CLEARWATER, Fla., June 22, 2009
Scientology Smackdown: Report Claims Abuse
Leader Of Church Accused Of Hitting Subordinates, Ex-Officials Tell Newspaper
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The Los Angeles-based Church of Scientology, founded in 1954 by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, teaches that technology can expand the mind and help solve problems. (AP)
The executives who have since left the organization told The St. Petersburg Times that they witnessed David Miscavige, chairman of the board that oversees the church, hit staff members dozens of times.
"It was random and whimsical. It could be the look on your face. Or not answering a question quickly. But it always was a punishment," said Mike Rinder, who oversaw the church's legal and media relations operations. Rinder said he was struck many times by Miscavige and that he also hit others before leaving in 2007.
In a response to the paper, the church denied the allegations, saying that the four former executives statements were "absolute and total lies," and the claims are an effort to tarnish Miscavige, who has led the church for more than two decades. A spokesman said Sunday the church provided documentation that the claims the four made were false.
Marty Rathbun, who served on the church's board and was a top lieutenant of Miscavige's, said he was often ordered by Miscavige to attack others.
Tom De Vocht, who for years oversaw the church's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, estimated that during one three-year period, he saw Miscavige strike staffers as many as 100 times. He left in 2005.
De Vocht also participated, explaining to the newspaper how he rationalized his actions: "If I don't attack I'm going to be attacked. It's a survival instinct in a weird situation that no one should be in."
Amy Scobee, a manager in California who helped build the church's network of Celebrity Centres, said she witnessed numerous attacks before leaving in 2005 but was never hit herself or saw any other women attacked.
The former executives all expressed dismay at the violence, but the newspaper's story didn't detail the circumstances surrounding each one's departure.
Monique Yingling, a church spokeswoman, said they left because they had been removed from their posts and couldn't handle the demotions.
Church spokesman Tommy Davis told the newspaper that an internal investigation revealed that Rathbun - and not Miscavige - was responsible for dozens of attacks in the years before he left in 2004.
Davis told The Associated Press that the allegations about Miscavige were "absolutely, unquestionably false" and "sickening and outrageous." He said Miscavige is leading the church through unprecedented growth and is focusing on his parishioners, not the accusations.
The newspaper reported it met with church spokesmen and lawyers for 25 hours and that it began requesting to interview Miscavige on May 13 but was told his schedule would not permit it before a date in July.
"I am at a loss to comprehend how the St. Petersburg Times can publish a story about me and the religion I lead without accepting the offer to speak with me," Miscavige said in a letter to the newspaper e-mailed on Saturday.
Davis said Miscavige was busy with a massive project for a weeklong series that will be broadcast to Scientology churches all around the world.
Sunday's report was the first of a three-part series on the church.
The Los Angeles-based Church of Scientology, founded in 1954 by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, teaches that technology can expand the mind and help solve problems. It claims 10 million members around the world, including celebrity devotees Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
Devotees converge on Clearwater, on Florida' west coast, for the highest levels of the church's training programs. By church tallies, around 12,000 Scientologists live and work in and around Clearwater.
Scientologists believe spiritual enlightenment is possible by ridding the mind and soul of the accumulated, unwanted effects of this lifetime and innumerable previous lifetimes through an intense counseling process called "auditing." Auditors use a device called an "e-meter," similar to a polygraph.
Parishioners pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars for the auditing services and progress through various levels of "Operating Thetan." Those seeking to achieve the highest "OT" levels visit Clearwater.
© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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See all 31 CommentsAww come'on, give Cruise a break. It's not like he's Secratary of State. The guy didn't even graduate high school. It's understandable.
RE: "Scientology" psychos also believe that they are on their way to becoming "gods and goddesses" which is so absurd as to be laughable. That must be what the "OT" level is all about it, however, I believe that "OT" stands for "Out There", as in nuts. They're also very critical of others and voice their disdain if someone standing too close to them is dressed in anything other than haute couture. It is truly disgusting and is most definitely a fraud and bilks millions from their mindless lemmings to the sea. If only they would actually act like lemmings and make that big jump...
The entire universe is spiritual. God is sexless.
_______
So, God is like a Ken Doll?
I just love all you 'anonymous' bloggers who are too afraid to put their real name down. As you will note, this is my name, and 'what you see (read) is what you get. Gravy boat I have an open invitation to you and any of your friends. Mosey on down to Florida here in the fall. I can get some Florida Gator tickets, and we'll catch a game. Come early though because I want to take you water skiing on the nearby lake before the game. There are a couple of friends that should be real hungry by then, and I would like to introduce you to them. Even they fear God. You might get a chance to know, or at least talk to Him, before the day is over. One could only hope.
Why does everyone doubt that my real name is gravy?
And, are you saying that water skiing is the key to,"knowing God"?
"Gators"? hehehe
I'm not a college fan. ( and the SEC is evil, just sayin)...Congrats though...(I hate Alabama).
*chomp*
No water skiing for gravy.
As you will note, this is my name, and 'what you see (read) is what you get.
So tell me John, what is it you think you accomplished by telling your real name? You think that someone is going to believe what you say more than someone that hasn't given their real name? What?
I just love all you 'anonymous' bloggers who are too afraid to put their real name down. As you will note, this is my name, and 'what you see (read) is what you get.
Dearest John.....
Only and IDIOT gives their WHOLE real name. : ) Do you know how many whackos are out there? Not only that, you told the whole freakin' world where you lived!! Geez
by PVperson2
That's the case with all religions. Religions are for people who can't think for themselves.
And don't even bother getting on my case for what I said, because it's the truth. If he had have had his son on medication to help stop the seizures, it probably wouldn't have happened.
Time for another tea party! And to challenge our news media to share what it knows.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to stick some more pins in my Tommy doll...
I'll help ya. : )
Anytime I have seen him in an interview, he comes across as being TOO nice. I also notice how he stops and thinks before he speaks. Which is of course good for some people. Especially ones that have a knack for putting their foot in their mouths. BUT, I don't think that is the case for good old Tommy. He is making sure that he says JUST THE RIGHT THING to make everyone love him and think he's the greatest guy. Can you tell I don't like him? : ) I don't trust anyone that is TOO NICE.
I actually think he has an evil side.
Organized religion is a scam, really.
------------- That's why I stick to my disorganized Church - it's hard to find the Hymn numbers, but it's much less of a scam!
Hey Gravyboat:
You need to lighten up, you take life way too serious. Besides who are 'we' to judge another person and their belief system? Besides, if you really want to get down to it, MANY charismatic churches today are 'cults'. You know what, I don't care as long as they recognize that God is in charge and we are no match for Him/Her.
Sorry, I thought you were being serious about Cruise being in charge of that bunch.
And I agree, MOST churches are cults.
Organized religion is a scam, really.
I don't care who, or what you believe in, just keep it to yourselves.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to stick some more pins in my Tommy doll...
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