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Media Update A Billion Years

October 29, 2022 By Mike Rinder 37 Comments

  A fast update on the most recent media:   David Pakman   IndoctriNATION podcast with Rachel Bernstein     Sensibly Speaking Podcast with Chris Shelton … [Read more...]

Filed Under: A Billion Years Tagged With: Chris Shelton, David Pakman, Rachel Bernstein

Cult Apologists Conference

June 11, 2022 By Mike Rinder 17 Comments

The same, tired old band of cult apologist "academics" are holding their annual conference next week in Quebec, Canada. They are familiar names, led by Massimo Introvigne, one of the main beneficiaries of much scientology funding over the years.  We did a Fair Game podcast about these cult apologists with Chris Shelton The reason for putting "academics" in quotation marks is that they do no real research or study. They accept information provided to them by scientology, reject anything that comes from "former" members (apostates) on the basis that one of the founding apologists, Bryan … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Public Relations Tagged With: Bryan Wilson, CESNUR, Chris Shelton, Donald Westbrook, Massimo Introvigne

Neil Sarfati Hits the Big Time

January 26, 2022 By Mike Rinder 22 Comments

My old friend from the Apollo, Neil Sarfati alerted me yesterday that he had finally "made the big time." He didn't mean he had a new number one album of his sax playing, he was referring to becoming a target of the STAND League haters. It's familiar stuff from STAND buffoon Martin Landon. First, if you have not do so, you should listen to the interview Neil did with the BBC Outlook program. I link to it below. It is very even-handed, mild-mannered and rather gentle on L. Ron Hubbard and life in the Sea Org back in the days of the Apollo. But because Neil is a no longer a cult … [Read more...]

Filed Under: L Ron Hubbard, Sea Org Tagged With: Apollo, Apollo Stars, BBC, BBC oultoook, Chris Shelton, L. Ron Hubbard, Martin Landon, Neil Sarfati, STAND League, The Guardian, Tony Ortega

Episode 68: Chris Shelton on Cult Apologists

December 6, 2021 By Mike Rinder 28 Comments

This week we talk to our old friend Chris Shelton about cult apologists. These are the people who make a career (often lucrative) out of offering expert academic opinions in support of "New Religious Movements" -- cults. It's a racket that scientology has used to gain credibility. We cover a lot of ground here. Chris has recently published a series of articles on this topic on Tony Ortega's blog -- they are well-worth reading. Chris also has a podcast that is worth subscribing to on YouTube:  Sensibly Speaking Podcast   We mention the scientology STAND League -- the OSA … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Aleister Crowley, Anson Shup, Chris Shelton, Donald Westbrook, Eileen Barker, Fair Game Podcast, Gordon Melton, James Lewis, Leah Remini, Marvin Bordelon, Massimo Introvigne, Mike Rinder, Remnant Fellowship, STAND League, Stefani Hutchinson, Stephen Kent, Susan Palmer, Tony Ortega

Scientology Fair Game Podcast All Episodes

September 6, 2021 By Mike Rinder 12 Comments

There is no new podcast this week due to the Labor Day holiday. I thought it worth listing all the diverse list of podcast guests and topics we have done so far. There are more to come. If there are any episodes you have missed, you can find them here with links and give them a listen. It's been quite a ride. It continues. We appreciate all the support of our faithful listeners and those who have sent in questions for the popular "Listener Question" episodes. You can also find all the episodes and the supporting documents for each at fairgamepodcast.com which also includes a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Aaron Saidman, AlexGibney, Brian Sheen, Bruce Hines, Chris Shelton, Christie Collbran, Christie Rinder, Claire Headley, Devon Graham Hammonds, Dylan Fallo, Fair Game Podcast, Ford Greene, Geoff Levin, Hana Whitfield, Ian Berg, Jeff Augustine, John Dehlin, john sweeney, Jon Atack, Julian Wain, Karen de la Carriere, Kate Bornstein, Katherine Wain, Leah Remini, Lloyd Evans, Luke Catton, Marc Headley, Mark Bunker, Mark Vicente, Mary Kahn, Mat Pesch, Mike Rinder, Nick Hanna, Paulette Cooper, Phil Jones, Ray jeffrey, Richard Behar, Ron Miscavige, Sarah Edmondson, Stefani Hutchinson, Steve Cannane, Steve Hassan, Tammy Clark, Taylor Holley, Tony Ortega, Valeska Guider, Vicki Marshall, Yashar Ali, Yulanda Williams

Thought Reform and Scientology

April 21, 2021 By Mike Rinder 41 Comments

  On one of the recent Fair Game Podcast, Chris Shelton recommended Robert Jay Lifton's book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism . Then Mockingbird posted a comment concerning this and I thought it important to include it as a post, as he summarizes the eight criteria for Thought Reform isolated by the author. I should note, there are many excellent articles at Mockingbird's Nest blog. Here is his comment in full. I have highlighted the 8 criteria. Mike Rinder recently pointed out something that most people miss, even experts. He pointed out that the E meter is used … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Special Feature Tagged With: brainwashing, Chris Shelton, Jon Atack, L. Ron Hubbard, Mockingbird, Robert Jay Lifton, Scientology, Thought Reform

Episode 36: Critical Thinker Chris Shelton Part 2

April 12, 2021 By Mike Rinder 27 Comments

  This week's episode is a continuation from last week with Chris Shelton. We take a deep dive into the the "Truth Rundown" and Rehabilitation Project Force, but of course touch upon other things in doing so. If you want to hear more of Chris' insights, you can tune into his Sensibly Speaking Podcast. There is a wealth of material there. The "Truth Rundown" is one of the most remarkable things Hubbard developed. It is the most direct and unvarnished brainwashing technique in scientology. It is intended for use on Sea Org members, though some others have unfortunately been … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Children's Sec Check, Chris Shelton, David Miscavige, Fair Game Podcast, Knowledge Reports, L. Ron Hubbard, Leah Remini, Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, Rehabilitation Project Force, RPF, Truth Rundown

Episode 35: Chris Shelton Part 1

April 5, 2021 By Mike Rinder 61 Comments

This week, Leah and I are joined by our old friend Chris Shelton. He is a very well-informed former scientology executive who has provided some of the most cogent analyses of scientology in his podcasts, appearances and writings. He is studying Psychology of Coercive Mind Control at the University of Salford. This is a fascinating discussion that covers a wide range of topics -- so much so that we recorded a second episode which will be Part 2 next week, taking a deep dive into two topics. A lot of what we talk about today concerns the fake “religious” aspects of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Brene Brown, Carl Sagan, Chris Shelton, Christianity, Critical Thinker at Large, Fair Game Podcast, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Robert Cialdini, Robert Jay Lifton, Scientology A to Xenu, Sunday Service, University of Salford

Episode 22: Geoff Levin Musician, a Founder of Celebrity Centre

January 4, 2021 By Mike Rinder 23 Comments

Fair Game podcast is back to normal this week after the holiday season schedule, and we welcome Geoff Levin. I will post the link here as soon as its available. Geoff often comments here at the blog, and some of you may know he wrote the theme music we use on the podcast. What you may not know is that he was around for, and played an integral role of the formation of Celebrity Centre. He was a member of the rock band People!.   We talk to Geoff about the destruction of his successful band -- scientology "ethics" caused them to throw out the lead singer for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fair Game Podcast Tagged With: Celebrity Centre, Chris Shelton, Disconnection, Fair Game Podcast, Geoff Levin, Tony Ortega

Our 10th Anniversary

November 5, 2019 By Mike Rinder 67 Comments

  The first blog post on mikerindersblog.org was on 5 November 2009. It's been 10 years but it sure doesn't seem that long! It's been a lot of fun along the way. I have met many wonderful people here (and quite a number subsequently IRL which has been especially gratifying).  Hopefully I have opened a window to discovering the truth about scientology for many. This blog would not have been possible without the support of many who have helped. While it is a labor of love (or perhaps passion) it IS labor and first my thanks to the many contributors who have provided content and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mike Rinder Tagged With: Aaron Smith-Levin, Black Propaganda, Brian Lambert, Chris Shelton, Christi Gordon, Church of Scientology, David Miscavige, Disconnection, fair game, fundraising, Gary Reisdorf, Ideal Orgs, International Association of Scientologists, Jeffrey Augustine, Karen de la Carriere, L. Ron Hubbard, Leah Remini, Lois Reisdorf, Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, Mike Rinder's Blog, public relations, regraded being, Scientology, Scientology Idle Orgs, shelly miscavige, Terra Cognita, Tony Ortega, Tory Christman

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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
A Piece of Blue Sky - Jon Atack
Beyond Belief - Jenna Miscavige
My Billion Year Contract
Escaping Scientology - Karen Schless
Commodore's Messenger - Janis Grady
Commodore's Messenger - Book II
Scythe Tleppo - Nathan Rich
Expert Witness - Jesse Prince
Perfectly Clear - Michelle LeCaire
Ron the War Hero - Chris Owen
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