishing in a significant way. It looks like the broad interest just isn’t there to overthrow Miscavige or to pursue scientology and there is no substitute for interest and without interest there is zero motivation.
It’s my personal opinion that if Debbie Cook’s email couldn’t ignite revolution then the required passion is non-existent.
Like what you say Barry. I would hate that the money of the parishionners would be confiscated by IRS. It has to be either refunded or used for the best of the scientologists.
Giving free service in exchange of their past contribution. Repairing ARCX. Being what scientology is on it’s essence not this awful travesty. The church should itself let people speak on their own orgs. Their should be an inside revolution.
Also, to attack scientology as a subject is to help Miscavige to keep the sheeple in.
There is only one target : MISCAVIGE. He should be attacked relentlessly.
Protester should ask loudly MISCAVIGE OU !
He is a criminal. The solution to disband all scinetology, like if disconnection and all the nazi activity of this little fascist shit was the true scientolgoy ? Are you kiding. You want to enrich IRS?
I damn Miscavige, all the asshole who serve him, and I also damn IRS, and I never gave them a dime as I am not american. Anyway something stinks in your country that nobody has yet thrown out this tyrant.
And the subject of scientology don’t desserve to be destroyed, it is not the truth.
Scientology can help. And what it appears is the application of the rule of disonnection which is 100% contrary to all what was ever said in scientoloogy. Like inquisition being the expression of christianity.
How this little fascist has been able to take over dumbfound me!
But attacking the subject of scientology itself you help him, and the US government to at the end finally get hold of the asset that the parishionner would have given because they beieved in scientology.
And they believed in scientology not because they were hypnotized. Are you all a bunch of ass who did scientology because you were hypnotized? No they liked scientology because there are good things in it. And you have been betrayed. And I am not sure your government is innocent.
Watched this episode at last. Over the pond and time zones away, I’m behind. Wow.
Mike and Leah, huge respect, big admiration.
The stories raise echos of past events for me. Been in a while. The shows crystallize the specific reasons why i am on my way out.
Sadly a few still in that I know do not get anywhere near seeing these shows. But the exposure comes in waves, gets reported on and it spreads. So we never know when a still in will bump into the information and slowly gain more and more insights to what is going on.
The shows are valuable for the ricocheting effects long to be experienced.
It’s tough to sit & listen to the stories of how people’s lives have been forever fucked up. Shame on them. Keep up the good work Mike,Leah, all of you ! Expose these people for who they truly are.
Mike – questions for you. Did Colin have to spend time in the RPF (or the RPF’s RPF), when he rejoined? If not, why? If so, how long was he there?
Also, will there be any stories more focused on a person’s RPF experience? I realize it’s been defined and described, and a general statement about running everywhere, but not sure that the audience is aware of what the true experience is like.
I’ve been following Scientology, your blog, Marty’s blog, Tony Ortega’s, every YouTube video, every forum board, etc. for quite a long time. I’m thrilled that Leah is doing this. You’re doing a fantastic job, it wouldn’t be as successful without your ability to articulate the maze of acronyms and policies that is Scientology. Absolutely fantastic job. Congratulations on the success and I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that this will impact change.
Hi mike want to say first of all the work that you and Leah are doing is great, Your shinning a bright light on the BS that is Scientology. I have watched all of the episodes so far with my mother and we both think it was great, This is very uncommon for me to post a comment like this about a TV show. My family comes from Jehovah witnesses and they do have a similar practice to disconnection of shunning. I only got a small taste of it, and not from my mother but my great aunt and uncle who i was very close to me being 4 or 5th generation (very rare). Anyways I Personally think that if one of your goals is to discourage people from joining your doing a great job. Maybe you’ve considered this maybe not. But this being a “christian nation” or rather most people at least have a background coming from Christianity I think it would do a lot of good if you highlighted the occultist roots of Scientology, about Hubbard and Jack Parsons. Stealing his boat and wife, the wife in general, especially after he left her. This is from memory but you could show how parsons (yes the famous one) was a leader of a satanic cult I believe the OTO, and his link to alester Crowley. I personally see that a lot of Scientology practices are based in the occult, I’m not sure if Hubbard really believed in it or saw it as useful tools or “tech” in creating his own cult. But the connection exists.
I’m sure the “church” of Scientology is shiting there pants over this. IN regards to the Leaders wife being missing, I think there is something to that. I’m not sure if she just had a nervous break down and they’re keeping her locked up, Or if she is no longer breathing. But the police FBI whoever needs to force the issue. Even if it takes locking people up for not producing her, and coming out publicly stated they think she is dead and starting a murder investigation.
Wish you and Leah the best of luck, think what your doing is awesome. Just had to suggest the idea of the occult connections with Scientology as being a good thing to bring attention to.
RYAN
Thanks for commenting Ryan
Well done and thano you for the address. I will be posting off to them today!
I started a major discussion on a FB page about Hemet, CA the home of Golden Era Productions.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HemetNews
Leah’s show is causing some of them to tell some amazing stories.
Alan Richardson says:
[quote]I worked out there for a few years, we did all the dirt work, for the castle dug the lakes for what was going to be a golf course, placed rock on north slope of San Jacinto River bed from State Street to Sanderson did all the dirt work for the memorial house of L Ron Hubbard everywhere anyone went Scientology had someone assigned to us . They have a ranch behind Saboba and that’s where the kids are that’s where they stayed away from family . Worked and stayed,Every escort had code names, one kid wanted to leave, Well he was over 18 but they chased him all the was to Northern Calif. And took him back, and we never heard from him again.That is the weirdest Crew of people I ever worked with.
A young girl died right in front of castle, in a accident with a loader, because a paving machine was going to be an eye sore, it had to moved after dark, because John Travolta, was going to be there the next day.hurry hurry, and she was decapitated 16 years old . They are a very bad group of people!
Our crew had questions , like why so much security, their reply was if you went to Universal Studios you would see the same type of security there as you do here .
Universal Studios does not chase their employees who want to leave all over the country like they did that kid that worked with us.
[/quote]
Deborah Scialla:
[quote]Back in the 70’s the Massacre Canyon Inn (now Golden Era) had gone bankrupt. I was living on a farm that backed up to the riverbed across from there. Anyway, I was out riding a horse and I guess I crossed onto the property and those scientologists shot at me. Thank goodness it was a shot gun and I was out of range. But I saw several people there with guns. They guard that place like its a concentration camp.[/quote]
Christine G. Christensen:
[quote]My dad used to run his sheep out there, I drove my car across the riverbed to see him one day and bam, I had 3 security vehicles surround me to see what I was doing out there. It was kind of scary[/quote]
Castle Boone Padilla:
[quote] I have to take Gilman springs to get to work and I flip off the “church” every time I pass by..I’m always on my motorcycle and I remember flipping them off one time and a dude saw me and threw his hands up like wanted to fight…I’m busted a quick u-turn and went back to him…as soon as he saw I was heading back, he ran back in and told security to stop me..the dude was a fat piece of shit and security was a joke..they are a f*ing joke of a “religion” and pathetic pieces of sh*t…[/quote]
Mike, thanks so much for being specific about what needs to be said to our members of congress and the IRS. I don’t know if you and Leah have someone who’s like a government liaison or lobbyist, but they can help mobilize a grassroots campaign to maximize our effectiveness and really get something done. God bless you and Leah for everything you’re doing. I’ve been shocked and appalled by Scientology for years, and I’m so glad something is finally being done to dismantle this abusive cult. I’m right here with you, and am going to write to my members of congress and the IRS as you suggested. Just let us know what else we can do to bring down this fraudulent organization.
Mike, Leah, Aaron. I’ve just watched the latest episode and I have to say that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more compassionate and understanding person on this series so far than Aaron. For everything he went through, his main concern was always those around him and not himself. To see someone go through what he has and still have the positivity that his wife and daughters bring him, really does give weight to the last words he spoke. “Earth is a pretty great place to live”… I continue to be in awe of what Leah and yourself are doing and I look forward to the next episode where it looks like both Tony Ortega & John Sweeney get to air their views on ‘this thing’.
I understand the slippery slope going after the “religion” but has anyone filed a lawsuit against DM personally?
Another outstanding episode. This show, great from the start, is getting better and better. I hope that A&E continues it for a second season.
I hope that so much that I wrote a letter to A&E Networks. I thought that if anyone wants to use my verbiage as a template, I would post it here. Feel free to use, edit, etc. If you can think of somewhere else I should post it, just let me know, or post it directly. The contact information I have for A&E is:
A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 210-1340
Fax: (212) 850-9304 (not verified)
Email: aefeedback@aenetworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/AETV/
Twitter: @AETV | Instagram: @AETV | Tumblr: AETV.tumblr.com |
http://www.aetv.com/
Nancy Dubuc, President and Chief Executive Officer, A+E Networks
235 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017
Dear Ms. Duboc:
I am writing to commend A&E Networks for producing and broadcasting the remarkable program “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.” I applaud your network’s courage in facing head-on an organization even the IRS and FBI won’t touch. This hard-hitting investigative journalism expands my understanding of A&E and deepens my admiration for your network.
Thank you for putting this show on. Now please keep the show on. In addition to being incredibly compelling television, with the irresistibly charming hosts Ms. Remini and Mr. Rinder, this show is a public service. Similar to “America’s Most Wanted” and “Cops,” “Aftermath” could and should be a long-running show that brings to light what needs to be exposed while also portraying the positive side of celebrity power.
Yours truly,
F. Beans
San Jose, CA
Frank, I’ll email A&E today and use your template. Thanks!
Thanks for the a&e website. I thanked them! I also wrote to my congresswoman and senators, per Mike Rinder’s request, to investigate the “church”! Time to call them what they really are–a Cult!
Thank you for permission to use your template. I intend to expand it just a bit to ask that perhaps ‘Season 2’ could focus on the children of Scientology. As bad as the organization is, adults make their initial choice to join of their own free will. However, children born of scientologists and put immediately into this church, have no choice. They are deprived of an education, exploited for their labor, mentally and perhaps physically abused. Under our Constitution, ‘freedom of religion’ does not allow for breaking the law or denying human rights. We need to fix this. Exposing CoS abuses and contacting our lawmakers to demand investigation, would be a good start I think.
Excellent. Yes.
That was a hard story to listen to tonight. As much information as you can impart with a book or blog, even the best writers would have a very hard time communicating that profound a pain.
Watching the show I’ve gone from being ambivalent about Scientology to wanting to see it burned to the ground and it’s ashes scattered. When Aaron compared his experience to being in the Hitler Youth, it struck me that Scientology isn’t far off from Stalin’s Soviet Union.
The spying, purges, punishment of real or perceived failures, treatment of apostates, the indoctrination, the control it exerts over people…. I could go on for days.
The difference is only scale.
Dear Matt, I have been scientologist for 40 years. And I can tell you that what is a happening now is not in any way the spirit of scientology. It’s has as much to do with the philosophy and real practice of scientology than Guentanamo as to do with the spirit of USA.
Since 1982 the fascist Miscavige have been taking the leadership. Read Lois Reisdorf 7 stories in this blog you’ll see.
No, scientology shouldnt burn to ashes, but David Miscavige should certainly hang !
FG, I’d suggest to those seeking to know the real spirit and philosophy of scientology to acquaint themselves with KSW. Wouldn’t you agree?
That was deft
My trainer and I watched the Smith-Levin episode while we worked out. We’ve watched several other episodes already. The Smith-Levin episode was the best yet in terms of showing the impact of disconnection. Amazing that Scientology dared to tell Smith-Levin to disconnect from his father, who had never been a Scientologist and had never criticized Scientology to his son.
My trainer, a churchgoing Catholic, had limited interest Scientology before this show, although he’d watched Going Clear. He said Leah and Mike’s show makes him so mad that he wants to become an anti-Scientology activist.
I have been watching this from the start … Wow, you and Leah are doing a great job of exposing this cult for what it is. Many years ago I dated a fellow who spoke very highly of L Ron Hubbard books, and had done a few of the classes … sure glad I dumped that guy! Also very thankful that my parents raised me to question everything, and look at the world with an analytical/critical mind, and that I carried on in that vein through university! This show has given me many moments to reflect upon what a great life and family I have. The notions of Fair Game, auditing, UGH .. how did you stay so long!
This particular episode created a rage in my heart against Scientology. I used to think if it works for some people, fine, so be it. But now there is zero tolerance for what these people are doing. By people, I am referring to those in a position of power, not the every day partitioner who may not know any better or who have only known this culture their entire life. It’s truly important to keep that in mind when passing judgement. I truly hope this show will help push the government and authorities to recognize the difference between religious freedom and flat out abuse of both people and the ability to claim religious status in this country. It’s time we start holding organizations like this to higher standards. DM belongs in jail, right next to Warren Jeffs.
First off I must commend Leah , Mike and all the others putting people abuse of Scientotogy.
in the fote front
Government, (Local, State and Federal all have enough to begin Forensic audits. I truly believe once the allegations to the forefront, there will be better exposure,and full disclosures on banking practices, sales procedures and salaries.
Keep up the pressure and force government to do the right thing.!
Leah has often said she feels compelled to help, that the Scientology teachings are a hard thing to overcome. I just want to say, Leah, you are helping. You are exposing the cult it is, you are beacon of light to the people still in this cult whom are struggling because of family ties. Your strength and determination are admirable! A true David and Goliath story. The more this story is out, the more people will realize the injustice and hopefully they will gather strength to stand up to this insanity as well. The government cant turn a blind eye to this any longer. You are amazing and I truly believe you are opening doors in many people’s lives and closing the door on this sad excuse of a church. Keep going, I think you have found your purpose, and I’m sure it will be far more rewarding than anything that you could have done under the Scientology umbrella! Your awesome too Mike!
This show is amazing…Ive been following the abuses of Scientology for a few years now…I came across one of Martys videos and I found it fascinating. The deeper I dug the worse it got until I came across the gut wrenching story of Lisa McPherson. DM should be held personally responsible for her murder. Its great to see you and Leah making such a difference…keep fighting the good fight and you will be victorious!
Here’s what’s also amazing, all the money donated to the IAS, aka war chest, by public individuals of your working stature, or celebrity’s like Lean Remini, Bob Duggan, Travolta, the Presley’s, etc, (we are talking millions of dollars for some over the years)
why all that money donated by those individuals to the IAS is used to hire lawyers and PI’s to shun themselves, or get them to STFU, or ad hom them, if they have a change of heart and speak out.
Leah, Mike and A&E,
Thank you for all of your hard work. I’ve emailed A&E thanking them and asking for a second season, submitted form 13909 to the IRS asking them to look into the tax exempt status of $cn, and emailed my Senator & Congressmen. My heart goes out to all the disillusioned/fearful $cns and am thinking the biggest impact we outsiders can do is to put pressure on the IRS to revoke their tax exempt status. Wouldn’t that cause those in this cult to sit up and begin to think? I know DM will spin it but at least it hits the pocket book.
I love all the compassion shown on this blog and others for the brainwashed who are still in. I am so happy to hear there are resources for those who do finally summon up the courage to walk out with nothing. Many are praying for an end to this false religion. If you haven’t already, call/email your congressmen and women and write to the IRS. Likewise, lawyers among us can continue this juggernaut by suing DM and tying up resources. I know he has millions but publicity is a good thing.
My second hope is that you — Mike and Leah – are able to see enough monetary returns in the form of donations and book sales to help offset some of the money you’ve lost over the decades.
Lastly, I may have missed it but has anyone seen viewer stats on each episode? I think I’ve only seen them for the first and possibly second.
May God bless you all for exposing this evil.
Jennifer
There is already a wiki page about the show which has the stats.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leah_Remini:_Scientology_and_the_Aftermath
Thank you, Trev!
I just heard from a very reliable source that a very well known person in the cult ………………. is out. The announcement will be made ‘soon enough’ I’m told. Sorry for the obfuscation but it would not be appropriate for me to reveal the source or the name.
Yo Dave,
Who the fuck is it good buddy?
Answer: I don’t even know the person but they are leaving in droves these days. Your ass is grass Dave and the rest of us out here on the fringes ….. are lawn mowers.
???
Well. I hope whoever it is that they “speak out!”
Me too! It IS time to do so.
I have been involved in medicine for over 20 years. (nurse practitioner). I have met many people like L Ron and DM with their delusions of grandeur. Thankfully most of them were contained on a psychiatric unit in a hospital. They can be convincing because they totally believe their thoughts, no matter how crazy they sound. But these guys take it a step further. They are evil and harm people.
If anyone could not feel something in watching this episode, I never want to be associated with them. What authority would investigate the treatment of the members? Particularly, if they are so brainwashed, they would deny that any poor treatment occurred? Thank you for including the exchange about the dog. A little levity was much needed.
Jeezz, I had a bit of a rough time with some of the moments in the first five episodes, and when Aaron talked about getting that phone call about his brother I felt the pain. But when he asked his Dad if his twin brother would have wanted him to go to the funeral I friggin’ lost it. I had to pause it and get myself together.
Me too.
Scientology is a disgusting cult filled with greedy, disgusting people. I live in the same town in Florida as John Travolta and frequently see him out amongst folks who think his “religion” is a money making, soul stealing cult, wouldn’t that make him cavorting with SP’s? It seems to me that Scientology celebrities are able to make their own rules as long as they keep their monetary donations flowing. Their were rumors floating around that Travolta was pulling away from the “church” after Jett’s death, could it be they are holding him hostage and Travolta is paying to keep his auditing secrets from being released?? Could this be why Travolta has been largely silent and not campaigning for the “church”? My prayers go out to all the families who have been torn apart by Scientology and it’s mad leader.
i agree with you. This cult is a hypercritical false “religion.” The rules only apply to hurt the people they want out of their way.
The cherch has all of his secrets. He will do as he is told. Miscavige neutered him decades ago when he stole John’s soul. Sad.
Shit! I spent several decades of my life working as a slave for Scientology and over $570,000 going up the Bridge to Nowhere…
and all I got was this lousy Smear Site.
Ummmm…..I’ll buy you a beer if you want.
I say it time to Par – Tae. Beers all around!
(cough cough)… mmmm, just sitting here all thirsty like…
Another hard-hitting episode, as evidenced by the almost record no. of comments. Thank you Mike & Leah! We’ve got one more family member to get out of the bubble. Now it feels like it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.
My heart broke for Aaron & his family , perhaps he should keep his dog away from the neighbor she could do something to harm the dog? Or put a camera or mic on the dog if theres a collar , I dont trust those people .
I know right. They seem capable of doing horrible things, and willing to stoop to about anything.
I wouldn’t even let my dog go over to that woman’s house. The nerve. Aaron is too nice.
It’s a facetious comment that’s a take-off from the cult’s lame smear attempt to discredit Leah’s Aftermath series as being “after the money”.
There’s no career path to fame and fortune as a $cn expert and post-cult celebrity, just ask Marty Rathbun about all that 😉
This week’s show was absolutely gut-wrenching. My heart fully goes out to Aaron, and his family. I just can’t believe what he’s weathered.
Thank you, Mike. Thank you and Leah for your work in this. I’m just so thankful for all the work put into this.
….
on a lighter note, CONGRATS TO LEAH!! I saw “Troublemaker” in PAPERBACK at Costco! Wheeeee!
Thanks for the heads up about “Troublemaker. Will head to Costco tomorrow.
Just finished Leah’s book. In one day! Great read. Then I went back and watched all her episodes again. I guess one could say things are much clearer!
Simply fascinated by this cult. I actually have an appt for a tour on Saturday at our local COS.
under cover…..
Many insightful and compassionate posts here. When do churches beat people, lock them up for mistakes made, drag them back to base after an escape attempt, separate them from beloved family members ? Scientology is a very jealous, gold digging mistress. Can’t help but think of Nazi Germany. The Allies invaded for a reason. Free people and stop the madness. My heart breaks for Aaron and I pray for peace in his heart. Perhaps his brother is assisting from the other side. Folks who have had near death experiences are frequently by asked by spirit, what have you done for your fellow man? Intention and motive count. Stand proud all of you trying to bring light and grace to people living under the dark shroud of Scientology. God bless Aaron. Your brother lives in a world of truth and understands. Your love for him and his for you can not be diminished.
$cn, with its thought police, mind control crap reminds me of N.Korea, where no one inside the country is ever going to say anything bad about the the Kim family dynasty or their sad, impoverished and completely isolated country.
Just imagine if $cn and Elron had been successful in taking over a country, it would look almost exactly like N.Korea by now.
I completely agree with CGarrison. It’s shocking, the money and manpower they utilize to go after people is hard to wrap my mind around. How do they get people to do such awful things to other people? I know they are brainwashed to the doctrine of the “church” and I understand defending what they believe in, but they are human beings with a conscience.
CGarrison: “Many insightful and compassionate posts here.”
Including yours. Lovely to read it.
Thank you M.
Mike, a disturbing thing for me, is that in all of this mess, I have not heard the name of GOD mentioned once! Do they not have a “higher power?” It can’t be L Ron Hubbard. He is mortal and died, so he could only be a prophet. At first I thought the cross on their building was just that, the Christian cross. Now I understand it represents the eight tenants? That is just weird and deceptive.
Here’s a short Youtube vid that can help to answer your question https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr7N4nGe7pc
At about minute 1:40, Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, gets caught in an unscripted moment and tells it like it is when it comes to the God question…totally hilarious, but pretty disgusting too!
These people are nuts!
Red Head – Scientology lies – says they don’t get involved with GOD…and you can be of any religion. But it is all lies.
google “L Ron Hubbard and The Christ Game”
https://youtu.be/26H3yMA_pNg
Secret Confidential Oat Tea data about Christ –
Be careful – you may pee your pants from laughing.
Actual OT data –
That was funny. But sooo crazy. I think LRon Hubbard was in dire need of some of the psychiatric drugs they hate.
Our hearts go out to Aaron and his family. His statement that “there is no unconditional love in Scientology” hit the nail on the head as such resounding truth, that it should shake CoS members to their core. I think many Scientologists if asked about unconditional love, would say it is very desirable, but obviously Aaron’s dog understands more about what it means, than their CoS-enslaved neighbor.
“There is no unconditional love in Scientology”, and there never, ever, EVER…will be.
Pure, unbridled, unconditional love is the most powerful force in our universe. Scientology has everything assbackwards! That’s their ruin….
I’m sure Scientologists who have been in a long time, consider love down tone. It would be impossible to reg someone out of their second or third mortgage if you truly love them.
They probably consider love to be way below them. They’re tough!
They’re actually weak and in the character of tough guy. Love takes way more strength as I’m learning.
What a crock of crap….Church of SPINOLOGY is a more appropriate name. Seeing al those “charming” videos about all the “good” CO$ is doing….the brightly colored format, all the faces displayed looking so well satisfied and grateful CO$ came to “help them”…all the loud music and loud announcer’s voice to coerce your full attention to the video……the auditorium filled with standing clapping members…a friggin’ SHAM……scheeez..
Or perhaps the Church of SCAMOLOGY….since the CO$ has confiscated all the worldly financial assets of it’s staff and their members…leaving them financially destitute and entrapped because they have no financial backing to ever “escape” their captors. Fear of losing these same people because that would make CO$ look bad, can’t have a “church” where members are leaving in droves and then put out there that “OUR Church Is Growing”……..
Chasing down members who have managed to escape & using Intimidation tactics & smear campaigns in an attempt to embarrass them and then CO$ capturing those who DO make the effort to escape to return them against their will to CO$.
Seems to me the only “unconditional LOVE” that CO$ has is for the love of MONEY.
Everything I’m seeing and reading about $camology has left me with the distinct feeling that their reprisals now rate as a hamster with delusions of being a pitbull. Truly pathetic.
Every time I think I can’t be shocked and floored again, you shock and floor me! I was not aware of Aaron’s whole story. I’m so sorry he lost his twin. Devastating.
I noticed that a few reviews that pre-dated the airing of the show claimed that the show would never have wide appeal and wouldn’t hold the public’s interest. (Noted in Wikipedia)
Wow, were they off the mark! They also repeat the mantra “no new revelations”. Good Xenu, what do people need to hear? What new horror do they want “revealed”?
Those of us who follow Scientology abuses know a bit of what is happening, but even people like me who have taken on the cause and can’t look away from the train wreck, can learn new things, new abuses. Isn’t is bad enough what Scientology does and has gotten away with for years? Forced abortions, destroyed families and financial ruin isn’t enough for the jaded press?
Thank you again! I’m so glad the truth about the cult is being shown to a wider group than just Scientology watchers.
YEah, the LA Times are NOT known for their cutting edge coverage of scientology… Apart from Kim Christensen they seem to just bend over for scientology. Sadly.
Somehow I suspect $$$$$$$$$$$ are involved but maybe I’m just being too negative!
Dear Mr. Rinder,
I phoned my US Representative, Diane DeGette. Her lovely assistant helped me tremendously. He suggested to reach out to the House of Representative members on the Judiciary and Oversight Committee to discuss any concerns and issues with the Church of Scientology. You may go online for the list of all House of Representative members that sit on the Judiciary and Oversight committee. As this was a huge election year with many changes, it may not be current or up to date until all new members are sworn in. I am assuming the Senate has the same committee to contact, too. Just wanted to pass on the information in case anyone would like to contact US Representatives and Senators to begin possible investigation(s) into the Church of Scientology. Hope this is one more step in helping you and Ms. Remini and all the other brave people who have had to endure the practices and policies of the CoS. Have a good day and enjoy each moment with your lovely family.
Thank you Teresa. Interesting her office was so helpful. I believe she has a history of helping/supporting CCHR.
Since I am not a Scientologist, I am not sure what CCHR stands for. If you would be so kind to let me know what it is, I would appreciate it. I will also follow up with DeGette and her history of supporting it. Hope I can help.
Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights — scientology’s “psychiatric watchdog group”
so…sex trafficking, slavery and genocide no problem, but John Doe gets a xanax and that’s the fight on human rights??? What a world what a world us Wogs live in to be so blind @@
Thanks . I will research this group. Her assistant told me to contact Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) Utah and Elijah Cummings (D) Maryland as these gentlemen sit in the Judiciary Committeee. I will continue to follow up and do my part to help. Never underestimate the power of an Italian woman who is on your ass about something. I am on your team! Have a great day.
Teresa thank you for this valuable information. Through my research today I discovered my state Senator was just assigned to the Judiciary committee. I just completed a letter and will send via e-mail to him.
Hymn to Dave with apologies to Kermit:
It’s not easy hoarding green
It seems you still have to live with ordinary people
And riffraff tend to covet your wealth ’cause they’re jealous motherfuckers and too dumb to be OT like me
But green’s the color of money
And green can be cool and controlling-like
And green can be big like my bank accounts, or important like a building, or famous like TC
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder?
Why wonder, I hoard green and it’ll do fine, it’s beautiful!
And I think it’s all I want to see
God Bless you and Leah Mike. You truly are doing good work with Leah and here. As a member of an abusive sociological cult (not C of S) I can truly understand the mentality of scientologists who at first ‘convince themselves to be convinced” but later find themselves trapped because of the fear of losing their families and their social network.
You and Leah are a powerful combination, two very different approaches, and unless the camera’s lie there is an intense bond between you on the mission to set people free.
All the Best and God’s Blessings on You
Philip
I feel as though we have grown to know and love Aaron Smith-Levin from the Underground Bunker, Facebook and particularly his terrific video series. He is so honest and raw and approachable, which makes it even more striking to hear him describe his Sea Org persona as one of “Hitler Youth”. What Aaron was describing was simply a young man who was doing his very best to make his group proud and to achieve what he believed to be their altruistic ends. I suspect Aaron works equally as hard and with as much drive and passion in the outside world as he ever did when he was still in; that is simply his character.
I wanted to reach into my screen and hug him so tight when he was breaking down as he discussed the loss of his twin brother, Collin. That was one of the most soul-destroying moments in the entire series. It is always excruciating to lose a sibling, but to lose them whilst disconnected? I can’t fathom that pain.
As a last note, the balance the production team are striking between devastating, personal stories and lighthearted moments is just superb.
My feelings exactly! There’s no secret why cult’s and warlords seek to recruit children from very young age. They believe whatever they’re told by those around them that are responsible for their upbringing and education.
Of all the heinous crimes and abuses that the cult has committed over the years, the recruitment and indoctrination of young kids into the $ea Orgy is right up there at the top. And it’s very often done with encouragement of their brain-damaged $cilon parents, who really should be charged with criminal neglect and the cult sued into bankruptcy for all the young lives they’ve wrecked and continue to destroy!
Well, you know, pre-pubescent teenagers have no out-2D. In this lifetime.
That’s the official – if secret – reason. In reality, of course, it’s much easier to warp the mind of a younger person. Sex is just one of those things that have to be regulated in order to turn any person into a mind-fucked clam.
Check out Aaron Saxton’s videos.
“Where there’s smoke there’s fire” applies to all of the high ranking Scientologists, like you Mike, coming out and telling the truth. If applied to the Church’s accusations, I would say the smoke is not in their accusations but their cookie-cutter approach to smearing anyone who speaks out.
Oh my God. That is aweful
Mike & Leah,
Although the idea of Scientology once peaked my interest, I never found the opportunity to get further than an online request for information. I would have had to drive 400 miles (200 round trip) to Nashville for a face to face & that was not workable (Thank goodness).
I am fascinated having watched “GOING CLEAR” and now your AFTERMATH series – and I found your blog along with The UNDERGROUND BUNKER. I have a question / suggestion for you.
Due to the information about “escaping” I got a Google Earth of the GOLD BASE where many of the SEA ORG members seem to be imprisoned. I spent some time in Murrietta CA. and once drove to the Gillman Hot Springs before it became what it is now. I see quite a bit of open land surrounding the area. I think you should post up a picture of the site and identify the buildings – I think the only identified building houses the production company.
It would be edifying to see the map of the site with the identity of the facilities. Where does Miscavage live?
Where is the “double-wide hole” were offending staff are “imprisoned”? Are the houses alongside the golf course occupied by staff? The buildings are impressive and it would be good to show how the space is used.
I see the site is bisected by a major road and I assume this is how Ron Miscavage and his wife escaped when they made their regular trip across to the other side to the “refrigerator” as they said in that episode.
When I heard the Headleys and others tell of how difficult it was to escape it made me wonder how many on staff might be encouraged to escape if they knew they could get some help on the outside. I’ve heard several tell of the fear they had because they have no money, no job and no friends on the outside. I’m sure they could find some help out here if they could get out and contact you or Leah or many others who would be willing to offer assistance and friendship.
Have you thought about how you might encourage and offer help to those people?
I think about driving a painted RV or panel truck along the roads adjoining the property painted with a phone number and NEED HELP? IF YOU CAN GET OUT CALL 222-333-1111 AND FIND HELP.
An easy to recall number – possibly announced over a loudspeaker – on the side of a vehicle or one of those trailer signs driving around the property with horn speakers pointed toward “the hole” would at least give those who would like to go a number to call.
Or simply put
BLOW NOW – WE WILL HELP YOU – and the telephone number. or THIS FRIDAY AT noon WE WILL STOP OUR BUS AT THE GATE AND PICK UP ANYONE WHO WISHES TO ESCAPE.
I realize there are minders and gate guards – but surely you could find some legal way to ensure that a vested authority could be at the gate with you and a bus for a limited time period when anyone who wishes to leave can make it known to an authority that they are being held against their will. If there are other’s like the Headley’s or Scobee or Spanky from Going Clear who desperately wish to get out and who’s main reason for staying is fear of being pursued and the prospect of homeless joblessness – it would be a coup for the AFTERMATH series if you can simply offer transportation and help at the gate on a certain day and time for say a month – Get a legal team who will simply ask law enforcement in Hemet or State Police to provide an officer who will be paid by A & E or the show to accompany a bus to the gate every Friday from say 9AM to 11AM or whenever traffic is lightest for a month. Hard to see how state or county authorities could object to ensuring that everyone who wants out can get out.
The idea of being imprisoned is abhorrent to me. I realize that the Prison of Belief that enslaves the true believers is incredibly strong – but the people you highlight in the series shows there are a lot of people who feel trapped by fear of not knowing if they can escape. I think it was Mark Headley’s wife who told about how there were escapes on a regular basis – particularly pregnant women who are forced to have abortions. – (The Pro Lifers would be all over that place if they saw that episode!!!) Have you thought about sending a disk to the Pro Life movement of that?
Anyway – I’ve gone on long enough – I am fascinated by the show and the idea of helping those held against their will to escape. I’m sure you may have already thought about why what I suggest cannot be done – but there it is
best wishes
Barry Bozeman
Seen this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D13a32HSHA
Tony Ortega has more details of the layout and what buildings are which in a post from September.
Don’t get me started on the pro-lifers. They are useless when it comes to Scientology because they seem to believe that Scientology is a religion. Scientology has done a lot of work safe-pointing that community which rallies around any “religion” it deems to be under attack. Still, that doesn’t mean that a fresh approach won’t have better luck now Leah Remini has further exposed the forced abortions issue. Give it a try if you have any contacts there.
Barry, poke around a bit at Tonyortega.org. Most of your questions are answered there and they even have drone flyovers of the International Base.
Sadly, some have attempted rescues of folks at the Int Base and have been unsuccessful. If you walk up to one of them, even with no one else around, they will say they are happy in their jobs and have no plans or wish to leave. Partly because they know they will be grilled mercilessly after your visit. Any hint of disloyalty is treated harshly. And partly because they really don’t want to go. No prison is more effective than the “Prison of Belief” where you truly think you are saving the world and that the world is a harsh and dangerous place..
Most of those who have escaped are ones that encountered a combination of influences at the same time. First, some recent experience that underscores the futility of their lives, like finding out about the empty Ideal Orgs. Then some personal setback that makes it hard to go on, like being punched by the leader of Scientology. Then some opportunity to escape, like having a personal vehicle or eye appointment.
The “Aftermath” segment on the Headleys has a good example. If you had asked one of the Headleys some months before they left, they probably wouldn’t say they wanted to go. Or maybe they would secretly want to go but would tell you no because of the repercussions with their group if they could not leave right away.
I’ve been trying to think of how to do this for a long time. It may be that the only real rescue would be if the tax exemption got rescinded and they had to shut down due to no funds.
Or maybe if somebody just drove a bus up to the gate every day for some months. Eventually someone would come out with their bags packed and jump on before the Security Guards could talk them out of it. After that it would be a flood.
I wonder what would happen if the police were to go in Int Base, and say, if you want to leave you can come with us and we’ll provide safety and harbor? And do it every so often that those who decide not to take up the offer can at least think about for when the next time the police come.
Probably a pipe dream, but I’d think before long, a majority would be gone.
“Like”
Hey Mike,
Think the work that you, Leah and the rest of the team are doing is great. I was curious about something that was mentioned last night in the episode with Aaron:
In earlier episodes the show went into detail about how Sea Org members would have to get abortions if pregnant. Last night’s episode mentioned that Aaron and his wife left the Sea Org but remained in COS in order to start a family. Was there an accepted process in doing this, or was this also frowned upon on by COS management. It seems there is no “clean break” from Sea Org since you sign the billion year contract so just wanted some clarity on that.
Thanks,
It was a powerfully moving indictment of the church. No normal person can hear Aaron’s tale of his twin without being shaken. His former friend, Juliana, who reported in the smear video that he laughed at his brother’s death, stooped to an all time low in scientologist behavior. I wouldn’t want to have that stain on my soul when I leave this world. She went too far presumably even by the reckoning of her fellows whose natterings about Aaron were mild by comparison.
His former friend, Juliana, who reported in the smear video that he laughed at his brother’s death, stooped to an all time low in scientologist behavior. I wouldn’t want to have that stain on my soul when I leave this world.
Perfectly stated.
I agree. That was about as low as anyone (much less a religion) could go.
OH,NO! No, no, they can go much, much lower. And, I’m sure they will! They live in Opposite World, where hatred is natural to them. What a macob world they live in.
They spit on the notion of unconditional love. That’s for wogs! We’re Homo Novis. We don’t need no stinkin’ unconditional love!
Unconditional love is for pussies. We are here to get this planet mopped up. Get to work ….asshole!
WRT unconditional love: it is an extraordinarily difficult thing for some human people to feel and to demonstrate. Even without the influence of Scientology or any other cult, it is still possible to grow up in a family where love is exclusively conditional. I know because I did. I was taught unconditional love by my first dog, not by a human being, and I might never have known it if it hadn’t been for her. As it was, I reached age 28 without knowing what it was; as far as I could tell, it was a platitude covering a lie. Then I adopted this remarkable dog who chose me and let me know, and I learned it from her. That’s the only way I’ve been able to live it in my own life. I struggle with it to this day nearly 30 years later.
Making unconditional love a falsehood doesn’t need a cult, but it seems to me that the cult of scamology does an efficient job of doing away with it in its adherents by insisting on everything being an exchange. In an exchange, everything is necessarily conditional, and what I’ve read here and elsewhere, and seen on Leah and Mike’s show, and in other documentaries about the Co$, echoes things I’ve seen for myself in quasi-religious cultish and/or cultlike circles such as the Libertarian Party in the US and among objectivists (followers of Ayn Rand, aka Randroids). Everything, even – maybe especially – love, is conditional and requires an equal exchange of value. Rand’s utopia in “Atlas Shrugged”, Galt’s Gulch, is founded and based entirely on that idea, along with the near-worship of money. Sound familiar to any Co$ survivors here? Is the world according to Rand one Elron would want to bring about?
So true
Obviously something has to be done to stop the harsh and illegal abuses this group inflicts on individuals, destroying their citizen rights and families. And something at a government level. it also concerns me that it is so difficult for some people to escape, since after many years they have no money or other resources. It sounds really rough for people to do that if they have no support network outside the organization. I sincerely hope there is some kind of underground railroad of safe houses – similar to those that exist for battered wives and children who need to escape abusers, sometimes in ways that circumvent court orders and need anonymity for both escapee and accomplice (since they are often in danger of being discovered). If not, there should be. It could be set up to be highly confidential I’d imagine.
Can you fight fire with fire and create your own 501c3 to also help those who leave with these expenses and resources? It seems like this show would be a great way to advertise one, even if it starts as a gofundme kind of effort where people can donate anonymously. Such a non-profit would surely deserve to be tax exempt if it were helping those who leave get on their feet. And I would think it would be harder for the CoS to harass another non-profit than it is to target individuals. Hell, why not draw up a spiritual dogma (based on whatever beliefs you like but without any non-democratic principles that could lead to the tyranny of abuses that CoS inflicts) and declare it a competing religion?
The Counter Reformation is proof that an established church can torture and abuse non-believers or dissidents if backed by the government, my own ancestors escaped Europe to avoid being tortured as heretics. However, the legitimacy that different sects of Christianity acquired also led to laws against religious persecution that helped found our country. I know that CoS sues people for “copyright infringement” for publishing their dogma, but you wouldn’t have to use a word.
And when I was younger I joined the Unitarian Universalist church – started as a humanistic organization of people that did not believe in the Christian trinity, but after several hundred years one that is filled with disaffected people from all religions – simply because it was an “anti-dogma” place to explore spirituality and nobody was allowed to tell people what to believe, only because I enjoyed being in a group of like-minded people. A group of ex-Sclientologists, whether informal or organied, would give escapees a safe group to align with of people who understand what they are going through and what they need to do it.
I did an earlier post about the UU’s as I attended a naming ceremony there. Thoroughly enjoyable experience. Wonderful people.
Karen & I were married in the Church of Religious Science. Another great group!
Geezers, you just made me realize I was married by a Scientology minister. What does that mean?? I owe them money or something? The ring’s on pawn maybe? I guess there’s not all that many who were married by that lot. Next time I’m in Vegas I get it done all proper like.
I’m sure there is an unpaid bill somewhere IY.
I like Cecebeans idea! I would donate!
Or bcome a Solitary practitioner and approach ‘god’ or spirituality yourself, independently, without need for an intermediary or a group. The power to direct change is in all of us as long as the intent is true and strong. Any one who tries to direct your spirituality is in danger of trying to control it, and that puts you in danger too. all organized religions are some form of cult some are more dangerous, others more benign, but they all want to give you their own creation myth, their own behavioral norms, their own hierarchy to which you must be subjected. Eventually you serve them, rather than being served. Once you see the motivations and agendas of those in religious beaucracies, you understand them all as cults. You can approach spirituality directlly, and follow your oun experiences, learning, practices, and gifts. You dont need a priest or minister and you certainly dont need hubbard. Once again i congratulate mike and leah for the touching, heart wrenching and loving manner these stories are presented. I hope this series evolves and continues.
I just spent some time reviewing several of the smear sites. The COS is crazy to post these, they just prove the point that the series is making.
A comparison of Aaron’s normal human affect in talking about his brother against the expressionless recitation of his failings made by his detractors shows the difference between heartfelt real emotion and heartless robotic recitation of a preplanned script.
Claire Headley’s father and Mark Headley’s mother were particularly weird and disturbing. They come across as emotionally disabled, what kind of person recites disturbing facts about their children with no affect? I kept thinking that the short clips were because they had to feed another quarter into the talking head.
This A&E series is providing an opportunity for direct comparison between the TV show and the smear sites, and the sites look even worse. Anyone under the radar who views both will face the hard fact that their church lies, and that the members lie.
BTW: I’m not recommending that others view the sites, they only ended up making me angry and sad for the people who are brave enough to speak out. But, ironically, they make the TV series even more believable.
What kind of a “church” does these things to former members? IRS, are you watching?
The smears are even lame as hell. According to the account from his sister-in-law Erica, then “Aaron snaps at his kids and his wife” (you know, like most of us normal Dads do from time to time, even though we feel shameful about it). Is that the best she could come up with to talk about how “horrible” of a person he is? I can only WISH that was the worst thing I’ve ever done in life.
Yes, remarkable they even bothered with that. They got a film crew and a location and a make-up artist and lighting. For that? It would be like doing the Aftermath show and having someone on there that says: “scientologists are kind of mean people. They don’t smile much. I saw one get mad one time” — who would waste resources doing that?
Only scientology. They HAVE to have a video up as that is the orders they got. So, they put up weak as piss stuff to “report compliance” and they look even more like POW videos.
Yes.
It counts for their stats…
He raised his voice at his wife once and also ate junk food.
Junk food? Well I am appalled now. (that he didn’t invite me to eat it with him) 😉
He was really hungry and also failed to donate some of his twinkies to the church.
And he left the toilet seat lid up.
Yes, I was forced to right a dev-t chit on him.
“And he left the toilet seat lid up.”
Horrors!
Yeah, real nice. I fell in…
Not even Dave has done things as bad as that! String em up.
He also drove a car 5 miles an hour inside Int Base.
I love Leah’s “in your face” Brooklyn way of confronting DM.
“You stop messing with people’s lives and families and I’ll stop. How does it feel?”
Hell yeah!
Mike, you’re a great at Captaining the ship…keeping it on course and bringing the people who can tell the story the best.
Tom De Vocht killed me. He’s so tough and on top of things, I had no idea that he was suffering so much. That’s the insight people need to see.
With all due respect to veterans of wars, this PTSD has it’s own life and symptoms that are proving to last for years.
Injustice and degradation cut just as deeply as the sharpest knife – but seem to be slower to heal, if ever.
I know that when I went through a torturous divorce, it was very very difficult, the underlying hurt from betrayals and mental abuse. I honestly couldn’t believe the intensity and depth of the relief when the ex asked me, “What do you want from me??” I said, “An apology would be a good start.” When the words, “I’m sorry” came across the phone, I cried so deeply from just that simple gesture, even though I had to extract it.
If they would admit any guilt, that could be the beginning of the healing. However, that’s not their intention. “Let him die” has become the standard policy toward all who have left and spoken out.
“Tom De Vocht killed me. He’s so tough and on top of things, I had no idea that he was suffering so much. That’s the insight people need to see.”
I so agree. A couple years ago, I told a still-in friend about Tom DeVocht being another person who was a critic of the CoS and especially of Miscavige. Her immediate response was “Tom DeVocht???!!!” Having worked closely with him, she felt the same way about him as you do. And yet, this news still didn’t get her to leave the church – even though she did believe the stories about Miscavige physically abusing him and others as her impression of DM had not been good over a period of years. However, like other members, she is convinced there really isn’t anywhere else but the church to get scientology services. This is a very ingrained mindset. I remember it well and probably would have responded the same way she did when I was still in.
The fact is that members of the church have been indoctrinated to believe the church is the only place to get the tech. And if they found out otherwise, I believe many of them would leave right away and word of mouth would start the ball rolling for others to do the same. It would be great to have a campaign to get this known. If members heard about and were able to view the presence of people like the Lembergers at Dror Center in Israel, or Trey Lotz and other auditors and groups here in the U.S and elsewhere, the mass exodus would be the final death blow to the CoS, at least as it exists. Maybe the next series…?
No, they’re too programmed to believe any other iteration of Scientology besides COB’s. They all suffer from acute miscavigitis which is only cured by a complete shock to their system concurrent with the realization that they’ve been lied to about the whole ball of wax.
“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” — Abraham Lincoln
Miraldi what you say about the lie that stick people in the church is that they’ve been told, “We are the only game in town,” and “The only place you will get standard tech is in the church, with us,” and “if you leave, you forfeit your complete and entire spiritual freedom and will be a cinder forever…” This is correct that they are fed that false information. Think about that — a cinder forever. The church says it, the KA drinkers believe it, and so by making the outside world sound bleak and hostile and dangerous and full of “squirrel technology,” they successfully keep people in the church through their believe in the lies. It really is a Prison of Belief.
Exactly right, Cindy. Well said.
…the tears over the realization of the years he wasted. That got to me too.
Amen jimjam916….when I saw the look of total horror and disgust on Tom’s face for having given so much of himself to COS…..to finally “wake up and smell the coffee” (or stop drinking the Kool Aid)…..he just broke my heart. To see him have to walk of camera to get himself together….wow, so sad. Again, hearing Mary N saying “They (CO$) OWNED me”…….and the disconnect from her beloved son Sammy…..I’ve gone through Kleenex like there’s no tomorrow.
The ONLY thing that is the bright light in all this is that they got out (blew)….with NO $$$ and at able to live their lives the way they want to…..despite the smear campaigns from CO$.
Foolishness at it’s best…for CO$ to smear, harass and video family members’ “put downs” of their OWN flesh and blood only trust shows they kind of people DM and his minions are….miserable lousy people.
As a former Brooklyn girl myself…LOVE LEAH….You GO girl!!!!….
““Let him die” has become the standard policy toward all who have left and spoken out.”
Exactly Indie. But ya can’t expect more from a cult where its Founder said that he’d rather have you DEAD than incompetent. And he MEANT it. Contagion of insanity is the main product of scamology.
Another great episode, heart wrenching. Best part was the dog story. This really showed the wacky, fundamentalist scio. at their best, for levity, glad the producers included the clip. Unbelievable but true.
The kids will understand, but the dog won’t. OMG!!! How does anyone think like that? All human emotion is stripped from these people. This is such an evil organization to do that to people, while boasting that they are saving the planet. How about saving your grandkids across the street?
The dog probably has some Aryan blood so he’s okay.
Ya! Ser goot.
“No, NO…not the dog, don’t make me disconnect from him! He just wouldn’t understand!”
These $cilons are about as kicked-in-the-head silly as it’s possible to be! I love the coda to the story in which the cherch made the next door Kool-Aid drinking clam disconnect from the dog! Was it for the dog’s own spiritual good, I wonder…oh, these silly, silly $cilons 😉
If they weren’t so f****** dangerous, we could all just laugh at them!
So Aaron is declared a Suppressive Person but the dog this SP owns is NOT declared a “Suppressive DOG”…interesting????
This show is the heartbreaking truth of what is happening inside the Church of Scientology.
Breaking families apart is an evil crime that the church tell its parishioners to do. Unfortunately! It is done under stress and fear that if they won’t disconnect, their enternity will be shut. They believe their future lives will be bad if they won’t disconnect.
My heart is crying for Aaron and all the family’s who suffer this horrible, evil so called church.
Leah and Mikes are the heroes that exposing these inhuman crimes! Kudos to you!
One thing I wonder – how much do family members who are still hardcore “in”, and have been featured as having disconnected (such as Aaron’s family across the street) have to deal with “wogs” out in the world who will, as the result of seeing such powerful television, give them crap about all this?
I’m thinking about the checker at the grocery store or the mechanic at the tire shop – or does Scientology have its own extended bubble of service businesses so that people who abandon their grandchildren don’t ever have to face social opprobrium?
Scientologists do not have identifying marks on them to pull in negative comments from wogs!
Scientology has posted their pictures and videos on the smear sites. Makes them easily identifiable to people.
Mike, I am an old time Scientologist with Goldenrod with my name on it. I applaud you for moving forward with the truth as I personally know it. I left in 1980 but was not in SO (only an LAO Staff member). Way to go Mike. I really hope you can make a difference and support you in what you are and the rest are doing! Way to go! You offer insights into the exponential insanity that arose after my departure!
Mike, what you, Leah, and others are doing to expose Scientology makes me, an ex-Mormon, wish for our own “Mike/Leah” to publicly put a face on the downsides of Mormonism! Mormonism of the late 1800’s is the Scientology of today. Mormons seem more mainstream today but it is a facade. Weird core beliefs persist and are not seen by newly baptized members.
Keep up the great work against Scientology! If you ever encounter a writer or producer interested in taking on Mormonism, please let me know!
Since forever, scientology has been using the star power of celebrities to get public to sign up. I remember in my early days, Chick Corea, Mimi Rogers and Ann Archer being a big draw. How sweet it is, having the big star power of Leah Remini turned 180 degrees, shining on Slappy’s ass and punching some serious wound channels in his puny butt. The irony of it all is so sweet and juicy, I could snack on it. Yum, yum
It’s so important, particularly at this time, for all of us to contact our elected representatives to do something about Scientology’s ongoing abuses.
There are currently over 100 judicial vacancies, and Leah’s A & E Series couldn’t have come at a better time, as Scientology’s cruel, dishonest and often illegal behavior are on full display for the world to see.
Scientology’s victims deserve justice, and they will receive it from fair, and well informed judges, and it is one of Scientology’s greatest fears.
We, who are are united by the goal of ending these abuses need to make our voices heard now to our elected representatives.
The growing public awareness of the Cof$ and their inherent abuses is staggering. In the almost 20 years since I walked out on that crappy organisation I have never seen or felt the need for change so prevalent against the Church as it is now. However, I’m finding out I’m not that much immune to coping with the truth about the Scientology organisation as I thought or hoped I might be. It still hurts to see people tell their stories of abuse and I can’t help to feel remorseful of the damage it has done to my own family. Back in the 80s there was over a dozen family members on services. We were all happy, full of life, helping each other out etc. As it is now, we only have a direct relationship with one of them. The others are scattered to the wind and not even Christmas, birthdays or Thanksgiving can tempt them to reunite. They sort of repel each other, if that makes sense? Somehow a few of them seek to maintain a flimsy awareness of each other but to talk of Scientology is TABOO! Scientology as a practiced religious philosophy is anti-people. Where’s the sanity in that?
Oh, (for those new to looking at Scientology) I forget to mention two of that family are OT8s. The pinnacle of Scientology’s technology at the upper end of the Bridge to Total Freedom. Their highest level of compassion for life is to a couple of pet dogs they pander over. Apart from that, they are reclusive, suffer from the same maladies as anyone else that age and are the most arrogant know it alls I’ve ever encountered. They refuse to talk or associate with me or anyone I am in contact with. They didn’t use to be that way, but sure are now. Just before they “unofficially” disconnected from me any questioning of Scientology they didn’t like was always answered with, “you’re just saying that because I’m OT8?” trying to imply me that I was jealous of their accomplishments in Scientology. They are truly socially sick people.
After a big meal with them you can always say OT ATE!
This series has been spectacular. Last night’s show with Aaron and his twin brother was a crushing condemnation of what a sick cult can do. Bravo to all of you brave whistle blowers. Special thanks to Leah Remini for doing all of this.
If you’re aware of anything, like using tax exempt money to create smear sites, that appears to be a misuse of tax exempt donations by $cientology you can submit an IRS Form 13909 about it. This can be done anonymously. The form can be downloaded from: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf
I have seen smear sites against Mike and other ex members of the church myself.
Overly sensitive, don’t you think? They just can’t take a joke! And it’s funny because their entire organization is one giant joke! Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! Whew! Boy do I feel great! Laughing at Scientology is thereputic!
What are your crimes? Play a wrong chord on a Beatles song?
Close. I will be playing my swan song for the night. Haaaaaa….
Turn Scientology into the IRS, every Congressman, Senator, Governor and AG for Smearing the Planet cuz they can’t Clear it. Yank that tax exempt status and strip them of the religious cloak.
I have submitted form 13909. As pickanotherid noted, It can be found at IRS.gov.
It’s an easy one to fill out.
Do it, Yall.
Hey Mike, I have a few questions for you. My apologies if this has been answered elsewhere in this blog or in cyber space, as I’m new to this stuff, but I couldn’t find any answers on Google. Feel free to not answer anything you’d rather not/can’t answer.
1. Are there any plans to continue the Scientology and the Aftermath show with a season 2 and even beyond? I would love for you and Leah to continue to keep this topic in the public eye until/unless the church starts collapsing (which will hopefully lead to you personally having a reunion with your son and daughter who are still in, as well as others being “reconnected” to their family members).
2. What OT level did you personally reach? And can you describe any “findings” that us non-Scientologist folks might find just as “bizarre” as the story of Xenu, which seems to be the most well-known story?
3. Do you have any plans to write a book yourself? Since this show first aired a few weeks ago, I’ve purchased and have now read Troublemaker, Ruthless, Blown for Good, Beyond Belief, and just purchased Reitman’s Inside Scientology book. Would love to buy and read a book from your experiences.
1. No official announcement one way or the other yet. Either way, I will continue to do what I can to expose the abuses, if not on this show, then anywhere I can
2. OT VII – you need to Google a bit better if you cannot find the answer to your second question. Tony Ortega had an article about this in the last couple of weeks talking about Marcabs and 4th and 5th Invader Forces
3. No, I dont. It would be a big job and I just don’t have the time to devote to it, unless someone offers me a large upfront payment so I would not have to earn a living and could devote my time to writing.
Thanks for the reply Mike. I’ll look through Tony Ortega’s site a bit more.
Here’s a couple thoughts on that book idea: You’ve already written a whole lot that could be adapted into a book form, so it wouldn’t be like starting from zero.
You’ve already spend a good amount of time composing well-organized and increasingly well-written essays for this blog, so if you create a book outline and write your daily blog with that secondary use purpose in mind, then it will write itself over time.
There’s always help available in the form of a co-author, such as Dan Koon, who could shoulder part of the work load for a share of the profits.
Your personal insider story as the cult’s chief spokesperson and head of the OSA is one that’s not been told by anyone else who occupied those positions within the cherch, and therefore, represents a new perspective on this killer cult. More specifically, the cult’s “shore story” is that in the aftermath of the Snow White scandal, the GO was disbanded and the cherch no longer condoned whatever, err, umm, may have happened before. You know this not to be true and can name names, dates and specifics to support the opposite view, which is that while the name was changed to protect the guilty, the OSA carried on apace with enforcing the infallible Word of Elron.
Connecting the cult’s criminal past and heinous acts of civil/human rights abuses during Elron’s era with the Post-GO period in which the cult, under lil davey’s dictatorial control, continued to follow the same Elron playbook in a slightly more careful and subtle form is an important story that needs to be told. Indeed, crafting it with an eye to documenting the actual instances in which the cult has directly violated the conditions under which it obtained federal tax-exempt status could serve as the organizing framework through which something can be done about that crucial aspect of the cult’s misuse of tax-free dollars.
I could go on here, but I’ll just mention in closing that now that you’ve caught this big wave, why not ride it for as long and as far as it will take you? Even if you only cranked out half a page a day, in two years time you’d have a full-length book that I know that I’d buy for sure and I bet a lot of other folks would too! You’re a good enough writer to pull it off too, so please give it some carefully considered thought before you dismiss the possibility out of hand.
I do have suggestion for Leah, silly as it probably seems. But for her to look directly into the camera at the beginning of her next episode and with clear intent state. “David Miscavige, I’m not auditing you!”
The one who should be auditing Dave is the IRS.
Mike Rinder stated above about writing a book…
“It would be a big job and I just don’t have the time to devote to it, unless someone offers me a large upfront payment so I would not have to earn a living and could devote my time to writing.”
Idle Morgue responds –
Well, you could always start a religion…
drum – ba da bing!
LOL
That is one of the funnier responses anyone has ever put on this blog!
You must be getting more popular because it seems that the commercials have increased. That was an intense show. I love Leah’s facial expressions —so fitting. As a avid viewer, I could do without the preamble every time. It takes too long to get to the good stuff. I understand that it is very difficult to differentiate between the technology, the church and David Miscavige — so they all get lumped together. Too bad, as some of the technology is helpful — which is what keeps the church going. I see more of a focus on David Miscavige but it does not come across in flames that he the sole source of all of this unnecessary pain. If it were not for him, and his sycophants, NONE of this would be happening. I keep sensing that Marty Rathbun, who, outside of Pat Broeker, may be the most knowledgeable and available person to you, is not going to make an appearance. I hope I am wrong. You are doing a great job of explaining why we got involved and were so dedicated. It does not come across that normal S.O. members, outside of Int, are not aware of what goes on uplines. As a S.O. member at FSO (and HGB), the only odd thing I noticed, aside from reduced LIbs and little to no vacation, was the emergence of RTC as a sort of secret police. CMO used to be the top echelon, but I was shocked when I actually saw CMO become servants to the RTC reps in the Advanced Orgs. Plus I saw certain FSO management personnel follow the RTC rep around like puppy dogs. Keep it up — you and Leah are causing a good affect.
I could do without the preamble too, but my sister watched last night’s episode as her first episode and needed the preamble, so I understand why they have it. That’s why they invented DVRs I guess. At very least, I come into the show late so I can zip past the preamble and commercials if I want.
Oh, puhleeze . . . spare us the Free Indie Dependent Zone’s “acceptable truths”.
Nothing David Miscavige has done is outside of KSW Scientology Standard Tech™ and/or L Ron Hubbard’s own personal example. L Ron Hubbard constantly changed the tech in order to increase income. L Ron Hubbard personally prepared detailed policy on exactly how to break up families and destroy enemies, justifying it all to his befuddled prisoners with the SP/PTS Doctrine. None of the circumstances featured in Leah Remini’s show is new to Scientology. Disconnection and “Fair Game” went on throughout L Ron Hubbard’s reign. In fact, disconnection and “Fair Game” carried out on his instructions resulted in official governmental inquiries which forced L Ron Hubbard to pretend he had cancelled both those Scientology “sacraments”.
It remains today that David Miscavige is, by far, the best Scientologist “on this planet”. He is driving KSW with a dedicated glare, never fearing to hurt another in his cause, and with non-stop Tone 40. And just look at what he has to work with when it comes to the public face of Scientology: outdated, ineffective, mumbo-jumbo pseudo-science based on outright lies which has never produced the results claimed and which is subject to international mockery and alarm. Mind you, behind the public façade, David Miscavige also has L Ron Hubbard’s meticulously spelled out secret manual on how to run the most sophisticated long-con ever created. Its with that secret set of instructions David Miscavige has managed to amass billions of dollars in cash, bullion, technology assets, and a global real estate portfolio to die for.
David Miscavige has, in effect, achieved the stated aims of Scientology as spelled out by L Ron Hubbard in that infamous 9 March 1972 HCOPL . . .
. . . and it is’t going to stop any time soon. L Ron Hubbard will be beaming as looks down upon us from Target 2.
So, yeah, David Miscavige and his sycophants are certainly responsible for today’s criminal activities, but were it not for L Ron Hubbard and his tech, NONE of this would be happening.
@Crepuscule, I agree, although people are talking more about David Miscavige’s abuses, I personally witnessed LRH’s cruelty as did others. He was no saint in anyone’s books.
Miscavige doesn’t delegate as much of the actual abuse as LRH, for the most part, did, but LRH invented the system of abuses that David Miscavige has perfected and uses to his personal advantage. LRH demanded that people bow and scrape to him as much as Miscavige does. He was, however, considered the grand poobah of the religion so it was ok to worship him as a hero, it is not as easy to worship Miscavige, who just stepped into LRH’s shoes under questionable circumstances.
The “tech” is constantly changing under Miscavige. It did under LRH as well. But LRH was “source” so I guess people considered he was entitled to change the “tech” and that was OK. The difference is that David Miscavige has to work with the body of work that LRH left behind and cannot invent new things out of whole cloth as LRH did, so Miscavige has to constantly “discover transcription mistakes” in what LRH previously set forth.
HowEVER, that being said, I have discovered that each person’s journey out of the labyrinth of lies that is scientology is personal. It took a lot of soul searching for me to get to the point where I could admit that anything bad had happened while I was in. I was totally convinced that all the horrors I had endured were my own fault “You. Are. Totally. Responsible. For. The. Condition. You. Are. In.” is the biggest mindf**k of all times.
Once I admitted I had been duped and abused, the awakening was rude, but it was my own awakening. No one can quit smoking because someone else tells them to, no one can stop believing something because someone else says its not true. Just my .02.
Well said, I think the difference though is that Hubbard would spend time on the upper deck of the Apollo telling stories and sipping wine with his staff, he had a family when he was at Saint Hill, he could be charming some times and very abusive some other times. He was a father figure to the early messengers, and he could be friendly at times. He would write something on “greatness” and at the same time horribly fair game Paulette Cooper, David Mayo, Jon Attack, John Mc Master, Gerry Armstrong, Robert Vaughn Young and Stacy. He would pout a small child 5? 6? years old in the chain locker of the ship. He would get people over-boarded from the upper deck of the Apollo into the filthy waters of the Harbour for the slightest tech error. But he could tell stories and could live a more modest life at times than Miscavige. I think the atmosphere got worse with Miscavige and we all felt it after 1982. The whole thing was doomed from the beginning anyway, even if it became a very successful scam.
Crepuscule, slapping some sense into all of the revisionist history indie $cilons around here who keep trying to absolve Elron from $cn’s criminal and sociopathic genesis and early development is never a bad idea and you do it with such style and panache! If Elron’s reputation could be salvaged, the cherch would have put out his official biography long ago.
” Mind you, behind the public façade, David Miscavige also has L Ron Hubbard’s meticulously spelled out secret manual on how to run the most sophisticated long-con ever created.”
Do you think that among all of the many unpublished writings and notes that Elron left behind that there actually was a secret manual that lil davey the usurper ended up with? Or did lil davey the sadistic just learn much of what has now become his trademark management style (i.e.,screaming at folks, then assaulting them before a cowed audience) at Elron’s feet and only need to read “Bolivar” to complete his training as a merciless, remorseless and sadistic tyrant?
If Hubbard had never invented snotology, where would David be now?
Hint: Google Denise Gentile.
I noticed there is no scientology church in Alabama. We would all come with our hand out needing money, not giving. LOL DM would be looking down the barrel of a shotgun very quickly.
Seriously, though the series has been very intense to say the least. I taped them and watched them several times.. to make sure i heard that correctly. I don’t bother to read those scientology sites. They need to mix it up. They all start with “who is …. insert name” Also,
I have never seen a scientology relief effort in any disaster situation though.We could have used their help in Gatlinburg a few weeks ago.
In Wyoming, they bought a bunch of land, we make sure they don’t build anything on it. They’ve been trying to build since 2009 but they “neglected” to get permits and the county shut them down. Those permits still haven’t been obtained. oops!
That’s a victory, Val!
Still needs moar Xenu, you know, just to lighten the load a tad, ease the tension. Otherwise, keep it coming. Stella production so far. Looking forward to seeing more of Pat Harney in action. Getting her, or any other Scientology spokehole, on camera to explain what’s what might provide some comic relief. Is it wrong that I sometime miss Tommy Davis? He was always good for the lulz.
Tommy was planning to use his colorful Scientology background to segue into a career as church comic but his mother dissuaded him, so he’s stuck with his boring office job. He’s really, really angry but is keeping it under control with massive doses of Cal-Mag.
His former boss at Colony Capital has been passed over to be appointed as US Treasury Secretary.
Hahahahahaha! This is good stuff!
ORLY? I heard Tommy was getting into the porn business but kinda got stymied when no midget in the world was prepared to play David Miscavige.
I’m angry! Real angry! Tommy “The Weasel” Davis
And I’m glad his anger is real anger. I just hate fake anger! It’s so…eeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.
Funny how his ‘real anger’ with John Sweeney was really wimpy.
Well the dude just up’d and left! John was following him! Is Tommy Davis an out &out cowered? Stay tuned for updates…
In honor of his mom, he should have called himself Tommy Archer to bring out more of the warrior in him. Davis is too vanilla.
I miss Tommy too! He was a really big personality with a really big ego and made for fascinating watching!
John Sweeney may continue to have nightmares about his encounters with tommy, but for the rest of us he’s going to go down in history as the $cilon who finally told it straight! To paraphrase: If Elron lied about curing himself of disable war injuries through the use of the tech that would become Dianetics, then all of $cn is a lie”
That was perhaps the most succinct summation that I’ve ever heard and, since Elron lied like a rug about way more than that, it’s also one of the truest things that any $cilon has ever said about the cult.
So, we should ALL miss tommy, if only because of the opportunity that his being around as a cherch spokeshole provided us to ask him about that great $cn truth test he created!
His admission about LRH lying was probably one of my fav moments among many.
For some reason I feel I can actually SEE him telling Leah that she didn’t have the eff-ing rank to ask about Shelly. I wonder if he doesn’t wish he’d simply said that she was sick and couldn’t make it. His ego is his worst enemy and my favourite thing about him.
Mike,
You’re absolutely right that the ease with which dedicated Scientologists lie is the hardest thing for us as “never ins” to conceive initially. The existence of Hubbard’s “fair game” source material and its availability via the web brings us up to speed.
