Secrecy is one of the things that most makes Scientology what it is. Although we know plenty about the origins of Scientology, its underlying materials, and much of its controversial history thanks to countless media exposes and court cases and defections, Scientologists themselves are still very tight-lipped about what Scientology is and how it works.
And that’s one of the reasons we’re glad that there’s such a thing as “independent Scientology,” those former church members who got fed up with leader David Miscavige and his heavy-handed ways, and went off to practice Scientology on their own. No longer under the control of the church, “indies” or “freezoners” will often talk freely of things like body thetans, the “OT” levels, and other really strange and bizarre things that church members try to keep quiet.
Meanwhile, one of the questions we tend to get a lot from people learning about Scientology is, what is the church going to do if someone shows up claiming to be the returned L. Ron Hubbard?
The Scientology founder shuffled off this mortal coil on January 24, 1986, supposedly to work in another part of the galaxy in pure spirit form. But what if he returned by taking up residence in a new body? How would that returned Hubbard convince David Miscavige and the church that he was the genuine article?
Once again, the indies and their openness give us a window on Scientology, and are providing an opportunity to see how that might go down.
In recent weeks, the independent and ex-Scientology communities have been buzzing about a man who claims to be Lafayette Ronald Hubbard — and even had his name formally changed to that last year. He lives in a rural community outside Seattle, but his website claims that he’s at the ranch in Creston, California where Hubbard died in 1986.
That’s only one cute detail that suggests “LRH” is having everyone on. But it’s been interesting to see some of the indies really going all in on this.
We reached out to “Ron” (and more about that later) after he gave a video interview to one of the more credulous members of the indie community, a guy named Brian Cox.
What neither Cox nor “Ron” discussed in that interview was Ron’s background before he decided to change his name.
So with the help of one of our excellent researchers, we decided to check that out on our own. And if Hubbard has come back, he made a pretty curious choice about which vessel to use.
Justin Alan Craig was born on July 9, 1987, and he racked up a pretty lengthy criminal record in California before moving to Washington, according to court records in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
In March 2006 when he was 18, Craig pleaded guilty to auto theft with priors and shoplifting, and was sentenced to ten days in jail and three years probation.
Three months later, he pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years probation.
That same month, he pleaded guilty to attempted carjacking and was sentenced to 18 months in state prison.
In August 2008, while in prison, he was found guilty of battering another inmate and was sentenced to three more years of prison time.
In July 2011, he was found guilty of battery and resisting arrest and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and another three years of probation.
The next month, he was found guilty of threatening harm to a public official and was sentenced to four years in state prison.
At some point, however, Craig found Scientology, and by the time he showed up at the indie community in Washington, among his many tattoos were symbols associated with Hubbard and the church — including the symbol for “infinity” engraved right on his forehead between the eyes.
Craig Robart, the E-meter expert we’ve consulted in the past, tells us he audited Justin Craig last year for about three weeks.
“I think he’s dreaming,” Robart told us about Craig’s “cognition” that he was the returned Hubbard.
We asked Robart why he thought some in the indie field are spending any time at all considering that Justin Craig is the returned Hubbard.
“Well, you gotta understand that we believe in reincarnation,” Robart messaged us. “But yes, if you think about it, a man who developed a worldwide religion and a paramilitary org, wrote all of the Tech Volumes, all of the Admin tech, and gave over 5,000 recorded lectures would be reincarnated as Justin? It’s laughable.”
Jeffrey Augustine pointed out that it’s natural for indie Scientologists to be curious about Justin’s claims, but, “The cynic in me says that if David Miscavige were smart he would jump at this chance to turn over the massive Scientology disaster to the new LRH and retire to Bulgravia with a $100,000,000 retirement package.”
We asked Cox, who did the video interview, if he really entertains the idea that Justin Craig is the returned L. Ron Hubbard.
“If he lives a lifetime of producing good results with new tech, I will have to believe he probably is,” Cox says.
Well, Justin certainly seems committed to his performance. On September 29, he had his name legally changed to Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. And as long as there are credulous people like Brian Cox out there, this spectacle will probably go on for a while.
Late last night, we finally heard from “Lafayette,” who answered our Facebook private message. Here’s our entire conversation, with only a few edits to clean up some typos…
The Bunker: Hey, LRH. Let’s chat.
Lafayette Hubbard: I am willing to hear what you have to say Mr. Ortega. Though I will make it clear from the outset that I am not an admirer of what you are doing for many reasons. Though there are two sides to each token.
The Bunker: That’s fine. On your bio, at your website, you say: “I am also a sucker for beautiful redheads or women by the name of Mary.” I guess that’s a reference to Mary Sue Hubbard?
[No response.]
The Bunker: Hey, so I’m interested in your extensive criminal history. Attempted carjacking. Threatening to harm a public official. Battery on a fellow prisoner. It’s interesting to me that there’s nothing about that on your website.
Lafayette: It will be in the next book I am publishing. It is for reverse effect you see? I am letting everyone see the validity of this new technology before making that public — everyone I work with currently is aware of it.
The Bunker: You didn’t answer my question about “Mary.”
Lafayette: Yes, that was a reference to Mary. I am still partial to them even this life.
The Bunker: I guess you didn’t know that Ron actually called her “Suzy” in private?
Lafayette: Why would I?
The Bunker: So you’re not claiming to be the returned L. Ron Hubbard?
Lafayette: I thought that was obvious by now?
The Bunker: Isn’t that what your website is about, that you’re the reincarnated LRH?
Lafayette: Why do you feel the need to attack me and the Technology?
The Bunker: I’m not attacking, I’m asking a question. You give the impression on your website that you claim to be the returned L. Ron Hubbard. But now you’re saying that’s not the case?
Lafayette: I am and yes, that is my claim.
The Bunker: So, if that is your claim, and you are the returned LRH, saying “why would I” know about what Ron called his wife seems like a pretty odd answer.
Lafayette: Not if you have been paying attention. Have you seen the filmed interview I just did with Scientolipedia?
The Bunker: Yes, I did. You didn’t really get asked any questions that tested your claim of being LRH.
Lafayette: Fair enough. What specifics do you want.
The Bunker: Just asked you one. And you said you wouldn’t know what Ron called his third wife. Why not?
Lafayette: I have no recall whatsoever. Not last life or any on the wholetrack; as a matter of fact I have NO wholetrack and that is why.
The Bunker: So how do you know you’re Ron if you can’t remember his last lifetime?
Lafayette: Pure knowingness and the sheer raw ability and tack I have with the tech, that only I have ever had. Pretty much sums it up.
The Bunker: That doesn’t seem very convincing. What do you say to people who wonder if Justin Craig, multiple felon, is just having people on, and possibly for financial gain?
Lafayette: I am a class 12 auditor and C/S that is stationed at one of the most trusted Freezone orgs. So how is that even possible? I daresay I do more auditing and C/Sing then 1/4th of the Freezone currently.
The Bunker: Ron said, in one place anyway, that he would return as a politician. He didn’t say anything about showing up as an ex-con. Isn’t that an odd decision for him to make?
Lafayette: That HCOB also says I was the anti-Christ, and Jesus had a personal preference for young boys and was a pedophile. Or did you forget to leave that part out conveniently. That doesn’t sound like anything I would write then or now. By the way, this conversation was for your own personal curiosity I am assuming.
The Bunker: OK, so you’re saying the original OT 8 we have is not genuine. Fair enough. I disagree, but that’s a decent rejoinder. I’ll give you points for that.
Lafayette: Of course it is not genuine.
The Bunker: But back to the question. Why would Ron choose to inhabit a body and then commit auto theft, battery, etc.? Seems like a pretty big handicap.
Lafayette: Not really. I always was a rough-and-tumble sort, so how better to learn the times we live in than to play with gangsters and criminals. Cop this life, criminal next.
The Bunker: As to your “assumption,” it was pretty clear from your initial statement that you know who I am. I’m a reporter. This is an on-the-record conversation.
Lafayette: It better not be as I did not consent to that.
The Bunker: Your consent not required.
Lafayette: Then this conversation is over. And you will hear from my attorney.
The Bunker: Oh, can’t wait.
Lafayette: You have a good evening. Nice chat.
The Bunker: Ron understood reporters and the press pretty well. Another proof that you haven’t researched him as well as you should have before trying this little performance.
Lafayette: No, I just allowed you to show the piece of shit scumbag you are. Good evening.
The Bunker: My, my. Ron didn’t talk like that. Sounds like Justin Craig just showed up.
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Brendan Tighe dishes on his days as Scientology security for Tom Cruise
Chris White uncorked a beauty last night at the Daily Mail, a lengthy feature about Brendan Tighe, who worked security as a Sea Org employee until leaving in 2009 and then leaving the church in 2011.
Working closely with Scientology’s three most famous celebrities — Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Kirstie Alley — Tighe had plenty of great anecdotes about them, including minute details about Cruise’s security needs and private habits. And yes, Cruise is as uptight and entitled as you’d imagine.
‘I wasn’t his personal bodyguard, that was a guy called Algar, but for seven years in a row, I was doing his security detail, such as guarding him when he walked down the street and would be checking all the cameras in his living area. I was a top priority with the dentist, I always had to have my teeth whitened and regular check ups. You had to have a good smile for Tom Cruise,’ says Tighe.
‘Five of us were ordered to get gun licenses out of 47 security, we’d have a gun strapped to our legs, it was specifically for Cruise and Miscavige. It was amped up when the protester group called Anonymous started in the early 2000s. [Actually, Anonymous showed up in 2008.]
‘In all those years, I think he said hi to me three times, even though I’d be in the hotel every single day. When you see him glad-handing everyone in videos, he never did that at Flag, he kept to himself. Even if he was on a course with 200 people, he’d have a three-person security buffer from anyone.
It was all about Cruise…
‘His routine would be – wake up, gym for an hour, then breakfast of all kinds of ‘shakes, lots of food and protein, all sent to his room by his personal chef, who was one of my close friends called Nico. He just liked bacon and eggs and protein shakes. Then he’d gym again before the day is out. When he would go to exercise, he would want the entire gym wing all to himself.
‘He’d then go to study, including auditing sessions and refresher courses, he’d be constantly in the classroom. Cruise was a perfectionist and would hang around for several weeks even after being allowed to go, as he wanted more auditing, more courses.
That’s great stuff. And there’s plenty more. Give it a look.
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Make your plans now!
HOWDYCON UPDATE
We’re just a little more than two months out, and Chee Chalker is working hard to make sure things are going to run smoothly at this year’s HowdyCon in Chicago, June 21-23. As in past years, we’re looking forward to meeting readers of the Bunker, culminating in Saturday night’s main event.
The biggest difference this year is that our Saturday night event is separate from that evening’s dinner. Chee is setting up an inexpensive pizza dinner that you don’t need to pay for ahead of time, after which we’ll walk over to the theater where our event, hosted by Chicago Fire star Christian Stolte, will take place.
Because it’s a separate event, we’re asking that you pay $10 each to get into the Saturday night event, which will help us recoup what the Bunker paid for the venue. (We have never made a penny on our HowdyCon meetups, we only try to break even.)
Please email your proprietor (tonyo94 AT gmail) in order to reserve your spot for Saturday night’s main event. Seating is limited, and we’re going to have some really interesting people on stage and they may make a few announcements that you don’t want to miss.
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,086 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 1,689 days
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 232 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,295 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,069 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 2,843 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,189 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 2,683 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 1,723 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,435 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 961 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,050 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,190 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,510 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,485 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 841 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,143 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,249 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 1,652 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,524 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,106 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 1,611 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 1,855 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 12,964 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 16, 2018 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 can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2017 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2017), 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 | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news
