CoS is 'on lockdown' after Going Clear, members ordered to not watch TV, news
Cults, John Travolta, Scientology, Tom Cruise
As Bedhead reported last week, those of us who pay attention to Scientology and celebrity news weren't surprised by anything in the new HBO documentary, Going Clear. We've heard all this information for years, and we know that Scientology uses slave labor, sucks members dry and abuses, isolates and intimidates anyone who tries to leave. We've heard how they cater to and manipulate celebrity members. We've also heard multiple firsthand accounts from high level defectors, and there are even videos on YouTube of Scientology goons harassing and yelling at ex members. To the casual gossip consumer, these stories are scandalous and shocking, though. Scientology can no longer be dismissed as some harmless wacky scifi "religion", it's a dangerous cult and just about everyone has heard about it.
In response to Going Clear, Scientology head David Miscavige has done just about what he's always done – told members not to watch television, go online or read the news.
One-time high-ranking Scientologist Tom DeVocht tells RadarOnline.com exclusively that church leader David Miscavige has put members on "lockdown" mode in an attempt to stem the fall-out from recent explosive allegations.
DeVocht told Radar exclusively, "I have spoken with someone within the Church. This person is one of the higher-ups, and David Miscavige has ordered the Church to go on lockdown in response to Going Clear."
"The order told members to not watch any television, read newspapers, or go online because the Church is under attack," DeVocht claimed.
"Everyone is extremely paranoid that they are being watched or risk being tattled on if caught doing one of those things."
[From Radar Online]
It's possible that the latest media ban was to keep members from seeing this story about how Miscavige hired a private investigator to spy on his own elderly father. The PI told police that at one point he witnessed Miscavige's father possibly having a heart attack. Miscavige told the PI over the phone not to intervene and that "if it was Ron's time to die, to let him die."
Tom Cruise's former auditor and one of the most outspoken critics of Scientology, Marty Rathbun, has a new interview in Esquire following his appearance in the Going Clear documentary. Rathbun has worked tirelessly to help ex Scientologists reintegrate into society and make sense of their experience. Rathbun doesn't think that Going Clear will have too much of an effect on the church or on current members. He does say that it will help outsiders understand what Scientology is up to. "What it's going to do is let people on the outside who might have an interest in Scientology know what the consequences are." So while it may seem idiotic for some cult leader to tell members not to go online or read the news at all, that's pretty much what been happening all along. People who make the decision to leave do so, according to Rathbun, because they see the abuses of the cult firsthand.
Meanwhile US Magazine has an article in their print edition about Tom Cruise's life inside Scientology. It's largely based on Going Clear and it's not new, but it reminds us that "Tom has minders with him at all times" and that "he's rarely in touch with family members who aren't Scientologists." We just heard that Tom hasn't seen his own eight year-old daughter, Suri, in over a year. I wonder if he'll ever reach a point where he realizes that he missed his daughter's childhood, and I wonder if he'll ever regret it. If he does, it's not like he can publicly break ties with Scientology. They surely have a ton of dirt on him.
US also has a quote from another former Scientologist, Karen de la Carriere, who confirms Radar's story that members are being ordered not to watch the film. "Ethics officers told Scientologists if they see the movie, they'll lose everything." Just maybe some of them will be curious enough to risk it.
Tom Cruise is shown out in London on April 8. John Travolta is shown at the VF Oscar Party. Credit: WENN.com
128 Responses to "CoS is 'on lockdown' after Going Clear, members ordered to not watch TV, news"
This is all so very Orwellian and 1984–a much better book written by a much better sci-fi writer. So is LRH also a plagiarist?
Lucky Charm says:
Probably. He was definitely a con-man.
Orwell stole that idea from Yevgeny Zamyatin though.
Gofundme page for Monique Rathbun to help with lawsuit against CO$. Get on it internet!
NewWester says:
Has Tom Cruise been asked his opinion on this documentary? I would be interested to hear what he has to say or defend Co$
tabasco says:
I doubt he – or "the church" – will allow it. He's going to be in front of media for the next Mission Impossible release – - I would bet that he'll only be in formats where he's either not available for questions (up on a platform for photos or whatever) or interviews where he has veto power over the questions.
Tom Cruise loves balls says:
Well, Travolta said "Its all lies" but also that he didn't see it….
What doesn't he want them to see?
Izzy says:
Are you kidding? Watch the documentary.
doofus says:
if I were a member, that would be a HUGE red flag to me…"what are you trying to hide?" but the way that someone can be "punished" for simply asking a question would prob be enough for most of them to nod and smile.
remember how Leah Remini was treated for simply asking "where's Shelly?" if you DARED to question the command of the "church" leader, you'd probably wind up in "The Hole" or at that prison camp in the desert.
I hope they all run like rats on a sinking ship.
lana86 says:
if u r getting told "if u see the movie, u'll lose everything" and still think Co$ is a good idea for u, then no movie will help u
Kiddo says:
I understand that they use highly technical, scientifically proven methods to avoid verbal contamination, such as the one illustrated below:
http://blog.contagiouscompanies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/lalalala-listening.jpg
MediaMaven says:
Kristen from MA says:
Watch out or Xenu will get you!!!1!1!
OSTONE says:
At this point, Tom and John have nothing to lose if they leave Scientology. We already think Tom is a neurotic, couch-jumping lunatic who thinks he can levitate and auditions girlfriends. And we also already know that John Travolta likes dudes and wears a painted-on hair piece. Really, worst secrets kept in Hollywood. Leave the freaky cult and be free.
FingerBinger says:
I think the church has something on the death of Travolta's son that might be why he won't leave. Also Kelly Preston won't leave. He'd be declared an SP and he'd lose contact with his other children.
This is how Kelly keeps him……seriously, what wife wouldn't want to lose THAT dreamboat? On the flipside, Kelly – think about how much countertop space you'll gain in the master bath once he leaves with all of his wigs, wiglets, hairpieces, not to mention the makeup that he wears on the daily.
Heat says:
Perhaps Kelly is the one who is trapped. I'm sure she doesn't want to lose contact with her children, so she's stuck in that sham of a marriage.
I wondered about that too. This is really really really paranoid, but after I saw Going Clear I wondered if some kind of purposeful negligence was responsible for his son's death. I don't think Scientology would tolerate Jett's special needs.
I think John won't leave because he will be declared an sp and wont be able to see his kids. Kelly is fully entrenched in Scientology, even more so than travolta I suspect. I think that's the main reason John won't blow.
The Other Pinky says:
Yes, people like to act like John is a captive but honestly every piece of evidence suggests that he is a true believer. First nobody cares that he is gay, second his heartthrob career is long over, third Scientology could release a gay orgy sex tape and nobody would believe them, that's how little credibility they have at this point and fourth even if, some of Joe Public believed it, people are generally more miffed over blackmail than the actual "offense".
John Travolta chose the cult over his friend (the lady in Going Clear) and even over his own son who died. He is a ride or die cult member.
Really, depending on what ended up 'leaking' after they defected… they could spin it for sympathy. 'Trapped in a cult that blackmailed me to stay'. We already think they're giant creeps, I'm really not sure how much more weirded out we could be. Because the more that comes out about Co$ the more horrible they seem, anyway.
I'm boycotting ALL his projects solely based on his association with this dangerous cult. I've always disliked the creepy little runt anyway but he was ubiquitous and hard to avoid. Now I'm making a point of it. He and his evil garden gnome buddy Miscavige are finding out that there's no stopping the power of the internet. I really hope they lose that IRS tax exempt status soon, though it seems to me that they've been manipulating the figures on the signature site. You can't tell me that the requisite number hasn't been reached many times over and yet it appears that there are still many more signatures required. I'm calling bullshit on that.
You can't tell me that Miscavige and his evil minions haven't been hacking this site. With 1.7 million outraged viewers, I refuse to believe that this petition has only got 21,000 signatures in 2 weeks in favor of revoking CO$'s tax exempt status. These evil bastards are everywhere.
See for yourself: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/revoke-scientologys-tax-exempt-status
Yeah I kind wonder if there haven't been many petitions over the years. I know I signed a similar one a few years ago.
I have been posting and reposting that petition all over social media every few days to remind my friends and family to sign it.
jwoolman says:
I'm not convinced that Internet petitions are that effective, except that they do give people an easy way to make a statement so they're not useless. But they are too easily faked (like all those millions of followers certain people acquire when they tweet for profit). Co$ could indeed be manipulating the numbers their way as well.
Probably postcards and letters to the IRS, with copies to the President and your Congressional Rep and Senators would be a good idea. They do tally up the numbers pro and con. You can keep it brief and polite but in your own style (not some canned protest). I know e-mail is also possible today, just don't actually know if it's taken as seriously as snail mail yet. Wouldn't hurt, though. They might pay attention to signs of fraudulent e-mail and so it could work as well.
