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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 Hates “Experts” — Unless They Are Paying Them

August 24, 2020 By Mike Rinder 22 Comments

STAND League is a constant source of ideas of what should be discussed about scientology. They accuse others (usually Leah Remini and me) of exactly what they are doing. They rail again anti-Semitism, it spurs me to write about scientology and the NOI. They complain about "anti-religionists" it prompts something about what Hubbard had to say about religion. Scientology is "fun" - brings on a post about disconnection and crush regging. And now I noticed this one. Rest assured, every one of the "experts" scientology touts is paid. Massimo Introvigne of CESNUR., Gordon Melton, Brian Wilson … [Read more...]

Filed Under: STAND League Tagged With: Brian Wilson, experts, Gordon Melton, Margaret Singer, Martin Landon, Massimo Introvigne, STAND League, Stephen Kent, Tony Ortega

Scientology and Christmas

December 18, 2019 By Mike Rinder 62 Comments

It seems the media is becoming more aware of the truth about scientology. This recent article in the Kansas City Star is not the sort of "goodwill" and "PR area control" scientology was hoping to garner from opening their new "ideal org" and launching into a PR offensive for the holiday season. The title of the article alone is enough to send shivers down COB's spine: Kansas City’s Church of Scientology opens a Winter Wonderland: Is this some ploy? Ploy you ask? Ploy? You can read the full article at the link above. I have a few thoughts about it. Following the evocative … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ideal Orgs Tagged With: Going Clear, Ideal Orgs, Kansas City, Kansas City Star, Leah Remini, media, public relations, Scientology, Scientology Idle Orgs, Stephen Kent, Tony Ortega

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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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