Hi PeaceMaker,
Points taken. If it is true that some Scientologists own the property in which the mission is located, then they can use the mission to benefit financially via tax exemptions.

I think it’s already been observed that an org has hired outside security guards to man the doors, who then direct visitors to the video kiosks that are intended to replace staff trying to explain the basis of Scientology. I don’t know if that practice has spread, but it certainly seems like a model for a future in which international management props up the huge empty ‘ideal’ org buildings to keep up appearances.

It’s been pointed out that in some sense the fundraising to buy buildings, is just a sort of cover for orgs becoming too insolvent to even meet their expenses. Instead of passing the hat frequently to cover the rent, which from reports some orgs have had to resort to at times, it’s more seemly to ask members to buy a building, which then has the net effect of putting them in a property where they no longer have to pay an outside landlord (it’s not clear that they aren’t supposed to pay the CofS internal ‘landlord’ to whom ownership of the properties is turned over, but that’s easier to fudge with forgiveness and IOUs).

Dee, I think missions often just end up in areas where rents are cheap – and then struggle and fail, because they’re not where people who have the money to do Scientology are, plus of course that what they have to offer is not merely dated and stale, but even the butt of jokes.

The economics of a mission are pretty grim these days. From what someone has recently posted, missions are specified to have 5 thousand square feet (though most obviously no longer do) and the cost of good space is surprisingly expensive, $20 per and up annually, so that’s in the ballpark of a hundred thousand dollars a year for a good location. The economics and demographics no longer support that, so missions are more likely to be found in cheap and small spaces, probably often run as a money-losing measure of dedication – which is why they’re now quickly vanishing. A lot of the ones left seem to be in properties that the mission holders own, or from which they actually run another business that effectively justifies the economies of the space.

I haven’t ever seen any evidence that Scientology tries to recruit the poor and immigrants, their real target market is people of some means in the mainstream culture, and from what I’ve seen quite a few members are even biased against those other groups.

The other “mission” is located in Toronto’s Malvern neighbourhood; a neighbourhood in Toronto with a very high immigrant population.

It’s clear that Scientology sees these people as easy pickings; let’s hope that they don’t fall for the scam!

As a military veteran……..I hate hearing stories of “Stolen Valor” (claiming medals, commendations or campaign ribbons not earned or awarded). Everyone who has served should be proud regardless of what awards, commendations or medals they received because of their service. If you have ever met a recipient of the MOH, you come away with a ‘distinct’ understanding of that. (intentional omission of the “C” word that rhymes with beer)

I’m not an expert in evaluating military separation papers, much less in the era in which LRH served, but it sure doesn’t pass the smell test. An organization that has “Stolen Valor” as a part of the foundation (regardless how small of a part it may be) could never get my support.

Mike – This seems to be your call to service. Your passion comes through almost as loud as your accent. As far as I am concerned, you are a Colonel who outranks everyone in that picture in yesterdays post. To “render” something in the kitchen is to melt away the fat and separate the impurities……maybe one day people will use the term “rinder” in a similar fashion. 🙂

So true and well stated, Matt.

It is interesting to see the unrealistic hyperbole of DM’s “postulating” from the perspective of the passage of a significant amount of time, in which it has proven not only not to come to pass, but has outright failed in terms of what we can tell from the ongoing shrinkage in meaningful membership (not to mention the “offloading” to downsize the Sea Org) and activity like auditing, even if the CofS has expanded its superficial physical footprint.

Most of the “Missions” are just mailing addresses or empty window fronts that service no one. Most of the “ideal orgs” are just empty buildings held together by a handful of diehard staff and public. The average age of both the staff and the public continues to get older and older. The “mighty” St. Hill was a pathetic ghost town when I was there in 2004.
Flag reached its apex by 1988 and never grew in staff and public past that while it cannibalized the staff and public of the lower orgs. The bad PR of Scientology has been straight up and vertical for decades. Scientology mainly recruits from poor countries with false promises. Scientology has perfected collecting real estate and money for no exchange. Its a model that allows it to survive while it contracts in numbers and falls further from its stated goals, In many ways Scientology has already become a network of glorified “reading rooms”.

Very true.

Nothing succeed like success and Failures are downward slope.

Other then couple of aging Hollywood actors they have nothing to prove.

50 years are long time to bank on old product, it needs innovation . This applies to all cash hungry entities including Cults.

Need some thing new and fresh like Harry Potter series tech : the magical wand , the flying broom etc etc

It’s all about getting hold of guilt conscious and less educated (no University) public to be victim of Stockholm syndrome.

Is it difficult to get hold of such public in Uncle Sam’s country which is heaven for Cults industry ?

Hmmm it means , either some one or some of them not doing their job seriously.😫😪😉