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Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Monday, 10 December 2012
RESEARCH, COLLECT, COMMUNICATE
Initial Research
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV (
/ˈtɒməs ˈkruːz ˈmeɪpɒθər/; born July 3, 1962), best known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has won three Golden Globe Awards. He started his career at age 19 in the 1981 film Taps. His first leading role was in Risky Business, released in August 1983. Cruise became a full-fledged movie star after starring in Top Gun (1986). He is well known for his role as secret agent Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible film series between 1996 and 2011.
/ˈtɒməs ˈkruːz ˈmeɪpɒθər/; born July 3, 1962), best known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has won three Golden Globe Awards. He started his career at age 19 in the 1981 film Taps. His first leading role was in Risky Business, released in August 1983. Cruise became a full-fledged movie star after starring in Top Gun (1986). He is well known for his role as secret agent Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible film series between 1996 and 2011.
Cruise has starred in many Hollywood blockbusters, including Rain Man (1988), A Few Good Men (1992), Jerry Maguire (1996), Vanilla Sky (2001), Minority Report (2002), The Last Samurai (2003), Collateral (2004), and War of the Worlds (2005). As of 2012, Cruise is Hollywood's highest-paid actor.[2][3]
Cruise is known for his Scientology faith, and for his support of the Church of Scientology.[4]
Early life
Cruise was born in Syracuse, New York, the son of Mary Lee (née Pfeiffer), a special education teacher, and Thomas Cruise Mapother III (died 1984),[5] an electrical engineer.[6] Cruise has three sisters, Lee Anne, Marian, and Cass. Cruise's surname originates from his great-grandfather, Thomas Cruise O'Mara, who was adopted by a Welsh immigrant and renamed "Thomas Cruise Mapother".[7][8][9] Cruise is of German, Irish, and English ancestry.[10] He grew up in near poverty, and had a Catholic upbringing. The family was dominated by his abusive father, whom Cruise has described as "a merchant of chaos".[11] He was beaten by his father, who Cruise has said was a bully and coward.
He was the kind of person where, if something goes wrong, they kick you. It was a great lesson in my life—how he’d lull you in, make you feel safe and then, bang! For me, it was like, 'There's something wrong with this guy. Don't trust him. Be careful around him.'[11]
Cruise's family spent part of his childhood in Canada. They moved to the Ottawa suburb of Beacon Hill in late 1971 so that Cruise's father could take a position as a defense consultant with the Canadian Armed Forces. [12] There, Cruise attended the just opened Robert Hopkins Public School for much of grade four as well as grade five.[12][13] It was while in grade four that Cruise first became involved in drama, under the tutelage of George Steinburg. Cruise and six other boys put on an improvised play to music called IT at the Carlton Elementary School drama festival.[12] Drama organizer Val Wright, who was in the audience that night, reflected that "the movement and improvisation were excellent. It was a classic ensemble piece".[12] Cruise also enjoyed sports at the school including playing floor hockey, though he was known more for his aggression than his talent. For grade six Cruise went to Henry Munro Middle School. However, in the spring of that year Cruise's mother left his father, taking Cruise and his sisters back to the US.[12]
He briefly attended a Franciscan seminary in Cincinnati on a church scholarship and aspired to become a Catholic priest.[14] In his senior year, he played football for the varsity team as a linebacker, but he was cut from the squad after getting caught drinking beer before a game.[15][16]
Career
Acting
Cruise first appeared in a very small bit part in the 1981 film Endless Love, followed by a major supporting role as a crazed military school student in Taps later that year. In 1983, Cruise was part of the ensemble cast of The Outsiders. That same year he appeared in All the Right Movesand Risky Business, which has been described as "A Generation-X classic, and a career-maker for Tom Cruise",[17] and which, along with 1986's Top Gun, cemented his status as a Superstar. Cruise also played the male lead (Jack O' the Green) in Legend (released 1986).
Cruise followed up Top Gun with The Color of Money, which came out the same year, and which paired him with Paul Newman. 1988 saw him star in Cocktail, which earned him a nomination for the Razzie Award for Worst Actor. Later that year he starred with Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, which won the Academy Award for Best Film and Cruise the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor. Cruise portrayed real-life paralyzed Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic in 1989's Born on the Fourth of July, which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama, the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, the People's Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Actor, a nomination for BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Cruise's first Best Actor Academy Award nomination.
Cruise's next films were Days of Thunder (1990) and Far and Away (1992), both of which co-starred then-wife Nicole Kidman as his love interest. In 1994, Cruise starred along with Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas and Christian Slater in Neil Jordan's Interview with the Vampire, a gothic drama/horror film that was based on Anne Rice's best-selling novel. The film was well received, although Rice was initially quite outspoken in her criticism of Cruise having been cast in the film, as Julian Sands was her first choice. Upon seeing the film however, she paid $7,740 for a two-page ad in Daily Variety praising his performance and apologizing for her previous doubts about him.[18]
In 1996, Cruise appeared as superspy Ethan Hunt in the reboot of Mission: Impossible, which he produced. In 1996, he took on the title role in Jerry Maguire, for which he earned a Golden Globe and his second nomination for an Academy Award. In 1999, Cruise costarred with Kidman in the erotic Stanley Kubrick film Eyes Wide Shut, and took a rare supporting role as a motivational speaker Frank T.J. Mackey in Magnolia, for which he received another Golden Globe and nomination for an Academy Award.
In 2000, Cruise returned as Ethan Hunt in the second installment of the Mission Impossible films, releasing Mission: Impossible II. The film was directed by Hong Kong director John Woo and branded with his gun fu style, and it continued the series' blockbuster success at the box office, taking in almost $547M in worldwide figures, like its predecessor, being the third highest grossing film of the year. Cruise received an MTV Movie Award as Best Male Performance for this film. His next five films were major critical and commercial successes.[19][20] The following year Cruise starred in the romantic thriller Vanilla Sky (2001) with Cameron Diaz and Penélope Cruz. In 2002, Cruise starred in the dystopian science fiction thriller, Minority Report which was directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick.
In 2003, he starred in the Edward Zwick's historical drama The Last Samurai, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination as best actor. In 2005, Cruise worked again with Steven Spielberg in War of the Worlds, a loose adaptation of the H. G. Wells novel of the same name, which became the fourth highest grossing film of the year with US$591.4 million worldwide. Also in 2005, he won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Movie Star, and the MTV Generation Award. Cruise was nominated for seven Saturn Awards between 2002 and 2009, winning once. Nine of the ten films he starred in during the decade made over $100 million at the box office.[19]
In 2006, he reprised his role as Ethan Hunt in the third installment of the Mission Impossible film series, Mission: Impossible III. The film was more positively received by critics than its predecessor, and grossed nearly $400 million at the box office.[21] In 2007, Cruise took a rare supporting role for the second time in Lions for Lambs, which was a commercial disappointment. This was followed by an unrecognizable appearance as "Less Grossman" in the 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder with Ben Stiller andJack Black. This performance earned Cruise a Golden Globe nomination. Cruise played the central role in the historical thriller Valkyrie released on December 25, 2008 to box office success.[22] As of 2009, Cruise's films have grossed over $6.5 billion worldwide.[23]
In March 2010, Cruise completed filming the action-comedy Knight and Day, in which he re-teamed with former costar Cameron Diaz; the film was released on June 23, 2010.[24] On February 9, 2010, Cruise confirmed that he would star in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the fourth installment in the Mission:Impossible series. The film was released in December 2011[25] to high critical acclaim[26] and box office success.[27] It is also Cruise's biggest commercial success to date.[28]
On May 6, 2011, Cruise was awarded a humanitarian award from the Simon Wiesenthal Centre and Museum of Tolerance for his work as a dedicated philanthropist.[29]
In mid-2011, Cruise started shooting the movie Rock of Ages, in which he played the character Stacee Jaxx. The film was released in June 2012.[30]
Producing
Cruise partnered with his former talent agent Paula Wagner to form Cruise/Wagner Productions in 1993,[31] and the company has since co-produced several of Cruise's films, the first being Mission: Impossible in 1996 which was also Cruise's first project as a producer.
Cruise is noted as having negotiated some of the most lucrative film deals in Hollywood, and was described in 2005 by Hollywood economist Edward Jay Epstein as "one of the most powerful – and richest – forces in Hollywood". Epstein argues that Cruise is one of the few producers (the others being George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Jerry Bruckheimer) who are regarded as able to guarantee the success of a billion-dollar film franchise. Epstein also contends that the public obsession with Cruise's tabloid controversies obscures full appreciation of Cruise's exceptional commercial prowess.[32]
Cruise/Wagner Productions, Cruise's film production company, is said to be developing a screenplay based on Erik Larson's New York Times bestseller, The Devil in the White City about a real life serial killer, H. H. Holmes, at Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition. Kathryn Bigelow is attached to the project to produce and helm. Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio's production company, Appian Way, is also developing a film about Holmes and the World's Fair, in which DiCaprio will star.[33]
Breakup with Paramount
On August 22, 2006, Paramount Pictures announced it was ending its 14-year relationship with Cruise. In the Wall Street Journal, chairman of Viacom (Paramount's parent company) Sumner Redstone cited the economic damage to Cruise's value as an actor and producer from his controversial public behavior and views.[34][35] Cruise/Wagner Productions responded that Paramount's announcement was a face-saving move after the production company had successfully sought alternative financing from private equity firms.[36] Industry analysts such as Edward Jay Epstein commented that the real reason for the split was most likely Paramount's discontent over Cruise/Wagner's exceptionally large share of DVD sales from the Mission: Impossible franchise.[37][38]
Management of United Artists
In November 2006, Cruise and Paula Wagner announced that they had taken over United Artists film studio.[31] Cruise acts as a producer and star in films for United Artists, while Wagner serves as UA's chief executive. Production began in 2007 of Valkyrie, a thriller based on the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler. The film was acquired in March 2007 by United Artists. On March 21, 2007 Cruise signed on to play Claus von Stauffenberg, the protagonist. This project marks the second production to be greenlighted since Cruise and Wagner took control of United Artists. The first was its inaugural film, Lions for Lambs, directed by Robert Redford and starring Redford, Meryl Streep and Cruise. Lambs was released on November 9, 2007,[39] opening to unimpressive box office revenue and critical reception. In August 2008, Wagner stepped down from her position at United Artists; she retains her stake in UA, which combined with Cruise's share amounts to 30 percent of the studio.[40]
Relationships and personal life
Cruise had a relationship with Risky Business co-star Rebecca De Mornay from 1983 to 1985.[41][42] Singer/actress Cher says that she dated Cruise in 1985.[43]
Cruise married actress Mimi Rogers on May 9, 1987; he was 24 and she was 31. The marriage lasted two years, and their divorce was finalized on February 4, 1990. Rogers introduced Cruise to Scientology.[44]
Cruise met his second wife, actress Nicole Kidman, on the set of their film Days of Thunder in 1989. The couple married on December 24, 1990. Cruise and Kidman adopted two children, Isabella Jane (born December 1992) and Connor Antony (born January 1995). In February 2001 Cruise filed for divorce from Kidman three days before the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary and while she was unknowingly pregnant. The pregnancy ended with a miscarriage. In 2007 Kidman clarified rumours of a miscarriage early in her marriage to Cruise, saying in an interview, "It was wrongly reported," and explaining that she had actually had an ectopic pregnancy.[45] Kidman has spoken after the divorce of how much she still loves him, "He was huge; still is. To me, he was just Tom, but to everybody else, he is huge. But he was lovely to me. And I loved him. I still love him".[46]
Cruise was next romantically linked with Penélope Cruz, his co-star in Vanilla Sky. The relationship ended in 2004.[47] An article in the October 2012 issue of Vanity Fair states that several sources have said that after the breakup with Cruz, the Church of Scientology launched a secret project to find Cruise a new girlfriend. According to those sources, a series of "auditions" of Scientologist actresses resulted in a short-lived relationship with British-Iranian actress Nazanin Boniadi, who subsequently left Scientology.[48] The Church and Cruise's lawyers issued strongly worded denials and threatened to sue, accusing Vanity Fair of "shoddy journalism" and "religious bigotry".[49] Journalist Roger Friedman later reported that he received an email from director and ex-Scientologist Paul Haggis confirming the story.[50][51]
In April 2005, Cruise began dating actress Katie Holmes. On April 27 that year, Cruise and Holmes – dubbed "TomKat" by the media – made their first public appearance together in Rome.[52] A month later, Cruise declared his love for Holmes on The Oprah Winfrey Show, famously jumping up and down on Winfrey's couch during the show.[53] On October 6, 2005, Cruise and Holmes announced they were expecting a child,[54] and their daughter, Suri, was born in April 2006. On November 18, 2006, Holmes and Cruise were married at the 15th-century Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano, Italy, in a Scientology ceremony attended by many Hollywood stars.[55][56] The actors' publicist said the couple had "officialized" their marriage in Los Angeles the day before the Italian ceremony.[57] There has been widespread speculation that the marriage was arranged by the Church of Scientology.[58][59] David Miscavige, the head of the Church of Scientology, served as Cruise's best man.[60] On June 29, 2012, it was announced that Holmes had filed for divorce from Cruise after five and a half years of marriage.[61][62] On July 9, 2012, it was announced that the couple had signed a divorce settlement worked out by their lawyers.[63] This was Cruise's third divorce.[64][65]Because New York law requires that all divorce documents remain sealed, the exact terms of the settlement are not publicly available.[66]
Popularity
In 1990, 1991 and 1997, People magazine rated him among the 50 most beautiful people in the world. In 1995, Empire magazine ranked him among the 100 sexiest stars in film history. Two years later, it ranked him among the top 5 film stars of all time. In 2002 and 2003, he was rated by Premiere among the top 20 in its annual Power 100 list.
In 2006, Premiere ranked Cruise as Hollywood's most powerful actor,[67] as Cruise came in at number 13 on the magazine's 2006 Power List, being the highest ranked actor.[68] The same year, Forbes magazine ranked him as the world's most powerful celebrity.[69]
In August 2006, Paramount cited Cruise's "recent conduct" as the reason they did not renew their production contract with him.[70] In addition, Marketing Evaluations reported that Cruise's Q score (a measure of the popularity of celebrities), had fallen 40 percent.[citation needed] It was also revealed that Cruise is the celebrity people would least like as their best friend.[citation needed]
October 10, 2006 was declared "Tom Cruise Day" in Japan; the Japan Memorial Day Association said that he was awarded with a special day because he has made more trips to Japan than any other Hollywood star.[71]
Controversy
Litigation
During Cruise's marriage to Nicole Kidman, the couple endured public speculation about their sex life and rumors that Cruise was gay. In 1998, he successfully sued the Daily Express, a British tabloid which alleged that his marriage to Kidman was a sham designed to cover up his homosexuality.[72] In May 2001 he filed a lawsuit against gay porn actor Chad Slater. Slater had allegedly told the celebrity magazine Actustar that he had had an affair with Cruise. Both Slater and Cruise denied this,[clarification needed] and in August 2001, Slater was ordered to pay $10 million to Cruise in damages after Slater declared he could not afford to defend himself against the suit and would therefore default.[73] Cruise also sued Bold Magazine publisher Michael Davis, who alleged but never confirmed that he had video that would prove Cruise was gay. The suit was dropped in exchange for a public statement by Davis that the video was not of Cruise, and that Cruise was heterosexual.[74]
After The Beast's publication of their 50 Most Loathsome People of 2004, which included Cruise, Cruise's lawyer Bertram Fields threatened to sue. Seeing the opportunity for nationwide exposure, The Beast actively encouraged the lawsuit. No lawsuit was ever filed and Cruise was included more prominently in the 2005 list.[75] In 2006, Cruise sued cybersquatter Jeff Burgar to obtain control of the TomCruise.com domain name. When owned by Burgar, the domain redirected to information about Cruise on Celebrity1000.com. The decision to turn TomCruise.com over to Cruise was handed down by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on July 5, 2006.[76]
In October 2012, Cruise filed a lawsuit against In Touch and Life & Style for defamation.[77]
Oprah Winfrey Show
During his relationship with Katie Holmes, Cruise made several public pronouncements of his love for her, most notably during the "couch incident" on The Oprah Winfrey Show of May 23, 2005. Cruise "jumped around the set, hopped onto a couch, fell to one knee and repeatedly professed his love for his new girlfriend".[78] The phrase "jumping the couch", fashioned after "jumping the shark", is used to describe someone "going off the deep end" in public in a manner extreme enough to tarnish his or her reputation.[79] It enjoyed a short-lived popularity, being chosen by the editors of the Historical Dictionary of American Slang as the "slang term of the year" in 2005[80] and by the nonprofit group Global Language Monitor as one of its top phrases for the year.[81]
The "couch incident" was voted No.1 of 2005's "Most Surprising Television Moments" on a countdown on E![citation needed] and No.5 at BoxOfficeProphets.com.[82] and was the subject of numerous parodies, including the epilogue of Scary Movie 4,an episode of South Park, a short on Sesame Street,[83] and an episode of Family Guy. Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Lesson learned: Tell, don't show".[84]
In early May 2008, Cruise reappeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to celebrate 25 years in the film business. The feature was a two hour special: the first hour showed Oprah spending the day with Cruise at his home in Telluride, Colorado on May 2.
Scientology
Cruise is an outspoken advocate for the Church of Scientology. He became involved with Scientology in 1990 through his first wife, Mimi Rogers.[85] He has said that Scientology, specifically the L. Ron Hubbard Study Tech, helped him overcome dyslexia.[86] In addition to promoting various programs that introduce people to Scientology, Cruise has campaigned for Scientology to be recognized as a religion in Europe. In 2005, the Paris city council revealed that Cruise had lobbied officialsNicolas Sarkozy and Jean-Claude Gaudin, described him as a spokesman and militant for Scientology, and barred any further dealings with him.[87][88] Cruise co-founded and raised donations for Downtown Medical to offer New York City 9/11rescue workers detoxification therapy based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard. This drew criticism from the medical profession,[89] as well as firefighters.[90] For these activities and others, David Miscavige, the leader of Scientology, created the Scientology's Freedom Medal of Valor and awarded it to Cruise in late 2004.[91]
In January 2004, Tom Cruise said: "I think psychiatry should be outlawed."[92] A controversy erupted in 2005 after he openly criticized actress Brooke Shields for using the drug Paxil (paroxetine), an anti-depressant to which Shields attributes her recovery from postpartum depression after the birth of her first daughter in 2003. Cruise asserted that there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance, and that psychiatry is a form of pseudoscience. Shields responded that Cruise "should stick to saving the world from aliens and let women who are experiencing postpartum depression decide what treatment options are best for them".[93] This led to a heated argument between Matt Lauer and Cruise on NBC's Today on June 24, 2005.[94] Medical authorities view Cruise's comments as furthering the social stigma of mental illness.[95][96] Shields herself called Cruise's comments "a disservice to mothers everywhere".[97] In late August 2006, Cruise apologized in person to Shields for his comments.[98] Scientology is well known for its opposition to mainstream psychiatry and the drugs it uses.[91]
On January 15, 2008, a video produced by the Church of Scientology featuring an interview with Cruise was posted on YouTube, showing Cruise discussing what being a Scientologist means to him.[99][100] The Church of Scientology said the video had been "pirated and edited", and was taken from a three-hour video produced for members of Scientology.[100][101] YouTube removed the Cruise video from their site under threat of litigation.[102]
Cruise's more open attitude to Scientology has been attributed to the March 2004 departure of his publicist of 14 years, Pat Kingsley. He replaced her with his sister, fellow Scientologist Lee Anne DeVette, who served in that role until November 2005.[103] DeVette was replaced with Paul Bloch from the publicity firm Rogers and Cowan.[104] Such restructuring is seen as a move to curtail publicity of his views on Scientology, as well as the controversy surrounding his relationship with Katie Holmes.[105][106]
Primary Research
To start my primary research I made a short survey and posted it onto the first year Graphic design facebook page. The aim of the survey was to discover how much people knew about the topic, and if the involvement of celebrities such as Tom Cruise would affect their interest.
Responses
Results
The results of the survey show me that the majority of people are informed about Scientology. However, the depth of knowledge about the topic is still unknown, including more questions regarding specific details would have shown the breadth of peoples knowledge. Moreover, the fact that celebrities follow the Religion/Cult doesn't make people more inclined to join.
Secondary Research
To start my secondary research I watched some informative documentaries starring reporter John Sweeney. The first video is shot for the BBC program 'Panorama', in this we are introduced to Scientology and its believes, but also show a more dark sinister side as Sweeney is constantly followed and harassed by members/affiliates of the church. I found the program very informative, as it presents you with facts regarding all aspects of the religion. Moreover, there are interviews with members of the Church of Scientology and also people outside of the Religion/Cult who it has affected. Overall, it was a fascinating watch.
In the second documentary Sweeney revisits Scientology this time accompanied by Mike Rinder who, in the last documentary was the official spokesman for the church and boss of its office of special affairs. One of the main focuses of the video is revisiting Sweeney's last documentary, looking at how he was constantly surveilled and harassed by select members of the Church. This documentary named 'The secrets of Scientology' take a much more in depth look into the Religion/Cult interviewing current and past members, as well as getting the opinions of some high profile ex-members.
Finally, I found the video made by the Church of Scientology in response to the Panorama documentary. Named 'Panorama Exposed' the terribly produced documentary focuses on undermining Sweeney's approach to journalism, and the people he decided to interview, the word 'propaganda' sprang to mind.
Who is L. Ron Hubbard?
After watching all of the documentaries I felt I had a good base of information on the Church of Scientology. Although the videos briefly introduced information regarding the founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard, I believe that there is a lot more to find out.
Article taken from - http://www.xenu.net/archive/infopack/4.htm
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WHO WAS L. RON HUBBARD?
"To be free, a man must be honest with himself and with his fellows."
- L. Ron Hubbard, HONEST PEOPLE HAVE RIGHTS TOO, 1960
"The organization [the Church of Scientology] clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and the bizarre combination seems to be a reflection of its founder LRH. The evidence portrays a man who has been virtually a pathological liar when it comes to his history, background, and achievements."
- Judge Paul G. Breckenridge, Jr., in his October 16, 1994 ruling against the Church of Scientology in the case of the Church of Scientology of California vs. Gerald Armstrong, Los Angeles Superior Court case no. C 420153. The full text of Judge Breckenridge’s decision can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/2xk6t
____________________
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, founder of Scientology, was born in Tilden, Nebraska on March 10, 1911. The son of a US Navy officer, Hubbard was educated in public schools in Montana, California, Washington and Virginia. From 1930 to 1932 he attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Although Hubbard would later claim advanced degrees in the sciences and in civil engineering, his first year grade average was a D (below average). His second and final year was no better; he received a D in calculus and electrical and magnetic physics, and an F (failing) for molecular and atomic physics. He had no further formal education.
He embarked on a successful career as a pulp fiction writer, best known for his science fiction stories. From 1942 to 1945 he served in the US Navy; at no time was he engaged in combat action. In 1950 he published DIANETICS: THE MODERN SCIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH. The book became a best seller and within a few months Hubbard had established the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation to teach the healing techniques he claimed to have discovered. Following the foundation's collapse in bankruptcy, he founded the Hubbard College.
In 1952 he renamed his organization the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International. In 1954 Hubbard created the Church of Scientology, which subsequently absorbed the earlier organization. The church bought several ocean-going craft and from 1967 to 1975 Hubbard, styling himself as the "Commodore," lived largely at sea. Theoretically having given up his role as leader of the church in 1966, he in fact controlled it tightly until his reclusive death in Creston, California on January 24, 1986.
