Having conquered QR codes, Scientology goes all in on WhatsApp

 
Scientology is moving towards modern communications technology. We have seen how they use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media to communicate with non-staff members (known as “publics”) and to spread PR messages.

Now Scientology is working with two chat applications to improve internal communication and also to spread their message into countries they have been unable to reach with social media.

 
For several years Scientologists have used the chat app WhatsApp, as this Registrar for the new Kyalami Castle advanced org does. Scientology is encouraging members to do their OT levels in Africa to boost the stats of this new AO. Your WhatsApp number is the same as your phone number, and you can text or make a voice call without any cost. The app makes it convenient to arrange travel and accommodations to take advantage of the low prices in Africa if you are an American or European Scientologist.

WhatsApp is also being used to contact members to attend events, as this message from the Mexico City Ideal Org shows. Each org staff bombards their publics using all possible methods to get them to confirm their attendance, then confirm again and again. People hate being called so many times for the same thing and Scientology risks angering members as they add WhatsApp to the already long list of phone calls, emails and Facebook messages.

WARNING
During the following 11 days you will receive dozens of calls, messages by whatsapp, messenger and mail to confirm, reconfirm and reconfirm your attendance at the LRH birthday event.
This is simply and simply because of two things.
1. You are VERY important to many people.
2. The Event will be the most spectacular of the last years and we want you to be there.
So I ask you to please do the following:
1. Have the communication of this communication.
Recognize yourself as valuable to the group and do not get mad if they call you 500 times … confirm and reconfirm how many times they call you.
2. Invite all your friends and family.
It’s Ron’s birthday party and you’re allowed to invite all the people you want to invite! I mean, what other party can you do that?
Truly, the event is spectacular !!!

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There are those who will take groups of 20, 50 and up to 100 people (police, volunteer ministers, teachers, employees, relatives, etc.)
3. Report your confirmed ones also here.
4. If you need help to confirm a group of your allies or friends, let me know and I will gladly help you.
5. Answer this message confirming your attendance.
The game is to have the most attended event in history !!!! We want 3300 attendees.
REMEMBER:
Ron’s Birthday Event
Saturday, March 17 6:00 o’clock
Metropolitan Theater
Free admission

HEY C&L GRADUATES? THE SHIP NEED YOUR HELP BY ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS?

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YOU CAN ANSWER HERE OR SEND ME A PM OR WHATSAPP ME THE ANSWERS +919xxxxxxx
SURVEY TO C&L GRADUATES
Please take a few minutes to answer this important survey. Thanks for your time !
Age:
Gender:
Case Level:
Local Org/Mission:
1) What closed you to do the C&L program ?
2) What about the promo most appealed to you?
3) What did you hope or expect to get out of it?
4) Which of your abilities have increased as a result of doing the program?
5) What results have you experienced in your life as a Competence & Leadership graduate?
6) What makes this program vital for Scientologists who are working for making Ideal Orgs?
7) What makes this program vital for Scientologists who want to move more rapidly up the Bridge?

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8) Who would you recommend should do the program?
9) Are there any Scientologists you have or would like to select for this program?

Scientology loves surveys, following the writings of L. Ron Hubbard who wrote dozens, perhaps hundreds of policy letters on the subject. Respondents can use WhatsApp to complete this survey. The app can be used for group chats as well. Ideal org fundraising groups and front groups such as CCHR and Drug Free World use group chats to raise money and coordinate literature distribution. There’s even a Scientology Singles group chat for those members looking for their perfect 2D, or “second dynamic.”

WhatsApp is a very popular app, the second most downloaded globally behind Facebook Messenger. Communications are encrypted so that not even the apps creators can read messages. That’s a problem in some countries such as China which has blocked WhatsApp since 2017. They offer an alternative called WeChat. All indications are that communications on WeChat can be monitored by the Chinese government. The app blocks messagescontaining a set of problematic words and phrases, such as “Falun Gong” and “China arrest human rights defenders.” It’s similar to the failed “Scieno-sitter” software Scientology developed in 1998 to block certain words, such as “Lisa McPherson,” “Body Thetans” or “Rod Keller” from being typed or seen on a Scientologist’s computer.

 
One Melbourne org staff member sees WeChat as the perfect way to disseminate Scientology into China. The app is free, so it’s unclear why she needs to raise money to create a Way to Happiness account. She’s correct that all of Scientology’s outreach with WhatsApp never reaches China because of that country’s block.

Scientology has a large presence in Taiwan and expansion to the neighboring mainland would be a big win. Taiwan has a population of over 23 million, while the People’s Republic has 1.3 billion. China has a human rights problem with their treatment of the Falun Gong group and the government will take a dim view of Scientology expansion there. But Scientology has no choice — without China they will never be able to clear the planet and that is a reality they can not accept.

— Rod Keller

 
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Tom Cummins in Toronto!

This planet is going to be cleared in no time.

 
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HowdyCon 2019 in Los Angeles

THURSDAY NIGHT OPPORTUNITY: 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. But we also want to point out that Cathy Schenkelberg’s “Squeeze My Cans” will be running at the Hollywood Fringe, and we encourage HowdyCon attendees to see her show on Thursday night, June 20. Tickets and more dates available here.

Friday night June 21 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] Janis Gillham Grady on Scientology jail: ‘LRH had been like a father to me. So much betrayal!’
[TWO years ago] Scientologist’s lawsuit against Jim Carrey over Cat White’s suicide survives dismissal
[THREE years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s tall tales about himself never get old
[FOUR years ago] Scientology, six degrees of separation, and Miss Lovely — author Paulette Cooper
[FIVE years ago] Ryan Hamilton files lawsuit number eleven against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[SIX years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: What Did David Miscavige Tell the Troops Last Night?
[EIGHT years ago] Ex-Scientology Actor Attacks Ex-Scientology Plaintiff in TMZ Story Clearly Not Planted by Scientology

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 2, 2019 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post 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 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