Thanks much!

At the end of the semester, I give my students more controversial and challenging examples. A subset of that are variations on problematic religious thinking. I’ll use examples from Scientology along with examples of Baptist ministers claiming that an earthquake happened because God was upset at California’s liberal lifestyles. I try to mix it up. This morning I came across a video about Breatharianism. But I think it’ll be okay to have multiple Scientology examples. For all the reasons Mike and Leah discuss in Aftermath, it’s especially important, I think. This lead looks promising. Thanks all! – Michael

Dear Michael, For your interest and purposes, this “field work” may have already been done. Look up “Reckless Ben and Mike Infiltrating Scientology.”

These are two young courageous and witty fellas who did, as the title suggests, infiltrate Scientology and created a series of episodes about their escapades.

They are interviewed in Episode 78 on “Life After Scientology,” the Ron Miscavige, Sr. regular webcast out on YouTube.

I heartily second what Skyler states: “Mike and Leah have extremely different skill sets. But put them together and you get a mystical magical capability.”

Massive Amen, and Hallelujah as well.

#LeahAndMikeBFFs #Badassery #EffectiveCause

Thank you Skyler! There are so many pages with info on this cult and they are scattered all over the place. I have been reviewing the Garcia case and I’m looking forward to seeing the 11th Circuit Opinion.

I suspect the 11th Circuit agrees that it has diversity jurisdiction. If they didn’t, there would have been no need to discuss the merits of the arbitration agreement.

The arbitration agreement must be deemed void. A party can’t be bound by such a vague contractual term. I am very happy for the Garcias and suspect the cult is trying desperately to settle with them.

Judge Whittemore has a good reputation but I can’t understand how he arrived at either of his two decision in this case.

Hello Susan. I Googled “list all legal challenges brought against scientology” and I found the following links which you may find interesting:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_and_law
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_controversies
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/nytimes-partners/omnisky/business_story8.html
https://www.insider.com/scientology-lawsuits-allege-human-trafficking-forced-labor-child-abuse-2019-9

Of course you should be prepared that some of these links will be far more relevant than others. But I suggest you may just skim through them and then spend some time on any that interest you.

I have only listed a few of the leading results found from my Google search. You may find a lot more by trying that same Google search or maybe trying others as well.

Good luck Susan.

The Sea Org is made up of indentured servants and I don’t know why the cult can’t be forced to at least stop that. I don’t know if the threat of making them repay money is enough to keep any of them there, but in my view that threat crosses the line legally.

I don’t understand how the rest of the staff works.

I would love to find a list of all of the legal challenges that have been brought against the cult. If anyone knows where I can find such a list, please point me to it. Thanks.

I agree; I’m very grateful for the work Mike and Leah have done.

Susan Harbison said:

“The purchase of useless buildings sounds like money laundering to me. “

Yes indeed Susan. Many people believe that “money laundering” is a big part of what they are doing. Overall, they are a real bunch of slime balls!

Or, perhaps it would be more accurate to say their leader is a real slime ball because the entire organization is run by a single dictator. No one else really benefits in any tangible way from belonging to this cult.

It is quite amazing that one individual controls all the money and gets all the benefits from this cult. Other people may be brainwashed into believing they are getting some other kind of benefits, but I think you would be shocked to learn just how little anyone ever gets aside from the squirt who runs this scam.

Thanks much. It was a curious proposal that I considered. But I just got around to watching the Aftermath episode on The Bridge (I’ve been watching them in random order when an episode’s description grabbed my attention. Between that and some interesting YouTube videos I found, I think I found enough to create an assignment.

As the semester progresses, I like to have assignments that are based on something that students can investigate afterward. In the end, in the context of the class, it’s about helping students see how our skills can demystify experiences like this.

Again, I don’t want to exaggerate the significance of this. I don’t think there’s a “magic bullet” that can protect oneself from getting duped, whether it’s by a car salesperson, a real estate agent, or a Scientologist spokesperson. Much as to do with our emotional vulnerability at the time. But most students do find skills helpful and empowering.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Michael

Hello Jen. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to help in the struggle against this cult. In fact, you may already know about The Aftermath Foundation. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping current and former slaves in this cult to break away and to get on their feet again.

If you visit their web page at: theaftermathfoundation.org

You will see several links to topics such as: “How can I help”. There are many ways to help people who are coming out of this cult. The help is not limited to giving money. But if you live in the same city as people who are just coming out of this cult, they usually have real need for help with transportation and organizing their lives. People who were born into this scam often do not know how to do even the most simple kinds of things like: getting a library card or opening a bank account or getting a GED education. You can really be a big help by getting these people started with these basic skills.

These are things that many of us just take for granted. But this kind of help is really needed.

Good luck Jen and please excuse me if you already know these things and it seems like I’m preaching to you. Maybe I should have just said you can go to their site and read about ways you can help?

Anyway, good luck to you, Jen. I’m certain that any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.