Leah and I were very happy to welcome Mary Kahn to the podcast this week. Hers was one of the most compelling episodes on The Aftermath - telling the story of her breaking away from scientology after completing OT VIII and the fallout with her family. The airing on Netflix has put her in the spotlight once again. We went into further detail about her story and covered some other topics I am sure everyone will find fascinating. I will include a link to the episode as soon as it is available. We mention a few items I am including here. First, the reporting about Hy Levy in the … [Read more...]
Close Down Scientology TV — L. Ron Hubbard Says So
This is an email sent around to scientologists recently by one of the bubble zealots. The words of LRH are sacred. I don’t think they even read them before they pass them on half the time. They know they will look smart and get agreement if they quote LRH. So they send out anything and everything. And include the exact source reference -- something from the 50's is valid today simply because it's "important data by LRH." Everything LRH ever said is "important data." Now, the truth of what he says about being bombarded by “heavy particles,” by even a cathode ray tube TV is debatable. I am … [Read more...]
A Primer on Brainwashing
If you have watched either The Vow on HBO, or Seduced on Starz about NXIVM, or The Aftermath or Going Clear about scientology, this article will ring a lot of bells. Many of the specific control mechanisms Dr. Burkley cites about NXIVM have direct parallels in scientology. As she says, "the psychological tricks Raniere used are not particularly special. In face, his ability to ensnare so many victims is rooted in his reliance on several core psychological principles -- principles to which each of us is vulnerable." One of the great accomplishments of The Vow was how … [Read more...]
Regraded Being
Clearing The Planet
It's a catchphrase in scientology. "We are clearing the planet." "We are making planetary clearing a reality." There are a dozen different variations. It's a time-honored hot button that is used to get people to hand over money and "progress up the Bridge." One of our readers sent this new promo piece to me recently, with some comments that made me think we should address this topic again. In part, this is what the contributor said: When I looked at this promo piece, it reminded me of the jarring, shocking and unpleasant experience of finally, after clawing my way up into the … [Read more...]
Golden Era Brings Back the Running Program….
I have written a few pieces here about the Running Program -- now titled "Cause Resurgence Rundown" in order to sell it to people as an "OT miracle rundown." It literally consists of running around in a circle to the point of exhaustion and then running some more. That is ALL it is. The Running Program What IS "Cause Resurgence?" Running in Circles Again The "Running Program" began as a means to "crack" David Mayo. Hubbard sent down orders that Mayo (who was in trouble based on reports Miscavige had sent about him) was to "run around a tree until he dropped, get up and run … [Read more...]
Episode 17: Former Sea Org Executive Claire Headley
Leah and I were extremely happy to welcome our old friend Claire Headley to the Fair Game podcast. Claire of course appeared in 2 episodes of The Aftermath -- and she was recently featured on the Netflix home page: I have known Claire and her husband Marc since I first went to the Gold Base -- way back in the 80's. Claire worked closely with Miscavige as an executive in Religious Technology Center. She was the Deputy Inspector General Internal. Claire helped me many times, she is one of the few people I know -- especially at the international level, and even more specifically in … [Read more...]
Uncle Sam Wants to Help Scientology
Every year, scientology rolls out the posters about how the US Government is making it especially easy to give more money to scientology. Unfortunately, this is one of the only true things they ever say. And one of the most galling. The entire US Government is certainly not on the side of scientology. There are many government agencies that do not agree with scientology even being recognized as a tax exempt religious organization, but unfortunately, the most important one, the IRS, seems to be in the minority. Though truth be told, I suspect there are plenty of people in the IRS who … [Read more...]
Predatory Alienation, Religion and the Law
This is an excellent article in the Albany Times Union, prompted by the recent sentencing of Keith Raniere. I saw this and Tweeted it out, but it deserves more attention. Mary Ann hones in on the exact problem that looms like a massive roadblock in the path of justice for victims of coercive and high demand groups. And this definitely includes scientology. The hardest thing to demonstrate is mental/emotional abuse. There is no cauterized brand left on the victim’s body. No canceled checks or credit card debt trail. It would make it far less onerous for victims to be heard in … [Read more...]
