The FBI is Investigating Scientology
UPDATED WITH ARTICLE: The New Yorker article, a profile of Paul Haggis, has been posted onto their website. Online, Haggis came across an appearance that Davis had made on CNN, in May, 2008. The anchor John Roberts asked Davis about the church’s policy of “disconnection,” in which members are encouraged to separate themselves from friends or family members who criticize Scientology. Davis responded, “There’s no such thing as disconnection as you’re characterizing it. And certainly we have to understand—” “Well, what is disconnection?” Roberts interjected. “Scientology is a new religion,” Davis continued. “The majority of Scientologists in the world, they’re first generation. So their ...
Panorama: Secrets of Scientology
John Sweeney's follow-up to "Scientology and Me" features the involvement of Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, Larry Anderson, Jason Beghe, Amy Scobee and Marc & Claire Headley. Sweeney gets a full hour to put together one of the best broadcasts on the subject in years. The audience for the broadcast was huge. Nearly 5 million people watched the show as it aired live on the BBC. Millions more will see it online. The New Statesmen called it "a bad day for Scientology." Anons are buzzing about it over at Why We Protest.
Fund a Feature Documentary
UPDATE: Tuesday October 26, 2010 I've released a new video about phase two of the fund raising.
Mike Rinder Speaks Out
Mike Rinder's first on camera interview since leaving Scientology aired on Australia's Today Tonight program with reporter Bryan Seymour.
Scientology Attacks Anderson Cooper
UPDATED WITH INSANE SCIENTOLOGY VIDEO Scientology responds to a blistering week of broadcasts that exposed David Miscavige's brutal reign by printing and distributing a new issue of Freedom Magazine, their in-house attack dog publication. If Scientology is really a good guy and CNN had it all wrong, why does it take Scientology's own propaganda arm to set the record straight? Why aren't others stepping forward? Scientologist passing out Freedom Magazine at CNN's L.A. headquarters. Scientology is already losing the war on truth. You see, I can do something Scientology can not. I can give you the link to Scientology's Freedom Magazine report...and the links ...
Australian Charities Commission is Bad News for Scientology
UPDATE: September 7, 2010 Senator Xenophon's year-long quest for justice for the victim's of corporate Scientology is paying off. The Australian Senate gave bipartisan support to the creation of a Charities Commission which would determine if a group such as Scientology does more harm than good. Are they truly charitable? Do they benefit society? Are they worthy of getting a tax break from the Australian government? The commission would ensure charitable and religious organisations were open and transparent. They would also need to be able to prove they deserved a charitable status. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has welcomed bipartisan support for the commission, saying ...
Human Trafficking Press Conference
I had the great honor of moderating a press conference on Scientology's abuse of staff and Sea Org members. The event was held in the Steve Allen Theater at the CFI-West and was widely attended by local and international media. We had six terrific speakers whose stories are heartbreaking and in many instances horrifying. My introductory comments and speaker Marc Headley: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKtfNf-2Zyc[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn-4G4T8wHo[/youtube] Jeff Hawkins: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6E1bjaoCuk[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9PsZnjcPZ8[/youtube] Laura Decrescenzo: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znti7gITZpg[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC8-YulbrA8[/youtube] Will Fry: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y29iUN__490[/youtube] Maureen Bolstad: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrazhaNR5Xg[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpAbLLi9vvs[/youtube] Nancy Many: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKlk0EyuEog[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5TubYLomzY[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IFelzYrXLE[/youtube] There are two Q & A segments yet to come. I ended by reading letters from two mothers whose daughters have disconnected from them. The first is to Mandy Kember from her mother Susan Talbot. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnFQ4UmDGp4[/youtube] The ...
Orientation Star Demands his Money Back — on Tape
The St. Petersburg Times continues their explosive coverage of Scientology with today's story about celebrity Larry Anderson departing Scientology and asking for the return money he had in his account: If you watched TV in the past three decades, you probably saw Larry Anderson. He appeared on more than 30 shows, including Charlie's Angels, Mork and Mindy, Desperate Housewives and Mad Men. He hosted three game shows and had bit parts in eight movies. He got lots of parts but isn't well known. Except to Scientologists. Anderson starred in the Church of Scientology's 1996 film Orientation, a 40-minute promotion central to church recruiting ...
