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When Scientology’s founder, aboard his flagship, reported on his trip into time-travel

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Would you have been swayed when Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard claimed he had lived in ancient times and had tracked down details in ruins from his past life memories, and with his crew backing him up? Here’s the actual report Hubbard gave: Would you have believed him? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading When Scientology’s founder, aboard his flagship, reported on his trip into time-travel

Tabs say John Travolta leaving Scientology, but only by ignoring evidence he isn’t

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Radar is the latest citing unnamed sources that say John Travolta is ditching Scientology. And we get it that tabloids stir the pot. But shouldn’t they at least acknowledge there’s hard, irrefutable proof that Travolta is as dedicated, and obedient to David Miscavige as ever? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Tabs say John Travolta leaving Scientology, but only by ignoring evidence he isn’t

Inventing the wickedest cult of all to keep people out of them

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Ron Kasman has been a valuable contributor at the Underground Bunker going back a number of years. He’s a comic artist with a new book is on the way. And when you see description Ron sent us, we think you’ll understand why we thought the Bunker audience will find interest in it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Inventing the wickedest cult of all to keep people out of them

Scientology’s secret sauce that supposedly booms businesses: What’s actually in it?

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Sex? Space aliens? Actually, and we know this might be hard for you to believe, but Scientology’s chief obsession is with… business administration. Say what? Yes, it’s weird. And Val Ross is back to dig into the organizational scheme that’s underneath it all. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Scientology’s secret sauce that supposedly booms businesses: What’s actually in it?

Why a troubled VP bid has us recalling a bizarre 1980 Scientology extortion attempt

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Some media hand-wringing over the GOP’s VP choice has some thinking back to 1972 and the spectacular flameout of VP candidate Thomas Eagleton. But the Missouri senator is also of interest for us for a very different reason, involving a bizarre scheme by his Scientologist niece. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Why a troubled VP bid has us recalling a bizarre 1980 Scientology extortion attempt

LA Mayor Karen Bass to have another awkward Scientology moment, thanks to Tom Cruise?

[Karen Bass promoting Scientology before she was critical of it.]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: You’ve no doubt seen the news that Scientology’s chief ornament, actor Tom Cruise, is going to perform a death-defying stunt involving the Olympic flag at the Closing Ceremonies on August 11. But hang on, isn’t LA’s mayor, Karen Bass, supposed to be getting that flag? Uh-oh. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading LA Mayor Karen Bass to have another awkward Scientology moment, thanks to Tom Cruise?

New York Scientology donor David Gentile convicted in federal fraud case

[David Gentile and the New York Scientology “Ideal Org”]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Jeffrey Augustine has been on the story of wealthy Scientology donor David Gentile from the beginning. So we asked him to summarize yesterday’s big result in court in Brooklyn, where a jury found Gentile guilty of running a $1.7 billion ‘Ponzi-like scheme.’ [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading New York Scientology donor David Gentile convicted in federal fraud case

Judge denies Valeska Paris redo: Trafficking case still stuck in arbitration

[Valeska Paris and Judge Thomas Barber]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Judge Thomas Barber didn’t like that the law kept him from considering Valeska Paris’s claims of coercion when he forced her trafficking lawsuit against Scientology into its ‘arbitration.’ And now he’s disagreed with her that a new SCOTUS ruling changed that law in her favor. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Judge denies Valeska Paris redo: Trafficking case still stuck in arbitration

The secret plan to produce a Scientology social media star

[Charlie Wakley, when he was emerging as the face of Scientology London]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Over the years, we’ve noted how different Scientology in London has seemed. The staff there was savvier about social media and even produced notable stars like Charlie Wakley. Now, Alex Barnes-Ross reveals there was definitely a plan for this, and that it was largely his idea! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading The secret plan to produce a Scientology social media star

Tom Cruise: The politics behind the Scientology celeb’s French knighthood

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We were puzzled by France’s Minister of Culture naming Tom Cruise a Knight of Arts and Letters in a secret ceremony. Thankfully, our good friend in Paris, British journalist Jonny Jacobsen, has sent in a report helping us understand the political background to this odd situation. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Tom Cruise: The politics behind the Scientology celeb’s French knighthood