Woohoo! Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard always predicted that Scientologists would eventually be central to spaceflight on this planet, and it’s finally become true!
Well, sort of. You no doubt watched the flight or at least heard about Jeff Bezos and his phallic phantasm, the New Shephard rocket and capsule, that catapulted billionaire Jeff, his brother Mark, youngster Oliver Daemen, and 82-year-old inspiration Wally Funk into a sub-orbital thrill ride into space on Tuesday.
A reader pointed out to us another member of the Blue Origin crew, the Bezos-owned company that built and operates the spectacle. It’s the official Blue Origin photographer, Felix Kunze, who was commissioned to take photos like this, of the four crew members…
…and was on the platform snapping shots as the crew entered the capsule.
Kunze grew up at Saint Hill and went to Greenfields School, and by 2006 he was listed as a Patron (a $50,000 donor) in Scientology’s publications. He was also part of the Scientology volunteer ministers effort that went to Haiti for the 2010 earthquake.
Hip, hip, hooray! Miscavige needs to get this guy a Freedom medal toot suite.
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More about Scientology’s ‘at home’ videos and Europe
We had a lot of feedback about those ‘at home’ videos that Scientology has been posting for the last 15 months at its website. We tabulated them and suggested that those numbers revealed where Scientology was doing a little better than in other places. One of those healthy spots was in Hungary, and we had a feeling we’d hear from Peter Bonyai about it. Sure enough, he was good enough to send us this latest update on what’s going on there.
The current situation in Hungary
As reported by the Bunker earlier, there were three concurrent investigations into Scientology’s activities in Hungary by three separate government agencies.
The first one conducted by the Hungarian National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information was a success. They got a 40 million HUF fine (around $130,000) and were mandated to reform their data management practices to fully conform with GDPR. The Church of Scientology Hungary predictably appealed the findings but they have lost the case at the appellate court and at the Hungarian Supreme Court in October 2020 (and that’s the last news item on that). The next option is the European Court of Human Rights, but losing there would set a very dangerous precedent.
The second one has been conducted by the National Tax and Customs Office. A newspaper with links to government circles revealed on June 8 that after four years, the tax office finally named nine people as suspects and has a case for tax fraud.
The third one has been conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation. The same newspaper revealed on June 27 that the focus of the investigation has been shifted to Narconon for practicing medicine without a license, and quackery, and 16 people were interrogated already by the police as suspects.
Four missions closed!
I checked the recent public court filings of the Church of Scientology Hungary, and I found an interesting document.
Dated May 23, Church of Scientology Hungary issued a notice to all creditors that four of its missions ceased their operations and their legal entities were closed (in the cities of Eger, Paks and Kalocsa, and in the 4th district of Budapest).
So much about all that expansion…
And regarding those “at Home” videos, when these started to appear I wrote a few blog posts about the Hungarian people who appeared, shared my thoughts about their messages and embedded the small videos into the posts.
In retaliation, the blog provider got a cease and desist letter from the attorney representing the Church of Scientology Hungary and my blog got suspended for a few days. Apparently it was forbidden to share that content on that platform without their authorization and I had to remove all embedded videos, names and photos to reinstate the blog. Which further confirmed by belief that these videos were produced to satisfy the whales and not really for widespread promotion.
Also, a virus skeptic is making money off of the pandemic and is donating it to Scientology. Gábor Lenkei MD, owner of a successful vitamin retail chain, is a Scientologist and a major donor.
He has given $4 million to the Church already.
And here is the catch. He is one of the main figures in Hungary who openly states the pandemic is blown out of proportion, masks are useless, vaccination has no real advantages etc.
His vitamin business was thriving last year though and in the annual financial reports it was stated that the revenue increase is due to the ’COVID-19 pandemic’ – the very existence of which he more or less denies. You can’t make this up.
And finally, Diana Dudas’s English book is in Hungarian bookstores. In addition to Amazon.com and host of other retailers, Diana Dudas’s excellent “My Scientology Story” is now available in English in a major bookstore chain in Hungary, so English-speaking residents of Hungary can also find out the truth about Scientology.
