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Scientology’s toxic policy of ‘disconnection’ — we check in with the people who endure it

[Bernie Headley and his son Marc, and Marc’s sister Stephanie]

More than a year ago, in January 2017, we wrote a story about Bernie Headley that got us pretty worked up. Here was a man who was fighting cancer and was being prevented from seeing his own daughter, Stephanie, by the Church of Scientology.

Continue reading Scientology’s toxic policy of ‘disconnection’ — we check in with the people who endure it

Scientology’s bizarre international base and its near-prison life: A Marc Headley classic

[A drone’s-eye view of Int Base]

It’s been nearly a decade since one of our favorite books about Scientology life was published: Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology, by former Sea Org worker Marc Headley.

Continue reading Scientology’s bizarre international base and its near-prison life: A Marc Headley classic

How much do the Don Rogers letters shake up early Dianetics history? Two experts weigh in.

 
Over the last two days, we’ve seen some fascinating letters made public for the first time which were written by Donald H. Rogers, an eyewitness to the earliest days of Dianetics. Rogers wrote the letters in 1984-85 to Jon Atack, who was researching his book, A Piece of Blue Sky, and who generously shared the letters with us.

Continue reading How much do the Don Rogers letters shake up early Dianetics history? Two experts weigh in.

Early witness Don Rogers on Hubbard and ‘prior lives’: ‘Nothing but a parlor hypnosis trick’

 
Today we have the second and third letters sent in the mid-1980s by Don Rogers, an early witness to Dianetics, to author Jon Atack, who has generously allowed us to make them public for the first time. Please see historian Chris Owen’s introduction to these letters in yesterday’s first installment.

Continue reading Early witness Don Rogers on Hubbard and ‘prior lives’: ‘Nothing but a parlor hypnosis trick’

Witness to Dianetics: For the first time, the letters of key Hubbard ally Donald H. Rogers

 
Jon Atack has provided us a marvelous exclusive. He’s provided us with copies of letters he received from a man name Don Rogers in the mid-1980s. And we’ve asked historian Chris Owen to help us understand just how valuable these letters are and what’s in them, followed by the first of three Rogers letters in full (we’ll post the second and third tomorrow). It’s quite a week of early Dianetics history here at the Bunker!

Continue reading Witness to Dianetics: For the first time, the letters of key Hubbard ally Donald H. Rogers

Scientology celeb Joy Villa takes down her ‘testing the waters’ for Congress web pages

[Milo Yiannopoulos and Joy Villa, in happier days]

Thanks again to one of our alert tipsters, it was brought to our attention that Joy Villa’s “testing the waters” web pages for a Congressional run have come down.

Continue reading Scientology celeb Joy Villa takes down her ‘testing the waters’ for Congress web pages

In Hollywood and in Italy, Scientology is making all your dreams come true!

[Narconon Sud Europe executive Giovanni Citterio (left) during opening ceremony yesterday]

Rod Keller keeps a close watch on Scientology’s front groups like Narconon. Here’s his latest report…

Continue reading In Hollywood and in Italy, Scientology is making all your dreams come true!

In the US and Australia, new Ideal Orgs are increasingly isolated and uninviting. What gives?

 
By the time this story posts on Saturday morning here in the US, it will already be Saturday evening in Perth, Australia, and Scientology’s newest “Ideal Org” would have had its grand opening, complete with a visit from church leader David Miscavige.

Continue reading In the US and Australia, new Ideal Orgs are increasingly isolated and uninviting. What gives?

Federal judge smacks down Scientology’s shameless attempt to delay forced-abortion case

[Laura DeCrescenzo, center, with Marc and Claire Headley (and minion) after a previous victory in court]

It was quite obvious to us that Scientology’s most recent shameless legal gambit — suing the woman in federal court who is already suing the church in a forced-abortion abuse case in state court — was simply an outrageous waste of time as the trial in Laura DeCrescenzo’s nine-year legal odyssey finally draws nearer.

Continue reading Federal judge smacks down Scientology’s shameless attempt to delay forced-abortion case

How Scientology’s mental health ideas end up enabling the worst compulsions

 
Chris Shelton and Sunny Pereira — two longtime former Sea Org members who really know the subject — today wrap up a series of discussions they’ve put together about Scientology and mental health.

Continue reading How Scientology’s mental health ideas end up enabling the worst compulsions