For a few years, we’ve been telling you that Scientology is in a poorly way. Many different sources of evidence suggest that the 65-year-old movement has been suffering from a mass exodus of longtime, loyal members. Many others remain in the group but hold back from participating as they react to leader David Miscavige’s ever-increasing desperation in the form of hard-sell begging for donations.
We hear constantly about empty facilities, dwindling attendance at events, and withering stats. Meanwhile, the desperation is so palpable, Scientology has reached out to another struggling group, the Nation of Islam, for a bizarre partnership that seems little more than a last-ditch effort to count a few more bodies in the shop.
But how does that weird mashup work in practice? Recently, an advertisement for a Nation of Islam/Scientology event caught our eye. “Give Birth to a God,” it said, and promoted a joint presentation by Nation of Islam member (and Scientology Super Power graduate) Sister Nayyirah Muhammad and midwife and Scientology Clear Heather Moll.
One of our tipsters noticed that a video of that event has now been posted online. It features Sister Muhammad explaining that giving birth to a “god” apparently refers to creating a new civilization (something that both NOI and Scientology claim that they are doing), and midwife Heather Moll talks about Scientology’s concept of silent birth.
Judging by the sound of the applause, this presentation at the St. Petersburg Life Improvement Center may have been in the double digits.
Is this a glimpse of Scientology’s end?
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Major daily paper in Istanbul: Narconon leader busted with drugs
Just a few days ago, Milliyet, a major Istanbul daily newspaper whose name translates to “nationality,” published a puff piece about İsmail Karakaş, the “director-general” of Scientology’s Narconon rehab in that city.
Just minutes ago, however, the same website has put up a story that consists of only two lines:
Narconon Turkey Drug Rehab Center Director-General İsmail Karakas has been arrested for carrying drug in his bag. General-President of Narconon Dila Tezemir said, “We think this is a conspiracy.” Karakaş had been chosen as “The most successful non-governmental organisation leader.”
Obviously, we’d like more detail on the story than that, and we’ll be looking for this story to develop further.
Whoa now. This is the last kind of story the beleaguered Narconon network needs about now.
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Bonus photos from our tipsters
The new Narconon in Clearwater is open for business! “Drug counseling? Um, sure, we have that.”
Youth for Human Rights gathers signatures in Venezuela. (Thanks, Legoland.)
A Freewinds reg belts out a Bon Jovi tune to impress some gullible Russians. (See the video!)
Nancy Cartwright toured Tesla and met Elon Musk. Also in the picture is super Scientology donor and billionaire Bob Duggan, Monica Padro, and producer Peter Kjenaas.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 20, 2016 at 07:00
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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…
BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. 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
Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield
