Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath

[Queen]

I have to say Scientology is one of the most frightening cults I've ever come across. I wonder how so many even survive longer periods of hard labour, mental torture, and not enough food or sleep! (E.g. Sea Org members)

 I watched an interview with Laura Prepon who plays Alex (Piper's ex, a lesbian) in Orange is the New Black, and she claimed she had never seen any homophobia within Scientology (apparently she's been a member since 1999). But from ex-Scientologists on YouTube I've heard another story; that any other sexuality than hetero is seen as perverse, and that members attracted to the same sex are forced to undergo "treatment" and are seen as failures unless they somehow become straight... Apparently this is because of Hubbard's own opinions from the 40s, explained in the Dianectics (or whatever it's called) book that is very basic and that I strongly suspect Prepon has read. Also I don't think that there is even a place were not even minor homophobia has occured a few times, we live in a heteronormative society after all. Anyone who knows more about this subject? 

[Jencendiary]

On 1/6/2017 at 11:15 AM, SilverBeach said:

Yes, Scientology is known for its litigiousness and dirty tricks. I still think that A&E is overdoing it with the disclaimers. It should be brave like Leah. One or two, yeah, but at every commercial? No, it's distracting.

I think it works in A&E and Leah's favor to play the disclaimers and read the quotes from Scientology's rebuttal statements. If you counterpoint the testimonies of former members with the cold and false and vaguely North Korean propaganda-esque statements of the church, it doesn't paint a flattering picture.

[Peas n carrots]

I think it works in A&E and Leah's favor to play the disclaimers and read the quotes from Scientology's rebuttal statements. If you counterpoint the testimonies of former members with the cold and false and vaguely North Korean propaganda-esque statements of the church, it doesn't paint a flattering picture.

I'm not a Degreed Lawyer ™ but could there be a legal reason A&E has to put up the disclaimer at every break?

[SilverBeach]

3 hours ago, Jencendiary said:

I think it works in A&E and Leah's favor to play the disclaimers and read the quotes from Scientology's rebuttal statements. If you counterpoint the testimonies of former members with the cold and false and vaguely North Korean propaganda-esque statements of the church, it doesn't paint a flattering picture.

Point well taken. Nothing wrong with the disclaimers, just too many of them. However, they do make the "church" sound really stupid, with their one-note rebuttal. And total lack of appreciation for the decades of loyal service provided by those who left. What an org full of heartless bastards, especially that damn Miscavige. Ugh.

1 hour ago, Peas n carrots said:

 

I'm not a Degreed Lawyer but could there be a legal reason A&E has to put up the disclaimer at every break?

 

I am not a degreed legal professional (tm), nor do I play one on FJ, but I doubt it. I've seen other controversial programs that had single disclaimers only. It probably is part of a strategy that Leah approves of. I get so into the program that the disclaimers annoy me because they take time from the interviews. Amazing program though. 

[Inky]

1 hour ago, SilverBeach said:

Point well taken. Nothing wrong with the disclaimers, just too many of them. However, they do make the "church" sound really stupid, with their one-note rebuttal. And total lack of appreciation for the decades of loyal service provided by those who left. What an org full of heartless bastards, especially that damn Miscavige. Ugh.

I am not a degreed legal professional (tm), nor do I play one on FJ, but I doubt it. I've seen other controversial programs that had single disclaimers only. It probably is part of a strategy that Leah approves of. I get so into the program that the disclaimers annoy me because they take time from the interviews. Amazing program though. 

One great thing about the disclaimers, after you've read them once, they make it really easy when you've PVR'd the show to fast-forward through the commercials. That black screen with the letters is perfect for knowing when they're over. 

5 hours ago, Queen said:

I have to say Scientology is one of the most frightening cults I've ever come across. I wonder how so many even survive longer periods of hard labour, mental torture, and not enough food or sleep! (E.g. Sea Org members)

 I watched an interview with Laura Prepon who plays Alex (Piper's ex, a lesbian) in Orange is the New Black, and she claimed she had never seen any homophobia within Scientology (apparently she's been a member since 1999). But from ex-Scientologists on YouTube I've heard another story; that any other sexuality than hetero is seen as perverse, and that members attracted to the same sex are forced to undergo "treatment" and are seen as failures unless they somehow become straight... Apparently this is because of Hubbard's own opinions from the 40s, explained in the Dianectics (or whatever it's called) book that is very basic and that I strongly suspect Prepon has read. Also I don't think that there is even a place were not even minor homophobia has occured a few times, we live in a heteronormative society after all. Anyone who knows more about this subject? 

I strongly believe that celebrities are treated VERY different in scientology than the regular people. They have the Celebrity Center with their own separate entrance, and many perks not for the average person. Leah has mentioned how Tom Cruise is a God to Scientology. However, they do seem to be losing more and more celebrities and not replacing them with new ones anymore. To quote Martha "That's a Good Thing!"

[PennySycamore]

Laura Prepon may claim to see no homophobia in the C0$, but director Paul Haggis was a 35 year member who left because the San Diego branch of the Church endorsed Prop 8 which outlawed gay marriage in California.  Paul asked Tommy Davis to denounce the San Diego's branch's actions and Tommy wouldn't.  Paul has a gay son and this was just the last straw for him. 

[MamaJunebug]

Oh man. I watched the first few minutes of 20/20 and cannot believe how Monique is incapable of sustaining eye contact with the interviewer. I bet she's counting the minutes til she can retire. 

ETA: She graduated college in 1973 so she should be 65 or very close to it. Egads, woman, surely you can afford to!  Go now, with some dignity and self-respect intact. 

http://www.zsrlaw.com/attorneys-government-affairs-staff/monique-yingling

[Peas n carrots]

Oh man. I watched the first few minutes of 20/20 and cannot believe how Monique is incapable of sustaining eye contact with the interviewer. I bet she's counting the minutes til she can retire. 
ETA: She graduated college in 1973 so she should be 65 or very close to it. Egads, woman, surely you can afford to!  Go now, with some dignity and self-respect intact. 
http://www.zsrlaw.com/attorneys-government-affairs-staff/monique-yingling

Yeah I got the same feeling that she was over it and the ca$h money is what was keeping her hanging in. Tony Ortega posted an article in The last few days saying she has put up her Delaware coast vacation home for sale, and there is speculation in the comments she maybe planning on retiring soon. She apparently has bought property in Cape Cod, which is far from her DC digs so that lends credence to the theory.

[Howl]

In retrospect, I was actually disappointed in the 20/20 show, especially after watching the powerful A&E Aftermath episodes.  If I knew nothing about Scientology, it would have been hard to follow.  I checked out Mike Rinder's blog for the first time; he refers to Monique Yingling as Muffins.  As in

Quote

The single most noteworthy thing about the whole show (not just to me, see Twitter and the comments on the 20/20 site) was how bad Muffins was. She looked terrible. Her answers were evasive and inconsistent. And she looked like she was in one of those movies where people try to blink out morse code messages when they are being forced to do a video to prove they are alive for a kidnapping extortion plot. 

Keep in mind that all footage of Mike Rinder on the 20/20 story is old footage; Mike was apparently not interviewed for this particular show. 

More from Mike Rinder's review of 20/20

Quote

It was a disjointed hash of random pieces of information. Clearly they had put a show together and at the last minute, scientology insisted that they interview Muffins Yingling. And, because NOBODY gets to interview “scientology” spokespeople these days, they took this as a “we cannot pass up” opportunity. So they shoe-horned her stuff in. It was both a good and a bad move.  

Full text at  http://www.mikerindersblog.org/abc-2020/ 

 

[SHERA]

17 hours ago, PennySycamore said:

  Paul has a gay son and this was just the last straw for him. 

No, in Going Clear he says 2 of his daughters are gay.

 

And here's a youtube link to the 20/20 show. 

 

[ChunkyBarbie]

7 hours ago, Howl said:

In retrospect, I was actually disappointed in the 20/20 show, especially after watching the powerful A&E Aftermath episodes.  If I knew nothing about Scientology, it would have been hard to follow.  I checked out Mike Rinder's blog for the first time; he refers to Monique Yingling as Muffins.  As in

Keep in mind that all footage of Mike Rinder on the 20/20 story is old footage; Mike was apparently not interviewed for this particular show. 

