• Home
  • About Me
  • Mission Statement
  • Welcome Message
  • Open Letter to My Family
  • Donate
  • Contact Me

Mike Rinder's Blog

Something Can Be Done About It

  • All Posts
  • Disconnection
  • Idle Orgs
  • IAS
  • Media
  • Books
  • Fundraising
  • Regraded Being

Defensive Much?

May 18, 2019 By Mike Rinder 93 Comments

Scientology’s newest billboard in Clearwater is an obvious admission of something everyone knows — but scientology almost never acknowledges — their reputation is horrendous.

This is clearly a reaction to The Aftermath tv series and the enormous volume of media coverage over the last few years. Unlike many years previously, today’s media is not intimidated like it was and no longer just accepts the scientology PR line “we are the fastest growing religion on earth” blah blah.

Scientology is hurting.  They usually don’t acknowledge it, pretending they are “clearing the planet” and “expanding like never before.” The pain must be intense.

That they are putting up billboards in Clearwater at all is a sign they fear discontent in the ranks of even the “Flag public.” It’s an attempt to try to show them:

a. The massive amounts of money the public donate is being spent (wasted) — they probably believe billboards like this are all over the US. The tiny investment they make in a few billboards is an infinitesimal portion of what they take in. But they no doubt promote this like crazy “this is what your donations buy”

b. They are not dead yet — they can still put out a “message.” Even though the message is defensive as hell, the sheeple no doubt believe this is a very “clever” and is really “impinging” on the public (it MUST be because COB said it was)

They are apparently so blind they don’t even recognize they are advertising the fact that their public image is in the toilet.

The scientology public apparently don’t see or care that this is directed at totally the wrong public. Clearwater is NOT where they should be advertising because there is NO ORG to service new people in Clearwater and the public in Clearwater is THE most educated public on scientology in the world. They don’t buy any PR scientology tries to sell.

But of course, that assumes this is directed at trying to persuade new public to come in, as opposed to a smoke and mirrors show for the whales in the local area.

Scientology – it’s never what it seems.

 

PS: If you want to present your side, we have invited you to appear on EVERY SINGLE EPISODE of the Aftermath and you have refused EVERY SINGLE TIME. Scared much?

Share this...
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

Filed Under: Clearwater, Scientology Tagged With: billboard, Clearwater Florida, public relations, Scientology

Comments

  1. Angry Gay Pope says

    May 20, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    I saw one of the billboards you mentioned yesterday at Big Blue during an LA protest. Another reason the church buys billboards is to pay off the billboard companies and get them on their side. Never know when another SP billboard will attempt to be bought like the CALL ME campaign.

    Reply
  2. MtnGal says

    May 19, 2019 at 8:32 pm

    Maybe he “blew”

    Reply
  3. Balletlady says

    May 19, 2019 at 10:30 am

    I cannot imagine what it feels like to be in your 60’s/70’s/80’s & having been IN for decades to THEN come to the realization that NONE of what you believed in for decades is real or the truth.

    To have dedicated most of your life and “donated” ALL of your money & financial resources & studied your ass off to find out it’s all in Vain. You have no home of your own, the only clothes you have are your “Sea Org uniforms”…..you have not a decent meal…you have no health insurance or prescription coverage & NO SAVINGS FOR RETIREMENT……

    Then the shit hits the fan when you become disabled and there is NO ONE to HELP you because YOU have gotten your KIDS & Grand Kids in COS & THEY don’t have time or money to help you……they’re too busy working for COS for NOTHING.

    The WORSE shit hits the fan when you get DUMPED & THROWN OUT ON THE STREET because you are TOO OLD & TOO SICK TO BE USEFUL & you have NO MONEY LEFT to donate….

    “Ain’t life GRAND inside the bubble realm of COS? “

    Reply
    • Francis Khoury says

      May 22, 2019 at 7:25 am

      Very starkly put, Balletlady. It’s horrible to think about, and sadly, probably true for many people.

      Reply
  4. Sparkay says

    May 19, 2019 at 6:16 am

    Where’s ‘foolproof’ lately ?

    Reply
  5. no Body should be above the law says

    May 19, 2019 at 5:20 am

    I can’t wrap my mind about the fact that this sect is granted the status of Church in USA. In France, it’s a sect as it should be. Their members have difficulties to recruit here but nevertheless some lost souls have been trapped in its Web. There are also many testimonies that among those French citizens, some have been sent to US. How can they stay in the USA? what paperwork is done for that? I also saw a French documentary saying that this sect is performing a post-mortem conversion to scientology of French dead celebrities, of course covertly and cowardly without any authorization. Isn’t that a crime also? How can the US government be so inactive when there are so many testimony of abuse and fraud?

    Reply
  6. J.T. Marsh says

    May 19, 2019 at 3:01 am

    Mike,

    Have they produced a ‘counter-documentary’ in response to the Aftermath, like they did with John Sweeney?

    Reply
    • Mike Rinder says

      May 19, 2019 at 8:19 am

      There are dozens of “counter-videos” on their various websites, but they have not tried to string together anything cohesive….

      Reply
  7. Robert King says

    May 18, 2019 at 11:35 pm

    I think it really funny when ever someone routes out of the cult, they always say “now you agree to never say anything negative about the church right”?
    Anyone wanting out of that hell hole will say and agree to whatever they want to hear but of course we tell others why no one should get involved with this mind controlling money sucking cult.
    DM needs help with his PR.
    Lol

    Reply
    • Balletlady says

      May 19, 2019 at 10:36 am

      What gets me is that they WON”T give you back the money you paid AHEAD of time for courses you are “supposed to take”….They INSIST you route out properly when you decide to leave & then when you DO…they STILL won’t give you back the money you paid AHEAD of time….

      It is WIN WIN for them….either way THEY KEEP YOUR MONEY>

      Reply
      • Gail says

        May 19, 2019 at 11:35 pm

        COS is a lie. Unreasonable for a deceased person to defend or dispute the terms of a contract in a court of law… a bizillion year contract is not binding or achievable in a single person’s lifespan. I would like to hear from any law experts on this.

        Reply
        • Balletlady says

          May 20, 2019 at 9:16 am

          The have children under the age of 18 sign the same damned contracts…..which is illegal as minors do NOT have the maturity/mental capacity to know and understand the legal ramifications of ANY contract.

          HOW the HELL they try to enforce THAT I have no idea.

          Reply
  8. Kathleen says

    May 18, 2019 at 8:23 pm

    If I had DirectTV I would call them and cancel my subscription. I implore anyone who does to cancel theirs. Why support a company who is giving a cult a forum to try to suck other people in to their web of lies? Disgusting!

    Reply
  9. pluvo says

    May 18, 2019 at 8:06 pm

    “There are two sides to every story”, “Our side’s on …”

    Billboards for such platitudes?? They can’t come up with something with a bit more pep for the advertisement of their propaganda and infomercial channel? Pathetic.

    Reply
    • Aquamarine says

      May 20, 2019 at 12:03 am

      Yes, all smoke and mirrors as Mike says, for the benefit of the Still Ins and Whales of Clearwater.

      If the cult were really serious about refuting- all the claims of abuse which are now common knowledge they’d ask to be interviewed on high rated regular TV or cable shows.

      If they REALLY wanted to “dead agent” all the “false data” and “fake news” Miscavige and his attorneys would be all over the networks doing so.

      A few interviews of them hopping all over being interviewed, telling Scientology’s “side”, and 50 million people would be reached.

      But of course the cult is hamstrung. The accusations are true.

      How indeed it must suck to be Miscavige.

      How indeed it must suck to be his attorneys, despite their handsome pay.

      Reply
  10. Linear13 says

    May 18, 2019 at 4:09 pm

    What’s hilarious is the line…’Our side is on Scientology TV’.

    Really…my Dad kept asking me ‘Did you know Scientology has a TV station?’ and I said ‘Absolutely’…so he flipped over to it one night to see what it was all about. Curious right? I had already inoculated myself by watching it when it first came on. He watched several different shows and then told me he was even MORE CONFUSED about what exactly Scientology was. The TV channel showed NOTHING about the practice and/or religion of Scientology. It is just one puff piece after another telling NOTHING. So how is this propaganda going to ‘show their side’ when it actually shows nothing about Scientology.

    Reply
    • James Rosso says

      May 18, 2019 at 10:25 pm

      They can’t show the practice of scientology because you have to pay first, so that’s out; you “never defend, always attack” so they can’t defend themselves against the issues; they also can’t describe the issues they’re being attacked on because they really are in the wrong, so they can’t even address them; and they can’t even engage in slander because it’s negative, which makes you look whiny at best and crazy at worst, so that’s out – which leaves what, exactly? Fluff pieces with positive spin, glowing if uninformative testimonials, etc. I’m not going to get excited about buying “golden age of tech, student hat!!!” no matter how happy the actors are unless *at a minimum* you show me why i should.

      By the way, i’ve always thought that it was a good thing that LRH was such a bad soldier that he never learned that a good way to defeat the enemy is by luring them onto your defenses. “Never defend, always attack” is just incorrect. If someone told him that then either they were an idiot or (more likely) there was some context or explanation he missed. And it’s killing scientology now.

      Reply
      • Cece says

        May 19, 2019 at 6:49 pm

        I like the way you think James.
        Scientology’s/scientologist problem is they are in a different reality created by LRH.
        Thus, they are unable to see their own reality, only LRHs.
        Similar to an addict thinking with his body’s reality.
        Sometimes when they hit their rock bottom they make it out alive and discover their own mind again.

        Reply
  11. Punisher says

    May 18, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    Seeing the dates of comments today,nobody is backing off any more! Also I don’t want to give names however the unbelievable part is supporters of the soon to be distroyed cos is failing to admit my group of deprogrammers have been active for almost 10years and helping people escape. There are more people leaving than are joining. My team of deprogrammers is secret to keep the brain washers busy. We know they don’t know who we are,and have gone to great links to keep the Evil Cult from trying to stop us. The deprogamming team is growing faster than they are bringing people in! They need to get used to it. Karma will crush them! Buy the way a cyber team of very talented millennials have been invading your systems and winning! You will cease to exist! Living in the area makes it easy to watch you like you try to watch others,a losing and failing tactic for the Cult will be there end! Just getting started, we’re coming for this temporary and failing Cult! Thanks to MR and LR,were with you. We have been spreading news about this Evil Cult but everyone already knows! Still spreading faster than I can hardly keep up with. More help contacting me daily,I love it! More justice is comming,a matter of time!

    Reply
    • Toni says

      May 18, 2019 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you for your tireless efforts supporting CoS members move through their most important decision, Blowing CoS
      ?

      Reply
    • Scammed by Scientology in KC says

      May 18, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      Thank you for your post. It made my day to hear EVERYTHING you had to say.
      I agree – Miscavige is a monster and so is Tom Cruise.
      Perhaps post Tom Cruise’s information on a blog on the internet and use word press. We want to know what secrets he has.

      Tell us everything you can about David Miscavige too.

      Can’t wait to see more posts!

      Reply
      • Balletlady says

        May 20, 2019 at 9:21 am

        Sadly no one wants to get sued. It would be interesting to hear all the gossip as in the gossip rags….but the gossip rags get sued for so called “information” they print.

        Unless one has 100%+ PROOF of ANY allegations, they are open to a lawsuit. Cruise has money & well versed powerful hand picked attorneys….

        It would be magical IF one day David M is brought to face the consequences of ANY and ALL actions……multi testimonies in a a court of law on the “orders metered out” to physically assaulted another person….NOW THAT would be something l’d like a front row seat to see and hear.

        Reply
    • Cindy says

      May 18, 2019 at 6:31 pm

      Punisher, thank you for helping people leave the cult and helping their mental state too. I’d love it if you published some of your wins or success stories at it, without mentioning any names, of course.

      Reply
    • WhatAreYourCrimes says

      May 18, 2019 at 9:53 pm

      Scientology is the fastest Blown religion in the world.

      Love knowing the fact that scientology is infested with secret saboteurs, the great UTRs.

      Keep up the good work.

      Reply
  12. Phillip says

    May 18, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    This reminds me of their insipid flyers that proclaim this Morg or that Morg is near-ish to some hot spot that people are actually going to, therefore growth is inevitable.

    I can’t wait for Dave’s spin. (Dave’s thought bubble – Florida has a population of over 21 million. Over 126 million visits to Florida in 2018. Okay, I’ve got it.)

    DM – “I’m pleased to stand before this group, the most smartifyed people on the planet, today and tell you that in 2019 $ci.. enjoyed it’s greatest expansion ever. Our billboard advertising was able to reach almost 150 million.”

    Reply
    • Amber says

      May 19, 2019 at 12:39 am

      Yes, but you have to keep it going with more ludicrous claims!

      DM – “I’m pleased to stand before this group, the most smartifyed people on the planet, today and tell you that in 2019 $ci.. enjoyed it’s greatest expansion ever. Our billboard advertising was able to reach almost 150 million from 127 countries, and they told 2 people who told 2 people who told 2 people who told 2 people, so it’s a certainty that word of mouth has definitely caused the message of $cientology to reach a global audience of more than 327 TRILLION people! If you stacked those people on top of each other, they would reach to from one end of the galaxy to the other 32 times!”

      Reply
      • Phillip says

        May 19, 2019 at 2:51 pm

        Amber, EXCELLENT. I got a good cackle out of your improvements.

        Reply
  13. nomnom says

    May 18, 2019 at 3:05 pm

    Off the cuff, this billboard “forwards the enemy line” (hooray),
    it presents Scientology as a victim,
    it violates the dissemination policy on ‘don’t just do goodwill advertising or just get the name around’ and, most importantly,
    it send the message to Scientologists that there IS another side and tempts them to watch Aftermath and Google for the secrets that they are not being told.

    Reply
  14. I Yawnalot says

    May 18, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    I mentioned this a little while ago, but Napoleon once said, “never interrupt an enemy while they are making a mistake.” Good on you Davy, splurge on them!

    Reply
  15. Old Surfer Dude says

    May 18, 2019 at 2:46 pm

    Defensive Much? Priceless!

    Reply
    • I Yawnalot says

      May 18, 2019 at 6:41 pm

      Attack never defend… billboard style hey?
      Wonder what’s on their next billboard.

      “We’re really sorry about A&E. Mike & Leah have less money than us – so who’s right and who’s wrong then huh? Yeah… thought so!”

      Reply
  16. F68.10 says

    May 18, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    “There are two sides to every story.”

    Right.

    First side of the story: “The Earth is flat”

    Second side of the story: “The Earth is round”

    https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Balance_fallacy

    Reply
    • Kronomex says

      May 19, 2019 at 5:40 pm

      No it’s not, it’s shaped like a banana. Don’t you keep up on this new learning?

      Reply
      • F68.10 says

        May 21, 2019 at 6:38 pm

        Oh shit! No. I hadn’t kept up with this REVOLUTION! The TRUTH must be known:

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg-UAfS4hhI

        Reply
  17. Chuckles says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    OT but did anyone see the Twitter thread about the Glenn Beck/Bill O’Reilly “history cruise” offer? A person responded that they would rather go on a “measles-infested Scientology cruise.” An NFL player liked and retweeted the response. I think it is safe to assume that the general public is fully aware of what is happening in Scientology.

    Reply
    • Aquamarine says

      May 20, 2019 at 12:45 am

      This is a tough choice.

      A person has 5K, along with a hidden, neurotic need to be severely punished.

      Listening to Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly, singly or together, every hour of the day, on a cruise ship, with no escape possible would certainly be punishment in extremis.

      But then, The Church of Scientology is no slouch in this department EITHER. A cruise on the Freewinds…those IAS regges…and you can’t leave because they’re holding your passport… hmmm…which known nutters do you go with?

      Tough choice.

      Reply
  18. Kat LaRue says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    This is wonderful. It means that the walls are beginning to crack and the cult is starting to feel the heat. I make a practice to google scientology and scientology news at least once a week (unconsciously hoping for the news that it finally imploded or something). When I first started, all of the ‘stories’ were prop pieces from scientology. Now it is almost always some sort of scandal or negative story about the cult. This has got to be driving miscavage crazed.

    Lately, the hits just come one after another- the measles fiasco, the lawsuits lost, the denial of property sales in Clearwater, the ‘picnic’ on the grounds where the guard was stabbed… these stories are starting to show up more and more and are getting more and more publicity. I think that if Danny Masterson is arrested and the truth comes out about the attempts at obstruction of justice, it may be the final straw.

    The appearance of public billboards showing that there may be some internal turmoil, as well as the timing of the cult trotting out the ‘famous’ kids to push the cult tells me that things are very tense and shaky in the sanctum sanctorum. I think it may be worse than we think. They likely have pretty much drained their remaining members of any spare cash (and credit), they are not getting new members that anyone can see, people are leaving, press is eating them alive, celebrities are being questioned like never before (even if only on social media), and they are a public punchline in more ways than one. Being able to control what members see isn’t so easy anymore. And Dave seems to think a billboard is the cure. Once again- this just shows that they have no insight into how the world works today.

    I think there may be a frantic scramble in the cult to protect some of their more important ‘assets’. Multiple celebrity sites and ‘scientology supporters’ have blocked social media access to people who post negative things. These people block individuals who have never posted to their personal site, or mentioned them even in passing. The only way this could happen is if a list of some sort is being circulated among high profile (and not so high profile) members so that no one can ask them uncomfortable questions or show them negative things about their cult. That screams of insecurity about their ability to control these people.

    I hope this means that y’all need to pick a venue for the massive reunification of families….Ill keep praying for that outcome.

    Kat

    Reply
    • Sandra Thackston says

      May 18, 2019 at 8:13 pm

      You hit the nail on the head I cannot hardly wait to see this evil cult fall We will be there to help them get back to their family and friends I know that they are aware that it is truly falling apart I just hope we all can help them to find love and happiness again I am sure that we can do this I pray every day for them to open their eyes and hearts I want to thank everyone who has stood up against this and will help all we can God bless us and help win this war

      Reply
    • Skyler says

      May 19, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Allow me to make a prediction.

      One day you will Google the scam and you will read something about how the monster has disappeared and there is no longer any trace of him anywhere and all the money from all the bank accounts is missing and all the real estate was sold to some numbered corporation with some numbered account and the money is all missing and no one knows anything about his current location.

      That will be how we all find out the scam is dead.

      Reply
      • Cece says

        May 19, 2019 at 8:01 pm

        For all we know this has already happened and OSA is looking. It just hasn’t leaked yet.
        Mike has told us how much DM hates bad news about him & scientology. And it’s been going thick for 10 years now.

        Reply
  19. Scientology Cult Escapee says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:18 pm

    The billboard is a money draining weapon aimed towards the Bubble Dwellers to soak them for more money, period. COB knows the public is onto Scamology and billboards like these are useless.

    The pitch to the Bubble Dwellers is…

    “We need your help is take this campaign national”

    “Move up in status”

    Donate or take a trip to ethics, thrown into lower conditions, RPF’d etc.

    When I finally Escaped from the cold I took all of the materials I had purchased over the years and put them in a big fire burn pit in my backyard and doused it with a mixture of kerosene and gasoline and the rematch on it and sat there in a lawnchair drinking a couple of beers watching it I’ll burn down to Ash. I’ve never looked back. Escaped from the cold I took all of the materials I had purchased over the years and put them in a big fire burn pit in my backyard and doused it with a mixture of kerosene and gasoline and then pitched a match on it and sat there in a lawnchair drinking a couple of beers watching it all burn down to ash.

    I had a long and close association with Miscavige and, looking back, I can tell you he is, bar none, the most sick and twisted malign individual I’ve ever come across in life.

    Tom Cruise in private was no better. The two of them together were (and are) an unholy toxic mix. They truly view all the Scientologists below them as sheeple to be preyed upon, and that they themselves are virtual demi gods. They absolutely 100% positively believe this.

    Do yourself and your family the biggest favor and give them the greatest gift you can ever give get out and get the hell out of Scientology and completely disconnect from the organization if you’re in it.

    And while you’re at it boycott Tom Cruise and never watch anything that he’s involved in coming out of Hollywood again whether it’s going to a movie or even watching something on TV for free. Completely block him out. It may not have much of an impact but as a matter of principle you should do it.

    There are a couple of other things about Tom Cruise that I would love to post here however I doubt that Mr. Rinder would risk publishing it and as well it is theoretically possible I might end up being sued but suffice to say, well, I’ll just stop there. Let me just say he’s not the person that he appears to be in public by a long shot. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination, which you can and should let run wild. It’s that bad.

    Reply
    • Stat says

      May 18, 2019 at 5:35 pm

      Scientology Cult Escapee – WELCOME and thank you for your post! WE want to hear more from you so we hope you figure out a way to “tell all” about Miscavige and Tom Cruise. I agree – boycott everything Tom Cruise, Travolta, Moss, Alley, Prepon and all of the 2,000 worldwide Scientologists everywhere. It is a shrinking cult and we all helped. We love to help.

      Reply
      • T rabbitt07 says

        May 18, 2019 at 8:49 pm

        And then some…….

        Reply
        • T rabbitt07 says

          May 18, 2019 at 8:55 pm

          We’ll be waiting for you to share any/everything else.

          Reply
      • Gravitysucks says

        May 19, 2019 at 7:11 am

        I want to say welcome as well. I’d also love to see a way for details about DaveTom to be privately divulged then shared. The measles story went viral, this one could too. Jmo.

        Reply
    • Jenyfurrr says

      May 18, 2019 at 6:43 pm

      Glad you got out! I love the mental picture of your backyard bonfire as you chill w/your beer. I hope many lurkers see your post and take it to heart.

      Reply
  20. Dr. Strabismus of Utrecht says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:16 pm

    “…their public image is in the toilet”.

    The toilet in question being the Augean stables, while their image is embedded in a coprolite buried beneath that.

    Reply
  21. John Doe says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:11 pm

    I’d love to see billboards with some of those those stilted “buttons” you see on Scientology’s promotional flyers:

    “Regain control over your own mind. Watch Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E.”

    “Gain total certainty that what you thought you were seeing is what was actually happening. Watch Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E.”

    “Achieve the ability to fully confront outpoints. Watch Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E.”

    “Discover unlimited freedom from authoritarian control over your life. Watch Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E.”

    Might be fun to phrase it that way!

    Reply
    • Rock Slammer says

      May 18, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      Awesome ideas John Doe. Love them. Keep em coming!

      Reply
    • Gravitysucks says

      May 19, 2019 at 7:13 am

      ???

      Reply
  22. Wynski says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    There are two sides to every story about scientology. The CoS’s side and the TRUTH.

    Reply
  23. christopher baranet says

    May 18, 2019 at 10:53 am

    In the 40 some years Scientology has existed in Clearwater. They have not produced even one Clear. Meaning, a local Clearwater resident who went from ” Wog” to being a Scientologist, to then going Clear. ALL of the Scientologist living in Clearwater , were already Scientologist when they moved here or were born into it living here.

    Reply
    • Old Surfer Dude says

      May 18, 2019 at 12:43 pm

      That’s because “Clears” don’t exist. At all.

      Reply
  24. Bruce Ploetz says

    May 18, 2019 at 10:42 am

    Off topic (but not really). Over on the Tony Ortega blog this morning is a story about a 68 year old penniless man on Social Security getting scammed into $10,000s of credit card debt by Scientology vultures from LA.

    One of the scammers is named “Don Arnow”, at one point in the article it says “Dion Arnow” but elsewhere it is Don.

    As far as I know, this guy has been at Bridge Publications since the early 80s. Four decades in the Sea Org, holding all kinds of positions. I may have this wrong but I think he was the Commanding Officer Bridge Publications at one point.

    A career in the Sea Org, a lifetime commitment to getting Scientology publications in public hands, and he is reduced to harassing a retiree for his last ounce of flesh. And really, what is the point? It is not as though this poor trailer-dwelling guy was going to suddenly get rich and start paying off the credit cards and come in for his Survival Rundown or something. Working as a janitor. At 68!

    As always in Scientology it is all about the numbers. Money in the till this week means maybe a few hours off, or maybe avoiding another trip to the RPF. What happens next week might as well be after the Second Coming. They are truly beyond any kind of hope that Scientology will start working some day.

    That’s the only reason why somebody could think even for a second that the Scientology TV billboard makes any sense. Anyone outside the bubble would immediately realize that it literally tells the viewer that there is something massively wrong with Scientology. If the only mass media outlet that has anything good to say about you is your own paid channel, you are on the ropes.

    Again, it is for the Maiden Voyage Anniversary Event next month, so Dave can tell the gathered potential mesothelioma and measles patients that he is on the ball, doing the do, gettin’ r’ done. Donations merrily accepted.

    Reply
    • Zee Moo says

      May 18, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      Using the hard sell or simply scamming anyone is a $cieno sacrament. Any ‘religion’ that requires Les Dane books is a scam. How much pressure is being placed on all these salespeople to stoop to identity theft and fraud?

      It is always 2pm Thursday in $cientology and scamming anyone is SOP. Now, why don’t the credit card companies get involved? Do they like being scammed?

      Reply
    • Old Surfer Dude says

      May 18, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      Bruce, I say we string ’em up.

      Reply
  25. Joe Pendleton says

    May 18, 2019 at 10:26 am

    There are two sides to EVERY story?????

    Even psychiatry?

    Even expelled and declared “supressives”?

    Geez … and all this time, Scientologists thought there was only the CoS’s side.

    Better take down the billboard before SO members “duplicate” it … ok, no hurry …

    Reply
    • Old Surfer Dude says

      May 18, 2019 at 12:46 pm

      Wait…What? We’re going to take down Scientology billboards? Sounds like fun! Let’s get started!

      Reply
  26. FPjr says

    May 18, 2019 at 10:25 am

    Scientology’s side is on Sciotv. Yep.

    Their ‘side’ is in full display on ‘Plato’s cave wall’.

    Reply
    • Kat LaRue says

      May 19, 2019 at 9:57 am

      LOL!!! Too true

      Reply
  27. smokkee911 says

    May 18, 2019 at 10:11 am

    We already know “their side” and we ain’t buying it…literally and figuratively.

    Reply
  28. Andrea Garner says

    May 18, 2019 at 9:45 am

    Their reputation is indeed dans les toilettes and it will take a shovel of a size as yet unimagined to dig them out of it.

    Reply
    • Glenn says

      May 18, 2019 at 3:29 pm

      I prefer one leave the shovel alone and simply push the flush handle. Much more proper don’t you think?

      Reply
  29. PickAnotherID says

    May 18, 2019 at 9:43 am

    Yeah, $cientology’s doing so great they have a group of “ministers” organized to commit credit card fraud, theft of personal income tax records, elder financial abuse, etc., etc., across state lines. https://tonyortega.org/2019/05/18/graham-berry-does-it-again-more-scientology-financial-fraud-spelled-out-in-legal-demand/

    This from “The most ethical people on the planet”. Scumbags is what they are.

    Reply
  30. SILVIA says

    May 18, 2019 at 9:32 am

    What contributes to the denial (thus blindness) that things are really crashing for scientology is the cult tactic of always blaming it on another or something else, i.e. IF things are not going well is because of the SPs, the government, the wogs, the apostates on the fringes of internet, Leah, Mike, The Aftermath, etc.

    Miscavige blames it on the staff being incompetent, on the stupidity of every one else. The point is that the cause is someone or something else…pathetic, isn’t it?

    Reply
  31. Howdy Doody says

    May 18, 2019 at 9:32 am

    Dave – is there something you don’t understand about cause and effect?

    Reply
    • Old Surfer Dude says

      May 18, 2019 at 12:49 pm

      (Dave). That would be correct. I don’t understand stand anything anymore. And I’m shrinking…

      Reply
  32. Mark says

    May 18, 2019 at 9:30 am

    Karma is on it’s way. The lies they perpetuate will come back to haunt them and justice will be served.

    Reply
    • Old Surfer Dude says

      May 18, 2019 at 3:25 pm

      Karma is already here. It’s just a matter of time.

      Reply
      • Kat LaRue says

        May 19, 2019 at 3:41 pm

        My dog is named Karma (shes a bitch)

        Kat

        Reply
  33. Debbie murphy says

    May 18, 2019 at 9:16 am

    I thought of an ad where people flash on the screen saying “I disconnected from scientology ” on and on then loose scientology not your loved ones…. I have such disdain for this cult I need counseling!!!

    Reply
    • Old Surfer Dude says

      May 18, 2019 at 2:38 pm

      OMG!!! That’s the best idea I’ve ever heard of!!!

      I Disconnected From Scientology.
      Lose Scientology Not Your Loved Ones.

      Debbie M! This is a great idea! Well done!

      Reply
      • Pantywaist Dilettant says

        May 18, 2019 at 5:41 pm

        Debbie – I LOVE THAT! Let’s send all Scientologists postcards with that on it on one side and phone number for the Aftermath Foundation information on the other side.
        Remember – # of times over = CERTAINTY!

        Reply
    • Cindy says

      May 18, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      Debbie, your idea to make a billboard out of “Lose Scientology; Not your loved ones!” is brilliant. I’d contribute to the cost of putting that up.

      Reply
    • Kat LaRue says

      May 19, 2019 at 10:01 am

      Debbie,

      the group on twitter is also talking about billboards! Ive suggested a go fund me page to raise enough money to make it happen. Ill let you know the details as soon as its official (or if it becomes an official goal).

      Reply
      • Balletlady says

        May 20, 2019 at 12:26 pm

        BUMPER STICKERS…………

        Reply
    • balletlady says

      May 20, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      BUMPER STICKERS……

      Can be seen every day everywhere….with the Aftermath phone # and web site.

      Reply
  34. Jane H says

    May 18, 2019 at 9:05 am

    Yep.
    There’s one on Sunset by SMP as well.

    Reply
  35. Roger Larsson says

    May 18, 2019 at 8:51 am

    Before the death stars turns into supernovas.

    Reply
  36. Rosemarie says

    May 18, 2019 at 8:50 am

    It violates their own policy on PR. No? As in never focus on the negative only advertise their enormous wins? I can’t remember the exact words but it feels all wrong to my memory. ?

    Reply
    • Glenn says

      May 18, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      I think you’e right Rosemarie.

      I recall PR policy demanding one “never forward the enemy line”. This billboard is definitely acknowledging (and thus forwarding) all the terrible truths that are being exposed. Mike likes to use “foot bullet”. I think this is a great one.

      Reply
      • Howdy says

        May 18, 2019 at 5:01 pm

        When you’re completely full of shit like Scientology, you’re only option is to forward the enema line.

        Reply
  37. Peggy L says

    May 18, 2019 at 8:35 am

    So, is this entire thing a game of catch me if you can, with DM just sitting back and laughing at how many people he can collect and own? Sort of a big game of Monopoly with the entire world being the Star Wars type game board.

    (DM’s Jabba the Hutt. Hmm, Mike Rinder can be Han Solo and Leah Remini can be Princess Leia 🙂 )

    Reply
    • Valboski says

      May 18, 2019 at 3:45 pm

      Actually, I think ElRon would be Jabba the Hutt and DM would be Salacious B. Crumb (the Kowakian monkey-lizard sidekick).

      Reply
      • Peggy L says

        May 18, 2019 at 5:08 pm

        Great point Valboski! Good casting idea.

        Reply
  38. Postulating the end of Scientology says

    May 18, 2019 at 8:06 am

    We heard that a bunch of SP’s were going to put up billboards next to each Scientology Org starting in LA and Clearwater along with full page ads popular magazines like PEOPLE and TIME.

    ==========================================================================

    CURIOUS?

    Watch A&E – Scientology; the Aftermath

    Coming Soon – Season 4

    Get the TRUTH!

    =======================================================================

    (The background has a handsome photo of Mike Rinder and a gorgeous photo of Leah Remini with a look of “insouciant certainty” and behind them is a volcano – like the one on Dianetics book)

    Jefferson Hawkins could design it. Would that not be some justice for him too?

    It is also a Postulate of mine that this is going to occur prior to the release of Season 4 on A&E.

    Reply
    • Mary Kahn says

      May 18, 2019 at 10:51 am

      This is GREAT!

      Reply
      • Old Surfer Dude says

        May 18, 2019 at 2:40 pm

        This is great! I say this is fantastic!

        Reply
    • Balletlady says

      May 18, 2019 at 3:24 pm

      THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY…..HOW ABOUT HEARING OUR SIDE…

      NEED HELP…..WANT OUT…..DON’T KNOW WHO TO GO TO….

