Thinking of leaving Scientology? Jefferson Hawkins has your roadmap.

 
Former Scientology executive Jefferson Hawkins penned one of the best first-person accounts of the Scientology experience in his book ‘Counterfeit Dreams.’ But we don’t want people to forget that he also provided a major service by writing a book aimed directly at other Scientologists who might have doubts about the organization. Today, we have an excerpt from that roadmap out of the madness, ‘Leaving Scientology.’

 
Seven Things We Are Not Supposed to Remember

GEORGE Orwell, in his novel 1984, commented on the tendency of authoritarian regimes to revise history.

“Who controls the past,” ran the Party slogan, “controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.” And yet the past, though of its nature alterable, never had been altered. Whatever was true now was true from everlasting to everlasting. It was quite simple. All that was needed was an unending series of victories over your own memory.

As a member of the Church of Scientology, it is helpful to have selective memory loss. There are certain things we are not supposed to remember. And in case you’ve forgotten the things you are supposed to forget, here are some of the key ones:

1. The 1986 LRH Memorial Event
We are not supposed to remember this event, or, as I mentioned in a previous chapter, the fact that it was announced that LRH had passed the torch to a couple named Pat and Annie Broeker. There was an issue about this time, supposedly signed by LRH, granting Pat and Annie the rank of Loyal Officers. No mention was made of David Miscavige.

Yet within about a year, Pat Broeker had mysteriously disappeared, and David Miscavige was in charge. What happened to Pat and Annie Broeker? We are supposed to forget that they ever existed (Pat is apparently still alive, and still under Church surveillance, even after 25 years. Annie was kept as a virtual prisoner at the Int Base up until her death in 2011).

And the supposed LRH issues? All forgeries, we were told.

And the video is no longer available from the Church. You don’t believe it? Go in and ask for a copy. It is, however, available on the internet.

2. OT XV
That’s right, OT Fifteen. At that same event, it was announced that LRH had completed the OT Levels, which extended up to OT XV. They were fully written up and codified, we were told, awaiting only their release by Scientology Management. That was 26 years ago. Twenty-six years! And only one of these levels has been released, OT VIII, and that was over 20 years ago.

In fact, several different versions of OT VIII have been released. One might legitimately ask how “several versions” could exist of a level that had been “fully researched and codified.”

We keep hearing that the release of OT IX and X are imminent (and for the inside story of the delayed release of OT IX and X, see the next chapter, “Bridge to Nowhere”). It was supposed to happen, we were told, “when all Orgs reach the size of Old Saint Hill.” Which brings us to our next item.

3. Saint Hill Size Orgs
You don’t hear them mentioned any more. When was the last time you heard about an Org “going Saint Hill Size”? All we hear about nowadays are “Ideal Orgs,” which are measured, one assumes, by square footage.

A Saint Hill Size Org was supposed to meet certain quotas — number of staff, number of students on course, number of auditing hours and so forth. It requires actual work. It requires real, honest expansion. An “Ideal Org” doesn’t require anything but a big, empty building — purchased with your money. It doesn’t even require staff — we are told that in an “Ideal Org,” you don’t need anyone in Div 6 — all you need are flat screen TVs. One wonders, are there any orgs in the world that are really, actually, the size of Old Saint Hill by measurable statistics?

4. Super Power
The Super Power Rundown was originally announced in 1978. It was described at the time by LRH as
A super fantastic, but confidential series of rundowns that can be done on anybody whether [Dianetics] Clear or not that puts the person into fantastic shape unleashing the Super Power of a thetan. This means that puts Scientologists into a new realm of ability enabling them to create a new world. It puts world Clearing within reach of the future.

Given the importance LRH gave this rundown in achieving Planetary Clearing, one would have thought some steam would have been put behind its timely release. Well, here we are, nearly a third of a century later, and it is still not released. The only mention of Super Power these days is in the context of donations towards a building in Clearwater. Construction of the “Super Power Building” began in 1998, and now, 14 years later, it is still unfinished.

Super Power was originally developed for staff. Yet the only part ever delivered to staff was the Cause Resurgence Rundown (the “Running Program,” where one runs around a central pole), and that was only delivered at the Int Base. Yet the latest photos of the Int Base show that the running track used for this is overgrown with weeds — no longer used.

 
5. The Hubbard Family
Whatever happened to LRH’s family? We used to hear a lot about them, and their pictures appeared often in The Auditor. Mary Sue assisted Ron for many years. Diana used to speak at events in the old days. We haven’t heard anything about them for years.

Mary Sue passed away in 2002, and there was not a single mention of it from the Church. Quentin died tragically in 1976, an apparent suicide. His name is no longer mentioned. Suzette and Arthur have disappeared from the world of Scientology and are no longer mentioned. Diana is still at the Int Base, but hasn’t been seen in over 20 years. Where are they? What are they doing? Their names have been erased from Scientology’s history. One might wonder why.

6. Non-Persons
There are a lot of people who have disappeared from Scientology’s official history. One that particularly bothers me is Yvonne Jentzsch. She founded Celebrity Centre and was the driving force behind its expansion and success. Yvonne was well loved, and many who knew her considered that she embodied all of the good things in Scientiology. For several years following her untimely death, her office was maintained at Celebrity Centre, with many photos of her with various celebrities. Nowadays, you will not be able to find a single picture of her at CC, or a single mention of her in Scientology literature. Even the article on CC in the book What is Scientology? carefully omits any mention of her. Here is a woman who devoted her life to Scientology, was never declared, yet has been completely erased from the Brave New World of modern Scientology.

And what about Heber Jentzsch? At one time President of the Church of Scientology and its official spokesperson, a frequent speaker at events and well-loved by Scientologists. Where is he? What happened to him?

How many others have been erased? Who else can you think of that disappeared from the world of official Scientology without a trace?

7. The 1991 Book Re-release
With the release of “The Basics,” we are hearing all about how the books are now “fully verified as completely on-Source.” We are hearing how all errors have been verified meticulously against LRH’s original manuscripts to ensure that the books are exactly as LRH intended them to be. However, those of us who can actually remember the past recall that the exact same things were said in 1991 when all of the books were repackaged and re-released.

Here are the words you are supposed to forget were ever issued, from RTC ED 450, 6 September, 1991, “The Scope of Scientology, Auditors Day 1991,” written by David Miscavige:

For this reason, in April of 1987 we embarked upon a strategy of making all the material of the Scientology Grade Chart standard and available to all. The plan was to:

1. Review all materials against original LRH manuscripts and handle any omissions or alter-is that had crept in through the years either by mistake or at the hand of some SP.”

He goes on to say,

In this period, from 1987 to present time, the following has been accomplished…

1. All Dianetics and Scientology books were reviewed, gotten fully on-source and issued. These books were put into a form that could easily be studied and understood by anyone, with definitions of hard-to-find terms right in the book, thus preventing individuals from going by misunderstoods. This has been done with all of the over two dozen books on the subject.

So was he lying then, or is he lying now? And ten years from now, will Scientologists be told to buy all the books again as “now they are completely on-Source”?

There are probably more things we are not supposed to remember, but I’m sure I’ve forgotten them. I’m sure you can recall your own examples.

So if you want to be a good Scientologist, don’t forget to forget the things you are not supposed to remember.

 
— Jefferson Hawkins

 
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Cathy Schenkelberg has a lot going on in 2019

Cathy sent us this message about her coming year…

I am wrapping up 2019 with the following shows. Many of you may or may not know that I write, perform, book, produce and travel to do this show on my own. It’s bittersweet to be able to tell this story. It represents an “Everyman” story of losing one’s purpose and getting lost in a rabbit hole in whatever form that may be. A job you hate, an abusive relationship…
I would love to document “Squeeze My Cans” to allow access to those of you who I wasn’t able to reach. I am only one person and in doing that it may take time. I am steadfast in sharing this story but I have other projects creatively that span beyond Scientology and the years it took from so many of us. It has been a blessing for my soul. The travels, people and adventures I’ve experienced have filled me with a purpose, joy, and outpouring of kindness that was never afforded me during my 18 years in Scientology. I will still fight the good fight even after the show wraps up. I am grateful to perform in this setting and find solace in its success. Asking for money or financial backing to do this project is not something I’m comfortable with. With that said, in order to document the show properly, it may be the route I will have to take. Until then, I will move on with my credit cards and odd jobs to ensure that the message gets out there on the stage.
Thank you all who have supported this show. Those of you who have tweeted, shared, liked etc…in the power of social media you are my press agent!

So, my friends, this is what I have for 2019. I have written a Cabaret version of the show as well which I hope has some legs. If someone reaches out to book SMC I will do it! But for now, the time it takes to juggle the many parts of making this happen is coming to a close.
Each and every time I share this story is the first time for you the audience. That in itself is a gift that has pushed me forward. This show pays homage to my dad. I know he is proud…and that’s what has driven me. My heart is full.

 
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Chris Shelton on early Scientology training

 
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Start making your plans!

 
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!

We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.

Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!

Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society!

Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in our weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Tory ‘Magoo’ Christman, and how Anonymous went from online war to in-real-life pickets
[TWO years ago] We have your invitation to Scientology’s holiest celebration of the year!
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s thug life, documented: Aaron Smith-Levin shares a record of Sea Org violence
[FOUR years ago] Mark Ebner finds Scientology’s rubbish again as Narconon International vanishes!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s continuing plans for its Super Bowl ad, and more Sunday Funnies
[SIX years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: Original Spin
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology, deep in the heart of Texas: The Voice at the Debbie Cook hearing

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 9, 2019 at 07:00

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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, 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, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | 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 | 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

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