TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Just a few days ago we highlighted Scientology’s focus on the children of existing members as one of the few areas where it has any recruiting success. Here’s another example, a 17-year-old extolling the virtues of getting trained as an auditor. Let us translate. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“In all times and all places, the morals contained in this book have appeared amongst tribes and races. What they lacked — in China, in the Near East, in Europe — was some basic principle which made the picture clear. When I isolated the common denominator, the dynamic principle of existence, I had such a factor. I never before applied it to straightening out ideas on the subject of morality. But the precepts contained in this book are not just culled here and there and put together. I worked them out newly with due attention to what had gone on before in man’s history. His moral codes are woefully inadequate to deal with modern life. This one will. There is another point. Nobody could ever possibly have kept any of the old moral codes. Old Mo-Tzu’s code only lasted a few hundred years until people finally decided you couldn’t keep it — too severe — and they even forgot it ever existed after about the 1st century B.C. and only found it again this century. There have been novels and plays about someone trying to live the life of Christ and the hero always winds up in a mess, the lesson being that His teachings couldn’t be followed. The booklet, ‘The Way to Happiness,’ contains a non-religious moral code based on common sense. It may be the first such code.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
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“One of the things that is going to happen in the next few months: You will probably see, increasingly, the word ‘Scientology’ occurring. And that is in order to give doctors of medicine and psychiatrists and psychologists an out. It is pretty hard, after a man has made a pronunciamento about which he knows nothing, to convince him that he ought to say something else about it now that he knows something about it, because he will lose face with the people he has said this to. So if we just give him another word for a similar package and we say ‘Now it’s Scientology, and Scientology embraces the Axioms,’ why, then, two things will happen: He can say, ‘Well, Dianetics was no good and Hubbard was really crazy when he threw that one. But Scientology — now, that’s different. scientifically done. It has a great many things to recommend it. Well organized, and it works! (Dianetics didn’t!)’ And as the students who are going to graduate out of Hubbard College will discover, their degrees are in Scientology, not in Dianetics. It says that they are professional Scientologists and that they are capable of understanding mental and physical stress and are eligible for further degree work in Scientology. So I hope these graduates will feel themselves capable of understanding physical and mental stress!” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 25, 1952
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“In LA and now on Flag someone is justifying reserves and prices charged by saying ‘Ron needs it’ or ‘it goes to repay Ron.’ It isn’t true. I’ve received no 10 percents for ages. An audit of monies owed me by orgs showed about 13.5 million pounds some years ago. I long since forgave the 13.5 million. Other more recent sums aren’t included. It takes money to run things and keep the show on the road. A lot of money. Particularly in our expanding scene. It’s all for a worthwhile cause. The actual cost of L10ing someone and giving all grades is close to the price charged. A hundred million would be a low down payment for our org tech. So realise the value of what’s being bought and sold. What’s the value of health to a suffering man? What’s the value of immortality to an Earthbound eclipsed being? You’re right. It would be priceless. There isn’t that much money. It doesn’t go to me. So let’s keep the scene real in all selling and pricing. It’s for priceless results. For the pc. Not for me. I am in a relaxed frame of mind of owing no one anything and not being worried about what I’m owed. Let’s keep it cool. (And by the way did you know the psychoanalyst and psychiatrist charge ten times our total fees for delivering a long and agonizing death?)” — The Commodore, February 25, 1971
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“When I extend my space I feel the presence of the local mountain spirits. I have seen many shift into various other practices and mix them in with Scientology without alignment to the axioms resulting in a somewhat goofy hodge podge. PDC tape 53 is one which I consider a fundamental for any researcher along with the Axioms (Both Scientology and Dianetic), Logics. Pre-Logics and the Data Series. Without those tools thoroughly studied one will wander in the dark overwhelmed by the myriads of apparent complexity that face aspiring students of the nature of existence.”
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1998: Jim Lippard reported that Bruce Petticrew’s hearing in Arizona resulted in a limited restraining order, which prevents Bruce from making enough noise to disrupt worship services. “Leslie Durhman, current Director of Special Affairs of the Mesa Org, claimed when questioned by the judge that Bruce had shouted loud enough to ‘disturb services’ on multiple occasions during his pickets, because the door to the Org is sometimes left open when the air conditioning isn’t working. The judge, based on his comments in his decision, clearly believed that the Church of Scientology holds ‘worship services’ and that their freedom of worship was being disrupted by noise, and so made a content-neutral restriction on Bruce to prevent such disruption in order to uphold their freedom of religion. Of course, there ARE no such ‘worship services’ held at the Mesa Org or any other Church of Scientology–the judge simply assumed that this ‘church’ is like churches he was familiar with.” Bruce picketed the Mesa org following the hearing. “Since Jeff and I wore the ‘Scientology Kills’ t-shirts with the OT3 story on the back, they had to send for the members who were OT3 or higher to confront us. I started the picket with duct tape over my mouth to dramatize the ‘noise’ injunction (which I will appeal this week). There were only about 5 cars on the lot at any time, and even though there was a big ‘Open House – Come in’ sign out front, the only person to go in talked to us first and came out talking about how weird they were.”
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“When you tell vaLLarrr that LRH had no degrees or academic training, s/he replies that science hasn’t caught up to LRH yet and that Newton was insane and Einstein was a high school dropout. Rathbun was doing the same thing when he was trying to compare the quantum theory that nothing really exists unless you’re looking at it with Hubbard’s bullshit about subjective reality.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. Appeal now fully briefed, waiting for 2nd Appellate District court to set a hearing date. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence (eligible for parole in two to three more years). Awaiting transfer to state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for March 9.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal, which is now fully briefed. Awaiting the setting of an oral arguments hearing.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Appeal fully briefed. Motion to replace Jane Does’ AI-tainted brief denied by court. Oral arguments hearing on March 3.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
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Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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’s new hype video will get you stoked to go OT!
[TWO years ago] David Miscavige went to ‘Crazy Town’ at Scientology’s Austin Ideal Org opening!
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: Karen Pressley on Scientology’s radicalizing of Tom Cruise
[FOUR years ago] Latest Capitol rioters arrested: Florida TV chef and poker player — and OT Scientologists
[FIVE years ago] Scientology celeb family the Mastersons selling houses: Getting out of Dodge?
[SIX years ago] Is David Miscavige winning? Scientology seems to be on a roll, but is the law about to step in?
[SEVEN years ago] No, the National Enquirer has not ‘found’ Scientology’s Shelly Miscavige
[EIGHT years ago] Orlando, you’re next! Scientology makes an ‘Ideal’ move on the magic kingdom
[NINE years ago] More federal charges for Scientology family that sold rhino horn products
[TEN years ago] Laura DeCrescenzo, on eve of crucial hearing, explains Scientology for new judge
[ELEVEN years ago] Now it’s Scientology UK that opens its books, and we have the numbers
[TWELVE years ago] Telepathic space-age exorcism — Let’s do Scientology’s New Operating Thetan Level Six!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Anne Archer, Terry Jastrow, and…Could It Be…Tommy Davis, At Film Reception Tonight?
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,550 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,054 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,560 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,110 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,100 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,486 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,981 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,285 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,936 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,154 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,708 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,049 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,620 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,536 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,703 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,285 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,544 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,296 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,861 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,176 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,351 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,033 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,370 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,223 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,339 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,701 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,112 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,500 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,384 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,948 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,460 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,720 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,824 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 25, 2026 at 07:00
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Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