      CALL US…..THE AFTERMATH #

      Reply
  39. Mary Kahn says

    May 18, 2019 at 7:42 am

    Wow.
    A billboard that basically says,
    “We know you know about the abuses, the scams, the cover-ups but don’t believe it. Please.” And of course, “Scientology TV will show you what really swell people are in the church that still do believe we are expanding.”

    Reply
    • Chicken says

      May 18, 2019 at 11:06 am

      My thoughts exactly. That means MANY people are watching, reading and hearing the stories. Its crossing their “barriers”! Keep it up everyone!

      Reply
      • Old Surfer Dude says

        May 18, 2019 at 2:42 pm

        We’re doing our best!

        Reply
    • Jenyfurrr says

      May 18, 2019 at 6:54 pm

      Mary – That’s exactly what I thought when I saw Mike’s post! Someone else commented here that there’s one in LA also, near SMP. Wow… “no comment” to anything for over a month, then THIS is what they put out! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Order now hardback or audiobook

Order an Autographed Copy
Click Here to Donate

Important Articles

Dealing With Scientology Critics - L Ron Hubbard Playbook
The Real Story About Disconnection
To Speak Or Not To Speak
Shelly Miscavige Guarded By Armed PIs
Debbie Cook's New Years Email
On David Miscavige's Behavior
Miscavige's Behavior Part 2
A Letter From Garcia

Important Quotes

If the org slumps during this transition period, don't engage in "fund raising" or "selling postcards" or borrowing money. Just make more income with Scientology. L Ron Hubbard From HCOPL URGENT ORG PROGRAMMING
"We own a tremendous amount of property. We own a tremendous amount of material and so forth, and it keeps growing. But that’s not important. When buildings get important to us, for God sakes, some of you born revolutionists will you please blow up central headquarters". L Ron Hubbard Lecture 31 Dec 1960
"Personal integrity is knowing what you know. What you know is what you know and to have the courage to know and say what you have observed".- LRH from Personal Integrity
"It is necessary to happiness of man, that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists of professing to believe what he does not believe." Thomas Paine
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Martin Luther King
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
“Communication is the universal solvent” - L Ron Hubbard
“When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.” Thomas Paine
"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth." William Faulkner
"The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis." Dalai Lama

Important Reading

Troublemaker - Leah Remini
Ruthless - Ron Miscavige
Going Clear - Lawrence Wright
Bare Faced Messiah - Russell Miller
Counterfeit Dreams - Jeff Hawkins
Blown For Good - Marc Headley
Abuse at the Top - Amy Scobee
Unbreakable Miss Lovely - Tony Ortega
The Church of Fear - John Sweeney
Fair Game - Steve Cannane
Inside Scientology - Janet Reitman
Jenna Miscavige - Beyond Belief
My Billion Year Contract
Ron the War Hero - Chris Owen

Popular Posts

Scientology Photoshops Audience
Tommy Davis and Jessica Feshbach
Shelly Miscavige- Why She Stays
Disconnection and My Mother
Food for Thought
  • David Miscavige Paranoia
    The Church of Spin
    Correspondent from the Bay Area
    Actors Needed to Play Scientologists
  • Recent Comments

    • Yawn on Thursday Funnies: “Ground Hog Day religion. Day after day for decades now, the same repeating message, over and over. The only stat…” Mar 23, 14:16
    • The Moose on Thursday Funnies: “A day late and a dollar short on sending ministers to Turkey.” Mar 23, 13:46
    • Paul Ronk on Thursday Funnies: “More recruiting promo to make it seem safe to go into the water. But by far the saddest and most…” Mar 23, 13:40
    • RoseMarie on Thursday Funnies: “They really do create a bubble. Nothing but fake good news is allowed. Buzz words like expansion exciting best ever…” Mar 23, 13:06
    • jim rowles on Thursday Funnies: “I remember when Artie went to jail, the LA orgs made him out as a martyr. I read the LA…” Mar 23, 10:46
    • Glenn on Thursday Funnies: “We get about 6 pieces of promo from Chicago in our mail every couple of days. The Freedom mag arrives…” Mar 23, 10:26
    • safetyguy on Thursday Funnies: “https://blog.dol.gov/2023/03/20/mandatory-arbitration-wont-stop-us-from-enforcing-the-law Interesting reading on forced arbitration in contracts. Very interesting.” Mar 23, 10:20
    • Laura on More Hubbard Lunacy: “That man was flat out insane, no two ways about it!” Mar 23, 06:05
    • mark on More Hubbard Lunacy: “Arslykan bricks and Van Allen Belt tricks; workin’ that (w)hole track mojo…😂” Mar 23, 02:40
    • mark on Scientology: Psychological Terrorism: “Well said. On the other side of grief, rage, regret, and loss…it IS possible to experience peace…May it be so…” Mar 23, 02:37

    Check out MRinder.com

    Categories

    Archives

    Copyright © 2023 Mike Rinder · WordPress · Log in