This is the sort of stuff scientology churns out to try to smear and discredit those who expose their abuses. The author, Rodger Clark, is a "STAND Blogger". I happened to notice this article on the Patheos site, and found it was simply a reprint of the blog article on the STAND site. The text and even the image on Patheos are identical to this propaganda from STAND. Here is the diatribe in all it's sordid glory. I have highlighted in red some of the most egregious stuff: While working in Florida as an installer many years ago, the boss assigned me … [Read more...]
Why Elect Mark Bunker?
Tracey McManus article on the Downtown Development Board should be sounding alarms for the citizens of Clearwater. She explains: Three of the five candidates running for three seats in the Oct. 8 election are downtown business owners who are also Scientology parishioners. Three of the seven current board members are also parishioners: Stu Sjouwerman, founder of cyber security firm KnowBe4, whose term ends this year and who is not running for re-election; Ray Cassano, owner of Station Square Realty, whose term ends in 2021; and Paris Morfopoulos, owner of One Stoppe Shoppe, who is running for … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
A total PR front They are as interested in understanding other faiths as they are in giving money away for charity. It's all for show. They HOPE... An artist. A VIP. Or an Opinion Leader shows up. Unlikely, but hope springs eternal in the bubble of scientology. It begs the question... Why didn't he do this in Zimbabwe. They bought TWO ideal org buildings in that country? The answer is they have two buildings and no orgs... It's simple... The magic is that once you get started you can't get off it and you have to pay … [Read more...]
Scientology for Never Ins
There is a new book available on Amazon by a regular reader of this blog and major supporter of the campaign to end the abuses of scientology. I asked Stefani for a short description. The book is just supposed to be a starting point for Never Ins who hear some of the strange words and phrases Scientology uses but aren’t clear on what they are. I also tried to use real examples and facts to show how, no matter what Scientology says, there is always proof they’re lying. Explaining Fair Game, I used what they’ve put you through to show the Policy is still alive and in force. I wanted to real … [Read more...]
Why I Choose Scientology
This is an article just published on Patheos -- which is described on Wikipedia as follows: Patheos is a non-denominational, non-partisan online media company providing information and commentary from various religious and nonreligious perspectives. Upon its launch in May 2009, the website was primarily geared toward learning about religions through a reference library and other peer-reviewed resources on 27 global religions and worldviews. In its current form, the site also hosts more than 450 blogs in eleven "Faith Channels," offering commentary and news from these perspectives in topics … [Read more...]
How many scientologists are there?
Well, here is some pretty simple math. 1,000,000 divided by 52 = 19,230. One can assume that those 19,230 people consist of: The real people "in the Scientologist page" -- these are the people that are at least supportive of scientology, even if not active. It does not include EVERY scientologist -- social media just doesn't capture everyone (especially when the age demographic of scientologists continues to march toward "ancient" -- just look at the fundraising promos) It would include all staff who are active on social media in some way -- but this excludes almost all Sea Org … [Read more...]
St Hill is booming I tell you, booming
Here is some new hype from the original St Hill (and now home to the infamous IAS "Eunuch Man" statue): Dear Xxxxxx, I wanted to inform you of the great expansion that is happening at Saint Hill right now. First of all, you will be pleased to know that we are experiencing an incredible OT boom, having people come from all around the world to do their OT Levels. In fact we now have 127 people auditing on the Solo OT Levels. The expansion does not end there, in fact, we are right now finishing the construction of our Central Qualification Organization that will be manned by a total of 40 Sea … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
A new pitch "Pledging" for Ideal Orgs and the IAS "works". People think they are escaping the pressure by agreeing to "pledge" money they don't have -- they dont realize the pressure they will be under to "make good" on their pledge, even being routed to ethics for not "keeping their word." So, why not use it for services too? Stars of the North? Winning the Birthday Game. If this morgue is winning the Birthday Game it is a sad indictment of all the other morgues, from Orlando and Miami to New York and Harlem. Wow -- TC is the best.... Another … [Read more...]
The Discount AO
They are promoting the empty new AO in Africa as a bargain basement alternative to the traditional AO’s. These prices are (believe me, even though seem ridiculous) WAY lower than anywhere else. You can bet the other AO's are less than thrilled about this as they struggle to scrounge public... But more importantly, it says loud and clear that there are nowhere near enough public in Africa to support an AO, so they have to poach from other areas. That was clear from the outset. They have a few small, struggling orgs like Joburg and some that are completely non-existent like B … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
Thursday Funnies on Saturday. A bit delayed due to the Mark Bunker announcement on Thursday. Anniversary of what? Their "anniversary" of making the OT levels available in Australia is celebrated by flying in two full time fundraisers to talk about money. "All meals and refreshments provided" (for $50 per day). Desperate much? Success? I was a little worried if I got all I was supposed to? And this is the best they've got? Another "success"? Well, the first was a "quickie" and this one is "overrun". But of course, by … [Read more...]