Reactions to our insider’s claim Scientology in pandemic chaos: It rings true, experts say

 
We had quite a reaction to the leak from our “Insider” yesterday, who laid out a dire situation for Scientology as the pandemic drags on…

— Sea Org members in Los Angeles were required to take the Covid vaccine, but because Scientologists are so anti-vaxx by nature, the SO members are required to lie about getting vaccinated in order not to upset public members coming for services.

— Scientology continues its early-Pandemic PR relations act by masking up and wearing gloves and spraying surfaces with disinfectant “Decon 7” daily, even though it’s long been known that risk from surfaces is minimal. The use of the toxic Decon 7 is so overdone, it is threatening the health of Scientologists.

— The ‘Chase Wave’ was a real phenomenon that was shut down after it caused backlashes from banks, and regges were punished as scapegoats.

— With Scientologists tapped out financially, harassed and bullied over their health, and events still on hold, the organization is on a precipice.

We asked for some reactions to this description of the chaos gripping Scientology. Here was Mike Rinder’s reaction:

Fascinating insight. It all rings too true. There are some specifics that match closely with things I am hearing from another Ideal Org that I will be putting on my blog soon.

This Scientology response reminds me of the over-the-top reaction to the Y2K predictions of economic and societal collapse at the end of 1999. There was a massive effort within, overseen by Shelly Miscavige at the time, to purchase food and “self-sufficiency” necessities, from generators and batteries and gold coins to use for barter when currency became useless etc, etc. It was a HUGE deal and it was treated VERY seriously.

Scientology takes things to ridiculous extremes. It seems to go along with the fundamentalist mindset. Always extreme all the time.

I found it amusing that they have to hide their vax status from the public. I can imagine Miscavige dictating the super strict requirements to ensure he was protected — which is what all those measures are no doubt about. Nobody else has the authority needed to implement blanket orders on all Sea Org members. But they know their public and were right to keep it secret. What a contradiction: Hubbard the anti-medical, government conspiracy pusher has fostered a largely anti-vax conspiracy theory group of people who are now led by a germaphobe paranoiac who insists on draconian measure to keep himself safe. Reads like something out of Mission Earth.

 
And from our “Chase Wave” source…

The biggest story within Scientology is the coercive vaccination of Sea Org members alluded to in yesterday’s story. While you and I are happy to get the vaccine, as you know Scientologists are rabidly antivaxx. Currently Sea Org members are being made to read a Church-produced materials on how they should get vaccinated as their only source of information on the Covid vaccine. If the Sea Org member still doesn’t want to get the vaccine they are taken off post, put in isolation (a bedroom by themself), not allowed to contact family and separated from their spouse until they agree to get vaccinated. Some Sea Org members have been in this type of isolation for months.

The amazing thing is the public Scientologists don’t know this as the Church dares not tell them because most public are so antivax. An article encouraging your under-the-radar readers to ask their SO friends and family over the Christmas holidays if they’re been vaccinated might be really impactful. If there was any way for you to get that pamphlet from your other sources it would also be a big deal. Of course the Church will destroy everything if they know you’re after it.

All that said, I think the use/misuse of Decon7 is a much bigger story. I am trying to get some more on this for you.

 
Chris Shelton weighed in…

The Church is actively causing its own demise with the enforcement of its own cult-level protocols. One can only marvel at the karmic justice of this while at the same time lamenting the fact that actually well-intentioned staff and Sea Org members are having to suffer so painfully for their fanatical devotion to a destructive cult.

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When the Basics were first released, there were blows almost every week for quite a while when the most draconian of controls and disciplines were enacted at Big Blue. This sounds like a very similar environment has now been created within the entire Scientology world, not just in the Sea Org. In fact, this sounds significantly worse than the Basics and believe me, I never thought I’d see things get so bad again.

I’m blown away by the idea that enforced isolation has become such a fad across the Sea Org. I can only wonder what Miscavige must be thinking to order such a thing at all levels. There is zero question – absolutely none whatsoever – that Miscavige is the brainchild of this disaster.

I agree that the three things listed by the Insider are big problems for Scientology, but because I have to be honest, I don’t see the Church of Scientology being brought to its knees by any of these things or a combination of them in the next year.

I agree that the Masterson case is very important. But any reasoned look at Scientology’s litigation history and the court’s history with Scientology has to allow for the possibility of legal runarounds and the Church’s involvement being minimized if not outright banned in the court. At the end of the day, the only one charged with a crime in that court room is Danny Masterson.

I am not quite as optimistic that a single bank fraud incident is a keystone to bringing the Church down. It is common sense and obvious that a federal crime should indeed threaten their tax exempt status, but that assumes a LOT of steps between the crime being committed (which we know has happened) and law enforcement and then the courts actually doing something about it, and then the IRS stepping up to do something about it after that case is successfully tried. Lots of dominoes lined up there and so far not one of them has fallen despite lots of very good reasons we all thought they should.

If the Church’s handling of the pandemic is as bad as the Insider describes, I think we are going to indeed be hearing from a lot more people in the not-too-distant future about their Scientology escape and abuses they endured. This treatment, especially sustained over too-long a period of time is tantamount to torture and that’s not what keeps people in a cult. Whether MIscavige has just lost his mind or he’s so paranoid about catching COVID that he’s enforcing all this or a million other possible reasons for this madness, I can honestly say I’m surprised to hear that things have gotten so bad so quickly and I look forward to hearing further corroboration and reports from the Insider and others. Scientology is always nothing if not interesting but now I really am wondering if this accelerated abuse might not really bring that end we all want to see.

 
We also heard from Claire Headley…

I know I’ve heard many stories that line up to what the new insider is talking about, particularly in relation to credit card and bank loans. As for that now being a thing of the past, sure, I’ve no doubt that was “announced” – just the same as it was after the Time magazine disaster in the early 90s, and several times since then. Scientology will always be a money-grubbing, statistic driven, commercialized organization pushing hard to add money to their coffers. Given that fact, it is inevitable it will continue, in whatever form it has now transmuted into.

In relation to the pandemic, yes, I’ve heard corroborating statements from a few sources in relation to gloves and masks. As for the spraying, that doesn’t sound like much of a stretch to me. Same for quarantines, and shutting down the orgs. First pandemic, so no doubt they came up with some crazy answers to that, as they do with everything.

In relation to the vaccine: Personally, my experience was not that all Scientologists are anti-vaxers. Anti psych? 100 percent. Anti psych drugs? Absolutely, no question, no doubt about it. But in the case of vaccinations, at least in my 30 years in Scientology, I never thought nor experienced that everyone was anti vaccine. Maybe 50/50, but even that, seems high to me. Certainly I wasn’t raised anti vaccine, and my mother wasn’t either. There were a few times when flu shots were provided and administered to all Base staff in the years I worked in Hemet, as another example. Perhaps there was a massive vaccine push in Pac. I know I’ve heard of other areas where it was absolutely optional. For what that’s worth.

And lastly, to this insider, if you have, in fact, woken up and are exposing the truth, please consider breaking free entirely and starting your life over. That would make complete sense and be the logical thing for you to do. The Aftermath Foundation would love to help you make a fresh start! And undoubtedly, you have plenty of useful information you can provide to authorities once you’re free. I would certainly be concerned if you’re planning to stay just to leak information. Either way, best of luck!

 
As for our insider, they sent along this image of a document that they say was issued fairly early in the pandemic, which helps corroborate what they told us yesterday…

 
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Source Code

“There’s a fellow by the name of Einstein passed some laws relating to the speed of light. And you get up to the speed of light, I understand, and you stop right there. And I hope that they don’t hear about this out in the outer planets there, because they’d have to drop those speedometers off. Because these boys going two or three times the speed of light there, as they just start to travel, would be embarrassed if they knew they couldn’t do that. And so somebody’d better inform them before they’re embarrassed by having this discovered about themselves.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 19, 1953

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“The Port Anchor Chain was not washed and mud is reported in the chain locker. This should be run out and cleaned up properly.” — The Commodore, December 19, 1969

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“The MEST universe is basically a theta trap. So some OT abilities does not work until you’re inside a meat body.”

 
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Past is Prologue

2000: The Deseret News reported that Scientology will host Santa Claus at an event at the org. “The Church of Scientology, 1931 S. 1100 East, will host Santa Claus for Sugar House-area children starting at noon today. Santa will listen to all the children’s wishes, and the public is invited. The Church of Scientology’s sermon at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church will be ‘How to Aid Your Fellow Man.’ People of all faiths are welcome.”

 
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Random Howdy

“The comments sections on the CCHR vids on YouTube are this uber weird mix of Scientologists and the mentally ill who gravitate to this bullshit because it justifies them not taking their meds. It makes for some very unusual reading.”

 
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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 February 8. Trial scheduled for August 29, 2022.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), false imprisonment, aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Next hearing scheduled for December 21.
— 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 December 17 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for February 11.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— 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 held November 2, awaiting a ruling.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9, 2020 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 June 28, 2022.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.

 
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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.

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 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] Secrets of Scientology ‘Super Power’: The best testimonial we’ve seen yet
[TWO years ago] ‘Have you got a head?’ — Listen in to Scientology as a wacky group experience
[THREE years ago] Scientology threatened to sue over last night’s episode, settled for sliming Leah & Mike instead
[FOUR years ago] KID CORPS: Scientology wanted cadets as young as 6 dealing out justice to each other
[FIVE years ago] Live-blogging Leah Remini’s special episode tonight: Get a load of these miscreants!
[SIX years ago] Witness: Compton scam rehab was a special Scientology project — how high does it go?
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Craigslist expert issues new instructions after so much ad flagging
[EIGHT years ago] How Scientology ‘ethics’ creates your very own Truman Show
[NINE years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s “Secret Lives” — A Channel 4 Classic
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s Scourge, Paulette Cooper, Visits with the Voice

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 19, 2021 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, 1995-2020 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

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast