I traveled from Denver to Austin on Tuesday to see a special advance screening of Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. This is a film which defies one-word descriptions so I can’t boil it down to some adjective like “amazing” or “perfect” or “touching” because
all of those words apply and so many more.
I don’t want to give “spoilers” and there are some surprises in this film for everyone including long-time Scientology watchers and ex-Scientologists, so I’ll be sllghtly vague about some things but still do my best to convey what I got from it.
First, let me say what this film accomplishes as a whole. Scientology is a complex subject which can take months or even years to fully understand. Yet this film, in the space of two hours, manages to perfectly capture the culture, spirit and attitude of Scientology in a way I’ve never seen anything else do in such a short period of time. Sure, the abuses and the lies are all documented and they are told in such detail that you cannot help but believe them. Yet at the same time you also are given a glimpse into the positive aspects of it so that you can see why anyone could fall into believing the deceptions or suffer the abuses.
It’s been a nearly impossible task for me as an ex-Scientologist to effectively answer the question “Why do people put up with it?” or “Why don’t they just leave?” I’ve been hampered by an inability to convey the mindset instilled into a cult follower. Frankly, I’ve started to feel it is impossible to communicate unless you’ve lived it yourself. So the joy of watching this film as an ex-Scientologist is that it manages to capture the experience. It does so in a genius fashion by getting multiple members to express the similarities and the differences of their own experiences. In fact, that is the essence of the film: how literally anyone from any walk of life and any educational background can be pulled into a prison of belief. There’s no place for judgement here and the film should finally set the record straight that anyone can fall for this. Intelligence has nothing to do with it. I suppose there are some people who will see this
and walk out thinking that it could never happen to them, not realizing that to some degree it already has with their own religion, political party or other affiliation. This film is about a lot more than Scientology and to anyone who cares to look, they will see that the lessons to be learned from it apply to many more things than just the belief system of Scientology.
I like to think of myself as a rational, clear thinker but emotionally, this film hit me in the gut again and again. One of the most excellent points about the film, in fact, is the way that it is put together with just the right balance of emotional impact and factual evidence. You get the facts that you need to make a rational and informed decision about the value of Scientology, but you also get an emotional roller-coaster ride of hilarity, grief, amazement and shock. It’s a powerful mix and leaves you feeling a little overwhelmed at its power.
Much has been said about Tom Cruise and John Travolta and much more should continue to be said about their complicity. There is a line beyond which one goes from being a victim to becoming the abuser. I think it’s clearly shown in the film how both of them have crossed
that line, Tom Cruise much more readily and much more visibly. This film holds back nothing at showing how Cruise has taken advantage of Sea Org members and personally profited from their suffering. There’s really no other word for it. He and Travolta have been able to stay
quiet so far but once the film is released to the broad public on HBO, I don’t know how they will be able to maintain that silence. There is no hiding from the blatant call to action this film sends to both of them.
The other point that is highlighted very significantly is Scientology’s unjust tax exempt status, a subject I myself intend to do more work on. Given that this is their Achilles heel, it is very important that this issue get a great deal of attention. I personally believe that this, above all else, is the one thing that Scientology cannot live without. Take away their e-meters, even take away all their auditing services, and Scientology could continue to profit and survive. Take away their tax exemption, and thereby their religious recognition in the United States, and Scientology would very rapidly become a short-lived blip in the history of modern quack cults.
In terms of what kind of impact this is going to have on Scientologists, it’s hard to predict but I do know one thing for sure. Many Scientologists may resist the urge to see this film when it comes out broadly, but their non-Scientologists friends and family are not going to have any such urges and they are going to watch. They are then going to know things about thier Scientologist friends that are going to disturb them greatly and they are going to want to talk about it. If Scientologists try to feed them the usual “handling lines” or just tell them that everything said in the film is bullshit and a pack of lies from “bitter apostates” they are going to be in for a sorry surprise. The stories that are told and the people telling them are utterly believable. The abuses did happen. Disconnection is real. There is no wiggling out of that cold hard fact. I think this is going to create a chilling effect with Scientologists’ family and friends which is going to force Scientologists to re-evaluate the validity of their positions. In some cases, friends or family may even care enough to really bring the issues to the forefront – to demand to know whether those Scientologists actually support the kind of depravity and human rights violations depicted so accurately in the film. This cannot help but make at least some of these Scientologists start to take a harder look at what they are involved in. From there, it is not hard to find the truth and that hopefully will cause its own exodus.
I also have no doubt that those who may currently be on the fence or “under the radar” are going to be bolstered enough by the raw truth of this film to push them over the edge and step fully out. If any of them are reading this review, I want to tell you that such a decision is the best you could possibly make for your future. Getting Scientology out of my life was the best decision I ever made.
I was privileged to be able to get up after the film screening and ask Alex Gibney, Lawrence Wright and Marty Rathbun (who was there as a special guest star) about whether any more films would be made on this subject. There is clearly a wealth of information available for this and Alex responded that he thought some kind of central information site may be put together for ex-Scientologists to tell their stories. He said he’s been approached by a number of ex’s in his travels promoting this film, and that the stories are captivating and worth telling.
I cannot give enough kudos to Alex Gibney for what he has accomplished. If there was one thing which I would want the world at large to see to learn the true pitfalls and disastrous consequences of a cult like Scientology, it is this film. Of course, it would not exist without the brilliant written work of Lawrence Wright, who not only is in the film but also served as an executive producer. They have created a truly incredible work which I hope will not only outlive Scientology but will serve as a cautionary tale to proof up future generations against any kind of similar cult influences in our society’s future.
Chris,
Bravo on the review. Well said. I think the impact is going to be significant. Those who are rabid will of course bury their heads in the sand like good little ostriches but many more will walk away and all will be confronted with a barrage of questions that they can’t and don’t want to answer.
I hope this sparks outrage in the industry and John, Tom, Kirstie, Jenna and all the others are called out on their complacency in all this. It is time for that to happen.
Just wanted to echo your point, I too hope it sparks an outrage because they have behaved outrageously for so long!
“I suppose there are some people who will see this
and walk out thinking that it could never happen to them, not realizing that to some degree it already has with their own religion, political party or other affiliation. This film is about a lot more than Scientology and to anyone who cares to look, they will see that the lessons to be learned from it apply to many more things than just the belief system of Scientology.”
Very very good point. This can happen on any subject in life. Unquestioning faith and unquestionable indoctrination are a trap anyone can fall into.
Scientology is a good example of this at work. And it’s one of the extreme examples. Package some common sense, sell it, get your customers winning trusting you, and make some claims they start to believe and defend.
With some subjects, the consequences of blind faith are trivial. With Scientology, you start believing it’s vital to the survival of everyone and everything for “eternity” and “we have this one chance”. That thinking leads people to do some hereto before unthinkable and destructive actions -which this documentary so brings to light so well, and which the Church of Scientology has been try so hard to hide.
Great Review, Chris! Thank you! ❤️
Excellent review and an inspiring call to action.
I totally agree with you on the stripping them of the tax exempt status, In fact if I had my way about it every single tax form would have written on the bottom in big letters” DO YOU KNOW THAT WHILE YOU ARE PAYING TAXES , THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY IS NOT, AND THEY HAVE A LOT MORE MONEY THAN YOU DO”
Nearly 40 years ago, I left the Church of Scientology. It was very much like running away from home. I was filled with all sorts of self-doubt and the story was so strange and complicated that I really had no way to deal with the conflicted emotions surrounding my experience of noble pursuits. Inside, I had ‘learned’ to disconnect from my Dad, who for me was the last solid connection with the rest of humanity. Outside, I was truly on my own.
To nearly this day, I didn’t speak to it. Well trained, I ignored whatever might pop up on TV or radio. I remember watching Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch and actually criticizing the media for portraying him as a sort of lunatic. “His message is to warn you about drugs, there. He is actually sending a Scientology message, correctly so.” I said, at some beer bar to no one who was really listening. I remember getting the news that LRH had died and my first thought was, no, something is wrong. This is way, way too soon for him to be leaving the planet…
So, I was still alone with my conflictions about the Church until one day I say Marty on a YouTube clip, talking the old talk about somebody I never heard of, David Miscavige. I spent the next three days clicking everything Scientology I could find until one day I run into Chris Shelton, talking about Critical Thinking.
Thank you, sir. Another excellent essay. Cant wait to see the film.
I especially love how you point out that the Scientology story is really a model from which we can learn about cults and belief-systems as a whole, the dangers of adopting another persons belief-system in particular, and how success and survival really depends on keeping a heavy dose of critical thinking in the pocket of one’s mind. Question everything. Then, question again. It is good for you. Kinda like coming home.
At last, I am finding, learning, a way to talk about … Truth.
Mark Marco, your story is fascinating. I can use that word, since I know the story has a good ending. I’m sorry for your experiences, but so moved by how you starting clicking….and learning. Good for you! It’s exactly what Chris is saying. It’s safe to come out and look. Now you have new discoveries to add to your last forty years of freedom. How great that is.
Thanks, Chris. You’re doing great.
Hi, Marco. I wonder if we had the same thought about Cruise. I thought the couch jumping was not so weird when you understand that Scientologists put “enthusiasm” at the top of worldly emotions. He wanted to show the audience how enthusiastic he was for Katie Holmes. It made perfect sense (in a sick, distorted, anti-social, Scientology sort of way). Does he reflect on what he did? Did he think the three wives were all wrong? I wouldn’t care, except that if he able to think about it, it could be the beginning of the end for the cult.
Mighty Tee-
I do sincerely wonder what is going on in the mind of Tom Cruise. He has himself shielded from any source that threatens this belief-system in which he so heavily invested, similar boat I was once in.
His would be more of a ship, a very aptly manned and heavily fortified vessel indeed.
I remember being inside and being so sure that Scientology was the only source of knowlege, the only chance for the world. Me, a guy who only got the regular treatment, I believed heart and soul like a roman warrior. My Scientology wasn’t custom made for me, not like Tom’s church.
Then, he is so big. He owns United Artists, for crying out loud. Nobody tells Tom Cruise what to do, what to read, what movie to see, …except maybe for one particular guy. Could you imagine the leader of the Church of Scientology being personally in charge of your source information, and succeeding? Actually, it is not hard to believe at all, that he would remain blind. What would movtivate him to change?
He doesn’t read, at all, I’m told. He just doesn’t. If he were into filmmaking maybe he would see Going Clear, but I doubt that, too. He is into himself, a little deep I’m afraid. And documentaries would not be his preferred genre. So, I suppose, because he wants it, he could be protected by it, the church. Bastard. I mean, seriously, he gets no respect from me any more.
But, you’re right. I agree. If Tom opened his eyes and then came clean on, say,
The Oprah Winfrey Special? – Bye bye cult.
Hello, Tom? Mr. Cruise, are you there? We’d like to book you. Yeah, it is big. Really big.
(No? I didn’t think so.)
Once again, Chris, it has been interesting to read your comments. I look forward to seeing the film. I would fly down to the New York showing but I have other responsibilities here at home right now. I will have to wait with everyone else.
I am glad you think that Cruise/Travolta, and I suppose the rest of the celebs and that have legitimized the cult, cannot ignore what is in the film and stay silent. I hope so. Cruise can really become the action hero he has portrayed on the screen by turning against Scientology. He can save the minds of 40,000 people, realign they futures and take them out of slavery. He would save some of their lives, too.
I am actually considering that you may be right. What I have been expecting is that John, Tom, Kristie, Jenna and the rest of the crew will say that they have not seen the film and have intention of doing so. That will be that. Your review gives me hope.
Speaking of hope, I am hoping that it will win Alex Gibney a second academy award. As he walks up to get it, he will receive a standing ovation from the audience. As the actors of Hollywood denounce Scientology the cameras focus on Tom Cruise who cannot stand what he is seeing. He flees from the theatre. The producers anticipating this action splice in a two second clip of Nelson going “Hah, Haah”. Cruise steps out onto Hollywood Blvd., jumps on his motorcycle (made in the Scientology slave labour camp) tux and all and drives off towards the sunrise. He is not seen for another ten years then one day, on a skid row street in Cleveland a film fan spots a crazed alky. The alky is a balding, greying, big nosed short man spare changing while telling anyone who will lesson how he was a big star and was ruined by Scientology. The film fan notices that the crazed wino has an imbalance in his upper row of teeth. A single tooth is right in the middle. He suddenly believes the wino and responds, “You’re John Travolta aren’t you”. The wino says, “No, I’m Tom Cruise”. The film fan says, “Who?” gives him a quarter and goes off to watch the director’s cut of “Crash”.
That’s my dream.
Marco, what you have described is an example of how the he prison of belief works and becomes undone. Your story is imortant. I would love to hear more and I think others would, too. Please come join us at Ex Scientologist Member Board http://forum.exscn.net where many others understand and are evolving out of their own.
Mary,
Mary,
Thank you; your words of encouragement ( miss ClearWater, too ) reach me at a crux moment in which I place before myself a daunting task.
It is the perfect thing to say to me, now, that my story is important.
I’ve elected myself to become a student of literature and critical thinking. I’ve just enrolled in an English course; my idea is indeed to get the story written down. I’m so inspired by Chris, Mike Rinder, Marty Rathbun, wow, and authors like Jefferson Hawkins and Lawrence Wright. I would hand over the Pulitzer to Lawrence right now. My education did get sidetracked as I got into Scientology just out of High School, and …
Well, I’m rusty.
And the stories already told… Jenna Miscavige? Whew, what needs to be said after her book?
Astra Woodcraft, what a beautiful person, story of courage! Her Dad, too. Saved his daughters by keeping his wits. Here’s a guy that knowingly walked through the prison gate to rescue his family. It would be something of a crime to not get that account out in the open… Is she in the movie? Does she want a co-author?
Alex Gibney. I have a whole new category of love for him.
I’ll check the Ex-Scientology board, thanks. Ok, back to my homework…
(I love my new life. Owe it all to those who speak.)
Good stuff as usual Chris. Thanks for the review. Right on the money!
Thank you Chris for traveling there and this review. I’m so looking forward to watching the results of this truth getting out. Yes, there needs to be a common site for central information/stories. I’m quite sure I would find some friends there and they would be able to find me. It would help heal the disconnections. I’ve sent an email to Mark Plummer and will do what I can to help with the work needed to get the IRS exemption pulled. Thank you for your work.
I am so glad people are speaking out. I thank you. The fear mongering and hate mongering practiced by scientology organizations is in direct contradiction to what they often say they stand for and what their written material says they stand for, which is very upsetting and confusing, They say they don’t believe in unresolved upsets, making one think they will be heard, but when you speak out your threatened with being denied services and kicked out. The contradictions of and hiding what they really believe, such as Xenu, and what they really practice, such as threats, bullying, lies and false promises, are huge red flags that what they have to offer is hot air. Add their extreme money grubbing amid claims you get so much for free (NOT) is another huge red flag. I had contact with three different organizations thinking the craziness and lies in one would disappear and I would find the promised healing and great state of CLEAR somewhere; but it did not exist anywhere in any of the people. It appears to me that behavior that was far from what I would consider balanced, peaceful, healthy for that person, or helpful to the world was tolerated and promoted because of the stress and expectations set up by scientology organizations even though it contradicted some of scientology theory and written goals. The experience was abusive, some organizations seemingly more honest than others. No where did I see anyone that had something I would want. It was very obvious to me, after some trying, that whatever they thought they had was not worth me putting up with the abusive behavior (including the extreme money grubbing behavior) and lies prevalent in many of the practices at all the organizations. They actually made it impossible for me,
What I noticed was that many people supposedly CLEAR were addicted to cigarettes despite the fact it did not help their cause. Org. personnel could not go without smoking, would lie about it, hide it, rationalize it. According to one CLEAR addicted to smoking, L. Ron Hubbard said a person could drink poison in the state of CLEAR and it would not hurt them. He stated this after he forgot and lit a cigarette while walking in the building with me after telling me his was a smoke free building and that he had detoxed smoke residue that was sickening during the sauna program they do at scientology. I got the impression that: 1. I would be told anything I wanted to hear to get me to be part of their program (but it did not stop their bullying and threats – which is crazy). This was the second organization in the second city that had lied to me about their smoking policy. 2. I could not believe anything they said. 3. They would make claims they could not back up. 4. They would offer to be my friend and family only if I did what they wanted and said nothing against them or scientology, despite their claim that upsets would be handled. Yes, one org. rep. asked if I had trouble with my family and indicated that they would be like a family to me if I joined, that they had lots of fun. 5. They promised healing of addictions and health issues (I was addicted to Dr. Pepper and did not want to be) – I saw no signs of their being able to positively effect health or addiction. I feel so good when I hear others stories and realize that this craziness happened to sooo many people. I hope that our government gets the courage hearing so many people speak out to revisit the tax exempt issue. I believe they are a huge money making organization that operates on fear and intimidation making a lot of false promises. Are their courses all bad, no, that is part of the suck in. I have heard it said that the devil will tell you truths to get you to believe one lie, or many lies in the case of scientology. Wise words to understand that because something is part right it isn’t necessary all right or even close to it. One has to decide what one is willing to put up with and for me, I decided to look for my answers elsewhere. GLAD I DID. It is my belief that for every answer you can see there are a million more out there – especially with GOD. Many paths to enlightenment. When I see people misbehaving, breaking the law, hurting people, acting in ways that don’t create a world I would want to live in. and doing it for “the greater good” I think of the saying “two wrongs don’t make a right”. I applaud those that have gotten out of scientology, you are courageous. Those who say honestly that they realized they were having to lie more times than not for scientology so got out of it, hurray for you, you examined yourself and the system you were in, yes, it is a system, a broke and sick system. Welcome to the world and freedom of self actualization. Best Wishes, thank you, and Good luck, may GOD Bless you.
Thanks Elizabeth,
for sharing,
for expanding the truth,
for keeping it real.
You are the right track, and the world is a better place for it. Glad to see you out here.
The truth about Scientology is made clear by the rationality, critical thinking, self-reflection and honesty of those who have left. As a never-in, I can only imagine the devastation on the psyche that this level of Stockholm Syndrome can bring. But Chris, your words, your videos and your courage shine through. Yours, with a bit of a crush actually, Felicity.
Thank you Chris and I am glad our voices, together with the actions of many like Mike, Marty, you and many others are finally being forwarded by a Film that, as you noted, presents facts as they are.
Here in Los Angeles we are ready to watch it and it will be playing for at least a week. There will be many more people present in LA and, with that presence alone , will let the current regime of scn know that abuses, scam, crimes, and dishonesty are not condoned, and never will.
Chris you wrote, “There is no hiding from the blatant call to action this film sends to both of them.” This statement should apply to any person under the radar or current member of this sick and abusive church.
I did my call to action shortly after the Tampa Bay Times articles were published. That was 2009 and my life has never been better after 43 years buying into the CO$ bullshit and I might add my spiritual ascension using techniques developed by David St. Lawrence are expanding on a daily basis.
Excellent review…thank you Chris.
Your review is very insightful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Can’t wait to see it myself!
Nicely done, Chris, and boy am I jealous!
Thank you for beating the drum on how much more there is to be said onthis issue.
As you may know, I was producing my own film on the subject, with what I believe to be a completely different angle. However when Gibney made his big announcement before Sundance my financiers dried up, to a one, saying “There’s only room for one ‘Scientology Film’. I couldn’t disagree more…
My ambitions were much more modest than Mr GIbney’s, but I think it will be years and dozens of films, reports and books before we’ve finally truly scratched the surface of this rich, frightening, and highly misunderstood subject.
The thing is to hit before the people doing hit-and-run reports with only surface info arrive and cloud the issue. This is Miscavige’s meat, and it is only days, if not hours, away…
I agree. Having two films at the same time would have been ideal. I have noticed that most of the time when long term ex-scientologist speak about “the church” for the most part they remain respectful, factual, and believable. However, when the scientology organization writes a reply or makes a comment it is almost always the same pretty hateful fluff stuff. They are embarrassing themselves. My parents always told me it takes a big person to admit they were wrong. It seems to me that Part of the GAME or seduction for some of the leadership of scientology is to prance around and flaunt/practice the idea that through scientology a person has the ability (which they portray as strength but isn’t really) to do to anyone anything they want. Through their action they appear to represent that a person can literally say anything they want. This is childish. An organizations reputation will catch up to them. These people speaking out against scientology worked tirelessly, gave and sacrificed for scientology. Some are asking for a reorganization to be less abusive, less money grubbing, more serving, and more respectful of people including each other, more open and inclusive of the outside world. One can see that scientology is dear to their hearts, it has been their life.
