Scientology issues pics of LRH Birthday event, when David Miscavige was dodging service

 
On March 18 Scientology held its annual birthday party for founder L. Ron Hubbard, who was born on March 13, 1911.

This year, the event was held in the auditorium of the Fort Harrison Hotel in Scientology’s “Flag Land Base,” its spiritual mecca in Clearwater, Florida. That’s a smaller space than the city’s Ruth Eckerd Hall (capacity: 2,180), where church leader David Miscavige traditionally held the event each year before the pandemic.

But even if the venue was a bit smaller, Miscavige had good reason to hold the event on Scientology property. For years he’s been dodging process servers in litigation filed against the church, and in particular a 2022 labor trafficking lawsuit that had been filed in nearby Tampa.

On February 14, the Tampa federal district court ruled that Miscavige was intentionally evading service of the trafficking case and named him an official defendant. But he had his attorneys file an objection to that ruling, and as the birthday party event was being held, his position was that he still had not been served properly. That charade finally ended on March 31 when District Judge Thomas Barber upheld the ruling that found Miscavige had been evading service. (Unfortunately for the plaintiffs suing Miscavige and Scientology, Judge Barber also ruled in favor of the church’s motions for arbitration, and derailed the case itself.)

Anyway, we bring this up because in new photographs of the birthday event recently released by the Church of Scientology, Dave is looking a bit like all that running and hiding has taken a bit of a toll on the diminutive ecclesiastical church leader, who turns 63 years old a week from today.

We thought you’d like to see some of the images that the church released, and here they are with Scientology’s own captions…

SCIENTOLOGISTS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD traveled to the religion’s spiritual headquarters to celebrate the one name, the one man who brings hope, help and heightened ability to millions: L. Ron Hubbard.

AS MR. DAVID MISCAVIGE, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, steps to the stage, the crowd jumps to its feet with an ovation going on … and on … and on.

“TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT we celebrate L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday,” began Mr. Miscavige. “It’s a night we traditionally shower him with the gift he most wished for on his birthday in return for his legacy—the legacy of tech. So, you want to know why tonight is going to be an epic celebration? It’s because tonight the clouds of heaven itself are going to part with a deafening thunderclap, and the gifts of EXPANSION are going to rain down like a torrential hundred-year storm!”

What followed were the usual rah-rah reports about how Scientology is undergoing the greatest expansion ever (it isn’t), and a list of the Birthday Game winners for the past three years as the church catches up after the pandemic. (For a more detailed report on this, see our previous description from an eyewitness.)

In a press release, Scientology listed the year’s big recognitions for Hubbard that Miscavige outlined at the event…

From the State of Washington, a proclamation and flag flown over the capitol building commemorating 100 years since Mr. Hubbard launched his Boy Scout career in Tacoma;

From the Los Angeles Police Museum, a special tribute honoring the 75th anniversary of Mr. Hubbard taking the oath as an LAPD Special Officer, a crucial step on LRH’s Dianetics research path;

A recognition from the United States Congress, marking 50 years since LRH developed the Scientology Volunteer Minister Program and praising the global force that now stands 2.5 million strong;

From the mayor of Bay Head, New Jersey, where LRH authored Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, the key to the city in recognition of his “Legacy to Mankind”;

From representatives of the historic theater in Phoenix, Arizona, where LRH delivered the landmark Congress unifying Dianetics and Scientology, a proclamation lauding LRH’s global impact;

From the US Department of the Interior in Washington, DC, where the Founding Church of Scientology is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. With that, every LRH Landmark Site in the US is listed and officially recognized as a site of significance in US history;

And from city governments, law enforcement, national ministries, ambassadors, legislators, senators and prime ministers—more than 800 new recognitions honoring Mr. Hubbard since the beginning of this decade.

Then Dave turned to his latest tech initiative, the Golden Age of Administration, which our experts have told us is about as desperate as it gets as Miscavige tries to convince his followers that a revolution in L. Ron Hubbard’s business administration policies will somehow reverse the organization’s steady decline.

To show that the Golden Age of Administration is really the hot ticket, these images were released. Again, we’re posting them with Scientology’s own captions…

A NEW GOLDEN AGE
Top executives from Churches of Scientology around the world fill multiple course rooms as they progress through the Golden Age of Administration Executive Training Program.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TRAINING PROGRAM IN SCIENTOLOGY HISTORY

Hip, hip, hooray! Scientology will have this planet Cleared in no time.

Oh, and here’s another good shot of Miscavige. Note, of course, the wedding ring.

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Automaticity of form keeps a preclear from believing he is making facsimiles. He has buried the ability to form complex objects. He ‘mocks up a man.’ The mock-up is his. The form is an automaticity. Therefore he feels the mock-up isn’t his.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1958

 
——————–

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.

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[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

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney

 
——————–

Source Code

“Here we have this fellow now and he recognizes this principle and he’s on the destroy end of the curve, you see. He recognizes that a nothingness should exist where that body is. But he doesn’t know why a nothingness should exist — he doesn’t know anything about communication or duplication — he just knows that the best thing to have where that body is, is nothingness. So he goes and blows his brains out. And if the society insists he has too many responsibilities to go blow his brains out, why, then subterfugenously he lowers himself under the wheels of a taxi cab or steps on a third rail or lands himself, and some people haven’t quite nerve enough to make the good clean job of it, so they keep making themselves sick. And that’s psychosomatic illness. That’s all there is to psychosomatic illness, it’s a covert effort on the part of the thetan to make nothing where the body is. But it is an effort which is balked by the society to such a degree that he knows he can’t quite get away with it. So he still goes on with this faint impulse which is just make the body sick, don’t reduce it to zero.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 23, 1954

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“OTL DK has lost several important mail packets from the 24 March run. We find that OTL had just changed Supercargoes. The new one Connie (Campleman) Stevens was logging her first mail. The DK Post Office or the WW post office or Connie has lost several packets. This flap was not reported by Wayne Alkire to Flag and was not given proper attention by Susan Pomeroy. We now, by phone, have the packet numbers still lost and Aides must make them up again for the next courier. This of course calls for a severe reshuffle of lines and personnel. We must be very accurate on mail slips, relays and posting. A fantastice scramble can occur and the work of a lot of executives can be messed up or destroyed. Comm Evs are being convened on S. Pomeroy, W. Alkire, and C. (Campleman) Stevens. Mail routing will be changed.” — The Commodore, April 23, 1970

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“LRH was the basic engram, and he was carrying the cruel tactics and spirit of the Anglo-Saxons. Therefore there was no need to seek for any enemy outside, because LRH’s attitude and the complicity of his followers was enough to explain the ultimate failure of the Church of Scientology.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2001: The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported that Scientology critic Keith Henson has been convicted on the charge of interfering with a religion. “Jurors convicted a Church of Scientology opponent Thursday of using threats against the organization to interfere with its members’ right to practice the religion. However, the jury deadlocked on whether the threats
constituted terrorism. He had been charged with three misdemeanors: making terrorist threats, attempting to make terrorist threats and making threats to interfere with freedom to enjoy a constitutional privilege. The jury convicted Henson of using threats to interfere with a constitutional privilege but could not agree on the other two charges. After the verdict, Henson said he was happy that he was not convicted of terrorism but said he believes his First Amendment rights may be taken away if he is prohibited from posting his opinions. ‘My biggest concern is the fact that Scientologists can prevent people from speaking out about (them),’ he said.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“What got me here was a lifelong interest in the weird and macabre, combined with a sister who joined the cult in 1980. In 2008 I heard about a video on YouTube that featured Tom Cruise taking about Scientology. I started following the comments by the anons and Scilons, and I realized I really didn’t know as much about Scientology as I thought I did, so I got busy.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.

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 November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: March 15, 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 February 7.
— 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.

 
——————–

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?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] How Scientology turns you into an unthinking soldier, defending the indefensible
[TWO years ago] We still get asked about Scientology mouthpiece Tommy Davis, so here’s your update!
[THREE years ago] Philly lawyers suing Danny Masterson don’t want Scientology to have their home addresses
[FOUR years ago] Brad Pitt’s Scientology adventure: The sauna, the auditing, the… lizard?
[FIVE years ago] It’s only April, but we already have a leading contender for Scientology mother of the year!
[SIX years ago] Scientology loves to gladhand Florida politicians, even though it usually has little effect
[SEVEN years ago] Why Scientology’s inability to pay its tax bill in Montreal is not a sign that it’s struggling
[EIGHT years ago] See ‘Going Clear’ star Hana Whitfield describe L. Ron Hubbard in a leaked 1997 interview
[NINE years ago] NARCONON EXPOSED: Scientology’s flagship drug rehab facility is struggling, records show

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on April 23, 2023 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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), 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

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone