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Mike Rinder's Blog

Something Can Be Done About It

Thankyou

By 48 Comments

I have been quite overwhelmed by the messages, calls, emails, pms and comments from so many people in response to the posting about the death of my mother.

There is not enough time in the day to respond to each individually, and if I have not responded to you personally, it is not because I didnt appreciate your kind words, support and friendship. I just haven’t been able to get to everything today.

This episode has reminded me just how many friends I have. And despite how it may sometimes seem, the good in this world far outweighs the bad.  There are so many decent, caring, loving people — some I have never even met or heard from before — that the accumulation of positive energy steamrolled any negative. I shed more tears of joy and appreciation in reading all the kind words than any grief over loss.

I know that Barbara is now out of the cage she has been held in and I rejoice in her freedom.

I also rejoice in the fact that this story has served to encourage others to take action or speak up or commit themselves to bringing an end to the human rights abuses perpetrated by the cult of Scientology. To that degree, this cloud has a very bright silver lining.

Again, I thank everyone who has been so kind and caring towards me and my family today. As I said, it is very much appreciated.

Comments

  2. Mike,

    Just as one of the many outsiders who have followed this story for years, I think you and all the other former members who are out there exposing the COS are extremely admirable and courageous. You are doing something very worthy with your life, and I look forward to the day when the battle is won and you can all toast each other for a job well done. In the meantime, know that you are supported not just by your friends and family, but by many, many people out here who have never even met you. I wish you continued healing, and much condolences.

    Reply

  4. Mike, I baked a loaf of bread (which I’m very good at) and left it at the door of a family here, who, with the skilled assistance of tech terminals at Flag, threw out their father/husband who wouldn’t go along with the Miscavige Regime any longer.

    I printed your post about your mother, in hopes they can see the error of what they’ve done and reconcile.

    Reply

    • Oh. That’s brilliant, Madora.
      That would be a great campaign.
      If a person had the physical address of someone who needs to see this, you could just send it to them in a letter, which has more impact than an email and stays around their house longer so others might see it too.
      But an email works great IF you send the text in the email (plus the link to Mike’s blog) so they aren’t guilty of “clicking on a suppressive link.” By the time they’ve read it to see what it is, they already got the idea.

      Reply

  6. Mike, this is probably a bad idea, but perhaps it contains the germ of a good one. What if we could have, on the same day as Miscavige’s big (he hopes) super-power party, a huge celebration in honor of Barbara and all the others who have been hurt in the “church’s” war on families? People would get up and talk about their departed (though living or dead), and it would get huge press and perhaps have a bigger crowd.

    Bad idea, because baddies would say we were unfeelingly using the deceased in our “anti-religious” attacks.

    Thought I would pass it on anyway, just in case.

    Love to you and yours.

    Reply

  7. Hugs from a stranger,

    It is unfortunate that your Mom may not have seen the blessing that you have continued to be.

    I’m so sorry for your pain and loss.

    That you are again able to experience either after your long years in the Church is a testimony to your courage and resilience. May you forgive the lapses and find lessons in the pain and peace in the love that is your Mother.

    Thanks for all you are and do.

    Reply

  10. You well earned this appreciation form the many and, yes, definitely count on me and many others to take action on the matters mentioned.
    I also agree, your mom is free now and she will find shinning and lovely experiences on whatever she chooses to do.
    Do well.

    Reply

  11. Hi Mike.

    I can hardly imagine how you feel about this.
    You know I appreciate you and your loss is my loss too.
    Spiritually Im there with you and your family now.
    You mother surely is very happy about having such a corageus, brave and dedicated son.
    Dedicated to the uplift of all mankind. I always remember your determination when you show up in International event videos.
    Inside and out the cult you have proven your value. I know that is huge in a son because I have two daughters and it feels like nothing else to have such kind of son.
    I still have my mom with me now. I see her every morning and every night and it´s a blessing to have her.

    I mourn your loss.

    Stay strong as you once have told me.

    Sincerely…

    Roberto Sánchez Núñez AKA Mexican Amigo

    Reply

  12. Mike, I could not respond yesterday but I cried along with you and others. A theata (spiritual) comm line is
    precious. Much much more then wealth or fame. It’s so sad that ‘our’ church – besides the wealth it gathers, dispite the fame it thinks it has, it must also go attack the most precious gift we all should have.
    I’m sorry for you but like you say the good far outweighs the bad in this world. There is such a silver lining.
    I like the added picture. Yup – she has that sparkle 🙂
    Thank you for all you are doing – I too am here to help with the purpose to repair the broken spiritual comm lines and thus the spirit.
    Hugs, Cece

    Reply

  13. Mike,

    You have my sincerest and deepest, heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Like others, I, too, have recently experienced a couple of losses of family due to disease or old age, though in my case, I was in contact with them to the end. Regardless, know that you are not alone at this time. You are surrounded by love and understanding.

    On a side note, you and I have a mutual friend. Many months ago, I called my friend and it just so happened you were visiting. I asked to speak with you briefly and you agreed. I praised you for what you have done (speaking out). You simply, and humbly, thanked me in response. It was a short while later that you started your blog. For that, I, and countless others I’m sure, am even more grateful. The impact you and those speaking out are having is tremendous.

    Having experienced the loss of loved ones passing on, I came to quickly realize that life does, indeed, go on, as I received some visitations from my dearly departed. It helped in the transition phase. My hope is that you, too, experience such contact now that she is no longer bound by this physical universe reality or whatever previous agreements she may have made. Perhaps she already has.

    There were two quotes from Ron that I always agreed with, and ultimately helped me wake up. The first was, “Look, don’t listen”. The second, more important to me and more applicable to what you’re doing, is: “There is no short stop on the road to truth. That is the only track that you have to go all the way on. Once you have put your feet upon that road, you have to walk to its end. Otherwise, all manner of difficulties and upsets will beset you.” Please continue what you’re doing, Mike. Yours and others’ work are paving the way for a full reuniting of lost friends and family.

    Lastly, I recall many years ago some event where Heber was still a presenter. In it, he mentioned something along the lines of how every time Scientology was attacked, we expand. Well, it seems to me that those Scientologists who have gotten out when things accelerated in their deterioration can now say the same thing….whenever DM and his accomplices attack, you expand.

    Lastly, after reading about all the support you have received, I am reminded of the final scene in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. (I’d post the You Tube link but can’t from work right now….) You are like Jimmy Stewart, being overwhelmed with Love and Support. Bask in its healing!

    Reply

  16. Dear Mike,
    Will continue to demand a Full accounting of all C of $ money
    Abolish Human Rights abuses in the C of $
    Expose corrupt practices of David Miscavige
    No Worries

    Reply

  17. Mike, I’ve seen Tory “Magoo” use the image of walking over to the other side of a street, by way of characterizing the process of leaving Scientology. Once you’re over there, she says, you realize that there’s SO MANY PEOPLE there. And they’re good, fun, warm and welcoming people, including many old friends.

    The great tune “On the Sunny Side of the Street”, written way back in 1930, might make a good anthem. Here’s a twisting (!) version by Ella Fitzgerald, no stranger to the blues.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJW3fVpgAfw

    Reply

  18. Dear Mike. Thank you.

    Thank you for having the courage to put up and maintain a platform so we can get another viewpoint. I don’t have that courage, and help “in hiding” as it were. All the more do I appreciate what you do.

    Reply

  20. Mike – I also would like to say Thank You.
    We on the critic side are always full of suggestions for what you could or should be doing. The fact is, you are doing something. It would have been very easy for you to pull yourself out of the swamp, hose yourself down, and go off into the jungle and leave the subject far far behind. And sadly many do that (cough-Tommy Davis-cough) although that is their choice.
    But you have stayed behind to offer a hand to those who need help, and you have spoken out to call the lake what it is – a disgusting swamp which will poison your soul if you give it chance.
    So thank you.

    Reply

    • So many good comments here. You could have walked away from the mess miscavige has made, but you stayed and held your ground. I admire you and everyone who continues to speak up on the abuse. The freedom in your life is something Miscavige will never experience.

      Reply

  21. Mike, your ARC outflow is strong….so the ARC inflow to you is no surprise.

    Would be nice if the CofS would practice a little Scientology …..they would be surprised at the benefits, but they practice “crush and squash” and somehow they are surprised at the reaction, results and products they get…….too sad really..

    Reply

  22. I think this clearly proves that you get much more support on the fringes of the internet than you would ever get from people inside the cult.
    So who are the better people..?

    Reply

    • That’s quite a remark. People inside have no time to care for humann beings, they are to busy struggling to keep their stats up and trying to comply with irreal targets.

      Reply

  23. You’re very welcomed. When my own mother died, I cried for days and days. It was a loss like I never experienced for and wasn’t prepared for, though I don’t think there’s ever any way you can prepare for such a thing. There’s a very special relationship that a mother has with her own son. I felt, and still do, like an orphan when my mother died. Nothing is going to change that; I suppose it is part of growing up. Life is different now. The one silver lining for me is that I out-lived my mother. A mother should never have to bury her own child. It is in these times that a real religion and a real church would come to your aid and help you through these tough times. God bless. Though it may not assuage your grief, allow myself to interject a link to the Grateful Dead’s “He’s Gone”, as a respectful tribute towards your mom:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXMlhr1BmBI

    Reply

  24. Isn’t it absolutely a m a z i n g how many wonderful people there are out here?
    It NEVER Ceases to blow my mind. I’m very happy you, Mike, have once again
    experienced this with the passing of your Mom and ALL the love that has poured in.
    I’ve never met her, but I can feel her smiling at you.
    Blessings to ALL Tory/Magoo

    Reply

  26. Beautifully said and awesome perspective. Love never dies and may your life continue to be empowered by the positive energy so many have for you, yours and the mission to end the abuses of the RCS. Thank YOU!

    Reply

  27. Mike,

    Your mom is free and I am sure she is proud of you. As a mother of two sons I can tell you with absolute certainty that she never for one second, even now in death, stopped loving you. You are a good man and she is proud of you. I am terribly sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is terrible but she will always be with you.

    Reply

  28. I walk together with you and everyone inspired by the purpose and it may or many not be softly but it is with a big stick.

    Reply

  29. There is only one thing that I’m aware of that miscavige does with utter professionalism. And that is his ability to turn on the EVIL. He really is good at it.

    The courage that you and Christy and Marty and Mosey and the Headleys et al have displayed is pretty remarkable. My brief skirmish with him left me pretty stunned. And that was only a tiny fraction of what you folks have braved with intelligence, compassion and honor for years.

    At the end of this episode, your kids, your mom and the rest of your family will recognize the man you truly are. And the love will flow like never before. I’m just sure of it. Thanks so much for standing your ground and being who you are, Mike.

    Les

    Reply

  30. I was sorry to hear of your moms passing Mike and that you had to hear of it 2nd hand. I can imagine dave sat back and figures he got you a good one. But of course he has fucked up again. Your friends have rallied, your help appreciated. Just another foot bullet into an already very mangled foot. Good one dave, keep it up and we will get Scientology back even quicker!!

    Reply

  31. Mike, I unlike you was the first generation in Scn. I tried like hell to get my family in. I was unsuccessful. I took this as a huge fail. Now that I am out, and I have had time to decompress I am so thankful for that fail. My mother is now 81. She is so amazing. Sad how when I was in the Cof S I considered her PTS to my SP father, who by the way is also amazing. I was completely ready and willing to disconnect from them both. My child hood was not “ideal”. Who’s is? Scientology, LRH, took advantage of this.
    Your story breaks me heart, as it could have been me. Bless you and your Mom.

    Reply

  32. You are very gracious to take the time to say so.
    There is a feeling that something has shifted and love is on the march…full moon and equinox this week also…those energies and forces so much bigger than us are available if we love and work together with intention and purpose.
    Your personal tragedy seems to be focusing that purpose.
    Many will rally to you; let us know in your own time how best we may serve…
    I wrote my Senator last night…and would be willing to write to editors and blogs around the world if you think helpful.
    (…as a for instance, as a relatively home-bound never-in.)

    Reply

  33. Ah, you are so welcome and deserve all the affection coming at you. Nothing matters but to find that all is love and to be kind.

    Reply

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