A new book about escaping Scientology has already made waves overseas

Péter Bonyai is a name that should be familiar to readers of the Bunker. He’s been a correspondent for us in Hungary, and we’ve covered his own book about his experience in Scientology. For some time now he’s been telling us about a new book by a woman named Diana Dudas that has made news in that country, and he sent us this description of the book, which is now available in English for the first time.

My Scientology Story is a critically acclaimed book about experiences of its author, Diana Dudas, as a member of the Church of Scientology between 2012 and 2017. The book was published last year in Hungary and judging from the responses received, it rapidly became a readers’ favorite and a source of inspiration to many. In addition to a heart-wrenching story, which is presented in gripping detail, the book also contains a detailed and precise description of the everyday life of a Scientologist. As one reviewer put it: “her radiant, brave and iron-willed personality and her unique storytelling style infuse the entire novel and make it a real page-turner.”

As the person who first read this book, it is really an honor to write the first review about its English language edition. I still vividly remember when I read the first manuscript. I was in Scientology for 10 years, and I spent most of that time in middle management as a Sea Org member. So, I knew the subject and the range of abuses connected to it rather well. But this book was still a special experience for me. Why? Let me explain.

Diana’s story manages to be an upsetting and an inspiring read at the same time. The shocking events recounted in it do not take place in a remote location or in the Middle Ages, but in a modern-day European capital – a few years ago in Budapest, to be exact. A story can be told in a multitude of ways – concisely and factually, in way that is replete with and driven by emotions, verbosely or in a very to-the-point manner. This is probably one of the most critical points of retelling a personal story. If the author manages to find the proper balances and knows when to go into details, write honestly and directly about her emotions and leave out uninteresting details, then her book would be well-written and excellently paced piece of work. The reader would experience it as having a real page-turner in his or her hands.

This book is just like that – it is almost impossible to put it down, as Diana is an excellent storyteller. By following her footsteps, we can get a detailed insight into first steps one takes in Scientology, which includes an in-depth look into the notorious Purification Rundown (a supposedly once-in-a-lifetime assignment that she had to do two times).

 
As she progresses on the Bridge and tries to find her way in the organization, a person known to Scientology watchers makes a guest appearance – he is none other than Commander Fred Harris from International Management, who tries to recruit Diana into the Sea Org. A short stint in Clearwater follows, where she participates in the Grand Opening of the Super Power Building and gives an inside account of that event. Fortunately, she decided against staying in the Sea Org and tries to continue up the Bridge, did some auditor training, got auditing, almost reached the State of Clear and then… you really need to read this part – reading about her darkest months was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. The story itself is a moving one, but the way she tells it, her honest, captivating and credible tone, and the artistic expression of her struggles has a real profound effect on the reader.

Let me finish up with two Stephen Hawking quotes: “Ever since the dawn of civilization, people have not been content to see events as unconnected and inexplicable. They have craved an understanding of the underlying order in the world. Today we still yearn to know why we are here and where we came from.”

In Scientology, this ancient desire and hope is driving people forward. They want to know themselves, the mechanics of life and explore the unknown to infinity and beyond. This drove the author too, and she gave every chance to Scientology to fulfill their promises. Needless to say, they did not do that – they took her money, crushed her spiritually and left her to her fate quietly and without sorrow, just as their Founder instructed them to do.

“However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there`s life, there is hope.”

At this point, My Scientology Story teaches us an important and inspiring lesson. There is a way out of incredibly difficult and dark situations, and one’s willpower and tenacity can cause miracles. Diana found out the real nature of this deceptive, malicious and extremely manipulative organization without any external input and climbed out the pit she was pushed into. For us, this is just one sentence written down, but in real life, it required exceptional willpower, persistence and a huge amount of work and energy.

The inspirational part starts here, when she shows us by her own example: while there`s life, there is hope. The end is a true triumph, in the noblest sense of the word.

