Several weeks ago, we pointed out that a lot of observers are making comparisons between Donald Trump and L. Ron Hubbard. And while we understood why, we pointed out that it was Hillary Clinton who would actually bring more Scientology baggage with her to the White House. Now, Rod Keller, who keeps an eye on social media for us, takes a look at how Scientologists themselves are talking about the coming vote.
Presidential elections in the U.S. are just a little more than two weeks away, and Scientologists are sharing their political opinions on social media with the writings of L. Ron Hubbard in mind. English Scientologist John Mappin (pictured above) cannot vote, but has long supported Donald Trump. He has now has issued a press release using Hubbard’s theories to explain those who are opposed to the candidate.
In Scientology, this is known as an Overt-Withhold, or O/W, in which the only reason a person is critical of Scientology is that they are afraid of their own crimes being exposed.
Show me any person who is critical of us and I’ll show you crimes and intended crimes that would stand a magistrate’s hair on end.
— L. Ron Hubbard, Hubbard Communications Office Bulletin, 4 April 1965Every time we have investigated the background of a critic of Scientology, we have found crimes for which that person or group could be imprisoned under existing law. We do not find critics of Scientology who do not have criminal pasts.
— L. Ron Hubbard, Hubbard Communications Office Bulletin, 5 November 1967
Support for Donald Trump is high among wealthy Scientologists, such as Patrick Clouden of Clearwater, Florida. He praises Trump for his donation to the Scientology program to offer the Purification Rundown to first responders at the 911 attack in New York.
Support for Trump is not universal among members, but Scientologist Lauren Blaine sees similarities between the campaign messages of Trump and L. Ron Hubbard, as members weigh the candidate’s abilities to oppose those who want to enslave the earth.
They are referring to conspiracy theory writings by Hubbard such as this, claiming that bankers and psychologists are working together against Scientology and humanity in general, which Hubbard described as the Fourth Dynamic.
Now it’s of peculiar interest to an Arab country that there is a company and a certain set of bankers who also finance the World Federation of Mental Health….and we see that although the KGB and so forth seems to be associated with the World Federation of Mental Health, their other organization in action seems to go back to Jewish Bankers.
– L. Ron Hubbard, Aides Conference, “Covert Operations”, 2 November 1969
Scientologist David Wiegand has assigned Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to the condition of Treason, one of the “lower conditions” in Scientology. In particular, Wiegand and others are critical of Clinton’s support for mental health care. Scientology is opposed to all forms of Psychiatry or mental health care.
The presidential race is not the only vote on the minds of Scientologists. Proposition 2 on the Florida ballot would amend the Florida constitution to legalize medical marijuana. Scientology protested against a similar measure in 2014, and are opposed to it again this year.
Scientologists support Pam Bondi, Attorney General of Florida in opposing the measure. Bondi spoke at Scientology’s Fort Harrison Hotel on October 1 to address social reform and opposition to drugs. She is not up for re-election this year, but can expect support from Scientologists if she runs again.
Scientologists Eddie Ballman, Lynn Posyton and Amy Ronshausen protested against Proposition 2 on Saturday. The event is being promoted by Patrick Clouden and the Community Learning Center, a Scientology-run tutoring center in Clearwater.
Proposition 2 is likely to pass this year. A Quinnipiac University poll in May showed that 80 percent of respondents supported the amendment change, which requires 60 percent approval to pass.
— Rod Keller
——————–
A great essay on why it’s so hard to shed Scientology completely
For years, we’ve told other journalists who ask us about Scientology’s appeal that what the church sells is “certainty.” That if you just buy a few courses, and fill out some checksheets, your life will improve and the world will be yours. It’s a powerful notion, but one that would never appeal to cynical types like reporters.
And now, Michelle Sterling, founder of the Ex-Scientologist Message Board, has written one of the best essays we’ve read that helps explain this very notion. Not only what gets someone into Scientology, but why it’s so hard to leave behind, even after you finally realize you’ve been victimized.
We heartily recommend her excellent story.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 23, 2016 at 07:00
E-mail tips and story ideas to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We post behind-the-scenes updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. 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
