Scientology celebrates its donors with a special late-summer tribute!

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s annual celebration of its biggest donors is not far off. But on occasion, church leader David Miscavige has Impact magazine publish a tribute to them at other times of the year. And so here at the end of summer, we have an embarrassment of richies! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“A psychotic discovered by screening should either be routed into processing (if the case is mild and non-suicidal) or rejected. At such time as the Foundations possess adequate and lawful housing facilities for the retention of psychotics, those who might have been turned away may be routed to the unit which has such facilities in its charge. Efforts are being made, and others should be made, to procure such sanitarium facilities wherein psychotics may be Dianetically processed. Once enrolled, the applicant, any applicant, should be regarded to some degree as a possible error in screening. A definite program of allowance for possible screening errors must consistently be adhered to. Experience has demonstrated that psychotics may be enrolled and successfully released and trained. The strain on the school staffs, however, has been great; and the cost of enrolling a psychotic definitely exceeds the amount he has paid for his course. In Los Angeles, in August, about thirty percent of those enrolled, it has been estimated, were incipient psychotics. Turmoil was occasioned by this, training expense was raised well above training income in each case. This does not argue, however, that the enrolling and training of psychotics is without danger.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950

 
——————–

Source Code

“Confidence in treatment on this planet is at its lowest possible ebb. The only planet I know of where it dropped any lower was the Marcab Confederacy, and it dropped much lower in the Marcab Confederacy. The way they taught medicine there, they had a number of drawers with dead, dried tissue in them. And they’d drag these drawers out, you see, and show the students, ‘And this is a dried head, you see. And this is tissue that’s been affected by tuberculosis. And this is this…’ and it was all dried, and so forth, and that was their total command of medicine. The only thing that was wrong with this particular activity is these really were infected tissues, and they were still carrying the germ spores, which I thought was always a little bit rough. But I remember giving medical lectures occasionally, and any student gave me any trouble, why, I’d just drop some tubercular tissue on his desk. This was all sort of raw. But there it got to a point where you weren’t ever permitted to get a new body. And this is typical of many space opera societies and is getting typical of this one. This one will go along too.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 5, 1961

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“I cognited on why it feels so good to be at sea — This is the Sea Org — of course.” — Capt. W.B. Robertson, September 5, 1969

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“DO NOT VOTE. Your vote will make zero positive difference in the outcome of the country’s future as all parties and the entire structure of voting is part of a huge negative creation and trap. By voting you immediately become ‘part’ and not ‘whole.’ By voting you become disempowered and no longer the person who decides your experience on Earth. It is the entire ‘democratic’ system that is the trap. There is no democracy. The system of democratic governance is designed and created to oppress the people of Earth. It is based on division, righteousness and aggression. The people are so busy fighting with each other that they do not see or are even interested in what really rules our reality. So… what rules our reality? YOU rule our reality. By giving your power away, you give the power to a system, person or organization to rule reality FOR YOU. So, what do you do instead? DO NOT VOTE. Create and support new educational, living and working structures and organizations. KNOW that covid19, global warming, racism and terrorism are ALL false flag creations made to DIVIDE AND CONTROL YOU. DO NOT get vaccinated for ANYTHING. This is very important.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2000: Christianity Today published articles this week on Scientology and its attempt to dominate Clearwater. “Some Christians in Clearwater call Scientology a pushy, money-driven cult that preys on the vulnerable. Others avoid confrontation, striving to tolerate or even welcome Scientology as a member of the religious community. Bill Anderson, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater for the past 25 years, says it has been difficult to treat Scientologists with love while countering their teachings with biblical truth. ‘This has really sharpened my focus about the exclusivity of the gospel,’ Anderson told Christianity Today. ‘Part of my challenge as a pastor has been trying to help my people live not only as good people but to live as good witnesses. Too often, I’m afraid, Christians are afraid to stand on the fact that only Jesus can save you.’ Scientologists have made persistent and persuasive efforts to win the favor of key officials and municipal leaders in Clearwater. Scientology members clean vacant lots, plant sea oats to stop beach erosion, and hang holiday decorations in December. They led volunteer citizen councils to prepare the city for Y2K and created their own Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. Scientologists hold annual parties for local orphans, support anti-drug education in community schools, and sponsor Winter Wonderland, a children’s carnival, every Christmas season. Scientologists say they were welcomed by some religious leaders, including Otis and Barbara Green of Everybody’s Tabernacle, the rabbinic leaders of Congregation of Beth Shalom, and the United Church of Christ’s hospice director, Doyce Wise. Largely unwelcome in most of Clearwater’s religious circles, Scientologists created their own interfaith council and launched ministry projects for the community. Scientologists also actively engaged in community service, outchurching Clearwater’s Christians. But some residents question their desire to serve. ‘Their true agenda is control,’ Anderson says. ‘They don’t really want to be known. They want to get along like a tiger wants to get along with a rabbit.’ Ben Puckett, dean of enrollment at Clearwater Christian College adds that some Scientology outreach in Clearwater is not openly affiliated with the church. ‘They have a great deal of good-will programs that are so general and euphemistic that unless you ask, you wouldn’t know they are Scientology-run,’ Puckett says, citing Narconon, Criminon, and the True School, a Scientology elementary school, as examples. ‘It’s generally believed that fewer people visit the downtown area because of the hundreds of uniformed Scientologists walking the streets,’ says Marshall Van Dine, minister of First United Methodist Church of Clearwater. ‘But most people have accepted their presence in the community.’ ‘A lot of what they have done downtown has been seen as positive and community-building,’ Pastor C. Philip Whitener of Grace Lutheran Church told CT. But, he wonders, ‘How much control will they exert?’ Craig Branch of the Apologetics Resource Institute and former Scientologist Brian Haney visited Clearwater in April to encourage and educate church members. Branch says he senses a new urgency in local pastors to stand up in a spirit of Christian love against Scientology. ‘We’re concerned about the balance between educating people on Scientology’s false claims and yet still urging them to act with love and compassion toward Scientologists,’ he says. ‘These churches are committed to forming a prayer front and developing a heart for people who are really suffering spiritually.’ Brian Haney labored to give his life fulfillment in many ways. The 37-year-old entrepreneur had been through two marriages, built a $100 million corporation, and attained the coveted state of ‘clear’ as a Scientologist, meaning he had achieved the high level of freedom, personal control, and independence Scientology promises its followers. But none of these triumphs allayed his spiritual emptiness and dissatisfaction. ‘They tell you that you’ve made it, that you’re in, and you just keep walking around thinking: Shouldn’t I feel different?’ Haney told Christianity Today. In 1994, Haney and his wife left the Church of Scientology, though they faced great resistance. At one point they contacted local police with concerns about their safety. He began attending St. John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church with his wife and children. ‘I must have listened to about 50 sermons of Spirit-filled, Word-based teaching before I realized that I needed to give my life to Christ,’ Haney said. ‘I was worried. I had joined a cult in the past, so I wanted to know how to discern the truth.’ As Haney’s faith grew, his disappointment toward Scientology softened. ‘At first I was really mad. I mean they ripped me off,’ Haney says, estimating that he gave more than $1 million to the church. ‘But as I grew in my walk with God, I realized that I just feel sorry for the people trapped in that mindset. It makes me want to weep now, not fight them.'”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Dictators don’t like picking successors. It makes them nervous knowing there’s an official next guy. If DM croaks it will be just like when LRH croaked. He who dares, wins.”

 
——————–

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, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. 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. Now serving time in 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 June 19.

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. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— 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 upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— 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.

 
——————–

 
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?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] John Travolta jet-home not for sale, but is caught up in litigation, criminal case
[TWO years ago] She made Scientology pay for its harassment: How did Bonnie Woods do it?
[THREE years ago] How Scientology lured a Sci-Fi fan, but drove him away with its lack of imagination
[FOUR years ago] Confirmed: Law enforcement was informed about another alleged Danny Masterson victim
[FIVE years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 1: Shattering the suppression from a 15-year-old
[SIX years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 16: James Packer
[SEVEN years ago] Available today, a new thriller based on a former Scientologist’s experiences
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s Colombia strategy becomes clear: It’s total war
[NINE years ago] Missouri school district boots sneaky Scientology front group after Underground Bunker article
[TEN years ago] As Scientology declines, its members are even giving up on their spooky super powers
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: The mystery of mysteries that all Scientologists chase — and can never find
[THIRTEEN years ago] THE MARTY RATHBUN AFFIDAVIT: Scientology Leader David Miscavige Lied To Texas Court

 
——————–

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 5, 2026 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.

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, 1995-2025 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)

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone