That feeling when Scientology tries to creep you out as a recruiting strategy

 
We’ve seen some pretty strange letters come out of Scientology as it tries and tries to get people who have left to come back into the fold.

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard believed wholeheartedly in letter writing as a key recruitment tool, and so today his followers robotically send letters out by the ton, keeping people on mailing lists years and decades after they took a single class or bought a single book of Scientology nonsense.

For the most part, these appeals are harmless if eerily persistent. But some of them get downright strange. And then there was this example received by one of our readers from a registrar at the Tampa Ideal Org.

“My wife took some entry level Scientology classes a few years ago at the behest of a friend who happens to be an OT 8, but nothing in the last ten years,” he tells us. “My wife has since developed a disorder of the brain called MDDS that causes her to feel as though she is on a rocking boat and it’s pure hell for her. Marijuana helps at night, but she is far from an addict. She made the mistake of telling her OT 8 friend about the relief she got from smoking at night. The friend has obviously since sent in a Knowledge Report. I have been unsuccessful at trying to get a copy of the KR, but I believe this letter my wife received has a ‘we know what you’ve been up to’ vibe. It really creeped her out.”

Here’s the letter…

Dear [redacted],

Hey, I read a note that you have been addicted to pot. Is that true? How has that affected your life?

Sincerely,

Sasha Player
Advance Scheduling Reg

 
And then, a few days later, they did it again…

Dear [redacted],

I am the chaplain and I am here to help you.

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My first marriage was to an unhappy person who thought drugs would fix it but they only hide it.

I can help you. Let me know what you need from me.

Best Wishes,

Alexis Sexsmith

 
How’s that for dissemination tech?

Just keep it up, Scientology. You’re doing a heckuva job.

 
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Chris Shelton on Scientology’s ‘Public Image’

Says Chris, “This week, I am taking a close look at a specific Hubbard policy on public relations called “Public Image” from 1969. This policy launched Freedom Magazine, CCHR and maybe had a part in the genus of Narconon as well as many other PR stunts the church has pulled over the years. In this video, I take a close look at Scientology’s relationship with psychiatry since it’s at the very heart of the policy.”

 
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HowdyCon 2019 in Los Angeles

This year’s HowdyCon is in Los Angeles. People tend to come in starting on Thursday, and that evening we will have a casual get-together at a watering hole. We have something in mind, but for now we’re not giving out information about it.

Friday night we will be having an event in a theater (like we did on Saturday night last year in Chicago). There will not be a charge to attend this event, but if you want to attend, you need to RSVP with your proprietor at tonyo94 AT gmail.

On Saturday, we are joining forces with Janis Gillham Grady, who is having a reunion in honor of the late Bill Franks. Originally, we thought this event might take place in Riverside, but instead it’s in the Los Angeles area. If you wish to attend the reunion, you will need to RSVP with Janis (janisgrady AT gmail), and there will be a small contribution she’s asking for in order to help cover her costs.

HOTEL: Janis tells us she’s worked out a deal with Hampton Inn and Suites, at 7501 North Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, (818) 768-1106. We have a $159 nightly rate for June 19 to 22.

 
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!

We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.

Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!

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 our weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Kirstie Alley goes OT 8, celebrates her ‘confront’ level on Scientology’s cruise ship ‘Freewinds’
[TWO years ago] Reza Aslan is already being dishonest about indie Scientology ahead of CNN episode
[THREE years ago] No longer working for Monique Rathbun to sue Scientology, Ray Jeffrey opens up
[FOUR years ago] ‘Going Clear’ subject Tom DeVocht reveals new info about Tom Cruise and Scientology’s leader
[FIVE years ago] French land sale falls apart once town learns Scientologists are involved
[SIX years ago] The Mother and Child Reunion: Another Dianetics Nightmare
[SEVEN years ago] Battlefield Earth: Still Making the World Safe From Scientology Nearly 12 Years Later

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 21, 2019 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, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), 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, 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 | 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