This was sent to me by my friend Andy Porter. It is a "disconnection" letter and his "Open Letter" in response. Andy is a very accomplished professional photographer -- I included one of his shots above and two more at the end of this post. You will find many more at his website: www.AndyPorterImages.com I received this letter last week from someone I have known through Scientology for 25 years. “I am sending this letter as an official disconnection letter. I am remaining a member of the Church of Scientology. It is my intention to have no form of connection with you including any form … [Read more...]
Scientology Disconnection
I originally posted this on my blog in 2013. I feel it is worth reiterating. I have updated it a bit. While Scientology spokespeople have routinely denied that “enforced disconnection exists”, anyone who is familiar with the church of scientology knows only too well about disconnection. Like so much else in the scientology empire, its an ugly truth to be hidden from the “wog” world through a game of carefully worded deception of the same order as Bill Clinton’s infamous “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” When you see a church spokespeople emphatically state “there is no … [Read more...]
Video Confessions
Regraded Being had another engagement. Will be back next week. Scientology has a sick new tactic right out of the North Korea playbook. You have likely seen videos of POW's "confessing" and denouncing imperialist America. We saw Peter Schless paraded before the cameras calling Ron Miscavige a lousy musician. Now they have taken it to an even lower level. This GMA segment on Ron Miscavige's book contains two bizarre statements from Lori Hodgson's children. (Around 2:55) In typical scientology style they have been coached to "attack the attacker" by claiming it is "more important for … [Read more...]
Height of Hypocrisy?
Wonder how Lori Hodgson, Cindy Plahuta, Mary Kahn, Sara Goldberg, Lois Reisdorf and so many others feel about how scientology "honors" mothers. Scientology presents itself as champions of the family. Masters of communication and relationships. They proclaim communication is the "universal solvent." Yet there are repeated examples of scientology tearing families apart. Forbidding communication. And destroying relationships and lives. The control mechanism of disconnection can no longer be brushed under the carpet as the church has tried to do for decades. Pretending it is an "individual … [Read more...]
Scientology’s Freedom of Speech: Out of Both Sides of its Mouth
"Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Scientology is fast to claim protection under the First Amendment to the US Constitution -- when it serves their purpose. Either to avoid responsibility for their actions or to try and claim some PR points as "champions of human rights." (See Freedom magazine as Exhibit 1) Yet they are not so quick to … [Read more...]
Rundown of Problems
A Special Correspondent (clearlypissedoff) sent this to me. They did a lot of work to compile this information and it deserves to see the light of day as it is an invaluable resource for those looking for a summary of problems and sources of data. It seems like a perfect posting to get the New Year started with something both memorable and useful. clearlypissed off sent me this and asked me to put it at the top of this posting: "Thank you very much Mike, for editing this document and posting it. I would like to make the comment that this was assembled with the viewpoint of having … [Read more...]
Who Are The Bigots?
The church of scientology loves to toss around the term "bigot" to describe anyone who expresses opinions that differ from their own. They shout long and hard that those bigots are discriminating against them and are “attacking their religion.” But the truth of the matter is that the church is the source of a great deal of discrimination against those who do NOT wish to be scientologists. Such people, especially those who may have once called themselves scientologists, are singled out for disconnection, libel, harassment, trickery and various forms of fair game. Of course, when the church … [Read more...]
Scientology Disconnection New Proof
To be honest, I am still catching my breath from the airing of Going Clear last night. Thank you to everyone who wrote, texted, tweeted, called and otherwise made their support and appreciation known. It was a bit overwhelming. Also, I am not as industrious as Tony Ortega. And despite what the church says, I have work I need to do in order to make a living. Those are my justifications for not doing a posting of my own this morning, and I am sticking to them. But I am not in any way apologizing for telling you that you must read the article Tony Ortega has on his blog this … [Read more...]
JLo, Disconnection and Going Clear
Alex Gibney's film, Going Clear, documents the horror of disconnection and how it is used as a control mechanism in scientology. It is most dramatically demonstrated in his film with the story of Sara Goldberg. Her son Nick had a friend who was friends with me. Nick would not disconnect from his friend, so his mother was told to disconnect from her son. She was given an impossible choice -- if she didn't disconnect from him, she would be declared an SP and her daughter would be forced to disconnect from her. This is not a "personal choice" (as the church so often proclaims). Sara has the … [Read more...]
Disconnection
While a great deal of attention and interest has been focused on Alex Gibney's scientology documentary, let's not forget the rave reviews for Allen Barton's Disconnection. Every person I know who has attended absolutely raves about it. I was very bummed to discover that there was no performance on any of the nights I was in LA last week. I am hoping it is such a success that it gets a much deserved wider release. Here is a sampling of press reaction: Barton is a clever enough writer to keep his audience fiercely attentive… And he’s fortunate in having a director, Joel Polis, … [Read more...]