Marc Headley on Coast to Coast AM
Marc Headley appeared on the popular nationwide radio show Coast to Coast AM to talk about his new book and his experiences in Scientology. This is one of the most popular radio shows on the AM dial and Marc got to appear for three hours. I'm in the process of reading Marc's terrific book. I have to agree with the host of this show, Ian Punnett, and Village Voice editor Tony Ortega. This is a very well written book, filled with fascinating details. Headley-C2C-11-14-09 Pt1 Headley-C2C-11-14-09 Pt2 Headley-C2C-11-14-09 Pt3
My Billion Year Contract
Nancy Many's new book is available for purchase. Nancy Many was a college student in Boston when she frst wandered into a Scientology offce. That was the beginning of the end of independence and freedom, as she knew it. After 27 years of service at all levels of Scientology’s Sea Organization, Nancy left the group, and now works to help others who have been victimized, and to expose the abuse and crimes of her former group. Nancy lives in Los Angeles with her family. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpE032GhoPE[/youtube]
Oscar Winner Paul Haggis Leaves Scientology
It's a story that I believe was first reported by Marty Rathbun. He has been posting excerpts from Paul Haggis' letter to Tommy Davis over the past couple weeks and revealed Haggis as the author a few days ago. Now the story has been picked up by Gawker and Radar among others. Haggis very publicly resigned from Scientology over the group's support of Proposition 8 during the last election in California. But he also cites the abusive actions of David Miscavige as being a large contributing factor. Tommy, As you know, for ten months now I have been writing to ...
Nightline Takes on Slappy Miscavige
ABC's Nightline has done a two-part report based on the amazing St. Pete Times articles about David Miscavige's physical and mental abuse of Scientology staff. What I don't understand is, how come the self-published "Miscavige is great" issue of Freedom Magazine didn't handle the flap? Who is to blame, Slappy? Who will you lash out at this time? Here's the first day's report: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYGX-nM5vBM[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs7bxL0Bqro[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePrAlaa9-Fk[/youtube] Day Two centered on Scientology's celebrities: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVQ0X71ZOh4[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N4uyQ5E6KQ[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjKfR_MDHTY[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dq6ouHkcFY[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ORIkltnnGs[/youtube] Tommy Davis has the "storming out of an interview" tech down pat. Way to show Scientology's commitment to communication, Mr. PR Guy. If you'd just like to see Tommy Davis storm out, ...
The Truth Rundown
The St. Petersberg Times has run one of the most important series of articles on Scientology in years. David Miscavige was put squarely in the target of former top executives Marty Rathbun and Mike Rinder who have spilled the beans on the inner circles bizarre behavior.
The Empire Slaps Back
Just at the St. Petersburg Times ran their followup piece to the damning articles accusing Scientology's diminutive leader David Miscavige of physically and psychologically abusing his staff, Miscavige ordered that a new issue of their own rag, Freedom Magazine, be produced to paint him as a saint and a peacemaker. “IT IS HUBBARD, AFTER ALL, WHOSE WORDS MISCAVIGE will heed as he tries to improve Scientology's standing in Clearwater and around the world. Ten of them are inscribed on his boardroom wall: 'Ideas and not battles mark the forward progress of mankind.'” With these words, S.P. Times reporter Tom Tobin closed his ...
Latest News
Riverside County Protest Ban Update
Supervisor Jeff Stone offered some changes to the protest ban he put into place at the behest of Scientology. If you didn’t follow this story, a good way to get up to speed on the subject is to watch “Jeff Stone’s Changing Story.” With the New Yorker article still fresh, I decided it would be a good time to bring up the... [Read more of this review]
The FBI is Investigating Scientology
UPDATED WITH ARTICLE: The New Yorker article, a profile of Paul Haggis, has been posted onto their website. Online, Haggis came across an appearance that Davis had made on CNN, in May, 2008. The anchor John Roberts asked Davis about the church’s policy of “disconnection,” in which members are encouraged to separate themselves from friends or... [Read more of this review]
Matching Donation Challenge for my Documentary
For the next seven days, an Anonymous donor will match your donation to my film dollar for dollar to a limit of $5000. Help get this film made by making a donation at IndieGoGo.com. Thanks! [Read more of this review] Read More →
Fair Game Attack on Tory Christman Exposed
Marty Rathbun posted this remarkable inside look at the lengths Scientology went to in their attempts to silence Tory Christman, including a black op (quoted below) to get her fired from her job. This program reads exactly like a Fair Game attack that would have been created by the Guardian’s Office under Hubbard back in the 70′s. 9. Get... [Read more of this review]
First Day of Filming
On Friday, November 19th, I started shooting my feature film about Scientology. We tested the use of a Canon EOS 5D Mark II with our first interview subject. Steve Hassan spoke about control issues in Scientology and how loved ones can reach a family member inside an insulated group like Scientology. Steve is the author of two critically acclaimed... [Read more of this review]
Tory Christman and Steve Hassan
Steve and Tory sat down and shot a video conversation which Steve put up on Vimeo. Tory was in Scientology for 30 years before publicly leaving the group back in 2000. Steve Hassan is the author of two critically acclaimed books – Combatting Cult Mind Control: The #1 Best-selling Guide to Protection, Rescue, and Recovery from Destructive Cults... [Read more of this review]
Tarnishing Camelot
Scientologists John and Irina Mappin and their artist buddy Ted Stourton managed to take a historic castle, rename it Camelot and turn it into a tourist trap that promotes Scientology. The BBC’s Inside Out South West took a look at the many complaints visitors and locals have made about the hotel. Here’s the hotel’s promotional... [Read more of this review]
Get Nat Out
Tony Leigh from the UK, who had been trying to get his daughter Becky out of Scientology, was contacted by another mother who asked him to help them get their daughter Natalie out. Here is some info from the YouTube video description: I have been contacted and asked by a Mother from London called Silene to put this video together on her behalf and... [Read more of this review]
Scientology Takes a Shine to Me
While filming my latest video out at Gold, the Scientologist in the guard shack pulled aside the shade in his window to point something in my direction — something that shined brightly on my camera lens. I didn’t catch it until I came home and looked at the video on my computer. It has become a major focus of discussion of YouTube and... [Read more of this review]
Fund a Feature Documentary
UPDATE: Tuesday October 26, 2010 I’ve released a new video about phase two of the fund raising. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Panorama: Secrets of Scientology
John Sweeney’s follow-up to “Scientology and Me” features the involvement of Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, Larry Anderson, Jason Beghe, Amy Scobee and Marc & Claire Headley. Sweeney gets a full hour to put together one of the best broadcasts on the subject in years. The audience for the broadcast was huge. Nearly 5 million... [Read more of this review]
Scientologists Lose Their Stupid Tweet Complaint
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 29,2010 John Dixon has had his Scientology-filed complaint tossed out. A COUNCILLOR hauled before a disciplinary hearing after calling the Church of Scientology “stupid” in a post on the Twitter website has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Cardiff Council’s Standards and Ethics Committee decided there was no evidence that Councillor... [Read more of this review]
The Return of John Sweeney
The BBC has announced an airdate for the followup of John Sweeney’s popular Panorama episode, “Scientology and Me.” Catch the fun on September 28th as Scientology tails Sweeney everywhere he goes, making them look less like a religion and more like a paranoid cult with secrets to hide. Well you can’t hide them anymore because... [Read more of this review]
Australian Charities Commission is Bad News for Scientology
UPDATE: September 7, 2010 Senator Xenophon’s year-long quest for justice for the victim’s of corporate Scientology is paying off. The Australian Senate gave bipartisan support to the creation of a Charities Commission which would determine if a group such as Scientology does more harm than good. Are they truly charitable? Do they... [Read more of this review]
Counterfeit Dreams
Jeff Hawkins has a new book out and according to Tony Ortega at the Village Voice, it is a doozy. Last year’s killer I-escaped-from-Scientology narrative was put out by Marc Headley. His Blown for Good made for a gripping read, about a low-level grunt who spent years at Scientology’s secret HQ in the California desert until he finally made... [Read more of this review]
Ida Camburn Has Passed
Graham Berry sent out the sad news that Ida died yesterday. She was a fierce opponent of Scientology for decades, having lost her son to the group. She was involved in the earliest stages of speaking out about Scientology’s fraud and abuse and never stopped sending out letters to politicians like Congressman Leo J. Ryan who lost his life helping... [Read more of this review]
Stanley Kubrick’s Family Torn Apart by Disconnection
The UK Guardian has just published an important article revealing for the first time the destruction of Stanley Kubrick’s family by Scientology. The revelation now makes film icon Kubrick the most prominent celebrity upon whom Scientology has inflicted irreparable damage. At an open-air screening of Stanley Kubrick’s film Paths of Glory.... [Read more of this review]
Mike Rinder Speaks Out
Mike Rinder’s first on camera interview since leaving Scientology aired on Australia’s Today Tonight program with reporter Bryan Seymour. [Read more of this review] Read More →
Scientology Attacks Anderson Cooper
UPDATED WITH INSANE SCIENTOLOGY VIDEO Scientology responds to a blistering week of broadcasts that exposed David Miscavige’s brutal reign by printing and distributing a new issue of Freedom Magazine, their in-house attack dog publication. If Scientology is really a good guy and CNN had it all wrong, why does it take Scientology’s own propaganda arm... [Read more of this review]
DC Schools Promoting Scientology Front Group
Scientology’s Applied Scholastics gets federal funds for tutoring kids in the D.C. area. [Read more of this review] Read More →
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My Favorites
Scientology and the Clearwater Police
Clearwater police officers accepted off-duty jobs from Scientology in 2000-2001,...
Magoo: Dancing in Boston
Just days after Tory Christman left Scientology, she joined Bob Minton and Stacy...
The Revenge Picket
Scientology sent two people to picket my home in L.A. on the day following L. Ron...
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Mark's Vlog
The Mad Picket on DVD
My latest DVD features audio commentaries and a special video introduction. Read More →
Happy Valentine’s Day
Heather and I announce our engagement…on YouTube, of course. Read More →
Big Clanking Balls
Australian Senator Nick Xenophon calls Scientology a criminal organization, Marc...
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