Posted on 02/11/2019 7:17:28 AM PST by rktman
The public face of the Church of Scientology is benevolent.
For decades the church has enjoyed the razzle-dazzle of its celebrity members and high-profile spokespeople, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
But beneath the glamour and celebrity is a veil of secrecy, with disturbing cult-like practices and serious allegations of violence, abuse and even claims of holding people prisoner.
60 Minutes travelled to Scientology’s California HQ – the ‘Gold Base’ just outside of LA – where reporter Tara Brown went looking for answers on Shelly Miscavige’s disappearance – but instead, 60 Minutes cameras were met with hostility and an angry attack from Scientology representatives, who refused to identify themselves.
“You’re creating threats against very innocent wonderful people but you won’t even bother to contact the Church of Scientology media relations,” the unnamed woman says in a fiery confrontation with the 60 Minutes cameras.
(Excerpt) Read more at 9news.com.au ...
I think the Scientologists getting off the German “forbidden” list coincided with the filming of Cruise’s film “Operation Valkyrie”.
Cruise as Claus von Stauffenberg - What Joke! I couldn’t watch the film because I could not tolerate the idea of Cruise as Stauffenberg!
Ping.
How about as Jack Reacher? In the books, Reacher is 6+ feet and over 200 lbs. and cruise, not so much.
If the IRS lost in court they also would have lost the power to decide. So to keep their power (as you said, “some group of people, some board of supervisors” - them!) they agreed to accept Scientology rather than risk losing the power to decide it and others via a court decision.
I saw Cruise with Kidman in London crossing a street with their “posse”. I knew he wasn’t a big guy but seeing him up close (10 - 15 yards away .. maybe?). Physically imposing were not words to be used!
Not a ding dong one of the Scientology critics here have read any actual source material from the Chrcrh. You guys take your second hand opinions mighty seriously. Kinda like letting other people do your thinking for you. Here’s a thought - why not come to a decision based upon your own independent research. Didn’t think conservatives were such herd animals. Must be from the school of fish school.
Obviously you don’t watch the Leah Remini program or you would know exactly how they got “tax exempt status. Relentless (10 years worth) of intimidation and harassment of IRS personnel.
It’s what they do.
You really need to escape that cult.
“I could not tolerate the idea of Cruise as Stauffenberg”
How he gets a lot of his parts is puzzling. He just doesn’t fit the tough guy mold to me. A stock car driver? Really?
That is, if the IRS, FBI, DOJ, et al want you damaged, compromised and/or imprisoned, they have it entirely within their power to do so ie fabricating evidence, perjury traps, obstruction of justice, etc. They also, as we've witnessed firsthand, have no compunction about engaging wet works in situations which they consider a threat to their power.
I find it interesting that you seem to believe that the CoS - on any group for that matter - has more power than the IRS. On the contrary, as was noted above by a previous poster, there's no reason to die on the hill of deciding what is or isn't a religion, and taking a chance a court reversal would cause them to lose that power forever.
So, we're left with entertainers discovering - yet again - that's there's an audience for the "big reveal". The breathless expose, the appeal to incredulity that such an organization could exist - in American! - without any protection for the innocent people trapped in a cult.
Hey, it's always been this way. LDS 'bishops' used to kidnap young teenage girls, promptly marry them to each other, and it was all perfectly legal. J Smith was a genius for creating a legal rape religion - basically copying Islam - in appeal to get as many adherents as possible.
Same danger to the general public, same need to protect oneself and their families from predation. Same old, same old.
“How about as Jack Reacher? In the books, Reacher is 6+ feet and over 200 lbs. and cruise, not so much.”
Same has been said about William Dafoe playing “Clark” in the movie “Clear and Present Danger”
Remember the TV series called “The Prisoner”?
It became a model for the Scientologists ...
Over the forty some yrs I have known about Sceintology, not much has changed over that period of time.
Tell us, have you achieved the state of "Clear" yet?
Wiki: In dianetics and Scientology, Clear is one of the major states practitioners strive to reach on their way up the Bridge to Total Freedom. The state of Clear is reached when a person becomes free of the influence of engrams, unwanted emotions or painful traumas not readily available to the conscious mind.
Outstanding series with a lot of courage.
Maybe you didn’t read the “correct” literature. LOL! First thing that should be a clue is the 5 million year contract. If someone thinks that’s okee dokee, carry on. Then you add in the psycho-babble as you quoted from wiki. Yeah, okay.
I was clear after 2 years and then I saw things so clearly I left the cult. It’s a money making scheme and now they have millions in RE investment, most of the buildings are vacant.
How was her father in law allowed to leave after 42 years without “disappearing”? You would think he would know a lot as well.
Cruise movies grossed over 4 billion. He can probably make any movie he wants. Adjusted for inflation 6.7 billion.
Seen this thread?
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