This past Friday evening, ABC’s Nightline aired part two of their Inside Scientologyseries with anchor Martin Bashir. If you missed it, the videos are posted on ABC’s website. It is a MUST see.
 Part One is  here,  and Part Two is here.

Friday’s show was a continuation from Thursday night’s interview with ex-Scientology top executives Marty Rathbun, and Amy Scobee, as well as ex member Bruce Hines. They were all former members of Scientology’s Sea Organization.

Bashir also continued his interview with Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis who ended ripping off his microphone, and storming off the set. We will get to that juicy part later.

ABC Anchor Martin Bashir

Friday evening’s coverage focused on the celebrities in Scientology. Tom Cruise was the main focus.  Tommy Davis claimed that Scientology does not given special treatment to celebrities, but I beg to differ. Cruise considers cult leader David Miscavige one of his closest friends and Miscavige not only attended Cruise’s wedding, but he also tagged along on Tom and Katie’s honeymoon. Doesn’t everyone bring their “church” leader on their honeymoon with them?

Cruise is not only BFF’s with David Miscavige, but he was also a huge advocate for Scientology. I say “was” because Cruise has really simmered down since his couch jumping days. His leaked Scientology video, his insults against Brooke Shields for taking medication for her postpartum depression, and his famous “glib” interview with Matt Lauer has put a serious damper on his career and his popularity. 

Matt You Are So Glib!

If you ask just about anyone on the street these days of their opinion of Tom Cruise, most will say he is a kook.

Cruise is trying to re-boost his career, by not speaking publicly about Scientology and trying to show the world how “normal” his life is with his family. But are people buying it? I doubt it. Cruise is DEEP into Scientology. He co-founded the NY Rescue Workers and Firefighters Detoxification Program after 911. Again, this program is EXACTLY the same as Scientology’s Purification Rundown and their Narconon program.

Cruise also lobbied in Washington with a quest to have every school in the US teaching Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s “tech.” Applied Scholastics is the front name used in the schools, but it is without a doubt Scientology. Applied Scholastics has already infiltrated some of the schools in the US. I am not talking about Scientology schools like Delphi Academy and Will Smith’s New Village Academy, but rather regular public schools in our towns that are teaching children Scientology tech.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, they started teaching Scientology tech in Prescott Middle School in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Applied Scholastics representatives assured them that the program was secular.  A couple of quotes from that story posted on the Scientology V. Education website:

The Baton Rouge school district agreed to pay $20, 000 a year to Applied Scholastics for a licensing fee and to hire a teacher from the nonprofit to help teach the course. Costs were offset by seed money that Travolta contributed and by donations from local businesses. Parents were enlisted to volunteer as tutors.

Dave Touretsky, a research professor at Carnegie Mellon University, that’s only because the academic experts don’t know the intricacies of Scientology.Study tech is “covert religious instruction” and therefore unconstitutional to teach in public schools, said Touretsky, who has studied Scientology and written extensively about Hubbard’s study skills curriculum.

Scientologists will use the program at Prescott to sell the program to other struggling communities, Touretsky said, and to promote the image of Scientology.

Rest assured, the teachers and the people in that town have NO idea what they are teaching these kids, nor understand how dangerous the tech can be for their children. Former Scientology member Monica Pignotti can tell you just exactly how dangerous the study tech is. Click here to read up on it yourself. I am not sure if Prescott Middle School has continued teaching this tech or not. I hope town officials and teachers have done their homework by now.

So a word of caution people, if your child’s school is approached with Applied Scholastics or any anti-drug pamphlets that contain the initials “CCHR” written anywhere on the pamphlet, please stay clear! The CCHR is another Scientology front group. Also stay away from the names Way To Happiness, or The Drug Free Marshals, just to name a few.

Scientology Can Use Some Body Language Courses!

These names are are ALL Scientology front groups. Sorry to sway away from  ABC’s interview, but any chance I have to make people aware that Scientology is trying to infiltrate our children’s schools, I feel compelled to make mention of it.

So back to the interview…

Former Scientology Sea Org member, Amy Scobee who was one of Scientology’s top execs and also one of the people who spoke out in the St. Petersburg Times articles, spoke with Bashir about the Purification Rundown.