It's all so sad.
JustChristy says:
Hopefully they lose their tax-exempt status very soon, and the IRS won't be cowed into that mistake again. Maybe it's time to make some "THE END IS NEAR!!" signs, and go stand outside the $cio building downtown. Except I've only ever seen about five people there, and I'm going to assume they were just there for lunch.
Seriously, there is currently a petition on the whitehouse .gov website to do just that. They still need A LOT of signatures. Let's go people!
Lucinda says:
Here is the petition. https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/revoke-scientologys-tax-exempt-status
JohnWayneLives says:
Just signed it. Thanks for the link!
taterho says:
I knew my dad had to be some sort of dictator/cult leader. He used to do this to me all the time. No TV. No Atari (I'm soooo old). No phone. No boombox (Did I mention that I'm old?)
…Or did you grow up on Gilligan's Island…?
I wish I did. I had a huge crush on the Professor. Those khakis drove me straight into puberty.
This explains your current day drive to link to "ALL of the THINGS".
http://cdn.alltheragefaces.com/img/faces/png/misc-all-the-things.png
If you're gonna poo poo my new appointment (Thanks Obama!) as curator of ALL of the THINGS…then…
https://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/monday-mc-10.gif
LMAO taterho, for a little girl, it looks like she drank ALL of the THINGS.
Lol, mine too! Put on restriction and sent to my room, the only thing I had for entertainment was my clock radio. Not allowed to use the phone, TV or stereo. (Home computers, laptops and cell phones didn't exist yet) and while I was supposed to think about what I'd done, all I actually thought about was when I would be off restriction and could be part of the world again.
funny…I have a friend who takes away all electronics when the kids are being punished and they call it "going Amish".
Mispronounced Name Dropper says:
If I took the electronics off my kids they'd just follow me around the house complaining about how bored they were until I gave them back.
venus velvet says:
Complaining of boredom led to chores, when I was growing up.
@ Venus Velvet : LOL. Yes, I learned never to say I was bored because it always led to the line from my mother "Well, I give you something to do then" which always meant housework or yard work or snow shovelling (in winter) was in my future.
Enui says:
Complaining of boredom still leads to extra chores, or reflection essays of a minimum of five pages (yes, I am that mother!).
Livealot says:
Lmao @ reflection essays. Never heard of that and it seems so awful.
My Mom would send me to my room, where I had my own black and white TV, record player, Princess phone, Viewmaster, and AM radio……….I feel old now – "hey you kids, get off my lawn" (yanks up pants to boob-line and heads for a nap)…………
I feel like there really isn't any gossip on cruise or travolta that would be so damning at this point that condoning slave labor and abuse would be worse. I mean we all know John travolta is gay… His being gay doesn't make me like him any less the idea that he uses, condones and covers up slave labor and the abuse of children to keep it hidden and a tricked out jet does.
I've been wondering what they could possibly have on Travolta. 20+ years ago I could see him being afraid to come out of the closet (allegedly) but nowadays, and in the light of all this Going Clear stuff, I think people would be understanding. I wonder if he confessed to a crime or something that they've been able to threaten him with, or if he's just so entrenched and would lose his family. I can't understand it, thankfully.
I think Cruise legitimately likes it, the way he's treated as a superhuman whatever. He sold his soul to it long ago.
mayamae says:
We know John has sexually harassed, if not assaulted, masseuse in the past. If CO$ has that kind of info on him, that's pretty serious.
You're totally right about Tom, I think he loves all this stuff. I think he is also well aware of everything that goes on, probably has actively participated in the violence and will be involved till he dies.
John though ok yeah we all know about the harassment, and it's bad but I think a good PR person could easily spin it. Not that if makes it ok but a good PR person could totally make all seem like a confused scared lost threaten man trapped in a cult.
Jen43 says:
I think that John has quite a history of sexual advances/harrassment that Scientology has been able to mostly cover up or squash. According to the documentary, they act as a 'strong arm' either with an endless supply of lawyers or with actual force and harassment of anyone who would try to out Travolta. Even those stories that make the tabloids disappear quickly or the accusers are discredited.
I agree but I think in 2015 a good publicist could spin the hell out of that. "He was kept in a cult that threatened to destroy him personally and professionally if he ever left. His advances on men were a cry for help and a way for him to be himself. Now that society has evolved in regard to sexual orientation he has taken the incredibly brave step of living as a gay man and having an authentic life. He deeply regrets any discomfort he caused any of the men over the years and is making a large donation to The Trevor Project so other gay Americans have a better chance to live happy healthy lives." Or something like that.
I don't think it's sexual orientation anymore. I think it was but not now. He'd have a whole other career if he came out on Broadway.
I think it's his kids. Kelly would keep them from him and possibly blame him for Jett's death. He needs to get himself a burner phone, Katie Holmes' father's #, and gas up his plane with his kids and head to NY.
I think you're right Gigi, about both the publicist being able to spin it and that it's about the kids. I would assume with the loss of his son, he probably couldn't bear risking it.
I feel foolish that I ever felt sorry for him. I thought he was sorta lost and lonely. And maybe he is, but he turned his back on his friend with the abused /neglected child in scientology's discipline wing, (or whatever the hell they called it.) Now he disgusts me.
That is brilliant, Gigi. I think you are right, also.
Gigi ur indeed brilliant I especially love the recommendation that John get himself a "Katie Holmes' father." Lol!
inthekitchen says:
I watched the documentary the other night. I honestly think they are brainwashed so it's not a matter of "everyone already knows the dirt on them so what does it matter." Cruise, especially, seems brainwashed. Some of the video of him winning that award…he just took it all so seriously. And they are saluting each other and wearing military uniforms with medals all over them. The whole thing was beyond creepy.
I feel soooo bad for all of the children being born to scientologist parents – IMO they become slaves and are probably also $exually abused. All of the people interviewed implied this (IMO). No one came right out and said it, but I felt they were implying this.
It's disgusting and I wish the IRS would take away their status and fine them a billion dollars and put them out of business!!
Absolutely. If they all lived together on some compound and operated the same exact way they do now they'd have been shut down years ago for child abuse snd endangerment. Instead they're spread out wit HQs in California, Florida, The UK, and who knows where else? For awhile Hubbard had them floating all over the Atlantic.
Trillion says:
If COS has their tax-exempt status revoked, all other churches should too. Otherwise, we've got a situation where the gov't is deciding which churches are "real" or not. All religion is based on imagination, it's just that we haven't gotten used to the newer ones.
Why assume he's gay? He could be bisexual and unlike others might even assume he's being faithful to his wife if he only hits on men. At least he doesn't seem to be a violent type of harasser. I think that's not it, though, much more likely he's afraid of losing contact with his family (including his wife).
good buddy says:
My oldest brother signed up for the Billion year contract, forty years ago. His wife, kids and grandkids all attend. I don't see them ever leaving.
This warning message of Going Clear is for people who are just considering signing up, now.
I wonder what difference – having that movie when my brother was making his choice – would have made.
I'm so sorry to hear that. maybe one day they'll see the light.
"Tom has minders with him at all times".
I noticed this in his outings with his son Connor. There's always a group of middle aged people with them in the background. Even this last Easter weekend during their father-son date,, these third wheels were there.
I wonder if they're they minders or just Co$ fart-catchers to cater to Tom's every whim?
"fart-catchers", hahahahahahahahaha you made my day, thank you!
TrustMeOnThis says:
Oh, they're minders, all right. When Katie was still married to Tom, her minder was Jessica Feshbach. She even answered interview questions on Katie's behalf!
They may double as bodyguards, but they work for Scientology Inc.
Does anybody know what happened to Toms other daughter Isabella? I haven't seen them together in years. I mean not even a random citing. And wasn't she looking a lot like she was pulling away afew years ago? Who has the DL?
Last I read Isabella was training to be a hairdresser in London. She's still a Scientologis though.
I think you might be right about her. Last I heard about her, she was working at a hair salon in London. That was in the Daily Fail, I think. Let me google.
This is interesting! The DM has video of her from December 2014 with Katie Holmes and Suri in NYC. Now, Tom hasn't seen Suri in over a year (and maybe because Suri and Katie are now SP), but his other kid is there? Interesting!
KellyBee says:
Ya I don't think it hat video of Isabella with Katie is new it looks like its from 2012. Katie and Suri were in LA back in Decmber 2014.
Darn…I wondered when I saw it. Seemed to good to be true. I really hope those kids get out.
Which could be a sign he isn't so devoted as we've seen him on air….or he has handlers because he's incapable of using his own mind (shudders) Does Travolta have the same followers/watchers?
