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Easter Sunday Funnies — Also: Our SMERSH Madness Championship!

On Sundays, we love to bring you the latest mailers and fliers that Scientology is sending to its members. It’s our way of keeping up on what’s happening in the church at any given moment.

And this being a rather grand Sunday of Sundays, we have some fine items that should interest you, including some desperation []

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Independent Scientology: The Ballad of Captain Bill

Bill Robertson

In 1990, author Jon Atack published what is still one of the very best books on L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology, A Piece of Blue Sky. Atack now has a new edition of the book out, and it reminded us what an encyclopedic resource he is. So join us as we rely []

Scientology’s Job One: Saving the Whales

For the last couple of years we’ve watched in amazement as a steady stream of longtime, loyal members have ditched the Church of Scientology over the actions of its leader, David Miscavige. These were veteran members not only deeply attached to the underlying ideas of Scientology, but also accustomed to paying huge amounts of money []

In Dianetics, the Uterus is a Frightening Place — ALSO: Nation of Islam Boosting Involvement?

[Credit: Jennifer Mokren, for the Exquisite Uterus Project]

Welcome to our ongoing project, where we blog a 1950 first edition of Scientology’s bible, Dianetics, with the help of ex-Scientologist, Bay Area lawyer, blogger, and author Vance Woodward. Go here for the first post in the series.

[BELOW: The Nation of Islam’s fascination with Dianetics is []

LEAKED AUDIO: David Miscavige Declares Scientology’s Golden Age at LRH Birthday Event

David Miscavige

Another exclusive for the Underground Bunker: One of our tipsters dared to conceal an audio recording device while watching David Miscavige deliver the annual L. Ron Hubbard birthday event, which took place at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida on March 16.

This is one of Scientology’s biggest events of the year, and []

Scientology’s Version of Family Values: The Group is Everything

Claire Headley is taking us on our journey to train as Scientologists. In 2005, Claire and her husband Marc escaped from Scientology’s International Base after many years as “Sea Org” workers. She spent years working with Scientology’s “tech,” and was trusted to oversee the auditing of Tom Cruise. Go here to see the first part []

A SMERSH Madness Update: Time for the Bracket Finals to Begin!

It’s a Cinderella story in the NCAA Men’s Basketball national championship tournament as Florida Gulf Coast University has become the first 15-seed to make it to the Sweet Sixteen.

In our own tournament, SMERSH Madness, we’ve seen plenty of upsets and tight showdowns as one winner will emerge who will represent the Church of Scientology’s biggest []

It’s Ron’s Birthday, And Your Present is More Scientology Stuff to Spend Money On!

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard would have been 102 years old on March 13, but the church he left behind has been celebrating his 102nd for a couple of weeks now.

Last night, the Shrine Auditorium filled up with eager Los Angeles-area Scientologists for this year’s big Birthday Event. But we’re already getting some reports from []

Blood Brother Ron: Starting Out Life on the Wrong Blackfoot

In 1990, author Jon Atack published what is still one of the very best books on L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology, A Piece of Blue Sky. Atack now has a new edition of the book out, and it reminded us what an encyclopedic resource he is. So join us as we rely on Jon’s expertise []

Scientology’s Sneaky Infiltration of New York City Schools

City Councilman Dan Halloran, flanked by Bernard and Meghan Fialkoff

For several years, New York City public schools have been targeted by Scientology front groups that put on drug abuse education and “human rights” seminars without revealing their ties to the church.

A Bayside dentist behind the effort was recently honored by New York’s City []