• 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

Kanye, the IRS and Scientology

December 8, 2019 By Mike Rinder 14 Comments

  This is an interesting recent Forbes magazine article. The author covers how Kanye West, who has changed his name to Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West and conducts "Sunday Services,” could actually file for tax exemption and reap mighty benefits. He describes what the IRS criteria are for granting such a religious exemption: Distinct legal existence; Recognized creed and form of worship; Definite and distinct ecclesiastical government; Formal code of doctrine and discipline; Distinct religious history; Membership not associated with any other church … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tax Exemption Tagged With: Church of Scientology, Forbes magazine, irs, Kanye West, Tax exempt status, Tax Exemption

The Economic Impact of Scientology on Clearwater

November 30, 2019 By Mike Rinder 15 Comments

Scientology spews out paid ads proclaiming their wondrous contributions to society, most especially to Clearwater. I see these things on Twitter and when I respond they delete my responses. So, in keeping with the time-honored solution of “doing what Ron says,” I am putting my response on my own channel of communication where it cannot be altered (or deleted). Their tweet above makes the bold claim that scientology paid $3.1 million in property and tourist taxes in 2018. And that they "generate $1 billion impact into the local economy." As for the first claim -- this may well be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clearwater Tagged With: Clearwater, Economic Impact Study, FSU, irs, Mark Bunker, public relations, scientology tax exemption

Hubbard, his Photographs and the IRS

November 18, 2019 By Mike Rinder 51 Comments

Christi Gordon came across this 1975 document and forwarded to me. It contains some interesting material worthy of comment. Hubbard announces he has been informed that there will be no deal with the IRS and thus there will be a 4 or 5 year fight. OF course, he has a solution that will save the day (history doesn't look kindly on many of his predictions and solutions). And this is an especially bizarre one. IN 1974 Hubbard had begun shooting “photo stories” aboard the Apollo. These horrendously staged and lit images were the focus of attention of a large number of crew at the time -- … [Read more...]

Filed Under: L Ron Hubbard Tagged With: irs, L. Ron Hubbard, public relations, Scientology

Scientology is NOT a Business… Wink, Wink

July 9, 2019 By Mike Rinder 82 Comments

Scientology repeatedly claims: "We are a religion engaged in matters of the spiritual plane, not the worldly." They managed to convince strong arm the IRS into granting them tax exempt status as an exempt "religious" organization on this basis. Their words AND actions (believe what you hear AND what you see) prove that is just a facade. Normally this promotional piece would be another one of the Thursday Funnies -- there are literally HUNDREDS of similar items from scientology organizations all over the world claiming that scientology can make you "flourish and prosper" and give you the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Scientology, Tax Exemption Tagged With: Internal Revenue Service, irs, pasadena, Tax exempt status, Tax Exemption

Some Information About Religious Tax Exemption

February 4, 2019 By Mike Rinder 59 Comments

Mary Kahn reminded me yesterday in a comment about John Oliver of the brilliant piece he did on Religious Tax Exemption. This is satire at its finest -- exposing truths through humor. It is cringe-inducing funny. If you have never seen this, or if you haven't watched it for a few years, it is VERY instructive. I recommend it highly as it lays out a LOT of information and gives insight into scientology and its ongoing tax exempt status. This is, in part, why the IRS has been perfectly content to allow scientology to be tax exempt all these years. There is also the fact that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tax Exemption Tagged With: David Miscavige, irs, John Oliver, Scientology, Tax Exemption

What Can You Do to Help End Scientology Abuses?

January 22, 2019 By Mike Rinder 88 Comments

The most common question we are asked is "What can I do to help?" First, understand that your support of our show and on social media is tremendously valuable. Both to us and to let the contributors to our show know there are people out there that support the cause. Second, if you want to offer help in terms of professional counselling or you have job opportunities or a place for someone to stay, please contact The Aftermath Foundation which is established to be a clearing house to connect those who are trying to leave scientology or have recently done so to a network of people who have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: The Aftermath Tagged With: Department of Justice, DOJ, FBI, irs, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Scientology, The Aftermath

Miscavige in Panic Mode

August 26, 2018 By Mike Rinder 170 Comments

Whenever things get really worrisome in David Miscavige's world he orders everyone to rewatch the 1993 "War Is Over" event. This is his crowning achievement and he wants to remind everyone what an incredible accomplishment it was. He is convinced this is his “greatest performance” and it makes him look good, which tells you a lot. His tiny figure on that massive stage with flaming sconces taken from the castle in Young Frankenstein projects, in his mind, the image of power he craves. In truth, it WAS incredible. It should never have happened. And while it is a bulwark in the defensive … [Read more...]

Filed Under: David Miscavige Tagged With: David Miscavige, IAS, International Association of Scientologists, irs, IRS exemption, The Aftermath

A Message from Leah Remini to Scientology Operatives

June 28, 2018 By Mike Rinder 172 Comments

Dear OSA, OSA operatives, paid off sleazy PI’s and lawyers who are bought off by Scientology, I know you are reading this because you scour our instagrams, FB Pages and twitter feeds all day and night. I also understand you are bound to follow the writings of L. Ron Hubbard which require you to discover what someone considers valuable and attack it, to "fight on the basis of total attrition of the enemy" and treat those who speak the truth about you as "Fair Game." But you should also know that what you are doing, including: -- the legal threats -- paying off family members with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Harrassment, Leah Remini, Scientology Tagged With: attorneys, Harrassment, irs, Lawyers, Leah Remini, PI's, Scientology, Scientology The Aftermath, Tax exempt status, The Aftermath

Scientology’s Money Grabbing

May 14, 2018 By Mike Rinder 69 Comments

  This is an important survey put together by Jeffrey Augustine and first published on his blog. I am republishing it here for anyone who may have missed it there.When someone gives money to scientology, they are led to believe that should they be dissatisfied all they need to do is ask and their money will be cheerfully refunded with the only condition being that they are no longer able to participate in scientology services. Of course, those who want their money back don't really want to continue participating, so this is never a big deal when they hand over their cash. What they … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fundraising Tagged With: irs, IRS exemption, refunds

Scientology Tax Exemption — Muffins Strikes Back

February 5, 2018 By Mike Rinder 106 Comments

Clearly, David Miscavige is feeling the mounting pressure on his most cherished treasure: tax exempt status bestowed on scientology by the IRS in 1993. It takes considerable effort to get a letter published about a relatively obscure subject in a major paper like the LA Times. It is apparently a response to an op-ed piece that ran last November. 3 months of work to get this miserable piece of misleading propaganda to run... Monique "Muffins" Yingling makes a rare appearance to argue on behalf of Miscavige.  She has been as out of sight as the COB himself since her fateful appearance on 20/20 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tax Exemption Tagged With: David Miscavige, Hernandez, irs, LA Times, monique yingling, public relations, Scientology, Tax exempt status, The Aftermath

Next Page »
Mike-Rinders-Blog

Subscribe

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
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
donate-button

Recent Tweets

Mike RinderFollow

Mike Rinder
Retweet on TwitterMike Rinder Retweeted
IDAorgThe IDA@IDAorg·
19 Nov

NEWS! We are excited to introduce the new #IDADocAwards Truth to Power Award for those who show immense bravery in holding the powerful accountable regardless of consequences. Our first honoree is @LeahRemini for her work behind #ScientologyTheAftermath! https://t.co/YwIgcbqCG6

Reply on Twitter 1196915904526852099Retweet on Twitter 119691590452685209960Like on Twitter 1196915904526852099480Twitter 1196915904526852099
MikeRinderMike Rinder@MikeRinder·
5 Dec

Remarkable achievement for @LeahRemini and @AETV with #ScientologyTheAftermath on @EW list of best shows of the DECADE! "The most fascinating and fiercely original docuseries this decade", "riveting, horrifying, and incredibly emotional interviews" https://t.co/DCv4KYnJo6

Reply on Twitter 1202655840240582656Retweet on Twitter 120265584024058265658Like on Twitter 1202655840240582656426Twitter 1202655840240582656
Retweet on TwitterMike Rinder Retweeted
LeahReminiLeah Remini@LeahRemini·
3 Dec

It’s #GivingTuesday! Please find it in your heart to give. All amounts, big or small, make a difference. Donate to a charity of your choice, or you can find a list of charities dear to my heart on my website. 

https://t.co/XJ8KbJQOo2

Reply on Twitter 1202011573658644480Retweet on Twitter 120201157365864448026Like on Twitter 1202011573658644480154Twitter 1202011573658644480
MikeRinderMike Rinder@MikeRinder·
3 Dec

In violation of IRS code, #scientology soliciting members not to vote for @MarkBunker4U in @MyClearwater City Council election in March. They think they own the city and don’t want anyone elected they don’t approve of. #VoteBunker. @TB_Times @TroMcManus
https://t.co/AWfdOuN7OK

Reply on Twitter 1201861143494414338Retweet on Twitter 120186114349441433870Like on Twitter 1201861143494414338209Twitter 1201861143494414338
Retweet on TwitterMike Rinder Retweeted
CoreyJAndrews93Corey Andrews@CoreyJAndrews93·
30 Nov

"Far from being a boon to the #Clearwater economy, the tax exempt status of #scientology has hurt Clearwater more than any other single community on earth." [email protected] #MikeRindersBlog #ScientologyTheAftermath

@MarkBunker4U @XENUTV for @MyClearwater City Council. #Bunker2020!! https://t.co/J64a5k407A

Reply on Twitter 1200795702814822402Retweet on Twitter 120079570281482240217Like on Twitter 120079570281482240284Twitter 1200795702814822402
Load More...

Past Posts By Month

December 2019
M T W T F S S
« Nov    
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  

Copyright © 2019 Mike Rinder · WordPress · Log in