NOTE:
The above biography is as close to the facts as can be verified by available documentation. This is not, however, the biography of Hubbard as promulgated by the Church of Scientology. The church has published many biographical summaries over the years. These have contained a large number of claims that do not survive fact checking. Often these are quoted statements by Hubbard or are based on comments attributed to him. Among them are:
• He was trained as a nuclear physicist.
• At the age of six, he was honored with the status of blood brother of the Blackfeet in a ceremony that is still recalled by tribal elders.
• He was up and down the China coast several times in his teens from Ching Wong Tow to Hong Kong and inland to Peking and Manchuria.
• He was the youngest Eagle Scout in the history of the Boy Scouts.
• The following years, from 1925 to 1929, saw the young Mr Hubbard, between the ages of 14 and 18, as a budding and enthusiastic world traveller and adventurer. His father was sent to the Far East and having the financial support of his wealthy grandfather, L. Ron Hubbard, spent these years journeying through Asia.
• With virtually no training time, he takes up powered flight and barnstorms throughout the Midwest.
• His family owned a ranch 1/3 the size of Montana.
• His first action on leaving college was to blow off steam by leading an expedition into Central America. In the next few years he headed three, all of them undertaken to study savage peoples and cultures to provide fodder for his articles and stories. Between 1933 and 1941 he visited many barbaric cultures and yet found time to write seven million words of published fact and fiction.
• He has published some fourteen movies.
• He served in the South Pacific, and in 1942 was relieved by fifteen officers of rank and was rushed home to take part in the 1942 battle against German submarines as Commanding Officer of a Corvette serving in the North Atlantic. In 1943 he was made Commodore of Corvette Squadrons, and in 1944 he worked with amphibious forces. After serving in all five theaters of World War II and receiving 21 medals and palms, in 1944 he was severely wounded and was taken crippled and blinded to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital.
• He spent 11 years researching Dianetics
Not one of these statements is true.
ONLINE REFERENCES:
A PIECE OF BLUE SKY: SCIENTOLOGY, DIANETICS AND L. RON HUBBARD EXPOSED, by Jon Atack http://tinyurl.com/25rov
BARE-FACED MESSIAH: THE TRUE STORY OF L. RON HUBBARD, by Russell Miller. http://tinyurl.com/3d2sk
L. RON HUBBARD: A CHRONICLE (Church of Scientology official Hubbard biography) http://tinyurl.com/yq3tu
L. RON HUBBARD: MESSIAH OR MADMAN?, by Bent Corydon and L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. a.k.a. Ronald DeWolf. http://tinyurl.com/2jh3g
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Furthermore, I also found an online version of a book called 'Bare Faced Messiah' written by author Russell Miller. The book is a detailed unauthorised biography of Hubbards life, using in-depth research Miller discovered that Hubbard was a pathological liar who was eventually unable to differentiate "between fact and his own fantastic fiction".
David Miscavige
The Miscavige file
Born 30 April 1960, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raised in New Jersey as a Roman Catholic, until his musician father became interested in Scientology. Aged 12, he started attending Scientology courses at Saint Hill Manor in West Sussex.
Best of times Becoming chairman of the board of Religious Technology Centre in 1987 at the age of 26; he has been credited - or otherwise - with turning Scientology into a highly efficient operation.
Worst of times The sudden disappearance from public view of his wife, Shelly, in 2007.
What he says "We come to the first momentous page of this church's new history. Needless to say, it's not a tide of history on which one merrily floats. On the contrary, it must be a history unlike any ever told before, a history of supreme competence, great passion and perfect adherence to our technology."
What others say "I have never met a more competent, more intelligent, more tolerant, more compassionate being outside of what I've experienced from [founder of Scientology] L Ron Hubbard." Tom Cruise
David Miscavige is the current leader of the Church of Scientology, he replaced the creator of the cult L. Ron Hubbard after he passed away in 1986. Since then he has been expanding the cult in size, and defending the believes of the cult to keep it from ruin. However, people such as ex-Scientologist Mike Rinder believe he is behind the corruption, and is one of the main people responsible for the way the Church of Scientology is run. Miscavage is close friends with Scientology affiliate Tom Cruise. He was the best man at his wedding to Katie Holmes, and is a close friend and associate.
What is undoubtedly true is that Miscavige enjoys a close relationship with Cruise, 50, who has been a Scientologist for almost half his life. Described as the "third person" in Cruise's marriage, Miscavige was best man at Cruise's lavish wedding to Holmes in Italy in 2006.
Scientology was intended to help people. Used correctly, it does just that. David Miscavige has turned it into a massive Ponzi scheme. Here’s how his carefully guarded system works:
International Events
After Hubbard died in 1986, David Miscavige kicked off a schedule of “international” events. Each event is global in scope and all Scientologists are commanded to attend “to get briefed up on the latest wins, news, and new releases.” Per LRH, this is what the various Scientology magazines are for.
In actual fact, Hubbard banned all future international events in 1977 because they knocked everyone off post to prepare for the event instead of doing their routine daily actions which are vital. The Central Bureaux Order (CBO) in which Hubbard issued that order is not well known, but it does exists. Naturally it was suppressed by Miscavige.
The schedule of events repeats throughout the year; the six largest events include,
In actual fact, Hubbard banned all future international events in 1977 because they knocked everyone off post to prepare for the event instead of doing their routine daily actions which are vital. The Central Bureaux Order (CBO) in which Hubbard issued that order is not well known, but it does exists. Naturally it was suppressed by Miscavige.
The schedule of events repeats throughout the year; the six largest events include,
- January: New Year’s Event
- March: LRH’s Birthday Event
- May: Anniversary of the release of Dianetics
- June: Anniversary of the Freewinds (ship) Maiden Voyage
- August: Auditor’s Day
- October: Founding of the IAS (stands for "International Association of Scientologists")
As you can see, there is a major event roughly every 2 months throughout the year.
Massive boiler rooms were organized and eventually computerized to get the phone numbers of all Scientologists. Scientologists are called and re-called until they confirm their “attendance.” Staff and volunteers in local Churches and Missions are forced to do “call-in” for the event.
Massive boiler rooms were organized and eventually computerized to get the phone numbers of all Scientologists. Scientologists are called and re-called until they confirm their “attendance.” Staff and volunteers in local Churches and Missions are forced to do “call-in” for the event.
Propaganda Machine
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| No expense is spared to create a favorable image of success and forward progress |
Instead of managing Church affairs, the senior executives of Scientology at the highest (international) levels were put onto continually writing speeches and video scripts throughout the year. If they fail, they are declared suppressive and isolated in their offices for months on end.
Crews were assigned to design and build extravagant stages for each event intended to dazzle spectators and put them into a state of hypnotic awe. With the exception of Hitler, no other ego in history has demanded such extravagant stages, not even the President of the United States! Why, Barack Obama needs nothing more than amicrophone to garner support from the entire planet. Why do you think Miscavige requires an event stage large enough to house a 747?
Every available marketing staff member was absorbed into the machine to constantly “repackage” all possible Scientology books and services on an endless treadmill, racing from one event to the next.
Video Shoot Teams were formed and sent out across the world to capture the latest news. And where none exists, they simply manufacture it or exaggerate it all out of proportion. Example: for the opening of a new Scientology group in the Far East, “rent-a-crowds” were hired to populate an otherwise empty building. This is shot on video and voila, “Scientology is expanding!”
Politicians and VIPs are cajoled to say something on camera, and that is edited into positive statements by Miscavige’s master spin doctors and often by Miscavige himself.
Video Shoot Teams were formed and sent out across the world to capture the latest news. And where none exists, they simply manufacture it or exaggerate it all out of proportion. Example: for the opening of a new Scientology group in the Far East, “rent-a-crowds” were hired to populate an otherwise empty building. This is shot on video and voila, “Scientology is expanding!”
Politicians and VIPs are cajoled to say something on camera, and that is edited into positive statements by Miscavige’s master spin doctors and often by Miscavige himself.
Slave Labor
Every year, at the May, June and October events Miscavige announces new “dissemination campaigns” and shows the latest TV ads “to drive massive numbers of people into Scientology organizations.” The ads cost virtually nothing to produce because Miscavige uses his own slave labor to produce them with each laborer making well under minimum wage, about $0.40 an hour. So the beautiful TV ads cost nothing. But they look expensive.
