I posted this to a thread that then died (probably killed by this very post
), but the way I see it is that Marty Rathbun absolutely wants to take over the "Church," and there's reasonable evidence to support it:
Whilst he clearly wants to avoid prosecution, I don't believe that he's fearful of it, I think he's too arrogant for that. What he really fears is irreparable damage being done to the CofS itself (and no doubt it's bank accounts too).
There can only be one plausible reason for this...
[Because of how busy things are atm, I'm not gonna waste time looking for the direct links, so I'll just link to one very telling post. Other people will likely remember most of the other stuff anyway.]
[In (very) rough chronological order.]
- Larry Brennan posts in a casual response to someone on WWP (I think), about having been approached by a group of people looking to stage a coup, and take back the Church. His response was that he had no interest, as in his opinion there was nothing worth saving. It *may well* not have been Marty and co., as Larry didn't say, but I'd say there's a more than even chance that it was.
- Marty enters the scene on ESMB, emphasising that he WON'T be speaking to the FBI.
- "T. Paine" [who the CofS claims is Marty, (no idea either way, though the style of writing's certainly VERY similar; at the very least it's undoubtedly "Marty Approved")] posts the following Message to OT's :
- When praising various people on his blog (I think some of the new "Independents,") one of the things that he specifically praised at least one of them for, was not going to the authorities/enemies of the Church at a time when many others might.
- Oh yup, and then obviously the recent "Noise" blog post, and his subsequent refusal to be specific about the people he was clearly referring to.
Lots more instances, but I'm sure ya get ma drift.
Any damage he does cause, I think in his mind, is simply a necessary evil to discredit DM, increase dissent within the Church (dissent that he no doubt hopes will bolster his "independent movement,") whilst in the medium term, building a degree of credibility with the SO. [What current SOrger is not gonna be quietly pleased to know that Marty assisted the Headley's in obtaining full and proper compensation for their work?]
Based on everything I've seen, I think that Marty's idealised plan, was/is to create a strong external Scientology movement (preferably with celeb endorsement), pressure key financial supporters of the "Church" to join his side, and create a situation sufficient that he's able to offer DM an "offer he can't refuse": a quiet retirement abroad (no doubt with a well laden golden parachute), or face certain criminal prosecution. [I think this is the ONLY circumstance in which he'd choose to see DM prosecuted.]
[ALL of the above is based on public comments made either by Marty himself, or his closest supporters.]
FWIW, when I first saw the SP Times vidz, whilst I was convinced that he wanted to take over the Church. I was also willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and actively argued for a bit of tolerance for him on WWP.
However, the only way I can seem changing now, is if external forces cause some dramatic change.
Having said all that, I don't see any reason to attack him either. It's certain that he will at least pull some people out of the "Church," will (hopefully) maintain his commitment to assist the Headley's in court, and is definitely a MAJOR thorn in DM's side. There are also a couple of things that would stop him dead in his tracks in the unlikely event that his plan was ever successful.
My personal hope is that what Geir is doing will lay the groundwork for the future of Scientology (the subject), as I think that he's a genuinely decent person, with no ulterior motives, who would never support the kind of criminality that's defined the CofS to date. [Yes, I know he's not a leader, nor probably wants to be one, but if his board is successful, then his attitudes, integrity, and general aims will inevitably help set the tone for what follows.]