Scientology down 23 PERCENT from 2011 to 2021 in England census data released today

We knew Scientology was hurting in England, but this is really something.

In 2011, the census of England and Wales counted only 2,418 people who identified themselves as Scientologists.

This morning, results were released for religion data in the 2021 count, and the number of Scientologists in the same area is down to 1,854.

That’s a 23-percent drop in ten years.

In that same time, England and Wales grew by 3.5 million people in overall population to 59.6 million people.

So that makes Scientology’s share .003 percent.

And remember, during these years Scientology has been unashamedly calling itself the “world’s fastest growing religion.”

Once again, real government data shows that our estimates of about 20,000 active Scientologists around the world as much closer to the truth than the “millions” that Scientology claims.

2021 England and Wales: 1,854
2021 Canada: 1,380
2018 New Zealand: 321
2016 Australia: 1,684
2016 Ireland: 87

And the England census data drills down into local municipalities, which allows us to see how many people identified as Scientologists in places like Birmingham (43), Manchester (22), and Plymouth (13), places were Scientology is spending millions in order to put up gleaming new cathedrals it calls “Ideal Orgs,” as if there were a demand for those new facilities.

The truth, of course, is that there is no local interest in Scientology in those places, but church leader David Miscavige demands that huge amounts be raised and spent on those facilities so he can convince his wealthy donors that Scientology is a going concern.

Don’t expect a peep out of Scientology regarding these new census numbers. The last thing they want is for their own members to have their suspicions confirmed: Scientology is dying, gradually, around the globe.

 
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Jury has started over in Danny Masterson trial

Although we spent much of yesterday sitting around in a courtroom with nothing going on, it still turned out to be one of the wildest days of the Danny Masterson trial for us.

After a week off for the Thanksgiving break, we learned that two jurors were feeling ill and had tested positive for Covid.

Judge Charlaine Olmedo made her intentions clear — she wanted to replace the two Covid-positive jurors with alternates — and it didn’t surprise us too much that defense attorney Philip Cohen raised an objection.

What did surprise us was what Cohen objected to: He wanted to roll things back and argue about Judge Olmedo letting the jurors have the entire Thanksgiving week off. He said that over the week off, the defense team had looked back through transcripts and decided that none of the jurors had said anything about needed Thanksgiving week off when they were going through the jury selection process.

In other words, he was calling Judge Olmedo a liar. She had said that four or five of the jurors had travel plans on Thanksgiving week, and so she was unable to bring them back on Monday and Tuesday for more deliberations. But now Cohen was questioning if that had ever happened.

Judge Olmedo didn’t blink. She said that the jurors had communicated their travel plans to the clerk, and she asked him to put those communications in the record.

Cohen was clearly unhappy that Judge Olmedo was planning to keep things going, despite the illnesses. But after two alternates were chose to join the main jury, they went back to work on deliberations.

Before they did, Judge Olmedo admonished them to disregard all of the work they had done up to that point (about 2.5 days of deliberations before the Thanksgiving week) and to start over from the beginning.

After that, we noticed that the jury seemed more determined than it had been before the week off. The jury not only worked a little into the lunch hour, but didn’t break for the day until they hit 4 pm.

Does that new urgency suggest that we might get verdicts today? We don’t know, but we’ll be in the courtroom ready to send you dispatches on the latest.

Yesterday, we put out two short video reports, one at the lunch break and one at the end of the day. And here they are at our YouTube channel as well.

 
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Technology Cocktail

“Today this world suffers from an increasing incidence of neurosis brought about by a dependency upon mechanical things which do not think, which do not feel, but which can give pain to those that live. It suffers with an overdose of agreement that there is only one universe. So long as it believes that there is only one universe, that there is only one universe to study, to be studied, only one universe to agree with, it will continue to seek the lowest end of the scale, which is to say, that point where all universes become one universe.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1953

 
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— The Underground Bunker Podcast

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial

[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen [28] Lisa Marie Presley breaking news [29] Nov 8, Day Seventeen [30] Nov 9, Day Eighteen [31] Nov 10, Day Nineteen

 
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Jon Atack and Chris Shelton

 
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Source Code

“Every thetan is, unless he’s knocked flat out — you know, unless he’s been eating some of the recent food preservatives — this fellow is operating to some degree, even if he’s just an effect. You see, he’s, he still can put out an impulse. See, he’s mostly effect, but he can put out a little bit of an impulse, see? Well, actually that would be an interiorized thetan who was very wog. And the word ‘wog,’ of course, is in essence a ‘worthy oriental gentleman’ as been defined by the Royal Air Force. There’s nothing derogatory in being called a wog. As a matter of fact, that was the source of a general order issued in Egypt on the complaint of the Egyptian government. The air force officers were calling Egyptians wogs. So the commanding officer defined it. And he said, well, wog, that means ‘worthy oriental gentleman,’ and insisted his officers use it. Those were in the days when the Empire wasn’t dead! Anyway, this means a common, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, garden-variety humanoid. And a garden-variety humanoid means a person who has human characteristics. By which we define not that he is human in his treatment of things, he isn’t. It’s simply that he is a body, he is a body.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 29, 1966

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“DARBY: The DARBY started at midnight last night. See ED 11 Flag for the thrilling details of this race. You too can be a winner.” — The Commodore, November 29, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Understanding how theta works in a MEST universe on a continuous basis is reversing the downhill spiral. You can never learn it enough. If you don’t audit thetans you end up alone with unconscious beings. And no comm lines. Scientology is a breakdown of MEST universe into its most basic components. If you even clear a planet that would be like wow, utopia. That’s why I haven’t given up on Scientology like others, just in case it can change. It has the structure there, just needs to get rid of the paranoia. Or run grade 4 on Miscavige so he stops running his 3rd dynamic surfacs.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1995: The anonymous poster Xenu reported on the state of AOL’s folders this week. “After a period of quiescence, the ‘Scientology and Copyright’ folder on AOL is again under concerted, coordinated attack. It’s been deleted repeatedly over the last few days, with no public acknowledgment from AOL of what is going on. RonArtistR in particular has been foaming at the
mouth with posts demanding the deletion of the copyright folder. Apparently AOL has chosen the path of least resistance. Free speech is apparently too much trouble to allow. Other folders have also disappeared. Alan Morris reported the deletion of the ‘Scientologie’ folder, and Woodsie found his post containing the recently released report by Jon Atack deleted. Apparently AOL finds this material threatening… I posted the first part, in 8 pages to the ‘religion & ethics?’ bds…only to find it all removed the following morning.”

Random Howdy

“Scientology is a racist philosophy. It’s anti homo sapiens.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Trial began October 11 in Los Angeles.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Arraigned on August 29.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff scheduled to be sentenced on Oct 28.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for September 19.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing scheduled November 17 to argue the arbitration motions.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: February 2, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through December 13.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Case settled ahead of scheduled Dec 6 trial.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

 
Other links: 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 academic champion: An eager copyright attorney who shills with alacrity
[TWO years ago] Another social media harvest that reveals Scientology’s planetary takeover
[THREE years ago] Scientology moves to dismiss the ‘Jane Doe’ lawsuit in Miami, and we have the docs
[FOUR years ago] While Leah Remini asks for government action, the government covers for Scientology overseas
[FIVE years ago] DOX: Sworn testimony that a U.S. state was too afraid to take on the Church of Scientology
[SIX years ago] As you watch Leah Remini’s show tonight, keep these people disappeared by Scientology in mind
[SEVEN years ago] Jonny Jacobsen: Why the Moscow ban on Scientology may be built on shaky foundations
[EIGHT years ago] Jon Atack excavates the Scientology mind for L. Ron Hubbard’s most harmful implants
[NINE years ago] Tonight: Scientology Gets Its IAS Gala On — Let’s Get Dauntless, Defiant, and Resolute!
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s Master Spies
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Cruise Ship as Prison: The Voice Interviews Valeska Paris

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 29, 2022 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, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), 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, 15 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

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast