[We’ve been so honored over the years to publish pieces by Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky author Jon Atack here at the Bunker. And once again, here he is, and this time celebrating a milestone.]

I’m writing this on October 18, 2023: the fortieth anniversary of my resignation from the Church of [...]]]>

 
[We’ve been so honored over the years to publish pieces by Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky author Jon Atack here at the Bunker. And once again, here he is, and this time celebrating a milestone.]

I’m writing this on October 18, 2023: the fortieth anniversary of my resignation from the Church of Scientology. I resigned because I believed that the priceless technology of Scientology had to be rescued from the ‘Church.’ I had no intention of becoming the rescuer, but on the morning of October 15, 1983, I was awakened rudely to find a stranger looming at my bedside who saluted me and called me ‘sir’.

No one had ever saluted me before and I was drowsy, so I said, ‘yes’, when he asked if I would become the Chairman of the OT Committee UK and host a meeting at East Grinstead’s Crown Hotel in three days’ time.

I had no idea what an OT Committee was and – hard to believe – back then I was as shy as the man begging me to take his place. But I was a true believer and Scientology had to be saved, lest the whole world be lost, so I agreed to host the meeting.

The night before, I persuaded a videographer to leave the ‘Church’ (inverted commas because ‘church’ is strictly Christian; Scientology most certainly not). This was the first of hundreds of talk-outs for me. He taped the ‘event,’ but the next day, after handing me the tapes, rejoined the ‘Church.’ He’s probably still roaming the dungeons of Saint Hill Castle for this sin.

I have hours of the unpublished recording somewhere, but here is a pirated scrap from a poor copy. It is an important document because it shows the unbridled fervour we felt. It was the first ever public gathering of disaffected Scientologists in the UK.

Captain Bill Robertson – the star of the show – had already published his Sector Operations Bulletins (or S.O.B.s), claiming that Ron Hubbard (‘Elron Elray’) had departed this world and was sending telepathic messages from his ‘mothership’. Bill moved to East Grinstead soon afterwards and spent eight months trying to convince me of his bizarre ideas. I eventually realized that the signature on those S.O.B.s ‘Astar Parmejian’ was Bill’s avatar from 75 million years before, when he had been Elron Elray’s girlfriend. I spoke at length about this in ‘Captain Bill, the craziest Scientologist.’ There you can find out about Bill cross-dressing and singing to Elron Elray every night. But that is another story (and what a story!).

Bill said that 200,000 Marcabians had already landed and were operating through Transcendental Meditation and the Freemasons from their base in Switzerland. Scientology had been taken over by the FBI. In 1986, the Marcabians would crash the economy through gold trading and take over the world (erstwhile Scientologist, physicist and psi-investigator Hal Puthoff was still pushing the alien line with To The Stars, 30 years later). The only hope was the ‘Free Zone’: disposing of the hierarchical structure of the mother cult and acting as independent nodes. And it is still
out there (and I mean, ‘out there’).

At the Crown Hotel, Bill introduced the Special Zone Plan which would be achieved through his New Civilization Game. It looked like one of those board games that has 400 printed slips of paper and an encyclopaedia for a rule book, but these were early days for the New Civilization.

The event was interrupted by the appearance of David Gaiman – Neil Gaiman’s father – who had headed Hubbard’s Public Relations department for 15 years before being sent to dig ditches at Scientology’s then secret headquarters at Gilman Hot Springs. David told us to ‘go another mile with the Church’ and to ‘remember Amprinistics.’ I suspect that like me most of the sixty people assembled had never heard of this splinter group. It was one of more than 200 splinter groups I’d later research. It annoyed the hell out of Ron Hubbard back in 1965.

Captain Bill was an imposing figure – about 6’4” even without his heels – and lost patience with Gaiman. He leapt onto the stage, thrusting his arm forth and shouting, ‘I have been with Ron for more than many centuries!’ and taking back control of the room. My friend, who was sat in the front row, said she had a headache for a week after Bill’s yell.

We’d been met at the door by two grinning members of Scientology’s Guardian’s Office – Mike Garside and Robert Springhall – who were carefully noting down the names of every attendee. The next day, the first Suppressive Person declare was handed down to Unni Auker. Mine took a while longer. It was my first encounter with Scientology harassment. I was active for the next twelve years, but the harassment continued unabated for sixteen. The late Arnie Lerma was almost right when he said, ‘Before the Internet and safety in numbers, there was Jon Atack.’ I really don’t know why I kept going. Pig-headedness, most likely. If no one had harassed me, I’d have been gone long ago.

A dozen of us travelled to Spain a few weeks later to the most surreal gathering I’ve ever witnessed. Bill had decked out a conference room in a Marbella hotel with flags and pennants of his own design. We learned that both David Gaiman and John Chadder from the Guardian’s Office were holidaying in Marbella (see the ‘liability formula’), and Sea Org executive Peter Warren burst into our meeting, asking if anyone wanted to hear a message from Diana Hubbard. Of course, we did but Peter broke into a rant and it took four able-bodied men to carry him screaming from the room.

Then there was Captain Bill’s music – previously performed on the streets of Clearwater by the Sea Org Marching Band, so I later heard. It was like waking up in a Terry Gilliam movie. Bill’s theatrics shattered any faith I had in his Marcabian madness. His friend Mike Baker-Rogers told me that after his Suppressive Person declare in 1982, Bill had turned up on his doorstep asking for the smallest possible room in which to stay. Bill told me the room hadn’t been small enough and he’d spent the next days in a wardrobe trying to regain his sanity. I suspect that he failed. One day, he had been flying high as the Second Deputy Commodore of Scientology and the next he had been expelled by the young Turks of the Commodore’s Messenger Organization. A few days later, he was in a wardrobe, wondering where the last 20 years had gone.

A few weeks after my return from Spain, John Hansen arrived on my doorstep with a huge bundle of papers prepared by the legendary and elusive Michael Linn Shannon (I expressed my gratitude to him in Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, but have never found out who he really was). Here were documents showing that Hubbard’s boasts of being an explorer, a pupil of eastern gurus, a nuclear physicist and a ‘much-decorated’ war hero were all fanciful in the extreme. For me, it was the beginning of a long journey.

As my belief in Scientology eroded, I became the historian of Scientology and the biographer of Hubbard. I was fortunate enough over the years to help hundreds of people to renounce their allegiance and recover their money and their self-determinism from Hubbard’s spiritual vampirism. I had no idea that my original title – Chairman of the OT Committee UK – was the gift of the Second Deputy Commodore. As soon as I resigned from that position – having decided that the ‘technology’ was a scam – I was summoned to a Committee of Evidence by the OT Committee UK. My successor, Julian Bell, chided the Committee before they could even read the charges, and they apologised and asked if I’d keep on editing Reconnection.

I’m very happy to say that forty years later, I’m in good health and fine spirits, and although there were some very hard years, and I was derailed from my creative career, I’m still glad that I spoke out and very grateful for the thanks I’ve received for my work. Here’s to the next forty years!

— Jon Atack

 
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Technology Cocktail

“Clearing has been improved by the advent of Tiger Drilling and Goals Prepchecking and by new data on finding goals and on listing. The greatest hold-up in clearing was lack of an adequate Prehav Level finding system. I have now developed this in HCO Bulletin 7 November, Issue III. This will be of enormous help both in finding Rock Slams to find goals and running out goals when found.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1962

 
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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.

 
——————–

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 [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman

 
——————–

Source Code

“The Eighth Dynamic is really infinity stood upright. And it simply means infinity. Now, you can come along and say, ‘Well, you also mean the Supreme Being?’ No, we don’t particularly mean the Supreme Being. How do we know that you aren’t, collectively, the Supreme Being. See? That’s probably much more closer to truth. There are gods around of various kinds. There are some wind gods over in India; there are various savage gods of one kind or another. But if you give them a good quizzing you find out that they’re just a thetan and they behave most remarkably like you would if you hadn’t thought that you ought to lay aside all the power you had, too.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 19, 1954

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“NOTES FROM HCI: In spite of Sea Watches, Drills and docking the following completed courses yesterday: Al Bornstein, Lookout Specialist; David Ziff, HDG; Dekki Le, SO SS; David Ziff, HSDC; Sharon West, SO SS; Liz Ausley, OOD Specialist. Very Well Done. It’s great to see thetans making things go right.” — The Commodore, October 19, 1970

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Cabal bases on Mars surely exist. The secret Earth conspiracy is just a small part of the larger agenda to suppress the rest of the universe.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1998: The St. Petersburg Times published an article this week on David Miscavige, the leader of Scientology. “When David Miscavige recounts his rise to power in the Church of Scientology — a journey that began when he quit high school at age 16 — it is mostly a story of war. War against renegade Scientologists. War against Scientology’s critics. War against its one-time arch enemy, the IRS. But Scientology’s 38-year-old leader insists he is a determined peace-maker as well. After years spent well outside the public’s radar screen, Miscavige says he plans to step forward now and take a central role in trying to end differences with those who still oppose Scientology, the self-improvement ‘technology’ devised by the late L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s.”

 
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Random Howdy

“A day without Kirstie is like a day without donuts.”