Huge teams of sales people (called registrars or consultants) are assigned to use each event as a tool to demand money from parishioners “for our ongoing dissemination programs and expansion.”
Scientologists know it costs money to put TV ads on the air and consider anything that helps Scientology expand to be aninvestment in a better world. Remember that word, investment. We will come back to that word in a minute.
Huge teams of sales people (called registrars or consultants) are assigned to use each event as a tool to demand money from parishioners “for our ongoing dissemination programs and expansion.”
Scientologists know it costs money to put TV ads on the air and consider anything that helps Scientology expand to be aninvestment in a better world. Remember that word, investment. We will come back to that word in a minute.
Massive Fraud
So they make generous donations to help out. And if they don’t, they are coerced until they do. For example, a Scientologist is hauled in to watch the latest event (on DVD) “so he can get briefed.” The event contains speeches and videos with grossly exaggerated claims and flagrant generalities, such as “reaching some 1 billion people with the message of Source!” What does that mean? It means nothing. Nothing of that magnitude really happened at all.
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| David Miscavige enjoys the fruits of his Ponzi scheme, hanging with "best friend" Tom Cruise on July 20, 2008. |
I myself received a phone call from my local organization, from a person who I had never met, and who knew nothing about me whatsoever. I was not at home and so she left a voicemail asking me to please come in and donate $5,000 because “it would really help a lot.” When Scientology staff get to the point they will call up a total stranger and leave a voicemail requesting $5,000, you can imagine what happens to people they already know well whom they can pressure in person. They're getting hit up for 10 and even 100 times that amount.
The Bernie Madoff Hustle
The money, tens of millions of dollars every year, is funneled into the Church where a fat chunk goes to Miscavige every week. With it he buys $500 shirts, cars, motorcycles, suits, homes, buildings, cameras, flat-screen TVs, swimming pools, spy equipment, guns, home theaters... whatever he wants. He builds himself houses, offices, takes vacations, goes to the races and hangs with his millionaire friends like Tom Cruise.
Here’s where the real Ponzi fakery comes in. The “dissemination campaigns” are launched but the TV ads that were shown to the Scientologists play for only a few weeks in spot markets instead of throughout the year as implied in the event. After all, every campaign is hyped up as “our biggest campaign ever!” In this way, the “dissemination programs” announced by Miscavige appear to be happening and Scientology seems to be really moving somewhere! Woo-hoo.
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| When this kind of extravagance is required for a simple briefing, you know something is wrong |
Spending a pittance to get a few ads made by slave labor, that’s cheap. Putting a smattering of ads on TV or radio for a few days or weeks, that’s cheap. Miscavige simply keeps all the cash. There is NO accountability for the funds. Not to the IRS because it’s a “church,” not to the SEC, not to anyone.
Bad to the Last Drop
So, on the model of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, Scientologists are coerced to “invest” in the dissemination of Scientology, a subject which they believe will help people. Miscavige makes a show of carrying through, but in reality he only puts up a few ads and then pulls the funding, or cross-orders the program, or transfers the marketing staff member who was running the program. Miscavige has numerous ways of stopping any actual dissemination since it would be expensive. In other words, he promises a river but delivers a drop.
Anyone with rudimentary math skills can understand that the number of ongoing programs would quickly add up. However no extra staff are added into marketing to run the dissemination programs. In fact, the organization responsible for Church marketing has been decimated by Miscavige; they have gone from about 35 staff down to maybe 7 or 8. So there’s no one there to run any programs anyway.
No meaningful investment of parishioner funds is actually allowed by Miscavige. The money goes into bank accounts he personally controls.
No meaningful investment of parishioner funds is actually allowed by Miscavige. The money goes into bank accounts he personally controls.
Shhhhh, Keep this Part Secret!
But, just between us, you know the one thing a Ponzi man just hates?
Transparency. So before you listen to any whitewashing of this website, how about some transparency? Let Miscavige show us the money or produce the receipts.
Again, this is not criticism of Miscavige.
This is intervention on behalf of the thousands of Scientologists who have been defrauded, and on behalf of a world that deserves to know what the real Scientology is all about -- not a perverted, criminalized version of it!
Transparency. So before you listen to any whitewashing of this website, how about some transparency? Let Miscavige show us the money or produce the receipts.
Again, this is not criticism of Miscavige.
This is intervention on behalf of the thousands of Scientologists who have been defrauded, and on behalf of a world that deserves to know what the real Scientology is all about -- not a perverted, criminalized version of it!
This website is fully backed up on multiple servers and set so that if anything happens to it, a duplicate website with the same information will go online overnight. We know the kind of person we are dealing with. We're expecting dirty tricks and we're prepared and ready for them.
Bernard Madoff had his $50 billion ponzi scheme exposed. Robert Allen Stanford had his $8 billion ponzi scheme exposed. All we're saying is, "Psssst, look under the white robes of David Miscavige."
We think you’re not going to like what you see.
We think you’re not going to like what you see.
Written by Thoughtful
Moreover, I also found claims of abuse amongst the Scientologist elite.
What is the attraction to Scientology?
After conducting research into the founder of Scientology, I soon found that there was a lot of information supporting the fact that L. Ron Hubbard was a pathological liar, bearing this in mind I found it hard to understand why people would then join the Church of Scientology. Therefore, I researched into what it was that attracted people to follow the cult.
I decided to first look at their website.
I decided to first look at their website.
Immediately, you are greeted by a video that automatically
plays called ‘Knowledge’. I managed to find the video on YouTube, it is well
produced, and almost would seem appealing if I didn’t know anything about Scientology.
I followed a link to find out more.
Again, I was greeted by a well produced video featuring some kinetic typography. According to the video Scientology is the 'study of knowledge' and 'Truth'. Furthermore, it draws upon 50, 000 years of knowledge (most of which was created in L. Ron Hubbard's head).
Below the video information was displayed regarding what Scientology is.
I carried browsing the website and found that most of the information was presented in well produced, easy to understand videos. They show happy people and and talk about how following Scientology can pretty much improve all aspects of your life. One of the videos that took my attention was the video about dianetics
Dianetics was mentioned in John Sweeney's documentary, part of the process of dianetics is auditing, where you confess your most intimate secrets and feelings to an auditer. As mentioned in the documentary they are recorded and sometimes used against you if the church feels you are a threat.
As a graphic designer this video was interesting, it looks at the worlds largest digital publishes that is owned by the Church of Scientology.
Narcanon
However, despite the apparent 85% success rate the treatments offered have come under much scrutiny from trained medical processionals.
I followed links on the official Scientology website to the Narcanon page. A hard hitting video about drug abuse played when the page had completed loading. The video states that Narcanon is 'the most effective drug rehabilitation and prevention program on earth', a slight over exaggeration.
on the page I found a link to an 'anti drugs action kit' that would be sent to me for free. I ordered the kit intrigued to see what information was provided and how accurate it is.
Moreover, I also found a free downloadable PDF named '10 things your friends may not know about drugs'. I downloaded it so I could review its contents. Inside I found page after page of over exaggerated, misinforming information.
I navigated back to the home page I found a link to help me find the nearest Church of Scientology.
After discovering there was a Church in Manchester I checked the opening times and organised a trip to visit.
I knew beforehand what the OCA would probably be like. To aid his official Enquiry into Scientology in 1971, Sir John Foster asked a group of eminent psychologists to visit British Scientology churches ("orgs") to take the OCA. The Working Party was composed of a clinical psychologist, a consultant in psychological selection, and a university lecturer in psychology, all members of the governing Council of the British Psychological Society (incorporated under Royal Charter in 1965) and all distinguished experts in their field. This is what they reported:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/oca/oca.html
Moreover, I was also given a DVD with a painful runtime of 163 minutes, it was very similar to the videos displayed on the website and is clearly for recruitment purposes.
The Manchester Church of Scientology.
Upon entering I was greeted by a young woman, I introduced myself and said I was looking to collect some information regarding the 'religion'. I was handed a personality test (pictured below) that was 200 questions long, each with three options 'yes' 'no' or 'maybe'. The test is cleverly designed so no matter what answers you write, or what circumstances you are in problems will always be highlighted that Scientology can fix.
I found a website that researched the test further, on here there was evidence of a scientific investigation of the personality test.
A scientific investigation of the Personality Test
130. The test consists of 200 written questions, to be answered "yes", "no" or "uncertain" (this may not be easy to do when the question, like question 150, is in the form "Do you rarely express your grievances?"). The members of the Working Party answered the questions in different, but pre-determined, random fashion (see below) which could not produce results of any significance: in fact, they should all have come out pretty average in all personality traits. The subsequent experience of one member of the Working Party follows in his own words: -A quarter of a century on, nothing has changed. But the instructions have now come to light, and I can see why the Church did not give them to Sir John Foster.
"In this particular case the inventory was deliberately responded to in a fashion designed to produce an unpredictable result. As each question was read the answer space was completed for the following question without reference to the content of either question. On any known inventory this procedure should produce a 'flat' profile, with few scores departing significantly from the mean. When the profile chart was presented on the second visit it showed extremely low scores on three traits; all save one or two were below the 'desirability' band. (The imprecision is due to the fact that, try as he might, the 'client' was not permitted to bring away the profile sheet). The staff member who had scored the inventory expounded the extreme scores with some urgency. He avoided questions on the meaning of the scales, dismissing as irrelevant the trait words at top and bottom; yet he invested the points on the scale with immense importance, almost of a charismatic nature. His patter continually referred to the inadequacies which the graph revealed - one point became 'failed purpose' and another 'loss', although these terms were never explained. He attempted to confirm his diagnosis of these points on the graph by such leading questions as "Do you often fail to achieve what you set out to do?" and "Do you have difficulty making friends?" Affirmative answers to these questions (which were given readily) were, somehow, to be explained by the low scores and the interpretation put on them. In the course of the session the following information was elicited from the Scientology staff member:131. The conclusions of the Working Party are summarised as follows: -
(i) The test was devised by "Oxford students, or the Oxford Dictionary people", he did not know which;(ii) He did not understand the word 'percentile' - although it was he who brought the word into the discussion. He looked it up in the Concise Oxford Dictionary without success and decided it meant 'percentage'. He thereafter interpreted '90th percentile' as 90 per cent.In general it was patent that this person had no notion what the test was, how it was designed, what it measured or what the scores meant. He had been trained to produce this ill-informed commentary which, to a gullible anxious person, might sound genuinely insightful. In fact he was pointing out to an unknown member of the public 'inadequate' facets of his personality shown up by an instrument which he did not understand.In a second interview, immediately following on, the 'Registrar' explained the hierarchy of levels which could be attained by Scientology processing. He described the courses offered by the organisation to remedy the inadequacies shown up by the profile. All these courses would cost money and a probable minimum total of one hundred guineas [£108 - probably about £500 now] was quoted to deal with the particular personality deficiencies shown up by the OCA."
(iii) 'Most people' scored beyond the 'minus 90' point on the three traits being discussed.
"The systematic quantification of personality variables is one aspect of psychometric testing .... All psychometric tests can be assessed in terms of their reliability and validity. "Reliability" implies a test yields similar results under similar testing conditions. Various degrees of reliability can be attributed to a number of sources of error. In a properly constructed personality test the various effects of these sources of error are systematically assessed. "Validity" implies that a test measures what it claims to measure - i.e., that it is a valid measure of the characteristic it claims to quantify. A test may be reliable without being valid, but not vice versa. A known degree of reliability is crucial to the use of any psychometric test in a setting where its results are used with an individual case.If a personality test is a reliable device, then a systematic approach to answering the questions should yield systematic variations in the conclusions derived from an analysis of the test scores. That this is a property of reliable tests may be assumed from a knowledge of formal test theory such as any person competent to assess the results of a psychometric test should possess. The members of the Working Party used this property of reliability of psychometric tests to assess the adequacy of the personality testing offered by the Scientologists, by submitting themselves to testing as 'clients' responding to the advertisements for free personality testing.132. A similar exercise was carried out independently by Dr. David Delvin, who reported the outcome in World Medicine. Again, I quote: -
For the purpose of making their assessment of the status of the test, the members of the Working Party employed three different methods of responding to the test items when they themselves completed it: -
(a) one member answered the questions at random, selecting the answer to be given before reading the question;(b) a second member employed a method in which the response was pre-determined regardless of the content of the question: if the final letter of the question was a consonant in the range "a" to "m", he answered "no"; if it was a consonant in the range "n" to "z" he answered "yes"; if it was a vowel, he answered "uncertain";This systematic variation in response styles would be expected to affect the resultant profiles. ("Profiles" are an accepted manner of presenting the information derived from some types of personality test. A random method of response ((a) above) would be expected to produce scores close to the mean of scores obtained during the standardising of the test. Methods (b) and (c) should also result in profiles with low deviations from the mean scores; if such deviations occurred these two methods would be expected to produce different, if not complementary, profiles. The Working Party verified that on two accepted personality tests such systematic variations in answering did produce variations in profile pattern.These variations in answering the questions did not seem to affect the Oxford Capacity Analysis as the three methods produced remarkably similar profiles, in which the scores on the first three scales were in an extreme position in the range marked "unacceptable" ... All profile results then rose into the "normal" or "desirable" range over the next 2-4 scales and showed a return to "unacceptable" over the remaining scales.
(c) the third member used the reverse of this procedure, so that he answered "yes" where the second method produced the answer "no", and "no" where the second method produced the "yes" response. The "uncertain" response was given to the same questions as before.
If these three systematically varied response styles had all produced "flat" profiles, with few scores departing greatly from the mean, then we would have considered that the Oxford Capacity Analysis could not be criticised on these grounds. But when each of two diametrically opposed methods of response produces the same extreme deviant scores as the other and as a third "random" response style, we are forced to a position of scepticism about the test's status as a reliable psychometric device.
It should be noted that the Oxford Capacity Analysis is not a personality test known in psychological circles; it is not distributed by reputable test agencies in this country; there is no research literature available about it, nor is it listed in the Mental Measurements Year Book which is internationally accepted as the authoritative source on psychometric devices. While any one of these points does not in itself indict a psychometric instrument, the failure of the Oxford Capacity Analysis to meet all of them does, in our opinion, constitute an extremely strong case for assuming it to be a device of no worth. The scientific value and useful nature of the profile apparently derived from completion of the Oxford Capacity Analysis must consequently be negligible. We are of the opinion that the Oxford Capacity Analysis and the profiles derived from its completion are constructed in such a manner as to give the appearance of being adequate psychometric devices, whereas, in fact, they totally fail to meet the normally accepted criteria.
Taking the procedure as a whole, one is forced to the conclusion that the Oxford Capacity Analysis is not a genuine personality test; certainly the results as presented bear no relation to any known methods of assessing personality or of scaling test scores. The booklet itself might produce genuine scores but these are not the scores presented on the profile. The legend 'produced and edited by the Staff of the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International' which appears on the cover is totally inappropriate to a personality measure - such an instrument is not 'edited', it is developed through painstaking research. The validity of the OCA booklet itself is therefore in doubt.
No reputable psychologist would accept the procedure of pulling people off the street with a leaflet, giving them a 'personality test' and reporting back in terms that show the people to be 'inadequate', 'unacceptable' or in need of 'urgent' attention. In a clinical setting a therapist would only discuss a patient's inadequacies with him with the greatest of circumspection and support, and even then only after sufficient contact for the therapist-patient relationship to have been built up. To report back a man's inadequacies to him in an automatic, impersonal fashion is unthinkable in responsible professional practice. To do so is potentially harmful. It is especially likely to be harmful to the nervous introspective people who would be attracted by the leaflet in the first place. The prime aim of the procedure seems to be to convince these people of their need for the corrective courses run by the Scientology organisations."
"I settled down to the 'personality test'. This consisted of 200 questions of the type much favoured by women's magazines (Are you considered warm-hearted by your friends? Do you enjoy activities of your own choosing? Are you likely to be jealous? Do you bite your fingernails?).Eventually, a young man took my answers away for "processing". When he returned, he was waving an impressive-looking piece of graph paper, around which were printed figures, symbols, and various bits of McLuhanistic jargon. Across the paper was drawn a line that looked something like the Boat Race course. This, the young man told me, was my personality curve.133. It may be relevant to note that none of these observers at any stage had it suggested to him that Scientology was a religion.134. I asked the Scientologists what claims they made for the Oxford Capacity Analysis, on what published evidence they were founded and what written instructions were given to persons who interpreted the tests. Mr. [David] Gaiman answered: -
The young man airily drew a ring round the area of Putney, and said that this represented "other people". A similar ring in the region of Barnes Bridge indicated "myself", while another drawn round Mortlake Brewery apparently represented "life". On the basis of all this, the young man gave me a 20-minute personality analysis, which mainly consisted of portentous-sounding pseudo-scientific neologisms ("You've got quite a bit of agity and you are moderately dispersed, but we can help you to standard tech.") He seemed bit vague about what these words actually meant.
At the end, he said to me impressively, "So you see, it's all very scientific - thanks to the fact that our founder is a man of science himself".
"Oh yes, very scientific indeed," I said.
I hadn't the heart to tell him that his super-scientific system had failed to detect the fact that I had marked the "don't know" column against all 200 questions in the test."
"As far as I have been able to discover, we don't make any particular claims about the Oxford Capacity Analysis.All I say about the test is that it is a reasonably reliable test for measuring individual personality.He did not mention any published evidence, or the existence of any instructions.[Foster Report, chapter 5, "Recruitment"]
I don't know if you have received a paper from the British Psychological Society by three of its members who went to our premises in London deliberately to make a mockery of the tests by giving random answers. I would certainty concede that it is possible to make a mockery of them. Newspaper plants have also proved that it is possible to make a mockery out of auditing. It does not discredit the tests, or auditing, for honest men who are genuinely seeking a result."
http://www.xenu.net/archive/oca/oca.html
Moreover, I was also given a DVD with a painful runtime of 163 minutes, it was very similar to the videos displayed on the website and is clearly for recruitment purposes.
Celebrities involved
Its clear that with all the well produced videos and promises of a better life Scientology could seem appealing, but anyone with an open mind and a computer could conduct enough research to realise that Scientology is a cult. Which made me wonder why so many celebrities follow the religion. Below is a list of just a few of the celebrity members.
John Travolta
According to the church's own website, famed actor John
Travolta became a Scientologist in 1975, after he was given L. Ron Hubbard's
"Dianetics" while filming the movie "The Devil's Rain" in
Mexico.
Tom Cruise
Today, Tom Cruise is reported to be one of the top level
members of the Church of Scientology, but he was first introduced to the
religion by his first wife, Mimi Rogers, in 1990.
Kirstie Alley
Actress Kirstie Alley was raised Methodist, but is now a practicing
member of the Church of Scientology.
Danny Masterson
Actor and DJ Danny Masterson was raised as a Scientologist.
Giovanni Ribisi
Actor Giovanni Ribisi was raised a Scientologist.
Leah Remini
Actress and talk-show host Leah Remini is a big proponent of
the Church of Scientology.
Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley, former wife of Michael Jackson and only
daughter of Elvis is a Scientlogist like her mother Pricilla Presley.
Kelly Preston
Actress Kelly Preston married fellow Scientologist John
Travolta in 1991 and today, they're viewed as one of the organization's power
couples.
Juliette Lewis
Actress Juliette Lewis became a Scientologist in the 1990s
and credits the church's rehab program Narconon with helping get clean.
Nancy Cartwright
Nancy Cartwright is the woman behind Bart Simpson's voice, she also follows the Scientologist practices.
Linda Blair
Actress Linda Blair is best known for playing possessed
child Regan in "The Exorcist" and is a Scientologist.
Christopher Masterson
Actor Christopher Masterson was raised as a Scientologist
along with his brother, actor Danny Masterson.
Peaches Geldof
In 2009, it was reported that Peaches Geldof started taking
an interest in Scientology.
Here in an interview she talkes about her beliefs.
Jason Lee
Actor Jason Lee is a Scientologist and obsessed with the
religion -- according to his ex-wife Carmen Llywelyn -- who in 2010
blamed the end of their marriage on his alleged obsession.
Beck Hansen
Musician Beck Hansen was raised as a Scientologist and
married actress Marissa Ribisi, who is also a member of the church.
Laura Prepon
Actress Laura Prepon began dating her "That '70s
Show" co-star's brother, Christopher Masterson and converted to
Scientology.
Elisabeth Moss
"Mad Men" star Elisabeth Moss is a Scientologist
but has spoken out about she isn't OK with the church's rampant homophobia.
I found an online report explaining the celebrity appeal.
In 1973, L. Ron Hubbard, launched “Project Celebrity,” which offered rewards for Scientologists that recruited celebrities. Hubbard said that converting celebrities just approaching or just beyond their prime would ensure the rapid spread of the religion.
Hubbard was largely successful in recruiting celebrities while using political and legal advantages to keep most of his theories secret from the public.
Hubbard’s cleverness to ensure secrecy and recruit celebrities still doesn’t explain celebs’ inherent appeal to the organization.
Hugh B. Urban, professor of religious studies in the Department of Comparative Studies at Ohio State University, studied the celebrity appeal to Scientology and concluded that he thinks the reason celebrities would be interested is because it's a religion that fits pretty well with a celebrity kind of personality:
"It's very individualistic. It celebrates a person's individual identity as ultimately divine. It claims to give you ultimate power over your own mind, self, destiny, so I think it fits well with an actor personality."
And the fact that they have wealth increases their interest. These obviously aren't people who need more wealth, but what they do need, or often want at least, is some kind of spiritual validation for their wealth and lifestyle.
And Scientology is a religion that says it's OK to be wealthy and to be famous, they look at it as a sign of one's spiritual development. So it kind of is a spiritual validation for a celebrity-kind of lifestyle.
So according to studies, celebrities are interested because it pertains to their individualistic self-interest, and prospering. Furthermore it validates their elite levels in society.
Paul Haggis mentions in the New Yorker piece that Scientology takes on an overtly elitist persona, supporting Urban’s claims.
Also, practicing Scientology is extremely expensive and time-consuming. In order to rise up in “levels” of Scientology, one must pay to take several courses and truly let their lives revolve around the religion.
The rich and famous celebrity types are some of the few people able to afford being a full member, while having the time to rise to the top of the religion’s social structure.
This may be why A-List celebrities such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta have been able to become coveted leaders and endorsers of the religion.
Even with studies providing explanation for Hollywood’s major presence in Scientology, it still seems quite curious as to how in 49 years, a brand new religion has been able to become so wealthy, prominent in the media, and been able to recruit some of the most powerful people on Earth.
After all, it is based upon the writings of a science-fiction author.
Additionally, it seems like there’s still plenty that the public doesn’t know about Scientology. More so, it seems like there’s plenty that’s being hidden from the public.
Why else would there be rumblings that Katie Holmes should fear for her child because she’s decided to leave a “church?”
The fact that these questions are even being asked is a clear indicator that this organization appears to be mysterious, secretive, elitist, frightening, and a movie-like cult that could only form in a place like Hollywood.
That’s exactly what it seems like, a celebrity-cult.
In all honesty, that’s what people seem to want to believe. We would all love to hear about a secret society of the world’s rich and powerful operating in secrecy to brainwash followers and use their recourses to take down all that fight against them.
It’s a movie script within itself.
For now, we’ll all have to wait and see if any new information comes forth during the Cruise-Holmes divorce.
And once again, please read The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs. The Church of Scientology, it’s a long piece, but well worth your time if you’re interested in hearing about Scientology from an insider.
-Anthony Armao
Money
When it comes to money the Church of Scientology are more than comfortable. They own luxurious property around the world and take donations from their members. When first introduced to the Cult members are recommended Hubbards books, an essential read for every Scientologist.
On the Scientology website a collection of Hubbard's books can be purchased.
Moreover, donations are also expected.
As for contributions — the Church’s membership organization, which provides the primary support of international Scientology expansion and its social programs is called the International Association of Scientologists (lAS). Donations to the lAS are just that — donations to forward Church programs around the world, and are disrelated to an individual’s participation in Scientology services of auditing and training. Rather, these are the funds that provide for opening of new churches and implementation of social programs in underprivileged cities and countries of Earth. Annual membership dues to the lAS are $450. Lifetime membership dues are $3,000. There are additionally Sponsors and Patrons of the Association who provide substantial contributions beyond membership.
http://www.scientology.org.au/common-questions/how-much-do-scientologists-donate-the-church-and-what-is-done-with-the-money
Finally, members also pay for auditing sessions and courses that apparently help their uncovered problems. This video from an ex Scientologist exposes the scam used to collect money from members during auditing sessions.
On the Scientology website a collection of Hubbard's books can be purchased.
Moreover, donations are also expected.
As for contributions — the Church’s membership organization, which provides the primary support of international Scientology expansion and its social programs is called the International Association of Scientologists (lAS). Donations to the lAS are just that — donations to forward Church programs around the world, and are disrelated to an individual’s participation in Scientology services of auditing and training. Rather, these are the funds that provide for opening of new churches and implementation of social programs in underprivileged cities and countries of Earth. Annual membership dues to the lAS are $450. Lifetime membership dues are $3,000. There are additionally Sponsors and Patrons of the Association who provide substantial contributions beyond membership.
http://www.scientology.org.au/common-questions/how-much-do-scientologists-donate-the-church-and-what-is-done-with-the-money
Finally, members also pay for auditing sessions and courses that apparently help their uncovered problems. This video from an ex Scientologist exposes the scam used to collect money from members during auditing sessions.
From my research I have learned that Scientology is a Cult focused on manipulating people into surrendering themselves and their money to the Church.
Harassment of ex members.
As I researched deeper I found repeated claims from ex-members of harassment, exposure of personal information, and even spying. The Churches founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote in his polices that an enemy of the religion may be 'tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.
Below is a video shot by Mike Rinder showing the placement of a camera on his street to monitor his activity.
Moreover, I found a website dedicated to recording cases where ex-Scientologists have been harassed, spied on or sued.
Another technique used by Scientologists to harass 'enemies' is the exposure of personal information collected through their auditing sessions. Members of Scientology undergo auditing sessions where to help cure them from past traumatic experiences, they expose their deepest most intimate secrets. Often the conversations are recorded, and the information is filed. On John Sweeneys report for panorama there are examples of this happening, where personal information was printed in publications.
Disconnection
Disconnection is another practice used in Scientology, it involves cutting all ties with family members, friends, partners and acquaintances that the Church feel are a threat. The problem is how often it is done. There is overwhelming evidence to support the fact that the Church often forces disconnection between people, examples of this can be seen in the Panorama documentary.
On the Scientology website they also have information on disconnection.
I found a website where ex-members of the cult posted their stories of disconnection.
Tuesday, 26th February, 2008 07:50:35pmName or Alias: Kevin BradyHow long ago was your disconnection? 12 years
- Are you a current member, an ex-member, or never a member?
- ex-member
- Did you disconnect, or did someone disconnect from you?
- The other person disconnected.
- 1. What is (or was) your relationship to the disconnected person?
- Spouse and two children
- 2. What were the circumstances surrounding the disconnection?
- I refused to continue to do A to E steps (they kept 'losing' my records and asking me to redo the training [at my own expense]).
I insisted on seeing my wife and children, and she disconnected and served me with divorce papers. - 3. Were you given a choice about disconnecting? Was there anything you could have done to avoid the disconnection? If so, please describe the choice involved or what you could have done. Do you now feel that you made the best decision?
- Perhaps I could continuously have done A to E steps. Perhaps I could continuously have looked the other way about 'outpoints' I perceived that never got 'handled'. I chose not to.
- 4. Was a formal disconnection letter sent? If so, what did it say? If not, how was the disconnection communicated?
- It was, but I used it for toilet paper, and thus, don't have it any more.
- 5. In what way has the disconnection affected your life?
- It has caused a continuous feeling that I have been severed from the most important people in my life (my children). It's always what's on my mind. Basically, it's a continuous 'present time problem' of 'long duration'.
- 6. What were your feelings at the time about the disconnection?
- I accepted it, because I didn't want to interrupt my then-wife's self-determined decisions. I also was in no position, after leaving the cult with no skills, to care for two children. It was a devil's choice.
- 7. What are your current feelings about the disconnection?
- Now I feel very much it was the biggest mistake of my life, allowing them to be disconnected from me. However, I still feel it was my ex-wife's right to do what she wanted with her life. She didn't have to remain connected from me. I think that the organization/policy concerning disconnecting from 'known suppressives' is a genuinely evil policy, which does restrict her and other's self-determinism, if they buy into it.
- 8. Has there been an attempt at reconnection? Were there any conditions for reconnecting? If there was an attempt, did you succeed at reconnecting?
- There has been no attempt. I didn't disconnect from them. I have made an attempt to connect with my children, with varying degrees of success, but ultimately failed to make a permanent connection between us again. If my ex-wife wanted to talk, I would talk to her. Again, I didn't disconnect.
- 9. If you are currently disconnected, would you like to reconnect? Do you believe it is possible, in your particular case? If not, why?
- I would like to be in touch with my ex-wife about issues regarding my children's progress. Aside from that, I feel she betrayed me when I needed her most, and then stuck to that decision for over twelve years. I may forgive that, but if she's capable of that once, she may be capable of it again, so I would keep her at arm's length. With regard to my children, I think reconnection is inevitable as the cult dissolves, and they grow to the age of consent, where they make decisions for themselves without interference.
- Would you like to make any additional comments?
- no
This is just one example taken off the website. It clearly shows how damaging Scientoloygy is.
http://alley.ethercat.com/cgi-bin/disconnection/disconnection.cgi?2
Apparent documentation written by L. Ron Hubbard about how to disconnect from someone.
http://www.lermanet.com/creed-pearson/disconnection.html
http://alley.ethercat.com/cgi-bin/disconnection/disconnection.cgi?2
Apparent documentation written by L. Ron Hubbard about how to disconnect from someone.
http://www.lermanet.com/creed-pearson/disconnection.html
XENU
The Church of Scientology accepts that intelligent life exists throughout the universe and has for millions of years. Xenu, a galactic overlord, features prominently in their mythology. Xenu's actions have direct influence on how humanity on Earth has developed. However, this information is available only to Scientologists of considerable rank inline with their acceptance of revealing the truth is stages as followers are properly prepared.
Mythology of Xenu
75,00,000 years ago, Xenu headed the Galactic Federation, which was an organization of 76 planets that had already existed for 20,000,000 years. The planets were suffering a tremendous problem with overpopulation. Xenu's draconian solution to the matter was to gather large numbers of people, kill them, freeze their thetans (souls), and transport the frozen thetans to Earth, which they called Teegeeack. The thetans were left in the vicinity of volcanoes, which were, in turn, destroyed in a series of nuclear explosions.
Members of the galactic Federation eventually rebelled against Xenu, fighting him for six years before he was finally captured and imprisoned on a planet that today is barren desert. Within the "mountain trap" on this unnamed world, Xenu still lives.
Despite there being a lot of evidence from high profile ex-members that the teaching of the Xenu myth is true, Scientologists claim the story is a disgusting perversion of Scientology beliefs. Here in an interview Tommy Davis spokesman for the Church of Scientology discusses the topic.
I decided to explore the topic further on the official scientology website, I entered Xenu on their website, no information was available.
Despite this, an internet hacking group Anonymous released this apparent recording of Hubbard himself discussing the topic of Xenu. The recording was stolen during an online war against Scientology.
Moreover, I also found an apparent scanned version of the first page of the story, handwritten by Hubbard himself.
South park also released an episode about Scientology.
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