OOH LA LA: Scientology opens its ‘Ideal Org’ in Paris today and we’re on the scene!

[The view yesterday, with ribbon in place!]

Alas, the moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Today, the new 78,500 square foot Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre of Grand Paris (to use its full official title) will open its doors for the first time and boy, are we ready.

Continue reading OOH LA LA: Scientology opens its ‘Ideal Org’ in Paris today and we’re on the scene!

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

We want to thank the reader who brought to our attention that a pretty remarkable film featuring L. Ron Hubbard talking about Scientology from 1963 has resurfaced.

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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?

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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

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