 
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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. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, Scientology submitting anti-SLAPP response Oct 26.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Discovery phase.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

 
——————–

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] Scientology concepts were plentiful on 2nd day of testimony in Danny Masterson trial
[TWO years ago] Crazy fun on Scientology’s private cruise ship in the Caribbean, still tied to the dock
[THREE years ago] What Danny Masterson’s prosecutor revealed about the case in yesterday’s hearing
[FOUR years ago] Scientologist anti-vaxx group fundraises on the idea its big California loss was a win
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s astounding pre-history in a new book you really need to read
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s Flag Building brain injury: In Clearwater, it’s déjà vu all over again
[SEVEN years ago] Chris Shelton: What Louis Theroux missed about the Scientology experience in his film
[EIGHT years ago] Two years after Scientology’s ‘Super Power’ debuted, it’s still a flop
[NINE years ago] Scientology is turning Larry Hagman’s house into a drunk tank for celebs
[TEN years ago] Next in the Garcia Fraud Lawsuit: Scientology Is Asked to Explain Its Arbitration System
[ELEVEN years ago] 35-Year Scientologist Steve Poore Says Church Leader David Miscavige is “Scared to His Core”

 
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——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on October 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

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 Last month we published an excerpt from a new book, The Bad Cadet: Growing Up in the Church of Scientology’s Sea Organization.

Now, its author, Katherine Spallino, talks about the book with our old friend Jon Atack.

Please let us know what you think about their conversation.

 Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

 Also, we have a bonus: [...]]]>

 
Last month we published an excerpt from a new book, The Bad Cadet: Growing Up in the Church of Scientology’s Sea Organization.

Now, its author, Katherine Spallino, talks about the book with our old friend Jon Atack.

Please let us know what you think about their conversation.

 
Also, we have a bonus: Jon also continues his discussion with Mark ‘Warrior’ Plummer.

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“One very worrisome case was that of a thetan whose skull was used by a carnival who put a motor in the jaws to make them keep on opening, and the thetan just couldn’t take it. I actually had to unwrap a preclear from that particular skull. He still had a finger on it even though he had another body. People actually become curators of museums just to keep a finger on a body they might have once had.” — 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

“I saw a little fellow once, about 110 pounds, pick up a grand piano and shove it out of a burning house. He never pushed a barbell in his life. Of course, when he got out on the lawn; he wondered who brought the piano out. He just produced enough energy at that moment and overcame enough gravity and threw enough postulates out the window so that the piano would dematerialize in the living room, and rematerialize in the front lawn. And he says, ‘I wonder who brought that piano out?’ Now, if he had arduously trained himself so as to eat Wheaties, why, he would have, of course, left the piano right where it was.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 7, 1954

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“UK ENQUIRY: The ‘Findings’ of this enquiry have been handed over to Sir Joseph in House of Lords. This means very early publication. Past signs are that they will not be viciously unfavorable. We are busy working to handle any possible repercussion. It may be a week or so yet before they hit the UK press. This cycle is far from conclusive. We made a last minute breakthrough on the WHO that began all this and keeps busy hounding us. This breakthrough puts the initiative in our hands. Instead of trying to find out WHO has been hitting Scientology we now find we are moved right over, on target, of WHO is responsible for East-West upsets and the atomic war threats and the economic crises. Whetever the UK ‘enquiry’ says, the end of the war is well in view.” — The Commodore, May 7, 1971

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“There’s countless factions of Scientology out here in the field operating apart and if we continue this way, then divided we fall. That was by design as well because the SPs know we have THE most powerful tech that can put an end to them. There are tens of thousands of us Scientologists out here in the field and we need to get back together and form up into a Planet-Clearing machine that would make LRH proud. We need to audit this nonsense out and apply PTS/SP tech and get this world out of the soup it is in. LRH said that the purpose of the Sea Org is “To get in ethics on the planet and eventually this universe”. Didn’t happen. Why? Because we didn’t take him serious enough. So – once again we are the only way out for this planet. If we don’t form up and get organized now, we will have lost BIG.”

 
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Past is Prologue

2001: “Barb” protested in downtown Hemet, California. “We decided to stake out a busy intersection in downtown Hemet. Hundreds of people drove by and read my sign, ‘Scientology, the ‘church’ with a Body Count-www.xenu.net.’ One guy stopped, told me he was a cab driver who picked up a couple at Gold who wanted to leave. His cab was chased. He also gave someone a ride out to Happy Valley and got inside the gate, but wasn’t allowed to linger once he discharged his passenger. I gave him a Xenu flier that had an insert provided by Keith, ‘Scientology Hurts People.'”

 
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Random Howdy

“Hubbard just took ‘astral projection’ and redefined it as ‘exteriorization’.”

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] You just dropped tens of thousands on Scientology: Could you be any more excited?
[TWO years ago] The nanny task list from a Scientology couple that is driving Twitter insane
[THREE years ago] Tom Cruise in orbit: Why it makes sense for NASA to launch Scientology’s space cadet
[FOUR years ago] JURY AWARDS $11 MILLION OVER DEATH OF SCIENTOLOGY REHAB PATIENT
[FIVE years ago] Scientology celeb Joy Villa takes down her ‘testing the waters’ for Congress web pages
[SIX years ago] Even in Mexico, Scientology bullies people with hired muscle — but for now strikes out
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s hypnotic suggestion: What’s true for you is what’s true for L. Ron Hubbard
[EIGHT years ago] Guest post: 20 reasons the Church of Scientology is a cult and a fraud
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s plans for the KCET studios in Los Angeles finally taking shape?
[TEN years ago] OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR SIGNS LAW AIMED AT SCIENTOLOGY DRUG REHAB
[ELEVEN years ago] The Five Most Dream-Like Sequences in the John Travolta Sex-Assault Lawsuit

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 7, 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

 While your proprietor is recovering from this first week of testimony at the Danny Masterson retrial, we hope you enjoy the latest discussion by these two titans of entheta as they discuss “peak experiences, placebo, and the sunk cost fallacy.”

 Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ——————–

Technology Cocktail

“The fact that one has lived before is so [...]]]>

 
While your proprietor is recovering from this first week of testimony at the Danny Masterson retrial, we hope you enjoy the latest discussion by these two titans of entheta as they discuss “peak experiences, placebo, and the sunk cost fallacy.”

Technology Cocktail

“The fact that one has lived before is so restrained that it itself is the reason why it is forgotten. The unpopularity of it in other ages and this one brought about a forgetter mechanism which causes an occlusion on the subject of death. The fact that one cannot talk about it is enough, all by itself, to continue to cause the forgetter mechanism.” — 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

“‘If I put in one more galaxy,’ a fellow said to me one day, ‘I’m going to sink straight through the crust of Earth.’ I don’t think he would have although the crust is only 40 miles thick and below that is nothing but molten lava. But anyway, he was getting too heavy.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 29, 1954

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“David Mayo is assigned as an Ad Course Auditor assisting Bob Guilford. This is in addition to his Flag Interneship. This post does the incidental auditing and minor repairs and rud flying needed by Ad Courses. Full checkout on these actions should be done at once. This includes HCO B 26 Apr 71.” — The Commodore, April 29, 1971

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Psychic auditing is where the auditor audits a person over Skype but the auditor holds the cans of the E-meter and also sends spiritual entities to monitor the PC. Given that the sending of entities to monitor the person is the method of choice for implanters, I think this psychic auditing deserves a warning.”

Past is Prologue

2000: From Ifuse.com: “Crew members working on the latest John Travolta movie say they can’t wait to wrap, citing a ‘creepy’ level of Scientologist fervor surrounding the set of potential summer sci-fi blockbuster ‘Battlefield Earth.’ The movie is about a futuristic battle for Earth between opposing political movements. The ‘good’ that wins out is supposed to represent the ideology of Scientology. ‘It’s weird man,’ said a member of the camera crew, interviewed by iFUSE on the set Tuesday. ‘Half these people are Scientologists. Travolta’s hired all of them to be here. It’s like this weird, religious epic. ‘It’s creepy, man.’ Some crew members went so far as to call their Scientologist co-workers ‘freaks,’ saying they constantly speak wistfully of founder Hubbard and how wonderful their faith is. Others — who happen to be Scientologists — said they were fine with the atmosphere. ‘This is a film that I wanted to work on,’ said a Scientologist member of the production. ‘Hubbard just knew so many secrets about what really goes on, and his books made those ideas come to life entertainingly, so it’s great to be making this into a movie that, hopefully, a lot of people will see.'”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“In Scientology, ripping off a wog isn’t a crime, it’s a duty.”

 
——————–

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

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] New trial granted in defamation case against author who exposed Scientology in Australia
[TWO years ago] ‘Almost Andy Reid’ says he’s unhappy that Scientology used him in propaganda video
[THREE years ago] NASA’s new spacesuit shares a name with Scientology’s legendary galactic warlord!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology stepping up its promotion of chiropractic, demonizing of the AMA
[FIVE years ago] As another tiny enclave of Scientologists digs deep for an Ideal Org — what would Ron say?
[SIX years ago] Garcias answer: Was Scientology not paying attention to an angry federal judge?
[SEVEN years ago] Ron Miscavige, his book ‘Ruthless,’ his nervous son, and Scientology Watching’s new reality
[EIGHT years ago] Want to go Clear? Has Scientology got a deal for you!
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s ‘Hogwarts’ doesn’t want you to think it’s connected to Scientology
[TEN years ago] Scientology Metaphysics: After Death, Will You Go to Mars or Venus?
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Librarians Under Assault!

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on April 29, 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

 While we take a weekend break in the Danny Masterson retrial, we’re glad to see that Jon Atack and Mark ‘Warrior’ Plummer have begun a conversation about Mark’s journey in Scientology.

We really enjoyed speaking with Mark for the podcast here some time ago.

 Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Also, they sent over this rare document [...]]]>

 
While we take a weekend break in the Danny Masterson retrial, we’re glad to see that Jon Atack and Mark ‘Warrior’ Plummer have begun a conversation about Mark’s journey in Scientology.

We really enjoyed speaking with Mark for the podcast here some time ago.

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“A preclear explodes under a mediumly mild 8-C which has regularity rather than a tremendous number of surprises. He has never been given orders he can follow before and all his effort to be orderly goes into restimulation. His efforts to be orderly were manifest at those times when disorder was in his vicinity. You start to handle him well and the disorder to his view goes into automatic and he blows up.” — 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

“We find our people, as we process them, further and further along on this curve of create, through survive, to destroy. And when we get well past survive, we get to an individual who can think in no terms but suicide. He tries to kill himself and those around him. He would not even dream of getting, you might say, out of the body. All he can think of is being in the body and destroying things. He has bought the physical universe. Well, we try to process this individual. We normally find him in sanitariums, and so forth, because he’s no longer able to promote the biological line; and we find his anxiety on the subject of sex very, very great, but it’s very destructive. It’s not the type of sexual activity that would lead to an unending stream of protoplasm. Quite on the contrary, it would be a type of sexual activity which said ‘The unending stream of protoplasm must now end,’ which is to say homosexuality, other misconducts. And we’d find him over on the physical universe side of the ledger over here. And he would be very involved with rocks and solid masses of various things. He’s really left the biological line.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 22, 1954

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“The VIP Party was a huge success, Governor, Lord Mayor and all. Div VI must receive full cooperation on set ups and drills, however. We are at our best in Billing and Drilling. It’s been an awful long time since I heard the rush and pound of feet getting a drill drilled. Guest drill is just another drill. The Supercargo is reponsible for having a well drilled ship. The smartest ships ever were the heavily drilled Enchanter, Avon River and the pre-Melilla RSM! So WE DRILL 1700 to 1800 DAILY HEREAFTER, at sea or in port Supercargo and Ship LRH Comm Take note please.” — The Commodore, April 22, 1970

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Can there be more than one reincarnated or returnee LRH on Earth? Can there be several returnee LRHs on Earth and other returnee LRHs in other planets? Apparently yes, according to what LRH said in this taped lecture series, History of Man or Time Track of Theta tapes and in his books. In them LRH explains how it has been found that several theta lines merge to become one and later separate, how they become one individuality and later choose to become several. Also, in another taped lecture, LRH explains how thetans have three stages of track: the early track with thetans as spheres of light, next track as war of universes, and the final track with thetans trapped in meat bodies. In another line, there are accounts of ETs performing ‘soul merging’ operations with electronics means to merge an ‘out of body’ identity or thetan, with the thetan of another person with a body. This being described by abductee Dan Burisch. I say this to explain why we should not discard the Freezone story of Capt Bill Robertson stating that LRH at the moment of his death assumed the identity of Galactic Patrol Commander L Ron L. Ray and why we can also have the case of finding reincarnated or returnee LRHs on Earth, and even find LRH on the next Galaxy, Andromeda, where he said he would go after death.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2000: Stacy Brooks reported on a recent trip to Europe to meet with leaders in those countries. “Bob Minton and I just spent ten days in Europe. We went to Cologne, Hamburg and Paris. We discussed how we are dealing with the Church of Scientology and how we can coordinate our actions. Bob and I were both disturbed at reports from both Germany and France about actions that have been taken by the United States against those countries for their position on Scientology. First we had a brief stay in Cologne during which Bob participated in a live television program. The host of the show was Hans Meiser, a well-known television personality in Northern Germany. The others on the show were Dr. Norbert Blum, former minister of labor and a long-term critic of Scientology, and Tanya Neujahr, a former Sea Org member at Saint Hill who, at the age of 17, was put in charge of security for several isolation watches. Later Tanya tried to escape from Saint Hill and was dragged, kicking and screaming, into a room where she was locked up and kept in isolation herself for several days, until she agreed to write up her overts and withholds (O/Ws) and remain at Saint Hill.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“At least two thirds of the people who showed up on the top five anti-Scientology vids on YouTube from 2008-2010 representing themselves as Scientologists were in fact FAKE. And I was usually the person who busted them.”

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] When L. Ron Hubbard assigns you to the deep: A slice of Scientology in new book
[TWO years ago] Why Danny Masterson’s attacks on Leah Remini aren’t helping him in court
[THREE years ago] Even a pandemic can’t stop Scientology from tracking you down, apostate!
[FOUR years ago] Where is Scientology dying most Ideally? Could it be our neighbor to the north?
[FIVE years ago] Everything — even Scientology — is up to date in Kansas City, and here’s who’s responsible!
[SIX years ago] Scientology denied twice in wrongful death lawsuit as parents grieve for Tabatha Fauteux
[SEVEN years ago] Another depressing piece of evidence that Scientology advocates splitting apart families
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology: Making fools of your local elected lunkheads since 1952
[NINE years ago] The Garcias take one more shot at Scientology before their fraud suit will live or die
[TEN years ago] GARCIAS RESPOND TO SCIENTOLOGY: YOU’RE A BIG RIPOFF
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Jake and Elwood Want Your Cash!

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on April 22, 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

 The big news this week of course is that former Scientology spokesman and Leah Remini’s costar Mike Rinder has released his really terrific book about his experience in the church, A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.

And in our review we pointed out that we felt the book [...]]]>

 
The big news this week of course is that former Scientology spokesman and Leah Remini’s costar Mike Rinder has released his really terrific book about his experience in the church, A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.

And in our review we pointed out that we felt the book had a unique place in the literature of this crazy organization that we keep an eye on.

In order to help us put that into some perspective, we thought we’d discuss it with one of the OGs on the scene, the man whose monumental history of Scientology was our own introduction to the subject, none other than historian and Underground Bunker contributor, Jon Atack. His 1990 book, now in a new edition, Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, remains a milestone in the field. More recently, he’s been producing interviews at his YouTube channel, including several with Rinder.

We figured he’d have some unique perspectives on Rinder’s book, and we weren’t disappointed.

Today, we’re releasing the fifteenth episode of The Underground Bunker Podcast to our paid subscribers at Substack. You should receive it presently at your email inbox if you’re on the list.

Not a paid subscriber? Well, we have something for you, too. Last week’s episode was with Mark Bunker, the Clearwater city councilman, who talked to us about Scientology’s latest moves in that beleaguered town. In the weeks before, we talked to Jesse Prince, Paulette Cooper, Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan, Jefferson Hawkins, Marc Headley, Patty Moher, Geoff Levin, Pete Griffiths, Sunny Pereira, Jeffrey Augustine, and Claire Headley.

Those first fourteen episodes are now free to all of our subscribers, paid and unpaid. All of our podcast episodes can be found here.

 
——————–

Today’s Scientology happy news. Yes, an excerpt from an actual press release put out by the church this week.

Tragedy struck the commune of Senigallia, and local Scientologists responded immediately to help the community recover from the worst floods ever to hit the town. Ever since the eastern coast of Italy was devastated by a flash flood September 16, Scientology Volunteer Ministers have been hard at work providing help.

Volunteer Ministers from the Church of Scientology Mission of Senigallia responded immediately, helping their city dig out from the mud. They have been joined by Volunteer Ministers from the Churches of Scientology of Padova and Rome.

Some of the worst of the recent flooding in Italy hit the town of Senigallia, where the River Misa overflowed its banks.

Although alerted to rain, it was far greater than predicted. Local residents did not expect the violence of the storm, which dumped between 16 and 19 inches of rain on the region in two or three hours. An Interior Ministry official in Ancona described the rainfall as a “water bomb that exploded.” A local mayor said it was more like a tsunami. In just a few hours, the region was inundated with as much rainfall as it usually receives in six months.

Streets became rivers that carried away everything in their path. At least 10 people died.

When floodwaters receded, the cleanup began, and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers responded immediately and have been helping their community dig out from the mud and water damage ever since.

Whether serving in their communities or on the other side of the world, the motto of the Scientology Volunteer Minister is “Something can be done about it.” The program, created by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard in the mid-1970s, is sponsored by the Church of Scientology International as a religious social service and constitutes one of the world’s most significant independent relief forces.

The Volunteer Minister “helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.”

 
——————–

Now with no restrictions: Our podcast series on the Scientology docuseries that never aired

In five episodes, we recently looked at something we’ve been curious about for several years: The potentially explosive television show, produced by Sirens Media, that would have featured L. Ron Hubbard great-grandson Jamie DeWolf as its presenter, and that would have taken an active look at the families ripped apart by Scientology’s “disconnection” policy. Unfortunately, even though the series was ready to air on the A&E network in 2016, it never has. Our podcast series turned out even better than we were hoping, and we’ve made all five episodes available to everyone.

 
——————–

Source Code

“We could bring people in off the streets and have them walk down the hall and stop in Office 1 where a little sign says, ‘Glasses removed here.’ We wouldn’t have any couches or anything cluttering the place up like that, and we could just walk them around the hall and at each station there would be another auditor and he would just ask standard questions. The people coming in would walk all the way around and then out on the street again. Of course, they would stop at the desk before they went out and write out a check for the equivalent amount of medical treatment, which would come to $8,687,962.05! There is some slight possibility that we may be at that stage. I don’t want to over evaluate anything, however.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 1, 1951

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“With only a third of the crew done Festival Stats have fallen. Immediate Emergency action was taken. A new threat is required according to the C/Ses. The three Highest Hours get a SPECIAL BONUS. The three with the Lowest Hours have to push a peanut with their nose the whole circle of the prom deck on Grand Ball Night and the one who loses the peanut race can only wear a sheet for the next 24 hours. Review Auditors are included.” — The Commodore, October 1, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Frankly, I don’t think ‘discussions’ about history or any other topic ever produce much of any value. Debate is vastly overrated as a way to come to realistic conclusions about anything. Discussion is fun and occasionally someone says something that makes you cognite about something. But it rarely resolves anything. Online discussions also have a value in knitting together a community. In our case, we can’t all descend on the corner bar and have beers together. Now I know of a variety of trained and reliable ‘with-LRH’ people. And hopefully more will follow. Because God knows, there are few enough of us out here as it is.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1999: Officials in Belgium raided Scientology locations, seizing documents related to fraud and abuse. From Agence France Presse: “The controversial Church of Scientology was again under the gun in western Europe Friday after simultaneous raids and seizures of its documents in Belgium and France, the Brussels prosecutor said Friday. Jos Colpin, spokesman for the prosecutor’s office, told AFP Belgian police with warrants swooped on 25 locations Thursday, searching premises, seizing bookkeeping documents and temporarily detaining people for questioning. He said two such searches were also carried out in Paris at the request of Belgian authorities, but added that no charges were yet pending against the church in either country, and that all those questioned had been released. The seizures resulted from a fraud and abuse complaint filed in Brussels in 1997 by a former member of the church seeking recovery of money she had paid.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“The only place D.M. is taking his ass if the seat gets too hot is to Tahiti or the Russian Riviera. He’s a gangster, not a fanatic.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:

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.
— 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, next status hearing October 25. Scientology petitioning US Supreme Court over appellate ruling.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for December 6.
— 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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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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

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] New evidence that private eyes stalking Leah Remini and J-Lo were working for Scientology
[TWO years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 8: The secret Paul Haggis shared with the wrong person
[THREE years ago] Valerie Haney drops ‘Jane Doe’ label in brutal amended complaint against Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Dispatches from our far-flung correspondents agree: Scientology still sucks
[FIVE years ago] Scientology celebrates its disaster response in Florida, but struggles in Puerto Rico and Mexico
[SIX years ago] Atack: Scientology advocates serenity, so why are so many Scientologists angry jerks?
[SEVEN years ago] Cathriona White’s Scientology ‘twin’ on grueling courses was an actor named Travis Case
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s drug rehab network hit with lawsuit number 22 by attorney Ryan Hamilton
[NINE years ago] RAY JEFFREY 1, SCIENTOLOGY 0: Disqualify Motion Denied in Harassment Lawsuit
[TEN years ago] Secrets of The Master: Elements of Scientology That Didn’t Make It into the Film
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Internal E-Mails: Even More Depressing Than You Might Assume

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 1, 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

Our proprietor has asked me to make some comment on his splendid, corrected transcript of the Mission Holders’ Conference of 1982. I’ve long regarded this conference as the fatal turning point in Scientology, where any pretense at compassion was rejected by David Miscavige – at this time not the leader but [...]]]>

Our proprietor has asked me to make some comment on his splendid, corrected transcript of the Mission Holders’ Conference of 1982. I’ve long regarded this conference as the fatal turning point in Scientology, where any pretense at compassion was rejected by David Miscavige – at this time not the leader but Hubbard’s emissary – with his determination that henceforth Scientology would be “ruthless” – which is to say, without mercy.

Here are some notes on the events that led up to the conference. For more detail, please see my history of the group, Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky.

With the conviction of the Guardian’s Office eleven in 1979, Scientology was on the brink of collapse. Many members left with the revelations of kidnapping, false imprisonment, burglary, breaking and entering, forgery of government credentials and theft. While appeals against the convictions continued, Hubbard assigned Bill Franks – the Executive Director International – to establish the Criminal Investigation Unit to investigate the Guardian’s Office in July 1981.

The Guardian’s Office (GO) made a last stab at reconciliation in November 1981 with a meeting at the Flag Land Base in Florida. They admitted that they’d been spying on the mission holders. Unbeknownst to either the GO or the Mission Holders, Ron Hubbard had already set plans in motion to restructure the whole Scientology organization. This was perhaps stimulated by news of a plot circulated among the mission holders by Alan Walter, who was one of their number. Walter also approached leading “old-timers” in the Sea Org – including Bill Franks.

Walter’s plan was called The Game. It advocated focusing on the poor as recruits for staff and the rich as “public.” Walter believed that the Commodore’s Messengers had taken over Scientology because Hubbard was no longer in control. This set the stage for a battle royal between the old guard and the Commodore’s Messenger Organization – originally teenagers and pre-teens who worked for Hubbard on the ship (see Janis Grady’s books for a detailed account of the original CMO).

The Guardian – Jane Kember – and the heads of Bureaux (the Deputy Guardians) were removed, and most of them were put on the Crims program at Gilman Hot Springs, where they dug ditches and ran around poles in the desert heat (Herbie Parkhouse, DG Finance, refused to go; Jane Kember and Mo Budlong were serving prison time). This was all window dressing, as the core of the criminal Covert Operations department remained.

As our proprietor says, the Guardian’s Office transformed into the Office of Special Affairs in the early 1980s. However, it is worth noting that the Covert Data Collection agency – Branch One – simply changed its name (becoming OSA Investigation or “Invest”). In the UK, long term B1 members Myles Mellor and Peter Stumbke were both active – Stumbke until at least 1991, when he spied on me.

Private investigators largely replaced B1; presumably because they could be held at arm’s length if caught. The 800-page Investigation Full Hat used by Branch One changed in only one detail – the words “Guardian’s Office” were replaced with “Office of Special Affairs”. The pack includes material on breaking and entering, and “training routine lying”, along with textbooks on spying (Black Boomerang and The Spy and His Masters) and Hubbard’s own lectures on dirty tricks.

Anyone who believes that Hubbard knew nothing about Guardian’s Office operations should revisit Ron’s Journal ’67 where he says “The organization under the direction of Mary Sue employed, and actually had employed earlier than I returned from Southern Africa, employed several professional intelligence agents who had long and successful professional backgrounds …”. Or take a look at my Scientology: Religion or Intelligence Agency for more detail.

David Miscavige was assigned to remove Mary Sue Hubbard from her post as Controller of the Guardian’s Office. After raging at him – and hurling a glass ashtray in his direction – she conceded. She had signed the Stipulation of Evidence in her case so that her husband would not be prosecuted. He remained one of 38 “unindicted co-conspirators.” She would never admit that her husband had planned the Snow White projects for which she and ten others would serve prison time in the US (there was also a successful prosecution in Canada).

While Hubbard seems to have been descending into dementia at this time (late 1981), he still controlled Scientology through Pat and Annie Broeker – who were with him in hiding at Creston. Their link to the ruling body of Scientology – the Watchdog Committee (WDC) – was through David Miscavige.

Miscavige was not a member of the Watchdog Committee. He worked for its chairperson, Diane “DeDe” Voegeding as Action Chief. He had been assigned the hopeless task of ending litigation against Ron Hubbard (about 300 writs and subpoenas had been issued against Hubbard). He also served as the go-between to Hubbard through meetings with Pat Broeker and notarized Hubbard’s legal documents (as he was never in the room with Hubbard, these documents are improper – including the will and the request to be cremated without full autopsy).

Mission Corporate Category Sort-Out (MCCS) was led by Larry (later Denise) Brennan, who was assisted by Gerry Armstrong. The plan allowed for money to travel upwards to Hubbard through two new
corporations, the Religious Technology Center and Author Services Incorporated. These bodies could charge for consultancy services, so could strip most of the wealth from the hundreds of lower organizations.

I broke the pretence of corporate separation – the corporate veil – in a 1988 case in Los Angeles, by showing that David Miscavige held signed, undated resignations from corporate officers, giving him ultimate control. This material was later used in both the Wollersheim and the Corydon cases.

MCCS brought a new legal framework and introduced yet more bodies to the already overburdened Scientology networks. Over the years, Hubbard continually added new agencies that largely spied on
organizations to ensure that money and power remained in his hands. These included the Guardian’s Office Finance Bureau, the Flag Operations and Liaison Office and the L. Ron Hubbard Communicators network. To these were added the Religious Technology Center and the International Finance Police (headed by the Finance Dictator).

The Mission Holders’ Conference of 1982 was supposed to refresh the mission network. Instead, it collapsed the network by impeding or removing the most successful mission holders – Martin Samuels (who also founded the Delphi Schools), Kingsley Wimbush, Dean Stokes and Bent Corydon among them. The missions had been the primary recruiters for Scientology, so recruitment plummeted after the conference.

The conference was addressed by lawyer Larry Heller, who explained the welter of new trade and service marks registered by Scientology. The list passes 2000 such marks, including “The Friendliest Place in the Whole World” and the word “Happiness.” Scientology was to become the first fully integrated religious business.

If I can find a few more spare moments, I’ll comment on the content of the conference in a future article. In the meantime, please read Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky, which remains the only comprehensive history of Hubbard and his creations. My YouTube channel houses about 300 videos, many of them about Scientology. I rounded up my forty-year study of Scientology at the Getting Clear Conference in Toronto in 2015, with the help of 27 other experts. This remains the most thorough deconstruction of Scientology to date and can be watched for a paltry sum. It was professionally filmed in glorious HD. Two of the talks can be found on my YouTube channel free of charge – Ron Hubbard: Black Magic, Dianetics and the Creation of Scientology and Scientology indoctrination methods deconstructed with Steven Hassan, PhD, Chris Shelton and Christian Szurko. Many of my articles and papers can be found online, and our proprietor hosts more than sixty on this very site. My short guide to Scientology for those fortunate never to have participated is Scientology: the Cult of Greed.

— Jon Atack

 
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Leigh Dundas finds herself in the crosshairs

We’ve been telling you about Scientologist “human rights attorney” Leigh Dundas for more than a year now, and things got a lot more interesting when she provided fiery speeches before and during the January 6 riot at the US Capitol. We found footage suggesting that Leigh had made it at least up to the doors of the Capitol that day, and we spoke to someone who had been interviewed by the FBI who told us the agency was asking about Leigh.

After some weeks in Mexico to cool her heels after the insurrection, Leigh came back and has been on a series of barnstorming tours around the country, entertaining crowds with her mile-a-minute delivery while denouncing sensible public health initiatives as if she and other anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers were the new victims of Auschwitz.

It’s tiresome and offensive, but the evangelical crowds at churches where she speaks eat it up. And they never seem to have noticed our coverage that Leigh is actually a Scientologist attorney who was representing Scientology front groups when she caught fire.

But now, the evangelicals themselves may be turning on her. Yesterday, the notorious Rick Wiles, infamous for his anti-Semitism, spent more than an hour reminding the viewers of his TruNews network that he had earlier warned them about Scientologist Greta Van Susteren’s cozy relationship with Franklin Graham, and now Leigh Dundas was an infiltrator who should be kicked out of the patriot movement.

Yikes! Wiles even gave this website a pat on the back, and hearing our name on TruNews gave us the same kind of thrill we felt when Milo Yiannopoulos declared himself to be a big fan.

Heavens.

Well, whatever. We can’t help being interested in whether a strong denunciation from Wiles will translate to Dundas having a harder time finding enthusiastic evangelicals for her nutty screeds. And maybe the most interesting thing about yesterday’s program was that Joy Villa came in for some heavy shelling as well. Could the MAGA movement finally be getting a clue about Scientology and its abuses?

— The Proprietor

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

Are you ready, Chicago?

 
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Sign up for a daily email when we post a new story on Scientology.

Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.

 
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Source Code

“There’s another item that’s posted on the bulletin board, has to do with one R. — I think it is — R. M. Nixon. You notice that on the bulletin board? And John is attributing the fact that we clobbered Nixon to the fact that he’s clobbered. I don’t know to what point this extends, but it’s interesting that that is the first political figure in the United States that we really have clobbered. Of course, we hit him hard. Mary Sue isn’t here. Mary Sue isn’t here, so I can tell you that actually I hit him because he hit at Mary Sue. It’s almost that corny. But this fellow was using the United States Secret Service as a sort of a private Gestapo. And he’d been doing this all over Washington and so forth. So I just didn’t think it was good political, I didn’t think he had the right political color, somehow or another.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 15, 1962

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“BIRTH CONTROL PILLS — these apparently cause severe depression and severe damage to female sexual organs. It is of interest that these four things are the direct product and tools of the same people who for 20 years financed and pushed the attacks on Dianetics and Scientology. Thus we are looking at the current center of psychosis on the planet. The drug companies and their primary pushers — the psychiatrist and medicos. About half the ringleaders in attacks on us are disabled or dead. It’s like audint a planet already.” — The Commodore, November 15, 1970

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Do you think the jews are the Marcabs? Cpt Bill and LRH for PR purposes could have used the word Marcab instead. I swear I read somewhere that LRH said the Marcabs were the Elohim or nephilim from the bible, and so they were like the jewish gods, and we all know gods is simply a primitive earthlings word for alien, so aliens were interbreeding or hanging out with the Israelis back then. Therefore these marcab gods have seeded a race here on Earth. And if these Marcabs have police states and controlled economies and suppressive economics planets then that would make sense with what we see here with lots of jews being top bankers and lawyers and apart of the suppressive New World Order economic system. It’s all very interesting.”

 
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Past is Prologue

2001: The Buffalo News reported that the city may seize the Scientology org there to create a parking ramp. “The city has offered to buy the five-story building owned by the Church of Scientology for $425,000, City Real Estate Director John Hannon told the Common Council’s Finance Committee. He said the figure was based on what he called two good appraisals. Except for space occupied on the first floor by the owner, most of the structure is vacant, city officials said. Under powers of eminent domain, governments can initiate condemnation proceedings to obtain private property for public use. The Common Council is expected to authorize public hearings on the planned condemnation proceedings within the next couple weeks.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Those who still believe in the tech will say that they ‘know’ that it works from personal experience and that science hasn’t caught up to LRH yet. vaLLarrr used to ask us if we thought we loved our mothers or if we knew we loved our mothers in her attempts to defend the tech as being empirically provable. It’s all self delusional mind games they’re playing with themselves.”

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for February 8. Trial scheduled for August 29, 2022.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference December 17 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for November 19.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments held November 2, awaiting a ruling.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9, 2020 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28, 2022.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.

 
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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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

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 has your certificate, pilgrim. Join these big beings around the world!
[TWO years ago] The new leaders of ‘Scientology’ tell us about their fight to free the world
[THREE years ago] Eric Saldarriaga, private eye who took the fall for Scientology, 1973-2017
[FOUR years ago] Jared Fogle, former Subway huckster, turned to an indie Scientologist for failed ‘appeal’
[FIVE years ago] In court today: Flop filmmakers who met in Scientology face 75 years for Ponzi scheme
[SIX years ago] Tom DeVocht: Watching David Miscavige watch Lisa McPherson and her faulty ‘needle’
[SEVEN years ago] Judge calls for February mini-trial in Garcia case, and we have text of the Lemberger lawsuit
[EIGHT years ago] Judge James Whittemore Reins In the Garcia v. Scientology Case
[NINE years ago] LA’s Sheriff Lee Baca Handing Out Scientology Booklets This Sunday?
[TEN years ago] Scientology in Israel: Arson, Attempted Murder, Foreclosure, General Paranoia — And a Visit by the Voice!

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 15, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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

 In a new video, Jon Atack and Karen de la Carriere discuss one of Scientology’s most hallowed sacraments: The finding of scapegoats so founder L. Ron Hubbard or David Miscavige after him would have a “head on a pike” to answer for any failing.

Jon’s helper Spike Robinson sent us this description of what you’ll see…

Even [...]]]>

 
In a new video, Jon Atack and Karen de la Carriere discuss one of Scientology’s most hallowed sacraments: The finding of scapegoats so founder L. Ron Hubbard or David Miscavige after him would have a “head on a pike” to answer for any failing.

Jon’s helper Spike Robinson sent us this description of what you’ll see…

Even though Halloween is past, Jon and Karen were inspired to share a spooky Halloween story for this week’s video. Karen tells us how, while she was staying in Sea Org berthing in Manhattan (in a broken-down building she describes as looking ‘a lot like that house in Psycho’), she heard eerie footsteps coming up the stairs. Ever the helpful person, she attempted to give the spirit comfort – and then promptly turned herself into Ethics, because, while exorcising Body Thetans infesting living people is acceptable, helping those who have passed on is not ‘standard tech’!

During the same mission, she was declared the ‘WHO’ at fault for causing a dip in income for the entire eastern part of the United States – all because the man she gave a security check to ‘blew’ shortly after (it turns out he left for totally unrelated reasons); before Ray Mithoff came to her rescue, she was sentenced to hard labor in the galley!

Advertisement

Jon, after sharing his own ghost story, explains how Scientology always needs a scapegoat – as Hubbard put it, ‘a head on a pike’. Hubbard declared that this punitive practice was acceptable, as Scientology was the only organization that had the ‘technology’ to cure a person damaged by this harsh regime, but the ‘cure’ offered to Karen is about as unbelievable as the rest of Scientology.

 
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Sign up for a daily email when we post a new story on Scientology.

Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.

 
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Source Code

“Your thetan has to be able to tolerate three kinds of space in order to endure at all in this universe. This universe isn’t any savage beast sitting there. It’s just a sort of an inanimate boobytrap which we have made ourselves, really. And then we victimized ourselves with it, so we have all been betrayed. This universe couldn’t have had a better purpose in going forward so that everybody could be the, have the beautiful sadness of having been betrayed. And yet you look into it, the only person that can betray an individual is himself.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 6, 1953

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“HYGIENE: Step up all hygiene standards, personal, berthing and food. With the turn of cold weather I’m going further north. There is a bit of flu about and the World Health Organization has not been doing all that well in keeping ports’ public health in good shape.” — The Commodore, November 6, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Real Scientology is safe and busy finding its way to billions of individuals. Like water it will bend and bleed and trickle into every crevice it encounters on its journey into the consciousness of modern Man. A hundred SP dictators could not stop it, no more than they could stop a rainstorm from tumbling down. Those Beings who are ready for it get it; those who are not will not experience its gifts, or the joys they bring. Not at this time, but in their own time, they will I’m sure.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1999: Bob Minton announced the formation of the Lisa McPherson Trust this week. “The Lisa McPherson Trust is a direct outgrowth of several very significant events relating to Lisa’s death: A) the fateful call by Fanny McPherson to an attorney by the name of Ken Dandar who was and is both courageous enough and pure enough to withstand the assaults of Scientology; B) the Internet awareness campaign started by Jeff Jacobsen which helped bring the tragic death of Lisa McPherson to national attention; C) the death-bed request by Fanny McPherson to Ken Dandar that she wanted Ken to let the world know what Scientology did to Lisa; and D) the continued courage of Lisa’s remaining family led by Dell Liebreich to make Scientology accountable for Lisa’s tragic death.”

 
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Random Howdy

“I understand where you’re coming from but the bottom line is that Scientology is a con and conning people is illegal, regardless of whether the victims are dupes and suckers.”

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for November 10. Trial tentatively scheduled for February.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference December 17 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for November 19.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30, 2020 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments held November 2, awaiting a ruling.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9, 2020 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28, 2022.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.

 
——————–

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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

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] Scientology looking to force Danny Masterson’s accusers into ‘religious arbitration’ today
[TWO years ago] Kansas City gets its first Scientology wedding: We solicited some advice for the young couple
[THREE years ago] Juliette Lewis wants on ‘Red Table Talk’ — and here’s what Jada Smith should ask her
[FOUR years ago] Tracking Scientology’s claims about membership — a new digital project with Jonny Jacobsen
[FIVE years ago] After Scientologist is outed, leaders he fooled still stick up for his quack drug theories
[SIX years ago] SCIENTOLOGY DENIED: APPEAL SHOT DOWN AFTER YEARLONG WAIT
[SEVEN years ago] RIFFER MADNESS: Scientology leader David Miscavige goes smeary in new court filing
[EIGHT years ago] More Questions About Scientology-Style Drug Rehab And Insurance — This Time in Michigan
[NINE years ago] Scientology and the Presidential Election
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Service: Your Open Thread For Worship (Or Whatever)

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on November 6, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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

 Perhaps no one understands the early history of Scientology like Jon Atack, author of one of the most famous books on the subject, 1990’s ‘A Piece of Blue Sky,’ which was more recently expanded and re-released.

Today he takes a startling look at the crucial days in 1953 and 1954 when Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard [...]]]>

 
Perhaps no one understands the early history of Scientology like Jon Atack, author of one of the most famous books on the subject, 1990’s ‘A Piece of Blue Sky,’ which was more recently expanded and re-released.

Today he takes a startling look at the crucial days in 1953 and 1954 when Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and a few of his top followers conspired to turn what had been the “modern science of mental health” (as Dianetics was subtitled) into a “church” of Scientology.

Atack shows how, through early corporation documents from that time, founder L. Ron Hubbard had actually set up a Christian church as an umbrella to shield Scientology from accusations that it was making bogus health claims. It’s a stunning recitation of this history that we hadn’t seen explained in this way before.

We’re looking forward to you watching the video and then bring the story forward: Is Scientology today using the word “church” more as a shield or as a true description of what it does?

 
——————–

Bonus items from our tipsters

Ventura welcomed the silver mullet, Dan Sherman? We sure hope video of it surfaces!

 
——————–

Sign up for a daily email when we post a new story on Scientology.

Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.

 
——————–

Source Code

“I heard about something the other day that made me feel rather bad. I dropped the I-76 or the Imperial Japanese Navy Trans-Pacific Submarine down into the mouth of the Columbia River, dead duck. And it went down with a resounding furor. And that was that. I never thought about it again particularly except to get mad at all the admirals I had to make reports to because of this thing, see? This was one out of 79 separate actions that I had to do with….My dad suddenly sprung on me the fact that my submarine had been causing a tremendous amount of difficulty in the mouth of the Columbia River….It’s got jagged steel sticking out at all ends and angles, and it’s a big submarine! …And the fishermen coming in there and fishing are dragging their nets around in that area, and it’s just tearing their nets to ribbons — they’ve even hired a civilian contractor to try to blow the thing up and get it the devil out of there — and has evidently been raising bob with postwar fishing here for more years than I’d care to count….I was asking my father for the address of the fishermen’s association up there to write them a letter of apology.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 23, 1956

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“RIGGS ECKELBERRY is assigned as Intell Officer I/T, FSO. He is replaced as Expeditor in Dissem Div by Gary Reisdorf, DFP. Riggs is to groove Gary in on all his current cycles before moving on to his new post. Riggs is to be programmed in Dept 13 for the study required to meet all requirements he has not completed. He is also to be programmed for all requirements needed for this new post. He will then report to the Dean of the Hatting College for enrollment and part time study after post hours.” — The Commodore, October 23, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“I am sure he hung with Allister Crowley in the late 40’s, I’m sure he was in financial stress in the 50’s. I’m sure he did all sorts of dark things in his personal life. But all that just endears him to me. I never judge a man for what he was. I judge him for what he has done for people. LRH has done MORE than his share of good things for people. It’s easy to dig into a guy’s past and find dirt on him, make the dirt seem uglier than it really is and then use the trumped up ‘dirt’ to do him in because of it. This is the way of man.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1999: Bob Minton reported that the newly formed Lisa McPherson foundation is being blocked from renting office space in Clearwater, Florida. “We were informed this morning that MKV Realty, which owns the Sun Trust Building at 601 Cleveland Street, has refused to rent the space we intended to occupy to either the Lisa Foundation or me. The buck has been passed up to a gentleman named ‘Rusty’ who has yet to return my call. Ken Dandar will also speak to Rusty when Rusty is available.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“When they landed on the Moon, the adults in my neighborhood were crying. I couldn’t understand it at the time.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for November 10. Trial tentatively scheduled for February.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference December 17 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for November 19.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30, 2020 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments scheduled for November 2.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9, 2020 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28, 2022.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.

 
——————–

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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

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] Leah Remini: No such thing as Scientology ‘arbitration’ — judges are being duped
[TWO years ago] Scientologist defendants plead not guilty as Medi-Cal fraud trial scheduled for Nov 21
[THREE years ago] In 1949, psychiatrists wouldn’t touch Dianetics — so L. Ron Hubbard invented one who would
[FOUR years ago] Despite Scientology’s best efforts, a Bunker reader attended Saturday’s grand opening
[FIVE years ago] Vote for Xenu! Scientologists are looking to L. Ron Hubbard for advice on the coming election
[SIX years ago] The technology of ‘ruining’ people: Jefferson Hawkins on Scientology’s opening pitch
[SEVEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard explains to a friend the real reason he wrote ‘Dianetics’
[EIGHT years ago] LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES: Summary Judgment Hearing in DeCrescenzo Forced-Abortion Lawsuit
[NINE years ago] British Newspaper The Sun Sneaks Reporter into Scientology Annual Gala!
[TEN years ago] Scientology Targeted South Park’s Parker and Stone in Investigation

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on October 23, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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

In a recent blog post, Mike Rinder reports Scientology’s failure to obtain tax exemption for three of its buildings in England. On this side of the pond, an annual tax is paid on the ratable value of a building – whether domestic or commercial.

Scientology applied for this property [...]]]>

In a recent blog post, Mike Rinder reports Scientology’s failure to obtain tax exemption for three of its buildings in England. On this side of the pond, an annual tax is paid on the ratable value of a building – whether domestic or commercial.

Scientology applied for this property tax not to be levied on the grounds that these buildings are used for public worship. The Valuation Tribunal for England turned down the original application and has now rejected an appeal against that decision.

Every property in England has a ratable value which is set every five years. Rates go to pay for local government – police, schools, roads, refuse collection and other council expenses. A percentage of the ratable value is levied every year. For larger businesses – like Scientology – the 2021 rate is set at 52.2 percent of the ratable value.

The London Church of Scientology at 146 Queen Victoria Street has a ratable value of £810,000, so Scientology will have to pay about £421,000 for last year. The Dianetic and Scientology Life Improvement Centre (no, really, that is what they call it) at 68 Tottenham Court Road, London, has a ratable value of £112,000, so will have to pay about £58,000. Finally, Scientology’s Manchester building at Deansgate has a ratable value of £51,500, so will have to pay about £27,000. This amounts to about half a million pounds, or almost $700,000 – enough to pay a billion years of wages to a Sea Org member.

As Scientology has been arguing this case since March of 2015, they will probably have to find a few million pounds to make good their debt. Tony asked me to clarify the situation regarding the petitioner in this case – the Church of Scientology Religious Education College Incorporated (COSRECI). Why are the UK outposts of Scientology registered in South Australia?

From the outset, Ron Hubbard scattered corporations like confetti at a wedding. In 1950, there were five Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundations – all of which went bankrupt because Hubbard had his hands in their tills. These would be followed by the Hubbard Dianetic Foundation, the Hubbard College, and the Hubbard Association of Scientologists – which only takes us up to 1953.

Although his Navy service fell short of any act of heroism (or indeed combat), Hubbard learned that ships and submarines have water-tight compartments, so that flooding in one compartment does not lead to flooding in any other. Similarly, he learned not to put all his eggs in one basket. COSRECI was one of the many baskets through which money could be funneled into his Swiss bank account.

With the “corporate sort-out” of the early 1980s, Scientology split into hundreds of compartments, but retained the Australian COSRECI for use in the UK. In reality (as I argued successfully in several US cases from 1988 onward), Scientology is a “monolithic corporation”, controlled by a single individual. That individual is David Miscavige, who, it is alleged, retains signed undated resignations for every director in those many corporations.

Scientology was unable to gain tax exemption in the US during Hubbard’s lifetime, because while the Sea Org lived in abject poverty, money ‘inured’ to Ron Hubbard. The $648 million in his will was all taken from Scientology – and therefore from Scientologists (promotional costs for his fiction were greater than the profits). At the International Base, staff were denied toilet paper, but Hubbard had a property with a racetrack, a 24-track recording studio and owned 2000 camera pieces (and Hasselblads are not cheap). While Sea Org members often had to scrub a single set of clothes month after month, Hubbard’s handmade shirts were flown out from Savile Row in London. David Miscavige has continued this tradition of inurement, spending thousands on Egyptian cotton shirts, Italian leather shoes, expensive cars and fine imported liquor.

COSRECI was established in South Australia in 1977, probably because Scientology had achieved religious status there, making it more likely that an application for charitable tax exemption would be possible.

The Australian ruling granted religious status, “Regardless of whether the members of the applicant [the Church of Scientology] are gullible or misled or whether the practices of Scientology are harmful or objectionable.”

Scientology repeatedly tried to wriggle out of taxes in England, including property rates. In the 1960s, England’s most celebrated judge, Lord Denning, determined that Scientology was not a religion, because it had no act of worship, and denied exemption. Subsequently, Buddhism overcame that hurdle – by achieving religious status with no act of worship – and exemption was denied to Scientology on the grounds that it did not hold religious services. This is why exemption was denied by the Valuation Tribunal.

The situation was similar to that at Saint Hill during the 1970s. I was told that although there was a service every Sunday, no one but the “minister” ever attended (and to become a “minister” required only a one-week course). I was told that the service had to take place because of the application for tax exemption. In my nine years in Scientology, the only service I attended was to confirm the marriage of two Birmingham staff members.

Scientology continues to apply for charitable tax-exemption over here, but as yet has made no progress. The exception is Narconon, which has enjoyed tax exemption for many years, despite many reports of its activities to the Charity Commissioners.

 
I’ve had the pleasure of Mike Rinder’s company several times on my YouTube channel – jon atack, family and friends. Even after more than four decades of involvement, I was shocked by the account Mike gives of his arrival at the Flagship Apollo.

Although most of my time is taken up providing preventative material so that people won’t be seduced into abusive relationships or authoritarian cults, I still spend a fair amount of time talking about Scientology on the channel and on other people’s broadcasts (most recently Andrew Gold’s On the Edge podcast). I urge anyone who is interested in Scientology to read the unexpurgated and expanded edition of Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky. Please don’t read the free Internet versions – they are expurgated and make no contribution for the six years I spent researching the book (or the 16 years of harassment I incurred). There are many excellent (and shocking) first person accounts of involvement with Scientology, and several subject or period specific books – including the proprietor’s fine books – but Blue Sky remains the only overview history of Scientology.

My papers have been freely available on the Internet since they were written. These include Hubbard and the Occult, Never Believe a Hypnotist (Hubbard’s own advice), Possible Origins for Dianetics and Scientology, Scientology: the Church of Hate: An Anti-Social Religion Emerges in the Space Age and Scientology: Religion or Intelligence Agency. My short account for the Never-Ins is Scientology: The Cult of Greed, which is available in print or as an ebook. My advice to former members on the implanting system that is Scientology can be found right here at the Underground Bunker.

Most recently, I’ve published the latest iteration of Opening Our Minds, which frequently employs Scientology to exemplify the methods of coercive control and psychological enslavement which are rife in our world. I strongly believe that an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a ton of cure, and appreciate any help in promoting this work.

Hopefully, other government tax bodies will take note of this failure on Scientology’s part and review their own exemptions. Scientology is a system of psychological enslavement. It deserves investigation not tax exemption!

— Jon Atack

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

A billion years. Is that so much to ask?

 
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Source Code

“Apparently transfers from the Galley without apprenticeship or replacement and Quadruple hatting the food purchaser so he simply used the food chandler ashore are some of the obvious whys back of the sudden recent drop in food quality. The WHYs being advertised are the wrong whys — low allocation is a wrong why. The food isn’t kept to allocation and has become VERY expensive for very low quality due to using a chandler. This would not remedy the increased allocation as the allocation is already not followed. Advertising this as the why or remedying it will not restore food quality.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 12, 1971

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“SURVEY: A great job was done in the E/R, by D/Capt, Ship’s Rep and 1st Mate and others in passing the survey. Possibly we even get our Lloyd’s Yacht Class. We are a yacht by registry. A Lloyds yacht class is different and useful. But true enough, in dismantling working installations for survey and reassembly, when we tried to start up one engine just wouldn’t start. A valve had been reversed! And an injector bleed valve was leaking. Two tugs were on hand as a precaution. Our E/R guys put it right quickly. Must have been an awful shock to push the starting lever and have nothing happen. That’s how it goes when working installations get dismantled!” — The Commodore, August 12, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“I’m sure you have heard that Earth is a prison planet, and I feel that this is true since, in 40-odd years of spiritual counseling, I have never encountered a rebuttal to that story. Instead, I keep running into spirits who have been sent here as expatriated criminals from other civilizations. Most of these spirits seem to have been implanted and so reduced in awareness and capability that they are no longer capable of running a body. Instead, they seem to flock around beings who are running bodies and act as observers and occasionally as spirit guides or guardian angels. Those of you who are reading this article are among the fortunate few who still retain enough personality to run a body and behave as a human being while accompanied through life by a horde of discarnate spirits.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1997: The St. Petersburg Times reported this week that Scientology has launched a media campaign blitz larger than any other in their history. “The 18-month campaign is being sold to existing Scientologists as a turning point that could increase membership and bring the controversial church within reach of its ideal: a ‘cleared planet,’ where Scientology’s goals prevail. Skeptics of the campaign say it is more likely an effort by Scientology to counteract some recent bad publicity. While church officials would not disclose the cost of the campaign, they do reveal in a brochure that individual Scientologists are being asked to help finance it with donations ranging from $600 to $100,000. The church has mailed thousands of books profiling Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard to ‘people from all cross sections’ in Pinellas, said Brian Anderson, a church spokesman in Clearwater, where Scientology has its spiritual ‘mecca’ and is a major presence downtown. Also, a group of Clearwater Scientologists is working door-to-door to distribute a booklet containing Hubbard’s moral code, The Way to Happiness. Organizers have delivered about 45,000 copies so far and hope to get it into 126,000 households in Clearwater, Largo and Dunedin.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Refusal to accept one’s own mortality and a belief by humans that they are something more than just another species of animal is what drives this insanity.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for November 10. Trial tentatively scheduled for February.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference August 21 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Sept 9.

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30, 2020 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition to US Supreme Court submitted on May 26. Scientology responded on June 25.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments scheduled for Oct 5.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing scheduled for Aug 23-27.

Concluded litigation:
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.

 
——————–

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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

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] Valerie Haney’s suit against Scientology back to square one after court setback
[TWO years ago] My brother, the Scientologist: Trying to bridge the gap when Hubbardism is in the way
[THREE years ago] If Scientology is hurting, have its ‘expansion’ plans slowed down? Here’s our assessment
[FOUR years ago] Garcia case update: Has Judge Whittemore managed to fill a Scientology arbitrating panel?
[FIVE years ago] Former workers file EEOC complaints saying Grant Cardone forced Scientology on them
[SIX years ago] Scenes from the increasingly desperate straits Scientology finds itself in
[SEVEN years ago] Mark Bunker: Clearwater is being pressured to knuckle under to Scientology (again)
[EIGHT years ago] THIS IS THE SOUND OF SCIENTOLOGY’S FORCED DISCONNECTION
[NINE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Bowl With The Valley Girls!
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sees Fundraising Gold in the UK Riots: ‘We Have a Strategy’

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 12, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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

 We’re very glad that Jon and Mike have taken on this awesome task, and you might also look at the fun we had when we read this most insane of Scientology textbooks with biologist PZ Myers in 2013. Now, here’s Jon’s introduction to today’s video, which is worth the price of admission all on its [...]]]>

 
We’re very glad that Jon and Mike have taken on this awesome task, and you might also look at the fun we had when we read this most insane of Scientology textbooks with biologist PZ Myers in 2013. Now, here’s Jon’s introduction to today’s video, which is worth the price of admission all on its own.

 
When I last chatted with Mike Rinder, he suggested that we discuss Scientology’s founding text, Scientology: A History of Man. In the comments section, several people endorsed this crazy idea, so I had to read the damn book. In doing so, I realized that it is almost forty years since I read a Scientology (or Dianetics) book from cover to cover. It will be the last. It was an endurance test, and, if I hadn’t agreed to the chat with Mike, I would have put this bizarre and silly book down after the first page.

Perhaps a little background is pertinent. In 1952, down on his luck after the collapse and bankruptcy of the Dianetic Foundations, Hubbard set about creating Scientology. To escape prosecution for practicing medicine without a license and to side-step the massive debts his princely lifestyle had generated, Hubbard had signed over all of his rights in Dianetics to oil man Don Purcell. He had to find a new name and a new technique, which took only a few days.

Hubbard College started out across town from the bankrupt Dianetic Foundation in Wichita, Kansas. After “inadvertently” acquiring the address printing plates from the latter organization (about 40 pounds weight), Hubbard bombarded the mailing list with more than 30 letters complaining about Purcell (a “monied montebank”, sic) and his own debilitated state – “My bank account is $0.02”. Nonetheless, he boasted new and infinitely superior techniques that, as ever, would fulfill all needs. He started to air a mixture of ideas from science fiction and his prime guru Aleister Crowley (my “Possible Origins of Dianetics and Scientology” expands on Jeff Jacobsen’s excellent work) and picked up the word Scientology – used forty years earlier to mean “pseudo-science” and twenty years earlier to mean Nazi Aryan race craziness. The first mention of indwelling “entities” and a fixation with electronics characterize this period.

Hubbard hit the ground running on 25 February with the “whole track lectures” where he expanded his ideas into what both he and Crowley before him called “past lives,” giving a “Summary of Aberrative Incidents (before time begins…).” A few days later, he first used the word “Scientology” and gave the first demonstration of the Mathison electrometer, which would soon become the Hubbard electrometer.

As part of the sales promotion for the E-meter, Hubbard wrote, “With the advent of the 1952 dianetic techniques, your electropsychometer became a tool so vital in processing that I actually do not know how an auditor can work without one; and know certainly that an auditor who does try to work without one sacrifices the reality of his preclear [client], and at the very minimum quadruples the amount of time he should put on the case.” (How to “sacrifice the reality” of a preclear is not explained.)

Hubbard worked fervently, ignoring the Dianetic debacle. In May, John Campbell Jr, the man who two years before had been Hubbard’s chief publicist, complained, “In a healthy and growing science, there are many men who are recognized as being competent in the field, and no one man dominates the work…. To the extent Dianetics is dependent on one man, it is a cult. To the extent it is built on many minds and many workers it is a science.”

Despite a barrage of publicity, many followers had been shaken by the scandal of Hubbard’s divorce and the antagonism he had roused in many of those who’d helped him (and the barrels of cash he’d managed to squander). From 150,000 book sales in 1950, Hubbard was only able to persuade 38 people to fork out the $500 for the Philadelphia “Doctorate” Course, in December of 1952.

Although Hubbard would assert that people leave because of guilt at their transgressions (“overts”), he frequently “blew.” He rarely stayed in one place for any length of time, such were his “overts.” May found the Hubbard College in Phoenix, Arizona. This is where, his abandoned but doting firstborn, Ron Jr or “Nibs” turned up.

Nibs would be his father’s right-hand man – and enforcer – for seven years. In a few weeks, the eighteen-year-old was Director of Training and Chief Instructor. He was also enlisted in the latest research program – to write a “factual and cold-blooded account” of our “last sixty trillion years” (or “seventy-six trillion” in the Miscavige edition of 2007 – the text does veer into “70-74 trillion” and “76 trillion”).

Nibs, his dad and his newly married stepmom, Mary Sue (who was only three years his senior) took handfuls of amphetamines and examined their “whole track” – the complete history of their existence since the beginning of time.

This awesome project took a mere two weeks. An 89-page mimeographed (old school photocopied) book called What to Audit began the printed outpourings of Scientology. The book would later be
restyled, Scientology: A History of Man.

The auditor who insists on auditing the current lifetime only [as DMSMH advocates], when he has the whole track techniques is available, is wasting time and effort and is, in fact, swindling his preclear [client].” So much for Dianetics.

So, there’s the preamble. Learn all about the Boo Hoo aka Grim Weeper, the Jack-in-a-Box and how Mike Rinder and I use mirrors to avoid being driven into apathy by electronic glare fights.

— Jon Atack

 
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On this day of declaring independence, we want to hear about your own fight for freedom

 
Here in the United States we are celebrating our independence, and we hope you are too, wherever you are.

As usual, we mark Independence Day by asking readers to tell us about their own declarations of freedom from Scientology indoctrination. What first led you to question your involvement in the organization? How did you negotiate the tricky path of leaving if you still had family members in?

If you’ve told us before about how you left Scientology, what’s changed for you in the last year or two? Has your conception of your Scientology experience changed over time? Would you have done things differently to leave the group if you could?

And for the never-ins, tell us which of the escape stories you find most illustrative, most exciting, most devastating.

And maybe most importantly, what advice can you offer to those under-the-radar types who today are sneaking a peek at this website as they consider whether it’s time, finally, for them to declare their own independence and dissolve the bands which have connected them to David Miscavige and the Church of Scientology?

— The Proprietor

 
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Source Code

“Moral codes are solutions to problems which aren’t announced. And you can therefore define a moral code, technically. A moral code is a series of solutions to problems which have not been confronted or analyzed. And you get upset about moral codes. ‘Thou shalt not drink pitchers of milk after three P.M. before thy parents,’ or something like this. Do you realize that almost all of those commandments which are in the Bible at this particular time, that we call the Ten Commandments, are prompted by some obsessive crimes that existed at that state of the game, and that several of these commandments are solutions to venereal disease? Isn’t that interesting? I think it’s fascinating.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 4, 1961

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“RADIO NEWS: I don’t know what happened to our daily radio news and ALSO why we use radio news. There’s nothing much on it. Recent radio news was carefully censored of all major actions. US news magazines and Herald Tribune headlines are available daily in the port. (By the way, the Manson trial prosecutor says Manson said nothing about Scn and was worlds away from it and BBC is sweating to find out WHO said it on their pgm! Fair shook them. Our PR people are all over them and our legal is sharpening up an axe. BBC has stuck its neck out a half mile.)” — The Commodore, July 4, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Exterior with full perception may be a false goal. Consider that it takes agreement with the physical universe to see and feel it. As we go up the bridge we have less and less agreement with the physical universe and more and more we are in a creative band, creating something in the physical universe, or just for others to see. While it is delightful, while exterior to ‘feel’ a wall as it feeds its solidity back to you, I just do not understand why the goal of exterior with full perception was so important to LRH. Does anyone besides me really care if I am exterior with full perception, or not? Not really. They care about who I am and maybe what I am doing. Being exterior with full perception, does that really help clear the planet, or is it just a first dynamic ego trip?”

 
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Past is Prologue

2000: Cinema magazine published an interview with Scientology celebrity Tom Cruise. “CINEMA: It could be read recently in the U.S. press that you wanted to leave the Scientology Church. Can you comment on that? CRUISE: Look, people make mistakes. If you read the counter-presentations in certain magazines, you’ll see what I mean. CINEMA: What advantages do you see in your membership in Scientology which is controversial in the media? CRUISE: I know that sometimes the media plays havoc, especially outside the USA. No belief is free from the hate of intolerant people who, luckily, only make up a minority of people. Actually, my religion has already helped me much – in private life and in work. Nevertheless, I hope that people judge me based on my films, regardless of which church I belong to.”

 
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Random Howdy

“There aren’t enough Scientologists left in the world to fill a sports arena, let alone a stadium.”

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

Criminal prosecutions:

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition to US Supreme Court submitted on May 26. Scientology responded on June 25.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 24.

Concluded litigation:
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.

 
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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, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

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] On this day of declaring independence, we want to hear about your own fight for freedom
[TWO years ago] On this day of declaring independence, we want to hear about your own fight for freedom
[THREE years ago] It’s ‘Declare your Independence of Scientology Day’ here again at the Underground Bunker
[FOUR years ago] Images from spy camera show Clearwater bar owner not only target
[FIVE years ago] Tell us how you declared your independence of Scientology on this glorious Independence Day
[SIX years ago] Jon Atack: Looking back on a week of Scientology enturbulation in Toronto
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘Disconnection’ policy foiled as Jeremy Powers reunites with his family
[EIGHT years ago] The Declaration of Independence: When Did You Join the Sons of Liberty?
[NINE years ago] Scientology Marriage Counseling Comes Down to This: “What Have You Done to Tom?”
[TEN years ago] Scientologists: How Many Of Them Are There, Anyway?

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 4, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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