chriscal12
New Member
First of all, I was never in Scientology. I have some friends who are dedicated public scientologists, but that is the extent of my personal involvement.
Thank you all for the work you have done in speaking and writing about church abuses. I have always been interested in the history of the church, but in the past few months I have become much more captivated by the story.
I have been reading more and doing research, and I have made a list of questions I am interested in, but have not seen answered. If anyone here would like to share some of their memories and insights, even if only to address one or two of these questions, I would be very grateful : )
Here are my questions:
1. In 1999 Modern Library published a public poll of the 100 greatest novels of the 20th century, as well as a list of the 100 greatest nonfiction books of the 20th century (They also released similar lists from their editorial staff, but those were separate). The top ten of the novels list included three Hubbard novels, and the top ten of the nonfiction list featured Dianetics. As far as you know, was the Church of Scientology involved in any kind of “vote bombing” campaign, or did this represent genuine popularity?
2. I know that David Miscavige directed people to lie to the media about his own physical abuse, but how would he actually phrase this behind closed doors? Would he ever acknowledge that he was asking people to lie? Would he acknowledge in private that he had attacked people. Or did he create an atmosphere, even behind the scenes, that these allegations were untrue?
3. Related to the above, how did other staff members who knew about Miscavige’s abuse talk about it when he was not around? Was it the kind of thing that you just did not talk about with each other, or was there private complaining?
4. I know that Ron Miscavige Sr. escaped and is allegedly writing an expose. And I know that Tommy Davis and Jessica Feshbach have (possibly) routed out, but have not spoken against the church. Besides these people, who would you guess will be the next two or three high profile scientologists to leave and speak out?
5. A few questions about South Park: What was the reaction inside the church when the Trapped in the Closet episode aired in November 2005? Were Matt Stone and Trey Parker ever sued, investigated, or harassed? Was Isaac Hayes pressured to leave the show by the church, or was that all his decision? And as far as you know, is there any truth to the claim that Tom Cruise, “threatened to back out of his promotional obligations for the Paramount Pictures film Mission: Impossible III if Viacom, the owner of both Comedy Central and Paramount, allowed a repeat of the episode to air.” (Wikipedia)?
6. Do you know anything about the Church’s battle with Wikipedia? Was Miscavige heavily involved planning the “edit wars”? What was his general reaction to the advent of Wikipedia?
7. Do you believe that Heber Jentzsch or Shelley Miscavige (or any other officials in their positions) are being held against their will? That is, are they in something more like a “prison of belief” or a literal prison?
8. In a Surviving Scientology Radio Podcast, Claire Headley claimed that Shelley Miscavige was at one time afraid that Dave Miscavige was going to blow. Do you know anything about that? Was there ever a time when it seemed to you like Dave wanted out?
9. When I picture a typical wealthy and hierarchical organization, I picture a large mass of followers/employees/subjects on the bottom, and a small class of rich and privileged elites at the top. In contrast, the picture I have of the Church of Scientology is a large mass of followers on the bottom, and literally one rich and privileged person at the top. Am I right in thinking that David Miscavige is the only person in upper Scientology management who lives a life of luxury? Not counting external contractors, such as church lawyers and such, do any other high level scientology officials live the good life, or is it just Dave?
10. What do you think of some of L. Ron Hubbard Jr.’s more outlandish claims, such as that LRH believed he was Satan, was importing drugs with the help of organized crime, was selling secrets to the KGB, and at one time planned to procure an atomic bomb?
Thanks to anyone who feels like weighing in on these questions!
Thank you all for the work you have done in speaking and writing about church abuses. I have always been interested in the history of the church, but in the past few months I have become much more captivated by the story.
I have been reading more and doing research, and I have made a list of questions I am interested in, but have not seen answered. If anyone here would like to share some of their memories and insights, even if only to address one or two of these questions, I would be very grateful : )
Here are my questions:
1. In 1999 Modern Library published a public poll of the 100 greatest novels of the 20th century, as well as a list of the 100 greatest nonfiction books of the 20th century (They also released similar lists from their editorial staff, but those were separate). The top ten of the novels list included three Hubbard novels, and the top ten of the nonfiction list featured Dianetics. As far as you know, was the Church of Scientology involved in any kind of “vote bombing” campaign, or did this represent genuine popularity?
2. I know that David Miscavige directed people to lie to the media about his own physical abuse, but how would he actually phrase this behind closed doors? Would he ever acknowledge that he was asking people to lie? Would he acknowledge in private that he had attacked people. Or did he create an atmosphere, even behind the scenes, that these allegations were untrue?
3. Related to the above, how did other staff members who knew about Miscavige’s abuse talk about it when he was not around? Was it the kind of thing that you just did not talk about with each other, or was there private complaining?
4. I know that Ron Miscavige Sr. escaped and is allegedly writing an expose. And I know that Tommy Davis and Jessica Feshbach have (possibly) routed out, but have not spoken against the church. Besides these people, who would you guess will be the next two or three high profile scientologists to leave and speak out?
5. A few questions about South Park: What was the reaction inside the church when the Trapped in the Closet episode aired in November 2005? Were Matt Stone and Trey Parker ever sued, investigated, or harassed? Was Isaac Hayes pressured to leave the show by the church, or was that all his decision? And as far as you know, is there any truth to the claim that Tom Cruise, “threatened to back out of his promotional obligations for the Paramount Pictures film Mission: Impossible III if Viacom, the owner of both Comedy Central and Paramount, allowed a repeat of the episode to air.” (Wikipedia)?
6. Do you know anything about the Church’s battle with Wikipedia? Was Miscavige heavily involved planning the “edit wars”? What was his general reaction to the advent of Wikipedia?
7. Do you believe that Heber Jentzsch or Shelley Miscavige (or any other officials in their positions) are being held against their will? That is, are they in something more like a “prison of belief” or a literal prison?
8. In a Surviving Scientology Radio Podcast, Claire Headley claimed that Shelley Miscavige was at one time afraid that Dave Miscavige was going to blow. Do you know anything about that? Was there ever a time when it seemed to you like Dave wanted out?
9. When I picture a typical wealthy and hierarchical organization, I picture a large mass of followers/employees/subjects on the bottom, and a small class of rich and privileged elites at the top. In contrast, the picture I have of the Church of Scientology is a large mass of followers on the bottom, and literally one rich and privileged person at the top. Am I right in thinking that David Miscavige is the only person in upper Scientology management who lives a life of luxury? Not counting external contractors, such as church lawyers and such, do any other high level scientology officials live the good life, or is it just Dave?
10. What do you think of some of L. Ron Hubbard Jr.’s more outlandish claims, such as that LRH believed he was Satan, was importing drugs with the help of organized crime, was selling secrets to the KGB, and at one time planned to procure an atomic bomb?
Thanks to anyone who feels like weighing in on these questions!
Last edited: