The first show has aired. Phew. 7 more to come.
I am interested to hear what you thought — including criticisms or things you felt could or should have been explained more/better or treated differently.
The perspective of others is valuable feedback.
I am genuinely curious, not just looking for ego stroking.
I’m currently watching the show and I think there’s one important point to bring up about why Scientology is so against the mental health system.
It’s much easier to rip off the mentally ill if they’re not getting help.
I know this because this cult convinced my sister that she was fine and stole who-only-knows how much money from her.
It was difficult to watch this documentary because of how close it hit to home and it’s sickening to see the insidious lengths this cult will go to rip off the most vulnerable.
I, as well, was born into Scientology. My parents were on staff in Washington D.C. in the late 50’s early 60’s. They went to England after I was born and were training there. They divorced after being there two years and my brother and I and father traveled to Michigan, where we were turned over to any cheap baby sitter who didn’t mind watching us those long hours. We were eventually separated, my brother going off to live with my mom and her new husband in California. I lived at a few Scientologist’s homes while going to grade school and never went to a single school for more than one year. I have abandonment issues!
It is the end of 2021 and I’m just getting into the docuseries. Excellent exposure of a cult that has nothing to do with religion. I cannot believe that the government doesn’t take them down. It is obviously only a big business scamming its members.
I escaped from a real religious cult in 2007. I can relate to so much of what Leah and Mike have said. I understand how the brainwashing affects people and why they have so much trouble leaving. Exposure of all the abuse will hopefully open their eyes and help them to escape.
I wrote a book, which was such a catharsis and allowed me to be free. I would love for Leah and Mike to do an episode on escapes from other cults, for comparison to Scientology.
I think the show is excellent. I have gone to some Scientology events in LA w a friend and was never interested in joining
But I am really happy that you are exposing all the abuses going on in the so called church.
Sad for the children separated from parents and/or abused
I’m sorry you were “tortured” walking on all fours ….
Thank you for doing this !
Please tell Leah that I admire her strength and sense of humour
Sylvie
I found it educational and captivating. I enjoy learning new information about Scientology.
Finally had a chance to watch, Great job to both Mike & Leah! You are hero’s!
Leah you are a brave human being!!! It’s amazin what power does to people when they aquire it and it is sad. I love you Leah God speed
Mike and Leah – thank you for making this documentary and particularly for your decision to leave the cult. Power corrupts and it has done so with Miskavich. It is a house of cards but needs some tipping point. I am surprised you or someone else cant sue them for abuses and as part of the case get rights of discovery and of deposition. I have to believe there are wealthy people who would sponsor such an effort. Scientology is not a legitimate religion.
I felt the show was very accurate and similar to my experience with the church, but only way worse for Amy and the Elliot’s. I was on staff at a SHS Org (lie it wasn’t SHS) and left because I had a baby while in staff and didn’t want to leave her to be raised by babysitters as it was a full schedule Org. I was never in the SO but my (now ex) husband was and he told me a lot of what was going on there. I never wanted my child to go into the SO. I think the show was great and I can’t wait to see more. It has taken me many years to be able to watch anything with negativity about the church but you nailed it. Thank you!
I also want to say I’m very proud of Bonnie for sticking by her daughter. I would have done the same thing.
The truth. The truth shines through and burns straight to DM and his psychophants . Excellent job. The A&E insertions of the cherchs whining exposes their ludicrous statements when followed by the person on tape speaking from the heart.
many thanks for the presentation. it is effective. And, little Davie will shit bricks if the next episode doubles viewership.
Fantastic program.
I would like to see the concept and term, “acceptable truth” exposed.
It could help explain how the church can justify to itself the lies it tells, particularly the lies it uses in attempt to discredit critics.
They invented a term to white wash the word “lie” and somehow it also seems like the person applying it is actually fooling himself as well as his target audience. An acceptable truth is OK, a lie is not, but they are exactly the same thing.
The church has no compunction about lying to the broad public about its practices and failings, and it lies to its own members about EVERYTHING!!
I agree. And I’d like to see you explain the term “shore story” and how it was used and “acceptable truth” and how the church uses that. Also bring up the TR that is on the OSA Checklists and now I hear it is on all the TR’s courses, including the Intro Comm Course, called, “How to Not Answer a Question” or “No Answer.” Stress that the church teaches people how to avoid answering a questions, which can include lying and diversion and smoke and mirrors etc. That is such manipulation and untruth and a church is teaching it? People need to get that this is NOT a church and that they do things that no real church would ever do, including teaching their parishoners how to lie.
Also let people know that the church has put up hate sites about Leah and others who were in the movie to smear their character. This is after the church assures us that what you say in session to an auditor is “Priest Penitent Privledged” material We are assured that anything we say will only stay with the auditor and CS and no one else will see it. Well we now know that those confessions taken in strictest confidentiality are spread all over hate sites, embellished to make them worse, to make the person look bad etc. So the church parishoners are trusting lambs being lead to the slaughter and they have tons of material with which to coerce and blackmail you with if they choose to. And if you later speak out, they have tons of material to smear you with, which they are now doing to all in the Leah documentary series. These tactics need to be known about and talked about.
PS. I LOVED the show. Excellent job by all. And I loved that Leah and Amy showed their many Commendations from the church who now says they were “always a bad seed and we gave them every chance to straighten up.” REally? Is that why Amy Scobey was promoted to one of the topmost ranks? Is that why Leah was used to speak publicly about Scn and sing its praises and give it good PR when she was in? Is that why Leah was featured in the CC Int Magazine?
Yes.
And wouldn’t it be wonderful if somehow they could really make it clear that the church expels, kicks out, ex-communicates, etc these people AFTER they have left?
People say they want to leave, say they’re done, say they want their money back, THEN they’re declared. THEN they’re expelled.
I doubt a program such as this series could ever really relay the reality of what it’s like to be staff or SO staff for years and years – how you can rise and be busted and thrown out and thrown off, then grabbed back or cleaned up to solve a personnel problem somewhere else. It couldn’t explain how a staff ethics file is a mile thick from KRs and Staff member reports, with conditions and ethics actions spread over years…. how you don’t withhold things and you do confess and give ammo for your own later hanging.
I don’t think you can explain how a career is riddled with hero-scum designations.
And that this is also how the church then later smears those speaking out.
…
we probably can’t explain all of that… but at least we can somehow make it clear / prove that the leaving is first, the disagreement and wanting out is FIRST. Then when they can’t handle us, THAT’S when “they’ve expelled us” or some such.
Such fucking weasels.
It was a great show in my opinion. Very truthful, not only have I experienced much of the same grievances, but I also knew Bonny and Mark. She began to see the BS at about the same time that I was being railroaded offlines. With every passing year, as indicative of death blows, they are becoming more and more fanatic, and their lies more and more grand, probably a nod to Goebbels himself.
More and more people need to continue to speak up. I’m sure there are MORE people out there that have grievances with Scientology than there are active Scientologists today. Bold statement, but I’d be willing to bet the house on it.
Hi Mike,
One more idea…I wonder if it would be beneficial to squeeze in commentary/presence of a cult expert (like Steve Hassan or Rick Alan Ross) to call out & qualify the cult behavior as you go?
Just thinking it could help highlight the exploitation/coercion/undue influence/indoctrination and drive it home even HARDER. 🙂
This could not only expose Scn but also educate the viewer of other high pressure groups tactics so really do a public service. Or if no time to involve an expert, perhaps just referencing definitions or BITE model etc to clearly show Scn. common cult denominator….could be a shot of a quote, or even Leah reading aloud to you in the car, or Leah doing some bedtime reading could be entertaining and effective…I also thought maybe including a few personal shots of how doing these interviews affects you on an emotional level during private moments could be poignant i.e. You/Leah phoning home to talk to family after a long day and expressing how much you love them and how very lucky you are to have each other…etc….
I would like to extend my earlier comment. Having now re-watched “Leah Remini: Scientology, and The Aftermath” for the 3rd time — I have more to say.
First, I omitted that there is one blatant omission in this video — that this disconnection crap and pain caused to many former Scientologists — is caused by one person: David Miscavige.
Being a dunce, back in 2004, still wanting to contribute to something much bigger than myself, I had rejoined the Sea Org for the 2nd time — I stayed for a few years because a Paris, France born, senior Flag Base Executive, needed an American husband — which became me.
She was very nice and I can attest that French born women do provide certain, desirable, side-benefits to being their spouse.
Nonetheless, that went only so far, and I left (again) in 2007. So it dawned on me, when I heard Amy Scobee say that she had left the church in 2005, that when I was invited by Bonny Elliot to join her and Mark for Christmas breakfast in 2007, that I was sitting in the middle of this video I was watching.
At that 2007 Christmas breakfast, I was still under the belief that Scientology had all the answers and that I either did something bad or I did not understand something. That is a royal “No Shit” understatement!! Bonny initially greeted me by telling me that she never understood why the hell I rejoined the Sea Org.
I remember a bit later sharing my above said belief with Bonny — and being shocked when she jumped all over me saying “Who told you that”, etc. — So I backed off. It was still a very enjoyable and great breakfast. As I was leaving, I was again shocked, when my friend Mark said, “It no longer is LRH’s Sea Org” — thinking, as I got into my car, “What the hell does that mean”.
A bit later, my friend Tony DePhillips, during a Chaplain cycle, oddly enough, at the Seattle org, flipped on the light switch. A few hours later, at home, I was reading “The Truth Rundown” on line — from the St Pete Times. I was “WTF!!!!” The door had been kicked wide open.
# # #
I have never been involved with Scientology nor believe I ever met a Scientologists, but I have read stories online about the mental abuse that prevents people from leaving and it is heartbreaking to see the lengths that people of Scientology go to defend actions that are indefensible.
Revealed truth is the worst justification for authority because it can be so easily abused. At eighteen, I was introduced to a church by a friend. Several months into it, I was speaking to the pastor of the church after the service and he said, “I’ll see you next week.” I don’t know why I offered such information, but I told him that I wouldn’t be there because I was attending service with my family for Easter and he admonished me saying, “You cannot serve two masters.” Even as young as I was, I understood he was using a verse out-of-context for his own benefit.
Later in life, a month after my wife and I were married, we left the last church I’ll ever be a member because the pastor preached a message titled, “Unity,” which could be summed up by the saying, “You’re either with me or against me.” That was five years ago.
You are doing very important work. Keep it up!
Tom, you wrote: “…he admonished me saying, ‘You cannot serve two masters.’ Even as young as I was, I understood he was using a verse out-of-context for his own benefit. Later in life, a month after my wife and I were married, we left the last church I’ll ever be a member because the pastor preached a message titled, ‘Unity,’ which could be summed up by the saying, ‘You’re either with me or against me.'”
You were blessed to already have that awareness. Not everybody did who went into scientology, but it was one valuable lesson that many former members did at least take away from the experience.
Well, she sounds a lot more honest than the 2 presidential candidates we just had.
I got to watch it online the next day. Great that A&E is airing full episodes! I thought it was powerful.
It was emotional for me at the end. I really can’t understand how they get/got away with it. I applaud Leah for being unafraid and taking them on! Mike also comes across very strong and capable. Do not back down!
Can’t wait for all of the series shows. Can’t wait for Goliath to fall.
I haven’t been able to read all of the comments yet, but something that’s painfully real to me today is how the church, as a, group, resists conventional medicine…and the fallout from that.
I’d like to say that Leah and others in the show came across right from the beginning to the end, as Very Sincere. Loved it and look forward to the next 7 weeks.
One thing I think would be worthwhile would be to show the actual policies covering disconnection. Show they exist and are in writing from LRH. The point being to show those actions are not merely the result of some “bad apples” but are in fact ordered by the Founder himself.
Thanks — this is a good point and I hope we get this in in future episodes. I did a post about this recently https://www.mikerindersblog.org/disconnection-the-pr-and-the-truth/
Lets not forget HCOPL 15 Nov 1968
Talk about R2-45 and the death of Susan Meister. Coincidence? No such thing! You can even play the audio clip of LRH talking about it. You will hear jaws hitting the floor all around the world.
You and Leah did a fantastic job Mike! Very compelling stuff.
When you show the policies on Disconnection and how it was an actual policy, also show “Disconnection and Fair Game Cancelled” by LRH later. And then state that David Miscavige was the one who brought it back into use with a vengeance and how he uses it to attack anyone who leaves or who dares to speak out.
LRH never cancelled Fair Game. He only cancelled the use of the term Fair Game, because it was bad for PR. He specifically stated in the “cancellation” that Fair Game was to continue. I’m not going to link you to a copy of the PL. It’s very easy to find.
It was simple to understand and really hit home. I don’t know what to expect in future episodes but what made this one work for me was that it kept the focus on ONE outrageous aspect of the CoS and gave several examples. Disconnection is probably the most important and sticking to that gave a good understanding of what it is and how it works.
There is often far too much attention paid to things that just appear wacky rather than cruel and inhuman.
I loved that the explanation of why people put up with the crap – saving the world rather than so as to become a god – It’s the truth in my experience.
I admire the courage of everyone involved.
Sorry to read about the newly launched smear on Leah from her auditor Todd Woodruff.
I wanted to comment about 2nd generation scientologists — Todd is the son of Claire and John Woodruff. Once the largest best run single mission in the US. (i.e. not a multiple like the Barney franchises or Waters) Orange County.
John was also at one time head of a “rogue” Mission Office US that Diana Hubbard had put in place to pull the mission network away from the UK … long story. The coup failed. Diana’s then assistant ratted her out.
We were all in BIG MUCHO TROUBLE. Neither Jane nor Mary Sue took kindly to being out maneuvered. Diana was instantly removed from her position as Deputy Commodore Staff 6 – and put on “full time training” — others of us involved were shunted out of top
management to “lowly positions” in the Flag Service Organization.
ANYWAY — John went through all sorts of changes and apparently (quick google search will find) got into trouble with various Attorney Generals on scam mortgage dealings. Meanwhile somewhere along the line, his sons joined the Sea Org and achieved top level status —
———-
It’s NEVER easy figuring out the players, the pawns, the checks and the mates. Mostly I want to say — in the end it’s the intention to help and not harm that ultimately will win. I liked John a great deal and spent time at his home. The boys weren’t even born or maybe in playpens.
It’s important I believe to remember MOST scientologists have the core intention to help. It then gets FLIPPED around by layers and layers of fear, deception, intimidation, ever demands for money which becomes extortion and the rest is well known and documented.
My main point is while it must FEEL personal to Leah — it’s not. It’s Todd’s small attempt to prevent the very thing AFTERMATH is showing — LOSING HIS FAMILY – father/mother and sibling
Love,
Windhorse
“My main point is while it must FEEL personal to Leah — it’s not. It’s Todd’s small attempt to prevent the very thing AFTERMATH is showing — LOSING HIS FAMILY – father/mother and sibling”
While that’s undoubtedly true enough, DM would have no coercive power over his subjects if enough of them flat out refused to compromise their own personal integrity in order to become the instrument of his personal revenge.
At a certain point in time – after $cn’s many crimes and massive human rights abuses have been fully exposed and thoroughly documented – the “Good Scientologist” defense ( see here for more http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Good%20German ) is just not going to work anymore. And I’d say that point is RIGHT NOW! A continuing stance of willful ignorance is just not going to cut it from here on out.
Don’t get me wrong here, I believe in forgiveness and redemption, but only after folks who have transgressed realize the evil that they’ve done, stop doing it and ask with true contrition for forgiveness, then make amends for the damage that they’ve done. Until then, folks like Todd, his wife and extended family of $cilons need to have the heat dialed up on them for allowing themselves to become just the next instrument of proxy evil that DM has wielded so many other times in the past.
“My main point is while it must FEEL personal to Leah — it’s not. It’s Todd’s small attempt to prevent the very thing AFTERMATH is showing — LOSING HIS FAMILY – father/mother and sibling” — Wow, Windhorse, my mouth dropped open. This is stark naked TRUTH.
Maybe you know. I have asked and asked and get no answer. Claire seems to have passed in 2015. John and Dan fell off the radar. Do you know what happened to them? There also is a new story about an Erin Woodruff (as a child in the cadet org) but I have no idea who her father is/was. I knew Dan and his first wife Cindy … but not the second wife. I knew John and Claire, pre-wedding and pre-kids. You mention Todd (that I know pretty much nothing about) but Shane is the well-known son in the sea org from all the chatter. Their female child (Stacy) seems to have escaped the cult? And Dan doesn’t seem to have had any kids, unless Erin is his. Erin’s mother is named Pat Hammersen, and she’s definitely still in. Just to add to the never-ending sea org confusion, Pat Hammersen and Pat Selle Bromley (seems to be two different people) were both married to someone named Bruce Bromley. He may be out.
My wife and I watched Leah’s show last night. From the bottom my heart and soul I want thank Leah and everyone involved with her documentary series for shining a laser sharp light on the actual atrocities of what Scientology really is. My wife, thank god, was never in Scientology. She knows my horror stories and some from my friends who are former Sea Org members. Watching her watch and hearing her comments during the show gave me a deeper insight as to how powerful the show is to Non SCNers. I escaped the RPF and all of Scientology over 40 years ago. It took me years to fully recover from its mind torture on my soul. Disconnection from loved ones, anti-life mind conditioning, and mental torture were always a part of Scientology. As we watched we got sicker and sicker in our stomachs seeing how it continuously morphs into more and more evil. Again, I give an extremely deep bow of love to each person involved in Leah’s brilliant piece of real journalism.
These are my hero’s. These are my friends.
My DVR is all set for the next seven shows. Oh boy oh boy.
Neil R. Sarfati
Hi Neil! So nice to see you commenting here. Welcome my friend.
Thank you my friend for being so brave and strong for all of us for so many years.
Your Goomba
Neil
Hi Mike and Leah. Great show. Totally connected to the viewer and it was made very real about what is going on. You were both very genuine and in earnest. I am sure that show alone will help restore some families. Thank you. John
“My main point is while it must FEEL personal to Leah — it’s not. It’s Todd’s small attempt to prevent the very thing AFTERMATH is showing — LOSING HIS FAMILY – father/mother and sibling”, Mike I think Leah or someone on the show should bring up the fact that the church got her auditor to slime her on the hate site. And then say he is doing it because he doesn’t want his own family and friends and SO itself to disconnect from him if he refuses an order from DM to slime his pc publicly. This point needs to be brought out.
You are incredibly brave to do all of this and I hope you reconnect with your kids. My criticism of your show;- the Scientology disclaimer cards. I know A&E is trying to avoid a legal battle but those cards seriously undermine the content. I propose that Leah begin each show by explaining why those cards are inserted. Something like “when the Church heard about this production, they flooded our lawyers with letters denouncing us as criminals. We have decided to share these with you as evidence of the Churches use of character assassination as a gag against criticism”. I am saying that there has to be a way to undermine their undermining. I know theres probably an episode or two about their tactics but that will be too little too late. Traditionally, ratings fall after the premier and maybe pick up again if you have a highly publicised finale. That means that maybe over half of yesterdays audience wont see a future episode focused on the Church litigious and character assasinating tactics. In other words, half your audience is left trying to balance out each parties claims and pick a side. Perhaps this can be inserted in future reruns of the premiere.
I know theres a chance that this has already been explored by your production team and if so, could you tell us why they are letting those cards air unchallenged?
Short answer: lawyers. Long answer: lawyers.
Those cards are not provided by scientology — they are put there by A&E. They are not “unchallenged” – the entire show challenges those statements. In fact, it could be said that those cards are in some ways the most damning indictment of the toxic policies and practices of scientology. See my post today.
Those statements by the church of scientology are a self indictment. Let them run it’s good gasoline.
Someone DID in fact upload it to youtube and I just finished watching it not more than two minutes ago.
My review? It was simply SUPERB! It could not have been done any better. I had read the story of what I was going to see, but watching Amy and her mother tell it themselves was a whole different experience. VERY VERY POWERFUL!
Leah? Wow! A powerhouse, a top notch communicator who is passionate about what she is doing. I’ve always been a fan, but now I am a true admirer of her.
And you, Mike? Wonderful as always.
You bet I hope that that someone keeps uploading these episodes. And I hope they go on youtube permanently so that as the years roll on, people will be able to easily access them. This is an important contribution to stopping this abuse which so many of us have to live in our lives.
Thank you and I look forward to more.
Haven’t seen it yet but the comments are indeed encouraging. I didn’t see nor hear mention yet of the Cof$ burning the candle from both ends so to speak with it’s policy of it being a suppressive act, hence declarable for one Scientologist to take legal action against another without Church approval. It shields many activities under the threat of excommunication if one dares take the legal route available to the rest of society. Yet the Church itself is incredibly punitive by taking legal action against anyone it doesn’t like, Per church doctrine it says to honor the system of Government you owe your support.to – except where the Cof$ deems otherwise apparently.
Any reference to this Mike?
Can’t wait to work out how to get around the geolock thing.
Here’s a link to the show. https://youtu.be/NeTFTAae30M
Many thanks – I’m on to it.
Can you get to the A&E website? They have it up for 10 days free, although there are many commercial breaks, maybe 5 or 6 along the way. Still, you can see the whole episode… here is a link:
http://www.aetv.com/shows/leah-remini-scientology-and-the-aftermath
Mike, you and Leah explain things so clearly that anyone who watches the show is going to get an education. I realized while watching Amy and Bonny express their love through tears that David Miscavige is utterly incapable of feeling what these two were feeling. That part of humanity is completely missing in him. I am sure that he cannot understand those feelings and he solves that by denying them completely and attacking those who do have those human connections (which is 99% of everybody). And THIS is the person you want leading “the only hope for mankind”? Are you freaking kidding me?! (to quote David Miscavige himself).
” That part of humanity is completely missing in him.”
Agree Dan! That must be why He is such a good fit for the leader of a sadistic Cult.
Yo Dave,
Why not just solve the problem of the reality show being a bit too real for you good buddy? Fire up Your SuMP and show us all how it’s done. You could address the nation (no, hell, the Hole world) as the greatest ecclesiastical leader of all time and broadcast your message of truth far and wide. With the 100 million or so cult members around the globe you would instantly shatter the ratings and be on your way to true planetary clearing ……. all by yourself Dave. Then you could give Mr. Dead and Gone another DONE SIR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW Dave …………………IT IS YOU WHO IS FUCKING DONE ………sir! Toast, good buddy, well burned and blackened all around. That’s the way we like it out here on the fringes ….. and so we work!
I thought it was fantastic. You guys covered a lot of ground.
What was it that Ron said, the work was free so keep it so.
Excellent.
This will be my fifth attempt to comment since watching the show and I’m still not certain that I will hit the Post Comment box. This was very real to me. I was one of the lucky ones who was able to get one of my children out of the Sea Org and leave the church with my immediate family intact.
I still have moments of feeling remorse for ignoring the warning signs indicating that this religion was not what it pretended to be. These signs were present and very visible long before I made my decision to leave. The funny thing is that the church even has a name for these signs and teaches you how to locate them. They’re called “Outpoints”.
Scientology has no qualms when it comes to destroying families as long as they can keep even one member under its control.
I cannot think of a better way to show this to others than how you did in this segment of this program series.
I hope and pray that you, Mike, will someday soon be able to reunite with your own family.
I thank Leah and Amy and you Mike for caring enough about others to stand up against this toxic organization that places profit and power over family unity.
I pity Mr. David Miscavige for having succumbed to delusions of grandeur thereby denying himself true fulfillment in this life. His quest for power will only leave behind a legacy of destruction. His attempts to hide from truth will only further destroy his sanity.
“His quest for power will only leave behind a legacy of destruction. His attempts to hide from truth will only further destroy his sanity.” A poetic prophecy that’s already coming to pass!
Very well said RB. I’m glad to know you were able to get one of your kids out. I couldn’t agree more with your comment about noticing the warning signs. The rear view mirror shows them up in big glaring lights. We ignore them and pay a price for it.
My daughter is in the teeth of the vice working at CMO. I know each day that OSA collects my posts and other info and files it away for use to show her just what a sad lot her Dad has become …. if needed should she sway from the cloth.
That is the life inside the Cult. Rice, beans, no sleep and self enforced captivity under the watchful eye of the ever caring seniors of the self appointed planet savers.
Hi Mike,
I am happy to see you have a blog set up and offer the ability to comment. Let me first say: I have zero to do with Scientology but found the documentary FASCINATING!! Please pass along congratulations to Leah for having the strength and fortitude to speak out on behalf of others that have gone through what you, she and others have at the hands of such a corrupt organization calling itself a “religion.”
I seem to remember you being interviewed years ago by a news program (maybe it was 60 Minutes?) Last night’s opening episode only grazed your backstory. It is what caused me to search you on the internet and find your blog. I hope a future episode of the documentary will include your story too.
Coming next week… 🙂
Hello Mike, I have never commented on here. My wish is that you reply to me.
My girlfriend whom I love very very much is a lifelong Scientologist. She is the least hardcore member of her family and over the past two years she has been question many things, such as LRH’s death. She does not do auditing anymore and has no interest in going clear.
I have been fascinated with Scientology and have been doing my research for over 12 years, Internet as well as inside of the Church with official materials. I have been drifting her away very slowly due to her own questioning as well as her own financial instability. However, I am not sure exactly how to do this. I am telling her that she can still be a Scientologist if she chooses so outside of the church.
My wish is to show her the short clip of you describing the LRH lecture of Black (reverse as you call it) Dianetics. This will really help her make her decision. I do not want to frighten her and have her disconnect from me therefore I am going slow. Is there any advice you can give me?
Hi Sam — no, you know your girlfriend, I don’t. You know what she might accept or will automatically reject. You have obviously done a lot of research and know a lot of material that is available. Trust your instinct and do only what you think is right for HER.
Sam
your situation sounds very similar to one that I am quietly watching with fingers crossed.
I have no idea how to get someone out, I wouldn’t presume to tell you anything about that.
I just support the person. I let her know in all kinds of ways that I think she’s wonderful, bright, and that I’ve got her back no matter what. I’m safe, she can talk to me, and she’s just right.
I am gently adding in things along the line about one’s right to think freely and to question, to examine contradictions and proof. I take my lead from her and just try to back up the cracks in the brainwashing.
Best of luck.
unbelievably great and heart breaking. As a Declared SP; i am very into this being a success
Mike,
Hope to see you and Leah on C-SPAN soon, testifying to Congress — so they can nix the tax exempt status of Dave’s Cult.
Aaaaaa. Such a great vision.
Agree? scn is organized crime
So many psychs, so little time.
YES!!!!!
Beter late than never. After having arrived from work I found the link for You Tube and that enabled me to watch the program. I could not do so yesterday as I am out of the US for a bit.
My perceptions of the show:
Leah is very ardent in expressing herself and her thoughts and that gives a good pace to the narration.
The presentation of the story of Amy was concise, to the point and very, very touching.
The sudden presentations of events of Scn, DM and similar, sort of broke up my train of thought that was mostly placed on what Leah was saying or on Amy’s story; from my viewpoint a bit disjointed. But here is the point, when Leah was speaking those scenes of Scn fit very well, when Amy’s story was going on, those scenes did not fit.
What was very good,and hope that gets emphasized much more, is the purpose Leah presented re exposing this organization’s abuses so they can be terminated.
The show made me sad as I personally have my own story re leaving my family to be in the Sea Org. One day I may write about it and share it with you and others.
Now, is not Scn destroying it…it is BECAUSE of Scn that we tolerated the break ups with those we love. It is an excuse we used to explain the insanity of it all.
Anyway, thank you Leah really and Mike too for keep going the means to express our purpose to end with this criminal organization and its leader.
I loved the show. It was the perfect blend of Sci background info and personal stories. I loved the personal interaction between you and Leah. You are both so personable.
No criticism here, but the more personal interactions and stories the better the show will be. Sort of less documentary and more reality TV is good, which I think is where you are heading.
Nice Job!
I loved it. It was so raw and powerful. Shoot from the hip, call it for what it is. The emotional element was authentic and gripping. I found myself crying as I watched Bonnie’s struggle with disconnection. It hit home to me. And to see how she advocated still so close to death. Just goes to show the power of love and the insidiousness of that awful awful practice. Leah is a force to contend with. I think the most powerful element is the authentic emotion and dialogue. I always knew you were pretty darn smart Mike.
I Loved the show. I would only make one change. Leah talks about being make an enemy of the church just for leaving and speaking out. I’d love for the public to know that you would be an enemy of the church just for leaving. You don’t even have to speak out. We asked to quietly bow out and remain friends of Scientology and were basically told we’d be declared for that. So just leaving brings all that disconnection and treatment as an enemy into your life. The public needs to know how little you have to have done to be so labeled.
Thanks Mandy. Good point.
Mandy this is a good point because just before a person signs up for a course in Scientology, they can bad- mouth Scientology or Hubbard or MisMantle all they want. The minute they have “gotten with the program” and done a few courses and made themselves known as an adherent, they are made WRONG in the most dramatic and colossal fashion, (the SP Declare) if they leave and mention it. This is a prime example of how the accepted, word cleared and well known policies of the church of scientology VIOLATE THE BASIC fundamentals of Scientology. I am referring to the Logics and Axioms of Scientology. Every time the organization seeks to dominate nullify or redirect a person against their will, to a location not of their own choosing, they have just violated Scientology fundamentals. These examples are legion and conclusively show the multi-valent (multi-personality) nature of it’s materials, L Ron Hubbard. Until Scientologists trace this all back to “source” they are whistling past the graveyard. (sorry I had to)
2.1 million viewers! I can only imagine word-of-mouth will have this increasing exponentially with each week. I’m already looking forward to Season 2 😀
http://www.businessinsider.com/leah-reminis-scientology-show-ae-ratings-2016-11
Now we’re talking!
What a great job you all did on just being who you really are and telling it like it really is.
I can guarantee you one thing. No parent who watches this will EVER sign on the dotted line if their underage child tells them they want to join.
If we have prevented just one of those Les it has been worth it!
I haven’t posted here in years, but I’ve kept up on the reading as I could. I watched the show today with a never in. Her response was, “That was mind f**kery of a kind I didn’t know existed!” followed by, “I need a shower.”
I was very impressed. My friend did have a hard time following some of the Scientology terms and concepts. I had to pause the show several times to explain things like the e-meter, clearing the planet, etc. Overall she was able to follow along, in horror, with the stories presented.
One thing I’d like to ask about is the child sexual abuse. I know for fact that there were children molested and worse at *very* young ages, never reported to the police and always handled internally. Will one of the future shows address that in more detail?
There are a lot of factors to consider — primarily the well-being of the children involved. And getting people who want to talk about it. I am working to collect information and testimony from people who have personal knowledge of these situations. We did not directly tackle this so far, but if there is a season 2 it will definitely be right up there.
Thank you. I can’t wait to watch the rest of the season. 🙂
“if there is a season 2” ….
(squeals in delighted surprise) – hadn’t got that far in thought yet – the possibilities are electrifying!
Comedian Kathy Griffin does a bit about Leah Remini and Scientology (she likes Leah, as we all do) here is a link to it. It’s a 48 minute show, but you can skip to 33:07, this is where she talks about Leah and Scientology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A4LHPBuQWI
I see no link.
It may be a function of your browser,
does this show for you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A4LHPBuQWI
here is the same video posted by ‘angry gay pope’ – try this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcHyGVmcJ6k
on that one she talks about Leah at about 1:50
not sure why the link does not show for you… hope you can view it, it’s pretty funny. 🙂
I see it now.
Mike and Leah – loved the show, great job and can’t wait for the remaining shows.
I had a paradigm shift in this powerful 1 hour show. Kudos and high fives to all who made it happen.
I saw the game.
In many religions you asked to subjugate your ego to transcend higher.
In Buddhism, the work is to cease identification with the ego so that one can go higher spiritually.
In Scientology, the game is to get you to subjugate your self to Hubbard and his creation.
