Our video source came through for us again with another Scientology event that hasn’t previously been online. It’s the 2008 New Year’s Event, and has church leader David Miscavige got a lot to celebrate!
Miscavige is riding high, reviewing the year 2007 that saw perhaps his biggest gamble and his biggest mistake: “The Basics.” That year, Miscavige re-released the early texts of Dianetics and Scientology in new editions, claiming that previous editions had contained “transcription errors,” including excess semicolons (we’re not kidding). The upshot was that all Scientologists were expected to purchase complete collections of these books and lectures, totaling about $3,000. And they were pushed to buy multiple sets. Many people were put under incredible pressure to sell the books, and even to longtime, loyal Scientologists, it looked like little more than a naked cash grab by Miscavige.
Disillusion and anger over the Basics push was one of the key forces producing Scientology’s major exodus in the late 2000s. Many people we’ve talked to who have left the church say they became disaffected because of the Basics debacle. It was perhaps the number one reason driving people out of the church until Debbie Cook’s infamous 2012 email.
But here at the dawn of 2008, Miscavige is celebrating the Basics as his latest triumph. We get a review of the OT Summit event during the year when the Basics had been announced, and we’re reminded that among the people in the front row at that event were Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and Kirstie Alley, John Travolta, and Kelly Preston.
And now, a few months later, as 2008 dawns, Miscavige is claiming the Basics as a great triumph. Other highlights of the night:
— A great musical opening. You’re going to love this rendition of “We Stand Tall.”
— About 17 minutes in, does Miscavige say that every org will be ideal by 2010? Oops.
— At the beginning of segment two, a great testimonials video for The Basics. In it, we spotted Jim Mathers, Ale Calcioli, and Angelo Pagan!
— ABLE president Rena Weinberg was pulled out of The Hole to give yet another happy update on Narconon, Criminon, and Applied Scholastics. Poor Rena. Is she still in the Hole? Where have they disappeared her to?
And yes, as our commenters have already pointed out, keep in mind that Miscavige is in for a rude awakening just a few weeks after this event was held, as Anonymous showed up and ruined everything. What spoilsports!
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Chris Shelton wraps up his interview with Tim DeWall
Here’s the final chapter of Chris’s interview, with Sylvia DeWall joining the conversation.
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Bonus photos from our tipsters
Scientology whale Jim Mathers spreads his way to happiness in the Ukraine.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 4, 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
