Super Power – The Underground Bunker

For 30 grand or so, Scientology will let you into its shrine to L. Ron Hubbard. Here’s a peek.

Tony Ortega — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 12:00:42 +0000

Thanks again to reader Rasha, we have a first look at another entertaining Scientology publication today, in this case Source magazine, the publication of the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida.

Source does its best to entice wealthy Scientologists to “Flag,” where they can progress up Scientology’s “Bridge to Total Freedom,” to some of its most expensive upper-level offerings.

That includes, of course, Scientology’s crown jewel, its “Flag Building” that was opened in 2013 and is more colloquially known as the “Super Power Building.” It takes up a full city block, and Scientology raised something like $200 million to construct it, which took about 20 years. Mike Rinder found documents that spell out what Scientology is charging members to set foot in the place, and he estimated that a typical Super Power experience is going to run a Scientologist about $32,000.

For us, there was one particular treat about the Super Power Building in this edition of Source — it’s our best look yet at the shrine to L. Ron Hubbard that we had first noticed when we published leaked renderings for the building back in early 2012. Those plans called for a museum to Hubbard focusing on his years running Scientology from sea (1967-1975) as the Commodore of his own small private navy.

The centerpiece of it would be his office on the yacht Apollo recreated to exacting detail…

Here’s how Source magazine, issue number 244, describes how the actual shrine itself came out. We thought you’d get a kick out of it.

IMAGINE YOURSELF WALKING through the palatial and perfect Flag Building. You’ve come to this place of learning, wisdom and spiritual freedom to go on services, but also to explore the deep legacy of our religion as only can be experienced in this singular location.
Marveling at the soaring architecture of sweeping staircases and exquisite arches clad in Italian travertine, you discover the Sea Org Museum just off the Grand Atrium. If you feel you have just passed through boundless space and time rendered in thoughtful design, you are now entering a rare and privileged look back into the foundations of Scientology via the implements, instruments and writings of LRH himself.

Dedicated to Flag’s seaborne heritage, the Sea Org Museum is a repository of living history — a testament to the fact that it was aboard the Apollo that LRH originally established the Flag Service Organization. Ultimately, as the religion grew and demand exceeded the ship’s capacity, LRH moved Flag ashore in 1975 and established the Flag Land Base. But this is as close as you can possibly get to being where it all started.

Notably, as you enter, some of the first items you encounter are instruments of navigation that are on display. How fitting, considering that what Ron gave the world were the tools and guidance needed to chart a course through the travails and traps of life to successfully progress to the state of complete liberation.
As you continue further into the museum, your senses heighten as you fully realize what you are experiencing is a treasure trove of the largest collection of artifacts ever assembled from the Flagship of the flotilla. Here is where you can view firsthand everything from LRH’s handwritten issues and manuscripts including copies of HCO Policy Letters, HCO Bulletins and Flag Orders, to the actual uniform he wore during the Apollo‘s christening.
The artifacts are many — some 60 in all — and together, they emanate Ron’s presence in a way that is palpable. Here is the Apollo‘s original radar, the ship’s phone, the Commodore’s wind velocity meter and weather station. Further along, the buffed-to-a-brassy-sparkle ship’s bell. A center island showcases additional artifacts including information on Sea Org Mission Technology, weather prediction, The Four Unprofitable Courses and a fittingly nautical display of ship’s knots.

A list of visitor favorites would also have to include beautifully rendered handcrafted models of the ships Athena, Diana, Apollo and Freewinds.
Then there is the transporting moment you encounter a detailed re-creation of the ship’s promenade deck, complete with a life-size image of Ron and a crew member making the rounds, giving the impression you are there with the Commodore himself.
Additionally, six museum panels cover various eras aboard the ship while two flat screens display multiple videos featuring LRH excerpts normally reserved only for Sea Org members. Throughout, the exquisite displays are presented in a setting that echoes a ship below decks, with curved beams and polished wood finishes enhancing the feeling of discovery.
But perhaps the most moving and memorable feature here is the Office of the Commodore, LRH’s command central and research room. The site of countless technical and administrative breakthroughs, the timeless tableau stands exactly as it did when LRH walked the bridge of the Apollo. Indeed, it is the absolute centerpiece of the museum. From his original Mark V E-meter with its hand-carved case, to the mantel with its model of the Cutty Sark, the office is perfect and authentic to the last detail — as will be your experience here in this museum, a voyage through time, space and Scientology that will remain with you for eternity.

One additional note, about that “recreation of the ship’s promenade deck,” which includes the life-size image of Hubbard and a replica lifeboat. Here’s how it looked in the computer rendering we published in 2012…

Look closely and you’ll notice that there’s a small girl following behind the Commodore…

Another photo of the scene which showed up in another Scientology publication gives us a better view of her…

And a closer look at that image revealed that the little girl appeared to have a black eye…

The girl herself, Julie Blundell, showed up at the WWP forum to confirm that she was one of the “Commodore’s Messengers,” young girls who lived on the ship and whose job it was to shadow Hubbard and run to and fro delivering his communications. She explained that she was between 8 and 11 years old in the photo, and that an accident with a wayward pulley had given her the shiner.

Julie was later erased when the photo was used in the “RON” encyclopedia…

And if you look carefully at the image of the actual museum that is shown in this issue of Source, you can see that when they built the replica of the Apollo’s deck, they went with the image in which Julie had been photoshopped out.

Because, after all, why would you want to remind wealthy Scientologists paying so much money that the place operates in part on the indentured servitude of children working long hours for little or no pay?

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Leah Remini sits down with Joe Rogan

In case you missed it yesterday, here’s video of Leah Remini’s entertaining talk with Joe Rogan on his popular podcast. Even if you’re familiar with her book and her A&E series, Scientology and the Aftermath, we think you’ll learn a few things from this recording.

For example, unless it was in her book and we just don’t remember it, we think this was the first time we’ve heard Leah say that during her 3-month interrogation at the Flag Land Base following the Cruise-Holmes wedding debacle, one of the things they asked her about was whether she had any “sexual intentions towards Tom Cruise.” Well, that sounds like Scientology. Anyway, it’s a lively interview and Leah is more and more sure of herself and her mission, as you’ll see.

And yesterday we had another fun time with Jillian Barberie and John Phillips of KABC radio in Los Angeles. The Scientology starts up at about the 22:30 mark…

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HowdyCon 2017: Denver, June 23-25. Go here to start making your plans.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 31, 2017 at 07:00

E-mail tips and story ideas to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We post behind-the-scenes updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2016 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2016), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts

Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

What Scientology is telling its members: Things have never been better!

Tony Ortega — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:00:06 +0000

A big thanks to reader Rasha for tipping us to the new issue of International Scientology News. This is a large-format publication that we always enjoy seeing. It’s one of the magazines that Scientology puts out trying to convince its members that the organization is doing better than it ever has.

For the most part, it’s a print version of the same address that Scientology leader David Miscavige gave at the New Year’s event, whose audio we were leaked and posted on New Year’s eve. And, like the New Year’s event, for the outsider it’s just so much hard-to-believe propaganda about how Scientology’s various initiatives are saving the planet.

But the pages that we found most interesting were the ones that were simply slick ads. This is Scientology advertising to Scientologists, who are completely familiar with all of these products and initiatives. Put yourself in David Miscavige’s place — how do you create enthusiasm for going ‘Clear,’ for example, the intermediate goal of Scientology and something every church member has heard about a million times already?

It will typically take you a few years and about $183,000 to go Clear in Scientology, and that’s with a lot of commitment — usually in the form of going to the org every night of the week. So, with that in mind, does this ad get you pumped?

That text is a little small. Here’s what it says…

Clear is the freedom Mankind has dreamed of throughout the ages. But it wasn’t until the path was discovered and mapped by Ron that the state of Clear became a consistently achievable goal. Its value is priceless. As a Clear, the reactive mind is forever vanquished — the source of all fears, anxieties and irrational thoughts has been conquered. And, in that victory, you will regain yourself. Your own basic beingness returns. Your true personality flourishes. That the state of Clear can be attained is a certainty. And today, it is a goal anyone can achieve. That final burst of glory and freedom that is the state of Clear is within your reach. Take your next step up the Bridge.

Those sure are vague promises, especially for something that costs nearly $200,000. Miscavige seems to have given up almost entirely on the much more solid results that L. Ron Hubbard originally made for “Clear,” which included total recall, raised IQ, no more need to wear eyeglasses, and a basic immunity to virtually any medical ailment.

But hey, you get your beingness back.

Moving on, here’s how Miscavige is selling the top of the Bridge, OT 8, which, Marc Headley has estimated, will cost you $500,000 to $2 million to achieve, depending on how many donations they get out of you along the way.

We kind of dig the mashup here of somewhat religious imagery with the sci-fi elements. As we’ve said repeatedly, we think Scientology’s space opera is its best thing going and it’s a shame they aren’t more open about it. Here, at least, you’re getting a hint that for a couple of million, you’ll become some kind of spiritual cosmonaut.

Dave also wants you to come to the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida, and spend tens of thousands of dollars more for the “Super Power” rundowns in the massive Flag Building, which was opened in November 2013. Here’s how he’s selling it…

Here’s what it says…

You’ve never seen rundowns like these — what they address, how they are delivered. Rundown after rundown, the power builds. Each rundown, delivered in exact sequence, addresses a unique aspect of case. This is clearing at a technical level only dreamed of — a series of super-fantastic confidential rundowns. You emerge in fantastic shape as a being, in a whole new realm of ability and awareness, with your Super Power unleashed.

Again, lots of vague promises. What do you actually get for your money? Several years ago, Dan Koon helped us understand one of the “rundowns” that make up Super Power. It turns out that for several hundred dollars an hour, you are asked a single question — “Where do you feel safe?” — over and over, hundreds of times. But hey, it’s a whole new realm of awareness!

But easily our favorite of the ad pages was this one, for the Cause Resurgence Rundown and its great text…

Experience amazing technology never before seen in this society and age. A rundown so powerful, it can pull a thetan out of anything. You won’t just blow facsimiles and ridges. You’ll restore your innate power to generate your own energy and flows. It’s based on research in an area of the track that predates this current planet by countless millennia. It’s an OT whole track objective process like no other. A thetan exterior process you can do in a body. Step up to cause.

It’s a thetan exterior process, it costs about $2,500, and IT’S RUNNING AROUND A POLE.

We’re serious. The Cause Resurgence Rundown is a really funny name for running around and around a pole. For hours. At one time, the rundown was used as a punishment, and the stories are pretty legendary about people running around a palm tree in the desert heat at Int Base, for days and days.

Back in 2012, we got renderings of the Flag Building (a/k/a the Super Power Building), and they included this image of the top floor, which is a huge domed area with a lit central pole for running around.

Running around a lit pole. Based on research that predates the earth.

We love it when Scientology is this nakedly ridiculous.

It’s also nakedly going to hit you up for huge donations, and for nothing in return…

So what do you think? How’s Dave doing trying to sell to Scientologists the same damn things they’re pitched on day after day, year after year?

Well, we’ll give him credit for one thing that’s relatively new: His dedication to advertising online. If you remember, one of the things Debbie Cook criticized Miscavige for in her famous 2012 letter was sitting on a mountain of cash and not spending it on much advertising. Miscavige seemed to take that to heart, and Scientology’s spending on Internet and television advertising has been prodigious since then.

We thought you’d be interested to see how ISN summed up 2016’s output in web ads and TV commercials.

Employing broadcast, streaming technology and social media, Scientology was definitely a major presence on the airwaves and throughout the Internet during 2016. Millions of people throughout the US and around the world experienced the positive message of spiritual technology as impactful ads were launched in conjunction with marquee annual events like the Super Bowl and Grammy Awards, as well as campaigns staged across major networks including ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX.
For sheer numbers and positioning, the “Who Am I” ad lit up the scoreboard with its debut during the 50th Annual Super Bowl held on February 7. Watched by 30 million people, the spot boosted visits to Scientology.org during the campaign’s run by a factor of 20. The spot also gained exposure to 28 million people on social media during the Super Bowl and garnered 432,000 online news articles. During the Grammys, it was the “How We Help” ad that powered a six-fold increase in visits to Scientology.org and a similar increase in social media mentions. In total, 15 million music fans were reached with our ad during the Grammys broadcast. On the TV front, ads were run nationally on all major networks as well as strategically placed in the local markets of 18 Ideal Orgs. Many popular shows were targeted with the ad buys, which reached more than 50 million people.
Streaming media was also a Scientology launchpad this year, with three ads coursing through the digiverse with extensive runs on Hulu totaling 1.75 million minutes and garnering 3.5 million views. A constant of every campaign was the social media component which resulted in massive awareness with more than 120 million ad impressions on Facebook; 40 million on Twitter; and 73 million impressions — coupled with 1.9 million video views — on YouTube.
International efforts were just as results-driven, with audiences numbering in the millions reached in major markets where Ideal Orgs are located including the UK, Italy, Spain, Australia, Taiwan, South Africa, and others. Just under 10,000 ads ran internationally, double the number of last year, for a total reach of 125 million impressions.
Add to the mix another 1.4 million views earned by Tokyo billboards in major commuter stations and the gobal total of impressions for 2016 is more than half a billion. That’s what we call presenting LRH Tech on a truly global scale.

Sakes alive, from that description you’d think Scientology was Pokémon Go or something.

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Good news Down Under — Leah’s coming!

To our antipodean friends, you don’t have to wait long to see what all the fuss is about here in the USA…

Our brand new 9 part series, Leah Remini: Scientology & The Aftermath premieres Wednesday, February 8 at 9.30pm AEDT! pic.twitter.com/dL2ejgMt0I
— CITV Australia (@CITVAustralia) January 16, 2017

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Bonus items from our tipsters

Kerri Kasem spreads human rights abuser Scientology’s human rights message to fiduciary lawyers. How precious!

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June will be here before you know it

HowdyCon 2017: Denver, June 23-25. Go here to start making your plans.

[Thank you, Observer.]

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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 16, 2017 at 07:00

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…