TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Now that we’ve seen Tom Cruise’s new film ‘Digger,’ we think we can discuss the stunning thing that he does in it in regards to his choices about Scientology while still not spoiling the movie. This is really what he should answer to, if anyone dares to ask him. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The demon circuit is any circuit that vocalizes your thoughts for you. That’s not natural. It’s an installed mechanism from engrams and it slows up thought. Sometimes people have two or more demon circuits, which is to say, they have ‘voices’ which advise them: they talk to themselves inside their heads and answer themselves. Sometimes they have demon circuits that talk out loud at them. Demon circuits mean in any case, a rather high degree of aberration.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1951
——————–
“I don’t know whether parts of the body will rebuild or not. Auditors have hazarded that and they’re working on it. They’re trying to figure it out, trying to get the third tooth to grow where a tooth’s been pulled, trying to get this to happen and that to happen and trying to get a finger to grow, something like that. People’s limbs have lengthened two, three, four inches; their spines have lengthened, their height’s grown. And I’ve seen places on the body fill in where chunks had been pulled out. But I haven’t seen a whole limb grow, or I haven’t seen half a limb grow, I mean, and complete itself and be a full limb again. I don’t know. Possibly something to do with structural pattern or the bud or something has to be implanted along the line or something. One of these days we’ll find out what that is and then we’ll all have two heads.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 4, 1953
——————–
“FESTIVAL: The GREAT PEANUT RACE is the next major event of the Festival! The three lowest hour auditors in the last five days will engage in a death defying race pushing each a peanut around the entire circle of the Prom Deck amid the cheers of the multitude. The Contestants should be equipt with knee pads and gloves. Three peanuts must be provided of suitable size with spares in case of a track crack up.” — The Commodore, October 4, 1971
——————–
“Some folks said that LRH never conceived of the Internet. Well, he was still alive when computer networks were already in existence, and governments had sent digital transmissions across the country long before that. So why would LRH announce future communications technologies when those concepts had already been in the scope of design since the 60s? So Berners-Lee came up with something practical along that line around the late 80s. Where do some people think LRH came up with the term ‘Terminal’ from? Does he need to get more specific?”
——————–
2001: An e-mail to Scientologists described the opening of the new mission in San Francisco, SOMA, or South of Market. “The Mission is located in a 3 story building on Mission Street in SF, between 5th & 6th streets. I would estimate 500-600 people were on hand. The city had allowed the Mission to close one lane on Mission Street and a podium had been set up on the sidewalk. Cindy Feshbach opened the ceremony with a speech about Scientology and about the Mission. We had major media coverage including a camera & interview team from Entertainment Tonight. Also there was a Golden Era Productions crew getting all the theta. Cindy presented SF Police Department Captain Tony Perra with a plaque which contained on it a pledge from the Mission and from Scientology to assist the SF police and the city to help it with its problems. Captain Perra gratefully accepted the plaque and publicly pledged the SF police department’s support of the Mission in its humanitarian endeavors. Next to speak was none other than Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board RTC. He gave an incredibly inspiring speech about how Scientology has the solution to the problems of society and the world. This was really a dissemination speech because he knew we were getting major media coverage. He read some awesome LRH quotes about war and ended his speech with a statement that the real enemy of man was the Reactive Mind. His presence is awesome. Next to speak was Jenna Elfman, who has sponsored the Mission. She spoke of her devotion to the arts, to San Francisco, and of her sincere desire to help the people of this beautiful city. As part of her speech she announced that along with the opening of the Mission, a Children’s Center for the Arts had been established in the basement of the building, fully equipped with a stage, ballet facilities, and others so that any children of the SF area could come there and learn/practice arts for free. By the way, SF org is getting a new building I can’t say much about it yet but it is happening.”
——————–
“J&D is hard. Anybody can write something serious and emotional and get all the upvotes. We comedians are the true artistes.”
——————–
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] Scientology & the Feds: Why the church is celebrating despite news of an SEC probe
[TWO years ago] Michele Fiore guilty on all counts, and Scientology link proven at trial
[THREE years ago] Why Scientology’s reclusive leader would risk re-emerging in England for the IAS gala
[FOUR years ago] Prosecution plans to call 1996 victim in Danny Masterson trial
[FIVE years ago] Is this a list of all of Scientology’s active subsidiary corporations that a tipster fed us?
[SIX years ago] Scientology once again confirms our estimates for its tiny size
[SEVEN years ago] For $100, Scientologist sorcerer will share secret of living to 150 (and we have the secret!)
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology has its whales — and now the Underground Bunker does too!
[NINE years ago] Is Scientology’s notorious prison detail — the ‘RPF’ — a thing of the past?
[TEN years ago] Pam Bondi thrills at Scientology’s mecca, Hungarian TV bends over, & other updates
[ELEVEN years ago] Meet the young Hollywood types who introduced Cathriona White to Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack: How to talk to a Scientologist to plant the seeds of doubt
[THIRTEEN years ago] WORLD PREMIERE: The Shrinking Cult of Scientology, A Video By Tiziano Lugli
——————–
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 3,771 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,275 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,781 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,331 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,707 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,202 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,508 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,157 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,375 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,929 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,270 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,840 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,757 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,924 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,510 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,769 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,517 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,086 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,397 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,572 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,254 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,591 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,444 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,560 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,922 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,721 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,565 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,180 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,681 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,941 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 16,045 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 4, 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