The relentlessness of Scientology’s false attacks on critics has to be wearing. I have great admiration for you, Leah, all of those Exes who combat it and for Tony Ortega, John Sweeney, Steve Cannae and the journalists who dedicated themselves to getting the truth out. It takes great courage for all of you to persevere in the face of persistent character assassination and harassment.
couple thoughts:
1. this series just keeps getting better and better
2. oh man – ((((hugs)))) all around…this was another tough one
3. the reaction to being faced with the facts about Co$ reminds me of trying to refute fake news; the believers just dig their heels in harder and use the opposition to bolster their beliefs. SO frustrating! (another similarity to living with a narcissist)
4. i’m totally open to understanding how people get sucked into this madness, but what surprises me is the level of SHOCK people experience when the disconnection is aimed at them. if i’m remembering right, many of the people telling their stories bought into the policy (albeit at varying levels) when they were asked to disconnect from others. but when they were the ones being closed off, it’s like, “are you fucking kidding me with this bullshit??!” i’m not pointing any fingers or judging, but i do find it interesting.
thinking back a little more to my own experiences living with a narcopath, i do see how #4 happens… while “in” i was able to rationalize away all the red flags; i was insulated and groomed to feel special. once “out” and able to see the truth, i too was SHOCKED to learn that my narc was lying about me behind my back, using the same tricks against me that i excused when he used them against someone else. seeing things with new eyes as well as realizing you are a target is a double whammy. i do get it now.
Great analogy, Chris. Thanks.
Dear Mr. Miscavige,
Myself and my friends are very impressed with your smear sites on those who disagree with your cult.
We were just wondering if these might be available to the general public. It would make a really cool gift to friends and family. We could provide you with our names and the “crimes” we want you to describe in the copy of the site.
Maybe you could offer like gift certificates.
Warm regards,
Harvey
Harvey, you need to first see the reg. – Dave
Especially our crimes! Sit me down and let me talk! NOW!, damnit!
The last episode was so powerful it was a great move putting the dog story in for some levity after such an emotional story.
I definitely appreciated that too!
I just got done watching the latest episode. Some of it was tough to watch.
Mike, you and Leah are doing a spectacular job of exposing the cult!
Yeah, I had a tough time with it too. Bloody awful what that miserable organisation does to people, a complete disgrace at any level. When the reckoning comes, I wonder just how much compassion will flow towards the ring leaders within that group? I think finding them will be a problem… they’ll know exactly what they have been doing when the curtain of religious protection is withdrawn and scurry away into hiding places like cockroaches from the light.
Yes, it made me smile among my many, many tears to hear Mike Rinder laugh. Keep the laughter and joy in your life, Mr. Rinder.
People believe dogs give them unconditional love, and that is something the church doesn’t allow even one’s own family members to have.
Right, Marildi, she really wasnt saying, ‘the dog wouldnt understand’ she was saying, ‘please let me keep that bit of love. ‘ quite sad when looking at it that way. Not funny at all.
Yes, that’s the other side of it.
I’ve gotten to the point where when I’m done watching an episode of this show I’m just plain angry. No longer shocked (that could change!), maybe a little sad, but definitely angry.
I have a question after watching this episode. Why are children labeled SP’s along with their parents? Because of the influence their parents will have on them? To punish their parents and make them feel bad? To anger family still in, so they blame the SP parents for losing contact with the children? It’s obvious that the children haven’t done anything to Scientology, and are being punished for no real reason.
There are lots of “reasons” and all of them come down to the “teachings” of L Ron Hubbard. According to him, children are not children as we “wogs” (non-Scientologists) understand them to be. Rather, Scientology children are thetans (imaginary, all powerful, spiritual beings) in small bodies and, as such, are as personally responsible for what happens to them as anyone else. This is because anything that happens to a thetan, particularly anything bad, is the result of that thetan’s behaviour. Basically, when something deleterious occurs, the thetan is deemed to be “at effect” (ie., subject to MEST and/or their Reactive Mind) whereas when something positive happens its because the person is deemed to be “at cause” (ie., in control of MEST and/or free of their Reactive Mind). Accordingly, all Thetans, no matter the age of their physical body, can be Suppressive.
This sort of insane drivel goes back to the 1950s. In his lecture, Flows: Patterns of Energy given as part of the Philadelphia Doctorate Course on 10 December 1952, L Ron Hubbard tells how he discovered that . . .
. . . get that? Urges towards family are an impediment to spirituality. A thetan is dead if it gets too mixed up in family units. Far better, according to Scientology, that a thetan only involve itself in Scientology because, as we all know, Scientology is mankind’s only hope. Otherwise, without Scentology, every thetan is at risk of dwindling down to being a GE or, ultimately, just a speck of dirt trapped on a mudball prison planet. For all of eternity.
Bolstering this L Ron Hubbard crazy is the notion of billions of past life times going back trillions of years during which Scientologists have all had plenty of parents and siblings. Just because a Scientologist has to discard a family in this life time doesn’t mean that we won’t meet those people again in another life time when, thanks to sticking with Scientology’s “teachings”, they will be better placed to help them find their way back onto the Bridge To Xenu.
Think I’m just making this up? Stick around and lurk moar. Scientology is NEVER as it at first appears and is ALWAYS worse than you think.
No, I don’t think you’re making this up. Thanks for clarifying this for me. I knew children were supposed to be something like “adults in small bodies” (had forgotten that) but didn’t know it was taken to such an extreme. To me it’s counter-productive for a cult, especially when people with no links to anyone in Scientology would never join now, but then again that’s actually a good thing.
I read “The Unbreakable Miss Lovely” this past week, along with “Blowing for Good”, which is partly why I wasn’t shocked by anything in this episode. I’m still reeling from what was done to Paulette Cooper. It scared me, yet also made me angry. Angrier might be a better description.
“Blown for Good”…how did that end up as Blowing?
Heh! Saw that but don’t worry. I’m the king of typos even though (believe it or not) I work as a technical editor. Gotta say, though, it has crossed my mind that with all the millions of dollars Mike Rinder is milking out of A&E he could at least spring for a blog comments add-on with an edit function.
🙂
I would appreciated being able to edit after making a post. I’m a terrible typist to begin with. 😉
I’d like some dox on the fact that Mike Rinder is “milking…millions of dollars” out of A&E for this series. If you haven’t got any, you ought to correct your comment.
I took it as a joke.
Try John Sweeney’s book next “Church of Fear”. It is a rollicking good read, full of laughs. I enjoyed it a lot. I also had nightmares from it, but it was because I was forced to relive some bad things from my past, you probably won’t have the nightmares about what Tommy Davis did to him like I did, but it WILL anger you.
I’m reading it and I’m already 80% of the way through. If this is accurate, Sci’gy leaks and all, then it adds a whole new level of twisted I wasn’t aware of. And it does make me angrier. The abuses DM spews (through someone else, of course) are revolting. And the responses to his abuse were so sad to me. Total brainwashing. What else could make a person put up with that?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for believing whatever you want, no matter how crazy the rest of the world thinks it is, but not when it harms or hurts anyone.
I think this will be my last Scientology book for a couple of weeks, three in 9 days is quite a bit to absorb. I can only imagine what it’s like to actually live through the things I’ve been reading. I’m sorry for all of you who lived it, and for those who are still living it.
Thank you for this. You really get it. This is what always bothered me, the notion that my child didn’t really need me. I was made to feel that I was “stupid” in some way to be so connected to my child. As I was preparing to leave, I just kept saying, “I’m leaving for the betterment of my family” and it about drove them insane. I was told I was a “joke” and had people slamming their hands down on the table and telling me that I was committing crimes. I gave them that look of WTF? and then they really got upset! LOL When I look back, my ignorance to the truth of what they were doing is really what helped me because I was truly dumbfounded when brought up this stuff and they could see exactly how “stupid” I thought it was by the expression on my face. I was totally new to staff and in training and had only been a public before that (for 25 years, doing the Basics) so I was naive to the abuses and mind control. Now I know that my “mama bear” instinct was 100% correct and I no longer feel like an “inferior human” because of it. I actually feel like a hero for saving my child from a life of this bullshit!
I am so sorry. I am a mother of three, and even though they are adults now, they are still more important to me than anything.
You really are a hero for putting your child first, don’t ever forget that!
Superb epicness!! I can only imagine the pressure you were under to comply with the implanted group-think. It would only have been made worse by your point-blank steadfast refusal to abdicate your role as a mother. Your defiance would certainly have driven those opposed to your decision into insanity, or at least close to it because the cognitive dissonance would have been off the charts. Your decision would have forced them to consider their own decisions regarding family. Who knows, but I’m willing to bet your example would have haunted the minds of some and may well have assisted them to formulate their own decision to eventually leave. Take bow, mum.
Wow, well said. And thank you so much for the validation. I have actually wondered if I made an impact on anyone by my actions when leaving. I was so naive that I thought they would appreciate my “free thinking honesty” Bwaaaaaaa!!!!!! So glad I can laugh now. Thanks for the very nice replies from you and AnnieO
What also made me sit up and take notice was when Aaron stated that CO$ were or did train a 12 YEAR OLD to become an “auditor”…..a KID of 12 to 14 with no real formal education was going to Audit adults????
To have children sign Billion year contracts….let CO$ try and hand them a “Freeloader Bill” when they want out of CO$……that would NOT stand up in a court of law as minors are forbidden by law to sign ANY contracts…..they don’t have the maturity or mental capacity to know or understand what the Hell they are signing since the human brain doesn’t fully develop until we are in our mid 20’s.
The one thing that did make me laugh was Aaron’s neighbor having a “doggie door” installed so Aaron’s dog could enter and exit her home because the dog would not understand the CO$ “Blow issue”………..Did the neighbor AUDIT Aaron’s dog to see if the dog was a “loyal Sea Org member????
D Miscarriage sleeps hanging from a nail while wearing a nightshirt made of souls and dollar bills stitched together.
Hold it a minute there are elements of scientology that are useful, the touch assist for instance can be effective in picking up girls: “Hey Doll, feel my finger”, try not to get your face slapped though. And the Tech Volumes can be used to get you to high places, you know, like the top of a shelf or something when you stand on them.
Or touch therapy with Uncle Waldo, hey kid, pull my finger.
More like, ‘Ron, quit pulling my leg’.
AnnieO, your question is similar to asking Adolf Hitler why he blames the Jews.
You mean for no real reason? Or no good reason?
Meaning the answer you’d get would make no sense to a sane person.
Ah, okay!
Ummmmm….because they existed? And he could blame them? And get away with it in the camps?
That’ll work.
Mike, I don’t know if you’ve seen the thread on Facebook where the series is causing those of us who escaped years ago to have “those” nightmares again.
John Sweeney’s book “Church of Fear” was the last thing that triggered it this bad when he discussed the episode with Tommy Davis.
Many of us who left have PTSD and probably go undiagnosed for years if not forever due to the scientology indoctrination which causes us to feel we are above those things since we have reached the OT levels coupled with the ingrained fear of conventional psychiatry. My service dog has turned my life around. I would not be able to watch this series without her.
Valerie, this has been in the back of my mind throughout the whole series so far. i worry about all the “stuff” being dredged up for those who have been out. i also worry for those who are thinking of leaving but who have no place to go. in my mind i’m comparing the downfall of the church to the time when all the asylums were emptied. it was out of the frying pan, into the fire for many. i’d like to see some kind of safety net built so that people who do decide to leave this all behind (or, in the event that the church implodes) they will have a safe place to land. and then how do you help those who were traumatized when a fear of “psychs” has been so relentlessly implanted? would be nice to find resources for halfway houses or drop-in centers/support groups, and the like.
The last thing a person escaping Scientology needs is more Scientology. If there is a significant exodus from Scientology, most people will be just fine. Those that struggle will find the help they need from their own, welcoming families, along with registered medical practitioners who are the ones best placed to identify and establish support networks. Leaving it up to well meaning amateurs runs the very real risk that escapees will jump from the frying pan into the fire where they will become subject to predation by those who have escaped the cult but are still slurping the KoolAid.
I agree, but it is hard to tell your mind that after you have been led to believe that the outside world is the scary place and that it will cause you harm. That is the reason it is so hard for people to escape. They truly believe it’s worse “out here” than it is “in there”.
I know it’s hard Valerie, but please don’t grant the church that power.
@Mephisto, I don’t, grant them that power, my service dog makes sure of it. She can see my PTSD symptoms coming before I realize there is a problem.
I was referring to those still thinking about making the leap out of the bubble or those who have reached the upper OT levels like I did, who have a hard time wrapping their mind around the fact that they have not reached the end phenomena advertised on the grade chart and actually need expert help to unravel what was done to them.
Thank goodness, I have reached the point where I understand that they had that power over me and have taken steps make myself whole. I’ve been out over 30 years. The first “recovery” call I got back in 2011 scared the pants off me, but I fought back, and at no time was I even considering returning.
Good for you Valerie. I got up to OT V and have slowly but surely been extricating myself from the Hubbard thought reform construct on my psyche.
You mean to tell me it’s actually safe to leave the comfort of the Idle Morgues? Hey Meph! We’re good to go! Hollywood?
Three points of feedback:
Leah said, “You can leave quietly.” That’s exactly what we tried to do and we haven’t seen our daughter for six years since. It seems the church’s policies are based on whim and what serves their own purpose.
I was delighted to see Pat Harney get exposed. Flip through almost any Tampa Bay Magazine and there she is hobnobbing with the local non-Scio hobnobbers in order to “safe-point” Hubbard and COS. Recently, a fundraiser was done to get money for Winter Wonderland. Why do they need money? They use the same props and they use Sea Org labor to set it up. Free calendars? They’re printed in-house for pennies. Local non-Scientologists need to come out of their own cognitive dissonance and wake to the fact that the Church of Scientology is a mafia organization hiding behind the protective shields of the First Amendment.
Why do Scientologists lie? Because LRH LIED. He lied about his past, he lied about his qualifications and he lied about the source of his information. The church lies to perpetuate the lies HE CREATED. That fact deserves the light of day.
Thanks Lisa.
This is a good point about leaving quietly. As with everything scientology, it’s complicated. There are people who have been involved in scientology who just withdraw, don’t go into an org and throw their junk mail in the trash. Scientology doesn’t have the time to do anything about them other than send them silly letters or try to call them on the phone. You on the other hand have an ex-SO member for a son who is well known to local scientologists. So you get the “special” treatment with a local OSA and RTC office.
…except he wasn’t ex-SO at the time of the declare and, in fact, disconnected after they were declared. Then their son left the SO some time later, appearing at their door. (Correct me if I’m wrong, Lisa.)
Timing is everything in this church. I know people who have done way “worse” than I did that have not been declared. “Standard Tech” is never standard. It just depends on whatever bug is up david’s ass at the time.
…speaking of david’s ass. How insane is that guy!!! These videos he’s putting out are so ludicrous! He has no idea what “normal” people see when they watch these videos. He obviously has no idea how insane he appears.
Mary, it’s so hard to be the most ethical being on the planet, just ask Dave.
Wait….what? Really? It’s not me? I’m bummed…
” How insane is that guy!!!”
I’d offer up that He is way more nuts than we can fathom. With the pressure mounting I sincerely fear for the safety of those still-in. We have seen what happens when a cult gets cornered by public opinion and threat of government intervention.
Dave’s ready to up the ethics gradient in all Sea Org installations by instituting a 72 hour continuous work cycle with 15 minute rice and bean breaks every other day. He’s hoping to separate the dedicated from the riffraff.
Does Charles Manson need a twin?
He declared himself a theta clear while in prison. I think he’s now OT 15! He can actually walk and chew gum at the same time!
Where are these videos?
Pssttt! Pssssttt!! Hey, I got your videos! C’mon over…
OSD
you and your counter part help make us smile every now and again I withstand errors undertones of course
Bt double U…..found them over there thanks.
Thanks Mary. Arbitraries abound. I was not trying to disagree with Lisa (I know that is dangerous :)), I was trying to say that when you shorthand answers about scientology it is always dangerous. Leah was trying to make the point that there are a lot of SILENT people out there who no longer agree or participate in scientology. Nothing happens to those people and they are never heard from. Scientology likes to pretend they are all still “members” to prop up their numbers.
But some who sit quietly, trying to toe the line to maintain their relationships get steamrolled regardless of how hard they try. And all it does is confirm that this is a cold-hearted, unthinking, robotic organization that operates on a stimulus response basis — even when the “stimulus” is generated from within!
Yes, I love Lisa’s comment. Lies ABOUND, starting with LRON. Good point, Mike about it being complicated. Some leave quietly and unscathed. My wife and I had to choose between her daughter and her son. An untenable position which resulted in my wife Sara and I being declared evil people.
My favorite line from the show last night: There is no unconditional love in scientology. That is a fact you can repeat with an atomic branding iron. It is their way or the highway. I lost countless friends and acquaintances developed over 40 years in the cherch.
On the upside – I’ve made many new friends that aren’t going to spy on me or tell me what I need to do for the next trillion years. Life is MUCH better now.
Arbitraries abound indeed. I see now the point Leah was making. Of course, the game changes when they have family members to play their little games of chess with. Me dangerous? You’re too kind. But I like the way it made me sound! 😀
Well, I wouldn’t want to tangle with you! 🙂
I love it. :))))
Lisa, I’d do the Tango with you. Huh? Oh, tangle. Never mind…
Mike, Thank you for that clarification. I wanted to leave the church quietly, but yet let my kids remain on lines since they wanted to. I felt I could maintain a relationship with them by not discussing Scn and only discussing other things we had affinity for. But the church hunted me down and declared me anyway.
Now I see that they did it because I had two kids on staff at a Class V Org at that time and one of my two kids was trying to get into the SO at Gold (Int) as he was “Qualified for Gold.” They had to slander me and get me declared rather than lose a qualified SO recruit cycle. My guess is had the kids not been on staff, I could have just walked away quietly and been fine.
Oh, and I only spoke out later after they did a Black PR Campaign and declared me order to get my kids and others to disconnect from me. I wasn’t going to speak out before that.
The absolute gall of the CO$ female member to accost the A & E producer on the side walk to ask HIM “who HE was”…yet when HE asked her what HER name was….she would NOT give it to him. Does CO$ own the area the A & E Producer was standing on? Is CO$ going to look into HIS background and begin a smear campaign against him as well??? CO$ is pushing the wrong buttons here.
My heart ached for Arron’s pain at the loss of his twin brother, I can’t even imagine the guilt that young man feels, to be more or less forced to separate his life from the twin he grew up with. Needless to say, their parents’ pain will never heal as well.
Tom D’s story was also unsettling….he as I mentioned in another post, still seems shell shocked over having lived this lie.
All I can say is how my heart swells with pride for each and every one of you who are revealing your darkest moments of the lives you lived within the confines of CO$.
Imprisoning people against their will in “the hole”……chasing after, capturing and returning human beings to the CO$ compound against their will IS a Human Rights Violation. When I visited the CO$ website, it went on in great detail about how the CO$ is FIGHTING FOR Human Rights…yet THEY take those same Human Rights away from their members…..SICKENING
That was Pat Harney. I’m a ‘never in’, but I’ve been around long enough to recognize her as soon as she walked up to Alex.
I was laughing. When the public affairs director of Flag can’t even tell you their name that’s just hiLARious! Seriously. If you’re in public affairs, you’re out gladhanding every Tom, Dick and Harry on the street corner, not walking away without giving out your name. “You know my name” THAT looked normal (NOT).
Pat had an unexpected attack of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and thus was forced to make a speedy departure. She’s really quite a charmer otherwise. Honest. ?
That’s your story and Pat’s s s s s s ticking to it! ROTFL
I still think she could smile more (okay smile once!) – people are more receptive then, but, what the heck, she’s got OSA tech. ?
A!!!! B!!!!! C!!!!!!!! D!!!!!!!! Irritable VOWEL syndrome.
It gives Pat intestinal fortitude or bad digestion, I’m not sure which. Of course, that Sea Org diet doesn’t help.
Hello, Mike. I’ve been watching the Leah Remini series from the beginning. I’ve always been fascinated by Scientology, not as someone interested in joining, but because of its unusual nature. I’ve read parts of “GOING CLEAR,” and other assorted articles over the years. One aspect of this “religion” that I’d like you to comment upon is exactly what Scientology has accomplished in its supposed goal to save humanity. I’m 62, well read, and attentive to the news, and I have never seen anything they have accomplished towards their goal mentioned on any news feed. We hear of the American Red Across and Doctors Without Borders doing wonderful things to help people, but I’ve never seen or heard a headline that shows us where and what they’ve done specifically to make the world a better place. Ever.
On another note, I’m grateful for your exposure of the goings-on within the church. All of you who have left had an intimate knowledge of exactly what goes on, and why. What I struggle with as an outsider, however, is the willingness of those whom I presume to be somewhat educated, grounded people to engage in the deplorable behavior we have been witness to on the show. I understand their hesitancy if they still have relatives in the organization, but I like to think I’m somewhat grounded and think logically, so it’s difficult for me (and some others) to attempt to understand and condone the things you and others had done as a member of Scientology.
In Leah’s case, I’m much more forgiving, since she was born and raised within, and, I can even forgive those, like you, who joined in their teens. I’m a retired teacher, having taught across all levels, and know that most teens, and even people in their twenties, haven’t figured shit out yet. But, I guess I struggle with the illogical nature of this group, and why seemingly levelheaded people are duped by them.
Overall, however, I’m glad you all have been willing to come forward. I’ve yet to watch “Auditing,” although I did DVR it. That’s another aspect I could never wrap my head around. Those fucking e-meters. I’m not a rocket scientist by any means, but they seem to be nothing more than a crock of shit. I’m looking forward to hearing more about that whole process.
In closing, I must ask,.. now that I’ve written to you, am I gonna have a couple black SUVs with tinted windows parked in the street with PIs taking pictures? ; )
Sorry for the delay Pete, but we’ll get to you shortly. We’re kind of backed up right now.
ML,
OSA
Pete, please provide us with your last name and social security number.
OSA
Pete,
How can we get the smear website up if we don’t even know your last name and your children’s names? Report immediately for a sec check.
Bring your wallet – we will help you arrange payment. Be sure to bring family members with you. No, you won’t be leaving with them, why do you ask?
Not a rocket scientist, hmm, a physicist then?
Ok, Mephisto, start digging to find out who his boss and neighbors are while I get the e-meter warmed up and bribe the garbageman.
I’m all over it Val. By the way, I’ve got more intell on Aaron’s dog. Let’s talk tonite.
So the bugged dog biscuits the neighbor has been feeding the dog worked then. Great!
Like a charm. And I know for a fact that Aaron had irregular sex with his wife based on the dog tapes per source references on the subject. Oh boy, wait till the guys at Freedom mag get a load of this. Talk about dead agenting!!!
I get to pet the doggie!!!
Hands off OSD – no contaminating of evidence per Dave’s orders.
This whole conversation seems to have gone to the dogs frankly.
Thanks for letting us have a little fun at your expense Pete. I hope you comment again some time.
Val, I blame it on your avatar.
My heart flipped there for a second, as this was my first post. Wait, why is there a helicopter hovering over my house???
Ohhhhh!!!! You’re such a good doggie! Precious little guy/girl. You’re now free…
All so damn funny.
Pete, I was never a Scientologist but a member of a cult many yrs ago. I can only speak for myself here but the reasons for joining are not entirely based on intellect and education. Our group was comprised of Doctors, Ph.D in Psych, teachers, social workers, nurses and lawyers. Many are wounded, many earnestly want to help others, some are searching for spiritual answers. Emotional baggage is planted at their door. You become part of a family that is unique and special. There is a special language, unknown to those on the outside. The first time I witnessed the closeness and vitality exhibited by these folks I wanted to eat what they ate for breakfast. We were told all the answers lie within the group. Rules and conditions must be met on a daily basis. This moves you through the ‘required levels, thereby confirming your superior standing on tohe planet… Eventually an arrogance is developed and all of us inhale/exhale this rarefied air. Now I am special. In addition much of the nasty features of the group are kept hidden from lower underlings. It is all a bit like high school where the popular
Kids are smugly in control while the lower classmen are waiting to supersede. What they are striving to gain, they arent sure, but the power beckons. Denial is strong but critical thinking against the group is punishable. Self preservation shores up denial as all the protective layers of the cocoon keep your little world copacetic. Many have departed the dysfunctional family of origin only to take the same position in the new family. Hope this gives you a bit of insight.
The last episode I watched covered the abortions. Is there a reason Mike was allowed to have his children? What changed?
IN the early days of the Sea Org you could have children and there was a “Nursery” (of sorts) and then a “Cadet Org” where the children would be kept. Miscavige at a later point decided this was too much hassle, cost too much, caused problems with schooling etc so decided to ban SO members from having children. He had Executive Director International (Guillaume Lesevre – who ironically had two beautiful daughters in the Sea Org but eventually abandoned them to his in-laws) publish an issue which laid this out.
Thank you for your response. I, too, am thoroughly enjoying this show. It has brought a greater awareness to me of the insanity of religion. I pray that the one true God will continue to protect, lead, guide, and direct your paths. He is the Prince of Peace and the ONLY one who can heal such deep wounds caused by the evil of Scientology.
This was a painful episode to watch. I really hope this family comes together and that the mother and the son actually TALK to each other. I mean, you’re across the street and can’t speak to each other because of some “rule” that will punish you? Seriously?!?! I mean, its grand kids who want to talk to their grandma and they can’t! I hope she and the rest of the family wakes up for the sake of their family. I’m still waiting for a big-time celebrity to leave to wake everyone up. I want to see that story make the headlines like Leah’s. Also, just merely showing how Mike and Leah are getting harassed just for doing their thing is really disgusting. IF you don’t want bad press Scientologists, treat your people right and follow the law correctly. You’re functioning like Stalinist North Korea.
I understood it was Aarons wife’s parents who lived across the street. Aaron and his mother are out of the cult.
By the way Susan, I understand your frustration but …
” IF you don’t want bad press Scientologists, treat your people right and follow the law correctly. ……………….”
……. that is not going to happen. The cult will go down to the last man standing. The good news is the truth about Scientology and its leadership has been exposed. Now we have to finish the job.
Amen
Mike and Leah…another powerful episode!! This is so sad and Aaron does seem to be a good man. Please keep up the good fight against this cult…I am telling everyone I know about your expose and people are interested!!
IIMHO, Aaron has taken on the toughest challenge of all. Stating his truth to the world in an effort to stop the destructive actions of this group puts him in a very special category.
Kudos to you AAron for doing something about it!
Aaron nailed it last night. Hitler Youth- perfect analogy. As I watch the program and read all the posts and blogs about the atrocities members and their families are put through in the name of this so called “Church”, I cannot help but think back to Herr Hitler, the Gastapo. DM and his thugs continued actions of violence, intimidation, and lies make it easy to compare. Psychopaths. Mr. Smith Levin, my heart, prayers and good thoughts go out to you and your beautiful family. Keep up the work, Mr. Rinder and Ms. Remini. Do not stop until this cult is shut down and DM is in jail. PS. I have called my Representative and Senator. I will file a complaint today with the IRS.
This episode was so wrenching to my heart & I cried.Aaron is incredible and on my heroes list.Looking back up the thread here,a poster wrote about feeling that all who leave the Sea Org or Scientology have money to fall back on.I think it depends.As outside the bubble some have and others struggle.When I was in the Sea Org with Asho in LA,there were well off SO members & then there were homeless ones who joined for a day or two and left because Ron’s World was totally alien for them & the work was too much.Honestly way back then I could never see their viewpoint just looked at those who left as traitors.Until a few years on I realized I was targeted as a traitor.Then the bottom began to fall away.Every scrap of Ron I had followed and believed.I was very much on the wrong path with all that.Aftermath is opening eyes,minds and hearts all over the world.Love Love to All of You.?
Added to posting above to check out the response to the smear site and POW videos scientology put up a couple of hours after the show aired. Tony Ortega has an excellent blog entry about it this morning, with a detailed and meticulous response from Aaron.
http://tonyortega.org/2017/01/04/aaron-smith-levin-appears-on-leah-remini-hours-later-gets-own-scientology-attack-site/
Aaron’s response is classic. Particularly these two paragraphs:
“Such statements raise the question…if true, how could these executives have not only remained on their posts, but also get promoted during the time? The Church embarrasses itself by making such obviously false generalities.
Juliana makes the strange claim that I was somehow caught watching porn in the middle of the day. Not only are the people doing these POW videos living in a bubble that prevents them from knowing that the real world doesn’t give a damn about porn, but the statement is also easily proven false. Watching porn in the Sea Org gets you sent to the RPF. Not only was I never sent to the RPF, but I was also never reported in my entire Sea Org career for “watching porn”, much less in the middle of the day, in the org, on my computer. Oh wait…one more detail…THE COMPUTERS IN THE ORG HAD NO INTERNET ACCESS. That’s how dumb these videos are. You couldn’t get porn on an org computer if you wanted to.”
So we have one of three possibilities as I see it, either:
A) This Juliana person never reported the “crimes” that she witnessed Aaron committing, which means that this “church” is now relying on the testimony of a person who, by their own policies, is just as guilty as Aaron (being an “accessory”) for never writing a Knowledge Report on him, or;
B) This Juliana person actually did report Aaron’s “crimes” and yet this so-called “church” still allowed “Aaron the criminal” to remain on post and even promoted him, which is amazing that the “church” would allow that from a person who’s obviously “out-ethics” or whatever, or;
C) These statements about Aaron are all just a bunch of moronic horseshit.
Yeah, I think I’ll go with C.
Deductive reasoning is not allowed.
“Deductive reasoning.” Isn’t that when you use duct tape in a smart way?
Quack!
You must have a mallard-y.
?
I’m sorry, but what is POW? People of Walmart? Piece of Work? 😉
Prisoner of War
Thanks. Just wanted to be sure.
Mind-slave would be a better designation.
Is there any link you can provide re the recent smear site on Aaron?
Hmm, no thanks. If you can’t find it then that is a good thing.
Mike,
Wow! This episode was tough. The bravery and courage gobsmacks me!!!!! You, Remini, and the guests that have “defected”. I pray that your families are reunited and that this will soon become a distant memory. The pain in your eyes Mike, guts me. You are on the right side now. Justice WILL prevail. Keep up the good fight my friend. ❤
Last nights episode was very heart wrenching. One can tell that there is deep emotion there but I find it interesting how all of you keep yourselves in check still. Maybe it’s just for the cameras but all of us (ok at least me) are sitting at home blubbering. The COB and SOB (Cruise) need to be brought down to reality. The IRS situation really pisses me off. They are this strong arm of our government that can and does intimidate John Q Public yet they have crumbled to a couple of short little men with huge egos who lie and manipulate . I don’t get it. All of you are doing an amazing job. As always- looking forward to next week. Happy New Year
My heart broke for Aaron while watching this episode. When he asked his dad if he thought Collin would mine if he went to his funeral, I really lost it. The crap in the letter that Leah read at the beginning of his segment bear no resemblance to this young man. I wish he had the money to sue the pants off them for slander. I could not imagine the Catholic church or Protestant church doing such a thing. It’s beyond horrible.
I really feel for the children that are raised in Scientology, but as I watch more episodes, I become frustrated and more angry that it appears that the adults are so weak that they cant see the fundamental issue with the basic premise of not being with your children in a so called “religion” or “church”. I want to grab these folks and explain to them that we are living in 2017, and no god, religion, or church would ever require such a ridiculous requirement. I now believe that some of these individuals actually deserve what is coming at some level. Let’s be candid, the church worships an imaginary Alien named XENU! Get with it people and wake up!
Yeah, it’s funny how indoctrination works. Like Catholics who shun their gay relatives.
Meg,
The difference there is there is no policy in the Catholic Church that tells members they must ‘shun’ gay relatives or risk being expelled from the Church.
Meg,
As a catholic, I’ve been taught to love they neighbor. I have NEVER been told or encouraged to shun anyone by my church.
Absolutely. Catholics are taught to show charity toward people with same-sex attraction, not shun them. Not celebrating their lifestyle is not the same thing.
A few years back the catholic church burned people at the stake. A lot of them. Nowadays they just protect pedophile priests and pass them around to unsuspecting believers in different cities. Women were told by the catholic COB they could not be priests because they were not made in the likeness of christ. The catholic church harbored nazis after world war two and helped them escape. The catholic church seeks to control womens reproductive rights, and will keep you from receiving the sacraments if you divorce……Lets be real people. Quit patting yourself on the back. Cant reach that far.
Ouch,
The only problem with that statement is that whomever is Catholic will respond the same way and IN will
Centuries ago, the RCC burned people at the stake and Inquisitioned them to death. This is no longer Church doctrine. They have changed their attitudes and actions.
Protecting pedophile priests is not church doctrine. That it occurred is horrific, and they have taken (miniscully small) steps to correct the horrors they committed. They have miles to go to undo the damage they committed, but this was never church law.
Women’s roles in the church are clearly defined by church doctrine. They can accept it, attempt to change it, or leave the faith. But people are not stalked, harassed, sued or been forcibly disconnected by their families and friends for this.
Members of the catholic church harboured Nazis. This was not church doctrine. Yes, the church has lied and denied and covered up these actions. But it was not church doctrine to do these horrible things,
Reproductive rights and divorce are sarcramental doctrine. Accept it, seek to change it, or leave the faith. But people are not stalked, harassed, sued or been forcibly disconnected by their families and friends for this.
Catholic doctrine on homosexuals has also changed. It is doctrine to “love the sin, hate the sinner” Is it stupid? yes. Does it cause pain to us homosexuals? yes. Do I despise any catholic who chooses to do this, Oh hell yes. But people are not stalked, harassed, sued or been forcibly disconnected by their families and friends for this. If the family chooses to abandon their family member, this is NOT what the church instructs them to do.
(I cannot believe I just “defended” the RCC. Scientology is not the RCC.)
Beautifully put! I was wondering when the RCC would be brought up. Back in the ’60’s, pregnant, unmarried and Catholic, it was recommended to me to put my child up for adoption rather than marry the father who was not Catholic. I didn’t go for that and left the church. I married the man I loved and this year we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Our son has been married for 16 years and we have two beautiful grandchildren. I never heard anything more from the church and neither did my family. The RCC , to my knowledge, does not “handle” ex Catholics or their families.
Jim jam
‘A few years back’?
Are you a scientologist who likes to bring up all the horrors of the Crusades? Or are we talking about a mere 500 years ago during the Reformation?
I’m not arguing there were no abuses.
My point to Meg is this is an argument Scientology likes to use: ‘other religions are just as bad as we are…we’re not doing anything that hasn’t already been done’
Yeah…the difference is about 500 years.
If you want to talk about abuse in the Catholic Church, or any other organized religion, I’m sure there are tons of other blogs and sites where you can do that
Here it is just seen as a diversion to the issue at hand – Scientology abuse
Unfortunately Meg, when you (or anyone else) makes statements like that, it allows the ‘Church’ of $cientology to hide behind the argument that ‘all religions do it’ (also known as the ‘all religions are crazy’ argument).
It’s also completely incorrect. Sure, they may be certain Catholics (or Protestants, Jews, Muslims, etc.) who shun relatives for all kinds of behavior.
The DIFFERENCE is there is not one magical midget at the center of things, determining who is shunned and who is ‘ok’
Take, for example, Dave’s own twin. A woman with a drug arrest record. Is she to be shunned?
I could go on, but I think I’ve made my point.
Heartbreaking episode tonight, very well done. Please season 2.
Several years ago I read a article written by one of LRH ex wives or girlfriend.
It was after his stint as a science fiction writer in Hollywood and he was living somewhere back east or mid states.
He needed work yet he did not want to work but wanted a way to make a lot of money.
He told his wife/gf the best way to have a lot money but not work was to have one of those big churches. Those guys showed up one day a week and were given money.
Not sure of the validity of article.
Dear Justice Department,
I am COB. I am the Supreme Leader of this section of the Guhlaxy. I do what I want when I want. You will bow before me and obey my every command.
As my predecessor pointed out there will come a day when I decide what is legal and what is not.
Well….that day has come. Resistance is futile.
That is all.
ML,
Dave
Supreme Leader
LOL
Dear Dave,
We have your eternal battery powered force-field equipped prison cell ready & waiting for you in Las Palmas. Feel free to report when you get a break from beating your enslaved minions. We control the vertical, we control the horizontal. Sector 9 is under our control and has never been otherwise. Your circuits will be readjusted upon recapture. Report back!
With kindest disdain,
Jars Vlandifloof
Marcabian Sector Commander
I really learned a lot more from watching the 2015 documentary Going Clear, and actor Jason Beghe’s 2 hour interview on YouTube.
Cheerleading for you all who have left to heal and thrive and for those still enslaved, right under the umbrella of Tom Cruise- (wildly absurd) to get out, get out, get out!
I will be calling my representatives today. It takes 2 minutes to make a quick call and go on record. Couldn’t our county use a couple billion extra dollars anyway??!!!
It’s disgusting. The Church of Scientology acts a totalitarian police state. It reminds me of North Korea, and I am incredibly glad they do not have any true power. They are tearing apart families, and making people think that contrary views are like Ebola. The paranoia is startling.- people are worried about the dog of an SP doing “something” to them
I could care less if people use e-meters or whatever. It’s a free country. If they believe wacky stuff, so be it. But the practices you are exposing are pure, unadulterated evil.
Say what you want about Hubbard, but he totally called it on what happened to his group… The SocioPath gets in charge, then starts declaring people like its going out of style. Even if all of their stuff was true, DM would still be a vile excuse for a human being. I hope they hand him over to a *psychiatric* hospital.
I think what happened to his group is exactly what he caused. But El Con managed to escape life without having to face his lies publicly. Miscavige and those who remain in and promote His Hitler Youth tactics will now have to face the truth of their actions…. in real time.
It is a very toxic brew. I’m not sure how we will handle those who choose to remain in and support Him.
Great program tonight. It seems to me so well said. Even being in the same position of a broken family, it came across so clearly what people go through, especially in this episode.
Maybe in a future episode you can explore the wonderful treatment of the aging and/or sick SO members.
Wow this episode made me feel so many emotions from frustrated to angry to sad and even helpless. I have to ask and I hope it isn’t going too far and I don’t know if anyone else asked but is it possible that Collin’s accident wasn’t an accident? Could it have been “fair game”?
It wasn’t Fair Game.
Mike, excellent show last night. It was a gut wrencher. I am so glad you are in it moderating with Leah. A never in “wog” told me he really likes you in the series and that you are grounded, sane, low key and lend a good air to it that he likes.
ON a related thread: I was searching A&E on demand and found on the I&D channel (INvestigation and Discovery Channel) an expose documentary that Marty did with them. Claire Headley was on it too. It was about Scientology and Marty’s escape. It was obviously done some time ago and is not a recent thing. Marty was excellent in it as was Claire. It showed how he got in, rose in the ranks, was RPFed, blew, was recovered, trained to be an auditor, did DM’s bidding including physical violence he was ordered to do, and how he blew to protect others from more overts, and how he was Fair Gamed on the outside etc. It was really well done and I recommend you see it too.
Claire, as his immediate junior and right hand person, was RPFed because he blew and she should have known and stopped it. But it never said why Marty was RPFed. Does anyone know what trumped up charge DM came up with to RPF Marty?
Marty burped and Dave thought he was being mocked.
Anyone has a link that I can watch the show?
not sure if this works from “anywhere” but here’s the full episode on the A&E site:
http://www.aetv.com/shows/leah-remini-scientology-and-the-aftermath/season-1/episode-6
Thank you
If you go on TVmuse.eu you can easily find a lot of links to the show. Just look at the “hidden” comments in the comment section.
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve been watching this series from the beginning and it took #6 to light the fire under my ass to start some research on my own.
Thank you Mike, Leah and A&E!
My search engines are fired up, please keep up your impeccable efforts to educate us all!
✌️️Christine M
Are you a never in or have you had some involvement with the cult?
This show tonight, especially the discussion about the loss of his twin brother, was very tough to watch, even for those of us who have had no previous connection to Scientology (although more and more of us “Wogs” keep connecting to these stories everyday, so we are in many ways deeply connected now). And when Aaron mentioned that he and his wife had to leave the Sea Org to have children, coupled with Claire Headley a couple weeks ago talking about her two coerced abortions back when she was in it, I got to thinking…..
On a logical level, how does this policy of “no children” for Sea Org members make sense for the church, especially long-term (which with reincarnation, the long game is really what it’s all about)? I suppose a new mother would be tempted to take her child out of there since she won’t see the baby much at all anyway and wouldn’t want to raise a kid without ever seeing them, so the “church” doesn’t want to lose the mothers (and possibly fathers as well), especially in a day and age when they are absolutely desperate to hold onto the people they already have, thanks to folks like Mike, Leah, etc. who are exposing the dangers of this “church” to the rest of the public.
But it would seem to me that logically, the “church” would actually WANT to have Sea Org members having children. The main reason being that they would want to (to use a phrase that Miscavige would cold-heartedly say) “replenish the stock for the church”. Of course, Miscavige would have to follow LRH “scripture”, but that sick, twisted bastard could probably just tell his parishioners/mind-slaves that he was personally able to “find a hidden and previously unknown policy written by LRH himself” somewhere that allows for and encourages Sea Org members to have children, and also gives the mother less work hours for a few weeks to care for the child temporarily, or some horse-shit like that…..even though I’m sure this heartless prick would want to put the mother and the baby under constant guard so they don’t blow (please note, I am NOT advocating this, just trying to think like a DM-level narcissist to understand the church’s “logic” on this issue).
Of course, I suppose that’s the problem from the beginning……which is even attempting to try to understand this “church” on any type of a logical level. You simply can’t rationalize with irrational people.
I think you have the scene taped Mick! Still, it is crazier than even that.
Logically, Mick, there are plenty of similar points to yours. I would think Miscavige would want the CoS to grow and expand by delivering constructive services and producing more and more happy parishoners or customers or whatever you want to call them. The potential to accomplish that is there. Instead, he is running the organizations into the ground. He has been doing that from the beginning. There is nothing logical about it.
Great point. My wife made a similar comment to me while we watched last night’s A&E show. She said if they would just do away with disconnection and the abuse and truly try to help people, maybe more would want to join. I’m all for “allowing man to solve his own problems”. But I’m not for the continuation of allowing an organization to practice what is basically modern-day slavery…..ripping families apart, personally abusing them (physically, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, etc.) in order to keep their coffers full so some asshole can keep buying his BMW’s and getting custom-tailored suits and go bike riding with his BFF Tom Cruise while his “volunteers” make less than the minimum wage of freaking CHINA (even if they’re given room and board in a crappy “berthing” and fed sub-standard food).
ALL of these cult activities are soo horrendous! This BS has got 2 be stopped! The abuses, forced abortions, money mishandlings, Miscavitch’s wife?? Surely Scientology can b stopped by FBI! Our gov’t has certainly stopped other cults posing as religions, why can’t Scientology? They are not only committing crimes against laws, they’re committing crimes against HUMANITY! What you guys, ALL of you, is so brave & just the right thing 2 do 2 stop this criminal empire! It is most certainly NOT a religion! Hell, I’ve not heard GOD mentioned once when it comes 2 Scientology, much less the Bible itself! Keep up this terrific work! Don’t give up! EVERYONE who can, MUST expose them & Miscavitch, who is the epitome of pure evil! Thank you for all you’re doing!
And don’t forget to call your representatives Carmen. Public awareness of the truth will cause change. I was able to get two more folks who were not aware of the A&E series to watch it. That was just from a trip to the dentist yesterday!
Each day I try to add at least one more person. Soon, it will be so toxic to even let someone know you are affiliated with Scientology that no one but no one will be willing to even be seen walking into a brainwashing center (called an Org).
(called a Model, Idle Morgue). It’s idle because no one new is coming in, and it’s truly a morgue because this is where you come to die spiritually. They just threw in ‘Model’ because they couldn’t think of anything else.
These shows could go on and on as what we have seen is
just a minuscule sample of the thousands of people having
been horribly abused by the church of scientology.
Fundraising should now be underway to send copies of these
shows to all federal and state lawmakers plus of course
all execs in the IRS and FBI. State and local police chiefs
will also be included. OSA and IAS will have to counter that by
disconnecting from all said terminals. Sorry for the jargon but
it is late and I am a bit riled up.
Of course this episode was horrifying and heart rendering, as all of them have been. Also included what may have been the funniest moment (in a macabre way) with the neighbor/dog story. Thank you and Leah Remini for bringing this destructive cult further into the light.
A question: As someone who has worked extensively with the elderly and disabled I am interested in what the church does when someone who has given their life in service can no longer produce work due to age or illness yet has no personal assets to sustain them. Are Sea Org members provided with any type of retirement or medical care?
Again, thank you.
I’ve never heard of any type of retirement package for the elderly or disabled. In fact, Sea Org members are paid so little that they do not contribute to Social Security and would definitely not have any personal retirement savings. From the stories I’ve read they work the elderly and disabled until they die.
What I wrote above is not 100% accurate. I read yesterday that David Miscavige is personally worth $50 million but of course, he is the exception.
http://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/celebrity-business/men/david-miscavige-net-worth/
Doubt he is personally worth $50 million. He does not NEED personal money. It is a liability to him with the IRS. Why put money in YOUR name when you have billions available at the snap of your fingers. If he says he needs a new BMW, one is bought. 10 custom-made suits? No problem. Sashimi. Right away Sir. Needs a personal ironing girl? Here she is. Someone to pick up his Camel butts? No problem…
Geesh Mike, Shouldn’t He be written up for not smokin Cools?
You don’t have the f*cking RANK to ask that question!!!!!11!!!eleven!!!!
Smoking doesn’t cause cancer, not smoking enough causes cancer. Alice in Wonderland must be one of their sacred books.
Makes sense.
Liz, the answer to your question is an unequivocal no.
The church works the elderly to death.
Lol, Liz, you give them too much credit. Read this:
http://tonyortega.org/2016/12/16/some-churches-take-care-of-the-old-scientology-instead-works-them-to-death/
Thx for the link.
While I don’t discount the impact and import of the disconnection stories, I think that the issue of the elderly an/or infirm is also something which should be highlighted and would value inclusion of that in further investigations and testimonies.
YEs, I agree…
Liz this is something that Leah could spend one
whole show on. I knew of at least 2 people who
were thrown out after many years of service and
ended up on the street. Personally I was told to
not contact my only relative in US who could help
me when I got out after 30 years and I had no pass-
port, driver’s license, no bank account (received $500
from the church) and I was close to 60 years old. Some
Church staff receive no compensation at all.
Basically we are talking of NO COMPASSION or
affinity for people as far as this cult is concerned.
Official church policy on staff who are no longer useful to scientology: “FUCK ‘EM”.
I’m sorry for the disrespect afforded you by their treatment after decades of service and, of course, all the rest you went through. Truly significant of a lack of basic ethics.
Another thing you can do…
Call, text, write your loved ones.
Tell them you love them.
Whether you have talked to them or not lately. Whether you are fighting or not.
Spread love and kindness, not hatred and hurt.
Another great episode! Mike I hope you can also bring light to what $cientology does with all these senior people that are too old to work and have invested their whole lives to this mess. Please keep up the great work you and Leah are doing, and thanks to A&E for having the courage to put this on. Hey A&E we want a second season.
This episode was gut-wrenching! And then to see that absurd on-screen disclaimer, with the church trying to discredit Leah. Leah was “facing expulsion because she didn’t have the ethics and decency required to be a Scientologist”? WTF? Coming from the most unethical, indecent, twisted, soulless organization imaginable. This just infuriated me!
Well, in a way they are making a statement about what they consider ethical — it means she wasn’t willing to be a mind-slave, liar and go along with the program of fleecing the members of every dime they have. She failed utterly to uphold such a group ethic. Ya know, like being thrown out of a tribe of cannibals for refusing to kill & eat humans.
Mike and Leah,
THANK YOU for a truly riveting and powerful show. This episode was the most powerful so far, both heart wrenching and devastating – we could all feel Aaron’s pain, he described everything so well and in such detail that everyone could understand. We love that about your show, you all give such clear description and detail so that people can really get it. What’s interesting is that always the most devastating stories are when DM is personally involved. He is a merchant of chaos and destruction to human beings, he has no inkling of compassion, only what’s in it for him and his Hitler ego. The more families he can break up the more gloating he is. Applause to Leah Remini, you are so perfect for this role: strong, composed, outspoken, caring, compassionate, genuine, articulate and a beautiful & elegant lady…… the perfect voice for these people who have been so abused, conned and lied to. You carry the bullhorn well.
The production quality of the show is also incredible, credit to A & E for excellent cinematography, editing and everything. It is so powerful it is reviving the dead out here, people are coming out from everywhere and saying they are watching the show, even news journalists are announcing on the news they have been watching it, my neighbors are watching it and we didn’t even tell them to, it is getting the worlds attention!
David Miscavige: you might want to leave the country before you are imprisoned for High Crimes against humanity, your kingdom is crushing around you as the lies are exposed. Your tyranny reign is over and even OSA will be alerting the authorities to save their own hides.
EVERYONE: As Mike says, call your Congressmen, Senators, the FBI and the IRS, DEMAND they look into this church of Abuse and Destruction, inundate them, be adamant and unwavering, insist and push until you get action. If we all do this we will create a tidal wave that cannot be stopped, which is already happening thanks to this show and those speaking out…….
Support and comment on media articles and blogs (like Tony Ortega’s), express your support to A&E for taking on Scientology.
LET’S ALL DO IT AND WE WILL CREATE AN UNSTOPPABLE TIDAL WAVE!!!
Hear Hear!
The personal stories highlighted every week on the show are heart wrenching to watch. Keep up the fight. The wave of support is growing . Peace and Love.
P.s.
Hidden mic on dog collar perhaps? (Scn research has left me paranoid) Doggy door into the neighbors house… Absurd.
Okay, this episode really pissed me off!
Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, I learn about this sadistic, disconnection nonsense taken to a whole new level. Thanks Mike, Leah and Aaron for shining a high power spotlight on this alleged church’s underbelly, as the world watches them squirm and spew out their vile denunciations of decent human beings. Lynn Varney at the end, was a classic example of how to worsen an already horrendous PR image. Scientology is on a highway to extinction, and 2017 will be its worst year ever.
David Miscavige, keep applying the condition of normal, i.e. don’t change anything. The universe will take care of the rest. I hereby rename you the Pimp of Scientology.
Tonight’s episode was the most profound, I feel. Mr. Levin was very articulate in detailing the horrors he experienced because of this cult.
I appreciate you Mike and Leah for exposing Scientology. I’m a Christian and can’t imagine my life without The Lord. I feel sad that so many families have gone through this disconnect and abuse from what they look to as their Church, its heart breaking. Keep up the fantastic work you are all doing.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Surprised that Lois Learner hasn’t come knocking at the door of Scientology, she certainly did when it came to Christian based businesses filing for non-profit status. Pardon me for digressing. What proof is there to file a complaint to IRS regarding Scientology? Not sure how one goes about tackling this issue. Maybe with the new incoming President his connections to Hollywood doesn’t seem as important as the current administration.
I really like watching the program and admire the work being done by Leah and Mike and others. I’m hopeful you will win in this fight of an avelanche of crime being committed by Scientology.
It’s mind boggling what I have learned in a short time of this cold, callus sick organization it shouldn’t even have a name or be recognized the way it is. I feel for so many people manipulated by these people. Bless Leah and Mike and all for exposing this so called Church of darkness. Hope is here!!!
This show is building momentum. It keeps getting more powerful. I am getting phone calls from people I haven’t heard from in years. People who were not Scientologists telling me they are riveted and wanted to know if I have been watching it.
There is enough source material, and real human stories, to make a season two without even trying.
I love you guys so much! Thank you!
And yes, call your representatives! They do answer the phone.
I emailed the mayor of Clearwater and asked why no investigations on the. Sea org have been done since people are being forced, chased back to the compound. He said it’s their first amendment right. I call BS on that, imprisonment and razor fences are not religious freedom!
“The Clearwater Hearings” on YouTube would make your hair stand on end.
I’m convince the city, if not still frightened by $cientology, is mostly bought and paid for by it by now.
Wow! Again, you and Leah showed such an enlightening episode. The hour flew by way to quickly.. It was hard to watch Aaron’s story tonight. It was powerful, moving and ao very important to tell of the abuse Scientology inflicts upon its members. It did had a light side of to it when Aaron told the story about his whacky neighbor and his dog. It changed my tears from heartache to tears from laughing. I’m sorry but you and Leah’s faces, her comments and your laugh had me it stitches. While this is such a serious subject and story that must be told I was happy to see just a moment of laughter. Please you and Leah cannot stop, this show needs to continue. I know there is much more to this story that must be told, its very eye opening and I for one am begging y’all with A & E must continue on. To powerful or a show not to.If y’all get just one or two or a handful of folks that are in this cult to start questioning it and to leave your mission is becoming successful and I bet there are those ready to close the doors and walk out if Scientology but not sure how.
It’s so good to see Mike R on the other side. There is lot’s of x’s out there wondering what we can do to help the cause. I was in from 1968 to 1984. I really had a hard time thinking about life afterwards in any other terms but Scientology. It does take awhile. I can’t imagine what’s it’s like being born into this cult. Exposing this cult in any way possible is such important work. I remember Hubbard saying if Scientology fails it will be from within. I think that is happening, but several billion dollars might defer it for awhile. Keep at it you guys.
So painful! I agonize every week but can’t tear myself away. I feel so bad for these people that have been put threw so much. I’m cheering you on in hopes you keep going!! I pray you and Leah don’t stop.
Mike,
My wife and I just got done watching the latest episode. We both shed tears at Aaron’s story. Very heartbreaking. Please extend our deepest sympathies to he and his family. No one should have to choose between this “cult” and the unconditional love of family.
I keep hearing the word fear being used and wanted to share what my father shared with me about the word fear.
FEAR is simply an acronym which stands for False Expectations Appearing Real. So for ALL of those who are fearful of leaving Scientology I hope they think of this acronym and realize that it’s just their expectations of the unknown which make them fearful of leaving and not realizing that a truly happier existence is waiting for them once they walk away.
Just like the 12 step program, the first step to recovery is admittance. Once you realize that your existence in Scientology is the problem, then and only then will you be able to recover from it and begin the healing process.
All the best to you, Leah and your continuing to fight to inform those who don’t know about Scientology.
Jeff and Lilly
Wise words
“FEAR is simply an acronym which stands for False Expectations Appearing Real”
Well this was really illuminating (great dad you had!). Thanks!
Very moving episode tonight. I haven’t been watching consistently, as my schedule doesn’t always allow. But I am so glad that I saw this. Aaron is a great communicator. Also, I am ever more impressed with Leah’s presence and articulation. To tell the truth, I had only known her as Carrie Heffernan, and this show is a revelation. I would want her in my corner if I was in a tight spot. Mike, as always, you are a rock.
Her memoir “Troublemaker” was laugh out loud funny too, while fully revealing the inside creepiness of $cientology.
The audio version is even more fun, because she narrates it herself.
Thank you for all you, Leah and others are doing to expose this cult. My heart breaks for all the families who have been torn apart.
Aaron is so honest and his emotions and heartbreak so raw, I couldn’t help but cry – a lot!
Excellent Episode! I’m so glad you explained “Blow” and the mindset of what that means.
Just all in all really good in explaining the Sea Org member or the regular parishioner’s mindset and how callous it is. I LOVED it when Aaron said that in scientology, there is no such thing as unconditional love. So true!
The craziness of Scientology seems to never end. They wanted Aaron to “disconnect” from his non-Scientologist father because his father was in contact with his SP twin brother. How ridiculous. There was a funny (yet sick) moment when Aaron talked about his neighbor not wanting to disconnect from his dog. It is true that the dog would not understand, and her concern was touching, but her lack of concern over the effect on the children shows just how sick and twisted this cult is. They have literally brainwashed the members into blind, unconditional, unquestioning obedience. Making the world the enemy validates, for any members who are aware if it, their use of surveillance and harassment. Disconnecting from anyone who escapes ensures that the truth about Scientology can not be communicated from the escapee to the Scientology prisoner. Any group that has to exert such control over its members has a lot to hide.
Many people suffering these incredible injustices, do the IRS and other Government officials have the courage and fortitude to stand up and do the right thing? Even if that means making this their life’s work?
It’s like a slice of North Korea right here in the USA.
Well stated.
Many have alleady written their congressman
I phoned my US Representative. Her assistant told me to also contact all members that sit on the US Judiciary and Oversight committee as this would be the committee to investigate the activities of the COS. You can go online to get the names of each member, but since we just had a historic election, not sure it is up to date until everyone is sworn it. I assume the Senate has the same committee to reach out to its members, too. Hope this helps.
Heartbreaking episode. Crying with Aaron and for Collin. Happy to know Aaron and his sweet family now have the life they so deserve.
I read LRH had 7 children, 1 deceased. I have to wonder did he ever have to disconnect from his own children?
Thank you Mike, Leah and A&E for all the work, exposing SOC for what it really is! God bless you all.
Correct me if I’m wrong, experts, but I believe Hubbard did disconnect himself from his own family. I don’t believe they were ever on the ships, and he definitely never saw his wife again after he went into hiding in 1980. His kids, I’m not so sure about…did he ever see any of them once he wound up on the ranch in Creston?
His children with MarySue were all on the Apollo with him (Diana, Quinten, Suzette and Arthur). He did not see any members of his family once he was at Creston.
Thank you for your reply. Makes sense he disconnected himself from his family. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise for them!
7 children in total, by 3 wives.
Son and daughter by first wife, both deceased (natural causes)
Daughter by second wife, alive (never involved in Scientology, LRH denied she was his child and denied being married to her mother)
4 children by MSH, 1 daughter still at Gold base (recent photo of her at IAS event in England), 1 son dead by suicide, 1 son and 1 daughter left in mid/late 80’s and do not speak (publicly) about it at all.
Thank you for this information. Interesting to know.
I can’t bring my self to read, study or locate records of his life. Listening to him speak at the beginning of each episode makes my skun crawl.
Skin.
I don’t want it to end! Indeed a difficult episode to watch but I imagine you haven’t even skimmed the surface of corruption and heartache endured within this “religion”. You and Leah have captivated many viewers with your bravery and your tenacity to end this cult. Every episode I watch, I can’t help but imagine what my life would’ve been like had I actually followed through with recruitment attempts by the Indursky family. Season 2 please!
As a secular humanist, I can only find the revelations of this show incredibly appalling. Most of all I can’t understand why governmental authorities haven’t arrested Scientology staff for child abuse and physical abuse, not to mention psychological abuse and harassment (of producers and staff of the show for starters). I admire the determination and dedication of Leah and Mike Rinder to try to right some of the pain they contributed to, but I still can’t really come to grips with their initial and sustained belief in what seems to many people so patently false an ideology. If you want to improve yourself (and the world), read and study philosophy or ethics, both of which predate organized religions.
” Most of all I can’t understand why governmental authorities haven’t arrested Scientology staff …”
Trying to take on a group protected by the first amendment is a costly and difficult battle, especially when the taxpayers would be footing the bill. Additionally, you would have to get ‘staff’ to be willing to testify against their own.
But, if enough of the taxpayers (and previous staff and public) say “Go for it” …..maybe things will change.
Wow! An incredibly powerful episode, it had me in tears. The way Scientology treats their members is mind blowing to me. There is no compassion, their goal is to control people and “rake” in the money. I really feel for the people still trapped in this cult because they have been brainwashed to think a certain way. You and Lisa are bringing this to the attention of all of us and I thank you for it. Scientology certainly shouldn’t have a tax exempt status, that is something that needs to change but I doubt it will.
I cried during the show tonight, it was so heartbreaking. Aaron, find some peace in speaking out, so maybe the next person won’t have to go through what you have. I would watch the neighbor though, she may be trying to channel Miscavige through your dog! Take heart, you are fighting the good fight!
Dave is installing a listening device in the dog’s stomach so as to be privy to Aaron’s plans for taking over Clearwater.
Thank goodness the ex-scientologists that have gotten out of this corrupt organization and are supporting each other. I am glad to see Mike writing about all the support of those who were not in it as well. It is heart-breaking to hear all the pain each person has gone through. It is courageous to express their stories and expose the true nature of what has happened and what continues to happen to them individually and their families.
Reading all these comments, so filled with concern, love and support – gives me new hope that soon co$ will be no more, and David the evil Miscavige will be in prison. Write your reps!!
I am so sorry for Aaron and his brother not enjoying life like they should have.
I feel that the best revenge, though that isn’t the right word, is the both you and Leah are using the skills you learned and perfected in the church to refute them now.
I am doing what I can to help. I have been abused in my life. That is what this is, abuse. Until the next episode, I am reading blogs and will be downloading Ron’s book.
Thank you!
KG
Great tonight! Unbelievable! I do have a question, what do scientologist do from 8am to 10pm everyday?
If you’re training, as Aaron was, you are reading and listening to the words of Hubbard and doing drills to learn to be an auditor.
I agree Mike, this was a hard show to watch. I’m so so sorry for Aaron and his family, but I’m also really happy that he has a good life, beautiful children and a loving wife who followed him. My heart broke when he told us about his brother. So much time lost, so many hours that could have been spent together. So sad. Keep it up Mike and Leah. This show is opening many eyes, and I hope, the government will get involved. I’m in Canada, so there’s not much I can do, but I’m behind you. Good work!
I’m not a former scientologist, but I became very intrigued in what you and Leah are doing. The truth you guys are exposing is so sad. I don’t understand how people can get caught up in that world for more than half their life! Insane! Learning that children are separated from their parents with no schooling..doesn’t seem right. I will do what I can. I love Leah’s candor and believe everything you guys are saying. How can you not? Keep it up and I pray one day, the truth will come out and families will be reunited.
Unfortunately I haven’t seen the latest episode yet as I’m I the UK, love your blog Mike, read it everyday and the underground bunker, fascinating stuff.
I wish you would share more about how the children are raised. Are they cared for in a loving environment, Do they get separation anxiety??? What about bonding issues are they cuddled and loved if they are raised by people other than their natural parents. I’m also interested in how families who are disconnected from Scientology make it financially after losing all their jobs and assets associated with their former religion. The documentary kinda of shows people who are well off, does everyone in Scientology come from affluent backgrounds and therefore have something to fall back on or do some people just hit a ginancialbrock bottom.
Aaron, who was on this episode, actually has a YouTube channel that focuses on what it is like to grow up in Scientology. Here’s the link if you are interested. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCD8AAvA3_JDFeOps-HzPPHg
I am not related to Scientology in any way but have read a lot of blogs & books about it since Leah went public.
I feel the answers to your questions are not simply answered however if you read either Leah’s book, “Trouble Maker” or Jenna Misgavage Hill’s book, “Beyond Belief”. Both describe their childhood in the cult in great detail.
I think anyone interested in more details should buy the books all these folks have written to help support them.
Where’s your book Mike? We are waiting!
Ok thank you!
There are a number of other excellent books by former members of Scientology and the Sea Org about their experiences there, including Marc Headley and Amy Scobee, both already featured in Leah and Mike’s excellent series. I have read all of them that I can find and most are very well-written as well as heartfelt. Others, especially Russell Miller, Jon Atack, Lawrence Wright, Paulette Cooper, and Tony Ortega have also written well-researched books about this cult. Most should be available through your local public library and favorite bookseller. Some, including Jon Atack’s “Let’s Sell These People A Piece of Blue Sky” and Russell Miller’s “Madman or Messiah?” are recently back in print. I second your call for people interested in Scientology or cults in general to purchase the books by authors who have written about their experiences therein. For one thing, it helps support these families who have been through so much. As the X Files said, the truth is out there.
Mike: I finally figured out, I think, one of the several big factors in my own nearly lifelong interest in cults. I grew up in the 70s in a house my folks purchased from the Laytons, whose son, Larry, had had my room just prior to me. *That* Larry Layton.
For anyone interested
http://whyweprotest.wikia.com/wiki/Chronology_of_publications_on_Scientology
Excellent resource, thanks. I had not seen that before.
Just a small sampling from the link provided:
“This author is so out of touch with contemporary achievements in the fields into which he ventures that, in the reviewer’s opinion, this work does not merit serious attention. It is given critical attention here only because of the uncritical following it has attracted. If there are any suggestions of value in this movement, they will be supported by continuity with past efforts, not by evasion of intellectual responsibility.
“In summary, Dianetics mistakes a highly over-simplified model for a solution to important human problems. It disregards operational analysis and search for adequate controlled evidence in the proper directions. Because of its archaic metaphysics, its outmoded exclusive emphasis on survival, and its discredited instinctivism, it pays only lip service to the established social and cultural contributions to human personality. Its assumption of inherently perfect rationality masks for the gullible the effort, the learning and the critical attitude that are necessary for a balanced rational approach to life problems. Everything attempted here has been done better by others and with a proper sense for the protection of the uninformed.”
DMSMH book review, Charles E. Bures, California Institute of Technology
My understanding is that many many people are faced with poverty when they leave the cult. I left after 14 years with 2 young children, no education beyond high school diploma, no money saved, no job skills, and family across the country. I was lucky in that I was in my mid 30s and was able to get back into college and get a bachelors degree. Some people who leave the sea org when in their 50s or 60s have nothing and can end up homeless. It would be interesting to get the stories from some of the less fortunate who left with nothing but he clothes on their back.
Yes, that is so true. So many of us could never even afford the constant increases during the “outside influences” phase.
Good idea.
This episode was really difficult to watch. However, I think it was instructive on how children are treated in the church.
I cried so hard during this episode. I am amazed at your bravery.
Omg Mike! It has to stop! They ate rui ing peoples live in the name of a religion. Thank God for you and Leah getting the truth out there. Keep up the great work!!❤❤❤