Since his infamous video denouncing his former faith of Scientology hit the internet, actor Jason Beghe has kept a relatively low profile. Jason, who is described by those who’ve met him, as a very down to earth and friendly guy, has shunned the media which has descended upon him like cicadas, but this however, did NOT stop him from showing his support at the San Francisco Anonymous protests this past Saturday on May 10th.

Here’s a great report from PRLog about Jason’s visit at the protest.

There are some who’ve questioned Jason’s motives for speaking out against Scientology, suggesting he was merely looking for media attention. Clearly these are folks who do not understand how difficult it is for former members to leave, let alone speak out about their experiences. Scientology’s hold over a person’s life can seem so insurmountable that despite the abuse, many choose to stay regardless of their desire to find freedom away from the “cult-like” mentality ingrained in them. Fame and fortune do not immunize you from brain-washing. Jason is as much a hero to the anti-Scientology movement as anyone else who’s stood on the front lines willing to take the heat. Bravo Jason!
Here’s more on Jason and Anonymous from PR- Insider:

Actor Jason Beghe is a veteran television and movie actor appearing in shows such as “Numb3rs”, “CSI: NY”, “Cane”, and “Melrose Place”. His movie credits include G.I Jane, Monkey Shines, and many others. He has been working in Hollywood for over 25 years and is friends with “The X-Files Actor” David Duchovny.

Anonymous is a loose, leaderless collective of individuals from all walks of life who use the internet and are united by the power of ideas. First known as internet pranksters, Anonymous projects have resulted in the closing of the white-supremacist radio show produced by Hal Turner, and the criminal prosecution of Canadian pedophile Chris Forcand. Anonymous has been called a “Cyber Vigilante Group” by The Toronto Sun and Global News. The next Anonymous protest in San Francisco will be on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM and will focus on the abuses of the cult of Scientology’s “navy” called The Sea Org. Anonymous protestors are encouraged to wear pirate costumes in honor of the “Anonymous navy” called The Sea Arrrgh.

[Jason Beghe photos courtesy of Anmoyunos]

Jason “Clear As A *Bleep* Bell” Beghe

Jason Beghe recently left the “Church” of Scientology in a well-publicized move. Now he would like his records back. This was recently posted to xentu.tv.

One week ago, I contacted The President’s Office at The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International and asked for their help in getting my folders returned to me. The Pres. Off. artfully refused to directly respond to my request. So, I wrote a letter to David Miscavige but, when I tried to route it to him through the proper Church communication system, it was refused.

As the Church of Scientology carefully monitors all anti-scientology websites, I am posting the letter here, on xenu.net, to assure that it be received by the C of S.

A transcript of the meat of the letter is as follows:

Dear Sir,

This letter shall serve as a formal request for the prompt delivery of all my PC, pre-OT and ethics folders to me. I am also demanding any and all videos of sessions (both auditing and ethics) that were recorded of me. As I am no longer a parishioner of The Church of Scientology, no Organization or entity affiliated with the Church has any reason to further maintain them.

Please send to me all the requested folders and videos at the above address as soon as possible. I will be happy to pay for any administrative, shipping or messenger fees that are incurred while facilitating this request. The above contact information is current.

Thank you for your prompt handling of this matter.

Sincerely,

Jason Beghe

So here’s the problem. CoS is notorious for retaining a “parishioner’s” auditing files. What’s an auditing file? It is the information captured while the individual is attempting to “clear” himself. Any number of things may be contained in that file. It would be similar to a therapist’s file created during counseling.

If this were any other relationship in which files are created and personal non-public information is stored, there are a variety of laws that would pertain. For instance, a simple request to surrender would provide the person with copies. An individual is entitled to copies of their medical record because that medical record is about them. But only a copy- the original provider of services would be required to maintain the original. There are laws regarding HOW that original must be maintained and there are laws about who may access it.

The CoS has never, to my knowledge, returned a person’s file to them. But there are information privacy laws in place today that they may not have considered. That being the case, my guess is that Jason Beghe may have grounds for taking the litigious CoS to court.

Considering the database they maintain on virtually everyone who has ever crossed their path, and the fact that it too is covered under various electronic privacy and security laws, this could end up being a very interesting development. If I were Jason, I would include a demand to be expunged from their database and proof of expulsion by electronic audit.

So now this has me wondering how many other personal data laws they’re breaking?

[Above is a Guest Post from Felinanonymous, thank you nice kitty]

MARK BUNKER HAS THE FULL VIDEO OF JASON BEGHE TALKING ABOUT HIS NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES IN THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY. Support free speech, watch this video.

This is a test of the Google Alerts and Google News System. This is only a test. If this doesn’t show up in Google news, I will be pissed.

In a stunning interview in the Village Voice, actor Jason Beghe unleashed his pent up hostility and spoke candidly about his disappointment and emotional baggage at the hands of the Church of Scientology.

Yesterday, Jason made news around the world for being the first celebrity Scientologist to speak out against the Church of Scientology, an institution so many powerful people in Hollywood call home.

The video and clearly the Village Voice interview were in the works for a while now, and major kudos to Andreas Heldal-Lund of Operation Clambake (Xenu.net) and Mark Bunker of (xenutv.com) for helping Jason tell his story. The short clip posted on YouTube was just a brief taste of what’s to come and according to Jason, the three hours he spent with Mark and Andreas (who flew in from Norway for the interview) “barely scratched the surface” of his ordeal with the sinister organization.

Jason tells the Village Voice that unlike so many celebrity Scientologists, he was the real deal, truly engaged in the process of “moving up the bridge” and felt a tremendous sense of commitment and enthusiasm for his new found religion. Jason was considered a “poster boy” by Scientology leader David Miscavige, and according to Beghe he, like so many celebs, was given special treatment:

Over the next year, Beghe says he rocketed through Scientology’s expensive levels like no one else. Along the way, he got plenty of special treatment. “Celebrity Centre. My own private sauna. Everybody kissing my ass, which I was uncomfortable with. But nice people. Couldn’t be nicer,” he says.

His move to clear was so rapid, Beghe was told that diminutive Scientology leader David Miscavige considered him a “poster boy” for the religion.

“I was Miscavige’s favorite boy, so they were doing all kinds of things to keep me happy,” he says. “I moved up the Bridge faster than anyone in history. I went at it 24/7 for about a year. I went clear. Got to OT V. I was a trained auditor.” (OT stands for “operating thetan,” and the highest level in the church is said to be OT VIII.)

“I’m farther up the Bridge than Travolta, and he’s been in there a thousand years. He’s not a trained auditor.” To Beghe, some of the celebrities “seemed like dilettantes,” enjoying the perks but not really working hard at being Scientologists.

“I was on a spiritual journey. I wasn’t trying to make money, or influence people. I just wanted to try it.”

Jason says that instead of making money, he was spending it on expensive auditing classes, and estimates he spent close to $1 million dollars during his 12 years in the organization. He also cautioned the public and unwitting celebs alike about the CoS:

Other celebrities, he points out, go through similar periods of no longer auditing or moving up the Bridge, but are still considered members. Bringing Cruise back into a more active role, Beghe says, was a major Miscavige project.

“He was out for like ten years. There are people who just aren’t doing anything Some are out but don’t talk about it. Why? The church is scary. These are bad motherfuckers.”

And for a group of people who are consumed with protecting their image, the Church of Scientology is the LAST place a celebrity should consider joining:

“Not one auditing session—which are supposed to be private—is not recorded on film,” he says, and claims that secret cameras are used at every session at the Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles, recording sessions that for Scientologists are supposed to be something like confessionals in the Catholic church.

“Will Smith is supposedly dabbling in Scientology. Let Will Smith know that his shit was fucking recorded. And tell him to look them in the eye and see if he believes it when they deny it.”

This article, like the video, was just a taste of what we can expect in the future. Jason is the first celeb to speak out against the Church, but mark my words, he won’t be the last. Like a house of cards, Scientology will begin to fall, one card at a time with celebrities and regular Scientologists alike breaking free from their bondage of this “religion”. A religion mind you that videotapes your deepest secrets and promises to forget your sins if you bring in more recruits and pay more money. If that isn’t the most perverse attempt to prey on the human spirit, I don’t know what is.

Jason you are a brave soul, and you just may be the catalyst for what ends up saving lives from the destructive practices of the CoS.