Former spokesman Mike Rinder describes Scientology’s dismal options in 2015

Over the past year and a half, former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder has made himself into the best expert on the current health of the organization. At his great blog, Mike leaks internal data (some of it very arcane and inside) in order to document what many of us have been saying for several years — Scientology is dying, and fast.

With a new year starting, Jeffrey Augustine asked Rinder to sit down for another Surviving Scientology podcast, which we’re premiering here.

Jeff starts out by asking about how 2014 started out — with Scientology spending money to get an ad in yet another Super Bowl. This particular ad featured an E-meter, making the pitch that Scientology is a marriage of spirituality and technology. But Rinder explains what a disaster that is. Showing an E-meter on an ad was a ludicrous way to bring in new people, Rinder points out, but the ads are really aimed at Scientology’s membership, in order to convince them to keep giving money.

And what does Rinder predict for Scientology in 2015? “Pain,” he says. The problems that church leader David Miscavige face are multiplying exponentially — thanks to the Internet, thanks to a media that is no longer cowed by Scientology’s legal threats, thanks to multiple lawsuits, thanks to the crumbling of Narconon. It’s a metastasizing nightmare.

Give it a listen…

 
“The reality is becoming harder and harder to sweep under the rug. I see 2015 as being the year when the great Wizard of Oz is exposed as the little man pulling levers.”

 
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Bonus photos from our tipsters

Thanks to our tipsters for sending in these gems…

 
This next item is from the Facebook page of Rizza Islam, the Los Angeles Nation of Islam member who is also a Scientologist…

 
Hey, look who was on the Freewinds for the new year!

 
Another fun Jim Mathers post — he’s dishing on LRH and postulates tonight at the Fort Harrison!

 
Scientologists are using social media more than ever. Drop us a line if you spot them posting images to Instagram or Facebook!

 
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Marc Headley on the 10th anniversary of his escape

Thanks to the commenter who pointed out that ten years ago today, Marc Headley made the escape from Scientology’s Int Base which became the subject of Marc’s excellent 2009 book, Blown for Good. We asked Marc for a few words about this auspicious date.

Yes, today is the 10th anniversary of me escaping from the Scientology Int Base in Gilman Hot Springs, California. I was 31 years old, on my own, with no job, no place to live and a few bucks in my pocket. My only goal at the time was to have a life.

It has been a wild ten years. I have learned a lot and know I still have a lot to learn. More and more I am looking to the future. I try not to focus so much on where we have been but where we are going.

If I had to say what the most important thing that I have learned about life is that family and friends are more important than anything. My philosophy is to do all I can to make sure my friends and family are happy and successful. So far it has worked out OK.

Sitting here today, I am blessed with a beautiful wife, three awesome boys and being able to spend lots of time with my father. We have a group of friends and family that stretches all around the world and I would not trade anything for that.

Thanks to anyone and everyone at the Bunker who has rooted us on and supported our efforts over the years. We are making a difference and will continue to do so. The next ten years will make the last look like a warm up period.

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 5, 2015 at 07:00

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Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of LA attorney and former church member Vance Woodward

UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists

GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice

SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING (Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49

PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer
The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