Two recent stories highlight the issue of child sexual abuse in religious organizations -- this time not the Catholic church -- but rather the Mormons and the Southern Baptists. Unfortunately, organizations that should provide a safe, nurturing environment too often harbor sexual predators. There are three primary reasons for this in my view: Organizations that cloak themselves in the mantle of religion tend to remain outside the scope of societal protections against abuse. Particularly in the United States, where the First Amendment has been interpreted over the years to preclude … [Read more...]
Episode 65: Filmmaker and former Jehovah’s Witness Aaron Kaufman
This week we talk to filmmaker Aaron Kaufman. He is known for producing Robert Rodriguez films, and more recently for directing the documentary on Jehovah's Witnesses for Vice TV Crusaders. Aaron was raised a JW and his doc focuses on the data base of sex abusers the JW's have which they have refused to make public. Plenty of scientology parallels in this discussion. Here is Aaron Kaufman's IMDb page: The Vice TV, Vice Versa episode: What is disfellowshipping? From Wikipedia We talk about the characteristics of a cult. Dr. Janja Lalich has this … [Read more...]
Scientology’s Tax Exemption
I happened to pull up this posting from April 2015 and in re-reading it I thought it important enough to repost here today. With The Aftermath on Netflix, many new people are being exposed to the horrifying truth about scientology for the first time. And many have the same question as those who have been in the know for some time. How is it that scientology can be tax exempt? This is a pretty good essay that explains in some detail why it should NOT. And it addresses a bit why it hasn’t changed. Unfortunately, with a conservative majority now firmly entrenched in the US Supreme Court, … [Read more...]
Predatory Alienation, Religion and the Law
This is an excellent article in the Albany Times Union, prompted by the recent sentencing of Keith Raniere. I saw this and Tweeted it out, but it deserves more attention. Mary Ann hones in on the exact problem that looms like a massive roadblock in the path of justice for victims of coercive and high demand groups. And this definitely includes scientology. The hardest thing to demonstrate is mental/emotional abuse. There is no cauterized brand left on the victim’s body. No canceled checks or credit card debt trail. It would make it far less onerous for victims to be heard in … [Read more...]
The Last Day of The Last Days
The Jehovah's Witnesses have been predicting the end of the world "Armageddon" since the creation of the movement by Charles Taze Russell in the late 19th century. Some of their earlier predictions had specific dates, but as these came and passed, and they came up with explanations as to why the dates were not correct (generally that God was revealing more truth and making things clearer now...) COVID-19 has their apocalyptic juices flowing. The JW's are run by a group of old men called the "Governing Body." There is a lot to know about the JW's and my good friend "John Cedars"/Lloyd … [Read more...]
Characteristics of Mind Control Cults
Steve Hassan has recently published a new book: The Cult of Trump. I try to keep politics off this blog, and so I request the comments NOT devolve into discussions about Trump, the Democrats, Hillary Clinton or anything else political. It would be unfair to Steve to NOT credit his book, so I have done so. But I would prefer to focus on the aspects of CULT rather than the aspects of Trump. For the record, I found the book both fascinating and enlightening in his analysis of mind control, cultic leaders and how they get people to follow them, regardless of its political implications. Steve … [Read more...]
Is Scientology an Apocalyptic Cult?
I don't recall having mentioned the writings of L. Ron Hubbard concerning the coming apocalypse/destruction of society/end of civilization, and I don't think many others have either. But the good folks who churn out the promotion for Kansas City reminded me that this is part of the "scare" tactics Hubbard employed to motivate people to support his cause. Of course, this is not a new idea. The program we did on the Jehovah's Witnesses earlier this year gave me some insight into the grandaddy of doomsday cults. The JW's are taught that Armageddon is imminent. A literal firestorm that … [Read more...]
Keeping Abuses Secret Under the Guise of Religion
John Redwood posted this on Facebook. I think it deserves WIDE reading. It is the same position scientology takes, and they too appealed the decision to turn over the incriminating preclear folders of Laura Dieckman in her civil case to the USSC. Thankfully, they did NOT win. It is my sincere hope that Watchtower is unsuccessful in this effort to overturn a decision against them. John said the following (I added a link to the petition): Jehovah's Witnesses are appealing to the Supreme Court of the United States, but this time it has nothing to do with preaching or saluting the flag. … [Read more...]
Aftermath Aftermath
The first new episode for a long time aired last night, a special on the Jehovah's Witnesses. It's unlike anything we had done before and I am interested to hear your feedback. I watched Twitter and Facebook as the show aired on the East Coast, but have not yet caught up following the West Coast airing. Once again, I want to thank the brave contributors who were willing to sit down and bare their pain to the world in the hope that it will bring some comfort to others who have suffered similarly, and perhaps prevent someone from having to suffer in the future. And my special … [Read more...]
The Aftermath Is Back
Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath is back tonight. It is the first episode of Season 3 -- though it is a "special". There is another "Special" coming next Sunday night (18 November) and then the season proper begins on 27 November. Tonight's special episode is at 9pm on A&E. It covers the Jehovah's Witnesses. We felt an obligation to the MANY former Jehovah's Witnesses who reached out to us letting us know of the pain they had suffered -- many of which are eerily similar to the experiences of former scientologists. They did not have a voice like Leah to speak on their … [Read more...]