Esmerelda says:
So they're afraid he'll escape as soon as he gets a glimpse of reality. Can we start a FREE TOM! campaign? I'm seeing him more as a victim than as a willing participant… a lot of us have commented on the 'crazy', yet consider this: if he has some mental health issues and the cult denied him access to therapy (they're against psychiatry and meds), allowing his illness to become deep and chronic, he's truly a victim and a captive.
Wow – shades of Fahrenheit 451…instead of "BURN ALL THE BOOKS" it's "BAN ALL MEDIA".
jenn12 says:
Now that it's clear that this is a cult and not a church, how about having them pay taxes and back taxes? With all they've been able to avoid the past few decades, it would definitely jump start some part of the economy.
MrsBPitt says:
I watched Going Clear a couple of days ago. It makes me sick that this cult was considered a religion and doesn't have to pay taxes. Of course, if it were up to me, all religions would have to pay taxes, also.
Watching the documentary, just made me realize, even more, how crazy Tom Cruise is!!! Travolta is a nut job, too, but seems harmless. Tom and Miscavige, seem like dangerous nuts!!!!
"Travolta is a nut job, too, but seems harmless"………….not to male masseuses……
Anony says:
Yes ! All churches should pay taxes!!!!!!
There are people active in churches who have pointed out that their tax-exempt status is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it provides an easy way for people to make their donations stretch further, donations which often do go toward supporting good things for other people (churches are essential in many activities that in some other countries would be paid for through taxes, so it's not as nonsensical as it sounds). But fear of losing that tax exempt status is an obstacle to "speaking Truth to Power", and makes it harder for churches to provide a moral counterbalance to government activities. You might prefer that if you like what the government is doing, but might feel differently otherwise. I feel myself that churches really should drop the tax exempt status, the curse outweighs the blessing to me.
Neonscream says:
Completely agree that all religions should have to pay tax. The excuse is always that they do charitable work but it's a very simple thing to leave the untaxed status for their ACTUAL charitable works (proselytising, political lobbying and gay conversion therapy doesn't count) and tax the much much larger real estate and other wealth generating activities.
EXACTLY. Actual charity should get a break, no matter who is doing it. Avarice can pay.
Freeks says:
Wits wrong with John travolta he's looking wierder every day. He was so hot back then now he looks like he creepy
CatJ says:
CBC (in Canada) just replayed a "Passionate Eye" documentary from 2003 that showed how
much harassment Marty Rathbun and his wife endured, after he left the church. It was
shocking how much crap he went through. The "squirrel hunters"watched him with cameras in a vacant house the organization rented, stood on his property and harangued him and filmed his every move.They did this to him for over 200 days, one year, He still practiced Scientology and audited people, but, was not a church member. Finally, he felt the pressure on his relationship, and they moved to a quiet house, in a different state, with a long driveway…..
I also personally knew an ex-member of the SeaOrg, who spent all her money on "courses". She hadn't been a member for several decades, but, up until she died a couple of years ago, at age 84, they were calling her and harassing her with endless phonically, at least three times a day….
TrustMOnThis says:
The harassment continued at their new place, so now the Rathbuns are suing the church over it. Interestingly, the church has admitted to harassing Marty and Monique, but asserts that the harassment is a "spiritual practice " and therefor legally protected. Which is bizarre enough even before taking into account that Monique was never even a member. May the Rathbuns prevail in court!
Actually, the case is more interesting than that. Marty Rathbun isn't suing them. He can't; if he did, they would just claim it's a First Amendment issue, and given the way previous litigation between them and other former members have gone, Marty would likely lose.
His wife Monique, on the other hand, was NEVER a member of $cientology. And they harassed and stalked her anyway. So no First Amendment claim for them. So she's suing the crap out of them, and asking to take a deposition of none other than David Miscavige himself. They've spent an amazing amount of time and money to prevent that from happening – so far. But it's not decided yet.
I think Monique's case was mentioned in Going Clear. I hope she is successful and takes them down. HARD.
Kloops says:
Yes Monique Rathbun could be the David to Scientology's Goliath in this scenario. Which is awesome. I'm sure Scientology will claim the harassment was done by lone individuals but I hope she and Marty fight the good fight.
This "church" is notorious for being litigous and exploiting the First Amendment thing. I think (hope) this film will put a good-sized dent in their ability to do that. There is plenty of latitude in the law to interpret things, especially for something as difficult to define as "religion." Even if they don't lose their tax-exempt status right away, I think the court of public opinion turning solidly against the COS will make judges feel more comfortable with going down the "you can't argue religion on this one" path. And it may take some time, but it's pretty much just dominoes from there.
One of the weirder aspects of the Rathbun case, to me, is that CO$ alternates between citing 1st amendment religious protection of their harassment of Monique … With what appear to be totally irrelevant accusations of trademark infringement against Marty for counseling $cilons while no longer being a member of CO$.
Well if cults weren't being shady, corrupt and abusive, then they'd have nothing to feat by their members watching a show. Obviously it goes to show that something must be true to shield members from it. I came from a religious cult where we too were completely shielded. They put so much fear into us, telling us that no matter what, not to research our religion outside the organization because we may get hooked up on the "untruths" and leave. The funny thing is I did stop and listen one day to a whole expose aired by one of the big news channels about my religious cult, and I was in absolute shock at what was being exposed. From there I started to do my own research and discovered it was all true and there had been a cover-up for years. I left ten years ago and never looked back. I can only hope the same for these trapped Scientologists. Trust me, better to have your freedom and start over, shunned or not, than be trapped in a mind controlling, abusive cult.
I'm glad you got out
That was really brave of you. Your courage gave me courage. I too was raised in a cult. I rebelled, finally, at 16 and opened my mother's eyes and got out her and my sister. A half dozen other families followed us out as well. Sadly the cult still exists, as does the school they run, but other people have also left since then.
Itsa Reallyme says:
Do you mind if I ask the name of the cult? We have a pretty large one in our area and have known of several people to finally get out. It's not easy because they lose family and friends. I would imagine it takes a long time to decide if it's worth it to flee.
I may be in the minority BUT while I applaud Marty Rathburn coming forward to expose Scientology something just feels off about him. Not sure what it is. Alternatively, Mike Rinder gives off a very creepy vibe. With that being said, I am still proud and grateful to both of them that they came forward to expose the cult.
I think it has the element of 'prison snitch' to it. Like some of these people were heavy into the con game until they weren't and then squealed?
That may be it. Plus, they took advantage and treated a lot of people like shit (especially Rinder) during their reign that it just feels off. I don't know. What's the quote? You are not going to have priests but rather criminals testifying against other criminals…..seems apt here.
Yeah, I get that vibe too. On the flip side, given that Rathbun was Tom's "auditor," I imagine he's got some major dirt on Tom that he could have spilled, but hasn't (as far as I know).
Tabasco —- From Tony Ortega's blog:
Rathbun regularly tells reporters that he will never reveal what Cruise told him during auditing sessions — likening it to a religious confessional.
yes very Sammy the Bull.
While I agree there are lots of claims that are right on and in no way want to make light of the cult however, I still think those two are bums and I can see them lying if it benefited them. They were both brute beast and it is well documented if you look it up. In fact say what you will about Tom and John not speaking up but they are not in leadership roles. These two were in the staff and did the dirty deeds. I don't think they can write it all off as "brainwashing".
Again, the larger picture is true but I don't think everything they say is golden either.
Same with Jason B (what's his name??) if yo google him (not just the smear from cos but even tmz has crap on him)
This story is from radar online. Cos is in the news every day now . It's obviously a big push to get people to watch the doc but they are going overboard and I don't believe everything that is written especially if it comes from Radar.
I also doubt they would really know exactly what is going on "inside" now that they are out.
I don't think you can equate Radar's Ad Nauseam coverage to some hidden agenda. Radar is ridiculous. They had nearly daily coverage of Bobbie Krsitina Brown, with rank speculation and repeats of a article from the day before. The goal is for clicks, and I've been suckered more than once, but avoid it altogether, now, since they have become Reality Show News Network, at this point.
@Jayne I think you underestimate the influence that Cruise and to a lesser extent Travolta, might have on church members. If either, but especially Cruise, were to renounce the church and speak up about the abuses, it would be hugely devastating to the cult. The problem is that they are aware of the truth but choose to ignore it and do nothing. As long as it does not personally affect them, they continue to turn a blind eye. It could be said that Rathburn, Rinder and perhaps Beghe ignored the truth when they were in the cult, but once they escaped, even through cult harassment and 'fair-gaming', they have been loudly outspoken in their criticism. It's only now that the widespread public are finally listening to them. If that saves even one life from the clutches of the cult and its insidious offshoot Narconon, I think we should cut them a little slack. I feel the public anger would be better directed to the government regarding their inaction and reluctance to revisit the church's tax exemption.
Actually, Beghe gets a lot of credit for this movie even existing. Once he woke up, he decided to do something about bringing the abuses to light. He tracked down Marty Rathbun who had been out of sight for so long that even the excellent researchers over at Anonymous thought he was probably dead. He really got the ball rolling, and has passionately advocated to wake people up ever since.
I know, I'm posting a lot. This is one of my pet subjects, and a favorite hangout to discuss it! Thanks for providing the platform and your excellent coverage.
I think it was on the Hamm/frat boy thread yesterday, that someone commented that how you treat others when you are in a position of power, says a lot about what kind of person you are.
How Rathbun and Rinder treated others when they had power, I think, says a lot about how they are as people overall, doesn't it. Brainwashing just doesn't quite excuse it, IMO. At some point, they could've gone, whoa, this is way too far. But they didn't. They at the time enjoyed their power and their work. I'm not sure that kind of character (or character flaw, as it were) ever goes away.
Cogent point, Izzy.
I think they'd argue that at some point that's exactly what they did. Admittedly not at the point that most people outside of a cult would agree is ideal. Maybe they're not good people, maybe they were completely brainwashed, or maybe it's a combination of both. Probably the latter but never underestimate the power of brainwashing. I've witnessed it on a small scale and to an outsider it's absolutely maddening but to those in the thick of it it's not that cut and dry.
Thats a great point Izzy and I fully agree with you.
They were in it for so long, it probably has done some damage mentally for the longterm. Sure they've escaped the cult but still doesn't mean they wouldn't have symptoms from being in it for years. Bet it has to completely change how you process information & how you adept to your surroundings. Plus, its TBH a little untrustworthy when someone turns their back on something they've tolerated form decades,
I am thrilled that this is being covered by US magazine because it will reach a greater number of people than the HBO documentary.
So, maybe this is why i've been seeing all these Pro Scientology commericals lately? And they are hilariously bad! Photos of L ron as all these things and they all look photoshopped. Like his head on various other bodies. They're not making crazy lies like how he claimed to be part of a native american tribe, but lies all the same. And another claiming they do lots of international charity work. Showing young children and adults wearing CO$ shirts while helping the sick.
They must be hurting right now.
SmellyCat says:
I can't scrape up much sympathy for grown ass people who would let this bunch of trolls control their lives, even down to what they can and cannot watch on television.
Emily C. says:
I used to think like you, and like the people above condemning Mike Rinder and Marty Rathbun. Then I learned a whole lot about cults and abuse, and I no longer think that way at all. The level to which people are capable of manipulating and changing others, of twisting them into knots until they become what they most hate, is mindboggling. And it's not a comfortable thing to know, because when you learn about this stuff, you learn it can happen to ANYONE. Paul Haggis is brilliant, talented, and caring. Jason Beghe is an incredibly strong personality. I know other people personally who were complete and utter assholes while under the grip of a cult, and who emerged years later as some of the best people I've ever had the privilege to meet.
Plain and simple: we don't control our own minds the way we think we do. As social animals, we are incredibly easy to manipulate. And cults always make their victims complicit in abuse. They do it on purpose, with knowledge aforethought, they know how to do it because humans have been doing it to each other forever, and anyone's ethical boundaries can be warped once they're in the grip of a system like this.
We're not all vulnerable to the same approaches, but everyone is vulnerable to something. As soon as you start thinking that could never be you, you've made yourself the perfect prospective victim
Has anyone at Celebitchy ever been fair gamed by this cult?
A few months back CO$ was in the news being publicly called out. There were suddenly all these new names that were defending the cult. Many here argued the facts, but the response was just repeating the same type of defense. CO$ is known for having those who read all stories about them and try to counter the reactions. Maybe even try to recruit if there's a window to do so.
Outside of that my father in law wasn't fair game, but they followed him. He was in his young 20′s and stationed in california air force. He and others attended these free lectures not realizing what it was for. They recognized some interrogation control techniques (simon says style stuff/no blink staring contests/arguing in circles confusing points) stood up and called them out in the crowded room. They were removed and whenever they left base had a tail for about 3 weeks.
That's about as much as I know. Nothing as bad as what we hear..
"Ethics" officers … the same people who condone lying, attacking, abuse, slave labour, humiliation, degradation and major coverups??? "Ordered"??? That's hilarious. Oh I hope the fox has a great time in the henhouse!!
