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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 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

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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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cedarsjwsurvey Lloyd Evans @cedarsjwsurvey ·
1 Feb

Ex-Scientologist turned whistleblower @MikeRinder talks about his new book "A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology" and joins me in identifying the similarities and differences between our respective former #cults. https://youtu.be/YBVUxhwPzCE

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blownforgood Marc Headley @blownforgood ·
1 Feb

Scientology Q&A Live w/ Aaron Smith-Levin & Mike Rinder 5:45 PM (MST) #XenuIsMyHomeboy https://youtube.com/live/sgIdM250NhM?feature=share

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mikerinder Mike Rinder @mikerinder ·
29 Jan

Crazy L. Ron Hubbard's 1980 letter to Pres. Reagan explaining his plan for a national sales tax and abolishing the IRS. It was a key theme of #scientology's war on the IRS... until they got exemption. Do today's proponents know? Full letter in blog post.
https://www.mikerindersblog.org/the-flat-tax-republicans-reviving-the-scientology-campaign-to-abolish-the-irs/

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klempmichele Michele Klemp @klempmichele ·
29 Jan

@MikeRinder just finished reading your book. I've been anti-scientology for about 30 years. Your book was so informative as to the mindset and the bullying, gaslighting etc. Every through I watched the documentaries and listened to the podcast, I found this book so much (/2)

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rochellebarozzi Rochelle M Barozzi @rochellebarozzi ·
29 Jan

@UltioetVeritas @MikeRinder @AftermathFdn @KarendlaCariere @randomname7700 @Vickyy_82 @SkyBird03914123 @barbcatt1 @PersepPrincess @laceylady04 @TeamSPNetwork @enfant_criminel My husband and I placed a bunch around our ATL Org. Husband had no fear LOL

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Recent Comments

  • WWW : Wisdom of the Wog World on Thursday Funnies: “🤣🤣🤣🤣 No teen or twenties only 65+ Sign of endangered species.🤔 2025 : Age of Extinction” Feb 2, 15:31
  • Chris Shugart on Thursday Funnies: “If there’s one thing I don’t need is Hubbard showing me how to screw up my marriage. I’m perfectly capable…” Feb 2, 15:19
  • Aquamarine on The Flat Tax — Republicans Reviving the Scientology Campaign to Abolish the IRS: “Quite true what you’ve pointed out about $10 being a big deal to someone who earns $100. I have no…” Feb 2, 14:01
  • Todd Cray on Thursday Funnies: “So Austin offers career opportunities, a buzzing art scene, and it’s very “green” (although it’s unclear whether this means parks…” Feb 2, 13:36
  • Glenn on Thursday Funnies: “Spot on Allen, totally spot on. And I can say that because I spent far too many decades in the…” Feb 2, 12:51
  • Glenn on Thursday Funnies: ““Old Fogies” joining Austin staff. A friend, who is as old as many of those shown in the flyer, asked…” Feb 2, 10:07
  • safetyguy on Thursday Funnies: “No, thank you. I don’t think I need anyone from that cult telling me how to choose a wife. 45…” Feb 2, 09:18
  • otherles on Thursday Funnies: “The Hubbard course on marriage might be an example of how not to do it.” Feb 2, 08:30
  • Allen on Thursday Funnies: “I read Dianetics in the late 1980’s and out of curiosity went to visit the scientology outpost in Ventura, CA…” Feb 2, 08:18
  • Fred G. Haseney on Thursday Funnies: “Re: People actually pay $7500 to hear Grant Cardone speak? 10X Growth Conference 2023 Newly Added Status: Flatus. Retail was:…” Feb 2, 08:05

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