Mike Rinder Speaks Out
Mike Rinder's first on camera interview since leaving Scientology aired on Australia's Today Tonight program with reporter Bryan Seymour.
Scientology Attacks Anderson Cooper
UPDATED WITH INSANE SCIENTOLOGY VIDEO Scientology responds to a blistering week of broadcasts that exposed David Miscavige's brutal reign by printing and distributing a new issue of Freedom Magazine, their in-house attack dog publication. If Scientology is really a good guy and CNN had it all wrong, why does it take Scientology's own propaganda arm to set the record straight? Why aren't others stepping forward? Scientologist passing out Freedom Magazine at CNN's L.A. headquarters. Scientology is already losing the war on truth. You see, I can do something Scientology can not. I can give you the link to Scientology's Freedom Magazine report...and the links ...
Australian Public Benefit Test Hearing
Senator Xenophon managed to get hearings called that would look into the tax status of groups such as Scientology. Are they truly charitable? Do they benefit society? Are they worthy of getting a tax break from the Australian government? DAY ONE - June 28th, 2010: Dr. Stephen Mutch presents his views on cults and the public trust and is questioned by members of the Australia Senate committee. Testimony from Janette Vonthenthoff, Carmel Underwood, Paul Schofield, Kevin Mackey and James Anderson. Members of Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) testify. Trevor Garret from the Charity Commission of New Zealand talks about how they grappled with the issue. Andrew Lind of Corney and ...
Human Trafficking Press Conference
I had the great honor of moderating a press conference on Scientology's abuse of staff and Sea Org members. The event was held in the Steve Allen Theater at the CFI-West and was widely attended by local and international media. We had six terrific speakers whose stories are heartbreaking and in many instances horrifying. My introductory comments and speaker Marc Headley: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKtfNf-2Zyc[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn-4G4T8wHo[/youtube] Jeff Hawkins: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6E1bjaoCuk[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9PsZnjcPZ8[/youtube] Laura Decrescenzo: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znti7gITZpg[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC8-YulbrA8[/youtube] Will Fry: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y29iUN__490[/youtube] Maureen Bolstad: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrazhaNR5Xg[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpAbLLi9vvs[/youtube] Nancy Many: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKlk0EyuEog[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5TubYLomzY[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IFelzYrXLE[/youtube] There are two Q & A segments yet to come. I ended by reading letters from two mothers whose daughters have disconnected from them. The first is to Mandy Kember from her mother Susan Talbot. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnFQ4UmDGp4[/youtube] The ...
Orientation Star Demands his Money Back — on Tape
The St. Petersburg Times continues their explosive coverage of Scientology with today's story about celebrity Larry Anderson departing Scientology and asking for the return money he had in his account: If you watched TV in the past three decades, you probably saw Larry Anderson. He appeared on more than 30 shows, including Charlie's Angels, Mork and Mindy, Desperate Housewives and Mad Men. He hosted three game shows and had bit parts in eight movies. He got lots of parts but isn't well known. Except to Scientologists. Anderson starred in the Church of Scientology's 1996 film Orientation, a 40-minute promotion central to church recruiting ...
Marc Headley on Coast to Coast AM
Marc Headley appeared on the popular nationwide radio show Coast to Coast AM to talk about his new book and his experiences in Scientology. This is one of the most popular radio shows on the AM dial and Marc got to appear for three hours. I'm in the process of reading Marc's terrific book. I have to agree with the host of this show, Ian Punnett, and Village Voice editor Tony Ortega. This is a very well written book, filled with fascinating details. Headley-C2C-11-14-09 Pt1 Headley-C2C-11-14-09 Pt2 Headley-C2C-11-14-09 Pt3
My Billion Year Contract
Nancy Many's new book is available for purchase. Nancy Many was a college student in Boston when she frst wandered into a Scientology offce. That was the beginning of the end of independence and freedom, as she knew it. After 27 years of service at all levels of Scientology’s Sea Organization, Nancy left the group, and now works to help others who have been victimized, and to expose the abuse and crimes of her former group. Nancy lives in Los Angeles with her family. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpE032GhoPE[/youtube]
Oscar Winner Paul Haggis Leaves Scientology
It's a story that I believe was first reported by Marty Rathbun. He has been posting excerpts from Paul Haggis' letter to Tommy Davis over the past couple weeks and revealed Haggis as the author a few days ago. Now the story has been picked up by Gawker and Radar among others. Haggis very publicly resigned from Scientology over the group's support of Proposition 8 during the last election in California. But he also cites the abusive actions of David Miscavige as being a large contributing factor. Tommy, As you know, for ten months now I have been writing to ...