— Peter Bonyai
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“Now your understanding is that when you die, why somehow or another about 15 minutes later you appear in another body. Let’s look at this thing from a time disorientation basis. That is a lie. It takes 69 days plus. More than 69 days. See, this has upset some of our calculations. We’ve wondered what has happened to some of our people, why they didn’t show up again immediately, that sort of thing. You’ve gone as long as eight or nine years between death and birth. Now what happens — I’ll just give you a fast rundown on this situation — what happens is, you’ve got a compulsion to appear at the between-lives return-point. And, of course, you just do a disappear at death and an appear there. You don’t travel to there, see. It’s all nicely implanted and you’re supposed to arrive at this exact point. And having arrived at this point you go through the works. And the works consist of a false death given to you in pictures. You’re caught there and beamed in, and you get a bunch of pictures which they have taken — these aren’t your pictures — and it tells you all about the death you just died. Only that’s not the death you just died. They give you a completely false death.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 23, 1963
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“Today at 0900 we will move the bow of the ship over to the best fixed location of the port anchor which was researched last night. It’s just to the north of where we searched today. We will lower the port anchor and when secure, divers will go down the chain to see what an anchor looks like on the bottom and start a search radius from it. Have sleds ready again, they can stand off as we move forward.” — Capt. W.B. Robertson, July 23, 1970
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“Part of the road to becoming a god is to be willing to do anything and accept causation for anything. So you don’t mind being the one who made the dam burst. And with that, you gain control over the mockup. Then all you have to do is change your mind about what you want to have happen in the area and it all shifts around because now it is your dream rather than theirs which is controlling the projection of reality. And after the dam snaps back together and the devastation is erased by your postulates, the people are even more willing to agree with your being cause over everything because they like the results.”
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1998: Bob Minton was picketed at his New Hampshire home this week, leading to a confrontation when Scientologists entered his property. “2 Scientologists picketed my NH house this evening and tresspassed to photograph me and Stacy Young while we were swimming in the pool. They also yelled obscenities from 200 feet away. After the shots over the heads of OSA boys, somebody called the police to have them checkout the shooting incident in NH. I was called by police and told there were 4 police cars in front of my house and I should walk out of the house, hands above my head and surrender to the police. I was handcuffed and held in my driveway for 20 minutes while the police decided what was going on. Now I am free again and I urge everyone to read my post tonight entitled ‘Scientology versus Democracy Redux.'”
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“L. Ron Hubbard is dead but that didn’t stop lawyers for Monique from introducing his works as evidence in a court of law. There is a paper trail for Joseph Smith leading back to the early 1800’s also. Evidence clearly demonstrates that L. Ron Hubbard and Joseph Smith were con men. Smith was a convicted con man. The Abrahamic religions are obviously too old for this.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for August 9. Trial tentatively scheduled for early November.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference August 21 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Sept 9.
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 to US Supreme Court submitted on May 26. Scientology responded on June 25.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments scheduled for Oct 5.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 24.
Concluded litigation:
— 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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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
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 BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. 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 not only opposes Valerie Haney’s do-over, but wants $160,000 in sanctions
[TWO years ago] Hey, slacker, come on back to Scientology — things are peachy now!
[THREE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY CAVES: MISCAVIGE SETTLES FORCED-ABORTION CASE TO AVOID TRIAL
[FOUR years ago] Scientology shifting front group strategy — it’s all about kids, kids, kids
[FIVE years ago] Bomb diggety! It’s more Scientologists high on L. Ron Hubbard and the everloving ‘tech’
[SIX years ago] The Church of Scientology: A rollicking legacy of belligerence, profanity, paranoia, and violence
[SEVEN years ago] LIVE BLOG: The Elli Perkins story tonight on the ID Network, ‘The Scientology Cure’
[EIGHT years ago] Claire Headley: Scientology’s Own Rules Prove That it Uses “Disconnection” To Split Up Families
[NINE years ago] The Master Screenplay: Scientology History from Several Different Eras Skillfully Woven Together
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,370 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,875 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,395 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,415 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,306 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,613 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,481 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,255 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,585 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,059 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,375 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,941 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,860 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,028 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,609 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,870 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,908 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,621 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,146 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 501 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,676 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,227 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,376 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,696 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,551 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,670 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,026 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,329 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,435 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,837 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,709 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,292 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,787 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,041 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,150 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 23, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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
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