Amy Scobee, Blonde On Bottom Right Hand Corner

She tells Bashir a horrifying story about when she was MADE to go on the Purification Rundown as part of a punishment within the Sea Org. Amy explains how daily she was ingesting 5,000 milligrams of niacin, exercising (usually a treadmill), and sitting in a sauna for five hours, for EIGHT MONTHS. She said she had“grey stuff ” coming out of her pores. I would imagine she was also ingesting oil, as this is another part of the Purification Rundown. As horrible as it was for Amy to be on this whacko science regimen, (which does not have any scientific data to back up its claims of actually detoxing the body at all) it was one of the things that woke Amy up and forced her decision to leave Scientology. And we are sure glad she is out. Bravo Amy!

Of course Scientology denies Amy’s story and says that the Purification Rundown is used for “religious reasons” by members. Hmmm.
Scientology is pretty crafty. They use different names for the Purification Rundown, like the NY Firefighters Detox Program, Narconon, and Criminon, and offer this program to the public and ask towns for funding using the town’s tax payer’s dollars. Exactly what they do with Applied Scholastics,  and The Drug Free Marshals etc…

They say that the program is secular and has NOTHING to do with Scientology. But yet when Scientology is pushed up against the wall, (as they were with Amy’s claims) they claim that the Purification Rundown is for “religious reasons.”

So how can they possibly claim that their front group programs are secular and have nothing to do with Scientology, when they are IDENTICAL to the same programs they are calling ”religious”?
Confusing? That is their intention.

Back to Rathbun…
Marty Rathbun continued his interview with Bashir and said that he himself has “audited” both Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Boy… I would love to know what is in their files! Of course everything contained within a Scientology member’s file is supposed to be confidential. That is…confidential until you cross Scientology. After the St. Petersburg Times articles came out with ex member’s stories, Scientology published personal information on Amy Scobee, Tom DeVocht, Mike Rinder and Marty Rathbun in a 80 page issue of their Freedom Magazine.

Scientology even gave the “defectors” nicknames like the King Pin, The Adulteress, and so on. It was not only the MOST childish thing that I have ever read by an organization, it was rife with lies about the ex-members and Scientology’s spin. Proving once again that Scientology’s Fair Game policy is alive and well.

Although it was not brought up in the interview, Rathbun is known as an independent Scientologist. And there are also Freezoners. Freezoners are members who have left the organized “church,” but still want to practice Scientology. There are groups of Freezoners here and there world wide. Scientology now considers these people who have previously dedicated years of their lives and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on trying to climb up the Scientology’s Bridge their evil enemies. They are considered as SP’s, or suppressive persons.

Freezoners left the church as they felt that L. Ron Hubbard’s Tech was being “squirreled” by cult leader David Miscavige. To ”squirrel the tech” means to change the writings of L. Ron Hubbard in any way. Miscavige has changed the tech many times. He has changed it, repackaged it, and told the members that the old books were now incorrect, and that they had to buy the “newer” version. This was done to keep more money coming into Scientology. Sadly, members actually fell for it.

Changing any of L. Ron Hubbard’s tech is considered a big no-no in Scientology and many current members consider David Miscavige to be a suppressive person. Why they continue to stay in the “church” is a mystery. But slowly, that seems to be changing.

People who are Freezoners, also did not agree with the way the “church” was being run and could no longer stand all the abuses and illegal activities that were going on, so they decided to leave the “church” and set up business elsewhere, and yes it is in fact a business. People who want to practice Scientology outside the cult still have to pay for auditing and courses to whomever is offering them. What they charge is nowhere near the hundreds of thousands of dollars that organized Scientology charges. Which is where Rathbun comes in. He was one of Scientology’s top auditors before he left, and he continues to audit people today.

If today’s organized Scientology continues to crumble, Rathbun can end up with more “disciples” to audit. Perhaps he is hopeful for Travolta and Cruise to leave the cult and audit with him once again. Not likely though, especially not for Cruise. Cruise considers Rathbun an enemy of the cult and and a huge SP. Cruise does not appreciate what Rathbun is saying about David Miscavige and the abuses of the cult.

Tom Cruise’s lawyer sent a statement to ABC Nightline and stated that even though Cruise is aware of the things being said about David Miscavige, Cruise does not believe it.

BFF’s For Ever!

Really Tom? Miscavige is ruining your career in case you didn’t notice. How many people is it going to take for you to wake up and understand that David Miscavige is an abusive tyrant who only wanted you for PR purposes to promote the cult and oh yeah…take your money?

And as Bashir pointed out to Davis in the interview…these stories of abuse from ex-members were from randomized people. And of course Davis quipped back to Bashir with “Well that’s how it is made to look.” Sure it is Tommy.

Rathbun was in Scientology for 27 years, and his brain is totally immersed in the tech. He still believes that con man L. Ron Hubbard is the best thing since sliced bread and that his writings are still WORD.

Giddy Up L. Ron!

Rathbun never completely left Scientology, and he probably never will. But we are awful glad he came forward to speak out, as well as the others. Many more are likely to follow.

After 27 years, and being one of Miscavige’s top lieutenants, 
Rathbun is still programmed to live, eat and breathe Scientology. Rathbun also thinks David Miscavige should be made “to pay the piper” for all the people he has abused. Of course Rathbun himself admitted to being an abuser, but he never mentioned that he should pay the piper as well. Hmmm.

Freezoners who continue to practice Scientology, still mean they are being brainwashed, no matter how you cut it.  It’s the way the courses, the auditing and the drills were set up by Hubbard, at least there isn’t a Sea Org and David Miscavige is out of the picture. But hey, people can believe in what they want, as long as it doesn’t hurt and abuse others and as long as it doesn’t end up being another 
abusive cult off-shoot.

So getting back to Scientology spokesman Mr.Tommy Davis.
As I mentioned in the last article on this series, Tommy Davis’ body language was VERY telling. Again, I noticed he sat with tightly clenched hands, laughed nervously, and at one point was sitting with his arms and legs totally crossed. He looked like he was wrapped so tight, that you couldn’t pull a pin out if his butt with a tractor.
Bashir proceeds to ask Tommy about the e-meter and HIS own personal beliefs. Tommy was not very convincing when it came to the e-meter. The conversation went as follows:

Bashir: Has the e-meter ever been subjected to randomized clinical trials to assess it’s efficacy?

Davis: I have no idea. I don’t know why it would be. It works in Scientology and that’s what people use it. I don’t know why it would be subjected to random clinical trials.

Bashir: Because it’s a… mechanism for therapeutic care you just said…

Davis: In a religion.

Bashir: But has it ever been tested objectively is what I’m asking?

Davis: I mean it gets used every day by Scientology counselors.

Bashir: I’m not asking that. I’m asking…

Davis: To my knowledge, no. … And as far as evidence of the e-meter and its efficacy, the evidence of that is in those Scientologists who have used it to great benefit. And as far as the Church of Scientology is concerned, it’s the only evidence that matters, is the people and the results.

“In a religion?” Then why is the e-meter used for Scientology “Stress Tests” on the general public?

But wait, there’s more…

Mark Bunker, aka Wise Beard Man graciously posted the video from the interview I did with him during July’s Million Man March in Washington, D.C orchestrated by the internet group Anonymous. I have the digital audio of this interview, but have not been able to get it set up as of yet, not to mention, there was an issue with the first half of the lengthy and informative interview. What’s remarkable about this interview is we get to hear Mark’s origin story, and how be became one of the most prominent critics of the Church of Scientology.

Mark is a fascinating and super sharp guy, but more importantly he is warm, funny and kind. Qualities which reassure me that going up against the Church of Scientology isn’t a case of religious persecution, but a noble effort to save people from a harmful group of misguided and malevolent people.

A side note: It was hot as HELL that day, so major props goes out to ANYONE who showed up to support the information awareness campaign stage monthly by the group Anonymous, those ex-members who have spoken out against Scientology, and of course,moOld Guard members, like the great Mark Bunker.

For more information on getting involved or learning about the subject, visit www.enturbulation.org and of course Mark’s site, www.xenutv.com.

Mark Bunker, whose beard is very wise indeed, posted a new video about his reinstatement and the process which went into that reinstatement. Mark also gave a nice shout out to Victore Flamel, and in the process shows he does NOT read Harry Potter (but I do .

Victore has been very helpful to me as well, and we are hoping soon that this VIP will be gracing these pages with their writing skills. In the meantime — great job Anonymous and those who’ve been working behind the scenes.

What you are doing is working, and rather quickly. Rumor has is it Kendra Wiseman’s of ExScientologyKids.com parents were present for her wedding recently, and man, that’s huge. Disconnection is one of the most destructive policies perpetuated by the Church of Scientology, and for Kendra’s father (an Exec at CCHR) and mother to be present is a tremendous sign. For pics and Kendra’s story, please visit here.

UPDATE: A very fitting tribute celebrating WBM’s return

Thanks Anon Agent M!

The Church of Scientology must be feeling really enturbulated lately. Each time they think they have a “win” as it were, the righteous hands of fate laugh and fart in their general direction.

Back about six weeks ago, what could only have been someone with close ties to the Church of Scientology tipped off YouTube to the fact that Mark Bunker, of Xenutv.com (also affectionately known as “Wise Beard Man” or “WBM” for short) had a second account on the video channel. This was significant as YT’s rules state if your first account is closed for any reason (even temporarily) you are prohibited from opening another. Mark’s first account was closed due to a copyright violation based on a Steven Colbert clip Bunker posted on his first account.

On the eve of Mark Bunker, a long-time critic of the Church of Scientology, an organization most consider a money-making cult (including this author) was to release the full-length video of popular actor Jason Beghe’s video denouncing his former “faith”, Bunker’s second account was also closed.

The internets were abuzz and YouTube was universally panned and ridiculed for inappropriately taking sides in the fight between internet activist group Anonymous’ and Scientology. In retrospect, without *really* knowing what went on behind the scenes, YouTube (owned by Google) was likely working on an alternative which would allow them to supercede their own policy, without also setting a bad precedent.

Whatever the case was, (although we will dig for more info) both of Mark Bunker’s channels are back, and more importantly, so are his YT stats and subscriptions. You can visit Mark’s channel Xenutv here, and Xenutv1 here.

As long as good men (and women) speak out against atrocities, evil cannot persist. Welcome back Mark!

Hattip AnonyMax and J.A!

Steven Colbert is a hero of mine. Colbert’s frank, earnest and shoot-from-the-hip style of political commentary is both irreverent and smart. Sort of like Dennis Miller, but with a pulse.

So, it’s both a blessing and curse that my other hero, Mark Bunker, XenuTV’s mastermind, is stuck in a position of having to appeal to Colbert for help in getting his YouTube account reinstated.

Here’s a new report from The Register in the on-going debate to “Free Mark Bunker:”

But wait, there’s more…

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.

Scientology: Jason Beghe Interview Pt.1 from Mark Bunker on Vimeo.

Part 1

Scientology: Jason Beghe Pt 2 from Mark Bunker on Vimeo.

Part 2

Scientology: Jason Beghe Part 3 from Mark Bunker on Vimeo.
Part 3

For the rest, go here to Xenutv.com.

The Wise Beard Man is Wise. His beard is luxurious. Thank you Jason for your bravery.

As we mentioned yesterday, Glosslip Radio hit the jackpot with two wonderful guests, Mark Bunker publisher of XenuTv.com, an extremely popular information site focused on the abuses of the Church of Scientology, and Jeff Hawkins, a 35-year veteran of the Church of Scientology. Tonight’s line up will feature Jeff from 9:30 to 10:15, and Mark from 10:15 until 11:00. Due to the volume of weird calls Glosslip Radio’s been getting during these Scientology related shows, we will be fielding questions via the chatroom.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO TONIGHT’S SHOW.

I encourage anyone interested in finding out what’s going on with the current saga of Mark Bunker’s YouTube account suspension and the release of the Jason Beghe video to tune in. Be sure to tune in at the earlier time to hear from Jeff Hawkins, as he details his experiences from inside the Church of Scientology, including working with RTC President and figurehead, David Miscavige. Jeff personally witnessed Miscavige beating senior org members, including his own run-ins. Hawkins has harrowing tales to tell from inside. This really will be a great show. Read bios on both men below:

Jeff Hawkins worked for the Church of Scientology for 35 years. He worked all over the world – Edinburgh, Copenhagen, North Africa, the Caribbean, and in Clearwater, Florida. In the 1980’s, he ran a national marketing campaign for the book Dianetics. Most recently he spent 15 years at Scientology’s international base in San Jacinto, California, working with top Scientology executives. He left Scientology in 2005, and currently works as a freelance graphic designer. Jeff’s website. Audio clip of Jeff giving interview from Lermanet.com

Mark Bunker is an Emmy award winning journalist who started the popular Xenu TV website in 1999. Xenutv.com is said to get one million hits per month. As one of the most high-profile critics of the Church of Scientology, Bunker has been following the organization since 1999, when he moved to the Church’s base in Clearwater, Florida to produce videos for the Lisa McPherson trust.

In 2008, Bunker posted a video to YouTube critical of the Internet-based group “Anonymous” and asked them to tone down their campaign against the Church of Scientology; a movement called “Project Chanology”. In the video “Message to Anonymous”, Bunker urged the group to work legally and pursue peaceful ways to protest Scientology.

From Wikipedia:

According to NPR’s Morning Edition, Bunker has “become a revered voice to many members of Anonymous”, and they refer to him as “Wise Beard Man”. Anonymous has adopted a slogan referring to Bunker: “Wise Beard Man is Wise. His words are wise, his face is beard.”

When actor Jason Beghe decided to leave Scientology in 2008, he contacted Andreas Heldal-Lund, founder of Operation Clambake, who convinced him to meet with Bunker. Heldal-Lund and Bunker went to Beghe’s house, where Beghe participated in an interview about his experiences as a Scientologist. Bunker published a 3-minute portion of the 3-hour interview to YouTube in mid-April 2008 and in the video Beghe calls Scientology “very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional health and evolution”

Mark Bunker photo credit: Theda Bara

This is just a brief note, a longer one will be posted later once I have all the information.

Glosslip Radio is THRILLED to announce we will be speaking with XenuTv.Com’s Mark Bunker for tomorrow night’s show. As many of you may know, Mark and Andreas of Operation Clambake interviewed actor Jason Beghe for the now infamous video on Scientology. The video, which has made headlines around the world for its candid invectives from a high profile celebrity Scientologist who has defected, is also at the center of another controversy. Mark’s YouTube account was suddenly suspended on the day when the remainder of the 3-hour video was to be released.

With thousands of media outlets (including blogs) waiting for this never-before-seen footage with a bona fide critic who witnessed Scientology’s undeliverable promises first hand, we’ve seen a growing movement on the internet virtually EXPLODE with both anger and frustration. Censorship is alive and well on the internet.

Details coming……in the meantime, watch this video, it makes short men cry.

Ok, last I heard on this matter from my sources inside, there was some communication with Viacom, the owners of the original Steven Colbert clip Mark Bunker used the first time his account was suspended on YouTube.

YouTube is showing their true stripes for continuing to play hardball on this TOS issue, making an example out of an “EMMY AWARD WINNING JOURNALIST” who posted a video HE OWNED AND PRODUCED because someone (in OSA looking to “up” their stupid-ass stats for the week as I was informed earlier) alerted YouTube to the fact that this Mark Bunker is the same Mark Bunker they banned a while back.

There are a couple salient points in all of this. On one hand, YouTube is being watched closely enough that they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they let Mark Bunker’s account be reinstated, they will open the flood gates to all sorts of complaints and issues from those they penalized in the past for similar violations, and if they leave it suspended they will be viewed as fascist cult lovers.

This is a lose-lose situation for YouTube. I feel for them, but not much. Then there’s Viacom, and so far their opinion as it can be perceived based on their inaction is one of “eh, why should we get involved, this isn’t our problem,” which technically it isn’t, but……they could be the heroes in this by making a simple phone call to YouTube rescinding the original DMCA complaint, thereby allowing YouTube to graciously restore Mark’s account.

In the end, Mark can go anywhere he wants with this video, including my account on YouTube which I cheerfully offered of course, but that would be for my own agenda. Mark knows this, and he knows there are about 10000 other Glosslips/anonymous folks who would LOVE to have that video in their hot little hands.

This isn’t the answer. The answer as I see it is to give Viacom polite, but insistent pressure en masse to step in and be the heroes. They could go either way. I have no read on their stake in all of this.

In the end, Mark will post the video SOMEHOW, and he’s a savvy enough guy to figure this out on his own, but it would be a shame for him to have lost his videos, the time and effort of those who’ve voted, commented and rated them will be gone, as well as, the most visible and easily distributable forum for hosting this video from Jason Beghe.

Any way you slice it, one thing remains perfectly clear: the Church of Scientology really, really, really sucks.

Good luck Mark, whatever you do, we will stand behind you.

CoS, I said it earlier, and it bears repeating, all you’ve done is PISS off some very interested parties, as well as some potentially unmanageable elements on the internet. You haven’t stopped the internet OR the flow of information, you’ve merely proven to the world how sick and twisted you really are.

Let us know how that works out for you.