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Scientology warns Clearwater that delay of Hubbard Hall project is a ‘spiritual burden’

[A Scientology rendering of how neat their new Hubbard Hall is going to be inside]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: You know Scientology is gearing up for a serious fight when it pulls out the language of righteous religious indignation. It’s getting biblical in the fight between the church and the city of Clearwater over leader David Miscavige’s plans for completion of his Florida Vatican! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Scientology warns Clearwater that delay of Hubbard Hall project is a ‘spiritual burden’

This is going on your permanent record: Why Scientologists fear being written up

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: John Sweeney called Scientology ‘The Church of Fear.’ And former Scientologist Phil Jones has been detailing how fear rules life in the church. He told us about the fear of yawning, and the fear of being called for briefings. And now, he tackles the dreaded Knowledge Report. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading This is going on your permanent record: Why Scientologists fear being written up

Coming clean: ‘I stole trash for the Church of Scientology’s spy wing’

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Once again, Patty Moher takes us into her time as a Scientology spy, and explains the surprisingly complex ‘tech’ of stealing the trash of people the church wanted kept under watch! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Coming clean: ‘I stole trash for the Church of Scientology’s spy wing’

When Scientology tried to convince the LA Times that Tom & Dave were just regular dudes

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We have a fun trip down memory lane today. We’ve found a letter that Mike Rinder wrote to the LA Times in 2005, when it was his job to convince the newspaper there was nothing unusual about the relationship between Scientology leader David Miscavige and Top Gun star Tom Cruise! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading When Scientology tried to convince the LA Times that Tom & Dave were just regular dudes

Scientology denied permit after claiming temporary IAS tent is a permanent structure

[The giant tent, or marquee, for the IAS event in 2014]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Alex Barnes-Ross has a surprising report: After he pointed out that Scientology did not apply for a permit for its massive tent that houses its annual IAS gala, the church tried to claim it was a permanent structure and should be allowed. But local pols aren’t buying it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Scientology denied permit after claiming temporary IAS tent is a permanent structure

Onward, Scientology soldier! John Alex Wood is finally going OT

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: There was a time when John Alex Wood was the main online attack dog for Scientology, fighting daily at places like Twitter against church critics. Long an Underground Bunker favorite, he’s now turned up in a UK success story as he finally, after more than 30 years, goes OT! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Onward, Scientology soldier! John Alex Wood is finally going OT

How your haunted house dollars are helping build Scientology’s new Vatican

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A month from today, a well-known Haunted House complex north of Tampa will open for its 2025 season. And Florida Halloween fans may not know it, but their scare dollars will be helping Scientology build its massive new shrine to founder L. Ron Hubbard in Clearwater! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading How your haunted house dollars are helping build Scientology’s new Vatican

Apostate Alex goes to America (again): How Scientology’s abuses unite us all

[Alex and Tammy Synovec]

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Alex Barnes-Ross, a former London Scientology staffer who has done wonders for raising awareness of his former employer’s abuses in the UK, has once again visited California, and this time he tells us he made a point of visiting others who have been harmed by this organization. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Apostate Alex goes to America (again): How Scientology’s abuses unite us all

Why Scientology is not a likely avenue for finding Amy Bradley

[The Netflix show, with Amy and her brother Brad]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Thanks to a new Netflix treatment, the 1998 disappearance of Amy Bradley is getting new interest. Her brother Brad, meanwhile, has suspected that Scientology might have something to do with his sister’s fate. He reached out to us, and we turned to the experts. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Why Scientology is not a likely avenue for finding Amy Bradley

Leah Remini: Leaked Scientology policies direct lawyers in religious warfare

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Leah Remini is revealing what thousands of internal Scientology documents spell out, that the attorneys the church hires for legal warfare are following unalterable and unethical religious doctrine, and that it’s time for courts and the government to put a stop to it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Leah Remini: Leaked Scientology policies direct lawyers in religious warfare