— Péter Bonyai

 
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Leah Remini podcast: Yulanda Williams

Says Mike: “Yulanda has an incredible story that was only touched upon briefly in her appearance in the final regular episode of The Aftermath Season 3 Episode 13, ‘Church and State’….Yulanda’s parents joined Jim Jones’s People’s Temple when she was young, and she eventually ended up in Guyana, where Jones told his followers he was creating the utopian society. Her story of how her family became involved and her escape prior to the tragedy is riveting. And the parallels between the People’s Temple and scientology are quite obvious.”

Here’s the podcast:

 
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Source Code

“I was up there at Oak Knoll for about a year, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. And I used to walk around — all I had to do — I was a line officer and all I had to do was take off one collar ornament, and I became a doctor….And a little doctor up there by the name of Yankewitz, I used to prowl around there once in a while, Yankewitz was a pretty good guy. And he came, he headed this project, and it had to do with endocrine system. They were trying to do something for people released from Japanese prison camps. These people couldn’t eat. And if they did eat it went immediately into fat. They couldn’t absorb any protein. And I had discovered that there was an immediate index between protein and healing tissue. I used to talk to Yankewitz about it, and he’d listen tolerantly, because he didn’t think I was doing anything, see….And it was out of that year’s study that I concluded rather conclusively, on a very large series of tests, that the body cannot be monitored by what we call structure. And by monitored, I meant healed. It can be changed by structure, but only deteriorated. It’s a one-way route….I’m sorry that I don’t have the records. I’m sure they’re still at Oak Knoll, because I know nobody in the government ever read any records, they just make them.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 15, 1953

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“We have 2 or 3 fellows who are trying to run away from it all to escape to some fancied bliss. Now and then I try to tell someone, ‘don’t go diving off that cliff’ and now and then they say cheerily ‘But I’ve GOT to, you see…’; and away they go. I just don’t like that dwindling scream followed by the thud.” — The Commodore, December 15, 1969

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Max Sandor, real name Joachim Steingrubner, dropped his body around 2 AM local time Dec 4, 2020 in São Paulo, Brasil. Anyone who knew Max from his involvement in various self development groups (Psycho Energy Auro Technology, Ifa, Scientology) should understand he has not entered the between-lives/Bardo, and will reincarnate without being wiped. Max was a charming fellow, and powerful magician/OT, and will be missed by all who knew him. I wish him the best in his next set of adventures.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1996: PA News reported that a member of the British House of Lords has announced he is a Scientologist. “A Liberal Democrat peer today disclosed he is a member of the Church of Scientology, as a Home Office minister warned of the ‘potential dangers’ of becoming involved in such organisations. In Lords question time exchanges on the operations of the organisation, Lord McNair, 49, declared: ‘I have to tell the House that I have an interest — and that interest is that I am a member of the Church of Scientology.’ Tory Baroness Sharples earlier told the House: ‘Those who have left the cult, a number of them, have been both threatened and harassed and a considerable number of them have been made bankrupt by the church.’ Home Office Minister of State Baroness Blatch said: ‘People should be warned of the potential dangers of becoming involved in organisations of this kind.'”

 
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Random Howdy

“The irony is that a supposed spiritual technology that is claimed to be based in science and logic to some degree is actually the most fundamentalist ‘religion’ ever created. The Westboro Baptist Church and the Taliban have nothing on Scientology when it comes to fundamentalist dogma.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.

Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks

The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

 
Other links: Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. 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 a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology trying to use its UN connections to fight its favorite bogeyman, psychiatry
[TWO years ago] Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman: Spied on by Scientology until it ripped them apart
[THREE years ago] Louis Theroux’s showdown with Scientology over a public road: The nutty new chapter
[FOUR years ago] CLAIM: ‘Frail’ looking Shelly Miscavige spotted near Scientology compound in California
[FIVE years ago] Today in L.A.: Can Scientology kill a forced-abortion lawsuit in the name of religion?
[SIX years ago] More about the goons Scientology sent to intimidate Marty Rathbun and Louis Theroux
[SEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology celebrates the holidays!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Leader David Miscavige: Getting Desperate?
[NINE years ago] Martin Bashir Compares Newt Gingrich to Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 15, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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, 15 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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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