The Tampa Bay Times has just put on their website the latest story on human rights and disconnection written by Joe Childs.
This is a must read for anyone interested in the subject of Scientology that puts the lie to the church PR that there is no such thing as enforced disconnection.
It will appear as the feature story in the Sunday print edition, but went online just as the sheeple were filing into Ruth Eckerd Hall.
You should also read the 25 page order from Judge Waldrip in the Monique Rathbun handed down today and now on Tony Ortega’s site. Judge Waldrip hoisted the church on its own petard. Repeatedly. Including finding that the church is operating as a business according to THEIR testimony. Findings that Monique has suffered injury. Mention that he suspects whether the claimed “documentary filming” was simply a pretext for the squirrelbusters activities and the lack of credibility of John Allender.
Happy Birthday Mr. Miscavige.
Yes, unfortunately the world will not get to see what a punk he is. Too bad.
The only place Miscavige will be safe from the shit storm is the town of Charmin, Texas. He’ll try to put the squeeze on the locals.
Sara, Sheldon (my auditor), and Nick (good buddy and past business colleague), seeing this video gave me an understanding of what your experience with disconnection felt like. Each of us of course has their own experience. What was difficult for me in this video in particular is that I was connected with each of you intimately. Sara, I was one of Matt’s groomsmen and Matt and I were in a band together. Sheldon, you are my auditor. Nick, you and I worked together on a very successful business project and you helped me realize what the internet could do for any business and how vital the internet is if you want to be a player.
I wanted to let you know my hear hurts for each of you and what you are having to deal with. My hope is that someday Matt and Ashley will wake up so all of you can be a connected family again.
And yes, Sheldon, they definitely f’ed with the wrong marines.
My love and not in a weird way,
RT
Sara and Sheldon, you have my admiration. Under intense pressure you have taken a thoughtful and courageous stand against a powerful and evil antagonist. Thank you! Your story may dissuade others from becoming victims, and I hope you will soon be reunited with your daughter.
Congratulations to the church for their continuing adherence to the tech and rooting out these SPs. They are so sneaky. How did these two make it to OT8 and head up the OTC? Rollbacks sir, we must find out the true source of this psyche funded operation. Amazing how effective the tech is when applied, even poorly. I salute those freeing this sector of the galaxy. Where’s my donation envelope?
I am sure others have mentioned it, but Judge Waldrip also cited the Hernandez decision in concluding that the church was engaged in business. That long forgotten decision which was, in fact, overturned by the closing agreement is, in law, binding precedent in Monique’s case. That must fly strait up Miscavige’s ass.
Astute observation Skydon. Though this is a lost cause, they will appeal this decision, and watch, this will be a MAJOR part of the appeal. Miscavige CANNOT allow this to stand unchallenged (though in truth there is nothing to challenge about it — and administrative decision by the IRS does NOT invalidate a US Supreme Court decision). But it strikes at the very heart of all he has built his empire on. That HE brought the IRS to their knees and accomplished tax exempt status for the churches of scientology. That single thing in this decision will get his goat more than any other part of it. He will consider this a personal attack on his personal accomplishment by another SP who is out to get him.
+1000
Waldrip is from Texas so I doubt he is terribly impressed (or frightened) by a dwarf that could pass as Alfred E. Neuman’s double on the cover of ‘Mad Magazine’.
Wow.
Thank you Sara. Thank you Sheldon. Thank you, Nick.
It is so good to hear to hear of more folks sticking to their own TRUTH.
Sara, Shel, Nick
Are the people like you and the courageous actions you did that will put an end to this pain that we and several other hundred of people of integrity are suffering because of the barbaric practice of disconnection
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you did.
Justice at the end WILL prevail.
Renata & Claudio
Thanks to the Goldbergs for telling their story. It is as powerful as any scientology story the Times has printed. I hope they can reunite with Ashley soon.
Another CICS in Dave’s book.
MJ,
A good chance to thank you for your uplifting, often snotty comments.
Many times now you have made my day! 🙂
Keep them coming!
Help me out here what does ‘CICS’ stand for?
Greta
Greta, email me at shawnuff@hushmail.com
It’s a little racy to post on the blog.
Zephyr just think of what DM says when berating his staff and you’ll figure out what it means. Or ask Coop.
Why do we read that the Church of Scientology does this or that, when we all know that if anyone in the Church of Scientology said ANYTHING that little David Miscavige disapproved of, David Miscavige would have them immediately removed. The Church of Scientology is NOT the source, David Miscavige is the source. He has gone over to the dark side and needs to be removed ASAP.
Reminds me of a line from The Dark Knkght: Do you have any idea who you’re stealing from? You and your friends are dead! ‘
At Midnight tonight, the SO will be on the streets of Clearwater, all night buying every newspaper they can find. They will shield those still in from Sara and Sheldon’s story. Most still in the Church know Sara and Sheldon. They will buy EVERY copy in the boxes to grocery stores to convenience stores.
This has been the strategy in Clearwater before. But, Scientologists talk and the word will get out anyway. I am sending an email to every Scientologist address that I have with a link to this article.
You are awesome, Cindy! Much love and respect.
Dear Sara, Shel & Nick,
Thank you for sharing with us your story. Your courage and integrity is admirable. You are the true Scientologists, not withholding, standing up to suppression for the benefit of all dynamics.
You now have true friends in the “indie” world. We too have received unlimited support when leaving.
Mosey and Marty also had their day in the court. Thank you for taking DM to justice.
We are celebrating Ron’s birthday with many heroes of the campaign to free Scientology. Cheers!
Sara, Sheldon and Nick you ALL rock! Thank you for telling your story; it took a lot of guts. I am amazed that church decides who your “items” are for you; this is your “item” or else. The church are the biggest bunch of squirrels of all and this is just another example of them applying the tech to harm and destroy rather than help individuals survive a better life. They continue to destroy peoples lives along their dynamics for their own evil purpose to squash and harm.
