Actress Leah Remini has a new show out about Scientology that tells the stories of those who have made it out of that "religion" that is very much like a cult. This week's episode was about Mike Rinder, a former high ranking Scientologist.
Rinder discusses some of his experiences this week including repeated beatings by church leader David Miscavige during his time in the organization. Rinder also reflects on his life after breaking from the church, including the time he discovered his garbage man was being paid by a private investigator to steal his trash. On another occasion, he discovered a hidden camera in his neighbor's birdhouse that was being used to watch him. They have turned his family against him, work at destroying his relationships, spread lies about him around his neighbourhood, have attacked him in parking lots at doctor's offices, affected his job, and slandered him relentlessly. They call it "
The biggest disclosure from Rinder himself was him admitting that his time with the church found him spearheading the very same kinds of "fair game" operations that now plague him and his family. Part of his job was to discredit and destroy critics who spoke out against the church - people whom the church declared as "enemies" by digging up dirt on their personal life, and vilifying them in any way they could.
Mike talks about being part of a religion that is involved in every aspect of your life. You work in the church or are employed by church businesses, your children are raised in and by the church, you you punished by the church if you ask questions including this thing called segregation that they nickname "The Hole".
I always knew Scientology was weird but I had no idea they were so much like a cult. This show has been shocking to watch.
There are a few other doco-movies that explore this dangerous and insidious cult.
What stands out is how they seem to harass, monitor and torment their apostates with NO response from the Government.
If they behaved that way in OZ, Europe or any other civilised country they would be shut down in a heartbeat.
It is a criminal organisation that is allowed its excesses by what seems to be a compliant government.
A good look at this bunch of clowns is Louis Therouxs latest movie. Those poor scientologists (non capitalised by intent) did not know what they were dealing with when they came up against Louis.
I remember seeing a protest in front of a scientology office..
I wonder why what seems like a lot of Hollywood celebrities are scientologists?
ac_umm
Quote from: "Oberon"
What stands out is how they seem to harass, monitor and torment their apostates with NO response from the Government.
If they behaved that way in OZ, Europe or any other civilised country they would be shut down in a heartbeat.
It is a criminal organisation that is allowed its excesses by what seems to be a compliant government.
A good look at this bunch of clowns is Louis Therouxs latest movie. Those poor scientologists (non capitalised by intent) did not know what they were dealing with when they came up against Louis.
That was the disturbing part - there is NOTHING these people can do about this harassment because they toe legal lines, plus they have enough money to tie people up in litigation for ages.
You are exactly right when you say they torment their apostates with impunity and this isn't happening in some third world shit hole. This is happening in America. WTF?
I'm going to have to check out that movie.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
I wonder why what seems like a lot of Hollywood celebrities are scientologists?
ac_umm
There are a few but they really get in there and help people along. They help these people and then they own them and get them to spread the "good word".
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
I wonder why what seems like a lot of Hollywood celebrities are scientologists?
ac_umm
There are a few but they really get in there and help people along. They help these people and then they own them and get them to spread the "good word".
So they seek out the wealthy?
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
I wonder why what seems like a lot of Hollywood celebrities are scientologists?
ac_umm
There are a few but they really get in there and help people along. They help these people and then they own them and get them to spread the "good word".
So they seek the wealthy?
I would imagine so but more importantly, they seek the influential and the visible.
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
I wonder why what seems like a lot of Hollywood celebrities are scientologists?
ac_umm
There are a few but they really get in there and help people along. They help these people and then they own them and get them to spread the "good word".
So they seek the wealthy?
I would imagine so but more importantly, they seek the influential and the visible.
I have met people of nearly every religion, ideology, lifestyle, but never a scientologist.
ac_dunno
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Oberon"
What stands out is how they seem to harass, monitor and torment their apostates with NO response from the Government.
If they behaved that way in OZ, Europe or any other civilised country they would be shut down in a heartbeat.
It is a criminal organisation that is allowed its excesses by what seems to be a compliant government.
A good look at this bunch of clowns is Louis Therouxs latest movie. Those poor scientologists (non capitalised by intent) did not know what they were dealing with when they came up against Louis.
