L. Ron Hubbard Jr. was a fascinating character. We’ve written about him numerous times, and he’s featured prominently in our book about Paulette Cooper, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely.
Nicknamed “Nibs,” he was in and out of favor with his famous father over the years. In 1952, Hubbard brought his then 18-year-old son to join him in Phoenix, where Nibs helped his father get Scientology off the ground after the Dianetics movement had failed. The next year, in 1953, Nibs was one of several signatories, including his father, to the creation of the first “Church of Scientology” corporation, in Camden, New Jersey.
By 1959, however, Nibs had soured on the “church” and left the movement. He later testified against his father in IRS proceedings aimed at Scientology, but then in 1972 recanted that testimony.
He went back and forth, at times seeming determined to expose his father and Scientology as a dangerous racket, and other times saying he was wrong to oppose his dad. In the early 1980s, he caused one of Scientology’s biggest PR disasters by suing in probate court, claiming that his father had died and it was being kept secret by the church. Hubbard was still alive, and the suit was dropped. By then, Nibs had changed his name to “Ron DeWolf” in order to distance himself from the Hubbard name.
In a new podcast, Jeffrey Augustine and Scientology historian Jon Atack discuss the flip-flopping by Nibs in context of a new vacillator. We look forward to seeing your thoughts on it.
——————–
Chris Shelton’s new series: The Basics
Says Chris: “Here is the first part of the new series I’ve been threatening to do for quite some time, the review of all the Scientology tech and basics. This is an overview and start of the series.”
——————–
Bonus items from our tipsters
Oh look. They have a new car to celebrate how much pressure members are under to donate huge sums to Scientology’s slush fund, the IAS.
——————–
Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 4,803 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 2,560 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 1,906 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 2,400 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 1,440 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy in 1,152 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 678 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 4,767 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 1,907 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,227 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,202 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 558 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin in 4,860 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 967 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis for 1,369 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,242 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 823 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike in 1,328 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 1,572 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 12,681 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on July 6, 2017 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.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2016 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2016), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
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