I have an example of a man who was involved in the church for over 40 years; trying to move up the bridge through the church and being forced to disconnect from his daughter who is not involved in the church in any way shape or form; not connected to anything just living her life but being connected to me her mother, He recently died and the church did little to nothing not even a touch assist while he laid in a coma for 2 1/2 months. I am absolutely amazed that the church continues to decided who is the “item” of the individual and not the meter.
I wish you the very best for your family!
ML Jan
Reading Joe Child’s superb article, Tony O’s blog about Mosey’s case and these comments I realized something about DM’s world: it is one of extremes. Inside his bubble he is the all-knowing master of time, space and dimension. His word in the unquestioned law and he enforces that by keeping everyone in the bubble continually off balance. Around DM you can never hold a position in space because an arrow might come from any direction at any moment and burrow straight into your head. That truly is his op basis–he must keep everyone else off balance so he can stay safe and in control. Contrast that with the much larger world outside his bubble. Here, he controls nothing. One of the things he detests most is ridicule and I just saw on Tony Ortega’s blog that some kind has assembled a list of degrading nicknames people have for him that is now 670 items long. You can bet that he is deathly afraid of stepping outside his shrinking zone of control and the way Mosey’s case is going the church and their high-priced legal team will at some point be forced by DM to simply throw in the towel. DM will do that before he submits even to a deposition, I am positive.
Finally, huge admiration particles coming the way of Sara and Sheldon Goldberg. I think their heartbreaking story will be a game changer thanks to Joe Childs’ investigative reporting. As painful as it was and is, you did the right thing and that will eternally be to your credit.
As usual Dan, I agree with every word you have written. I might have written them myself.
Settlement is ALWAYS an option that the RCS will look for. However, I think it’s the wrong play here. Obviously, I’m not Mosey, stuck in the middle of this mess, but the thing we have to remember is that there is NO amount of money that can hurt DM’s empire. Look at Tony O’s post on the ‘whales’…. Even if Mosey were awarded $100m, that can be recouped with another round of Regging and the sale of a few buildings (on the quiet, of course)
I wouldn’t blame Mosey for settling, but if the long-term goal is to bring down the Tiny Tyrant and his empire, the trial needs to continue, at least until deposition.
The objective of that lawsuit is not to “bring down the Tiny Tyrant” — the objective is contained in the prayer for relief. The lawsuit is about HER rights to live a peaceful and normal life, not about destroying anyone else. The church are the ones who are trying to claim it is all about “harassing Mr. Miscavige” or a “vendetta against Mr. Miscavige and the church.” I doubt that you are a troll for the church, but this line is a church line and is not what her case is about.
The trial has to continue at least to the deposition of DM. They can still settle after he has taken the stand. We are close. We can’t stop now.
The expectations of a deposition of Miscavige should be toned down by anyone who thinks this is going to be the end all of this case. It is not. This is what the church is trying to pretend is the case to protect him.
But believe me, the church is clearly going to fight this as if it IS the most important thing in history.
The appeal will go all the way to the Supreme Court. There will be endless delays with stays in the case.
If the courts order the deposition they will next try to put all sorts of limitations on it. When that is denied, that order will be appealed.
If and when the deposition finally occurs it will not be publicly available.
Just don’t want anyone holding their breaths for some movie moment “You can’t handle the truth.”
Mike, you wrote that when the deposition of DM occurs, it will not be made public. Why is that?
Because so many people on the internet have made such a big deal about it that his lawyers will tell the judge that it should be kept sealed because of security concerns and threats. A deposition in a case is not treated like public testimony in a court room. And they will have gathered every comment and every “threat” and all sorts of other things to make a showing to the court that there is reason to keep it exclusively for the lawyers and litigants in the case, not a broadly public document. I do not agree that this should be the case, but I suspect it is what will happen.
Makes sense. The information from said deposition would expose Miscavige to public outrage and humiliation; he would melt from the collective rays of light emanating from the great unwashed.
Thanks for the clarification Mike. And I want to let OSA know that even when we talk about DM going to jail or dying, it is NOT a threat. It is blowing off steam.
Sara & Sheldon,
You are two brave souls.
Congratulations on standing your ground, and know that you will recover your daughter.
Tony’s site has been down most of the morning. Wonder whether it’s the ScienTwits’ dread Internet Masters at work. This happens relatively frequently.
Its n ot down when I go to it?
Not down for me.
There was a time when I thought everything would turn out for the better,
which it did not. I am happy that justice is coming forward. Otherwise I can’t
find the words.
Sara & Sheldon,
Wow, well done on maintaining your personal integrity and standing up to injustice.
Bruce Goldman
Sara, Shel and Nick,
Thank you for standing up for your family and not going along with the practice of disconnection. What courage and integrity you all have. You are brave!
As someone who’s been disconnected from (though not declared, yet), for doing the same things as your son, I understand the pain you all must be experiencing.
I believe our loved ones will come around.
Love will prevail!
So, does this mean that the ‘Guests’ at the Fort Harrison Hotel aren’t going to find a Tampa Bay TImes slipped under their doors on Sunday morning??
Sara and Sheldon, you did a brave thing in an untenable situation. What was and is demanded of you and your family is just plain obscene. I pray for many blessings for your family and that your daughter will come home soon. My children got out before I did and that made it easier for me when I finally decided to look.
I sometimes can’t get over Co$’s arrogance combined with stupidity. They just don’t LEARN! If they had left you and your family alone, your son might have “disaffected ” you and they might have lost you as a family – it might have caused some local disturbance. But NOW, look what has happened – a story that will go viral, a major newspaper reporting on it, International exposure to their nasty ways AND you have DOX!!!! (Happy dance)
As I say – arrogance plus stupidity – lethal mix…
Sara and Sheldon,
Will the real Scientologists please stand up? You did. Thank you!
Good old Tommy Davis on the fact that “there is no disconnection”
Forgive the ocassional inacurracy on the part of CNN.
“The Tampa Bay Times has just put on their website the latest story on human rights and disconnection written by Joe Childs.”
