MetaFilter posts tagged with scientology

Going Clear Blocked By UK Libel Laws

Charlemagne In Sweatpants — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:34:46 -0800

Why can't we read the Scientology book Going Clear in the UK?

A Milestone Year for Media

Apropos of Something — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:43:14 -0800

On the heels of a recent announcement that it will experiment with online pay models, The Atlantic featured sponsored content today from The Church of Scientology, a post entitled "David Miscavige Leads Scientology to Milestone Year."

Reporter Joel Sappell returns to a former story

Ideefixe — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:35:10 -0800

Decades after he wrote an investigative series on Scientology, the writer examines just what happened. From the piece: "In the mid-1980s, journalist Joel Sappell and a colleague began a five-year examination of the Church of Scientology that would ultimately produce a 24-article series. It would also change Sappell’s life in ways both mystifying and unnerving." Links to the 24 stories he and his partner wrote for the LA Times.

“He would roll his eyes and say, ‘Jeez, can you believe it?’”

Sonny Jim — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:15:06 -0800

Cruise post-Cruz was apparently tired of having ... ecclesiastical pillow fights interfere with his sex life: he needed a devout Scientologist to sleep with. Thus began an elaborate auditioning process ... to find him a drop-dead-beautiful true believer to share his life

Maureen Orth charts the rise—and fall—of a celebrity marriage. [Previously 1, 2, 3, 4]

Scientology headquarters

Egg Shen — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 19:22:10 -0800

Scientology's international headquarters - known as Gold Base - is located on a 500-acre parcel of land south of San Jacinto, California. It "has a number of unusually strong security measures, including razor-tipped fences, motion sensors, snipers nests and a large number of regular and infrared CCTV cameras." It also houses a detention center for executives referred to as "The Hole". (previously) The use of armed guards to prevent unauthorized departures from base is detailed in the affidavit of Andre Tabayoyon in the case of Church of Scientology International v. Steven Fish and Uwe Geertz. A differing portrait of the facility is contained in this Scientology video disputing an Anderson Cooper report on the organization.

Neil Gaiman age 7, disciple of Scientology

vanlal — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 22:52:40 -0800

Neil Gaiman, 7, Interviewed About Scientology by the BBC in 1968 David Gaiman, Neil's dad, was Scientology's UK PR chief. Neil was brought up in the cult but prefers not to talk about his childhood as a practising Scientologist. In 2010, he declared that he's not a church member.

The Super Power Building

Trurl — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:47:34 -0800

The purpose of the Super Power Building has been stated as providing a dedicated center for delivering the Super Power Rundown, a high-level Scientology training course that has not yet been released.

Why the world is scared of hacktivists

homunculus — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:58:57 -0800

They’re watching. And they can bring you down: Why the world is scared of hacktivists. [Via]

Scientology Strikes Back!

emhutchinson — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:18:29 -0800

"The New Yorker": Tabloid of Record "Freedom," the journalistic side-arm of the "Church of Scientology," publishes and distributes a parody to refute/deny the "24,000 word odyssey" by Lawrence Wright profiling "apostate" Paul Haggis. previously, and previously.

“My bet is that, within two years, you’re going to read something about me in a scandal that looks like it has nothing to do with the church.”

availablelight — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:43:12 -0800

Paul Haggis Vs. the Church of Scientology. Haggis' defection was discussed previously on the blue, as were allegations of abusive practices in Scientology's Sea Org. This week's New Yorker includes a massive investigative piece by Lawrence Wright, part of an upcoming book by Wright that has already been the subject of some speculation.

The Church of Scientology's International Dissemination and Distribution Center

Joe Beese — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:15:19 -0800

The anchor of the printing plant is a custom-built 121-ton web press. ... It prints at a rate of 55,000 pages per hour. ... The mailing system is fully automated and is capable of addressing 150,000 pieces every eight hours. The entire shipping line is capable of shipping better than 500,000 boxes and individual items each week. The organization boasts of its ability to keep 2,500 lectures in print for 50 languages.

Fair and Balanced...now shuddup!

Skeptic — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:58:55 -0800

Fox News has taken a leaf off Scientology's book, and sued for copyright infringement a Democratic candidate who dared use Fox News footage in his campaign ad.

Warning: Contents May Wipe Out Civilization (Again)

scalefree — Fri, 07 May 2010 09:41:04 -0800

For the first time ever, a look inside the most secure room in the world. Not Disney's Club 33. Not the White House Situation Room or the Gold Vault at Fort Knox. Welcome to the OT VIII Course Room aboard the Church of Scientology's flagship MV Freewinds. This room is the only place (on this planet at least) where you can read an authorized copy of Scientology's highest level.

"The 'Schindler's List' of sci-fi"

fearfulsymmetry — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:52:35 -0800

I penned the suckiest movie ever - sorry! Writer J.D. Shapiro apologises for Battlefield Earth the recent winner of the Razzie for Worst Picture Of The Decade.

"A Kafkaesque journey."

availablelight — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:13:39 -0800

Defectors say Church of Scientology hides abuse. Two defectors from Scientology's Sea Org, raised and married in the church, have been interviewed by the New York Times, hoping to expose the abusive treatment of even loyal staff members. The Collbrans began their planned exit with a pregnancy intended to force their removal from Sea Org (members are not permitted to have children; abortions are encouraged and those who refuse are demoted or removed). It ended with their branding as "suppressive persons", and a resulting estrangement from their own families. (More on what it's like to be an "ex-Scientology kid.") Despite the financial and social pricetag involved, “Since Anonymous has come forward,” said Marc Headley, who belonged to the Sea Org for 16 years, “more and more people who have been abused or assaulted are feeling more confident that they can speak out and not have any retaliation happen.” The Collbrans ultimately lost their marriage as well. Mr. Collbran completely disassociated himself from the church, but Ms. Collbran held on to a faith in L. Ron Hubbard, continuing to receive auditing from other ex-Scientologists. "Despite all they have been through together, Ms. and Mr. Collbran are getting a divorce. The reason, they agree sadly, is that they no longer see eye to eye on Scientology." Most recently.

You can also dive off a bridge or blow your brains out.

scalefree — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:18:52 -0800

Magician, actor & Scientologist Larry Anderson wants his money back. Although he had modest success in Hollywood, he was known to millions as the narrator of Scientology's introductory film Orientation; certainly his most famous line was said for that movie:

"If you leave this room after seeing this film and walk out and never mention Scientology again, you are perfectly free to do so. It would be stupid. But you can do it. You can also dive off a bridge or blow your brains out. That is your choice."

Listen in as Larry negotiates with Church officials to recover $120,000 he deposited with the church in anticipation of receiving services from it.

In related news, Adams County, CO DA is charging Scientology OT7 Rev. Rex Fowler, owner of Scientology-run Fowler Software with murder and attempted murder for shooting ex-partner Tommy Ciancio three times in the head as he attempted to collect his severance pay, then turning the gun on himself, firing one shot up through his chin. Authorities initially believed Fowler was the victim based on witness testimony, but forensics showed that Ciancio could not have fired the three shots that killed him.

Once-lost Hubbard writings now available for purchase

Joe Beese — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:21:16 -0800

More than 1,000 unreleased recordings of lectures by L. Ron Hubbard and reams of corresponding writings have been unveiled in the culmination of a 25-year project to locate, restore and transcribe lost pieces of the Scientology founder's work. ... "It would be like discovering that Buddha, unbeknownst to anybody, had sat down and wrote down the entirety of his discoveries and it could be verified that he wrote it," said Tommy Davis, the church's top spokesman. ... They're also available for sale to members for about $7,500...

A Very Merry (Unauthorized) Children's Scientology Pageant

scalefree — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:45:13 -0800

Witness the spectacle as Chicago's A Red Orchid Theater presents A Very Merry (Unauthorized) Children's Scientology Pageant, through January 17, 2010. It's time to celebrate, it's time to open up your eyes. Critics agree - it's a hit!

A bad weekend for Scientology

CunningLinguist — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:26:50 -0800

"I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology." In a blistering letter that calls out some church lies, "Crash" director Paul Haggis quits Scientology after 35 years over its support for Prop 8. He says he was also influenced by this acclaimed St Pete Times series. The high level defection comes as ABC began running a multipart expose of the church that included choice video of Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis storming off when asked about the alien lord Xenu.

All in all it's just another brick in the wall

HotPants — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:50:32 -0800

British Department of Health releases LR Hubbard Docs The British government has released documents compiled to expose Scientology's founder as a fraud. The main foci seem to be the role of Sequoia University in granting Hubbard's PhD, and the sudden mental illness of an investigating district attorney after visiting with some dubious doctors. p r e v i o u s l y .

Newspaper exposes Church of Scientology, yet again.

mosessis — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:51:54 -0800

The Truth Rundown: High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at the Church of Scientology, its leader David Miscavige, and the Lisa McPherson case. Expose from the newpaper in Clearwater, Florida, the "worldwide spiritual headquarters" of Scientology, in three parts.

The clambake is over

Antidisestablishmentarianist — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:42:58 -0800

Wikipedia will now no longer accept any changes originating from Scientology owned or controlled address space. The French seem to be a bit upset as well.

A perfect storm of stupid

Joe Beese — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:37:43 -0800

Sarah Palin understands the importance of religion in politics. That's why the Political Action Committee preparing for her 2012 presidential bid is being run by John Coale - an OT-VII Scientologist. Coale - who switched his support from Hillary Clinton to John McCain during the 2008 campaign - originally turned to Scientology to get off drugs. He later introduced to the faith his wife - fellow attorney Greta Van Susteren. Together they assisted in the Church's successful takeover of the Cult Awareness Network. (In her later role as a FOX News personality, Van Susteren has been an ardent defender of Palin herself.) In 1986, Coale developed a plan to help Scientology gain influence in Washington. While he reports that nothing came of it, a Scientology PAC currently operates as Citizens for Social Reform - helping to fight the Church's war against psychiatry.

"Don't have a thetan, dude."

Joe Beese — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:17:32 -0800

Bart Simpson is known for prank calls, but Nancy Cartwright, who provides Bart's voice on "The Simpsons," has been heard this week in a phone message using the voice of the cartoon fourth-grader to promote Scientology.

From E-Meters to Towels

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:47:35 -0800

Vince Offer, better known as the ShamWow guy or the SlapChop guy, isn't just a salesman. He's also a filmmaker, and he's battling the Church of Scientology.