The seduction bubble that scientology has something special to offer the world and that they have the right to bully and extort your life in order for you to get that thing has burst. Xenu is out of the bag, Even they will tell you that people can audit each other if that is really what people want to spend their time doing.
um, you need actors?
Chris wrote:
also have no doubt that those who may currently be on the fence or “under the radar” are going to be bolstered enough by the raw truth of this film to push them over the edge and step fully out. If any of them are reading this review, I want to tell you that such a decision is the best you could possibly make for your future. Getting Scientology out of my life was the best decision I ever made.
Ditto Chris and I loved the last sentence. Getting Scientology out of your life is the best thing to ultimately do. This can be a tough one though. Scientology comes off in layers and some people don’t want to abandon it fully; still hanging on to what they call “theta” principles, and the memory of when Scientology may have helped them. That may be true but I believe that the best thing to happen for a person is to come to the realization that Scientology needs to go and as you once said (paraphrase) “The world would be a better place without it”.
Hopefully this film will assist in that. This is a splendid review and thank you.
Nice review Chris! Thanks. I am VERY excited to see this.
40 years ago, I left the Church of Scientology. It was very much like running away from home. The story was so strange and complex and I was so filled with self-doubt that there was no real way to deal with it, no handle, no tool to pry the weight off. All I wanted was to come clean and have the world make sense again.
For nearly forty years I did not speak to it.
I would have fought like a roman warrior to remain a Scientologist after having been one for only two years. Why I left is yet a story untold. A few times, only, I talked to some random person. On each of those occasions, I would then have powerful dreams, glad that they only came once… I would be very glad to wake up, glad I wasn’t actually back there, willingly, or at the very least pretending to be enthusiastically willing to be… enslaved. Horrible dream, if you imagine the Hebrews building the Pyramids. The entire arc of the story would have to be absorbed before a thing like that could be remotely understood. Absolutes still frighten me, a bit, and I don’t want to qualify a line like that by adding a word like “wholly”, sounds like “holy” too much, besides which it just bugs me that I still get bugged. I did such a good job. My stats were always up. I fell in love with myself. I was a Scientologist believing that there was nothing greater to be. It took 39 years and 10 months to realize why most of the audience was laughing already. I’d be laughing now but for all of a sudden just now became so real, the unexplainable explained. If you make me use the word “cognition”, I’ll punch you in the nose. I’m laughing because I can tell you about it, and make this enigma sound entirely plausible in both the real worlds of The Universe and your mind, my lovely, random person.
Looking at myself I would ask myself why I felt so bad and upset about it. Fucking dream. Footnote. I never, ever swear. I mean until now. Sorta took it up, and that’s partly because I’m in a play in which the character I’m playing does in fact swear. I practice as an actor, which means making whatever I say believable. But that’s not entirely it. Some comedian, forgive me, a real guy whose name escapes me, says, “Show me a fucking Clear, just show me a fucking Clear,” and it went viral in the community of my brain cells and certain regions of the internet. There is no Clear, fucking or otherwise. There’s no such thing as a Reactive Mind, Engram, et cetera. Do not get me started on past lives made visible on E-meters, or I’ll eat you alive. I hope that explains why I put the word cognition in quotes. Fuck that word.
But I digress.
Finally, I wrote something good. I wanted to share it. It, the writing, comes to you after having been sent to the Honorable Harry Reid. It’s kinda old. Needs to be rewritten. Somebody has to ask me to do a form letter for a petition, comma? Ask me. It is something of a personal watershed moment for me, to be posting it, this, here. I’m coming out of the closet, so to speak. I am armored with the verifiable and self-evident proof of courage already demonstrated by so many including Chris Shelton and the most honorable Marty Rathbun, amongst a few and many. Please fill in the blanks, I have no reservation. In fact, I’m feeling rather lucid. If there’s a hostile Scientologist wants to confront me all I ask for is a stage and a microphone or fuck you. Whew. That’s the first time I put those two words right next to each other in decades, feels like centuries. Felt pretty good. I changed my name, hope you’re laughting about that, too. I intend to be famous as an actor using the name Mark Marco, how do you do. Thanks for not laughing, I like to think of myself as a serious actor. Help me, I need to copy and paste now, and you must know about me and [….ing] computers.
Ok, give the envelope the proper heading, there is one, and mail it to the Senator, hard paper, looking something like this, is what actually happened, I mean, I did… comma, do.
:
Mark Marco
mailing address
email address, etc
Jan 27th, 2015
The Honorable Harry Reid
United States Senate
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
RE: Church of Scientology tax status
Dear Senator,
WHAT CAN I DO? To whom can I write?
My concerns anchor upon the Church of Scientology.
This letter is to address the issue of the church’s tax status.
Yes, I believe that the church is a nefarious cult, deceptive and fraudulent in what it offers, what it sells and how it portrays itself to the world. The truth about what the church is and what its hidden goals truly are… all this is presently coming to light.
On this very last Sunday, Alex Gibney premiered his new documentary, ‘Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief’.
This film is a wonderful and long-awaited portrayal of the whole arc of the complicated story. For all of us Americans who have essentially lost a family member to this secretive and notoriously litigious cult, it was, IS an emotional experience to behold, indeed.
You, Sir, are my most admired Senator. Really, I put you in the same realm as the President, a man I am proud to support, a man I credit for giving America the hope to regain the respect of the entire democratic world, the same status it held before the invasion of Iraq, or even higher. I call this leadership.
So now there is the question, what to do about Scientology?
Launch an investigation.
Why does the IRS commissioner of the time the tax status was granted refuse to speak to it?
As individual citizens, we are at a loss for answers, and overtly attacked by the church just by criticizing it.
By publicly launching an investigation, we rightly expose the church to public scrutiny it richly deserves. They target the wealth and labor of the young and able. I would go further to say that they target their minds as well, telling them that Scientology is the only answer to both personal freedom and world salvation.
One person of total authority runs the church: David Miscavige. The same person is personally responsible for orchestrating the tax-exempt status for his church, an event he himself hallmarks with a very public declaration, “The war is over!” , thus cementing his position as leader.
All this provides a unique, and timely, opportunity for you.
It is, after all, an affront to the Constitution of United States when you find out what this so-called church really does.
Just the simple announcement that an official investigation has begun would be enough to soon force the church to reorganize and rethink its harmful and threatening strategies, or cease to exist.
I wish the very best to you sir. I admire your strength in all the ways it has long been manifesting. I trust your operation went smoothly, although I don’t really know what the hopes are for your eye… Just the best for you and yours…
Humbly,
Mark Marco
HBO, to make film of Scientology book,
hires 160 lawyers
-title, CNN story
(Leopold, Todd. CNN. updated Nov25,2014. web Mar15, 2015)
Right now it’s time to get into action. Now little old me isn’t sure what action to take! A letter writing campaign to “whoever? Contact our Congressman? Seriouslytell me what I can do as an individual and I’ll do it and I will get many others to join the bandwagon. This cult needs to be stopped or something akin to Jamestown comes to mind…it could happen.
I want a Federal investigation. The news would stifle the church worldwide.
Harry Reid is leader of the Democratic Party, but there is so much on his plate, and I believe the political perception may be that the church is about die by natural causes on its own.
So, to answer WHO to write, My letter has yet to recieve reply. It is my hope that an investigation will begin by virtue of the public threat of the church, thus bypassing the lengthy process of petition.
Let me do some research. A similar letter should go to Nancy Pelosi, of California, as the church is based there.
I don’t even know who leads the Republicans, but we should…
The name Mark Plummer was mentioned above. He apparently has started something on this, the tax-exempt issue.
Post Script: It is cosmically incorrect to refer to yourself as “old”. We are all children in the eyes of the Supreme Being. Besides, I think you’re hot.
Thank you Mark. Let the letter writing begin!
I have learn some excellent stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking
for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you put to
make this sort of excellent informative website.
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website
before but after browsing through some of the posts I
realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly delighted I stumbled
upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!