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 ...
Scientologist William Rex Fowler Charged with Murder
An OT8 first considered a victim of a crime was recently charged with shooting his former partner to death. The Denver Post has the details. A 58-year-old businessman and founder of an Adams County software company was arrested Friday on murder charges in a bizarre office shooting at the end of the year that left him injured and another man dead. Adams County District Attorney Don Quick filed charges against William Rex Fowler in the shooting death of 42-year-old Thomas Ciancio, his former business partner at Fowler Software Design. Investigators say Fowler shot Ciancio three times in the head with a 9mm ...
David Miscavige Sued for Human Trafficking
Larry Brennan made this announcement today over at Why We Protest: This is to announce that as of today, November 25, 2009, David Miscavige has been sued and a summons has been issued notifying him of the complaint. Also sued are defendants Church of Scientology International, Religious Technology Center and does 1-20. A copy of the complaint can be found at: Complaint.filed112509 (and embedded below) The suit has been brought on behalf of John Lindstein by attorneys Barry Van Sickle and Graham Berry for, amongst other things, human trafficking. Read how John started working for organized scientology at 8 years old and was working 15 ...
Australian Senator Denounces Scientology
Xenu or Xenophon: both names instill fear in David Miscavige today because Australian independent Senator Nick Xenophon has called Scientology a criminal organization. After listing a series of abuses that have been brought to his attention, the Senator stated the very obvious: "What you believe does not mean you are not accountable for how you behave." [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-EvygFPNIE[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyJ4Ml6gWRY[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdUxg-cVDqg[/youtube] The South Australian parliamentarian said he had been contacted by a number of former Scientologists, after he questioned the organisation's tax exempt status in a recent television interview. "They have provided long and detailed letters to me about the workings of this organisation," ...
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
Scientology Convicted in France
After a lengthy trial, Scientology has been convicted of fraud in France. Unfortunately, they can't be banned because of a last minute change in the law quietly put into effect right before the beginning of the trial. At the very least, there should be some sort of Surgeon General's warning slapped on all the buildings. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqZ-A5x77Rk[/youtube] Tony Ortega has a nice entry on the case over at The Village Voice. It's great that France has made this ruling but little changes. They still are allowed to commit further acts of fraud. The ruling, however, helps to further warn newbies.
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, ...
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]
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
Scientology Panicked Over German TV Movie
The movie “Until Nothing Remains” is about to premiere on German TV and Scientology is lashing out as they try to stop it from airing or at least dent its impact if it does air. Sorry, I meant when it does air. Germany’s state broadcaster is locked in a row with the Church of Scientology which wants to block an upcoming feature... [Read more of this review]
Larry Anderson on WOR Radio
Larry Anderson of Scientology’s Orientation video appeared on the John Gambling radio show from New York to talk about his past involvement with the group and his attempts to get his money back for courses he paid for in advance and never took. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Star in New Scientology Orientation Film!
Here’s your chance to make it big in Hollywood and network with tinseltown’s not-so-brightest stars! Imagine it: Cruise, Travolta, Elfman, Bart and…YOU! Scientology has just posted a casting notice for what appears may be the new incarnation of “Orientation.” The former star of this introduction to Scientology video,... [Read more of this review]
Australian Morning Show
From Sunrise March 11, 2010. Includes interesting comments from Rev. Dr. David Millikan who will host the Sunday Night program on Scientology to be viewed this weekend. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Scientology Insider’s Nightmare Childhood
Australia’s ABC News has a terrific article about a woman who was with Hubbard aboard Scientology’s ships when she and her brother were mere children. A former Scientologist who says she was a “child slave” and alleges she saw a six-year-old boy chained up in a ship’s hold is disappointed the Senate has blocked a full... [Read more of this review]
Today Tonight on Australian Decision
This was on channel 7 on March 11 2010 Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has slammed the major parties for blocking his moves for an inquiry into the Church of Scientology. Senator Xenophon has been calling for a full inquiry into the church since revealing claims of forced abortions and other abuses in Parliament last year. Today he accused Prime Minister... [Read more of this review]
Scientologist Loots Supplies in Haiti Hospital
A Scientology Volunteer Minister brags about how she stole water from the radiology department of a damaged Haitian hospital. There has been some talk that these bags of water were perhaps used as radiology shields and therefore radioactive themselves but a more likely scenario is discussed in a thread over at Why We Protest. Stopped in at the Urgent... [Read more of this review]
Australian Setback
The Australian Senate voted down an inquiry into Scientology fraud and abuse but Senator Xenophon vows that this is just the beginning. Independent senator Nick Xenophon today failed to win enough support for an inquiry into whether church groups should be subjected to a public benefit test, like that in Britain. His move was prompted by complaints... [Read more of this review]
Australian Radio Interview
2GB morning host Ray Hadley talks to ABC Four Corners reporter Quentin McDermott, who discusses his story about Scientology on Four Corners. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Scientology Under Siege
The Australian edition of A Current Affair looks at the latest round of reports of Scientology fraud and abuse. We look into the lives of Scientology followers and discover how the sect is affecting their incomes. We also consult sceptic senator Nick Xenophon and leaders Church of Scientology. In Part Two, reporter Grimshaw grills cult spokesperson... [Read more of this review]
Australian of the Year Calls for Inquiry
Renowned mental health expert Patrick McGorry says Australia should launch a new investigation of Scientology. AUSTRALIAN of the Year Pat McGorry has backed calls for a Senate inquiry into Scientology, saying its views on mental health are putting lives at risk. “They are the deniers of the realities of mental illness, which I find incredibly... [Read more of this review]
Suffering in Silence
An interview from the Today Show with independent Scientologist Christie King Collbran. A former member of the Church’s Sea Organization, she talks about conditions in the organization, including hard labor, abuse and coerced abortions, in a follow-up to her New York Times interview. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Leaving Wonderland
Tory Christman appeared on a BlogTalk radio show on Aware Talk. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Four Corners: The Ex-Files
Australia’s premiere news magazine show takes on Scientology. Reporter Quentin McDermott talks to men and women who were members of an elite unit inside the Church in Australia and the United States. They explain why they joined, how they worked tirelessly for Scientology, and how, in some cases, they were pressured, and pressured others, to... [Read more of this review]
Breaking with Scientology
Christie King Collbran (center) has had her whole family disconnect from her, even though she is still a firm believer in Hubbard and the tech. The New York Times has a heartbreaking story of disconnection from a Scientologist I haven’t heard from before. Christie King Collbran believes in Scientology but not in David Miscavige. She and her... [Read more of this review]
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Clearwater police officers accepted off-duty jobs from Scientology in 2000-2001,...
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Scientology sent two people to picket my home in L.A. on the day following L. Ron...
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Happy Valentine’s Day
Heather and I announce our engagement…on YouTube, of course. Read More →
Big Clanking Balls
Australian Senator Nick Xenophon calls Scientology a criminal organization, Marc...
Scientology Convicted of Fraud in France
I reflect on the news coming from France. Scientology is found guilty of fraud....
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