I knew this (HBO movie) and more from reading, but, honestly, I only knew they believed in aliens, thetans, etc. I didn't know the fully-fleshed out story, and presented in Going Clear, the HBO doc, it is positively mind-blowing. There are no words. It is like a bad science fiction movie, and I mean really bad. Even Paul Haagis, who didn't believe it (thought it was a trick when finally getting to that level and this was it?), is so embarrassed he didn't walk when he was first allowed to feast his eyes on it after working to get to that level to be able to read this holy story.
Christin says:
Seeing a documentary tie the pieces together and hearing more about LRH's background really amazed me. I was most impressed with Paul, Spanky and the lady whose daughter ended communication with her.
To think about average, everyday people paying a small fortune to get to the correct level to learn the big truth — it is just hard to fathom. One thing they really didn't cover in depth was LRH's death. If all these wondrous health & IQ gains are possible, as he himself proclaimed, why was he hidden away until his death at 74? Apparently much thought went into the announcement of his death so the adherents would not question it.
Wow. From what I'm seeing so far, this documental managed to really make a dent in the Co$ world. A serious one. I had no idea it would have such an effect.
cakecakecake says:
there is no telling what Cruise or Travolta did in their childhood or teen years that they are ashamed of and would like to keep secret.
I think they have something on them that we would never imagine them doing and could possibly blow our minds. accessory to murder, child prostitution, IV drug users, parental abuse, molestation of children, child porn ring etc. Those trolls have convinced them that the public would make fools of them and their careers would be over.
I wonder how you become an auditor–and get to hear all of the suppressing dirt. So NO one has went undercover inside and acted like they wanted IN, just to really get an expose'??
OR, maybe what they did WASN'T SO BAD, but were led to feel A LOT of guilt and shame about it, due to dogma.
Santolina says:
Um, how 'bout closeted gays made to feel ashamed? Sadly, they're still in the closet and probably being blackmailed by David Miscavige and his CO$ thugs. Uh, guys… your secret is out. The jig is up.
anne_000 says:
Was it Freud who said we do thing out of getting pleasure even if it's painful? Forgot who said it but that's what I think if these big celebrities when it comes to their continuous promotion of Scientology even though those under them suffer in it. These bigwigs get something pleasurable from being inside it, even if there is info on them that could hurt them and even if they know there'd be CO$ backlash against them if they leave. They stay in it for the perks so what is the incentive for them to leave? The incentive for them to leave would have to be greater than the perks they get.
Pft. The CoS sound like a bunch of pussies.
texasborn says:
Michael, as much as I love your snark, I am thrilled that you are treating this matter seriously. Thank you. If you haven't been to The Underground Bunker or Mike Rinder's blog, or Karen's YouTube site, please go. You are well-informed, and I know you'd be welcomed at all of them.
TC failed with Katie in the eyes of scientology. He could not get her to accept whatever it is they preach, or how their child be brought up. There have been a few pics of Tom. John and Kelly attending scie gatherings when Katie was married to Tom, but there was no sign of Katie. I believe Katie loved Tom very much, and in the beginning probably thought that she could probably deal with the scie part of her life. I don't believe that it occurred to her that he would be so overwhelmingly obsessed by it or how it would affect Suri's life
I think it is incredibly sad if Tom doesn't see his daughter and has shut her out because she is not a scientologist like his other 2 kids. The older Suri gets the more she resembles him. I would like to think that TC is a better person than to turn his back on his little girl.
However the evidence is there 6 months away filming MI and months before that he was still in the UK, now he's filming somewhere for another3-4 months, maybe he's moved countries, maybe that's why he's selling his houses, and maybe that's why Katie moved back to LA.
He seems to work non stop and that is probably for a couple of reasons. He needs to work while he is still getting offers in the leading man category. One day those will stop, so he had to make the most of it while he can. The other is it has been in the media that he gives the cult a lot of money every month, something like $10,000.
The day he starts putting his daughter before this cult is the day I might, not promising anything, go to one of his movies. I just can't bring myself to pay to see a movie his or Travolta are in when I know what morons they are in reality. Pretty is as pretty does.
BlackBetty says:
Tom Cruise looks thin in this picture , but really puffy in one of the last articles?
alicegrey12 says:
Dear Head Of Scientology, (Mr A**hole)
You and your gang of thugs are a bunch of SOB'S who should just go away and choke and then die. You and your sick band of cult members make me sick. you have no religious value. all you want is to keep you tax exempt status so you can con money out of you followers. As for the movie I am glad they made it. No matter how much you keep you people from seeing it the message is still out there You will go down one day and I will be celebrating your demise.