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Director Paul Haggis pens an open letter to Marty Rathbun after Scientology’s latest smear

[Paul Haggis and Leah Remini]

Yesterday, we received this remarkable piece of writing from Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis. His appearance on this week’s Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath resulted in, predictably, a full-throated attack from the Church of Scientology. But something in that attempt to smear him stunned Haggis. We’ll let him explain…

Continue reading Director Paul Haggis pens an open letter to Marty Rathbun after Scientology’s latest smear

Scientology’s tiger: How L. Ron Hubbard created a language trap

 
Jon Atack is the author of A Piece of Blue Sky, one of the very best books on L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. For more than three years he’s been helping us sift through the legends, myths, and contested facts about Scientology that tend to get hashed and rehashed in books, articles, and especially on the Internet.

Continue reading Scientology’s tiger: How L. Ron Hubbard created a language trap

Federal judge says he has the Scientologists for a justice panel, but Garcias say, ‘not so fast’

 
The Garcia litigation is enough to give us whiplash. As Tampa federal Judge James Whittemore pushes hard to get the case submitted to arbitration, it’s now the Garcias’ turn to say, “hold on there, judge.”

Continue reading Federal judge says he has the Scientologists for a justice panel, but Garcias say, ‘not so fast’

Of course Jada Smith was a Scientologist, says principal who ran her Scientology school

[Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jacqueline Olivier]

Back in the spring of 2015, your proprietor and Mike Rinder sat down with Daily Beast writer Marlow Stern as part of the publicity on Alex Gibney’s film, Going Clear. During the interview, Stern said that Will Smith was a Scientologist, and the two of us both corrected him — it wasn’t true.

Continue reading Of course Jada Smith was a Scientologist, says principal who ran her Scientology school

Tonight, Paul Haggis calls out Scientology’s celebs: ‘Damn them for being purposely blind’

 
We’re of two minds about Scientology’s glittering celebrities. On the one hand, there’s no question that Scientology’s pursuit of celebrated actors and other artists is the major reason such a small group (the church claims millions, but the real figure is in the tens of thousands) gets such major press, and why the subject draws so much interest from the public. That abiding public fascination is what, frankly, helps a website like this get so much traffic.

Continue reading Tonight, Paul Haggis calls out Scientology’s celebs: ‘Damn them for being purposely blind’

Moss wins Emmy for portraying totalitarian cult victim and doesn’t care what you think about it

 
As expected, actress Elisabeth Moss took home the Emmy award last night for her role in Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, besting her fellow nominees for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Claire Foy (The Crown), Keri Russell (The Americans), Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder), Robin Wright (House of Cards), and Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld). The Handmaid’s Tale also won the Emmy for Best Dramatic Series.

Continue reading Moss wins Emmy for portraying totalitarian cult victim and doesn’t care what you think about it

Scientology leader David Miscavige has empty buildings all over the world — here’s a rundown

 
Rod Keller keeps an eye on Scientology’s “Ideal Org” program for us, and he reminds us today of just how much empty real estate the church has lined up so David Miscavige can hold grand openings for years to come…

Continue reading Scientology leader David Miscavige has empty buildings all over the world — here’s a rundown

Disconnected at birth — another infuriating Scientology saga

[Brian Sheen and his daughter Spring]

We’ve written several stories about Brian Sheen, a Florida man who left Scientology many years ago, but who never had a problem with his daughter, Spring, continuing in the organization. But after Spring married into a wealthy Scientology donor family in 2014, she got the order from the church to cut off all contact with her father.

Continue reading Disconnected at birth — another infuriating Scientology saga

Scientology’s newest infiltration — Rebecca Minkoff and Meghan Fialkoff at Nasdaq!

 
You have to hand it to Scientology. No matter how much L. Ron Hubbard’s creation is battered and bruised by bad press, shrinking numbers, and ridicule on social media, Scientology never, ever gives up.

Continue reading Scientology’s newest infiltration — Rebecca Minkoff and Meghan Fialkoff at Nasdaq!

Is Ohio’s newest legislator a Scientologist? ‘I had him on the cans,’ says our man in Cincy

[George Lang, talking the Scieno talk]

Yesterday, a pretty minor political story — the appointment of a Republican township trustee to an open seat in the state House of of Representatives — blew up into something more, thanks to the Church of Scientology and a notorious alt-right figure.

Continue reading Is Ohio’s newest legislator a Scientologist? ‘I had him on the cans,’ says our man in Cincy