Over the weekend, Mike Rinder at his blog suggested that recent materials put out by the Church of Scientology seemed to indicate that the Chicago ‘Ideal Org’ — which has long been finished — might be getting its grand opening this Saturday.
We pointed out on Tuesday that a special website had been set up by the org in order to recruit staff for the new cathedral. We showed you a video depicting a young woman who had joined staff, and some pages from the website.
Today, we have more videos from that website as we prepare for what might be the first Ideal Org grand opening in three years.
At the top of the post, you can see another testimonial video from “Kiana.” And below, not one but two videos extolling the highlights of life in Chicago. Come on down, kids!
But we also want to point out that two of our readers in the Chicago area checked things out for us in the last couple of days, and saw little sign that the building at 650 S Clark St is being prepared for its closeup.
“This building looks exactly like it did the last time I went by it seven years ago,” one of our readers told us.
Another correspondent also said he saw no sign of imminent activity: “There is an ugly flapping tarp covering the signage, but no sign of a ribbon or other Ideal Org regalia on the building. I checked a website listing Chicago filming permits (chicagofilming.com), but there is nothing for the block. I didn’t see the kind of fliers required to shut down the block or to ban parking for a day.”
So what gives? As Mike indicated, “all Scientologists” are being told to show up on Saturday at 3 pm for some kind of event in Chicago, which sure suggests a grand opening. But our readers saw no indication that the building is being prepared.
We’ll keep an eye on it. Now, here are those two videos that should convince you to move to Chicago and join staff already, pilgrims!
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Technology Cocktail
“Scientologist knowing the mind completely can of course do many ‘tricks’ with the conditions of people to improve them. One of these is the ability to address a psychosomatic illness such as a crippled leg which, having nothing physically wrong with it, yet is not usable. The auditor could ask the preclear ‘Tell me a lie about your leg’ with a possible relief of the pain or symptom. Asking the preclear repeatedly ‘Look around here and tell me something your leg could have’ would undoubtedly release the somatic.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1956
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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 as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
— The Underground Bunker Podcast
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial
[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen [28] Lisa Marie Presley breaking news [29] Nov 8, Day Seventeen [30] Nov 9, Day Eighteen [31] Nov 10, Day Nineteen
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“You know girls are pretty high-toned ordinarily. You can never quite tell about a girl. You’re liable to meet her on Wednesday and her name is Elizabeth, and you’re liable to meet her on Monday and her name is Jessie, see. She changes her name very easily. Not only that, they get married and change their names. They do change their names. We do know that. Girl, up to the time she’s seventeen, has been very, very well — nicely known as Clarissa, you see, and she didn’t like that and you meet, next time you meet her she’s twenty-two and she calls herself Butch. There’s no telling what’s going to happen on it. Women do this, probably which accounts for their ability to hold on to a better-looking mock-up than men, because men become factually themselves. At whose assignment?” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 9, 1956
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“We are auditing now at a volume higher than that of any org in the world with a completion rate far in excess of any other 3 orgs. The bruised elbows in getting lines in, the bruised tempers, the hard work is really paying off with the finest auditing ever done anywhere. We are also averaging two or three Clear OTs a day! Come on, other departments and divisions. You’re only expected to be the greatest division or department of your kind anywhere in the world. So fly, you guys, fly!” — The Commodore, February 9, 1971
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“There’s a distinction between the person’s ideas about the body or the planet and the person’s objective awareness of the body or planet. That’s the 1st point of distinction here, the distinction between the subjective reality and awareness of mind and the objective awareness and actuality of existence. And therefore integral to the rehabilitation of awareness is the distinction between direct theta perception and perception via the body, again by running objective OT drills and exercises on the PT Environment both directly and via the body, as distinct from think and figure type subjective processes which simply address the Mind and the person’s ideas about existence.”
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1998: The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported that Scientology is attempting to have the highway designation removed from the road running through its California Golden Era Studios base. “San Jacinto city officials and residents have reacted with suspicion to a Church of Scientology request that the city continue diverting Highway 79 away from the church’s Golden Era Productions film studios. The City Council voted 4-1 Thursday night to deny Golden Era’s request that a detour along Sanderson Avenue and Ramona Expressway continue to be designated as Highway 79. Some council members and residents questioned the church’s intentions for the original highway, also known as Gilman Springs Road. A year and a half ago, to allow construction of a bridge across the San Jacinto River on State Street, the state diverted Highway 79 from the stretch of Gilman Springs Road that runs through Golden Era’s multimillion-dollar complex in Gilman Hot Springs just north of San Jacinto. ‘I highly object to appeasing these people. This highway has been here for a long, long time,’ said Lucille Ferguson, a San Jacinto Valley resident for more than 50 years. ‘What do they really do there? People ought to know. I resent us changing things for their benefit.’ Councilwoman Joan Good questioned whether the request was the first step in a Golden Era plan to close Gilman Springs Road. Good said she had been leaning toward approving the request when she went into Thursday’s meeting, but changed her mind after hearing from residents and Ken Hoden, Golden Era’s general manager. He said Golden Era requested the temporary realignment of the highway because noise from passing vehicles causes problems when the studios are recording. Stripping Gilman Springs Road of its state highway designation would make it easier to lower the speed limit from 50 to 35 mph and reduce noise, he said.”
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“The difference is real religions admit their beliefs are based on faith, whereas Scientology claims nothing in it is based on belief or faith, but is based on 100 percent proven scientific fact.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: March 15, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through February 7.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.
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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] Ford Greene to appeals court: Formally publish the ruling against Scientology arbitration!
[TWO years ago] The pandemic isn’t over, but Scientology leader David Miscavige is ready for his bow
[THREE years ago] One sure sign a new Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ is on the way: the Central Files mayhem
[FOUR years ago] Thinking of leaving Scientology? Jefferson Hawkins has your roadmap.
[FIVE years ago] Tory ‘Magoo’ Christman, and how Anonymous went from online war to in-real-life pickets
[SIX years ago] We have your invitation to Scientology’s holiest celebration of the year!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s thug life, documented: Aaron Smith-Levin shares a record of Sea Org violence
[EIGHT years ago] Mark Ebner finds Scientology’s rubbish again as Narconon International vanishes!
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s continuing plans for its Super Bowl ad, and more Sunday Funnies
[TEN years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: Original Spin
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology, Deep in the Heart of Texas: The Voice at the Debbie Cook Hearing
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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 2,935 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,440 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,990 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,980 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,871 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,175 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,046 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,151 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,624 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,940 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,506 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,425 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,593 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,174 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,435 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,472 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,187 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,751 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,066 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,241 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,792 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,923 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,261 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,116 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,235 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,591 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,894 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,000 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,398 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,274 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,857 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,352 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,606 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,715 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 9, 2023 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, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), 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
