Scientology hails study vindicating its rehab program — so we take a closer look

[Sauna success? Professor Dave Touretzky takes a look at the fine print]

Recently, one of our correspondents forwarded us a press release put out by Scientology’s drug rehab outfit, Narconon, which was boasting about a new study finally providing some scientific evidence to back up L. Ron Hubbard’s ideas about treating drug abuse.

Continue reading Scientology hails study vindicating its rehab program — so we take a closer look

Ahoy, matey: We have Scientology’s new Sea Org application!

We want to thank the tipster who sent us a very interesting new document. We’re not at liberty yet to tell you just how our correspondent got their hands on this particular item — but that may change in the near future.

Continue reading Ahoy, matey: We have Scientology’s new Sea Org application!

Scientology so desperate for Narconon patients, new offer drops all pretense of separation

[Narconon quackery: It’s continental!]

Rod Keller finds that Scientology’s Narconon scam can get, yes, even sketchier…

Continue reading Scientology so desperate for Narconon patients, new offer drops all pretense of separation

Russell Miller’s 1987 biography of Scientology’s founder is still astonishingly good

Our Saturday ‘Scientology Lit’ series has been coming to this — still the best biography of Scientology’s founder and perhaps the best book about Scientology of them all, Russell Miller’s Bare-Faced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard. Difficult to find in this country for a long time, the book is back in print now. Russell himself is a delight, and we’re fortunate to have spent time with him a few times. We’re thrilled that he chose this chapter to share with us and our series.

Continue reading Russell Miller’s 1987 biography of Scientology’s founder is still astonishingly good

What the Australian press can’t say about James Packer and his Scientology adventure

[Before the fall: Mariah Carey and James Packer]

You may have been seeing stories out of Australia about actor Tom Cruise and an Australian billionaire named James Packer. These stories caught us by surprise for two reasons.

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A Scientology ‘Fair Game’ tactic from way back: Sexually degrading harassment

[PAC Base, Los Angeles. Ana, you there?]

Jeffrey Augustine reveals some of Scientology’s dirty work, and we’ll caution you to be prepared for some off-color language ahead.

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Phil Jones: How Scientology sucked me in — even as National Lampoon warned me

When I first got into Scientology I was still in high school. I was going to go to film school with my best friend at the time. He did end up going to university and studying film. This was in Toronto, after which he ended up moving to the states and eventually going to San Francisco where he settled into doing film editing.

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In 1949, psychiatrists wouldn’t touch Dianetics — so L. Ron Hubbard invented one who would

[Author Alec Nevala-Lee and L. Ron Hubbard]

What an amazing treat we have for you today. To celebrate the publication of his book Astounding, author Alec Nevala-Lee is helping us bring to you a stunning document made public for the first time. We’ll let him describe it, and then we have it in its entirety in both text and pdf form. Also, Alec will be able to answer your questions about this or other subjects during his Reddit AMA on /r/books at 12:30pm ET on Wednesday October 24. Here’s Alec…

Continue reading In 1949, psychiatrists wouldn’t touch Dianetics — so L. Ron Hubbard invented one who would

A call to arms for Scientology voters: ‘Religious freedom’ vs. the evil psychs!

[When Scientologists get riled up]

We want to thank the tipster who forwarded a rather interesting email. Our tipster was included on a long list of recipients that had been cc:ed by the person who sent the message.

Continue reading A call to arms for Scientology voters: ‘Religious freedom’ vs. the evil psychs!

Scientology and hurricanes: Providing storms of comic relief in one disaster after another

[Volunteer Ministers pose with Sumter County deputy sheriff]

Rod Keller can’t get enough of Mirit Hendrickson and the hapless Scientology Volunteer Ministers, and neither can we…

Continue reading Scientology and hurricanes: Providing storms of comic relief in one disaster after another

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