More from Mike Rinder's review of 20/20

 

I think the episode will definitely bring in new viewers to Leah's show. Mike's description of Muffins made me laugh out loud. I didn't expect the episode to be as powerful as the show, it just can't be in my mind. There is too much to cover and uncover. 

[SHERA]

7 hours ago, Howl said:

Keep in mind that all footage of Mike Rinder on the 20/20 story is old footage; Mike was apparently not interviewed for this particular show. 

 

Same with Marty's footage.

[PennySycamore]

@SHERA, thanks for the correction  about Paul Haggis's  reason for leaving the Co$.  I knew it was because the Church supported Prop 8, but I couldn't recall that he had two gay daughters.

[Howl]

Mike Rinder said re: Monique Yingling, AKA Muffins: And she looked like she was in one of those movies where people try to blink out morse code messages when they are being forced to do a video to prove they are alive for a kidnapping extortion plot. 

Maybe she IS desperately trying to blink out a HELP ME! message. 

David Miscavige:  Muffins, if you don't make Scientology look perfect on 20/20, it's off to The Hole with you and we'll sign up your Catholic children for a billion-year Sea Org contract; you'll never see them again.  Make it happen, Muffins, or els......hey, you remember Shelly, don't you?  

Monique: Yes, David, whatever you say, David.  

[mirele]

19 minutes ago, Howl said:

Mike Rinder said re: Monique Yingling, AKA Muffins: And she looked like she was in one of those movies where people try to blink out morse code messages when they are being forced to do a video to prove they are alive for a kidnapping extortion plot. 

Maybe she IS desperately trying to blink out a HELP ME! message. 

David Miscavige:  Muffins, if you don't make Scientology look perfect on 20/20, it's off to The Hole with you and we'll sign up your Catholic children for a billion-year Sea Org contract; you'll never see them again.  Make it happen, Muffins, or els......hey, you remember Shelly, don't you?  

Monique: Yes, David, whatever you say, David.  

Just wanted to point out something--Monique Yingling is not a Scientologist. She is Catholic. It says volumes about David Miscavige that he doesn't want to appear on 20/20, nor does he trust any other Scientologist to appear on 20/20 to defend Scientology, but instead sends out the hired gun who isn't even of the religion!

[Inky]

2 hours ago, mirele said:

Just wanted to point out something--Monique Yingling is not a Scientologist. She is Catholic. It says volumes about David Miscavige that he doesn't want to appear on 20/20, nor does he trust any other Scientologist to appear on 20/20 to defend Scientology, but instead sends out the hired gun who isn't even of the religion!

Yes - I find it incredible (ok maybe not LOL) that the "religion" that says it will teach you how to COMMUNICATE with ANYONE about ANYTHING doesn't have a single member who can be trusted to go on camera and speak the party line.

That speaks volumes about their so-called communications courses.

[Howl]

3 hours ago, mirele said:

Just wanted to point out something--Monique Yingling is not a Scientologist. She is Catholic. It says volumes about David Miscavige that he doesn't want to appear on 20/20, nor does he trust any other Scientologist to appear on 20/20 to defend Scientology, but instead sends out the hired gun who isn't even of the religion!

Yes, a Catholic and she's been working for the church for 25 years!  

17 minutes ago, Inky said:

Yes - I find it incredible (ok maybe not LOL) that the "religion" that says it will teach you how to COMMUNICATE with ANYONE about ANYTHING doesn't have a single member who can be trusted to go on camera and speak the party line.

That speaks volumes about their so-called communications courses.

Bingo!  But trotting out a lawyer also conveys that Co$ considers any criticism of the church a legal issue. 

[EmiGirl]

36 minutes ago, Howl said:

Yes, a Catholic and she's been working for the church for 25 years!  

I wonder what kind of penance her priest has her do. Obviously defending and evangelizing for a cult warrants something.

[DaisyD]

On 1/7/2017 at 0:46 PM, ChunkyBarbie said:

Co$ kills me with the faux military uniforms too. 

 

 

This shit gets under my skin too. I wore those white uniforms too, but i did it in service to my country, not LRH and Miscavage. If there wasn't so much that's just so much worse, I'd be bitching about the uniforms a whole lot more. Real uniforms with fake fucking ribbons and shit... shm

[lilwriter85]

On 1/8/2017 at 1:12 PM, ChunkyBarbie said:

I think the episode will definitely bring in new viewers to Leah's show. Mike's description of Muffins made me laugh out loud. I didn't expect the episode to be as powerful as the show, it just can't be in my mind. There is too much to cover and uncover. 

I'm thinking that too. I read somewhere that the ratings are around 1.6 million, which some people don't view as a bad for a cable doc series. I'm curious about DVR numbers. A&E defintely used 20/20 as promotion and it's not a bad thing.

[ChunkyBarbie]

1 hour ago, DaisyD said:

This shit gets under my skin too. I wore those white uniforms too, but i did it in service to my country, not LRH and Miscavage. If there wasn't so much that's just so much worse, I'd be bitching about the uniforms a whole lot more. Real uniforms with fake fucking ribbons and shit... shm

The ribbons enrage me.  I have veterans and active military personnel in my family. The fake ribbons are so disrespectful to everyone who has served. Thank you for your service!

[Buzzard]

12 hours ago, lilwriter85 said:

I'm thinking that too. I read somewhere that the ratings are around 1.6 million, which some people don't view as a bad for a cable doc series. I'm curious about DVR numbers. A&E defintely used 20/20 as promotion and it's not a bad thing.

1.6 million is better than a Duggar episode... just sayin... 

[Howl]

So, Sea Org people work themselves to the bone doing....what exactly?  I recall that some of it amounted to being an indentured servant, doing housekeeping, cooking, groundskeeping and the like.

Some of the glam SciFi Scientology promo porn shows footage of  Scientologists doing exciting rescue stuff at natural disasters (Carrying a stretcher!  Putting a thin blanket over a person on a stretcher!).  Do they dispatch local Scientologists to natural disasters? Is there a part of Sea Org that trains people to help at natural disasters?  I've never seen anything that implied that Scientologists were first on the scene of any natural disaster.  None of the books I've read by ex-Scientologists discussed any aspect of Scientology that had to do with directly helping people in need, other than just "Saving the world" by promoting Scientology and paying ridiculous amounts of money to be audited.  

I remember an interview with Tom Cruise where he was talking about how, if you were in a car wreck and the first person to happen along was a Scientologist, you were so fortunate, because a Scientologist would babble babble babble.  It didn't have anything to do with first aid, knowing CPR, understanding shock, stopping bleeding or first responder protocols; nope, nothing that could actually save a life.  Just that a Scientologist would be such an incredibly high functioning babble babble babble. 

ETA: OK, I obviously didn't check in with Co$ first!   I found this: http://www.scientology.org/how-we-help/volunteer-ministers.html

Unfortunately, there is some so much vague-speak on this page, it's hard to know what they do besides well, helping.  If I was involved in natural disaster, either as someone affected or as a helper and a bunch of these volunteer Scientology ministers showed up in yellow shirts, it would not be a comfort. 

[Buzzard]

I have heard about their narcanon programs, but I dont know much about their long term success rates since they absolutely deny they psychological part of addiction.

Their wikipedia page makes them look less reputable than Gothard's Jesus Jail... 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narconon

[MamaJunebug]

1 hour ago, Howl said:

Sea Org people work themselves to the bone doing....what exactly?  I recall that some of it amounted to being an indentured servant, doing housekeeping, cooking, groundskeeping and the like.

They work 12- and 13-hour days doing anything and everything they're asked. They're paid unbelievably low wages and their diets as a result are not the best, by any means. 

When you see pap photos of Tom Cruise in a huge custom luxury SUV, that vehicle was customized by SO people working for the same low wages as for any chore. 

The upkeep on the Int Base at Hemet, IIRC on any Scienotology building is done by Sea Org people. 

There's a classic story of how Miscavige had Scieno staff plant a field of daisies on Int  Base so that Cruise could fulfill a fantasy of running romantically thru such field with his then-new love, N. Kidman.

Staff labored through the night and AFAIK over 24 hours, alas in vain since torrential rains left it a mud hole. 

Those are a couple of the kind of jobs that Sea Orger's and others can be saddled with anywhere, any time, at Miscavige's whims. 

There used to be a message board called xenu.net or xenu.org that had scads of stories like these. If no longer available, just search ex-scientologists. I promise you an experience that definitely requires rescue ferrets.