What happened when we had a scientist look at L. Ron Hubbard’s ‘science’ of life in the womb

[L. Ron Hubbard in 1950]

Our readers know that we enjoy bringing you L. Ron Hubbard in his own words from time to time in order to get a better understanding of what Scientology is really all about.

Continue reading What happened when we had a scientist look at L. Ron Hubbard’s ‘science’ of life in the womb

Orlando, you’re next! Scientology makes an ‘Ideal’ move on the magic kingdom

Rod Keller keeps his eye on Scientology’s upcoming ‘Ideal Org’ projects, and this time takes us into central Florida’s big tourist town.

Continue reading Orlando, you’re next! Scientology makes an ‘Ideal’ move on the magic kingdom

Scientology fires back at the Garcias, but reveals absolutely bonkers ‘arbitration’ instructions

[Mike Ellis and Judge James Whittemore]

In October, the Church of Scientology held its first-ever internal arbitration procedure. It heard the case of Luis and Rocio Garcia, former members who had given about a million dollars to the church and wanted a good portion of it back.

Continue reading Scientology fires back at the Garcias, but reveals absolutely bonkers ‘arbitration’ instructions

Laura DeCrescenzo fires back at Scientology’s desperate new federal court gambit

Late last year, we told you about Scientology’s latest and rather desperate attempt to derail Laura DeCrescenzo’s nine-year odyssey to seek justice after being forced to have an abortion as a 17-year-old Sea Org worker.

Continue reading Laura DeCrescenzo fires back at Scientology’s desperate new federal court gambit

Insider reports on Scientology’s grand openings in Silicon Valley and Salt Lake City!

[David Miscavige at Sunday’s Silicon Valley grand opening]

We really have some great tipsters. Once again, one of our longtime readers managed to get into an “Ideal Org” grand opening to provide us an eyewitness report. Thank you, Free Minds, Free Hearts for your dispatch from Sunday’s event in Silicon Valley. We also have an insider account of the Salt Lake City opening that took place the day before and was posted on Facebook.

Continue reading Insider reports on Scientology’s grand openings in Silicon Valley and Salt Lake City!

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.

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

Search