“CNN: John Roberts interviews Tommy Davis”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfbLn9xhPW4
If you don’t like the prequal reporting about anonymous stuff tune in at 2:36 minutes.
Q: Tommy, a simple question. Does the sun rise and set?
A: That’s two questions
Q: Alright. Let’s make it simple. Does the sun rise?
A: I see no evidence of that at this time. Can you show me it rising right now?
The Tommy Davis interview on CNN is the point when Amy and I decided we had to actively expose the lies of the “church”. We took the needed time off from working (despite the financial loss) to write a book, work with media, government agencies, etc. I am so glad we did. Thank you Tommy for being such a tool.
The church will be fought until the tyranny STOPS!
And David Miscavige can be sure of that!
Don’t mess with Texas….
As a parent myself, I want to give Shel and Sara a big hug and try in some way to help. My wife and I had the idea of moving to CW a few years back so my daughter (not yet in school) could go to an LRH school there. But I started seeing the BS and bailed. I was told by a “even still in today” that the SO recruits those kids hard. That statement went thru me like icewater in my veins. I decided against the move. Wasn’t long after that – that I started to really see the church for what it was. I guess I am lucky.
Shel and Sara, if I can help you – let me know what I can do. The thought of losing my daughter and being in your position makes me want to cry. My prayers and postulates are out that this racket ends and you have your daughter and grandchild back and in your arms. Until that time, may the love you have for them keep you going.
Nice!
I think The Church of Scientology has overlooked one important fact: Most people who got attracted to and joined Scientology were REBELS. I certainly was! Rebels don´t like to be told what to do or think. Rebels don´t like to follow “Command Intention”, especially if command intention doesn´t make any sense. Rebels hate being exploited and they hate having to become OBEDIENT! I mean, that´s the exact opposite of being a rebel. And rebels HATE any kind of tyrannical behaviour. They WILL eventually rebel against it and overthrow the tyrants.
Looking back on my years in Scientology I have come to realize that this church is NO place for a rebel. Over the years I had turned into a “good little scientologist” who was eager to please and do what I was told. I had stopped questioning anything. I was totally “with the program” and considered anyone criticizing Scientology a DB. I was above all the wogs out there, elevated, enlightened.
FACT IS: I was completely OUT of valence and I had become a gullible, naive and stupid little cult member, ready to be defrauded and exploited, believing it was all for my own good. There you have it! That was my CLEAR Cognition. – The church told me, I wasn´t CLEAR, because I didn´t get the correct Clear Cognition. And so, I was only a “NED Completion”. But I can assure you, I AM CLEAR and I got the correct CLEAR Cognition all right upon finishing my NED auditing. – And I was OUT! Out here being a REBEL again and being my old self again. Out here protesting atrocities and exploitation of other people.
AAAHHHH what a relief!
Rebel with a cause.
🙂
Rebels…..AKA thetans. There are no standard thetans!
As dark menace is realizing.
I just finished reading Joe Child´s article. WOW, what a story! And it´s out there for anyone to read. I mean, I´m sitting here in Denmark reading about it. What becomes clear is that if you´re not a master at “double think”, you have no place in Scientology. I think it´s fair to say that anyone, who left Scientology, did so because they had PERSONAL INTEGRITY. They had the courage to say out loud, what they themselves had observed. And as Hubbard says: “When you lose that you lose EVERYTHING!” I commend you Sara and Sheldon for your integrity! You have NOT lost everything – the church has!
According to the Tech Dic. one definition of INSANITY is: “An individual assisting things which inhibit survival and destroying things which assist survival.” I think The Church of Scientology pretty much fits that definition – and people are finding out about it all over the place. – Even Judge Waldrip appears to have seen the light now in all its clarity.
ALL tyrannies come to an end – some sooner than later. It looks like the “church” is now in its final death throes fighting desperately for its life. People just won´t put up with tyrannical behaviour like that anymore!
Umm, did I get lost in the legalese or did Judge Waldrip just rule that the Church of Scientology is a business activity engaged in selling products and services, and that this holds whether the sold products and services be religious in nature or not. This is like saying that there are religions and then there are stores that sell religious icons, and CSI is such a store. If I read this correctly this is a horrific outcome for the Church of Scientology, having fought for so long to get religious recognition (and still trying in many countries) to literally throw it down the drain in Texas because David Miscavige wanted to fair game Marty AND get away with it. They presented all these stooges as being the corporate representatives and then portrayed the PIs as “dedicated Scientologists”. Thus their deposition statements are a massacre. But the real achitect of the “massacre in New Braunfels” is David Miscavige. By working a strategy to defend fair gaming Marty and Mosey, he put Church of Scientology International on trial. Statements made under deposition are permanent. They remain public record forever. And the ruilings that are made based on depositions form the foundation for other legal rulings in future cases. I think DM just nuked CSI legal strategy about 20 years backwards.
Foot grenade!
You can always make me laugh. :o)
This visual lines up well with my sense of humor.
I’m guessing that Dave’s not amused in the least. Dude really needs to lighten up!
Roy Macgregor
Well said!
Sara, Sheldon and Nick,
I am very sad having read your story but I am also very happy and proud seeing you did the right thing, regardless of the sacrifice. You are right, Sara; Nick is obviously a real bright and courageous young man and he has my admiration.
You are now experiencing the pain of disconnection but this probably pales in comparison with the pain you would feel had you chosen to commit such an abomination yourself. You NEVER disconnected. Your daughter and your “friends” did. You did not buckle to the insane pressure. Outstanding!
All you lurkers take notice. If you all drew the line, if you all screamed “I’m fed up and I’m not gonna take it anymore!” If you all stood up to be counted instead of lurking in the shadows, watching your every word and looking over your shoulder, the abuses that go on daily at the Co$ would end very swiftly. Yes, take notice. This family has lost a great a deal for doing the right thing. Think about it: if everyone refused to disconnect, disconnection would have no power as the control mechanism that it is.
Guys, I’m proud to know you, and yes, you are real heroes.
Ditto, Luis. Thank you also, Luis, for your letter and for what you are doing to help stop the abuses within this church. You have helped me and many others. Love to and your wife.
Well done Sara and Sheldon!!!!!! My parents, who have never been Scientologists, have had to deal with their family being split for almost 10 years. Nasty, nasty stuff. I know a veteran Sea Org member who was sent indefinitely to the RPF for refusing to disconnect from her entire non Scientology family of nine. For over 20 years they had supported her decision to be a Scientologist and Sea Org member. The “problem”?
OSA found out that her father (at that time about 80 years old and on his death bed) had once worked as a social worker and had referred some people to mental health practitioners.
There is no aspect of Sea Org controlled Scientology, that ensures its failure more, than its use of disconnection. Miscavige and the Sea Org have gotten themselves into a position where they can’t win.
If they don’t continue to use disconnection to blackmail and control, they will QUICKLY cease to exist. If they continue to use disconnection to destroy relationships and families, their days are also numbered.
Sara and Sheldon, you have spotted the correct suppressives. Unfortunately there is no way to “make a deal” or “work with” OSA and the Sea Org in any rational way. Like thousands of others, you are being forced to make a stand and fight back as the only option to reconnect with loved ones.
Its common sense and knowledge that one does not get between a mother and her cubs. Miscavige and company have never been known for their common sense. They are having to learn the hard way.
Keep fighting. Keep getting the truth out. You will get your family back and help others to do the same.
My wife (Amy Scobee) wrote and published a book called “Scientology: Abuse At The Top” and we have worked with media around the world (TV, magazines, newspapers, radio, etc) as well as government agencies in many countries. 9 years ago we both had many family members under Scientology control.
That is almost completely resolved at this point. We will continue to communicate the truth until this social evil is resolved.
Thank you Matt and Amy for what you have done to help expose the abuses of this church as well
Looks like OSA’s graphs are really swinging high tonight, really upstat!
I read both articles, Mike. As usual, you named it very succinctly.
This is definitely a Scientology Shitstorm.
And this Shitstorm has been a-brewin’ for some time. It originated in the evil-intention filled mind of DM, the biggest bullshitter of them all, and has been disseminated by his small army of no-sympathy sacks of shit. LRH cancelled enforced disconnection in 1968. Whether one agrees with that or not, these people who accept enforced disconnection, no matter what pressures are brought to bear upon them, are responsible for their own actions. They have numbed themselves themselves to the fact that their abetting of the crime of enforced disconnection is suppressive to real actual live people like them. It is THEY who need to get THEIR ethics in, show contrition, and make amends to those who they have harmed and/or are harming before it is too late.
It doesn’t take a moral rocket scientist to know right from wrong.
Justice is coming.
So remember: the judges at the Nuremberg Trials did not buy the pleas of “low level” Nazis that they were “just following orders”. Nor should they have!
Every single person who goes along with this suppressive control mechanism is responsible for the moral condition they have put themselves in.
Amen, brother!!!!
If you are new to the subject of disconnection, you must read the new Times article. It’s a detailed account of what actually happens in the situation of disconnection, and how cold the church staff can be.
Sara and Sheldon, I am truly sorry for what you have gone through. This is outrageous, to say the least. This criminal activities have to cease, and the will, stay assured. You have mine and many others’ support for whatever you may need. And thank you for having the courage and integrity for making this widely known.
Thank you Sara, Sheldon and Nick. You guys have us. Together we’ll move forward toward our shared goal of happiness with ALL of our families together again. Love you
shitstorm and the weather man would be a definite crack up if Sara and Sheldon’s story was not hitting so close to home.
Thank you for doing this incredible report .
Hang in there , we will all hug our loved ones again soon.
STORM?…THIS IS A TSUNAMI AND THE TITANIC TILTED A BIT MORE…ABOUT TO SINK DOWN.
Sara and Shel – great on both of you! David Miscavige’s actions are rapidly catching up with him. He’s going down a path that will inevitably lead to his downfall. Thank you both for standing up and not backing down from this tyrant who has warped Scientology and in its place, created an atmosphere of fear and suppression. This country was founded on courageous men who risked their lives to give us freedom from a suppressive English government under King George III. It’s up to us to continue carrying that torch. You are doing so.
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” – Thomas Paine
My wife and I believe in disconnection – We disconnected from the Church of $cientology and preserved our family. Sheldon and Sara, you have our respect and admiration!
Takes on a whole different meaning when it’s done voluntarily, doesn’t it?
Right on Ronnie!
WhatWall….well done….I call that
reverse disconnection.
Definitely a two-way flow Potpie.
Sara and Sheldon, a sad story told with dignity and grace. You have revealed the truth about disconnection in a way that anyone in or out of the church can understand. I hate that you had to go thru what you did and admire that you have used your story to help bring an end to the travesty. I’m glad you have each other and wish you all the best.
You are invited to our home should you want to come and help us celebrate the butt-kicking that is occurring here.
I have hope for mankind that there are honorable, intelligent men like Judge Dib Waldrip in public service. I have the utmost regard for Ray Jeffery and the amazing team working with him.
Congratulations, Mosey and Marty. I know the war isn’t over but winning this battle is sweet for all of us. Thank you for your courage and persistence.
Love your wise and theta comments Yvonneshick. I agree the details in this article are very real and telling of what goes on behind closed doors. At flag in 2006, no one would put anything in writing or attach any name or post to a written anything. Gross paranoia due to gross overts. As society demands more transparency, the rcs is in reverse. They are truly deluded.
Hi Sara and Sheldon,
I second Mary’s motion.
Standing O ! Bravo !
This article of your story will make a huge impact. Thank You. XX
Good Job, Sara and Sheldon. I am so sorry for the pain this cult is putting your family through. All that time, you were living with an SP and still, you were loyal Scientologists. So it wasn’t the SP that “enturbalated” you, but rather the “cherch” itself. MissCabbage is an idiot.
Cheers all around. I get a sense that the crack in the dam of the Co$ is widening. I hope I’m right.
I can’t wait to read Miscavige’s deposition.
I wonder if will be in the class of comedy as the following:
http://rundbrief.org/kd0044/archiv/sc-i-r-s-ology/veritas/mailings/sw-2-1.htm
My other question is what the hell was McShane thinking?
That they judge was going to condone the psychological wet work perpetrated against Marty and Monique because its part of our religion doncha know?
Yeah right.
Just get in line behind the jihaddis Warren.
With Child’s report looks like OSA and the “Scientology Religion” suffered a double barreled foot bullet.
Ewwwhhhh that’s gonna leave a mark.
If all you churchies going to the Birthday event are wondering why Miscavige might be perspiring I don’t it has anything to do with the kliegs.
Well all I can say is that it couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch.
The Child’s article was quite disturbing. My heart goes out to the Goldfarb family, what was done to them is reminiscent of Nazi Germany, or Stalinist Russia or North Korea. How many families were ordered to expel Jewish relatives or non-party members or political dissidents in those regimes? How is that different from ordering parents to expel their son from the family because he no longer is a “true believer”? It also is disturbing to hear about an organization in the US that makes it a high crime to follow the news. Does anyone inside the church understand that keeping information out is impossible? Information is everywhere, because the Internet is everywhere. There are internet connected refrigerators, watches, phones, computers, televisions, autos, even key chains. Instead of building a church that is proud of its reputation, the leaders of that church run hysterically around accusing each other of, wait for it, reading or watching the news about their own church. If it didn’t cause such serious harm, it might be funny…
Great comment!
Sara, you did the right thing by refusing the ‘Sophie’s Choice’ the church tried to force upon you. Your integrity to your kids is unbroken and unblemished. If the cult that stole our church practiced real Scientology, they would never have split your family apart the way they did, or labeled you a ‘suppressive person’, merely for reading reports about their failings – as is your right.
Reading what I just did about your daughter, I have a strong feeling that she’s going to see her way through the smoke and haze that’s blinding her now. Love will prevail.
This is awesome news! Perhaps we should start naming our storms like the weather people do. It’s will get hard to keep track of them all. Good for you, Sara and Sheldon, putting your family before anything else. This stupid, shunning practice has got to stop. Nice article, all the information to tell the full picture. What awesome news in the Rathbun case. The judge is no fool. Dm thinks he can dick about and manipulate decent, very smart people and he is badly mistaken. I hope they get a pile of punitive damages for their vile behavior. My heart goes out to young people like Nick who are just trying to figure out adulthood and they get hit with all this epic bullshit. I hope he’s doing better and finding his own way.
Ooh! I LOVE the idea of naming the storms. Let’s see – we have the Rathbun and Rinder Monsoons (because they just don’t stop!) ; The Cooke Tornado (fast and furious – wreaking much damage in a short space of time); This one can be Hurricane Sara – lots of damage which will last a long time…
Excellent choices Draco! I’m afraid I’ll have to give this one to Nick though. How about the Nick Shitstorm? For a young person, with less experience, to not bend until he almost broke, to stand up to the OT VIII’s & flag with nothing but his integrity…………now that’s awesome! His honor was more important than his immediate life. Love to you Nick!
I just read the online story.
Sara and Sheldon, you truly are courageous to stand on your principles even though it meant suffering the consequences of losing your daughter, granddaughter and friends.
It is only through your courageous stance and those of a few others that this group may be forced to stop this policy.
I know first hand how horrible this type of loss feels and I will be forever grateful for what you did in getting your story into the Tampa Bay Times.
Mary, having watched you go through a year and a half of pure hell trying to save your family and in the end losing your beloved son anyway to the RCS, I have personal and subjective understanding of what this stupid disconnection “policy” does to a family and to a person. As a loving and wonderful mother you also had to make Sophie’s choice as well and watching you realize that you had no choice but to disconnect from the church and what that meant to you was unbellievably AWFUL to watch knowing I could do nothing to help you. As we only lost our “friends” when we were declared it was much easier for us to experience being declared for not disconnecting from our true friends who had been declared before us. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about you and all the other mothers who had to make that same horrible, heart wrenching decision. No SANE organization would do this! Ergo, the CofS is utterly INSANE.
Disconnecting from the church ain’t so hard.
Like Buddy Holly said – It’s So Easy.
Yes, that was a heart wrenching story. That had to have taken courage and responsibility. Thanks for standing up.
Thank you all for your kind and heartfelt words. I can’t thank you all enough for your support. You are all very welcome! However, the one person I really want to acknowledge here is my son – Nick. If he had not stood up strong in the beginning saw the truth as to what was going on in the church and then stood his ground, I might never have woken up myself. It took me a while to finally see the light and the Church almost had me. I regretfully even disconnected from him for a couple of days when the Freewinds SO members worked on me and my husband. But, the realization that I could loose my son and my integrity brought me around and I said “never again will I disconnect from my son or anyone I love.” I have a wonderful son, whom I greatly admire. My husband has also stood by my side and without him I don’t know if I could have gotten through this. The friends I have met in the Indie field are such wonderful compasionate people. I love you all. My daughter is a wonderful young woman and I hope she sees the truth and comes home. I miss my grand-daughter and want to hold her again. And, to those of you reading this who are still in the Church, you need to realize that if you loose your integrity you have no eternity worth going to. It’s just not right that the church forces disconnection and breaks up families. Don’t agree with it. Refuse to disconnect anymore from family (and your friends). There is a wonderful suppoort group out here. And, if enough people refuse to cooperate, things will change and disconnection will end.
Amen.
I’m in total awe of your family. Each time you add another detail your refusal to be swept in by the total lack of love and compassion emanating from Miscavige’s greedy empire becomes more poignant. Your son has been fantastic. Your daughter (and probably your granddaughter) know this is wrong. Fortunately DM can’t keep the lid on forever. Chinks of light are penetrating his dark place of hatred. I hope you all don’t have to wait very long for a reunion. Wishing you all the best.
Yes, Sara, Nick deserves HUGE kudos for what he did. You are lucky to have this smart, courageous man as a son and Nick is equally fortunate to have a Mother-Tiger like you!
My sentiments too!
Well said. I hope Nick is doing better with the full love and support of his parents.
Love is stronger than hate. Families will win in the end.
Love to all those standing up the Co$.
Hi Sara,
VVWD on your impeccable application of all 15 points of the Code of Honor!
You may recall that in 1986, when you and I were both OT IV, we co-audited the False Purpose Rundown at AOLA. We shared a ton of wins and I will never forget our friendship. I especially admired your love and constant use of LRH Admin tech, which appears to have continued to help you (and your family) immensely.
I always enjoyed seeing you with your daughter and I could clearly see your bond and deep love and respect for her. I am so sorry for your loss.
In 2006, when I was declared, my wife and both of my sons chose to leave the church and remain connected with me. Of course, within a year, they were declared too—despite all the reports, references, evidence, petitions, etc. we submitted.
I know it was much easier for me than for you and so many others, as I had not lost a child to the church, but I kept my honor, and am now on Solo NOTs and I am deliciously happy, and out of the church.
Three out of four members of your family—75%—were declared suppressive. This clearly violates the 20% ratio that Ron explains in HCO PL 7 August 1965 SUPPRESSIVE PERSONS, MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF.
To debug the insanity on the misapplication of disconnection tech and policies, I see that we need to also debug all arbitraries on the tech and policies of declaring SPs. And these arbitraries—as you have shown—need to continue to be valiantly exposed within the church.
What you have done to help, Sara, along with Nick, Sheldon and many, many other honorable people who have chosen to speak out, is clearly making a difference.
Thank you!
Much love, One Point Won (1.1)
Oops, sorry to mislead, but it was 1985 when we twinned on FPRD. ml, 1.1
Hi Sara, It is absolute evil that you have been put in this position by the Church. Thanks to you, Sheldon and Nick for getting your story out to the world. So many are suffering. So many are living like they are in the old Soviet Union. I know that already you are causing great effects by your courage. I am working on getting my cell # to you. We know each other. In fact, I know all the families involved. My situation is complex as is so many others, so I remain under the radar for now. But I have not disconnected from declared friends and have reconnected too. There are so many postulates to end this insanity that I feel freedom is coming soon.
Sara and Sheldon, you’re our heroes!
Joe Child, great, great job!.
Mosey (and Marty) — it’s a great night. I hope you are feeling truly acknowledged!
Judge Waldrip — you are a freaking genius!
Ray Jeffrey — I definitely want to have your baby.
David Miscavige — tick tock, tick tock ….
What “Just Me” said!!!!!!!
Absolutely ditto!
Greta
Spot On, Just Me. :). And Ditto
Same notions from here!
Sara and Shel,
Kudos to you both for finally getting the truth out there about disconnection! This should be a nice big blow to the RCS and I want to thank you for having the stomach and integrity to let the world know how it feels to be treated in such a horrific and evil manner. I know how much you have suffered because of this suppressive act by the Church of Scientology. You have taken a stand for all of us who have been declared for NOT disconnecting from friends and/or family. We love you guys! You are our heros.
Sheldon and Sara,
Very well done on the effective KR on the horrible policy of disconnection and its use by the sadists in the Co$.
Since SPs seek to get rid of the best staff, I’ll bet you’ll be back in communication with your daughter and grand child in the near future. The Co$ is hard at work getting rid of all the decent people who ever got involved.
All the best to you both.
Les
I am a regular reader of Mike’s site, but as a “never-in” I don’t comment because I don’t feel like I have anything to add, but I read & learn much from all of you. Tonight, I had to make an exception. Sheldon and Sara, you are so courageous and strong. No parent should be put in that position. I send you many good vibes and wish for nothing but happiness for you in the future.
Please know there are many people out here who are here for you and are willing to help in any way we can. Your integrity and your love for your children is a shining example of the people you are. I hope many will follow in the footsteps of you and many others who have traveled your path. Many ((HUGS)) and best of luck to you and your family.
Thanks for writing NOLAGirl.
I want to add something that I feel is important to this story that was NOT highlighted by Joe Childs.
Sara has one grandchild. Ashley’s daughter. She had a very special relationship with her and Sara was a very important part of her life.
Sara could have chosen to follow the “greatest good” route — saved the relationship with her daughter, son-in-law and cherished only grandchild. That would have been a 3 for 1 deal. Plus she would not have lost all her “friends” in the church. It was the “easy” choice and sort of what the church was banking on. They could isolate Nick as the bad guy and cut him loose (literally).
My mother made this sort of choice. Too much else at stake to stick with what she KNEW was true about me.
It’s happened to MANY people.
Sara had the courage to stand on her personal integrity.
It is why I called her a hero. She is the sort of person everyone hopes to know and have in their life.
That means a lot thank you Mike for all you do and your friendship.
I agree! More Scientologists need to make the choice that is RIGHT and HONEST. Not just what is the easiest or “the greatest good.”
This is honor.
Now that is a demonstration of an operating thetan if there ever was one. Thank you Mike for shedding the light of truth on Saras’ courage. Thank you Sara for being here and communicating!
Hugs to you, Mike. Disconnection is indeed the most evil thing hubbard came up with. More painful than physical blows any day.
Wretched decision indeed.
Thanks for being here, NOLAgal. 🙂
If I may borrow a phrase from you Mike… it majorly sucks to be Miscavige today.
Sheldon & Sara,
The details of the story are so heartbreaking and unbelievable. I applaud you for having the strength to do the right thing. Much love to you both.
Standing O, Sara! Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Weather forecast certainly looks good to me!
This storm is getting bigger and more intense and just doesn’t seem to let up!
The shit is flying!
John Allender busted for perjury in Texas. They figured him out. I hope he walks the line after this. I hope the Squirrel Busting OTs are beginning to understand they can’t walk through laws. Fly over the courts. Cause injustice to appear and disappear out of a top hat.
Ed was arrested already for theft or fraud while stalking Mike? John is lucky nobody cared enough about him to dig in on his out pointy lies and bring formal charges against him.
The Church attesting that it is a business (therefore not a religion) in a U.S. court , is the only truth they told in Texas.
I remember John Allender telling me back in the late eighties that he was secretly reading “Bare Faced Messiah” and was worried about getting busted for that. I wasn’t familiar with that book but just said something like “you should be able to confront, read, evaluate and comment on any communication, about anything. Never considered him a “bad” guy but just a little conflicted and somewhat dim regards any view beyond the bubble. Just another note on disconnection, and really what really got me looking. After finishing my OT Preps in the late eighties I was routed to the MAA at ASHO. She demanded that I write a “disconnection letter” to someone (a Class 6 auditor) who I brought up in session as a disaffected. I told her that I haven’t even talked to the dude for over two years so forget about it. She insisted, and I could not attest to completion unless I wrote the letter. I caved and did it to get out of there. Any “wins” I gained were lost by my caving in. Not so much a big deal compared to these family “break ups” like this story of Sara and Sheldon (and others I am familiar and close to) but I do know that ending any relationship with another at the direction of RCS is rampant.
Oh John John, your “lack of credibility” lol. But John you are an OT8. This must mean you are CI..to ethics with you.
I personally do think of him as a bad guy. We had our share of John after 2 + years of protesting. He is a coward.
John Allender, the great pretender.
Dave, So you went into the Hall grumpy about church BUSINESS and came out to the headlines about church Disconnection? Not a good day.
Wow, page 14! Is it saying what it is saying, that CofS services area business!?
In Canada, the CofS was determined by court to be a business which sells a religion!
Read page 14 of the judge’s order.
Yes, and that is based on THEIR representations to the court. They have constantly claimed that Marty is running a business and taking “their” customers. They also claim that their actions were taken in order to protect their intellectual property rights. Ergo, if he is running a business because he is using “your” stuff, then you too are running a business.
Hey IRS, Now what are you going to do?
Did you notice that Judge Waldrip, the Wonderful and Wise One, preempted any use the church makes of the retired Chief Justice, Wallace Jefferson? It was brilliant and I almost missed it. But here is how he is setting things up for whatever Jefferson has to say later on. He will have Wallace Jefferson impaled on his own sword (words):
“Waldrip quoted “then-Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson who wrote for the Court and held, without regards to the merits, that ‘biological injuries or effects [qualified] as bodily injury.’” (Since leaving the state Supreme Court, Wallace Jefferson has become a part of Scientology’s legal team.)”
If the court’s comment about CofS being a business, if that has any weight elsewhere, IRS, or even in other court activities, then the CofS may have to forego any future complaints about others using LRH tech, and let them use it free of the CofS/s hostility. It’s either that, or have their tax exempt status threatened.
Davey boy – you gotta ask yourself the question, ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do you, punk?!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Sheldon and Sara. You are speaking out for the hundreds or possibly thousands of others who have lost family members through enforced disconnection. The pain is real, it cuts every day. Many have had to chose between our integrity or our family. It is David Miscavige who is the iron fist of disconnection. He demands it be brutally enforced and used as an instrument of torture against anyone who defies him or dares to point out his gross and abusive behaviour. I chose my integrity and every day the pain cuts me. Thank you for making your story known. It is the story of hundreds of other people.
Thank you Sheldon and Sara for your bravery and for working for months to get the story out. You speak for hundreds of us. This will help more than you can ever know. My admiration for you is sky high.
Sheldon and Sara, you guys are over the top in the integrity department. Thank you both for the one-two punch you delivered today. This is the TKO for those who demonstrate the absolute worst in cult behavior.
Yo Davey, me thinks your alligator mouth has just overloaded your hummingbird ass ………………and now the marines are on the beach. You and your sheeples chances of surviving this shit storm are nil …………….that means zero. Throw yourself on your sword you sad excuse for a cult leader.
So there’s no such policy as disconnection, huh? This cult should call themselves, The Ministry of Hate. I’ve never seen hate emanate from a church like this one. It seems they feed on hate. I’m so sorry for that family. But, I’m glad the parents took a stand! Bravo!
What a great relief to finally have this story published. Joe Childs has been awesome. He checks every fact front backward and forward.
Fortunately for us, my wife does incredible documentation. Read the article. It’s a fascinating story full of facts, video and documentation.
Amongst other things, you will see written evidence from justice chief, that they do in fact ENFORCE disconnection – as they did it to us.
Sara was forced to decide between her son, Nick and her daughter Ashley. No mother should ever have to do that. That we have the proof that they insisted we disconnect, hopefully will take them down a notch or two.
Tampabay Times is VERY THOROUGH. We have been working on this story since late August, 2013. It’s like finally delivering a baby.
I am so happy that we were able to get this story out and am so proud of my wife for standing up for her principles no matter how much the cost.
Lastly, I just want the church to know “they F’d with the wrong marines.”
Thanks Shel. I know how painful this experience has been for you and Sara. Congratulations to you both. And thankyou for having the courage to not buckle under the insane, impossible pressure and stand up and be counted.
Thanks, Mike. The pressure they put on us was insane. My wife simply refused to roll over and I backed her up. PS – I love the graphic you chose for this article and all of the incredible reporting you do on a daily basis.
I appreciate your comments Mike. It was insane, with impossible pressure but we lived to tell the story and hopefully others may be inspired to stand up and say “no” to the church and their insane practice of disconnection. Thank you.
Way to go Sheldon and Sara!! Thanks for fighting the good fight.
As Mike said on FB, you guys truly are heroes for sticking with your integrity and walking the hard road out. My hat’s off to you both. You are inspiring. You deserve all the kudo’s you are going to get for taking a stand and speaking out against the RCS.
Sheldon and Sara I want to say to you both that you did the right thing. The hardest and most right thing ever. I weep for you loss of your daughter and I hope she comes to her senses soon. I have been out for over a decade now and it took me a long time to get my mom out, but she was given the same choice at her last visit to flag and she chose me and my sister. We couldn’t be happier. My step brother has just thrown the hammer down on all of us and has disconnected. He is VERY careful to not use that word. But he has. Nick, I feel your pain. There are too many of us out here who have lost family, but if you need to talk please don’t hesitate to contact me here.
Thank you Sara and Sheldon for doing the very two things that got us all into scientology and the very two things that catapult us out: Being there and communicating. Love and compassion is now a high crime and act of treason. Sometimes being guilty is the greatest act of courage of all. Wishing every one that joyous reunion sooner than ever. The walls of hate and disconnection are crumbling as we speak. Soon.
Sheldon – a VERY big poisitve that your story is being told to more people. Hope the word continues to go out so that your family will be reunited. My best wishes always to you, Sara and your children.
Thank you, Sheldon and Sara. What an incredible article! It will have quite an impact.
And Mike…I love the graphic…it IS the exact, right prediction. I think the Captain would have preferred a hurricane in Clearwater. 🙂
Kudos to you and your wife for doing the loving thing and standing with your son. I hope and pray that all of your family will be back together soon. Stay strong – you have many, many people on your side.
Way to go, Goldbergs!
Thank you very much for what you have done.
There will be a reckoning for this cult.
Alanzo
Thank you for sharing your poignant story. I believe that by conveying the real-life impact of disconnection, it will be that much harder for people to compartmentalise loved ones out of their lives and relegate them to the past.
Disconnection is handled as if you had died. Strange for a church of immortality.
I wish you, and others I know personally who have suffered the same injustice, strength and love. If there is a spiritual universe, that love will reach them.
Thank you Goldbergs – for speaking out and telling the truth! It was an excellent article and surely will be a blow to Scientology and David Miscavige’s cult! I hope you reunite soon with your daughter. She may get booted out because of this article and that would save her life!
Thank all of you for speaking out. Don’t let Scientology suppress you. Suppress Scientology!
Mike – hysterical “Shit Storm” photo! Judge Waldrip certainly has conceptual understanding of what Scientology is – a business! I believe the days are over for Scientology to employ their legal tactics any longer. Now that every move Scientology makes legally is reported in detail on the internet – the game is over! Scientology won’t be able to get to the Judge or Attorney’s – not with us WATCHING their every move!
With all of the people leaving and telling their stories of abuse and disconnection – the game of Scientology is OVER and Scientology is dead.
All that has to happen now is for them to run out of money. With David Miscaviges addiction to Scotch and admiration – he won’t be able to stop having “grand openings” around the Globe and this gets expensive – secruity, shrubbery tech, Berlin walls to keep out EVERYONE – because SP’s are everywhere.
The fact is – Scientology is SUPPRESSED by evidence of how much they have to box themselves in and HIDE. Scientologists are NOT FREE – they can’t even HAVE a re opening of a building without building a fortress around their few hundred clubbed seals to keep the world out!
The media is not afraid of them any longer. People are leaving and speaking out! The internet is filled with horror stories of people who were abused by Scientology.
It is so over for the cult of Scientology. Good job everyone! Mike, Marty, Karen, Chris, Tory, AGP, J. Swift, Monique – all of you – THANK YOU for your relentless display of telling the truth!
Thank you Sheldon and Sara for going public with such a painful personal story, and for bringing along the dox. Lying liars that lie = Tommy Davis.
Well done Sheldon, Sara and family – it takes guts, confront and persistence to see something like this through – and you have displayed all this and more with aplomb. We have many similar stories brewing here in South Africa, The Church’s day is coming………… Mike your pic of a shit-storm brewing is so apt – just loved it. Way to go guys.
Love BP
Hello Shel and Sara,
I’m so happy that your story was published and is now making its way nationally. People need to know each and every incident where the CoS actively splits up a family and appears to get away with it. The more they are exposed for the liars they are, the better for all. Thank you for what you have done.
It must have been an extremely difficult situation for both of you and I admire how you stuck with your son. If any of my children even remotely considered suicide and told me about it, I would take it very seriously indeed, which thankfully you did. This shows how people can be ruined in these high pressured situations, especially kids and young adults who need the support and security of their families. I have seen other young adults commit suicide within the CoS, over the years and it is devastating. I hope all is well with your son today.
My best wishes and thoughts are with you both, Nick, your lovely daughter Ashley and her family as well. I hope you will be together again soon.
It was like a tidal wave of good news for all of us. I’m still sitting here after having just finished reading all of this with a huge grin on my face.
The stories of disconnection are tragic and are not at all humorous. But the fact that Childs is hitting RCS hard on LRH’s Birthday Event day, outing their lies about disconnection is wonderful. And at the same, the RCS lawyers just got bitch-SLAPPed by Judge Waldrip, who is seeing through every veil and legal foggy argument they are throwing his way and not falling for any of it.
Disconnection and Fair Game – the two toxic and evil policies that must stop. RCS will never stop enforcing either, so there is no choice but for RCS to be taken down. And since they can’t stop lying and can’t stop committing crimes and can’t stop their inhumanity because of these policies, they are their own worst enemy. What a vicious circle they are in.
Well said. I know that this isn’t part of the procedings going on now, but there is also another toxic and evil policy that needs to stop and be remedied…at LEAST minimum wage for staff employees and payment to those who have been screwed over with no pay for months or years while working there under the duress.
Many thanks to Judge Waldrip for seeing through the BS and putting together the puzzle pieces the way they really fit!
Well said, Chris! And yes, DM and the church cannot stop the overts because once done, it has to be done again and again, as in dramatization. It’s the old, burn the toast once and then continue to burn the toast from then on out. Sucks to be David Miscavage.