PeaceMaker – That’s the material I looked over. It’s extensive and I had previously just browsed over it and found some parts interesting. Skipping quotation marks, rather than scholars, Walter generalizes that some of the people participating were masters and giants. Since he spun off from Scn into his own subject of Knowledgism, maybe he wanted to suggest that Knowledgism was based on credible research done by credible people other than Hubbard. I stand corrected.

Richard, the two “educators” referred to must be H. Charles and Ava Berner – neither of whom were really trained educators so far as I can tell, though Ava may have had some experience working with kids (hence her suggestion of clay demoing – for children). They were both rather interesting people, who established their own program after leaving Scientology, and then Charles went on to become a well-known yogi.

There is a long interview with Ava that I think I’ve mentioned before. One of the things she said of her time in the inner circle during the early days of Saint Hill, was that Hubbard didn’t come up with anything – all the ideas were given to him by those around him.

Hubbard was good at creating the illusion that his teachings were getting more notice than the were. I had a quick look at Paul’s collection of Walters’ posts to ESMB and couldn’t find any reference to scholars:

http://www.paulsrabbit.com/The-ESMB-Posts.pdf

This ESMB post suggests that he probably did just make general claims, and didn’t back them up with actual names:

http://www.forum.exscn.net/threads/keeping-alan-c-walter-in-view.17164/page-39#post-686436

Scientology almost always seems to turn out to be based on misrepresentations and lies.

I’ve seen accounts that members are now being hit up for money to help out orgs with utility bills – and I suspect that “ideal” campaign funds have probably been diverted for those sorts of expenses. The orgs with “ideal” facilities have at least bought themselves a reprieve from having to deal with outside landlords who might evict them for not paying rent, another point of financial crises quite a few have also reportedly run in to.

I suspect that the “ideal” facilities will be terribly neglected – there are reports of a leaky roof doing damage at the DC org, for instance – which is another reason that when they finally have to start being sold off, they probably won’t bring much money. But I think it’s a tossup whether it will all end with a bang, or a whimper.

Glenn, the inevitable end for all criminal scams is oblivion. That ending was baked into scamology by Hubtard.

Miscabbage won’t off himself. Hitler only killed himself because he KNEW the death penalty awaited him. Miscabbage has no such ending to worry about.

PM – I think the Briefing Course was over before 1970. A list of the supposed notables who participated is in one of the writings from Alan Walters which I read a few years ago. The most commonly referenced people are the two educators who developed the study materials which Elron claimed was his own discovery.

Why such people participated who knows. They probably had different reasons and maybe thought Hubbard was onto something in the human potential movement regardless of any bad publicity he had. These days just about every year of Hubbard’s life is documented and easily accessed but back then they would have to go looking.

I never read any books about cults until AFTER I left scientology – laughter

Totally agree Peacemaker. Insane and unsustainable. The org I saw couldn’t even afford a landscape contractor. They constantly pleaded with members to come help mow the lawns, trim the bushes, weed the gardens, etc. Wonder what they’ll do when serious maintenance and repair issues arise.

From personal observation I know Miscavidge is a completely uncaring, unthinking and useless idiot. He’s taking the cult down a path to oblivion. And when it all ends I believe the little dork will take the same “out” as Hitler did. Well, my fingers are crossed anyway.

Oddly enough, large and lavishly decorated buildings “prove” Scn is expanding in the minds of some scientologists. They do exist as a factual reality in the real world alongside whatever Utopian dreams or dreams of personal Total Freedom someone has.

In the mid 1970’s myself and a bunch of other scientologists rented rooms at the Celebrity Center in LA when it was undergoing renovations and still called The Manor Hotel. It was a massive building and all the work which needed to be done reinforced the idea to me that Scn was expanding and prospering in order for such a project to be undertaken.

It’s his occupation and there’s nothing wrong with that. Any number of people earn a living writing a column on the internet. I think fewer topics would allow more back and forth conversation but that’s just my opinion.

Two months ago I accidentally hit the “Welcome Message” button above which was published in 2013. Here are the first three paragraphs.

[For 4 years, Marty Rathbun’s Blog – Moving On Up A Little Higher – has provided an invaluable service. It has been the best source of news on the current goings-on in the world of Scientology, exposed truths about what has happened in the past, provided a venue for those newly emerging from the bubble of the Church to announce themselves to the world, given insight into squirreling of the tech, offered helpful advice on sources of wisdom and became a place to find new friends or reconnect with old ones.

Marty has always said that it was his desire to help raise spiritual awareness, to move on up a little higher. If you are a regular reader you have probably noticed his blog evolving away from the daily news into higher concepts and discussions. This is something that is important. And it is a message directed to those who have well and truly left the church behind and are moving onward and upward.

But I feel there is still a need for coverage of day to day news and activities. And a place where those who may just be emerging from the bubble that is corporate Scientology can find information to help them to break free once and for all. And perhaps a place where even the seasoned veterans of Moving On Up can keep up with current news.]

If you go to the link you will see a shot of her on the back patio of the St Hill manor.