Comments on: The Church of Scientology Crackdown

By: Carnival of the vacationing blogger #2 : The Uncredible Hallq

Carnival of the vacationing blogger #2 : The Uncredible Hallq — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:19:36 +0000

[...] In the middle of the seriousness spectrum, in the “should I laugh or cry” territory, is a three part expose of craziness inside the Church of Scientology. Hat tip goes to Greta Christina for posting it on Facebook, but also to Hemant. [...]

By: gribblethemunchkin

gribblethemunchkin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:29:13 +0000

I always considered Scientology to be a potential “Big religion” in the making. I found it fascinating watching how they elevated L Ron to some kind of semi deific level of wisdom and ability when the guy’s actual history is anything but. Relieved from command of his boat during WW2, sent to a mental hospital, lousy sci-fi writer, tax dodger, fraudster, eventually forced out by his own church. Yet now its L Ron had magic powerz!

If this can happen in the 20th century with the level of record keeping we have available to us, how can people not believe it happened 2000 years ago in a time of greater belief in the supernatural, less understanding of science and less accurate record keeping.

By: Zar

Zar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:21:18 +0000

They got Mike Rinder to talk??? That’s really amazing; this guy was incredibly high-ranking and in charge of the Church’s investigative/propaganda/dirty tricks organization. He has a lot of skeletons in his closet. I know he’s been out for a long time (tons of people are leaving, which isn’t surprising as few cults outlast their founders), but I never thought he would speak up. This is really, really big.

By: Paul Lundgren

Paul Lundgren — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:24:37 +0000

K’s opening comment struck me as funny. These people just don’t get it…it’s the INTERNET that is the opponent for which they have no defense. They can burn all the newspapers they want…it’s the millions of people being able to access information and church documents from Xenu.net that leaves them flayed open for the ruthless cult they are.

By: freddie mac

freddie mac — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:20:33 +0000

from here: http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1012234.ece

““One thing I do know is Dave Miscavige, and I’ve known him from December 1999 on and way before that,” Walsh said. “And I never saw any change in his personality when he became a defendant in the case. He didn’t become more antagonistic. He did not become more violent. And he’s never been irrational.””

never been irrational? he’s a scientologist.

By: trixr4kids

trixr4kids — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:48:25 +0000

Trying again–here’s the link, I hope:

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=9998312

By: trixr4kids

trixr4kids — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:45:31 +0000

Oops, here’s the link to that KESQ interview:

By: trixr4kids

trixr4kids — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:39:00 +0000

Earlier this year, here in Southern California, a local news station (KESQ-News Channel 3) aired a multi-part investigation of Scientology. Reporter Nathan Baca interviewed Tommy Davis, the cult’s chief spokesperson.

The entire interview is brilliant–Baca basically lets Davis hang himself. But don’t miss part 7: that’s the part where Baca mentions the Xenu story, and Davis is reduced to saying that asking a religious person to explain his religion’s core beliefs is offensive.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:50:38 +0000

The church probably has billions of dollars at its disposal, so this is far from the end of Scientology. That’s okay; that’s not why these articles are so good to see.

Here’s the thing: the church is losing control of its image, and it is losing its ability to silence critics. That is going to change a lot of lives for the better.

By: schism

schism — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:04:20 +0000

If it’s the beginning of the end for Scientology, fantastic, but I don’t know how much of an effect these articles will have.

If the “effects” on the Catholic church after waves of pedophilia scandals are any indication, Xenu and co. will survive just fine.