On a number of previous occasions I have commented on the parallels between the scientology world and North Korea. From empty showcase buildings to the unwarranted adulation of their current leader Kim Jong-un to the bizarre stories of the life and accomplishments of the Godlike founder of the DPRK, Kim Il-sung. But this BBC News story came across my newsfeed and once again the similarities were eery. A prominent North Korean diplomat defected. The response reads like the things scientology puts out about me and anyone else who has escaped from its bubble. He was of co … [Read more...]
Mariette Lindstein’s Prize Winning Crime Novel Based on David Miscavige
Some great news from our long term friend, Dan Koon about his wife (Mariette Lindstein)'s prize-winning, best-selling book. For those unfamiliar with Mariette, I asked Dan to provide us with a short biographical sketch. I have known Mariette for many, many years, in fact it was me that brought her to "Int" to become Watchdog Committee Scientology in 1983. Mariette grew up on Sweden's southwest coast in Halmstad. She became involved in Scientology after graduating the Swedish equivalent of high school around 1978. Soon, she was working at the Malmö Org where she and a couple other Div 6 p … [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...]
Thursday Funnies
It's a Blockbuster OTC Meeting Revel in the good news: Only $6.4 million to go. More Blockbuster News This Ideal Org had a single person complete a course. The Student Hat no less. That is cause for a massive celebration and a promotional piece. Why CF? "Because its files of people who have bought something." Makes total sense. Truth is, nobody has a good answer. Los Feliz Mission? How low can you go -- a Mission is holding a fundraising event for an org.... Mighty My Mammy LRH is still dead guys. Most of those … [Read more...]
No True Scotsman
Commenter Mike Wynski linked to this article in a recent comment. I was unfamiliar with this term and found the article fascinating in light of my scientology experience. Especially in how scientology "defines" anyone who has escaped the bubble. This is an abbreviated version of the article with all links and citations removed and focused on what is relevant to the scientology experience: The No True Scotsman (NTS) fallacy is a logical fallacy that occurs when: during argument, after their favored group has been criticized, someone re-defines the group in order to deflect un … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
What exactly IS a "timeless moment in whole track history"? Shermanspeak is even on their posters now... 10X more BS Flag OT Committee Harlem tourist brochure Nice comments... BTW - "gaff" is slang for house. Love the penises on the wall. Seasonal fruit display... A reference to Austin Nickels and Dimes? First scientology city... When? Never. 1 of those select 30 isn't going to be there for sure... You've heard it from me before... ...this is pretty pathetic. Even the … [Read more...]
Some Thoughts About The Harlem Ribbon Yanking
Tony Ortega provided a pretty good summary of what happened at Sunday's Harlem org ribbon yanking at his blog. My thoughts focus on what was NOT there. Nobody Important Showed Up The B team speakers were notable for being nobodies. Back in the day, Charlie Rangel and other prominent people spoke at the NY Org ideal ribbon yanking. Why wasn't Charlie Rangel at the Harlem church? It would have been more appropriate for him as a champion of the African American community of NY. The people they DID manage to persuade to speak were unknows with the exception of a NY State Assemblyman who so … [Read more...]
Some Truth About The Size of Scientology
You have all heard scientology spout repeatedly that Valley is the biggest and most important Class 5 org in the world. Of course, this is idiocy, they cannot gather together 50 people for an event and have less than a handful on services at any given time (though this DOES put them ahead of most orgs in the world). What is probably true is that this org has the largest number of scientologists in its field - and the largest empty white elephant building in terms of square feet (and of course in scientology, square feet of empty space is the ultimate measure of accomplishment). There are … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Tell You Grew Up in Scientology
Sent by a Special Correspondent. Rings true to me. … [Read more...]
Maiden Voyage Event 4
Here is the final report on the "week of events" to celebrate Maiden Voyage 2016. Miscavige was feeling overworked for the week, having to deliver that opening night address and then the IAS pitch-a-thon, so he dished this one off to a bunch of nobodies. Anyone these days apparently qualifies as "International Church executives" - the headliner for this event was the CO PAC? Wow.... There is some fascinating information here. "More than 500 scientologists have formed new groups in Los Angeles" - funny, not a single one of these "new groups" has ever been shown (or even seen by … [Read more...]