The Church boasts eleven million square feet of property around the world worth millions if not billions of dollars. It hasn’t said how much money it’s got; it’s clear the Church is worth a bob or two. And it’s pushing for more. More churches, more buildings, more funds to be raised. It’s also a Church that has an aggressive attitude to outsiders. In 2007 I set out to investigate the Church but the programme became about the extraordinary lengths the Church would go to try and stop me. One of the main charges: that it spies on people who dare to scrutinise it. ibid.
John Sweeney: Was I being paranoid?
Mike Rinter: No. You were being followed. ibid.
Unlike other religions the Church of Scientology fiercely copyrights its scriptures and legally protects its practices. And that includes Auditing, the core of the faith. First, you have to connect yourself to an E-Meter. Probed by the E-Meter Scientologists unlock what’s wrong deep in their minds so that they can trace and banish negative influences from present and past lives. ibid.
Scientologists are obsessed with the mind, and that includes drills to change behaviour. ibid.
Back in 2007 I had faced days of pressure from the Church. Then they took me to their Industry of Death exhibition. One of the beliefs of the Church is that psychiatry is evil, damaging humanity around the world. For ninety minutes I had a tour through madness. ibid.
Around the world the Church craves respectability. In Britain the Charity Commission doesn’t recognise it as a religion, but it’s won concessions as a not-for-profit educational organisation including tax rebates and rates relief worth millions. ibid.
Back in 1984 a judge called it exactly that: a cult. Ruling on a child custody battle [Re B and G (Minors) (Custody) Family Division 20 June – 5-23 July 1984] the judge [Latey] said that the Church of Scientology was corrupt, sinister and dangerous, out to capture people and to brainwash them. ibid.
Leaving is not easy. In order to go, you face weeks of procedures, signed statements praising the Church and can be handed a bill which could run into thousands and thousands of pounds. ibid.
Scientology features a series of steps called Operating Thetan levels – OTs. And for each OT level you have to cough up. The critics say that makes it a pay-as-you-go religion. ibid.
At the heart of Scientology is this secret: only revealed when you’ve paid enough to reach Operating Thetan Level III. They call it the Wall of Fire ... It is L Ron’s belief that humanity is infected by spirits of dead space aliens banished to earth by an intergalactic Warlord – Lord Xenu. ibid.
For people who accuse the Church of being a cult, the most damaging charge is that it splits families apart: mothers from daughters, fathers from sons. ibid.
More than anything else the Church of Scientology craves respectability. It strives to get that by a property portfolio and celebrity endorsement. ibid.
Scientology: The Cult of Greed. Time magazine front cover April 1991
I just don’t see why something which has such a good intention is so persecuted. John Travolta
Scientology: one of the most controversial religions of our times. 20/20 A Misunderstood Religion or a Predatory Cult? ABC 20 December 1998
These celebrities have become Scientology’s best salespeople. ibid.
At the centre of an auditing is a device called an E-meter. ibid.
Some critics have called Auditing a money-making scheme. ibid.
When you call the Cult Awareness Network a Scientologist answers the phone. ibid.
I don’t think Scientology teachings are at all relevant. In fact I think they could lead people away from treatment. Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive, Mental Health Foundation
I knew as I was walking out of this building that was the last time that I would ever talk to my wife, it was the last time I would ever talk to my children, it was the last time I would ever talk to the rest of my family. Mike Rinder
The Church today doesn’t really resemble the Church that I knew when I was growing up. Mike Rinder
They live an unhappy life; it’s not a happy existence at all. Mike Rinder
The technique is to push your buttons. People have emotional buttons; they have things that set them off, and they study you for that. And watch you very carefully. Marty Rathbun, former Inspector General, Church of Scientology
Scientology is one of the world’s most mysterious and controversial organisations ... Marty Rathbun, a senior member of the church, has escaped ... He has become a rallying point for other dissidents around the world. Scientologists at War, Channel 4 2013
Marty joined the church’s elite sea organisation. ibid.
He must go through a number of stages that can cost thousands of dollars and take many years. ibid.
His blog about independent Scientology took off. ibid.
The Squirrel busters have descended on Marty’s seaside town. ibid.
The Office of Special Affairs – the propaganda and dirty tricks arm of the Church of Scientology. ibid.
Scientologists who had come out of their group have reported the highest incidents of suicidal and self-destructive tendencies afterward. Jim Siegelman, cult specialist
They just love-bomb the shit out of ya. And it’s sincere. Jason Beghe, actor
The worst because it’s the biggest and it’s got more money ... It should be stopped. Cyril Vosper, deprogrammer
I have high hopes of smashing my name into history so violently that it will take a legendary form even if all books are destroyed. L Ron Hubbard, letter to wife Polly 1938
You don’t get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion. L Ron Hubbard, attributed
Scientology is the only specific (cure) for radiation (atomic bomb) burns. L Ron Hubbard, All About Radiation p109
The only way you can control people is to lie to them. You can write that down in your book in great big letters. The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them. L Ron Hubbard
Scientology ... is not a religion. L Ron Hubbard, The Creation of Human Ability 1954
People attack Scientology, I never forget it, always even the score. People attack auditors, or staff, or organizations, or me. I never forget until the slate is clear. L Ron Hubbard, Manual of Justice 1959
Man is sick and nations have gone mad. L Ron Hubbard
The creation of Dianetics is a milestone for Man comparable to his discovery of fire and superior to his inventions of the wheel and the arch. L Ron Hubbard, Dianetics opening line, 1950
There is no more ethical group on this planet than ourselves. L Ron Hubbard
When somebody enrols, consider he or she has joined up for the duration of the universe – never permit an ‘open-minded’ approach ... If they enrolled, they’re aboard, and if they’re aboard, they’re here on the same terms as the rest of us – win or die in the attempt. Never let them be half minded about being Scientologists ... When Mrs Pattycake comes to us to be taught, turn that wandering doubt in her eye into a fixed, dedicated glare ... The proper instruction attitude is, ‘We’d rather have you dead than incapable’. L Ron Hubbard
This is the correct procedure: Spot who is attacking us. Start investigating them promptly for felonies or worse using our own professionals, not outside agencies. Double curve our reply by saying we welcome an investigation of them. L Ron Hubbard, Attacks on Scientology February 1966
Make money. Make more money. Make other people produce so as to make more money. L Ron Hubbard, Principles of Money Management, March 1972