In July, we showed you some wacky screenshots from Scientology’s newest “testimonials” video, which gets shipped out each year with a new issue of International Scientology News. Well, now we have the video itself, and we think you’re going to love this new entry in this wonderful genre of Scientology filmmaking.
Our readers in Australia will enjoy seeing singer Kate Ceberano show up in this video, talking about how she’s completed OT 8, the top of Scientology’s “Bridge to Total Freedom.” (Blink and you’ll miss her.)
We especially like these videos because they are made not for us, the general public, but for Scientologists, in order to get them amped up about forking over even bigger amounts for more courses and donations. And for what? Well, as these videos demonstrate, even Scientologists struggle to describe exactly what it is that Scientology does for them. Often, they have to resort to sound effects to give a sense of what’s impossible to describe.
Give this new video a good look, and let us know what you think about it…
And for fun, here are the other testimonials videos in our collection that we’ve showed you in previous years…
From 2008…
From 2006, with Erika Christensen…
From New Year’s 2005…
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GQ has fun with Trump and Scientology
We enjoyed GQ writer Rebecca Nelson’s fun look at the Donald Trump phenomenon as an analog to Scientology and other groups. Our old friend Rick Ross provided excellent commentary, and we were quoted a few times about how Trump and his followers did remind us of certain aspects of L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology.
As we pointed out last week, however, while Trump is reminding a lot of people of Hubbard, it’s his opponent, Hillary Clinton, who has more actual connections to Scientology.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 2, 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