As former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder has pointed out numerous times, church leader David Miscavige can’t let up for one moment on the new projects and fundraising appeals.
Scientologists have been under intense pressure to donate large sums for plenty of projects that are now open and standing largely empty — Ideal Orgs around the world, the Super Power Building that took 15 years to construct, and of course initiatives like the Basics and the Golden Age of Tech Phase 2. As soon as one of these projects is funded and comes to fruition, Miscavige has to have something waiting in the wings so the membership can never rest. To do so would invite reflection on how all of these pricey projects are utter failures as membership dwindles more rapidly than ever.
And so, as soon as the Super Power Building, renamed the Flag Building, was opened in November 2013, there was another funding opportunity right next door: L. Ron Hubbard Hall.
For years, Scientology has held its events in Clearwater at Ruth Eckerd Hall, which has a capacity of 2,180. But we can understand why Miscavige wants his own hall right in the Flag Land Base itself — increasingly, he’s had security concerns at Scientology events. L. Ron Hubbard Hall would give him tighter control over every aspect of the place, including its schedule.
So, for the last couple of years, Scientologists who have already been hit up for Ideal Orgs and book campaigns and volunteer minister operations and their own courses and counseling have a new opportunity to fork over even more money.
One of our readers recently received a brochure from Scientology about how it’s rewarding its wealthy members who have donated to the Hall — with a trip to Phoenix! We thought you’d like to see what a swell time they had, as well as a list of all the donors. (And we’re very curious what was in that “holiday dinner, as would have been served in 1954.”)
Naturally, the top givers are, of course, Bob and Trish Duggan, Scientology’s wealthiest couple….
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A surprisingly good TV ad for ‘The Way to Happiness’ in Spain
Wait a minute, a Scientology ad with a sense of humor? Wow. Has Dave seen this? Does he realize how well this would go over at next year’s Super Bowl if he did it in English?
The ad illustrates Precept 12 from The Way to Happiness, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s 1981 guide to moral living: “Safeguard and Improve Your Environment.”
Here’s what we’ve said in the past about the little booklet that the church prints by the ton…
In 1981, Scientology’s reputation was in freefall. The FBI raid of 1977 had resulted in prosecutions of top Guardian’s Office executives, including L. Ron Hubbard’s wife, Mary Sue. Hubbard himself, fearing prosecution, went into permanent seclusion in 1980. And major exposes that year in Reader’s Digest and 60 Minutes left a lot of Americans wondering, just what did these Scientologists believe, anyway?
In February 1981, with Hubbard in hiding, a new initiative was announced inside the church. A slim booklet about “morals” would be produced in mass quantities under Hubbard’s name in order to slow society’s decline. And thus, The Way To Happiness, a list of 21 moral precepts, was born.
It’s easy to look at the precepts and chuckle at the hamfisted attempt to co-opt basic ethical concepts with such examples as “Do Not Murder” and “Try Not to Do Things To Others That You Would Not Like Them To Do To You.” It’s a harmless and inconsequential thing, intended mostly to improve L. Ron Hubbard’s image with the public.
Here they are. How does Scientology itself measure up to them?
1. Take Care of Yourself
2. Be Temperate
3. Don’t Be Promiscuous
4. Love and Help Children
5. HOnor and Help Your Parents
6. Set A Good Example
7. Seek to Live With the Truth
8. Do Not Murder
9. Don’t Do Anything Illegal
10. Support a Government Designed and Run For All the People
11. Do Not Harm a Person of Good Will
12. Safeguard and Improve Your Environment
13. Do Not Steal
14. Be Worthy of Trust
15. Fulfill Your Obligations
16. Be Industrious
17. Be Competent
18. Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others
19. Try Not to Do Things To Others That You Would Not Like Them To Do To You
20. Try to Treat Others As YOu Would Want Them To Treat You
21. Flourish and Prosper
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 29, 2016 at 07:00
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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…
BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
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
Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten 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 | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield
