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Striking actors: Need non-union work? Scientology has your back!

Scientology has a toxic effect on family: A testimonial

Sunny Pereira’s remarkable piece about growing up in Scientology garnered a big response, including this dispatch that was emailed to us by a reader. We thought you’d want to see it.

Continue reading Scientology has a toxic effect on family: A testimonial

Charlie Nairn tells us about getting L. Ron Hubbard & Scientology on air in the 1960s

[L. Ron Hubbard bust, from 1967’s ‘A Faith for Sale’]

After we published some Scientology news clippings from 1960s London this week, we were delighted to hear from Charlie Nairn.

Continue reading Charlie Nairn tells us about getting L. Ron Hubbard & Scientology on air in the 1960s

Miss Lovely is still unbreakable: It’s Paulette Cooper’s birthday!

Once again, the very reason for the Underground Bunker’s existence is here again, as we celebrate Paulette Cooper’s birthday on July 26. It was while working on our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, that we created our website back in 2012 to keep in touch with our audience so they’d know when the book was ready.

Continue reading Miss Lovely is still unbreakable: It’s Paulette Cooper’s birthday!

Why growing up in Scientology can be so damaging, even years after leaving

 
Although this story is my personal experience, and many could have had variations of this, I think it’s worth noting what Scientology’s “applied religious philosophy” does to its youngest members as far as trauma and damage.

Continue reading Why growing up in Scientology can be so damaging, even years after leaving

Archival gems: When Scientology was on the hot seat in swinging London

We’ve mentioned that one of our readers specializes in tracking down obscure press clippings for us, and over the years he’s really done a good job of it.

Continue reading Archival gems: When Scientology was on the hot seat in swinging London

Scientology at San Diego Comic-Con: Toxic ‘disconnection’ on display again this year

 
It’s not all fun and games at the San Diego Comic-Con as far as the Underground Bunker is concerned.

Continue reading Scientology at San Diego Comic-Con: Toxic ‘disconnection’ on display again this year

PODCAST: ‘Oppenheimer’ and Scientology, with physicist Bruce Hines

The highly anticipated new film Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, hit theaters yesterday, and we had a crazy idea: Watch the film on opening day here in New York while former Scientology auditor Bruce Hines caught it in Denver, and then talk about it!

Continue reading PODCAST: ‘Oppenheimer’ and Scientology, with physicist Bruce Hines

Valerie Haney: Here’s why the press should be asking Tom Cruise about Shelly Miscavige

[Valerie Haney and Tom Cruise]

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One hasn’t done quite the business that its creators were hoping, but still, with $91 million in domestic sales and $168 million overseas for a total of $259 million as of yesterday, it was well along to making up for its whopping $290 cost.

Continue reading Valerie Haney: Here’s why the press should be asking Tom Cruise about Shelly Miscavige

FIELD TRIP: Hey, is that a Scientology ‘Advanced Org,’ and where is everyone?

 
We were out running an errand just north of Toronto and thought we’d swing by the property Scientology bought for their proposed Advance Org (for upper-level auditing of OTs, ie. ridding yourself of Body Thetans), which was formerly the Hockley Highland Estates.

Continue reading FIELD TRIP: Hey, is that a Scientology ‘Advanced Org,’ and where is everyone?