Nightline Takes on Slappy Miscavige
ABC's Nightline has done a two-part report based on the amazing St. Pete Times articles about David Miscavige's physical and mental abuse of Scientology staff. What I don't understand is, how come the self-published "Miscavige is great" issue of Freedom Magazine didn't handle the flap? Who is to blame, Slappy? Who will you lash out at this time? Here's the first day's report: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYGX-nM5vBM[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs7bxL0Bqro[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePrAlaa9-Fk[/youtube] Day Two centered on Scientology's celebrities: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVQ0X71ZOh4[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N4uyQ5E6KQ[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjKfR_MDHTY[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dq6ouHkcFY[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ORIkltnnGs[/youtube] Tommy Davis has the "storming out of an interview" tech down pat. Way to show Scientology's commitment to communication, Mr. PR Guy. If you'd just like to see Tommy Davis storm out, ...
The Truth Rundown
The St. Petersberg Times has run one of the most important series of articles on Scientology in years. David Miscavige was put squarely in the target of former top executives Marty Rathbun and Mike Rinder who have spilled the beans on the inner circles bizarre behavior.
The Empire Slaps Back
Just at the St. Petersburg Times ran their followup piece to the damning articles accusing Scientology's diminutive leader David Miscavige of physically and psychologically abusing his staff, Miscavige ordered that a new issue of their own rag, Freedom Magazine, be produced to paint him as a saint and a peacemaker. “IT IS HUBBARD, AFTER ALL, WHOSE WORDS MISCAVIGE will heed as he tries to improve Scientology's standing in Clearwater and around the world. Ten of them are inscribed on his boardroom wall: 'Ideas and not battles mark the forward progress of mankind.'” With these words, S.P. Times reporter Tom Tobin closed his ...
Latest News
Mike Rinder Speaks Out
Mike Rinder’s first on camera interview since leaving Scientology aired on Australia’s Today Tonight program with reporter Bryan Seymour. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Scientologists Upset by Stupid Tweet
A Cardiff councilman has found himself in a bit of hot water because he made a tweet as he passed a Scientology Org. A complaint was filed by Scientology six months after the tweet was made. Now John Dixon faces a disciplinary hearing. A COUNCILLOR is facing a disciplinary hearing after calling the Church of Scientology “stupid” in a post on... [Read more of this review]
Scientology Attacks Anderson Cooper
UPDATED WITH INSANE SCIENTOLOGY VIDEO Scientology responds to a blistering week of broadcasts that exposed David Miscavige’s brutal reign by printing and distributing a new issue of Freedom Magazine, their in-house attack dog publication. If Scientology is really a good guy and CNN had it all wrong, why does it take Scientology’s own propaganda arm... [Read more of this review]
DC Schools Promoting Scientology Front Group
Scientology’s Applied Scholastics gets federal funds for tutoring kids in the D.C. area. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Australian Public Benefit Test Hearing
Senator Xenophon managed to get hearings called that would look into the tax status of groups such as Scientology. Are they truly charitable? Do they benefit society? Are they worthy of getting a tax break from the Australian government? DAY ONE – June 28th, 2010: Dr. Stephen Mutch presents his views on cults and the public trust and is... [Read more of this review]
Conversation with Karen Pressley
Steve Hassan sends along this video which features a discussion with Ex-Celebrity Center top person Karen Pressley, who was a Sea Org member and worked directly for David Miscavige for four years. Attorney Paul Grosswald, also a former Scientologist, joins with Steve as they speak casually in Hassan’s hotel room at the 2010 ICSA conference. Karen... [Read more of this review]
