I have known Brian since the days of the Apollo. He is a highly intelligent, gifted man. Tony Ortega covered his story in July 2015 and has done a couple of follow ups since then. Tony posted this video a couple of days ago but I only had a chance to watch it yesterday. Brian has put together a brilliant video. The genius of this is distilling so much relevant information into a short, clear, professional and easy to follow message. Give it a watch. I think it deserves some attention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xfrehGq-wI&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]
Disconnection: the PR and the Truth
The above is what scientology has to say about the practice of disconnection on their official website. It mirrors the statements they make to the media about this controversial and abusive practice. Of course, it contains numerous half-truths, omitted information and outright lies. If you take this statement at face value (and many people won't know what is NOT being disclosed) it all sounds reasonable enough. Who could disagree with this... My earlier post about Fair Game which laid out the ACTUAL policy of the church on the treatment of critics/enemies/suppressives generated a lot of … [Read more...]
Letting Go — Out From “Under The Radar”
This is an essay contributed by a third-generation "Scientologist," Elizabeth Gale. I think it is an important message for many reasons. Elizabeth comes from a prominent scientology family. She attended school at Delphi, Oregon, took courses at CCint and Flag, among other places, and had a stint on staff, though never joined the Sea Org. Her parents attained high level OT status - her father, David died in 1995 of heart failure. Today Liz is a happily married mother of two. She has a Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies from Portland State University. She believes … [Read more...]
Dealing With SP’s
Every scientologist has done the PTS/SP Course. Most good scientologists have done the course more than once and have been sent to retread it when they are deemed to have become "PTS" again -- in itself pretty good evidence the course does not work. But then again, this is one of the most often used explanations as to why the "tech didn't work" -- "you cannot make/lose your gains if you are PTS." And even though the graduate of this course has "mastered the tech" of how to handle suppression and SPs, they do not then get to choose who they may or may not be connected to -- they are told by … [Read more...]
Scientology Non-Disconnection Policy
Somewhat buried under the coverage of the demise of Gawker and its greatest hits including publishing the infamous 2004 Freedom Medal of Valor video of Mr. Cruise making an ass of himself,, comes this from the International Business Times (and apparently Us Magazine, though I haven't bothered to check that). It's a strange position to be in for scientology. They deny it's "not them" keeping Tom away from Suri. Yet, if they are to be taken at at their word, they are throwing Mr. Cruise (they don't want him referred to any other way -- just like Mr. Miscavige and NOT Captain M … [Read more...]
The Path
I posted about this on Facebook, but think it is important enough to reiterate here. I just finished watching the last episode of season one of The Path on Hulu. This is a very well scripted, acted, shot, edited and scored series. But more importantly, it is the best portrayal I have ever seen of the prison of the mind that entraps those in cults. It is extremely difficult to understand why people remain in a cult for anyone who has not experienced it themselves. This show portrays it accurately - the torment and anguish that those with doubts go through, the threat of losing loved ones, … [Read more...]
Andy Porter on Disconnection
This was sent to me by my friend Andy Porter. It is a "disconnection" letter and his "Open Letter" in response. Andy is a very accomplished professional photographer -- I included one of his shots above and two more at the end of this post. You will find many more at his website: www.AndyPorterImages.com I received this letter last week from someone I have known through Scientology for 25 years. “I am sending this letter as an official disconnection letter. I am remaining a member of the Church of Scientology. It is my intention to have no form of connection with you including any form of … [Read more...]
Scientology Disconnection
I originally posted this on my blog in 2013. I feel it is worth reiterating. I have updated it a bit. While Scientology spokespeople have routinely denied that “enforced disconnection exists”, anyone who is familiar with the church of scientology knows only too well about disconnection. Like so much else in the scientology empire, its an ugly truth to be hidden from the “wog” world through a game of carefully worded deception of the same order as Bill Clinton’s infamous “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” When you see a church spokespeople emphatically state “there is no po … [Read more...]
Video Confessions
Regraded Being had another engagement. Will be back next week. Scientology has a sick new tactic right out of the North Korea playbook. You have likely seen videos of POW's "confessing" and denouncing imperialist America. We saw Peter Schless paraded before the cameras calling Ron Miscavige a lousy musician. Now they have taken it to an even lower level. This GMA segment on Ron Miscavige's book contains two bizarre statements from Lori Hodgson's children. (Around 2:55) In typical scientology style they have been coached to "attack the attacker" by claiming it is "more important for … [Read more...]
Height of Hypocrisy?
Wonder how Lori Hodgson, Cindy Plahuta, Mary Kahn, Sara Goldberg, Lois Reisdorf and so many others feel about how scientology "honors" mothers. Scientology presents itself as champions of the family. Masters of communication and relationships. They proclaim communication is the "universal solvent." Yet there are repeated examples of scientology tearing families apart. Forbidding communication. And destroying relationships and lives. The control mechanism of disconnection can no longer be brushed under the carpet as the church has tried to do for decades. Pretending it is an "individual … [Read more...]