Last month, we told you that Scientology attorney Gary Soter had convinced Substack to remove one of our stories that contained images from a Scientology publication featuring church leader David Miscavige and voice actress Nancy Cartwright, who was being celebrated for donating a new total of $21 million to the church.
Well, it’s happened again. Soter targeted several more of our posts for removal, including one we just put up last week that featured OT success stories in the new edition of Advance! magazine.
So once again we’ve turned to our friend and Oregon-based cartoonist Chad Essley to help us out.
He’s provided a unique take on the image we used for an opener, and in his own style so it’s not copyrightable by Scientology.
For the rest of the images in the story, well, we got creative.
And most importantly, we’re able to repost the fun success stories and slogans from the original piece. What was it, do you think, that Scientology most wanted to keep you from seeing?
Here’s the original story we posted last week…
On Friday we brought you the latest “OT Phenomena” column from Scientology’s new issue of Advance! magazine.
But there’s even more to this new issue that we got a kick out of.
It turns out that the digital issue of Advance! comes in different editions depending on which part of the world you’re logging in from.
What that amounts to is that different success stories are served up for different parts of the world, and our reader managed to get us examples of each.
We’d love to get your thoughts about how Scientology is selling itself with these motivational tales these days. And also, which continent is impressing you the most with its slogans of success?
(And if this post is too long for your email provider, please navigate your browser to tonyortega.substack.com to see the whole thing.)
Successes from the UK:
Siobhan Ryan
SPARKLING LIKE A DIAMOND
“I shed layers of lies and recovered truth, ability and love — and unveiled my true state.”
Aurel Wunderer
EXPANDING TO INFINITY
“Now the burdens of the past are gone — and forgotten — and I am approaching serenity.”
Andy Gomez Bermudez
“Now I am being an OT in life, handling my dynamics smoothly and effortlessly, and whatever I’m dealing with comes out right.”
Fabiano Ziella
EXPERIENCING THE FREEDOM HE’S DREAMT ABOUT
“As I progressed, I was so happy, I danced by myself and sang between my sessions.”
Successes from the EU:
Oma Harel
A UNIVERSE SHIFT
“I became a force filled with a renewed joy of life. That life force filled me as a spiritual being.”
Lefteris Antonopoulos
THE POWER TO BRING ORDER
“I cannot remember ever being so certain, so powerful and so relaxed at the same time.”
Elena Cappon
PROBLEMS GONE, POWER GAINED
“Where I used to feel my actions were blocked on my dynamics, as I made my way through the Wall of Fire, those barriers disappeared.”
Michaela Krajcovicova
A NEW STATE OF EXISTENCE
“I became the ruler of my own life, able to make my postulates work.”
Successes from LA:
Samantha Elkin
“My anger and frustration that was always just under the surface is gone…. My ARC for people is higher than ever.”
Biswasree Debnath
A MEASURE OF HIMSELF
“I had a faint knowingness that I was a big being, but no idea of how big. New OT V made me realize that I am absolutely ginormous.”
Kristen Koehler
A COMPLETE TURNAROUND
“Now I am happy. I am productive. I am proud of myself. I know that true and lasting change is possible.”
Andrea Oliveau
TAKING THE SPEEDWAY
“With each session, I knew I was increasing the amount of free theta on the planet.”
Successes from Africa:
Matthew Ziranek
ENTERING THE OT ZONE
“I experienced a massive sigh of mental and spiritual relief. It’s something I’ve come to call epic peace.”
Maria Delgado Webb
THETAN ABILITIES REGAINED
“I’m more me than I’ve ever been, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Mimmi Lillhannus
DYNAMIC CHANGE
“I am no longer dependent on some external force to produce my happiness… for the first time I am genuinely happy by simply being me!”
Simone Dell’Aria
IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER
“Throughout my OT journey, I gained the answers I had been looking for, for a long time. And I fully regained my self-determinism.”
Successes from ANZO:
Mandy Sharma
A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
“I have gained so many abilities and so much power. Now, instead of working against my dynamics, I am working in harmony with them.”
Hui-Ching (Emily) Huang
A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF AWARENESS
“While the lower levels released me from charge, the OT Levels revealed the truth about life.”
Gaurav Sharma
LIFE FROM AN OT PERSPECTIVE
“I’m truly a happy, happy thetan. Life is a pleasure-filled game. Now I am no longer focused on myself but on the betterment of all other dynamics.”
Nicole Leonard
PERSISTENCE IS POWERFUL
“After New OT V, I began operating with theta horsepower.”
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Technology Cocktail
“The thetan incurs no liability in confronting or not confronting, being in or not being in things and thus a total confronting or total non-confronting are attainable goals. The thetan believes things about confronting or necessities to confront or not to confront and so becomes aberrated (not straight-lined). To confront, knowing is necessary. Unknown confronting or not confronting, when uncovered, gives us the phenomenon of “cognition”—and that is the definition of it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1958
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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?
[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
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“I think you could probably get a cat to talk with the reach-and-withdraw band of processes. I mean it. I mean it. I think you could get a cat to talk. But how would you go about processing a cat, you see? Well, the same way you tend to process children. Sloppily, hunt-and-punch, no regular sessions, not treating it with the dignity that auditing demands. Don’t you see? You know, a lot of Scientologists’ kids are going to be practically unprocessable in a few more years, if people keep hunting-and-punching processing on them, you know. Grabbing them off as they pass by, and running an assist, don’t you see, and never flattening the auditing command and so forth. I’m surprised, every once in a while, one of my kids will yelp when I say I’m going to give them an assist, you know. They yelp! They’re usually very pleased, but once in a while I will propose something like this, and I’ll get a protest.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 19, 1963
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“To the members of the FB, FSO and FAO: Thank you all — each and every one — for your good wishes on my Birthday. I’m thrilled with the ‘Mad Money for Cassettes,’ and very anxious to see my Mystery Gift. Much love,” — Mary Sue, June 19, 1971
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“I am only on OT2 but in the Freezone we have top end comps almost weekly. There is no doubt that the upper levels of the so called CBR bridge give the OTs tools to operate effectively on all dynamics, not just their own. The wins are mind blowing and it must be what LRH intended. Cause and caseless on all dynamics. So I am doing it, Freezone for sure. The Indies do not offer anything beyond OT8 which we now know is questionable as regards being a fully completed rundown or level.”
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1995: Maggie Council posted a series on one Scientologist’s experiences with Applied Scholastics schools. Selected excerpts: “The claim that the school was non-denominational was a bold-faced lie. Everything was scientology. Knowledge reports were kept on students, Q & A upon admissions which were kept in files and used to smear students who ‘blew,’ stat charts, study courses and the comm course (which being under the Tax Exempt umbrella makes them ‘religious’ courses), ethics policies, success stories, Friday graduation and wins sharing and applause, etc., etc. They would take students off of the courses they really needed to get a standard academic education, such as math, history, etc. which take a lot of work and time to get the course completions. Then they would be put on some really educationally benign program of drawing a picture, calling each picture an art course, counting it as a completion, plus taking the points for it. If they were far behind the previous weeks completions and points, all of the students would draw several pictures, taking an art ‘completion’ for each one and the points that go with it.”
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“I’ve seen Oz promote homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, and herbal voodoo on his program. He’s Dr Woo-Woo.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Trial scheduled for August 15.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for June 26 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs asking permission for interlocutory appeal.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— 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 June 28.
— 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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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] When Father’s Day reminds you that Scientology has ripped apart your family
[TWO years ago] Finally, truth in Scientology advertising: What an ‘Ideal USA’ would really look like
[THREE years ago] Records show that Danny Masterson is a woeful Scientologist — would he turn on the church?
[FOUR years ago] Ignore the apologists: Yes, L. Ron Hubbard lied about having an engineering degree
[FIVE years ago] Stacy Francis goes to Washington: Are we witnessing another Scientology political op?
[SIX years ago] Clearwater bar owner under surveillance has a surprise for Scientology: He’s expanding
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology goes big with Barnes & Noble and with the Euro 2016 football tournament
[EIGHT years ago] LEAK: ‘Crappy stories’ about Scientology are driving more people to the church than ever!
[NINE years ago] Paul Haggis, Chill EB, and more Scientology fun in an all-video post!
[TEN years ago] LEAK: Scientology’s Script For Softening Up A Crowd
[ELEVEN years ago] The Master Gets Its Scientology On in 2nd Trailer
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,065 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,570 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,120 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,110 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,001 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,305 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,176 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,281 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,728 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,070 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,636 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,555 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,722 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,304 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,565 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,601 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,317 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,881 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,196 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,371 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,922 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,053 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,391 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,246 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,365 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,721 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,024 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,130 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,528 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,404 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,987 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,482 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,736 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,845 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 19, 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