Scientology Tax Scam
Original Broadcast Date: June 22, 2010 Australia’s Today/Tonight continues to cover Scientology fraud. Bryan Seymour looks into their international tax setup and is surprised by what he discovers and where the UK headquarters are located. It’s alleged Scientology has been avoiding paying tax in the United Kingdom by claiming it is run... [Read more of this review]
St. Pete Times on Forced Abortions
UPDATED with Scientologist’s reactions below. The St. Petersberg Times continues their terrific series of articles on Scientology fraud and abuse. This time they focused on how Scientology coerced Sea Org members to have abortions in an article called No Kids Allowed. Laura Dieckman was just 12 when her parents let her leave home to work full... [Read more of this review]
MegaStars at Boston MegaRaid
Three heavyweights spoke at the Anonymous Megaraid in Boston on May 30th. Larry Brennan was a long time member of Scientology who handled Scientology’s legal and tax affairs for many years. Nancy Many has written a terrific book about her experiences in Scientology (My Billion Year Contract) which details her mental collapse while in the organization... [Read more of this review]
Tea Party Candidate Supports Scientology
The GOP has themselves a Scientology problem on their hands. The Tea Party candidate for Nevada senator won the Republican nomination on Tuesday. One of the attacks thrown against her in the primary is gaining more attention now that Sharron Angle is facing off against Harry Reid in the Fall. In this fun ad, she’s attacked for her support... [Read more of this review]
Jeff Stone Loses State Race
UPDATE – June 9, 2010 I’m happy to report that crooked politician Jeff Stone is made of fail. State Assemblyman Joel Anderson, of Alpine, topped a field of four candidates for the Republican nomination in the 36th State Senate District. The seat includes southwest Riverside County and among the challengers was Riverside County Supervisor... [Read more of this review]
Journalist Booted Off Australian Island by Scientology
Here’s an interesting piece in which the reporter and crew for A Current Affair are turned away from an island where Scientology is holding a WISE seminar. I’ve certainly seen this before. Jeff Jacobsen and I were banned from a Clearwater Chamber of Commerce meeting even though we had paid for tickets to the event being held at Scientology’s... [Read more of this review]
Woman Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Anon
UPDATED WITH FULL FOOTAGE OF THE EVENT BELOW. Original Post: May 5, 2010 A woman just hauled off and socked an Anonymous in the face. Really. I wouldn’t have believed it if it hadn’t been caught on tape. Nicole Cassandra Andersen pleaded guilty to assault in a Halifax court and she had to because this is a pretty damning piece of footage.... [Read more of this review]
Australia Probes Scientology’s Abuse of Workers
Australia’s Lateline once again tackles Scientology abuse. This report focuses on the poor pay and forced labor conditions for Scientology’s Sea Org and staff members. Janette Lang speaks out about the abuse she suffered as the former second in command of the Canberra org. The Fair Work Ombudsman is investigating the Church of Scientology... [Read more of this review]
Mike Rinder’s Open Letter to His Family
Mike Rinder posted this over at Marty Rathbun’s blog. While I don’t share all of Mike’s feelings about L. Ron Hubbard, I do see a man trying to reach his indoctrinated family and get them to take a step back and look at the madness that is going on around them. While we may wish Mike could take an extra step back himself, no one... [Read more of this review]
Scientology Raided in Italy
Police raided a local Scientology center in Turin and uncovered secret files on their “enemies” including police, judges and journalists. Police raided a local Scientology chapter here and discovered a hidden archive which contained not only information on the group’s members but also on the sect’s ‘enemies’, the Turin daily La Stampa... [Read more of this review]
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