The quest to completely replace old Scientology org buildings with new quarters continues, and the consequences can be severe for some members caught up in the project.
The Scotsman reported this week that Scientology has purchased the Westfield House building in the Murrayfield area of Edinburgh as home to a new Ideal Org.
The current org is known as HAPI, the Hubbard Academy of Personal Independence and we assume the name will carry over to the new facility. Scientology in Edinburgh is small and it’s likely the building was purchased with funds from the International Association of Scientologists using donations from American members. Now comes the push for donations to renovate the building. Unlike the decaying Ideal Org buildings purchased elsewhere in the UK, this is a modern office building and it shouldn’t require major structural work. “Manchester is Next” is the motto of the UK ideal org coalition, but after Manchester could come HAPI.
Four Ideal Orgs are undergoing renovations in the US — Austin, Columbus, Chicago, and Kansas City. Columbus may be first. Orgs are required to update all their central files before opening as Ideal, or at least give it a good try. The antiquated paper files take hours and hours to reorganize and Columbus is up to the letter “C.” The org is getting help from Cincinnati publics, but we’re betting it’s not going to be fast enough. They should go Ideal before completing the killer letters of H, M and S.
Pressure is high to recruit new staff members as well. Joining Kansas City’s Ideal Org is the goal for one Scientologist from Pensacola, Florida and she may pay a high price for the decision. Her dilemma is that she has been convinced that she will deteriorate mentally and spiritually if she doesn’t join “for life,” but her husband doesn’t want to move. Having a huge staff is important for the photo op when David Miscavige pulls the cord at the opening ceremony. It doesn’t last — nearly all Ideal Orgs empty out after a year or two. We hope this Scientologist’s marriage will survive the Ideal Org project and we wish her well.
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We previously reported that Scientology is raising money to send volunteers to Christchurch, New Zealand to distribute copies of The Way to Happiness in an effort to calm the population following the mass shooting there. News site Stuff reported that members of the mosque that was attacked at first accepted a visitor offering therapy but became alarmed when it was discovered that he is a Scientologist.
One member said “I was shocked to see that nobody knew what Scientology was and people were fine with booking sessions with him until I stood up and exposed his … agenda. It is good to invite people of all walks of life to the masjid and share the beauty of Islam, but our priorities should be protecting our vulnerable Muslim community.” He’s right. Scientology always has an agenda.
— Rod Keller
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HowdyCon 2019 in Los Angeles
This year’s HowdyCon is in Los Angeles. People tend to come in starting on Thursday, and that evening we will have a casual get-together at a watering hole. We have something in mind, but for now we’re not giving out information about it.
Friday night we will be having an event in a theater (like we did on Saturday night last year in Chicago). There will not be a charge to attend this event, but if you want to attend, you need to RSVP with your proprietor at tonyo94 AT gmail.
On Saturday, we are joining forces with Janis Gillham Grady, who is having a reunion in honor of the late Bill Franks. Originally, we thought this event might take place in Riverside, but instead it’s in the Los Angeles area. If you wish to attend the reunion, you will need to RSVP with Janis (janisgrady AT gmail), and there will be a small contribution she’s asking for in order to help cover her costs.
HOTEL: Janis tells us she’s worked out a deal with Hampton Inn and Suites, at 7501 North Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, (818) 768-1106. We have a $159 nightly rate for June 19 to 22. Note: You need to ask for the “family reunion” special rate.
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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] Hana Whitfield’s book excerpt: L. Ron Hubbard’s amidships meltdown over ‘Xemu’ and OT 3
[TWO years ago] Bunker reader Dee Findlay stole the show as Clearwater stood up to Scientology last night
[THREE years ago] How Lisa Marie Presley became Scientology leader David Miscavige’s worst nightmare
[FOUR years ago] Marc Headley reveals the embarrassing technological secrets of Scientology
[FIVE years ago] Convicted of fraud by France’s highest court, Scientology still pursues creative appeals
[SIX years ago] Sunday Funnies: The United States of Scientology
[ELEVEN years ago] Jason Beghe on Scientology: The Full Interview
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,423 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,552 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,056 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,536 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 599 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 487 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 3,794 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,662 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,436 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,210 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,556 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,122 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,042 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,209 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 2,790 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,051 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,090 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,802 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,328 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,417 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,557 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,877 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 7,733 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,852 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,208 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,510 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,616 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,018 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,890 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,473 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 1,968 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,222 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,331 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 21, 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
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
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 | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
