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Scientology’s 2012 In Review: Debbie Cook Starts January Off With a BANG!

Right at midnight on New Year’s Eve, we posted a primer on Scientology, starring LRH

It’s time to look back at this amazing year for Scientology watchers, and over the next several days we’re going to refresh your memory about what got our attention in 2012.

Of course, one of the things that made this []

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VIDEO: Tiziano Lugli’s “Shit Scientologists Say,” Featuring Prominent Ex-Church Members

In an Underground Bunker exclusive, we’re giving you the first look at two slick videos shot and assembled by Tiziano Lugli and numerous other former members of the Church of Scientology. Among those you’ll see are video blogger Tory Christman, former church spokesman Mike Rinder, and character actor Michael Fairman. Also taking part was Jenna []

Scientology in 2012: John Sweeney, Paulette Cooper, and More Look Back on a Year of Crisis for the Church

With the year winding down, we thought we’d ask several fellow Scientology watchers to give us their thoughts on how the church fared in 2012. Here are their responses, and we’re looking forward to reading your reflections about 2012 in the comments. Tell us what were your highlights, and how you think 2012 fits in []

L. Ron Hubbard’s “Secret Lives” — A Channel 4 Classic

We’re working on several interesting new stories that will take some time to complete. In the meantime, we wanted to keep you tided over with this great blast from the past.

It’s a 1997 UK Channel 4 documentary about L. Ron Hubbard that resurfaced recently over at the Ex-Scientologist Message []

Joel Sappell Finds Former Scientology Enforcer Marty Rathbun To Be a Reluctant Whistleblower

Much of our coverage of Scientology in the past three years has focused on former church executive Marty Rathbun, and for good reason.

Rathbun is the most visible member of an “independence movement” that is splitting Scientology apart. He has participated in or masterminded several of the biggest legal and media offensives against church leader David []

Did Scientology Kill Joel Sappell’s Dog?

Joel Sappell

UPDATE: We now have a review of Sappell’s full story, which has gone live at the Los Angeles magazine website.

One of our highlights of 2012 was getting to know Joel Sappell, the former Los Angeles Times journalist who, with his partner Robert Welkos, produced a series of blockbuster Scientology investigations in the []

Scientology Quick to Exploit Newtown Tragedy

Pity poor PIX 11 reporter Hilary Whittier, who had to put together one of those cloying, cliche-filled pieces in the wake of the Newtown massacre, the kind of thing where shell-shocked locals are interviewed talking about hope and prayers in the face of tragedy.

Near the end of her report, Whittier wants to give an example []

Sunday Funnies: Scientology Sets Its Worldwide New Year’s Party!

New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest days in the Scientology calendar. The church really pulls out the stops with a big party, and then urges members — and their wallets — to attend. What fun!

And this year, the event is coming early! As you’ll see in our weekly collection of Scientology fundraising mailers, []

Scientology Leader David Miscavige: Getting Desperate?

Nothing could match the revulsion we felt yesterday at the mass murder of 20 schoolchildren in Newtown, Connecticut.

But there was something else that made the bile rise in our throat yesterday.

Marty Rathbun, at his blog, pointed out that one of the anonymous attack web sites operated by the Church of Scientology has begun putting up []

DOX: Florida Officials Fight Attempt to Hide Drug Rehab’s Scientology Connections

Kurt Feshbach: Shhh, he’s a wealthy Scientologist

Officials in Hernando County, Florida aren’t backing down in a lawsuit brought by a wealthy Scientologist who wants to expand a Narconon drug rehab site against the wishes of local residents.

The Narconon center’s landowner has asked federal Judge James D. Whittemore that the facility’s connection to Scientology, []