This is a reversion to the original 'Gummint Stealing The Tech' conspiracy theory, especially, since it implies that the 'lack of OTs' is due to the deliberate interference by 'outsiders' (in this case, the IRS), and, not some inherent problem with the 'Tech' itself. However, it does touch base with one theory that is slightly less preposterous; i.e., that the 'lawyers' (or other non-Scientologists) are running things. So, Bjorkist is right; that is one 'theory' that is not covered by the 'Gummint running Co$' or even 'Co$ running the Gummint' gambit.
So, let's look at that one. 'The Lawyers Are Running the Church'. (Lawyers can stand proxy for any group of 'outsiders.)
Especially from LRH days, there are intriguing hints of something like this, since Norton Karno, who was LRH's attorney, had very intimate knowledge of and influence on the organization of the 'Church', and, there is no indication that Karno is himself a Scientologist.
But let's look at this. The premise is that some non-Scientologist cabal (lawyers or otherwise) is running things, and, the question becomes 'Why?'
Unlike the 'Goverment' theories, where either the exploitation or suppression of 'The Tech' is the essential core motive, this theory *does* allow for a more mundane 'purpose'; Money. The 'lawyers' are running the 'Church' as a cash cow. Does this make sense?
It could, so, it's not as easy to dismiss out of hand. And, the 'Church' organization is so deliberately convoluted, incestuous and obfuscated that 'Follow the Money' becomes a pipe dream. (Although, some are begging to find some of the threads.)
On the one hand, there's a theory popular among some critics that 'The Church is Going Broke'. It seems naive to me, in that, while there is plenty of evidence for falling GI from the Orgs and even Books/Tape sales, it ignores decades of magically disappearing money that has gone 'uplines'. That fortune is itself a money-maker, and it would be silly to think that it's not invested so that its income far surpasses the 'official' income from courses and other sales.
Superficially at least, it does suggest that 'running the Church' could be a tempting target for greedy 'outsiders', even ignoring the dubious magical 'Tech' benefits. But, there are problems with the theory too. I have no evidence either way. Nor am I likely to see any. Nor are any of us, because it's *impossible* for us to track 'black money', except peripherally. We don't have subpoena power, or any way to get at the 'real books' or trace the hidden bank accounts or ownerships that almost certainly exist. Someday forensic accountants may be able to pick over the carcass of the 'Church' and shed some light on it, but, it's not impossible that *nobody* actually knows how much is where.
So, it's interesting speculation; but, not something we're going to get 'clarity' on anytime soon.
But, we can reasonably evaluate the theory inductively, even if the actual money trail is invisible (to us.)
So, assuming we had a group of 'outsiders' who were running things; not for the gnarly 'OT Powerz' but purely for The Money. They would be interested not in the 'purity' of The Tech, but solely in cash. They would be attempting to maximize profit; not 'Clear the Planet'.
Sounds plausible, even given the sorry state of cashflow from the 'orgs' etc., since the already stashed fortune would itself be generating income. *But*, ownership of Scientology is a double-edged sword. There may be wealth, but, there is *also* a huge liability, especially criminal liability. Anyone profitting from the 'Church' is also complicit in decades of illegality, money laundering, corruption, racketeering, barratry, harrassment, fraud and extortion. That's not even counting the positively *huge* civil liability inherent in the defrauded membership.
If I Ran The Zoo; if I were a non-Scientologist only interested in raking in the cash with minimum exposure, I would want a time machine, and then, I would go back and cancel the 90s. The public exposure of the 'Church' during that period would have daunted any *sane* person. The attacks against 'outsiders', the internet, 'copyright terrorists', reporters etc. make actual criminal investigation and even prosecution almost inevitable. A *sane* outsider, running the 'Church' for reasons of greed would be:
Divesting divesting divesting. Get rid of the orgs; they are not (or barely) paying for themselves. Get rid of the 'public'; holding on to them requires levels of extortion (see Disconnection etc.) that are bound to cause 'flaps'. Get rid of the Sea Org; it's a blow up just waiting to happen. Get rid of Narconon, Criminon and ABLE in general. There is no sane hope of actually 'Clearing the Planet', so, there is no point to *expanding* Scientology into 'wog' society. It's just putting the pseudopod in the fire.
A sane outsider would be closing all 'bases'; closing the 'vaults'; immediately ceasing any public promulgation or attempts to 'safepoint' the organization itself, because the organization is a *liability*. An outsider would *not* be bound to the dogma of 'always attack', which has done so much to expose the 'Church'. An outsider would shudder at the Tom Cruises and Kirsty Alleys; at the Narconon 'infiltrations' and the 'Way to Happiness' pushes.
An outsider's interest would be in saving as much as possible, and laundering as much as can be laundered *before* the crunch comes. His interest would be in distancing himself from all crimes and hunkering down and trying to get curious eyes off the process until it was sanitized; not in committing *more* crimes or 'booming' the orgs.
On the other hand, a 'True Believer' would be deeply emotionally committed to 'Clearing the Planet' by any means necessary.
Which is happening?
Zinj