More of the recent, increasingly desperate efforts scientology is making to try to gain legitimacy. This "press release" is so lame it is laughable. Absolutely nothing happened. A choir sang some songs. No photo of the attendees, nor any indication of how many there were. The release, like those that have come before it, is written like a grade school report. But apart from cloaking itself in the mantle of religion, scientology also tries to pretend they are champions of human rights. "The Church of Scientology supports and educates others of their rights and inspires people to protect … [Read more...]
Trying to Influence Pinellas County Sheriff’s Dept
Scientology trying to inveigle itself with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department. Though they also say this fundraiser is for Winter Wonderland? It's unclear how much they plan to give to the PAL and how much to Winter Wonderland. Scientology claims they provide Winter Wonderland as a "gift" to the community. Odd that an organization that takes in $2 million a week has to nab money from the PAL to pay for their Christmas decorations... Hope the PCSD doesn't turn into the Hollywood PD who have been bought off over years with checks for their PAL. Scientology is desperately trying to … [Read more...]
Valley Interfaith Boondoggle
Valley Idle Org is trying to generate some "PR Area Control" by buddying up with some "interfaith" allies. No doubt they will talk about how they are being targeted by "bigots" conducting a "campaign" of "anti-religion haters." (For an organization that derides the concept of being a victim they sure do a pretty good imitation of playing one). I wonder if they have on their agenda the topics of "Disconnection and the destruction of families"? Or "Elderly Abuse in Scientology"? Or "How we cover up child abuse to protect the image of scientology?" The people who are attending this … [Read more...]
Busting Open The Gates to the Bridge
Remember the hype about how the bridge would be flooded with people thanks to reaching the billions with the new KCET studio? That scientology was going to have its own, uncorrupted line to the world? And that this was all going to be happening by the summer solstice on 21 June? Well? What happened? It's a month later? Still nothing to show for it. There was even word that there was going to be a "scientology TV channel"? This white elephant cost tens of millions of dollars and is a duplicate of the tens of millions of dollars invested in the same studios at Golden Era. Now … [Read more...]
Battlefields: Scientologists vs. Critics; Can Decency Win?
Another article from Brian Lambert. While I am so busy working on Season 2 I appreciate those who forward me relevant, on topic articles to publish. It is a day I do not have to write something myself. (Thanks especially to Regraded Being and Terra Cognita who have been stallwarts in this regard). I try not to use too many of them in a row, but I feel it is better for continuity to have something every day if possible. Though there may be days in the upcoming weeks where it just isn't possible. Battlefields: Scientologists vs. Critics; Can Decency Win? "We are hypnotized by our surroundings … [Read more...]
The World’s Fastest Growing Religion ;)
Scientology has routinely claimed it is the "World's Fastest Growing Religion" - in fact, this video is shown in EVERY scientology org as an introduction to the subject (it is even listed on IMDB). Below is an interesting article forwarded to me by one of our Special Correspondents. It will come as no surprise that scientology doesn't rate a mention. It is not even included as an "Other" when that includes: African traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, Native American religions, Australian aboriginal religions, Baha’i faith, Jainism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Taoism, T … [Read more...]
Season 2 Aftermath Special: Aftermath
As I did after each program in the first season, I am putting this here as a place for people to make comments about the show that has just aired. The outpouring of support has been amazing already, just as it was in Season 1. As always, I am interested in your views - including criticisms and things you think might be better explained or covered. For new readers here I thought you might find it instructive to be directed to some earlier postings that may help explain some things. You may have seen some of the over-the-top statements about Leah, me or anyone who has a differing opinion … [Read more...]
Aftermath Special Tonight
I am taking the day off. I will be watching the show and tweeting tonite. Tony Ortega never takes a day off and has written a piece about the show this morning. Watch tonight. … [Read more...]
Dianetics Survey
Bridge Publications is doing their best to encourage people to share their honest opinions about Dianetics on Amazon. Of course, this is a stacked deck. They ONLY send this out to scientologists. It appears they are doing a pretty good job. For Dianetics to have a 71% 5 star rating, it means that 71% of the reviews have been done by scientologists. Because regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the fundamental principles of Dianetics, there can be no doubt that it is NOT clearly written and is a tough read (assigning the difficulty in reading the book to "misunderstoods" is … [Read more...]
Scientology, Lying and the FBI
Recent articles at Tony Ortega's blog and the Tampa Bay Times recount the stillborn scientology FBI investigation based on FOI documents obtained by RadarOnline. There is not much else to say about the investigation itself, it has been covered at length by Tony Ortega, the Tampa Bay Times and Lawrence Wright, first in his New Yorker article then more extensively in Going Clear. What is interesting is to look back at how scientology responded when asked about the investigation in earlier years. A number of people who had been interviewed by the FBI (including me) had confirmed that an i … [Read more...]