The Cult, with Hubbards order will dictate who you can connect with or not, your money and your kids are captured by the Cult and your schedule, devotion, belief and indoctrination is entirely a construct You run the implants of OT 2 because Hubbard says you have them. You run OT III volcano Incidents because Hubbard says you have them. You belong and donate to IAS because your immortality is threatened if you don’t. You are RPF’d, Gulag’d, treated like a dog because policy says so. Never has the Cult’s urge to destroy and harm those that speak out made more evident. Some great shift and enlightenment occurred watching the show.
Doing a superlative job is not always about impressive innovation. Sometimes it is only about doing something with plain dedication with ability to influence the outcome. Awesome job on reaching the viewer in such depth. And there are 7 more shows to come !
Thank you for sharing that Karen.❤️
Mike,
As a former CEO within Scientology. Is Leah Remini’s documentary an press its getting causing chaos within the upper offices of Scientology? You know emergency board room meetings, Miscavige flogging employees as he downs bottles of ant acid and sleepless nights.
What’s your take on whats going on right now behind the scenes in those head offices?
PRetty good description. He may be Chairman of the Board – but there is no “board.” He is a sole dictator. But there are people who are required to be in attendance to be blamed for things. They get yelled and roughed up. Plenty of that going on to be sure…
Dear sir:
I couldn’t watch this on YouTube!
Why?
But found another link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeTFTAae30M
Good find!
The show is freely showing until 12/13 directly on the A & E website as well.
I can’t wait to see the next seven shows! Wow, what impact.
It was really neat to see Bonny one last time. I was on staff with her in Seattle for about six years. She was one of the ones who seemed to actually care about me as a person and not just for what I could do for the organization. I will always appreciate that.
I know Mike and Claire Headley’s story and many others, but only because I became interested in and read about this organization’s unfathomable abuse happening right in front of our very noses — without repercussion. There were a few moments during this first episode when I wondered if I knew what was being said because I had already done so much reading and whether some subjects would be clear to those new to the topic. One such moment occurred when Amy Scobee related that she rationalized David Miscavige’s abuses because, for other reasons, she believed that those in the Sea Org were “clearing the planet.” I know what this means, but my sense is that other people may not have caught the brief explanation of this concept given earlier on in the episode. Beyond that, kudos to Leah, Mike, Bonny (may she rest in peace) and others who have and will come forward to expose the abuses of this evil organization.
I didn’t read through all the comments–wow, looks like everyone loved it as much as I did!–so if someone addressed this, I missed it. I have read about how women were forced to have abortions and I wonder if that will be addressed. I am totally pro-choice so I don’t think any woman should be forced to carry a child to term that she doesn’t want or isn’t prepared for, but neither do I think that a woman should be coerced into an abortion.
I thought it was excellent and very powerful. I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian church, which has its own abuses, and I know how hard it is to break out of any belief system. I found the stories of disconnection absolutely heartwrenching. I applaud you, Mike, Ms. Remini, and all the others for standing up to the bullying and abusive behavior. You are pulling back the curtain and shining a light into the darkness. Bravo!
YEs, the forced abortions is covered in an upcoming episode
Hopefully this will focus public concern for Laura DeCrescenzo’s next court date
Damn right. Laura is one of the truly brave ones. She took on the church alone. Incredible woman. Nothing but the greatest respect for her. Wish we had been able to include her but no lawyer wants their client doing tv interviews in the middle of a case. Hopefully she will prevail soon and her entire story can be told!
Mike,
You asked for honest feedback so here you go. I haven’t commented here for a long time because I have a different point of view about scientology than you. Believe it or not I still consider myself to be a scientologist. I use it in everything I do.
I was in scientology from 1978 – 1994. I always took a scientific approach to the subject because I questioned everything and I was willing for the truth to change if I observed something different. I openly told people that I didn’t know if I was a thetan. I told auditors that I didn’t know that what I was recalling in auditing was real. Still, I had unbelievable results from auditing that I consider invaluable almost 40 years later. I found that by communicating to the auditors what came up when they asked for an earlier similar allowed me come to an understanding of why these things were connected and resulted in an understanding that I never would have seen and a huge resolution to lifelong problems.
My problem with the show is that there’s not even an acknowledgement that people are there for anything more than being part of a group and saving the world. I’m sure that people do have remarkable gains in scientology today despite the perverted version they’re practicing under the leadership of DM. It would seem to me that by not even recognizing the benefits of scientology you’re just antagonizing people on lines and giving them reason to not listen to you.
Other than the comment I have here I thought the show had a powerful message.
Thanks Paul. Fact is, we are telling stories of the abuses to try to get them stopped, not trying to promote scientology to anyone. I understand you and others find something worthwhile in scientology and I am 100% in agreement with you being able to practice scientology to your heart’s content. If you want to put together a show on the benefits and value of scientology, more power to you. Sincerely.
But the problem with promoting the benefits of SCN is that SCN = DM’s SCN. The more one promotes these benefits the more people go to the orgs and then the more disconnection/fair-game/IAS rip-offs/beating SO members by the leader/forced abortions/forced divorces.
But I agree, if my disconnected son were to leave the organization and wanted to practice technology developed by LRH – more power to him….He can also worship goats or fight thetans on his body if that is what makes him happy. As long as no one is being harmed….
Mike, The last two sentences of your reply were really condescending ( oops I noticed that “sincerely” was a sentence.) Try for a second to consider that I might be on your side. I get that you have to deal with the fact that your children are in the sea org and disconnected from you. I have family members that are disconnected from me.
I could guess that you would be happy to reunite with your children and walk away from this whole mess. I hope that happens. it;s just that I feel so strongly that as long as you ignore the positive parts of scientology your going to alienate people on lines and never have a chance to get through to them. People on lines are there because they have real ruins and scientology handles that to some degree. That may not be the case with your children but it is the case with a large number of the public.
I might be completely wrong here but I feel strongly that your approach is putting up a wall up between you and people on lines.
That was sincere. Not condescending. I would love someone to put together such a show. I think it would be fascinating.
Paul, you might try getting in touch with Marty Rathbun who was hoping to talk more about how $cn works on the Lois Theroux’s, My Scientology Movie” project, but had much of his work end up on the cutting room floor. I’d be interested to review that footage.
I keep trying to get the indies here who still believe in the workability of the OG Tech to try to preserve what they can of what they believe are the most valuable and effective parts of the it because DM and his squirreled version of the tech are going down fast. I hope that I’ve been making sense to them, but I’m not nearly as enthusiastic about Hubbardism as they are, so it’s tough sledding a lot of the time.
Why not see if you can strike up a conversation with Marildi, My2Cents, Foolproof and a few of the other indies who post here regularly and see if you can get something going there!
Paul J: “It would seem to me that by not even recognizing the benefits of scientology you’re just antagonizing people on lines and giving them reason to not listen to you.”
I basically share your viewpoint, Paul. I would say that the vast majority of public scientologists don’t even come close to being as zealous about “saving the planet” as Sea Org members. For them, that is a secondary goal, at best. Their primary concern is to go up the bridge and achieve spiritual freedom – and they believe it can only be done with the tech – and only in the church. THIS, IMHO, is the overriding reason so many of them can be coerced by the church to disconnect from loved ones.
I would guess there are more than a few in the church who already see many of the outpoints that exist but, unlike Amy, they continue to shut their eyes to what they see – because doing otherwise would, in their minds, mean losing their “one chance.” From that perspective, the right approach would be as you say – to “recognize the benefits,” and in that away be a far more credible source to them. The other thing they need to be made aware of is that the tech can be found outside the church and that there are many highly trained people who are delivering it. That’s how I see it.
Well, I beg to differ.
The vast majority of scientologists are NOT “progressing up the bridge” because they cannot afford it. I think many of them stay there because they believe they are “clearing the planet” and “man’s only hope” and they buy the bs they are fed at events.
I think there’s truth to what you’re saying, but I also think they are still hoping to go up the bridge. And the ones who have given up hope would probably be “rekindled” if they had all the data and could see a way to do it. JMO
When you mentioned that, “…there are many highly trained people who are delivering it,” I was wondering how many well-trained, active indie auditors do you estimate that there are out there? If you’re only familiar with your own region, then how many do you estimate that there are there?
In sorry but there is no part of anything L Ron Hubbard preached that should be appreciated or promoted as good.
I’m no scholar but I’d bet there were philosophers before him that knew and taught what he took credit for.
His policies and guides were written to make money. That’s it. Lots and lots of it.
Unless you had your own family ripped apart you will never understand.
I regret my mother was a lost soul they preyed on gladly.
When she died, I had to pay to hold a “service” in the AOLA atrium where the FN registrars lurked on the edges like sharks.
No one will ever convince me to have even an essence of a nice thought about Scientology. Ever.
I watched the show.
I’m glad Leah is a tough woman willing to fight this and with the resources to expose the FN truth.
I will be celebrating when they lose their religious status. When the government gives everyone back their donations” and liquidates the entire scam.
“No Dave…we already used the rogue unit explanation, you have to come up with something else.”
“OK Lou…I’ll think of something.”
“I know you will Honey.”
Mike, Very good delivery. The disconnection story with Amy and her mother was very touching. Maybe it comes in the future episodes, but you have very briefly mentioned how your son was forced to disconnect from you, and how he was treated after your departure from SO. I thought it would be good impact. Also a little more details on Mat and Amy got away: like planning, calculating the risks, where they went right after, etc. I blew from SO and a lot of thought went into it.
This is a very courageous undertaking and well done to you, Leah and all the brave participants. Thank you.
Yossi
Mike, I think the show is extremely well done. Scientology is not an easy subject to expose…where does one begin? So much abuse to choose from, but I think Leah and you have made it accessible to a broad audience – those who were in for a long time, like myself, and those who were never-in, and hopefully others who work in sectors such as the legal and tax system.
I found it very touching and emotional. Amy is very candid and believable, and the scenes with her mother were very powerful – what a lady! Remnds me of the lone person stopping a line of tanks on Tiananmen Square.
Like Brian, who commented above, I would have shown how endemic the abuse is in the church, right back to the days of staff scrubbing the decks and washrooms with a toothbrush, over-boarding, and locking CHILDREN up in the anchor compartment – all on Hubbard’s watch. Yes, David is a psychopath, and a prick, but he picked up what was put in motion by Hubbard.
You and Leah make a great team and I like the snippets of upcoming interviews with the other ex’s that have a story or two to tell about the rage and insanity that is David Miscavige, Pope of Scientology.
Bravo
Thanks Zola. There is more to come. 7 more episodes. Could not get it all into one…
Just watched the first installment. Incredible show! Looking forward to all episodes!
My opinion….it was great! Can’t wait to see what he next 7 weeks brings
Here is the opinion of a non-Scientology watcher who knows next to nothing about the Co$. My husband watched it with me.
He was very impressed with Amy’s mother. I even heard him say ‘way to go mom, good choice!’ when they spoke of their reunion.
She was a fiesty lady. I’m so happy for Amy that it all worked out. It is amazing that Bonnny was able (physically) to do those interviews! It shows what a fighter she was.
His only critique was he thought the program moved a little slowly at some points. I disagred, but I know more about the players than he does.
The frequent commercial breaks were annoying, but it’s only because the program was so good…..I didn’t want to pause for commercial break. (I feel the same way about The Walking Dead…..but the commercials make the show possible so we have to bear with them).
My husband watched the entire show with me. He has never had any kind of interest in the Co$ before and often chides me about my interest. He said ‘I’m going to watch the next one’.
That’s as big a thumbs up as it gets with him.
I thought the show was amazing. I have never posted here, although I read it and the Underground Bunker daily, but this just compelled me to post. I have never been involved in Scientology or any religion, but I have an interest in learning about cults – that’s why I watched Going Clear, ever since then I have been engrossed in this and appalled at so many levels. I thought this show really can really blow people away. Mike, you (and everyone) were awesome. I think you are an amazing speaker and did a fantastic job. I never even watched Leah Remini in any shows, but just watching her on this episode, I was really enthralled with her.
The thing that disgusts me the most is how the “church” attacks in vicious form anyone that leaves. It’s truly abhorrent behavior for anyone calling themselves any organization, much less a “church”. Every time I read one of those letters or see any of that kind of material, I really can’t understand how this organization is still around. Who want’s to be associated with something that can do that to someone who was once “one of them”.
Glad to see you used one of my photos and a video of cult guard Odo Huber at SMP. You only have to ask to get more from http://www.angrygaypope.com – always glad to help though there is a fee for certain HD images.
AGP. Glad to see you popping up here.
Ive enjoyed your videos, especially the ones starring the chief law thug Kendick Moxon. Always a pleasure to watch that man in a bad mood.
Live long and prosper
Besides Going Clear probably the best presented show on the topic. You and Leah compliment each other well. I would like to hear more of the underhanded things they made you and others do to descreit people like the John Sweeney incident. You have such valuable insight and are charming and come off well on camera. Only thing I could add is maybe on the show suggest the audience contact elected officials to pressure for investigations about the crimes of the church
Thanks. This is coming up in future shows…
One more note, and I swear I am done being critical.
For today. 🙂
Being out for 15 years, and reading every article and book and watching every news, documentary and TV show on Scientology, the most painful part for me – like being bashed repeatedly up against a boarded fence – is listening to people explain what “engram” and other Scientology terms mean for the general public before getting on with the show.
It has become monotonous to the point of torture for me to be bashed in the forehead with that – even one more time.
You guys avoided all that and got right to the meat of your message very quickly.
You didn’t have to teach everyone a Div 6 course on Scientology in order to expose its abuses!
Way to go!!!
Alanzo
Not sure if there was enough mention of why people get involved in the first place. I still think a large percentage of joe public equates scn with “xenu”/”aliens”/”scam” etc., and perhaps have little understanding as to its ultimate appeal, esp as a newbie. I’d hate for anyone to watch it and think “more fool them for being dumb enough to get suckered”, etc. Leah discussed this very eloquently on Ellen the other day, how the media and many people seem to trivialise Scn to the point where the real issues, the abuses, get overlooked. Just my $0.02.
Fantastic episode, however. Thank you to everyone involved. Clear, concise, with real impact. I wept like a baby.
Mike,
Last night was the first time in many years I broke down. Just lost it.
Seems I have built quite a wall to block the impact disconnection has made in my life.
Lost my wife, two children, sibling, parent, too many childhood friends to count.
All because of a belief system that I walked away from for the reasons everyone knows.
Thank you Leah, Mike and all those speaking out, from the bottom of my heart, for your tenacity and courage.
It has made an tremendous impact.
Thanks for coming to visit here
I’m hoping the way the police are turned away by $cientology security when responding to 911 calls is addressed. The police have got to start saying, “Screw that. We’re talking to whoever made the call, produce them now or get arrested for interferring with an investigation.”
Great job, Mike. About halfway through the show, Leah went into despair about how little if anything could be done, and you calmly and smoothly pointed out that exposure of the atrocities might be the answer. The two of you complement each other and are a very good team. Amy was great too.
I agree with your comment Miraldi. It might seem an impossible task to get disconnection and other things stopped, but just shining the light on it as she is doing in these documentaries is good. My thanks and admiration to Mike and Leah and all her crew for bringing the church up for inspection on this heinous practice of disconnection. It has been used as the club to keep parishoners in line for too long.
Absolutely! Stories like Amy’s family’s requires a “head and heart” approach in telling, which were roles that Mike and Leah played to perfection.
Lil davey the clueless has only a very few credible defense strategies here. One of those is to emphasize how small a group these disaffected ex-members comprise, while exaggerating how large the cherch supposedly is. Thus, regardless of whether or not you believe these individual stories, they can be seen to pale in comparison to the massive number of cherch members who, like TC, think of $cn as “a beautiful religion”.
The reality there is that there are already many more on-the-record accounts of coerced disconnection that exist, and many more that could be gathered, because enforced disconnection under threat of expulsion, IS official cherch policy to be ruthlessly enforced by the cult, NOT something that individual parishioners decide on their own with no undue influence from cherch involved.
Highlighting the fact that a large number of individuals and their families have been directly harm by this morally indefensible cherch policy, and the fact that the cherch is in complete denial about the harm that it has caused and appears to be resolutely unwilling to reform itself in this regard, is an important “carry through” point to leave folks with when the series ends, imo.
I noticed Leah and her family left out their SO time and was curious why….unless it wasn’t pertinent to this episode and will be included on another?
Time constraints. Leah’s personal story is covered in great depth in her wonderful book: Troublemaker
I was hoping they would make reference to her book and Amy’s book so that people could be lead to read them. And I was disappointed that the A&E station helped the church by providing their website so as “to get their side of things.” On other expose shows they didn’t do that. The other shows just said, “We asked Scn for a statement or to come be interviewed and they refused.” And they ended it there. Why did they put in a website from the church to send people to?
You should actually go to that website and read the drivel they send out. It is laughable. Didn’t you see the ad in the NY Post? A&E are using scientology’s insane ramblings as promotion for their show. They make clear that scientology is everything that is said, told or shown about it, and more.
Not knowing what lies ahead in future episodes so these may be moot points but I totally agree about delving deeper into kids…how they systematically program them, deprive them of education, intentionally separate them from family and break the child parent bond, also the deplorable conditions SO kids are exposed to (squalor, molestation, labor as well as RPF assignments) how they use the dependence/ignorance/fear of the world they they have instilled in them to keep them from leaving, and how they struggle if they do leave the fold, the stigma, depression, addiction, psychosis, suicides (also the child neglect that happens to those public kids whose parents become so consumed by Scientology that they become unavailable or are unwilling to raise them without heavy handed ethics or other Scientology tactics) so they end up on the streets having to find their own way, often alienating them from their parents for life, with no happy ending.
Also I hope you’ll be able to shine a light on what happens to long term SO adults who leave and have no where to go, no resources, no job skills, no resume, no friends, no family, no retirement, no social security benefits, no idea how to get help, plus a permeating distrust of the world they’re now thrust into…nothing but scars and the clothes on their backs. You touched on it but I’d like to see much more on this…
Also totally agree that LMP NEEDS to be brought in for Season 2.
There’s just no more relatable approach in exposing the cult than to focus in on the indefensible moral evil of enforced disconnection and the mistreatment, abuse and neglect of the children who’ve been harmed by the cult. Everyone with kids, a loving family and a conscience can appreciate at a direct level of heart-felt empathy how destructive this official cherch policy has been and continues to be for everyone affected by it.
Watch for the cherch to continue to trot out still-in family members of those featured in Leah’s series who’ve been coerced and threatened to portray themselves as acting under their own self-determinism and free choice. If that was the actual case, then you’d expect that there would be at least one Sea Orgy staff member who remains in regular and uncensored contact with family members who’ve left the cherch and chosen to speak about their own direct experiences while they were in, wouldn’t you? The fact that there isn’t such a person serves to cast supreme doubt on the cherch’s protestations that disconnection is a fully self-determined decision made by each individual.
Indeed, it’s a bold-faced lie that even the most superficial of investigations will serve to discount. Let’s hope that more independent investigations by reputable journalists and appropriate government agencies will be undertaken as a result of this remarkable expose of the cherch’s unconscionable behavior and morally indefensible policies!
YEah, they started trotting them out as we were in production. Now a new website that I will have something to say about tomorrow (Thursday Funnies going on a one week hiatus).
I’ll daresay there are many more of us that are damaged that could be trotted out than they could ever round up.
Just watched it. It’s as real as it gets. Thank you to everyone involved. Looking forward to see the rest. Thanks again.
I had no intentions of watching it honestly until I saw a reddit thread about how the “church” was making a big fuss over the show and trying to get it pulled. That piqued my interest and I followed the AMA on reddit with Leah. I’ve always known about Scientology and the insane stuff they do. I was also inspired to download and watch going clear which I hadn’t seen before.
The whole hemet compound thing I don’t quite understand but it’s interesting. I guess David Miscavige has all the connections needed to prevent any real snooping around there.
I thought the show was great. It made me angry that they get away with this. I think the main thing is that they need to get their tax-free status taken away. They should be called out for being the ponzi scheme that they are.
Mike, it was inspiring – and educational. I’m so glad for Amy that her and her mother had time to reconnect and to see through the BS together. After being treated such crap, she and her husband deserve peace and a happy future. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season! Thanks for your hard work. It’s strange to see how far things have come – a major show with a whole season airing on A&E! It’s definitely a huge step in the right direction, and I am really grateful. Thanks..
I liked Leah’s Special. I look forward to watching the remaining episodes. I am also looking forward to hearing how Marty Rathbun is utilized.
What I never seem to hear or read are:
• From all the rumors, I have heard, David Miscavige has long ago stopped using any Scientology for his own personal benefit or enhancement — other than financial benefit that are coerced out of the Scientology public, who have gotten gains from the application of Scientology in their lives.
• That the Scientology public and most Scientology staff have NO CLUE what David Miscavige is doing.
• I spent a total of 10 years in the Sea Org and never heard a peep about any of this crap.
• The only thing I observed was that the RTC (which did not exist when I first got into Scientology in 1978), was slowly becoming more and more powerful. I saw that they controlled all management in the Advanced Orgs.
• The absence of testimony from the likes of Ron Miscavige, Ronnie Miscavige, Bittie Miscavige, Debbie Cook, Pat Broeker, etc.
• I see the emphasis that all Sea Org members joined to be part of the solution to the much larger problem of salvaging Mankind and the planet.
• However, most, like my non-Scientologist immediate family, think I as nuts to belong. They obviously “knew” (based on no experience) that Scientology was a fraud and a cult.
• Scientology works. It worked on me to my benefit, I worked on my former friends, it worked on my PCs that I audited, it worked … that is why the church still exists,
• I am sure that most, if not all, of the Scientologists, who are still in, public and staff, have NO CLUE that David Miscavige controls the millions of dollars — generated by not only their services provided (processing and training) but also by all the bogus fund raising.
• It is apparent that David Miscavige spends boatloads of money on his puppet lawyers and PIs — used to harass “enemies” and protect and service David Miscavige.
• It is not apparent to the casual observer that there currently is no Sea Org member who acts as the Scientology Spokesman — not even David Miscavige avails himself to questioning or to defend himself.
• What is and/or has happened to: Heber Jentzsch, Mark Yager, Guillaume Leserve, etc.
# # #
I don’t believe that you’re going to see Marty making an on-camera appearance in Leah’s series at all. It would be very interesting indeed to hear his personal confessions concerning the actions that he took under lil davey the savage’s direct orders to implement the cherch’s policies of coerced disconnection and Fair Game.
That seems very unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future, though, so one can only hope that the complete story there will eventually be told.
It was an excellent show and perfectly aimed to show non-scientologists why the controversies.
The one thing that bugged me was the use of Scn clips that gave the impression that the organization is bigger than it is or expanding in any way, i.e. the IAS events footage, photos of fancy buildings, the garish Nuremburg style stages, the uniformed SO members, etc.
For someone not familiar with the current state, it tends to give an appearance of legitimacy – “they can’t be all bad if they’re that big”.
The reality is empty buildings, dwindling and old membeship, fewer services delivered, etc. and that could be presented.
We address that very issue in an upcoming episode… 😉
I loved the show, and one of the things I loved most is that it got right into peoples’ stories with not so much explanation about Hubbard and the history of Scientology and the various elements etc. To me that has been a failing of some of the other shows–too much background. I feel it really slows things down, and people can just google it anyway. For instance, when Leah said she was concerned about Shelly not being at the wedding, I was glad she didn’t go into the whole background, and just got right to it. People can figure things out from the context.
Totally agree. I had a neighbor over who doesn’t have cable, but loves Leah and, “Wanted to see her new show she had heard about.” She doesn’t know much about $cientology, and normally doesn’t want to hear about it, but she was almost immediately going, “Oh, my. What they did to those poor people.”, and, “How can they claim it’s all lies? It’s obvious these are straight forward people telling what happened to themselves.”
I loved the show. Thank you.
It was hard for me to watch for several reasons. First, I have known and been close to Mark and Bonnie since 1981, they are both my best friends. I know Bonnie was proud to have been part of the program. Love you, girl!
It’s been sometime since I escaped from the madness that Scientology has become. Watching the show I was often thinking “I can’t believe I was a part of that…”
I agree: more of “how does a person get sucked in” and I would add some more stories that illustrate how trapped one becomes, the utter despair and desperation of being on staff or in the Sea Org. I loved the part about how you rationalize the insanity, but stay…I think people need to hear more about how that happens, maybe use examples of other areas of life where people ignore bad stuff and pretend its not there…
I am looking forward to the next installment.
The show was really fantastic, I can’t wait for the other 7! All of you were great – very earnest and so obviously filled with real concern for those who are currently being and have been negatively affected by this “church”. It was really heart wrenching to listen to Amy & her mother’s story as well as the other clips presented. The fear and total despair that must be felt when someone makes that choice to leave Scientology management / Sea Org must be so overwhelming and awful. Are there any “halfway houses” for lack of a better term or organizations out there that are set up to help these people? I would absolutely donate to something like this.
Absolutely riveting and heartbreaking. Can’t wait for the other episodes. I think the show may well help bring things to a critical mass and create positive change. I’m sure it has already helped some families. Wish everyone in and out of the CoS could see it; and that the bravest “still in”, who have not entirely lost their integrity, dared to watch.
The show was very well produced. My only complaint is that it used the term RPF without fully explaining its meaning but I understand that time is limited. It is so easy to fall into LRH acronyms (like that one) that only make sense to those people who have been in the cult or have spent a lot of time reading about it.
https://wikileaks.org/wiki/Draft:Scientology_acronyms#RPF
Glossary of Acronyms to help you understand the many acronyms in Scientology. 🙂
I was wrong. The RPF was well covered. I must not have been focused at that moment.
Mike, I thought it was great…I can’t wait to see the rest of the episodes. What I’d really like to know is why the authorities can’t do anything about it. All these accusations about intimidation and spying and abuse but nothing ever gets done about it. There are government watchdogs that monitor business dealings and not for profits and almost any other organization you can think of. I think it’s time to get some FBI agents to kick in some doors.
Roger – the only way to force agencies to do something is to bring situations to their attention and put pressure on them. That pressure comes from the media and from elected officials getting in their business and demanding to know what they are doing about something. So, contact your congressman or senator. Ask them why nothing is being done.
I thought it was really well done and avoided the excessive melodrama that’s normally present in shows like this – stuck to the facts and presented them very powerfully. Can’t wait to see the rest of the series and kudos to everyone involved!
Brava to Leah Remini. We’ll be seeing the series and Ms. Leah among next year’s Emmy nominees.
A couple of people thought the car scene with you and Leah was superfluous – I disagree. It made it more personal, set up your own relationship with each other, and was cute and funny, a necessary tension-reliever. More substantively, the story of Amy and Bonny was so powerful – and well crafted to cut from one to the other. At the end when they each told about Bonny’s disconnection with tears in their eyes, I was crying too, as I imagine was the whole audience. So when Bonny then described coming to Amy’s house to hug Amy and reconnect, it carried a lot of emotional punch. I think the disconnection stories are the most powerful (and I don’t think that is just because I have a family member who disconnected from me for 5 heart wrenching years) so I hope there are more of those coming up.
Mike, I think it was very good, and it clearly shows the disconnection problem to us and or any public. Thank you Leah, Emmy, Mat, Keep them coming
Mike, the show was really done well. I’ve been out 9 years now. Lost my son & daughter to disconnection. The show brought me to tears, tears I have up til now never shed. 30+ years of my life spent – for what?
My girlfriend (never involved) watched last night. Her email to me after:
“…was really sad, baby. Made me cry for you. Hang in there. You are loved.”
Thank you & Leah for doing this series.
The show was terrific. One of the most difficult things about tackling the story of $cientology is that it is such a behemoth of a topic… it spans so many disparate subject matters and fields of inquiry (religion, philosophy, history, law, labor, politics, real estate, etc etc etc) that no matter what angle one starts from, there is always so much more to tell, and one needs to get a LOT of background information established before the scale of the tapestry begins to reveal itself. That said, I think the series premiere did a terrific job of choosing and maintaining a focus on Amy and Bonny’s stories as a way in to the rest of the saga.
I agree with the many who say that it takes a lot of time to answer the classic question any “never-in” would ask: why do people get sucked into this? And I think they did a good job at starting to answer this question.
Which brings me to my main comment: I’m hoping the series can continue to answer the “how-could-you-get-sucked-in” question, and as part of that, explain the “information bubble” inside of which parishioners, staff and S.O. are imprisoned.
The calculated control of information (and use of misinformation) is something which America as a whole is grappling with (Trump) and I think the cautionary example of $cientology could help many in the audience start to wake up. Thanks for your work on this show, Mike. Well done, and I can’t wait for the rest!!
Dear Mike,
I watched the show from the site using US VPN.
At first I was afraid that will be one of the “Hollywood star and children in Africa” kind of shows, but i’am happy that didn’t happen.
It was a really hearttouching episode, especial for ones who were (or still are) in Scn.
Many thanks,
I will sent a link for everyone i know.
Wow, right to the jugular of scamology! I don’t see any way to make this better as a serialized show.
Well Done to Mike, Leah and Co.
Watched the program with my kids – even though it was late. It turned into a very valuable experience. The questions and resulting discussion were impressive. I can tell you they learned about the dangers of cults and manipulation.
watching as a ‘never-in’ but as someone who has a ton of background info about CoS, i thought it was fantastic. i liked the driving scenes; they added to the sense that these are real people you can relate to. i thought there was a great balance between the story telling and your (mike’s) added perspective. i’m not sure if this would invite copyright challenges, but if there was a way to infuse LRH’s directives into the story (to show that these events aren’t exceptions, but the actual Rules) that could add impact.
people who hear stories like this always ask the same questions – why did you stay? i feel like there’s a big gap in the explanations we read or hear about that leaves out the elements of covert hypnosis built into every aspect of the church. even LRH/DM’s constant, repetitive droning is a form of it. jason beghe explained it well when he quoted LRH and something about the best traps are ones where the person keeps himself locked up. i think if there was more focus on that, it might help people answer the ‘why did you stay’ question more easily. i hope it’s addressed in upcoming episodes.
overall though, i LOVED it. the pacing was great, everyone seemed really genuine, and the stories were compelling. the only other thing i’d change if it were my show would be some of the music (a titch heavy-handed sometimes).
Thanks Chris. We try to cover the policies in later episodes (next up “Fair Game”) and also why people stay in. There is so much to cover and even 8 episodes seems like there is too much not being said or explained…
Good point re covert hypnosis.
Mike! I’ll be watching it again tonight since I’m sure I missed plenty…but I thought it was heartbreaking, eerie, poignant, with a strong undercurrent of humanity, hope and love. You two have a great chemistry, dry and outspoken…nice combo. Totally agree about somehow clearly and repeatedly demonstrating “these events aren’t exceptions, but the actual Rules”…quoting the policy’s makes good sense to me. Aimee & Matt were so brave, Bonny was fearless and riveting in her battle to right the wrong, and her fierce but touching declarations towards the Scientology bastards made me cry…really well done!
The commercial interruptions and disclaimers were the only take away for me…ate up too much time for my liking, and we only got into one story so not sure how the heck you’ll cover all that needs to be exposed in only 8 episodes but I’m sure you have a master plan and I just cant wait to see it all unfold. <3
I wonder if you could draw in the viewing audience at the end with a brief video clip where you and Leah say, "What can you do to help? Here's how"….and add links to a tip line, a support/abuse/recovery/disconnection hotlines, how to share your Scientology story link, and file a complaint/ask your congressman type of thing? I think you have everyone's attention, but they may not know what they can do about it. <3.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great idea.
Mike, you were great on the show yesterday. I hope you’ll be on future shows with Leah. The commercials were hell. They interupted the story, but I just waded through them to hear more.
I thought the back and forth between Leah and the stories was an excellent balance. Amy Scobey and her mom’s story were so heartbreaking. I thought of my mom and her recent death defying health challenges and thought what hell it would have been if I’d lost her. My heart goes out to Amy. You hear her and her wonderful mother tell of their experience, especially of her mom’s depression, which in the cherch isn’t a thing and you just know it’s not a lie. I defy someone so say oh they are apostates and full of crap. It was so moving.
I am so incenced that kids are recruited and denied education. What if a twelve year old is recruited and becomes a janitor to clear the planet? What skills will they have outside when they’ve been wrung out of their last drop of belief?
Mike I like the gravitas your presence brings and I love Leah’s personality. She’s pugnacious and I know I’d like her if she were someone in my life.
I am so jazzed about this show. I hope a ton of people see it. Will we ever know the numbers?
Excellent job Mike and Leah. I’m looking forward to more stories such as , David Miscavaiges twin sister arrested for DUI , and possession of weed. Or the very lovely,Biggy Reichert,an OT8 who went back to Flag for more auditing,Two days later left Flag , went back home to Germany and committed suicide. Or Steven Bracket , while engaged to Nanct Cartwight ( the voice of Bart Simpson.) Although she donated $ 10 mil to the church,Steve was having financial problems that drove him to jump off a bridge ,killing himself. Did I mention he was on OT7 at the time. Or Matt and Kathy Feshbach, Matt who has done all three L’s, plus Super Power twice. He recently declared bankruptcy. And finally, Dr David Minkoff , who never actually treated Lisa Mcpherson,The Scientology staff members bypassed 3 other hospitals to bring her to him 45 minutes away. When they got there she was already dead. Minkoff screamed at them for
being so stupid. Yet he was sued and lost his licences. The C of S, through him under the bus. I feel bad when I see him at Flag events. Looking forward to the upcoming shows.
Hi Mike –
I have a note, if you don’t mind.
The positioning of the Sea Org with various religious terms such as “elite priesthood”, and describing it using the cover term of “ecclesiastical”, hides the fact that the Sea Org has much more in common with a paramilitary organization than any religious body. This cloaking hides the fact that the military uniforms, the military ranks, the roll calls, the barking orders, and the extreme military behavior exists. I know of no priests who do any of that.
Using these religious cloaking terms, people picture sea org members with their eyes closed peacefully and their hands folded, deep in prayer all day.
As you know, nothing could be further from the truth.
And equating David Miscavige with “the Pope” is almost freaking sacreligious. Equating him with Captain Bly, maybe, or with Gunnery Sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket would be much more truthful.
In my experience, the Sea Org is most definitely a paramilitary organization deceiving people by calling itself a religious order.
I’m wondering, why did you choose to describe the Sea Org as an elite religious order?
Alanzo
It’s a good point that I agree with, but it is problematic to refer to the SO as “paramilitary” as it implies they kill people. That is what paramilitary organizations do and what the commonly understood meaning of the word is. There is no evidence that SO members are engaged in armed conflict or using weapons to kill.
More significant to me is ACTIONS than how you describe someone or something. But I will bear this in mind.
Mike wrote:
” it is problematic to refer to the SO as “paramilitary” as it implies they kill people. That is what paramilitary organizations do and what the commonly understood meaning of the word is. There is no evidence that SO members are engaged in armed conflict or using weapons to kill.”
All right, so how about:
“The Sea Org is an unarmed totalitarian paramilitary organization which uses militarily ranks, orders, and role calls operating with the expressed purpose of getting ethics in on Planet Earth. A sea org member signs a billion year loyalty oath and pledges to give his life for survival of the Sea Org.”
This is just a suggestion off the top of my head which I believe is much more accurate and gives the public a much truer picture of the Sea Org than positioning it with “an elite priesthood”.
Don’t you?
Don’t get me wrong – it’s just a note. It was a great show. You and Leah make a great team. I can’t wait to see the rest of the episodes.
Alanzo
Thanks Alanzo. Will try and remember this for next time! 🙂 Appreciate your kind words.
It is a conundrum. What do you call these foul mouths
screaming sea org members so a regular non Scientologist
can get a semblance of comparison to other religious groups?
Nuns and monks? There really is no comparison as this is a
true cult. Possibly the only way is to make it real is to take
the time to fully explain all this. Time restraints can be very
difficult in shows like these when you want info and impact
in such a short time but maybe you can kill two birds…by
explaining the full thing.
The show was excellent and hopefully it will air again as I
missed some of it. (One commercial cut into the show very
abruptly and jarringly so maybe there could be a pause in
between).
I found the wording to be perfect. When you say DM is the Pope of scn, I know exactly what that means: infallible, never to be questioned, receives his orders from God… Also calling the S.O. an elite religious order communicates very well. Everyone I know at least, understands that you make sacrifices when you join such a group and that you obviously are devout in your commitment. So then to be taken advantage of like this is even more of a betrayal. Having family in the clergy in different positions over the years.
Can you imagine convincing the Pastor’s wife to have an abortion, for the good of the church?
Alanzo, your point is an important one, but I’d say that it would be more accurate to describe the Sea Org as having a quasi-military, or even pseudo-military, organizational structure that emphasizes a rigid, top-down chain-of-command structure, which focuses absolute power at the top, with DM in sole and complete control of every part of $cn.
What also needs to be highlighted here is that the Sea Org is not just military-like in its organizational structure, but also infused with the sense of being at a war like none before, where the entire agonized fate of mankind for the next millions of years hangs in the balance and and victory completely depends on what it’s most dedicated members do in this crucial lifetime to achieve it. As a result, the importance of following orders to the letter and without question is even more of a necessity, becomes time is precious and lives hang in the balance.
In other words, all of $cn, and particularly the Sea Org, is on a perpetual war footing which relegates everything besides the group’s survival to a lesser important status and makes individual needs subservient to the, purportedly, greater good. As a result, once you buy into the ultimate seriousness of the moment and get with the battle-mind mentality, then all manner of behavior by the group which devalues individuals and families is seen as necessary, and even as a laudable sacrifice to make in order to triumph over the next round of Marcabian invaders, or the Evil Psych global conspiracy, or the NWO, or you fill in the blank…all can apply here 😉
Bizarre as all that sounds, what’s even more strange is the fact that you’re only supposed to learn the “true story” about what the cherch’s “military during a time of war” posture and pervading mind set is based on once you get yourself up the bridge far enough in order to take on this massively overwhelming set of secrets. You only get to learn what the cherch’s most fundamental tenets of belief are (e.g., who Lord Xenu is and how badly everyone is suffering from a massive psychic infestation of space alien spirits) much later on, after you’ve already signed up for this wr to end all wars and started fighting it.
So, from the Sea Org perspective, “We’re engaged in the Mother of all wars and there’s no room for concern about anything but our victory, because if we lose, then all those other subordinate concerns about individuals and families will be be made moot anyhow.” They actually believe this crazed shit, and that very basic fact has to be taken on board and fully understood in order for anyone to get how the very normal, human concerns about maintaining caring family relations could ever be set side.
Very well put Harpoona. It’s the mindset of KSW 1, and is not the easiest thing to let go of once you’ve been indoctrinated into it. As I began to find out about L. Ron Hubbard and the real facts of his life, I eventually saw through the enforced dogma and realized it’s all one big control operation.
Thanks! True Believer $ciilons’ fanatical zealotry, fixed stoney-faced gaze and unquestioning obedience to “Command Intention,” along with the cherch’s callous disregard for human rights and self-determinism can not be understood as being anything but evil and sociopathic unless you fully understand this “Mother of all wars in the stars” belief structure that underlies and pervades all of $cn.
Indeed, if this bizarre fantasia of whole-track lives and space alien invaders was actually true, then the logical calculus would change dramatically. And in order to save the planet from, umm, what was it again, the Marcbian 5th invader force, or the Evil Psych global conspiracy, we would definitely have to make the same kind of personal and family sacrifices that the allied powers were forced to during World War II.
But here’s the thing on that one: If that supposed “War beyond all wars” isn’t based in reality, then THE WHOLE THING IS BULLSHIT, and the entire quasi-military control structure completely unwarranted. Indeed, this whole bizarre mash up of religious order and military organizational structures seen in $cn harkens back to the pre-Enlightenment days of the Crusaders.
I don’t know about you, but until I see that first Marcabian invader force spaceship touch down, I’m going to go with the “this is a some mega-whacked bullshit!” conclusion and enjoy my family life and warn everyone who will listen about the dangers of getting involved with any kind of high-demand group like $cn!
Funny you should mention Marcabians. I had one over for dinner the other night and boy is he a real sweetheart, and funny too! When I asked him about his group’s plan for planetary domination, he just smiled conspiratorially, and told me it was a running joke with him and Ron to see how many people would fall for it.
If anyone knows how it did in the ratings, I’d be interested.
Me too.
Dave, regarding your latest motivator in the form of a reality show, I’m once again reminded of movie quotes. Here’s one for you from Good Will Hunting: How do you like them apples?
Ok Mike, that was first class. It was great visually. The edits were seamless. The minimal music score was appropriate and powerful (I am a composer for feature film and commercials)
But all of that is meaningless without powerful stories and engaging people.
And you had both; powerful stories and people.
I am hoping this will cause the Feds to reopen its investigations into this criminal thug regime.
I think it’s coming.
One more personal thing: I am truly disgusted by Ron apologists after seeing this series.
Marildi, Foolproof and others, all of this pain, all of those tears from these people have their source in the man you misguidedly and ignorantly defend.
I’m finished cutting you guys slack. There is something not right with you.
All of this inhumanity comes from the sick twisted mind of Hubbard.
The pain in these people’s lives, the tears, comes from word clearing sick and hateful doctrines.
Every time I saw tears, my mind went to GO/OSA agents watching this and belittling these people as being low toned.
My Two Cents, it is disgusting to put the pain and grief in these folks life as lower than hate.
Here’s my emotions talking: you people disgust me after watching this first installment.
Maybe this will occur later in the series…..
Mike, when you posted Ron’s doctrines on criticism a few blogs ago it was very powerful. It got many hits.
I would love to see more quotes on screen that gives the actual source of this horrendous church behavior.
At present it just has people thinking Scientology is bad. But the “bad” in Scientology, the source of this evil behavior comes from Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. And all of it is in writing.
Is it that people still are unconsciously afraid to use Ron’s name in all of this!!
So my suggestion is to show more source material on screen that gives the basic basic to this hateful madness.
This whole mess is sourced in the mind and writings of Hubbard.
HOLD HIS FEET TO THE FIRE. HE CAUSED THIS WITH HIS WRITINGS. SHOW WHERE IT ALL COMES FROM.
Every time there is a revelation of inhumanity…..EVERY TIME….
Pull a quote from Hubbard that connects the dots to the actual behavior of inhumanity.
People become inhumane because they study the doctrines. Normal people do not just go “poof” and become inhumane when they enter an org.
Show the source. I hope you do not still have any iota of protecting Hubbard.
He seemed to be missing.
It was not Germany who killed Jews. It was Hitler.
It is not “the church” who distorts minds. It’s Hubbard.
Yes!!!
Marildi, Foolproof and others, all of this pain, all of those tears from these people have their source in the man you misguidedly and ignorantly defend. I’m finished cutting you guys slack. There is something not right with you.
I agree. Defending Hubbard is, at the very least, imho, extremely distasteful. I’ve seen a handful of political leaders praise Fidel Castro and his “legacy” this last week, despite the fact he imprisoned, tortured and murdered tens of thousands of people who spoke out against him or tried to flee, persecuted blacks and gays and stifled his country’s economy forcing poverty upon his people. Yet despite his “flaws” (as the leader of the UK opposition party called them a couple of days ago) he was still an awesome dude because he helped raise literacy and implemented a half decent free healthcare system. Oh well, that’s okay then.
Brian and mwesten, please differentiate – I don’t defend Hubbard, just the tech. It would be similar to not defending Castro but at the same time not wanting to see the improvements he brought about in literacy, health care, etc. be destroyed because the other things the man did were evil. What good would that do?
Now, you may not agree that Hubbard brought about some good things with the tech, but many people do. And he certainly did not rank on the scale of evil anywhere near what you listed out as Castro’s evil deeds: “imprisoned, tortured and murdered tens of thousands of people who spoke out against him or tried to flee, persecuted blacks and gays and stifled his country’s economy forcing poverty upon his people.” For all his discreditable deeds, I think you’d have to agree Hubbard wasn’t that bad.
I acknowledge that Hubbard did some bad things, but in the above where I wrote “wasn’t that bad,” I meant in comparison with Castro.
“Brian and mwesten, please differentiate – I don’t defend Hubbard, just the tech.”
The problem Marilidi is Ron wrote ethics tech, admin tech and auditing tech.
ALL OF THESE, all of these techs were considered standard.
There was not a difference between the “standardness” and workability between techs. One tech was not considered good and one bad.
The argument some Indies have is the tech is different from the man, Ron. They give the analogy of an inventer of some tech. That say,”see here, Joe Blow could have been a murderer but he invented a vaccine to cure blah blah and helped people.”
This is a false analogy because Scientology is not a hard science or hard tech like math. True believers think it is but it is not.
Scientology is a philosophy. And in that regard influences thoughts, behaviors, world views, cosmologies etc.
At this point, promoting L Ron Hubbard as having the answers to life, that he can help you find truth and liberation is like the 500 lb man advertising weight loss.
And this point is driven home in stark and disturbing terms when you know that the man who convinced you he could free you…………
WISHED TO COMMIT SUICIDE BY ELECTRO SHOCK!!!!!!
WHILE RUNNING IMAGINARY DEMONS!!!!!!!!!
AND HAD SARGE GO LOOKING FOR BTS ON HIS RANCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND INDIES STILL PRAISE THE TECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This one fact, if truly confronted and analyzed, has the power to pop this delusional bubble that Ron knew what he was talking about.
Ron’s regimented thinking techniques, auditing, may be able to bring a mind to cognition, but it also can bring a mind to disassociate from reality.
There are better paths to spiritual realities out there without having to have to follow the 500 lb man selling weight loss.
If you want to find liberation, find someone who is. Learn from him/her.
You put your mind, soul and body in the hands of a man who thought suicide was better than living……………
Do you not see???????
Brian, I’d like to hear what Marildi, Foolproof, M2c and other indie folks have to say about the importance and impact of this series. Most of them are as dismissive and condemnatory of DM as the rest of us, so I’d like to hear from them about how what they value about $cn can ever separated out from all that is so apparently evil about it and then given a different organizational structure within which it could be sustained.
Once the dam breaks there is just way too much anguish, loss, betrayal and pain that’s being given voice and released here to not note the significance of this moment in $cn’s history or to be affected by it at a gut level. I just don’t see $cn surviving into the future in any recognizable form unless those still in the cherch and $cn True Believers on the outside can find a way to admit and make amends for the serious crimes and massive human rights violations that have occurred as a result of its official policies.
I’d sincerely like to know what those here who continue to identify as scientologists think about that.
HF: “. . . so I’d like to hear from them about how what they value about $cn can ever [be] separated out from all that is so apparently evil about it and then given a different organizational structure within which it could be sustained.”
The thing that is “so apparently evil about it” IS the organizational structure. The tech itself isn’t inherently evil and I would say works most of the time (which means it works at least as well as any other system of individual improvement) when in competent, well-intended hands.
On that basis, HF, let’s dream a little, shall we? For starters, the best-case scenario I can imagine that would bring about a restoration of scientology would first require that DM be taken down by the authorities. This is something that Mike and Leah may very well be able to play a big part in accomplishing, hopefully soon.
After DM is gone, true leaders would need to come forward who are not only leader types but well trained and experienced in both tech and admin/management (not necessarily scientology admin, but that would be up to their experienced judgement). They would have to first work out the overall plans for how they were going to put things in order – beginning with amnesties for all who have been falsely declared SPs.
My guess is that these new executives would probably have to come from outside the church because those inside have been heavily indoctrinated in DM’s “think,” along with the type of management he has been running, whether it was based on LRH policy or his altered version of policy. Again, the training and experience of the new leaders would be their guide.
