David Palter, 1952-2018: Remembering a Scientologist who became a steady critic

[Gregg Hagglund, Nan McLean, and David Palter watch Anonymous in 2008]

We’ve written before about Scientology’s battles with its critics in Toronto. We obtained documents that described how one Scientologist did his best to harass Gregg Hagglund, a church critic who may be the main reason Scientology has never attained charitable status in Canada.

Continue reading David Palter, 1952-2018: Remembering a Scientologist who became a steady critic

Scientology officials from around the globe called to Florida for news of ‘Scientology TV’

[Almost two years after opening his new studios, is Miscavige about to launch Scientology TV?]

Is it really finally happening?

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Scientology spies coming forward to spill their guts, then and now: A key example from the past

[Robert Dardano, at the 1982 Clearwater Hearings]

In our book about Scientology’s harassment of Paulette Cooper, we spent some time talking about a Massachusetts man named Robert Dardano who volunteered for Scientology’s “Guardian’s Office.” Dardano’s testimony was key for understanding how Scientology continued to spy on Paulette in the mid-1970s, even after she had managed to escape the church’s attempt to frame her on federal charges in 1973. Now, historian Chris Owen has written about additional details from the Dardano story, based on Dardano’s sworn testimony and other documents. After Chris’s piece, we have a brief update on the item for you.

Continue reading Scientology spies coming forward to spill their guts, then and now: A key example from the past

Best reactions to last night’s Scientology Super Bowl ad, which asked, ‘Curious?’

As it has since 2013, Scientology bought local spots during the Super Bowl to air a commercial, which was met with howls of derision on social media. We had fun last night watching the reaction live.

Continue reading Best reactions to last night’s Scientology Super Bowl ad, which asked, ‘Curious?’

Are you Sci-Curious? Here’s Scientology’s 2018 Super Bowl ad

And here it is, tonight’s Super Bowl ad from the Church of Scientology, which will be airing in certain local markets around the country tonight.

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In Scientology, the grift of its own members just never ends

Rod Keller helps us understand a longtime practice in Scientology, an organization that never tires of taking advantage of its own suckers.

Continue reading In Scientology, the grift of its own members just never ends

What L. Ron Hubbard said about religion — before Scientology became a ‘church’

[Hubbard, circa 1952]

Once again, we’re bringing you some original Source to let you hear L. Ron Hubbard in his words. And in this case, we hope we’ve found something for you that’s going to provoke some interesting reactions.

Continue reading What L. Ron Hubbard said about religion — before Scientology became a ‘church’

David Mayo, 1940-2017: Scientology’s top technical wizard and target of ‘Fair Game’

We have just learned that on October 23, former Scientology figure David Mayo died in his native New Zealand after a short illness. He was 76.

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Viewers react to Tampa NBC affiliate saying Scientology is sponsoring Winter Olympics

Last night, television viewers in the Tampa area began reacting on Facebook and Twitter after they saw promos aired on NBC’s local affiliate, WFLA Channel 8, that the Church of Scientology will be sponsoring its Winter Olympics broadcasts, which begin next week.

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A mini-trove of early Scientology materials has some gems for us today

We’ve written a couple of fun stories about Rebecca McKee McCaffrey, who most recently regaled us with some sketchy stories about growing up as a teenager in Scientology. Since then, she’s been going through her family’s files, and we want to thank her for sending us some interesting items from Scientology’s heyday.

Continue reading A mini-trove of early Scientology materials has some gems for us today

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