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Ex-con who says he’s returned L. Ron Hubbard has an indie Scientology revolt on his hands

[Justin Craig]

Two years ago today, we published one of the most remarkable interviews that we’ve ever experienced here at the Bunker, a conversation we had with ex-convict Justin Craig, who had legally changed his name to “Lafayette Ronald Hubbard” in 2017.

Continue reading Ex-con who says he’s returned L. Ron Hubbard has an indie Scientology revolt on his hands

‘Rona blues: Court delays, Shelly on the menu, and more Scientology nonsense

[Danny delayed, Shelly ordered]

As we expected, court dates in the lawsuit filed by Danny Masterson’s accusers have been moved back because of the pandemic.

Continue reading ‘Rona blues: Court delays, Shelly on the menu, and more Scientology nonsense

Scientology logic: Blame the media for fake virus news while promising superhuman powers

[Scientology’s Liv Watson and AOLA, where you can spurn the media and go OT!]

The Church of Scientology knows its audience. It is quite aware that Scientologists tend to be conspiracy-minded individuals who mistrust the media and authority figures such as medical professionals. Like so many others, Scientologists have grave doubts about what health officials are telling us about the coronavirus pandemic. So we got a kick out of this latest come-on that one of our tipsters forwarded to us.

Continue reading Scientology logic: Blame the media for fake virus news while promising superhuman powers

Scientology really reaching in latest attempt to keep Philly lawyers out of Masterson lawsuit

[Brian Kent wants in, but Miscavige wants to keep him out]

At this point a hearing is still scheduled for April 22 in Los Angeles Superior Court in the lawsuit filed by Danny Masterson’s accusers against the actor and the Church of Scientology. Given the way the pandemic has wreaked havoc on court schedules, we have a feeling that this hearing stands a good chance of being delayed, but Scientology is taking no chances and filed a brief this week in anticipation of the event just in case.

Continue reading Scientology really reaching in latest attempt to keep Philly lawyers out of Masterson lawsuit

Scientology continues to see the pandemic as a public relations opportunity

 
Scientology preaches social distancing on the web and in booklets it has produced. Members are taking extension courses at home rather than coming into their local org, which is a good way to prevent infection. But some members can’t resist making alliances with other groups, even if it means bringing people into close proximity.

Continue reading Scientology continues to see the pandemic as a public relations opportunity

Scientology’s desperate response to pandemic is to let us see just how creepy it really is

 
It’s been almost a month since Scientology canceled its L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Event in Clearwater, Florida on March 13 and church leader David Miscavige put out his secret “bulletin” responding to the coronavirus crisis.

Continue reading Scientology’s desperate response to pandemic is to let us see just how creepy it really is

Eleventh Circuit will hear oral arguments in key Scientology ‘religious arbitration’ case

[Coming this July: The Garcias and the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta]

We haven’t heard anything about the Garcias’ appeal at the Eleventh Circuit in a long time, but now there’s a significant development. The court has announced that it will hear oral arguments from both sides in Atlanta the week of July 27.

Continue reading Eleventh Circuit will hear oral arguments in key Scientology ‘religious arbitration’ case

Bobette Riales’ house burned? Scientology: ‘Can’t sue us. Didn’t happen in California.’

[Bobette Riales and her dog Jet]

Scientology has filed a do-over demurrer against Bobette Riales, which it was compelled to do after Bobette and the other women suing Scientology and actor Danny Masterson filed an amended complaint and re-set the clock in their case.

Continue reading Bobette Riales’ house burned? Scientology: ‘Can’t sue us. Didn’t happen in California.’

With Scientology largely shut down by the pandemic, the few remaining members reminisce

[Ah, back in the day…]

We’ve been telling you for years that Scientology is in trouble. From a height of about 100,000 active members around the year 1990 (Scientology has never had the “millions” it’s always claimed), that number has steadily decreased until our most recent estimate from a recent high-ranking defector is fewer than 20,000 members around the world.

Continue reading With Scientology largely shut down by the pandemic, the few remaining members reminisce

In the pandemic epicenter, Scientology’s New York Org puts on a fab virtual ‘Sunday Service’

 
We want to thank the tipster who sent us a link to this fabulous video put out by Scientology’s New York ‘Ideal Org.’ It’s pretty much everything we needed in this moment.

Continue reading In the pandemic epicenter, Scientology’s New York Org puts on a fab virtual ‘Sunday Service’