As you know, there have been other religions in the past that have also gone badly off the rails and caused (to quote you) “much anguish, loss, betrayal and pain,” such as the Catholic Church, for example. And they survived – so it can be done. As for making amends for all the crimes, there is apparently plenty in the coffers to support doing so, and also enough to handle the money rightfully owed to parishioners including coerced donations that should be paid back to them.
As you can see, all this would require a lot of work and tremendous dedication, and I truthfully don’t know if there are enough people who are willing and able to do the job. But I do think that many org staff would be both willing and able to be take part in such a reformation.
If in the end, the church as an organization falls apart, the other possible scenario I can envision is that those who believe in the tech would add to the numbers of independents and continue to practice scientology. And to the degree that they are successful, the tech would survive into the future, even if the name of scientology itself is lost – and even if the tech is altered, as long as it is as workable or more so. In that sense, the tech would live on.
Hope I answered your question.
Edit on this sentence: “My guess is that these new executives would probably have to come from outside the church. . . ” I meant they should not be from upper management as they would have been heavily indoctrinated into DM’s think. But they most likely would come from church staff of some other level, or from former church staff.
The tech that is evil:
1) Sec Checks
2) Running imaginary demons that cause a mind to falsely identify one’s own thoughts and emotions as coming from an external source, thus causing a mind to disassociate from truth and weaken the power of self causation.
3) third party “law”. If a couple cannot resolve issues it’s has to be a third party. How many Scientology marriage counciling went on which hunts to blame another for a couples inablity to resolve issues.
4) Time dating is bullshit. How can you know what happened down to the second what happened 4,000, 000,000,000,000,432,789,980,098,987 years, 9.895 months, .0009 days and .988877766644 seconds ago when you ate a planet for breakfast but can’t remember what you did 10 years, 4 months ago??
The tech came from what??? Research right? Well Ron’s tech “research” informed him that all critics are criminals.
Tell me Marildi…… where is the line? Where is the line between madness and positive therapy.
So far I would not just the Indies to know that line.
Karen de la Carrier, a Class 12 auditor, “trained by Zeus”, on this thread, is criticizing the essence and goal of the “tech”; the OT levels. Read her above.
And we are supposed to trust your opinion of the workability of Ron’s regimented thinking techniques?
The “Reformed CoS” may have to disavow a few Hubbard policies such as fair game and disconnection. It will probably need to lift the ban on discussing Lord Xenu and body thetans for instance. It will probably need to ditch the Dianetics book or offer conspicuous disclaimers where it ‘adjusts’ its relevance and it may be a wise thing to not be shy about admitting it’s a work of fiction. Realistic claims about the state of CLEAR will need to be made in accordance with a definition that makes sense and that goes for OT levels and L’s etc. The more realistic Reformed church will likely have to come down a bit in its prices.
The new transparent church will not be able to forbid discourse which questions the grammatical and logical coherence of every detail of Hubbard’s doctrines. That’s going to be a big problem I think. For instance, his Axioms are a logical mess as are his Factors and, at the risk of opening old wounds, so is his Tone Scale, just to name merely three things.
I don’t really see how the workable elements of the scientology methodology can be saved unless the name, “scientology” is dropped along with all but the most necessary references to Ron Hubbard. OR, scientology could just claim it is a BELIEF SYSTEM and have all its claims be a matter of FAITH, therefore logical inquiry would be superfluous.
I don’t travel in the required circles to have any idea about how successful the Independent groups are at introducing new people to the joys of “case gain” but I am very curious.
It is quite possible that Scientology, minus Ron’s mental problems, can develop further.
Ron did start in the western world past life regression. It is ubiquitous now in the human potential movement.
There is truth and great value in looking within for answers. Every saint and sage says it’s the only way to find answers.
Maybe Scientology will morph into a more wise application. But it will not be an organization anymore.
But until these Scientology experimenters are willing to see Ron for who he was, I’d suggest staying very far away from these people.
Thus sayeth the psyches from Fraser!
Sorry, “Farsec”. I guess spell correction doesn’t know about Farsec yet:-)
Or…….. maybe the psyches from Farsec have infiltrated a global word correction computer and are suppressing our knowledge of imminent invasion from the Poop Head Galaxy.
Wait…… I am getting a read!!!
Oh my god!!! They’re coming!!!! Ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Que flash of light and labotomy….
I will obey….. must destroy goodness….. must stamp out happiness. Must destroy critics.
Que unconsciousness and pain. Calling all BTs. Come on in. There is plenty of room in this bag of bones.
Farsec, I remember it well. It’s that hole in the wall 30 parsecs from the good sex.
Clever and funny!
Mephisto, are you a pro writer, or have you studied writing or poetry? I just read your latest poem (posted on Mike’s new comment thread) and it is really good, as usual. I am going to have to resist giving you a compliment every time, but you know I’m a fan. There’s so much value in the addition of art! 🙂
Thanks for the compliment Marildi. Yes, I’m in the entertainment field as you might have guessed. This blog is a great place to bring some levity to the super hype of Miscavige & Co. I especially like giving it to Dave for all he’s done for me – hahaha. I think that’s what they call in Scientology the return flow. ?
I figured you must be a pro! Yes, the levity is great – same for the aesthetics. 😉
?
It’s quite possible that scientology minus Ron’s mental health issues can develop further???
The whole point by point of my comment was to seriously question that possibility. As for the ‘past life regression’ practice which I believe was introduced to the West by the Rosicrucians not Hubbard, are you seriously suggesting there is anything of real value in that? I don’t know of any sages who have claimed there’s value in “going into the mud of the past” as the Maharish Mahesh used to say. That is not what they meant by “looking within”.
I agree with you regarding past life regression. It can be a can of worms.
But the “looking within” through auditing is out here in the world.
The only person who can create a safe passage with this is a spiritual master.
But people will experiment with this. Knowledge of past lives will become more and more prevalent and relevant in society as we evolve.
Is there a danger in those not ready to develope or look into it?
Just look at Ron end of life. He audited the past everyday. At it drove him insane.
My view is it’s safer to learn from someone who has demonstrated the goals of which they teach.
But hey, people will do what they do. Maybe someone will develope something good from it. Maybe not.
I don’t know for sure.
I started to write down my ideas or suggestions and then decided – NOT – laughter – The subject will surely come up again. For now the topic is Scientology The Aftermath
Apparantly there are already several field groups, indies, freezoners, or whatever they’re called in operation. Only time will tell which have chosen workable parts and are acheiving success, and by what measure.
Thanks Marildi, your response did indeed answer my questions!
“The thing that is ‘so apparently evil about it’ IS the organizational structure. The tech itself isn’t inherently evil and I would say works most of the time (which means it works at least as well as any other system of individual improvement) when in competent, well-intended hands.”
This is a key point! The personal lives and personalities of, say, the discoverers of the underlying principles of physics, such as Einstein and Bohr, don’t make much, if any, difference to the truth of their discoveries or their effectiveness of their future uses. But Einstein and Bohr stayed in their own lanes and did not weigh in on morals, ethics, our ultimate nature as spiritual beings, toxic purification regimes, on and on. So, there are some essential differences there that have to be accounted for.
To remove all of the auditing tech from its surrounding Hubbardism cosmology would be an excellent first step for sure. But as I’ve argued before, unless some very serious efforts are made to subject $cn counseling methods and practices to the same rigorous standards of objective evaluation that every other counseling model has undergone, then there will be nothing that survives AS an unified model, but instead, only as pieces of this and that which will eventually become incorporated into someone elses much better researched, and therefore, better accepted counseling model.
That would be fine with me because I see Hubbardism as an essentiually flawed cosmology which, over its six plus decades of fail, has fundamentally discredited everything that falls beneath it categorically. In other words, the time to reform the cherch from the inside, or create a Reformed Church of Scn from the outside, is long since passed. However, only time will tell there.
In the meantime, I think that it is very important for indies and those with less affection for the tech, like many here, to make common cause together to see that the corporate cherch, at the very least, undergoes fundamental reform which will include the elimination of coerced disconnection and Fair Game policies, as well as the removal of the Super SP I/C who’s currently in charge of this criminal fraud organization. I have no vested or vindictive desire to outlaw $cn; folks should be completely free to believe as they like, just so long as the crimes, civil rights and human rights violations are stopped for good.
HF: “…I see Hubbardism as an essentially flawed cosmology…”
What do you consider to be the scientology cosmology?
The condition on this planet and this sector is caused by Xenu.
All of our culture is a dramatization of an implant: OT3
L Ron Hubbard is the only being in the history of forever to go through the Wall of Fire.
Scientology is the last chance, the only way out.
We will never get another chance.
That is the Scientology cosmology.
Oh, and pyches are from the planet Farsec and they are part of the evil rebellion.
And don’t forget about perfume. The evil perfume. 🙂
Then how are you defining “cosmology”?
It’s a basic belief structure that gives reason and purpose to life. It informs our activity with guidelines to live.
I has a creation story. It explains the universe. It explains life.
In a word: Dharma
Brian: “It has a creation story.”
Right. A cosmology includes a creation story as a primary part of the definition – and that is the part missing in the Xenu story: it doesn’t describe how the world/universe was created.
I’ve even seen where people specifically say that the Xenu story is “scientology’s creation story,” and I have no idea why – except that someone probably got that mistaken idea, put it out, and others started repeating it. And it spread.
The only creation story I know of in scientology would be The Factors: “In the beginning…” etc. All of The Factors fit the philosophy definition of “cosmology” (as opposed to the astronomy definition):
1. the philosophical study of the origin and nature of the universe
2. the branch of astronomy concerned with the evolution and structure of the universe
3. a particular account of the origin or structure of the universe
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/universe
Marildi, what’s your take on Incident I?
Mwesten, my take is that Incident 1 is a religious myth, no stranger than some of the myths of other religions. Like other myths it’s truth is figurative, even though some fundamentalists interpret myths as literal.
I also believe that with regard to Incident 1 and other “incidents,” and the OT levels in general, the fact that many people have experienced great gains from auditing these indicates there is truth to them, at least in a figurative sense. As just one example, Geir Isene, the OT VIII who is now a critic of Scientology, still admits to having had great gains from the bridge, particularly the OT levels.
Ron’s creation story is in the factors. I agree, OT3 is not a creation story. That is simply not a creation story.
OT3, BTs, are Ron’s explanation for suffering on this planet.
OT3 is a prime cosmology for the true believer. It seeks to answer and explain why we suffer.
Ron’s version of the afterlife is a psychological and spiritual torture through electric implants from evil people.
There is no beauty or relief in an afterlife. No freedom, no meeting of friends and family that passed on, no ethereal kingdoms to enjoy before coming back to resume our earth school.
The Light in Scientology has never been defined as God’s presence or the source of all life: the source of love and wisdom.
In Scientology, the light is evidence of implanters electric tools of entrapment.
The highest after life experience is to get another body and continue buying Scientology.
That is why Scientologists are whispered in the ear at death to “find a hospital to be born and buy more Scientology.”
Even dying people are regged. Ha, gives new meaning to “regged to death.”
In most or all esoteric teachings, the battle between good and evil is a battle within oneself. The forces of good and evil are defined as the dual nature of existence. And we learn practices and procedures that neutralize that polarity and bring us to unity of life: the Spirit.
With Ron’s battle, it is all exoteric, external from self. A real cosmic war between loyal officers and and evil poop heads
It’s Xenu as the external Satan and BTs why we are not free.
In all other teachings our entrapment is caused by one thing and one thing only: ignorance of our true spiritual nature.
L Ron Hubbard did not know the spiritual side to life. He considered freedom to be being able to leave the body.
In all esoteric teachings I know leaving the body does not magically bestow freedom or liberation.
They teach, if we are not free and liberated while in a body, then we will not be free while out of it.
L Ron Hubbard’s cosmology is more like a childish cartoon. A Sci Fi comic book.
And some of his cosmology is antithetical to truth, adding burdens of falsehoods that the truth seeker has to accept as true.
You cannot learn weight loss from the 500lb man.
You cannot learn liberation from a man who thought suicide was an option for freeing oneself from suffering.
So Brian, I take it you won’t be going Up The Bridge? ?
Marildi, L Ron Hubbard’s last OT research was to wish for suicide by electro shock.
How do you deal with this information?
So far Indies stay clear away from this information by simply discounting it as false. Even though there is a first hand account from Sarge who loves LRH and felt bad communicating the story to Mike and Marty.
How do you deal with this info?
Brian: “How do you deal with this information?”
Whether it was a wish for suicide or just an attempt by LRH to get rid of a very bothersome BT, as some people believe, by that time LRH had had two or more strokes and might even have had brain damage. At the least, he was old and very ill. In any case, Sarge also said that LRH told him he (LRH) had “failed.” That’s even more intriguing to speculate about, IMO.
I don’t know a lot about the prophet Mohammed, but apparently there was the same type of extreme change between earlier teachings and later ones, except that with Mohammed the change was even more drastic and he became far more violent than LRH ever was. With LRH, it was a sort of cold war against those he felt (with solid evidence that is now in the FOIA files) were out to destroy scientology, and LRH basically believed in the common idea that all is fair in love and war. With Mohammed, there was actual war with many people killed and others literally enslaved. One possible explanation for both men is that they were corrupted by power – or by ego, basically the same idea.
Hey Mephisto, not Ron’s bridge. But I am on the inner bridge.
The inner journey. The path to liberation as laid out by those who tread the path to successful liberation.
I learned a lot in Scientology. But not what is stated in Scientology.
I learned what it feels like to surrender reason and personal power to wishful thinking and make believe.
I learned that just because a person has magnetic charisma and the gift of articulation, does not equate to wisdom.
I also learned that just because someone is intelligent does not equate to being wise.
Sounds like you graduated!
Marildi, thanks for your answer. I don’t doubt there is a therapeutic value in some of the upper level processes. Not because of any “truth”, but because they are essentially visualisation/guided imagery techniques and have been used in occultic circles for centuries.
You may be right, mwesten. But still, if such techniques provide therapeutic value, then to that extent there must be truth to them – at least in their underlying principles. And I think that would have to be the case with the scientology techniques that are capable of the powerful results that have occurred for many – even though not for everyone, because of all the variables in the delivery variations alone.
The underlying principle to self help techniques is the person WANTING to be better. The impulse to become a better person, to do it better the next time, to triumph over adversity and persist until the object of desire is attained, is woven into the fabric of our nature. There’s a saying in the vedic culture: “The right means won’t work for the wrong man but the wrong means WILL work for the right man.”
Nice post, Roger.
Thank you, marildi.
I was sitting at the bar of my favorite restaurant (don’t laugh Mike) and I struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to me. We found that we knew some of the same people and a few subjects later, he pulled out a photo of himself with his arm around…wait for it…John Travolta. Well, well, talk about six degrees of separation. I pointed out to him that Scientology is a mafia organization hiding behind the rights of the First Amendment and I was not impressed that he attended a charity event with one of their spokespersons. He put the photo away. He had no idea that he had contributed to Scientology’s coffers. He couldn’t remember the name of the charity; something to do with human rights, he said. He defended Scientology, saying he had heard these stories of abuse, but Scientologists are such nice people! They get people off of drugs! “Who says they get people off of drugs?” I asked. I agreed with him that Scientologists are nice people. They really are! But it didn’t take long for him to realize there are two very different versions of the truth. A few tales of disconnection and abuse later, he asked a question that just floored me. How can people be so stupid as to get involved in it to begin with? Why don’t people just do their homework before they become involved in a religion? I watched his face turn ashen when I told him that the church now HIS name and address in their database because he attended a fundraiser so he could hobnob with a celebrity. “Did you do YOUR due diligence before you attended this dinner?” I guess the point of this story Mike is that I get asked this question All. The. Time. They don’t get how deceiving Scientology can be. When I first walked into the church, it didn’t say “church” anywhere on the building. As a hard core atheist, if it had said “church”, I would have run the other way. It said Dianetics Foundation and Life Improvement Center; there were no pews, no altar, no Sunday services. It was just an office building. And everyone was so nice! Inevitably, I was introduced to Scientology, and I felt I knew it enough from first hand experience to not have to research it independently or feel threatened by it. To (finally) answer your question, I would like to see Leah address how people get in to begin with, how the cognitive dissonance sets in, how they deceive the average person into this “us vs them” mentality – even the non-Scientologist – to actually defend or deny the abuses they hear about. This is what I feel the general public doesn’t understand. And yet, how many times have you and your readers seen photos of Scientology spokespeople posing with police officers, teachers, mayors, congressmen and attorney generals?
Thanks Lisa. Of course, you destroyed Mr. Smarty Pants in typical style. Remind me not to mess with you….
This is a REALLY valid point you raise and something LEah and I have endlessly discussed and are doing our best to communicate throughout the show.
There is a lot more coming in an attempt to answer this question and it is really hard to get it properly understood in just an “explanation.” I think the most effective way is by demonstration. That the people you see who got involved in scientology are decent, smart, caring people. Their good intentions are played on. Have them describe why they got in and what they hoped to achieve and how they got snared in a trap. The little quote about boiling the frog is part of a MUCH longer effort on my part to explain this. But long explanations are boring to viewers.
I hope that by the end people will look at those they have seen and go “You know, that could have just as easily been me….” rather than the arrogant attitude of JT’s best bud.
But this is something I have to deal with too and I hope by the end of the series we have adequately answered it.
The other thing that comes up is, “Why did you keep giving so much money?” It might be too hard to explain or too late but Mat Pesch, in his interview with J. Augustine, pointed out how Flag’s TEs started to be dictated by the reges (and how much the reg qualified the person to be able to spend) not the C/Ses. (Ronit Charny knows about this as well.) Couple this with “Don’t C/S our own case (means you have W/H’s),” “The way out is the way through.” and a myriad of labels one might get if he/she starts bitching about the program or Six Month Check (Resistive Case, Overt W/H case, PTS, etc.), and send one off track into Ethics or Qual, a person (or maybe just me) learns how to “just get through it.”
This group is really quite fraudulent.
That few seconds of CoS smear video trashing Amy for having sex with a co-worker, right after she describes the experience of her rape at the age of 14 and how scientology covered it up…was particularly indicting. I don’t think David Miscavige liked it but on what grounds do you object to having a character assassination video you made yourself shown on Prime Time TV?
Overall I thought the show highly entertaining, smart and very moving. Leah is a force of nature and Mike is very articulate and both are extremely likable.
Leah’s ostensible objective is reform of the church. Miscavige probably hates that far more than an overall condemnation of scientology for obvious reasons. It’s pretty clear to me she is going after HIM with both guns firing.
I wasn’t going to watch it because honestly lately I’ve gone into a bit of scientology overload. I had it recording to watch later and turned it on while wrapping Christmas presents to see if it was worth keeping.
I was sucked in and could not stop watching. The end had me sobbing like a baby. Well, ok, I cried when Amy’s dad mt them at the airport and sort of didn’t stop crying after that.
I was married to the brother of the man who sexually abused Amy. The words Amy used to describe her rape were interesting to me for a very specific reason. One time that man’s brother (then my husband) beat me bloody and broke some of my bones in front of his little sister. When his little sister told his mother (OTVII At the time), her response was “she must have done something to deserve it”, which is how Amy said she was treated last night on the show.
His brother also raped my daughter and his own daughter. FWIW, and this may bring a little closure to a few, though it doesn’t make anything right, his brother, my ex husband did to him about what Leah stated she wanted to do on the show (he also got jailed for it). His brother is a convicted sex offender and must register as such for life.
Holy shit Val.
Jesus. I am so sorry to hear about how you were treated.
But appreciate the update on the final outcome.
I was thinking of you stuck between not getting to communicate with your mother before she died and still not being able to communicate with your children. I have my family and have escaped. There is a horror story behind every one who has left IMHO.
” There is a horror story behind every one who has left IMHO.”
Yes there is Valerie. Thanks for the back story and exposing more of the abuses.
Yo Dave,
Yes, we are coming for you good buddy! Wait for the knock on Your door!
What a horrifying set of additional details to Amy’s story! It’s certainly not my place to judge, but I think that even though the statute of limitations has undoubtedly passed, exposing this individual publicly, as well as the institutional involvement in the cover up, are well worth making public. I’m sure that there are others who’ve suffered in silence and fear for far too long, so just hearing folks speak the whole truth would be therapeutic for them as well.
$cn is snitch culture in which everyone is encouraged to rat everyone else out, but it’s also a culture of secrets and criminal cover ups when it comes to revealing to the public what has actually gone on within the cult over the decades. All of the cult’s filthy linen is now being aired for it because those on the inside who knew what was going on and were in a position to take a moral stand about it refrained from doing so at a time that it could have made a difference – probably for many different reasons, but none of which make a bit of difference to those who were chewed up and spit out by this cold, ruthless and inhuman cult.
Wow.
I am so sorry, Valerie. What your ex-husband did to you was despicable and in NO way your fault.
I watched the show with a few people that knew very little about Scientology. My suggestion would be to define Scio mgmt vs the Sea Org vs public vs celebrities as what each group can experience is quite different. Disconnection is selectively applied I think. One of the people I was watching it with said did you sign a billion year contract, why would you do such a thing? I was in the lower Celeb category, so I would have no idea of any of these abuses nor did I know of the billion year contract. The only hint I had was my very young auditor was married at 15–strange! and was not allowed to spend time with the parents. I think this show will help to keep new people from getting in, but has little chance of influencing people that are in deep. The reason I started looking at the internet was the secrecy around OT7, the sec checks which were ridicules, and the outrageous claims in the events–such as 90% crime reduction in Columbia. Once I did a search on crime rates it was all over for me.
There were a few points I felt were missing (can’t remember them now, though. Sorry). However, a documentary like this will never give 100% of what everybody wants, or it would go on for days. There were some very powerful and impressionable statements made that really got the the message across. I loved the first episode, and I love seeing davey getting repeatedly punched in the face.
If I have to put my finger on one thing that often bugs me, it’s foley. When Amy talked about making a telephone call, we heard an old timey telephone sound bite – completely superfluous in my opinion. When we see a plane landing (or taking off – can’t remember which), we hear the sound of an aircraft, and my amateur ears can clearly distinguish that it’s not the original sound, but a stock sound bite. There was also a red-carpet scene with photographers – the sound bite of the clicking of the cameras did in no way match the lights of the flashes going off. Maybe only I notice these things, but why add foley when it really doesn’t add anything to the scene.
Kudos. Mega kudos. Leah, Mike, Amy, Matt and all involved.
Thank you.
Love,
Windhorse
I thought that it did a great job of maintaining the momentum of the impact of “disconnect” within the overall story of Aimee while incorporating important explanations of the lingo and inner workings of CoS. It was a nice balance of story arc and educating the audience.
My only note is that I felt like the very serious issue of Aimee lacking a high school education was overlooked. It was briefly touched upon, but I’m wondering if this will be addressed in future episodes? In my highly limited view on Scientology (Going Clear film & this), I feel that by recruiting kids into Sea Org so young, the “church” is depriving these children of the fundamental right to education. In doing so, these children are not just isolated even more, but they probably lack essential critical thinking skills to question the unethical practices the “church” clouts as doctrine.
More so, which was only briefly mentioned, this lack of access to education at the high school and college level makes their job prospects outside of the Scientology slim to none. How many who have left the “church” struggled finding employment? Do you think the “church” discourages access to education to purposely handicap their followers? How many scientologists have a high school degree? And how many graduated from a Scientology High school where I doubt they follow the same curriculum of other parochial schools? How many have a college degree? I feel like education is viewed as a threat when it is not something CoS can control.
Given my number of questions, I do hope a future episode addresses this, especially since it can attribute to the mental abuse.
Good comments, I agree from my experiences. In the Scientology schools they have many unqualified “teachers” as well.
I can think of many people in my life who have advanced collegiate degrees who have not yet achieved even BASIC thinking skills. Such is not taught in the current US school system. And as far as I know, there is no “fundamental right to education”, especially in the US. I do, however, honour your thoughts on the subject.
It’s the law, I believe, until one is something like 16. The church “gets around” the law.
No, that is incorrect McCarran. In CA for instance there is no law about attending until 16. One can get a H.S. Equivalence Diploma at age 15. Each State in the Union has it’s own laws.
Reese, In Louisiana it is 16. You bring up excellent points. I find that those who criticized higher education didn’t have degrees themselves. Let’s be real. Today, particularly if you are female, you can’t get far without a college degree. But, when these young kids are allowed to join the Sea Org, they’re supposed to be joining for eternity, so what does it matter?
I left staff because I didn’t want my young daughters to be ANYTHING like the neglected, deprived, uneducated kids I saw. Those kids are adults who are floundering in life, but think they know better than the rest of us idiots. They don’t even know how ignorant they are because they don’t know what they don’t know.
I feel sorry for them because their parents owed them a good education and failed them.
<3
Allow mw to clarify my wording….children have a right to get free education from the state they live in through public schools. My apologies for not being clear. Yes, it is up to the child (and their parents) to take advantage of a public education, and each state has varying rules on what AGE each children in mandated to attend school. I mostly wondering is the “church” is attempting to block this access to free education?
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Very good point. I would say that denying education is a hallmark of this group, and just another piece of ammunition in their control arsenal.
Reese B: “I feel like education is viewed as a threat when it is not something CoS can control.”
From my experience in the church, I would say it’s more a matter of religious fanaticism. They truly believe the only thing that matters at all is the forwarding of Scientology. This is with regard to basic education. Even higher studies are not really thought of as a threat so much as a waste of time, since they believe nothing can compare to the knowledge in their own materials. At most, the “threat” in their minds would be that the student is being educated in false data.
Maraldi, I think it’s naive to think higher education isn’t viewed as a threat to the people in the church.
You give them more credit than I do, Tara. 😉
Mirildi, it runs smack into that “holier than thou” service facsimile and threatens to make them wrong, at least the uneducated adults anyway.
Oh, Mirildi, before I sound too hoity-toity myself…I’m speaking from my own experience of perfecting that very attitude 😉
Ha! Funny.
Okay. I can see that too. I guess it would vary with the sector – ranging from public to staff to S.O., and all the gradients of “dedication” in each.
The thing about education is that scientology was supposed to be “Knowing how to know,” and that didn’t just mean knowing how to know scientology – at least not in the earlier years. Gradually, the only thing that mattered was knowing scientology – for the sole purpose of working towards its goals. And eventually, that was narrowed down to the 3rd dynamic goals of the church and its own 4th dynamic goals.
Correct Tara. LRH tried to keep parishioners from studying the one subject that would both innoculate and free them from scamology. The formal study of logic. He even went so far as to warn them that doing so could make them crazy.
Mike,
Wonderful job last night. I can’t wait to see what the next episodes cover!
Keep up the good work friend! My girlfriend is learning all of this stuff slowly through me and she watched the show with me last night. She is consistently shocked by the “church’s” tactics and policy.
The most impacting exposé I’ve yet seen. A lot more people are now going to be informed about the conduct and abuses of this pretend religion. Kudos to Leah, Mike, the people speaking out and A&E for providing the platform.
David Miscavige, you remind me of a quote from Hellraiser II: Your suffering will be legendary, even in hell!
Fine job, Leah and Mike and all. Correct target chosen and hit; wrong target avoided. It’s like watching a hostage rescue operation.
I laughed,I cried,I remembered all who have suffered at the cruel hands of this cult.I was able to express all my emotions and know all were mine and not Ron’s.Mike,Leah and every single person who worked to bring this program to the light,I will never forget this.??
I echo your comments, Ann. Brilliantly laid out, edited and the comments from the A&E attorneys, repeated throughout, really pinned things down. Miscavige REFUSES to get personally involved and won’t trust anyone else to speak and possibly screw up more than he would!
I was quite emotionally touched by the Bonnie/Amy duo and Amy’s dad carried a powerful impact.
What impressed me the most was the absolute honesty, integrity and complete believability of all those involved. It was more than clear that Leah was not “acting”. And, taking on the czerch at this level, displays a totality of guts rare in Hollywood;
Mike, your calm, consistent and unflappable words carried a high level of honest conviction, as they always have. You and Leah make a great team.
I wouldn’t deign to suggest how the other shows should be done. I doubt that anything important will be missed.
This show did more in an hour than I’ve seen done in 20 years. It was *authentic.* Leah and Mike and Amy and Mat were relaxed and genuine.
Afterward, I looked at the letters sent in by Scientology, Inc. and even if I knew nothing about the organization, they read like a dumpster fire of insecurity and certainly don’t fill me with confidence that they are capable of saving the planet (assuming that it needs ‘saving’) from anything.
As a never-in who was an active critic back in the day, I’d like to see more about how Scientology, Inc. isn’t toxic only to its membership and former members, but also has a harmful impact on people and communities that it parasites upon – who never chose to join or who had the audacity to ask difficult questions. Like my late friend, Gabe Cazares. Or Keith Henson. Or Jeff Jacobsen, or Bob Minton. Or the community of Clearwater, which has seen its tax base shrink and downtown die.
I would like to see more about how Scientology, Inc. continues to work to insert itself into not only dominant culture, but policy-making and even legislation.
But maybe I should just be quiet and wait for the Mark Bunker episode. 😀
*totters off to make another truckload of popcorn*
“OK Dave, I just got off the phone with Monique again and she says going nuclear is not an option, and the cloak of religion will not protect us. She told me to tell you that Kim Jong Un might be able to help us. She’s going to set up a meet.”
“Thanks Lou and get me those GPS coordinates for Mike and Leah.”
“Yes darling.”
Sometimes I think the pain of disconnection is hard to convey; “A lot of religions/cults do it.” “I’ve seen that in families before.” “My son won’t talk to me since I voted for….” This got into the pain and broken hearts and souls with the right questions and explanations by Leah and through Amy, Mat and Bonnie? (also Amy’s dad!) explained it really well. It was Very moving.
Leah and you also did so well in explaining how things work in the church and how there is no where to go and no one to go to.
The only thing I didn’t get was the car ride. Was that for “relief?” ?
I found the car ride quite charming and established the quality of the relationship between Leah and Mike. 🙂
Its available on the web (with obligatory, enforced commercials) here:
http://www.aetv.com/shows/leah-remini-scientology-and-the-aftermath
I don’t want to comment at this time as this is only the “set-up” for 6 more episodes.
The fore-shadowing in this hints at other stops in “Leah and Mike’s Great Road Trip”.
I would love to see Leah and Lisa Marie ‘shred’ together. But I will be patient.
Thanks Leah and Mike.
“Dave, I just got off the phone with Monique and she says there’s no precedent for building a case around ‘Semi Colon Confusion Syndrome’ “. In fact no one has ever heard of it.
“But those damn semi-colons really screwed me up Lou!”
“I know sweetheart….I know.”
Harv, I just heard it from a very reliable source ? that the never before released Semicolon Survival Rundown (SSD) will be available upon release of GAT 3. Reges are standing by to accept advance donations. Will that be cash or charge?
I’ve dreamed of this day! Finally, I’ll understand semicolons! And with that knowledge alone…I can rule the world!!!! Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
BTW, WTF is a semi colon? Is it not quite a colon since it’s a ‘semi’ colon? I’m so confused…
I think it’s when you have part of your colon removed and are left with a semicolon.
Ah…so that’s why I can’t remember my last hospital stay. Meh! No worries…
You might be ready for the Duodenum Rundown. I hear it’s a real gas!
Can I pay for it with money I have on account?
Unfortunately that money is earmarked for legal defense. The LRH reference is What Your Donations By. I’ll try to get you the reference so I’m not accused of verbal data! We could meet on LRH Way if you’re in the area and I’ll give you a tour of the place after you make your contribution. You’re such a big being Harvey! I know you can make it go right! Just be sure to get here before Thursday at 2 pm!
I was struck by the different tone from some other A&E reality shoes like Escaping Polygamy where they set up the audience before each commercial break eith a provocative pause just before something big happens so you’ll tolerate the commercial interruption and tune back in afterwards. This was much more classily done like a true documentary instead of overhyping and being overly dramatic. Amy’s story was powerful and spoke for itself while you and Leah provided frames of reference. I thought it excellent tv!
Reality shows!
Damn, you had me interested in getting a pair!
I had a pair once. But, I lost one of them. So now, I guess, I only have a par…
I agree, Sarah, most shows like these just tease the audience through the whole show and then do a big reveal at the end of something shocking. With Scientology you could tell shocking stories throughout the whole show and never run out. It is always worse than you could believe.
I love the way they explain as they go along, not just doing a long explanatory talking head segment with no story attached. For those who have never heard of Scientology some explanation is required, but they are not going to sit through a long dissertation about some weird religion. The stories are what keeps it real, and the look of shock on Leah’s face. The courage of Bonnie on her death bed, denouncing the wrongs of her life-long religion. These are what stays with you, and the message will come through.
I’m glad it wasn’t set up to be “The Remini & Rinder Show” (as I’m sure celebrity-driven TV programming would be prone to do). Most of the attention was given to each featured ex-Scientologist’s story with only a few words from you and Leah to help explain or frame the context for the audience. Amy Scobee’s experience along with her mother’s story was very effective in describing the impact of disconnection on the family unit.
I believe the public will now have a better understanding that Scientology is like that abusive/narcissistic boyfriend that victims of domestic violence are chained to…except in the cult’s case, the boyfriend has his family, the neighbours, co-workers, customers of the family business and the police as part of his extended influence. People don’t know how deep the rot is because Scientology is very insular. Leah–and others like her–are piercing through that veil of secrecy to let everyone know what’s really going on. I’m eager to find out what the viewer numbers were like for the first episode of the docu-series. I expect millions (including those outside the U.S.).
YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!!!
ML,
Dave
YSCOHB, would be the complete response.
Actually the complete thought is: YSCOHBYCICSMF.
I stand completely corrected. Thank you, Master…
Okay, you may sit now.
Needs more Xenu . . . otherwise, all good. MOAR!
I thoroughly 100% do not agree about the OT 3 materials aspect. One of the great strengths of the program is that it does not focus on the “weird beliefs” at all. It is about abuse, not theology and that is the perfect focus.
I was in for 40 years and never knew anything about OT 3 stuff until I got out. If you had told me when I first got out that there was a program coming up on TV that had OT 3 stuff in it I would avoid it just for that reason. You have to be pretty well educated in the post-Scientology world to completely leave behind the prejudice against any mention of confidential materials.
The program is trying to reach under-the-radar types as well as the general public. I think they should stick to the abuses and family aspect and leave the beliefs completely out of it. Lots of folks have what other folks think of as “weird beliefs”. One man’s scripture is another man’s anathema.
While some of the beliefs do make the situation worse, and there are even some who have been severely damaged or killed by the “technology” of Scientology, the aspect that makes it a destructive cult is the authoritarian control that it places on the members. The family message will break through even to the True Believers. It will have a much greater impact if it stays away from the South Park caricature and sticks to the human side.
Agreed! It’s about the mind control, abuses, etc
Part of eliminating Scientology abuses is stemming as far as possible the flow of raw meat. Nothing inoculates the public quicker and more effectively than the Xenu story. Once innocents realise that Scientology is so abusive that its adherents end up believing the Xenu story is essential to their spiritual freedom those innocents will want nothing more to do with Scientology. What’s better is that they will tell their friends, who tell their friends . . .
Correct Crepuscule. ALSO, the “theology” (Hubbard’s writings and actions running the church) CREATES and encourages the abuse seen in the church. They are inextricably linked and inseparable.
Would love to hear about OS distribution Mike. Foxel show A&E shows in Australia. Can we expect to see the show anytime soon?
Mike,
Im not in the US, but followed the show on The Underground Bunker.
The stories sounded harrowing. Well done to everyone for telling them so clearly.
I admire your determination and commitment to doing the right thing, especially after spending years inside the beast.
I have to say, I was really sad to see Marty Rathbun fall apart. He seemed to be doing what he could to reverse some of the massive damage he did when he was in. I guess everyone has a breaking point.
Then again, he wasnt from downunder.
Good on you. I hope you can keep doing what you do. Its a joy to watch, listen and read.
BTW: If you get a chance to chat with Jeff Augustine – maybe a 2016 wrap up and 2017 preview – I’ll be downloading it.
Live long and prosper.
Tim Brown, how did Marty Rathbun fall apart? I must have missed that bit.
You did such a great job Mr. Rinder in so many ways. Unlike some you’ve truly admitted that you made some serious errors in your past and are making amends by continuing to make an important difference in other’s lives. I’d be so proud to have a father of your character.
“I am genuinely curious, not just looking for ego stroking.”
OK, this is what I thought. WOW! Incredible impact. I also loved the fact that after every commercial A&E put up their website location where you could go and read Scientology’s “side”. Double barrel…. Leah and your dead aim, and Scientology’s continual foot bullets. Every time they attack like they do, they show their true colors. Anybody reading that shit will immediately realize their immature, vengeful, idiotic bullying. AND THEY STILL DON’T REALIZE THAT! Why? because LRH said “always attack the attacker”. And I guess in actual fact, they are doing just that. They ARE the attacker, and they ARE attacking themselves. On the edge of my seat waiting for the next episode. Well done!
I did not see the program because no A&E available to me here in Chiang Mai, Thailand, but hope someone uploads it to youtube or on this blog (or I will have to wait to see them when I visit California in a few months).
But, Mike, I just watched all five of your videos with Aaron Smith-Levin during the last couple of days and they are indeed GREAT! Recommend them to everyone, on Aaron’s youtube channel, Growing up in Scientology I think it is called.
Absolutely remarkable. My first wish is that all families broken by this cult be reunited; my second is that tax authorities shut down this criminal scam. Mike and Leah, RESPECT.
Beautifully filmed, beautifully told. Utterly compelling. We both choked up, it brought back a lot of memories. Which is good-being reminded of the fight in such a personal way is a good thing.
Doing the CoS attacks yourselves is a absolute stroke of genius. It completely negates their intent.
It was so carefully filmed, it reminded me of Errol Morris’s work. We can’t thank you guys enough. Godspeed.
Hard hitting show. Powerful from beginning to end.
Kudos to this entire team. The number of commercial breaks was distracting. Otherwise, I hope more is said about the whereabouts (and wellbeing) of Mrs. Miscavidge. I’d also like to know if this expose offers enough evidence for law enforcement to get involved and have an impact on SeaOrg, for example, and stop at least the underage servitude and mistreatment. Finally, for families of Scientologists, I hope advice is given on how to engage the legal system to free Scientologists who are being abused and are too brainwashed to leave on their own. Can Scientology members be freed and deprogrammed? I’m guessing that current Scientologists are forbidden from watching this show, Going Clear, or other related program. Thank you for the dedication in bringing the truth to light.
I’d love to drive by Flag right now and see how many lights are on while they listen to DM having a shit fit.
Hurricane Leah? More like “natural disaster Leah!” Earthquake Leah, volcanic eruption Leah, tsunami Leah, avalanche Leah, oh yeah, LIGHTNING STRIKE Leah…….. This whole shitstorm happened because DM wouldn’t let Leah talk to Shelly. Who is still missing. FBI, do your stuff! WHOOOAAH!!
It was Earthquake Leah, followed by Tsunami Mike, followed by Aftershock Amy.
What a disaster! Is the cult sending Volunteer Ministers to the scene to clean up the mess?
Might need the National Guard for this one.
Indeed, as it looks like a monumental & epic disaster…
I’ll repeat the auditing question: Where is Shelly? ?
Yes, that’s all well and good, but, my question is…Do birds fly?
Yes they do. Now, where has Shelly flown to?
C’mon, Mephisto, we all know she flew the coop (but it was only one flew). The real question is…Do fish swim?
Yeah, but where? And yes, fish do swim. Also, ducks quack.
Ok…now you’re blowing my fucking mind!!! Ducks really quack??? I need a bottle of Cab as well as some cannibis.
Thanks Mike, and Leah, for such a huge project. Let me get to it. The scenes where Leah is in that large cavernous room is cold and unfeeling and as a first look, might be off putting. Some of the music cues didn’t fit the scenes emotionally. The scenes with Bonnie seemed to flow well and had the greatest impact in the entire hour.
Thought Leah did a B plus job production value wise and didn’t burden the audience with special language, policies, etc. Good choice. I still generally thought that the practical, financial, as well as mental consequences could have been addressed a bit more and fine tuned. I realized it’s tough to fit it all in with limited time slots. I thought the scenes with you and Leah driving could have been pretty much cut or cut down to minimum as it was a bit superfluous. An hour program is really more like 45 minutes of precious tracks.
Overall, I wanted to hear more emphasis that all that you covered is the norm, the usual, that this is everyday best practices in scientology. Those are my critiques. This Episode still shot right through the screen and grabbed you by the heart, shook it up, squeezed it out, and then made you not only listen the words, but refused to release you until you understood what they meant – what they really, really meant. That’s the hallmark of a successful piece in any medium. Congratulations and I look forward to the rest.
HolesDoExist ,sorry but I believe your critique was way off!
First off ,Leah came off so authentic, honest and truthful that it really didn’t matter where the setting was but I thought that loft space gave the feeling of stripped down pure truth being revealed.Also the driving scenes with Leah and Mike again spoke of unadulterated and stripped down truth. Finding and revealing the truth, exposing the abuses by DM are really what its all about! I believe that goal was attained in spades.
I am in awe of Leah and always of Mike too!
Mike, I’ve lived purposely without a TV for longer than anyone would believe, but for mainly this reason I now will get one. From reading the comments, I’m thrilled about this show, and I have a gut feeling that if CO$ is dying the death of a thousand cuts these
8 episodes are going to be severing some major arteries.
Aqua, you don’t need one. I watched it online a few hours after it aired.
What channel?
http://www.aetv.com
Thanks for the heads up! Just saw the episode.
To Mike and to Leah……very well done!! You are giving people a voice….and it is coming across loud and clear…..there should be no more questions regarding COB’s claims that the disconnection policy is voluntary. The voices are only going to get Louder and Stronger each week a new episode airs.
Amy and Bonnie’s story brought on the tears….but I expected that. Each story is gut-wrenching. I am glad that they were able to reconnect…and I know that for a lot of families….it doesn’t work out this way.
Leah….You are a bad-ass. COB has not dealt with someone like you…..and he has met his match!!!! From one NY sister to another…..I am in awe!!!! You are truly a force to be reckoned with.
Awesome job!!!
Yours…….OverTheBridgeTPA
“Leah. . . .you are a bad-ass. COB has not dealt with someone like you . . . ”
I totally agree. It takes guts knowing how vindictive the cult can be. Of course many other brave men and women have also faced the beast before and they deserve our continuing admiration.
It was brilliant Mike!
Leah and you are my heroes, as I have said a number of times.
I had major tears in my eyes by the end of the show. I’m so impressed and extremely glad that the A&E management were unafraid and didn’t back down from the cults threats and their extorted billions and unscrupulous attorneys, that in all reality should be chasing ambulances.
Amie Scobee and her mother were so believable. How a normal person could watch this show and not have a lump in their throat would be beyond me.
I think the show is amazing. Hitting all the points and doing a great job at explaining the machine. I’ve also seen you be the most compassionate and humble to date. Peace and love but take no shit. Forgive yourself and just make good choices.
I know there were time constraints but I hope that it is made clear that not just men were beaten on by Miscavige. Debbie Cook getting slapped by the little guy’s secretary on his orders and the threat of broken fingers illustrates that COB is an equal opportunity abuser.
I hope this series gets released in long version somewhere, I know lots was cut out.
As someone who understands the power of media, I feel strongly that your message came across, and there will be quite a backfire. I have always found it fascinating that guilty parties usually acuse the most. I have deeply researched the “religion” and I can’t even get past their supposed “detox” program. Thank you for your bravery and maturity in dealing with a business that finds discrediting people a solid marketing plan long term…we shall see how long that is now if this gets bigger. It will be ugly thats for sure. Best of luck to those who spoke.
It was great Mike and Leah – you guys did really wonderfully. I am proud to be a part of this. So real and a tear jerker. THANKS!!!
An 8 part series re Scn. Ground breaking.
My husband and I just saw it and OMG!!!! It’s Wonderful and so professionally done. Everyone involved were so Real and Honest and their message is gut wrenching. Thank you Leah Remini and Mike Rinder and Amy Scobee and all who stood up to this Suppressive Cult called Scientology. A & E has a Hit Show. I loved how A&E inserted Scientology Remarks throughout the show because anyone watching this and reading their juvenile attack PR pieces on each of you, realizes who the liars are and it’s Scientology. They are so bad and they are their own worst enemies when it comes to promoting Leah’s Show. I beg them to keep sending in these pre-packaged black PR responses as it shows how guilty the Church of Scientology is. I am so looking forward to next weeks. I love you all for what you doing to Stop Disconnection.
I thought it was outstanding and I can’t wait for the following 7 episodes. It takes getting mad as hell and not taking it anymore. Raising hell until someone in government gets tired of hearing you and actually does something about it. Leah is not someone that will back down…she will just get madder and louder!!! You go Girl!!!
The best show on the subject to date! Thank you mike! I’m just blown away! It so refreshing to see the story be told so clearly. 7 more? Oh my!
Love!
We won’t see it on the west coast until 10:00 Pacific time -1:00 Eastern time, over an hour from now.
Yah, Seattle resident here-just waiting. I’ve set the series up to dvr.
I can’t wait to watch it, this spunky Lady has balls! She’s taking on the dragon with true grit! Loved her book, thought she was a rare cat who stood up for what she thought was right!
The best part is what can the church really do to her? Not much besides cheesy slander. She has her family with her! That’s the fulcrum, the wicked leverage Miscavige uses best. He can’t use it on her. Point to those still in, if you gonna blow, do it wholesale! Take your friends, family and any other dissidents in one great whoosh of a blow! Don’t do it alone! (Done successfully in a few other places)
The above makes me feel wonderful, just the thought of it! Here’s to more celebrity blows and exposes to come!
I’m over here in New Zealand for a conference, actually I’m speaking to you from the future 🙂 And would love any assistance I can get so that I can watch this. I’ve had it on my calendar since it was announced. But alas I’m a TV luddite. I might just have to rely on just reading the comments here. So answer with details people. 🙂
sgerbic,
Google watching A&E online or perhaps Sling TV (which I picked up today just to watch this). Not sure if Sling TV does New Zealand, but it’s worth a shot.
Sling box has worked for me anywhere in the world I could get a decent internet connection. It’s how I watched the show.
I second that. Until I can somehow manage to see it (from Aussie) please keep the comments flowing if you saw it.
Try this site: http://www.aetv.com/shows/leah-remini-scientology-and-the-aftermath/season-1/episode-1
Geolocked from Aussie.
You need to get out from Down Under. Just kidding!
Naw… I like it down here, even though services are very limited. Catch plenty of fish and crabs etc, can eat the oysters straight off the rocks and they call this part of the world the “wilderness coast.” A traffic jam to me is having to wait for more than 3 cars to pass before I can go. The nearest traffic lights are about 25 minutes drive and that town has 4 of ’em. The kangaroos are a problem at night. Surfs good but it’s beyond me now. I do miss good restaurants and some shopping tho.
Hard to watch it with someone who was never “in”. Stirs up a lot. Very intense, makes me very angry as it makes me remember how my life was effected and altered, dictated by scientology.
I loved it and I’m glad this show is being done. The word needs to get out about it.
I know a lot about Scientology so I understood it all. For people who don’t know much, I think it could have gone into more detail about SPs, disconnecation, etc.
I thought it was perfectly done. It was real. It wasn’t about “religion bashing”, it was about the reality of everyday life of anyone who is connected to the organization. The editing was superb. Truly. I’m persnickety about that.