Scientology leader David Miscavige was angry. The emerging pandemic had arrived in the US in 2020 just in time to shut down one of Scientology’s holiest rituals of the year, its March 13 celebration to mark founder L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday.
A few days later, Miscavige issued a secret bulletin to his followers, calling the Covid health crisis a “planetary bullbait” that Scientology would not flinch at.
Soon after that, we learned that Miscavige was trying to turn the pandemic into a public relations opportunity by throwing the entire weight of his organization behind an effort to be part of the health care solution. Scientology printed up millions of copies of a booklet it distributed around the world which gave out basic advice about keeping distance, washing hands, and wearing masks.
Scientologists were deployed to the field looking like they were wearing hazmat suits and carrying around various cleaning solutions and sanitizers. Particularly in South Africa, teams of Scientologists were dispatched to police stations and schools and businesses, offering to sanitize offices with something called “Decon 7.”
At its website, meanwhile, Scientology carved out a special section where you could download those booklets and more, and it was titled the “How to stay well prevention resource center.”
While Scientology officially was taking on the virus throughout 2020 with its sanitation teams and booklets, we noted that individual Scientologists themselves, brought up on Hubbard’s aversion to the medical profession, tended to be anti-maskers and denied that the virus even existed. But officially, anyway, Miscavige wanted Scientology to be seen as a part of the solution to the health crisis.
Well, that was 2020. We’re now more than halfway through 2021, and for much of this year various Covid-19 vaccines have been available throughout the world, and the major battle to end the pandemic has shifted to convincing people to get the jab.
We went back this week to look at Scientology’s “How to stay well prevention resource center” and looked through every page of it, dozens of web pages and pdfs.
Strangely, there isn’t a single mention of any Covid-19 vaccines.
We sent an email to Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw, asking if the church had a problem with the vaccine, or if it had any policy at all about it. We’ll let you know if she gets back to us.
In the meantime, Covid has made a roaring comeback in places like Florida where much of the population is hesitant about getting the vaccine, and that’s one of Scientology’s most important locations.
It was brought to our attention, for example, that a chiropractor who is a Scientologist in Clearwater, Florida, died recently from Covid-related causes, and the person who has organized a GoFundMe to benefit his family said in an online comment that the chiropractor was unvaccinated.
If David Miscavige wanted Scientology to score points for its mask-wearing teams wiping down offices, shouldn’t his organization’s silence on vaccines make just as big an impression?
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Baby gives us a heart attack
For you oldtimers, this will track true to form.
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“This quarter of the universe, by the way, is suffering from an overdose lousy civilization. See, that’s what it’s suffering from. It apparently has been recently conquered in recent times (in the last few hundred thousand years) but those who were conquered had already been — their governmental action had already been set up for their own failure, see? They’d been set up be conquered by using, themselves, mental technology which made slaves. They implanted their own troops. Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho, ah-ah-ah-ah-a ah-ah-ah.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 21, 1963
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“I was looking over the schooner just down the dock, a handsome three master. PR-wise their appearance ship wise and crew-wise is ideal. Our crew is not yet poshly uniformed and ship appearance could do with upgrading. But for all its sharp appearance their sailors get drunk ashore and dump rubbish in the harbour. One thing no-one will excell us in is the friendliness of our crew, our orderly behaviours and pride in duty. That’s our PR gem!” — Lt. Cmdr Diana Hubbard, August 21, 1970
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“Can one develop high OT level abilities while intending to use these for evil purposes? The answer is: Yes! Christianity had the answer to this all along in its concept of the devil i.e. highly capable, with OT abilities, but evil. The Ron’s Orgs are still working in present time on ‘handling’ Xenu. This character is the summum of evil and yet is so capable that so far nobody has been able to deal with him effectively and finally, talking about ability! So the point is that there is no reason why the originator or inventor of a mental spiritual technology has to be well intentioned. It is similar to the ‘gun’ debate. A gun can be used for good or for evil and thus it is with technology. There could be no mention of black Dianetics if this weren’t the case.”
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1999: Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon is suing the state of Maryland for a task force to investigate cults on college campuses. From the Associated Press: “The suit, filed Monday, alleges that the state General Assembly has ‘determined that it is both unnecessary and harmful for students to think for themselves.’ The plaintiffs, which include the International Coalition for Religious Freedom, funded primarily by Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, claim the Task Force to Study the Effects of Cult Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions is violating the establishment and free-exercise clauses of the First Amendment. ‘The government cannot, absolutely cannot, get involved in adjudicating what’s a right religion and what’s a wrong religion,’ said Kendrick Moxon, a Los Angeles civil rights attorney representing the plaintiffs. The suit seeks an injunction against the task force, as well as a declaration that the inquiry is unconstitutional.”
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“It was speed which was readily available back in his day. When Hubbard talks about ‘Pinks & Grays’ he’s most likely talking about Dexedrine and Phenobarbital or Librium.”
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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 November 10. Trial tentatively scheduled for February.
— 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, 2020 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 23. Appeal hearing scheduled for Aug 23-27.
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] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
[TWO years ago] Has Scientology’s leader David Miscavige gone underground in the face of a legal onslaught?
[THREE years ago] See the Scientology-like ad for Scientologist-owned ABCMouse, made by Scientologists!
[FOUR years ago] DOX: The full FBI file from its 2009-2010 human trafficking investigation of Scientology
[FIVE years ago] Who are the clergy Scientology convinces to attend its ‘interfaith’ farces?
[SIX years ago] VIDEO: Scientology rehab salesmen — Just exactly the humanitarians you imagined
[SEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: The games L. Ron Hubbard played
[EIGHT years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN FILES SUIT AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY OVER HARASSMENT
[NINE years ago] ISABELLA CRUISE CONSIDERS JOINING SCIENTOLOGY’S ‘SEA ORG’ AFTER BOYFRIEND SIGNS UP
[TEN years ago] Scientology Surf Report: Making Waves at the New York ‘Org’
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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 2,399 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,904 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,424 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,444 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,335 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,642 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,510 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,284 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,614 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,088 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,404 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,970 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,889 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,057 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,638 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,899 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,937 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,650 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,175 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 530 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,705 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,256 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,405 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,725 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,580 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,699 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,055 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,358 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,464 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,862 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,738 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,321 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,816 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,070 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,179 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 21, 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
