David Miscavige’s dark vision for Scientology: ‘What did you think you were joining?’

 
We have a pretty remarkable document for you today, which was sent to us by a member of the Church of Scientology who recently attended a Maiden Voyage event at their local org.

Each summer, Scientologists are expected to come down to their org in order to watch video presentations of what happened a few weeks earlier aboard Scientology’s private cruise ship, the Freewinds, where a celebration is held each June to mark the anniversary of the ship’s launching under church ownership in 1988.

During that weeklong celebration in the Caribbean, church leader David Miscavige gives numerous presentations to a select number of wealthy Scientologists about the organization’s new initiatives and past successes. Then, after the shipboard event, the rest of the Scientology world is expected to watch video of Maiden Voyage at their local church. And at one of those orgs, which we are not going to identify, a church member decided to photograph and send to us the opening and closing statements that were included in a pamphlet that every attendee was given.

These statements by David Miscavige on the current state of Scientology struck us as some of the starkest statements yet by the organization’s “ecclesiastical” leader.

To help put these statements into a little context, we’ll provide just a little more background. When founder L. Ron Hubbard ran Scientology, his followers were under pressure to spend lots of money. But in general, they were paying for courses, for auditing, and for training to become auditors. In other words, Hubbard wanted them to believe that even though they could be spending large sums, it was for making progress up the “Bridge to Total Freedom” and to improve themselves.

At the very end of Hubbard’s life, and after Scientology had gone through two bruising court battles in Los Angeles and Portland, in the mid-1980s a new initiative was started called the International Association of Scientologists. Church members were asked to donate money to the IAS in what was clearly a defense fund for the organization itself. They didn’t receive any courses or advancement for donating to the IAS, it was simply a way to turn over money in what became a massive slush fund for the church.

Thirty years later, as Scientology is mired in controversy and hemorrhaging members, donating money to the IAS has become the very definition of what it is to be a Scientologist under David Miscavige. Take a look at how apocalyptic Miscavige’s vision is, that the very survival of the planet depends on his followers turning over money to the IAS.

As for the planet itself, if you had any affinity for it, you might not be on the same page with the pope of Scientology. Prepare for his grim vision of where Scientology is going, and let us know if you find this language as disturbing as we do.

Here’s the opening statement from the pamphlet that Scientologists were given this week…

Maiden Voyage IAS Event 2017 Opening Message

Tonight we celebrate the IAS at the moment when the IAS means everything: global survival, long-term survival, elemental survival — for seven billion human beings.

Let’s face it, without the International Association of Scientologists, this planet is damned.

So tonight we consider that IAS objective for survival. As such, we will track all vectors of IAS advance with respect to this slaughterhouse civilization: our plea for Human Rights, our bid for a Drug-Free World, and our invitation to literacy, morality and rehabilitation. These are gifts from the IAS, for which we ask nothing except that people survive.

Although quietly, confidentially, this is also where you can tell one another: “Just because you inherited this planet, doesn’t mean you have to like it.”

 
And here’s the longer closing statement from the same pamphlet…

Maiden Voyage IAS Event 2017 Closing Message

And with that, we come to a final word on this evening’s event, and a moment to consider your role as members of the IAS. And while you’re at it, you might also consider your place in planetary history, your whole track journey to eternity, and your greater destiny as physical universe rebels.

So, not to put too sharp a point on it, but this is the moment you have to ask: “What did you think you were joining? The local bowling league?”

Not that there’s anything wrong with bowling. But let’s face it, when you join the IAS you become part of an intricately woven equation, wherein all life is cooperative and interdependent. Which means everyone plays an integral role in the survival of everyone else. And which, in turn, means if you fail to help even one human being, the ripple effect can be devastating. The center cannot hold. The foundation begins to crumble. And the walls are spider-webbed with cracks.

While if only to complete the parable — and this from LRH: neglect even one dynamic, and “chaos starts to walk across the land.”

But, let’s now work that equation another way — with LRH technology — as powered by your contributions to the IAS. Whereupon, survival potentials multiply exponentially, as people adopt that technology and pass it on to others. At which point, one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, half a million and more, are suddenly cooperating for the mutual survival of all.

Wherefore, that technology becomes a way of life in the most meaningful sense of the phrase. And foundations re-solidify. The center coalesces. And chaos discretely makes an exit.

While for those who make it happen against the “best advice” of “authorities” — this becomes the most meaningful phrase of all: Don’t break laws of the physical universe, when you can laughingly disregard them.

While beyond that, let it be said: there are people to free, kingdoms to liberate and empires to win. But you have to turn rebel before you begin — which you did. And from which there is no turning back.

 
In 1950, when L. Ron Hubbard published Dianetics and declared that he had discovered the meaning of life and it was “to survive,” it was a pretty comical statement by an obvious crackpot. But now, in these statements, when David Miscavige uses Hubbard’s familiar maxim, it takes on another, darker edge.

Scientology really is fighting for survival at this point. And Miscavige is sounding downright apocalyptic.

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 12, 2017 at 07:00

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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