Hubbard’s ‘Brainwashing Manual’ — how a crude Scientology hoax became a far-right touchstone

[Kenneth Goff, left, and George Putnam]

Chris Owen continues his two-part series today with a look at what became of L. Ron Hubbard’s hoax, a “Brainwashing Manual” that he pretended had been written by a Soviet academic. Yesterday, Chris traced the origins of the hoax. Today, he looks at its lasting implications.

Continue reading Hubbard’s ‘Brainwashing Manual’ — how a crude Scientology hoax became a far-right touchstone

How L. Ron Hubbard tried to hoax the FBI, and ‘brainwashed’ politicians of the far right

[Image: courtesy Mark Plummer]

Historian Chris Owen has graced us with another terrific deep dive into one of Scientology’s more curious artifacts. Today, he provides new insight on one of L. Ron Hubbard’s greatest hoaxes. Tomorrow, he explains how Hubbard’s prank took on a life of its own with this country’s extreme right wing.

Continue reading How L. Ron Hubbard tried to hoax the FBI, and ‘brainwashed’ politicians of the far right

Atack: What David Mayo told me about L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology, and the upper levels

[David Mayo]

After we brought the news that prominent Scientology figure David Mayo had died last year in New Zealand, there was a pretty huge reaction from many former Scientologists, as well as a lot of discussion of his legacy. One person who had lengthy talks with Mayo after he left the church was historian Jon Atack, who tells us what he learned in those discussions.

Continue reading Atack: What David Mayo told me about L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology, and the upper levels

Scientology opened an ‘Ideal Org’ in Salt Lake City yesterday. We have its secret plans.

Rod Keller is helping us keep up with David Miscavige’s busy “Ideal Org” program, which today is setting a record for two grand openings in a single weekend.

Continue reading Scientology opened an ‘Ideal Org’ in Salt Lake City yesterday. We have its secret plans.

Scientology set to turn Silicon Valley ‘Ideal!’ Here’s our first look from the grand opening

[Silicon Valley, Dave is in you]

Here we were, waiting for the Salt Lake City “Ideal Org” to open up any day now (UPDATE: It’s happening today!), and David Miscavige tries to sneak one past us! After years of intense fundraising, the “Silicon Valley” Ideal Org in Mountain View, California is ready for its grand opening, which we’ve been told will happen tomorrow, on Sunday.

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Scientology scare tactics used against woman who reported its quack therapy for kids

On August 16, Debra Maxwell filed a complaint using an online form to Florida’s Department of Children and Families about Scientology quack therapies being used on children.

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Scientology mag: Why aren’t you in Florida already dumping all that sweet cash?

We want to thank Rasha for sending us another new issue of Scientology’s Source magazine, which once again is doing its best to sell church members on the idea of going to Florida to spend gobs of money so they can attain “Super Power.”

Continue reading Scientology mag: Why aren’t you in Florida already dumping all that sweet cash?

PROSECUTORS PREPARE CHARGES CARRYING LIFE SENTENCE FOR DANNY MASTERSON

The Underground Bunker has learned that the Special Circumstances Committee in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has approved charging Scientology actor Danny Masterson with multiple violent rapes under a sex crimes penal code that carries with it a life sentence in prison.

Continue reading PROSECUTORS PREPARE CHARGES CARRYING LIFE SENTENCE FOR DANNY MASTERSON

Evidence, finally, of how Scientology obsessively tracks down its former members

One of the most-well known things about Scientology is that once you get on their mailing list, it’s very difficult to get taken off of it.

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How Scientology gamed Google to increase the effectiveness of its Super Bowl ad

With its Super Bowl ad ‘Curious?’ nearing 1.2 million views, the Church of Scientology is no doubt pretty happy that the 30-second ad is now the most-watched video on its YouTube channel, just edging out an L. Ron Hubbard biographical spot that had a nine-year head start.

Continue reading How Scientology gamed Google to increase the effectiveness of its Super Bowl ad

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