Should scientology be tax exempt? At the outset -- I am not a lawyer. I am certain those more knowledgeable than I can find fault with some imprecise terminology or descriptions I use. But I doubt they would disagree with the general picture I am trying to paint. Of course, the answer about scientology's tax exempt status for many people (myself included) is "No, they should NOT be entitled to special exemption from taxation." But why? And what is different about scientology than other exempt organizations? There is a long tradition of protecting religious freedom in the United … [Read more...]
SNL Parody
It is a watershed day. The single best measure of having hit the mainstream of societal relevance in the US is to be the subject of a skit on SNL. Scientology has truly hit the big time. And not in a good way. Tony Ortega has done a brilliant breakdown and analysis of the skit from last night on his blog this morning. What an Easter Sunday gift this is, no matter your religious beliefs. Except perhaps if you are a scientologist. I have watched it several times and each time I see more subtle digs. There are some people at SNL who know their scientology trivia. A fact that is … [Read more...]
“The Dead Agent Pack Was Compiled From PC Folders”
Someone sent me this email that was circulated after the original Truth Rundown series in the St Petersburg Times in 2009. That series was a massive expose -- the first major media to lay out the story of the physical and mental abuse meted out by David Miscavige, the existence of The Hole and much more. It was carefully researched and meticulously fact checked and documented. It has stood the test of time as much of what is contained in this series has been subsequently reconfirmed, especially in the court testimony of Debbie Cook, but also in numerous other stories. The church … [Read more...]
Scientology Twitterfails
In light of the news that Going Clear is the biggest HBO Documentary since Spike Lee's Katrina doc nearly 10 years ago, and #GoingClear was trending on Twitter for more than 24 hours, it is enlightening to look at the scientology efforts to deal with the shitstorm. Scientology bought Twitter ads -- see this article in Adweek. Of course, this was a massive fail. Sort of like their "advertorial" in The Atlantic earlier. It resulted in even more negative coverage. They are 100% tone deaf to public opinion. And it is really amusing to see the church claiming interest in scientology is … [Read more...]
Going Clear Fallout
I was talking with some friends after watching Going Clear, musing about what Miscavige would do now. One of the participants remarked that I should put this on the blog, as people may find it interesting. These thoughts are not based on some "leak," they are merely speculation based on experience. I believe there are two things Miscavige will be concerned about following the deluge on Sunday night that was the leading edge of a category 4 shitstorm making a direct hit on his gilded beachhouse. His first concern: shore up Tom Cruise. This will be his highest priority. Miscavige no … [Read more...]
Going Clear: Where Is Scientology?
In the face of the most intense media coverage in its history, scientology is strangely incapable of stepping up and saying anything. There is no spokesperson who even TRIES to answer questions or present the church's "good works" to the media. Instead, they send creepy letters from their lawyers and Misavige's nom de plume Karin Pouw, put together "attack videos" and threatening emails and tweets. And all of this outpouring ONLY consists exclusively of ad hominem attacks on the film makers, interviewees and now reporters who are covering the documentary. Everyone is a liar. Everyone is a b … [Read more...]
Lying As A Way Of Life
Scientology actually sent out an email that includes this: "When we go door to door with booklets, crime takes a holiday. When we run out of booklets and can't get any out, there is a rise in crime and murder." And immediately following is the "ask" -- of course. You need to give us money. But wow, IF this were really true, would the IAS, or the church or someone just print up the booklets and get them out tout de suite? Set aside the actual value of doing this for society. Just think about the goodwill. And the PR. And boy, could they use some goodwill and PR right about … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
Hahaha No corroborating evidence? Except what scientology churns out every day to try and discredit the movie.... Terrific promotion for the film though. BTW, an interview Alex and I did will be airing on NPR All Things Considered today at 16:40 / 18:40 / 20:40 EDT (17:40 / 19:40 PDT). New promotion for leaving scientology... THE best way to overcome financial stress. Flag OTC buying their own bs Puerto Rico and Orlando are "on the runway." Obviously they have no idea the state of these two failing field groups. But even better "Ma … [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 d … [Read more...]
Going Clear With Paul Haggis
I had another posting for this morning, but then I read the article on Tony Ortega's blog this morning and consider it so important that I urge everyone to read it. I want it to be available on this blog for anyone who happens to come along here, so I am republishing it in its entirety. As is usual for Paul Haggis, he articulates a great deal in a few well chosen words. Though he doesn't promote himself and there is no shoot crew following him around to make self-congratulatory videos, he is a true humanitarian. His work in Haiti is legendary, and it continues to this day, long after the … [Read more...]