Scientology repeatedly claims: "We are a religion engaged in matters of the spiritual plane, not the worldly." They managed to convince strong arm the IRS into granting them tax exempt status as an exempt "religious" organization on this basis. Their words AND actions (believe what you hear AND what you see) prove that is just a facade. Normally this promotional piece would be another one of the Thursday Funnies -- there are literally HUNDREDS of similar items from scientology organizations all over the world claiming that scientology can make you "flourish and prosper" and give you the … [Read more...]
Some Information About Religious Tax Exemption
Mary Kahn reminded me yesterday in a comment about John Oliver of the brilliant piece he did on Religious Tax Exemption. This is satire at its finest -- exposing truths through humor. It is cringe-inducing funny. If you have never seen this, or if you haven't watched it for a few years, it is VERY instructive. I recommend it highly as it lays out a LOT of information and gives insight into scientology and its ongoing tax exempt status. This is, in part, why the IRS has been perfectly content to allow scientology to be tax exempt all these years. There is also the fact that … [Read more...]
What Can You Do to Help End Scientology Abuses?
The most common question we are asked is "What can I do to help?" First, understand that your support of our show and on social media is tremendously valuable. Both to us and to let the contributors to our show know there are people out there that support the cause. Second, if you want to offer help in terms of professional counselling or you have job opportunities or a place for someone to stay, please contact The Aftermath Foundation which is established to be a clearing house to connect those who are trying to leave scientology or have recently done so to a network of people who have … [Read more...]
Miscavige in Panic Mode
Whenever things get really worrisome in David Miscavige's world he orders everyone to rewatch the 1993 "War Is Over" event. This is his crowning achievement and he wants to remind everyone what an incredible accomplishment it was. He is convinced this is his “greatest performance” and it makes him look good, which tells you a lot. His tiny figure on that massive stage with flaming sconces taken from the castle in Young Frankenstein projects, in his mind, the image of power he craves. In truth, it WAS incredible. It should never have happened. And while it is a bulwark in the defensive wal … [Read more...]
A Message from Leah Remini to Scientology Operatives
Dear OSA, OSA operatives, paid off sleazy PI’s and lawyers who are bought off by Scientology, I know you are reading this because you scour our instagrams, FB Pages and twitter feeds all day and night. I also understand you are bound to follow the writings of L. Ron Hubbard which require you to discover what someone considers valuable and attack it, to "fight on the basis of total attrition of the enemy" and treat those who speak the truth about you as "Fair Game." But you should also know that what you are doing, including: -- the legal threats -- paying off family members with t … [Read more...]
Scientology’s Money Grabbing
This is an important survey put together by Jeffrey Augustine and first published on his blog. I am republishing it here for anyone who may have missed it there.When someone gives money to scientology, they are led to believe that should they be dissatisfied all they need to do is ask and their money will be cheerfully refunded with the only condition being that they are no longer able to participate in scientology services. Of course, those who want their money back don't really want to continue participating, so this is never a big deal when they hand over their cash. What they … [Read more...]
Scientology Tax Exemption — Muffins Strikes Back
Clearly, David Miscavige is feeling the mounting pressure on his most cherished treasure: tax exempt status bestowed on scientology by the IRS in 1993. It takes considerable effort to get a letter published about a relatively obscure subject in a major paper like the LA Times. It is apparently a response to an op-ed piece that ran last November. 3 months of work to get this miserable piece of misleading propaganda to run... Monique "Muffins" Yingling makes a rare appearance to argue on behalf of Miscavige. She has been as out of sight as the COB himself since her fateful appearance on 20/20 … [Read more...]
What Real Churches Do
A small point in the overall scheme of things, but something that struck home with me a few days ago. Jack is now attending pre-school. His school is part of a local Methodist church. They are located in the church facilities and are part of the church's programs. There was a parent-teacher-church meeting to begin the year that Christie and I attended. After talking with Jack's teachers we went into the church proper with all the other parents (there are a dozen different classrooms for children of different pre-school ages) and sat in the pews. The minister Opened the gathering with … [Read more...]
Wake Up The Government
This was posted on ESMB and then Karen De La Carriere reposted it to Twitter and Facebook. It is worth taking note. Letters from CONSTITUENTS are treated seriously by elected officials. The more US Congressmen there are who have been made aware of the issue, the greater the chance of something being done. The IRS is answerable to Congress. Sooner or later this is going to become an issue that one or more politicians will feel they can gain popularity with. When that day happens, the more there are to jump on the bandwagon the better. Writing to your Congressman IS an effective means of … [Read more...]
Scientology Tax Exemption Panic
It would appear that the statements made in the wake of Going Clear by Alex Gibney have struck a nerve, especially his OpEd piece in the LA Times. David Miscavige has trotted out his second favorite scientology spokespuppet (after Karin Pouw), non-scientologist lawyer Monique Yingling. She strangely appeared to defend the non-practice of "disconnection" on Anderson Cooper, and also came to visit me one time to discuss whether I wanted to speak to my children and other family members. She is sort of a Girl Friday who fills in as an Ethics Officer/IJC and spokesperson when needed. She is … [Read more...]