That was the disturbing part - there is NOTHING these people can do about this harassment because they toe legal lines, plus they have enough money to tie people up in litigation for ages.
You are exactly right when you say they torment their apostates with impunity and this isn't happening in some third world shit hole. This is happening in America. WTF?
I'm going to have to check out that movie.
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Oberon"
What stands out is how they seem to harass, monitor and torment their apostates with NO response from the Government.
If they behaved that way in OZ, Europe or any other civilised country they would be shut down in a heartbeat.
It is a criminal organisation that is allowed its excesses by what seems to be a compliant government.
A good look at this bunch of clowns is Louis Therouxs latest movie. Those poor scientologists (non capitalised by intent) did not know what they were dealing with when they came up against Louis.
That was the disturbing part - there is NOTHING these people can do about this harassment because they toe legal lines, plus they have enough money to tie people up in litigation for ages.
You are exactly right when you say they torment their apostates with impunity and this isn't happening in some third world shit hole. This is happening in America. WTF?
I'm going to have to check out that movie.
Most modern countries have anti-harassment laws. These include restraining orders that are NOT just for angry husbands.
Quote from: "Oberon"
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Oberon"
What stands out is how they seem to harass, monitor and torment their apostates with NO response from the Government.
If they behaved that way in OZ, Europe or any other civilised country they would be shut down in a heartbeat.
It is a criminal organisation that is allowed its excesses by what seems to be a compliant government.
A good look at this bunch of clowns is Louis Therouxs latest movie. Those poor scientologists (non capitalised by intent) did not know what they were dealing with when they came up against Louis.
That was the disturbing part - there is NOTHING these people can do about this harassment because they toe legal lines, plus they have enough money to tie people up in litigation for ages.
You are exactly right when you say they torment their apostates with impunity and this isn't happening in some third world shit hole. This is happening in America. WTF?
I'm going to have to check out that movie.
Most modern countries have anti-harassment laws. These include restraining orders that are NOT just for angry husbands.
It seems in the show that reporting it to the police has had no results.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
I wonder why what seems like a lot of Hollywood celebrities are scientologists?
ac_umm
There are a few but they really get in there and help people along. They help these people and then they own them and get them to spread the "good word".
So they seek the wealthy?
I would imagine so but more importantly, they seek the influential and the visible.
I have met people of nearly every religion, ideology, lifestyle, but never a scientologist.
ac_dunno
I have met people from many faiths as well but never a Scientologist either. I think they keep to themselves but have people who do active recruiting.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Not exactly, but the wealthy can afford to buy their way instantly into the upper "echelon" of this cult. They bypass most of the shit that "regular" cult members have to endure.
That, and the cult wouldn't dream of pulling the same shit on Tom Cruise that they would with a "regular" member...
Scientology is a scam. Why the hell is it in Extremism with the likes of Islam, communism, or fascism?
Scientology gets away with what they do, since they are generally on their best behaviour around non-members, and typically don't cause problems for those not associated with the cult...
Quote from: "Herman"
Because it's extremism and considering I created this subforum, I think I'm a pretty good authority on what should go in it.
This thread isn't about Islam, communism, or fascism and given you don't know how to bleat on about anything else, I don't expect you'll have much to say in this thread. I do encourage you to pop back in and read so you can actually learn something.
Quote from: "Angry White Male"
They try to keep their abuses and bullshit as private as possible, much like the Mormons but to a much more sinister degree.
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Oberon"
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Oberon"
What stands out is how they seem to harass, monitor and torment their apostates with NO response from the Government.
If they behaved that way in OZ, Europe or any other civilised country they would be shut down in a heartbeat.
It is a criminal organisation that is allowed its excesses by what seems to be a compliant government.
A good look at this bunch of clowns is Louis Therouxs latest movie. Those poor scientologists (non capitalised by intent) did not know what they were dealing with when they came up against Louis.
That was the disturbing part - there is NOTHING these people can do about this harassment because they toe legal lines, plus they have enough money to tie people up in litigation for ages.
You are exactly right when you say they torment their apostates with impunity and this isn't happening in some third world shit hole. This is happening in America. WTF?
I'm going to have to check out that movie.
Most modern countries have anti-harassment laws. These include restraining orders that are NOT just for angry husbands.
It seems in the show that reporting it to the police has had no results.
None whatsoever. The cops (as shown in Louis' Theroux's movie), are either scared or apathetic.
Louis didn't take their shit, like a true Brit.
Is his movie out yet or still in progress?
Quote from: "RW"
When I beat my ex wife, I encouraged her to keep silent also.
Quote from: "RW"
Been out for months in the developed world.
Canada...I don't know.
Quote from: "Oberon"
Quote from: "RW"
Been out for months in the developed world.
Canada...I don't know.
Excellent! I'll find it then.
Quote from: "Oberon"
Quote from: "RW"
Been out for months in the developed world.
Canada...I don't know.
They did a theatrical release in the U.K. but it's not due out here until March 3rd. Did it come out in Australia as well?
Yes.
Been and gone.
Its on cable now.
Got it. Thanks :)
Where do scientologists meet?
Do they have an equivalent of a Sabbath?
Do they have temples, churches, synagogues..
I apologize for my ignorance, but I've never met a scientologist.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Do they have an equivalent of a Sabbath?
Do they have temples, churches, synagogues..
I apologize for my ignorance, but I've never met a scientologist.
They have Sunday service at their churches. They also have a bunch of centres and what I liken to compounds. They focus a lot on education because Scientology is a brainwashed version of self help.
Ask away :)
Scientologists would stop people in the street and canvas them for their level of personal happiness.
Since many of them were assaulted by people who resented being confronted in that manner, I believe they've modified their technique. I also believe their influence in other nations is waning.
According to a woman who used to be in Scientology in the SEA Org., they force you to have abortions if you get pregnant. She personally knew of 50 other women they coerced into terminating their pregnancies. Nothing can get in the way of doing church work.
Every single person who "escaped" from Scientology was cut off from their families who remained in the church. And people literally have to escape - like hop fences and run away.
Law enforcement won't do anything as they are protected by religious freedom.
http://caic.org.au/psyther/sci/abortion.htm
Scientology is just organised crime posing as a cult religion.
With a little luck, they will be the fracture point at which ALL religions are removed from government protection.
After all, even the Catholic Church has been exposed as corrupt.
Quote from: "Oberon"
With a little luck, they will be the fracture point at which ALL religions are removed from government protection.
After all, even the Catholic Church has been exposed as corrupt.
The word on the street is they threatened IRS members until they got religious status because they owed over a billion dollars in back taxes.
It should be reviewed and have it revoked.
They have tax exempt status world wide.
Quote from: "Oberon"
I am sure one paved the way for the others. I just know they did some dirty shit to get it in the US.
They do dirty shit all the time.
But their facade is crumbling, and defectors are exposing the reality of their organisation.
Sooner or later, it will be investigated.
Quote from: "Oberon"
But their facade is crumbling, and defectors are exposing the reality of their organisation.
Sooner or later, it will be investigated.
There are people out there who are trying to facilitate said investigations but it isn't happening in the US.
The abortion thing really made me sick.
It will happen.
Too many are leaving the flock with stories of abuse.
A government ignores this breach of human rights at its own peril.
Quote from: "Oberon"
Too many are leaving the flock with stories of abuse.
A government ignores this breach of human rights at its own peril.
I think people should start suing the government for inaction.
That, too, may happen.
It should! That would get some attention on the issue.
Leah Remini's documentary on A&E called "
That's a good doc. I knew a lot of rotten stuff was happening within Scientology, but I didn't know it was that much and that bad.
Quote from: "Romero"
I'm dying to know what has become of Shelly Miscavige.
I haven't watched the latest episode but the Scientology Aftermath show highlighted the consequences of a group that doesn't believe in mental health care. They believe in vitamins and prayer. Meanwhile, young Scientologist who suffer from mental health issues are dying because of it.
This cult needs to be stopped and it definitely should not be tax exempt in the US.