Resurfaced video: An afternoon in 1963 with Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Want to get a good sense of what Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s acting abilities were like? We want your impressions of the legendary Hubbard charisma on display in a resurfaced film from Ron’s heyday. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

Continue reading Resurfaced video: An afternoon in 1963 with Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Need a job, thetan? Scientology’s sneaky business front has your listings

Among Scientology’s sneaky front groups, one of the most insidious is WISE, the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises.

Continue reading Need a job, thetan? Scientology’s sneaky business front has your listings

Not so fast: Judge Hammock questions David Miscavige’s challenge to step down

[Defendant David Miscavige and Judge Randolph Hammock]

When Leah Remini sued the Church of Scientology and its leader David Miscavige at Los Angeles Superior Court last August, she wasn’t happy with the first judge who was selected to preside over it, Judge William Fawhey.

Continue reading Not so fast: Judge Hammock questions David Miscavige’s challenge to step down

Scientology and the Great American Eclipse, 2024 edition

Is it really less than a week away, this singular day that we’ve been looking forward to for nearly seven years now?

Continue reading Scientology and the Great American Eclipse, 2024 edition

Flying under the radar: Scientology’s unexpected reprieve in Russia

[Ivan Matsitsky’s case ended with a surprisingly light sentence]

Since the 1990s, Scientology has faced both boom and bust in post-Soviet Russia, swinging from lucrative success in the “wild capitalism” era of Boris Yeltsin to facing a ruthless crackdown under Vladimir Putin. The writing seemed to be on the wall for Scientology after the Russian police declared Scientology to be an “undesirable” group, raided the Moscow and St. Petersburg orgs, and charged a number of prominent Russian Scientologists with criminal offences. Yet, against the odds, although Scientology is still severely endangered, the war in Ukraine may have given it an unlikely reprieve.

Continue reading Flying under the radar: Scientology’s unexpected reprieve in Russia

Yet another celebrity ‘first’ spotted in Scientology event press releases

[David Miscavige presides over the 2023 LRH Birthday Event]

Ever since we spotted Elisabeth Moss in Scientology’s press release for the 2024 L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Event, we’ve been searching through others to see what we could find.

Continue reading Yet another celebrity ‘first’ spotted in Scientology event press releases

Scientology will appeal ruling in Leah Remini lawsuit that preserved most of her claims

We’re still seeing headlines saying that the recent ruling in Leah Remini’s lawsuit “gutted” it, or all but destroyed it, and that Scientology is entitled to fees, and so on.

Continue reading Scientology will appeal ruling in Leah Remini lawsuit that preserved most of her claims

Leah Remini files notice: Let Judge Kalra handle BOTH Scientology harass cases

[Judge Upinder Kalra and plaintiff Leah Remini]

Leah Remini got a lot of attention yesterday evening when she posted an image of her associate’s degree from New York University to share how much it meant to her to reach that goal at 53 years of age while she continues to work toward a bachelor’s degree.

Continue reading Leah Remini files notice: Let Judge Kalra handle BOTH Scientology harass cases

Val Ross: After the FBI raid, what it was like to return to work there — as a Scientology spy

I am certain I am not the only one who woke up with this feeling, that Scientology had co-opted my soul, that I was not a good person, and that everything bad that was happening in my life was something I deserved to have happen.

Continue reading Val Ross: After the FBI raid, what it was like to return to work there — as a Scientology spy

As David Miscavige restored Scientology’s events, here are the celebs who showed up

In March 2019, a full year before the pandemic lockdowns began, Scientology held its annual birthday event for founder L. Ron Hubbard at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida, and it marked something of a high-water mark for attendance by big names.

Continue reading As David Miscavige restored Scientology’s events, here are the celebs who showed up

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