Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath 2

[subsaharanafrica]

On 11/28/2018 at 11:38 PM, Blahblah said:

Then when she was pregnant we asked about the blood transfusion issue. She referred to a section in the bible (I’m an atheist so I have no idea about this)  that says that you should not ingest the blood of others. We pointed out that “ingest” usually means “eat” but they interpret it as putting it into your body in any way at all.

Hmmm...if that’s the rationale I wonder if a plasma transfusion or apheresis using synthetic plasma would be allowed, since it’s not the blood of another. 

 

...and I should read all posts prior to responding. 

Edited December 4, 2018 by subsaharanafrica

[feministxtian]

21 minutes ago, subsaharanafrica said:

Hmmm...if that’s the rationale I wonder if a plasma transfusion or apheresis using synthetic plasma would be allowed, since it’s not the blood of another. 

 

...and I should read all posts prior to responding. 

They will accept different parts of blood, plasma, RBC, WBC but will not accept whole blood. I believe that's what started my one step-daughter on the way out, when she went to nursing school. The other one started out when she married a "nice JW boy" and he turned out to be an abusive fuck...their mother only has a very superficial relationship with them now, and pretty much ignores J's daughter (her granddaughter) completely. It's some bullshit. Neither one of the girls seem to be too concerned with it though, J's inlaws are some fantastic people and H hangs out with her aunts (mother's sisters) who are not JWs. They both have built lives outside the JW bubble. 

 

[PennySycamore]

We got this curious bit of mail from someone I didn't know this morning.  It was not the right size to be a Christmas card and I wondered what it was.  Yep, it was a letter about how they hated to miss us at home and a tract from the Jehovah's Witnesses.  I want to tell these people to buzz off, that I'd have died 63 years ago if not for three exchange transfusions at birth and they are not to visit us again.  

[Howl]

Note that the last item on the Conspiracies of note section: ...and the Religion of Scientology

[AliceInFundyland]

The one this week on Where is Shelly? is so creepy.

First of all, the fact that they are sinking all their billions of dollars into etching Hubbard’s writing on titanium discs in gas-sealed vaults is awful. When mankind finds that in a bazillion years - what will they think? Yikes.

Second of all, I am firmly convinced that a solid percentage of the celebrities involved are just terrified of what would happen if they left. Sure some of it’s the brainwashing, but clearly it is not just that.

And third - that poor woman. 

[Inky]

5 hours ago, AliceInFundyland said:

 

First of all, the fact that they are sinking all their billions of dollars into etching Hubbard’s writing on titanium discs in gas-sealed vaults is awful. When mankind finds that in a bazillion years - what will they think? Yikes.

 

DH & I had the same conversation! When aliens visit earth hundreds of years from now, they are going to think mankind was looney tunes for sure.

[AliceInFundyland]

29 minutes ago, Inky said:

DH & I had the same conversation! When aliens visit earth hundreds of years from now, they are going to think mankind was looney tunes for sure.

It’s so disturbing! We can’t let that be the lasting imprint of homo sapiens.

They have to be stopped.

...I also loved that guy who Leah interviewed at the end who was “all cut the crap.” They need to keep him around. He’s awesome. He rounds out the team with Leah and Mike.

[nomoxian]

On 12/8/2018 at 12:47 AM, PennySycamore said:

We got this curious bit of mail from someone I didn't know this morning.  It was not the right size to be a Christmas card and I wondered what it was.  Yep, it was a letter about how they hated to miss us at home and a tract from the Jehovah's Witnesses.  I want to tell these people to buzz off, that I'd have died 63 years ago if not for three exchange transfusions at birth and they are not to visit us again.  

Maybe put a sticker by your front window that says you donate blood? They might be willing to overlook a "no solicitation or junk mail" sign or even a sticker with a red X over a cross, but I bet they'd turn tail and walk off if they saw something like a "Blood: It's In You To Give" sticker. 

In one of my old homes we had an Air BNB and had an anti-Nazi sticker on the front glass window. It got scraped off ? At least when someone swiped the pride flag heart fridge magnet, it was a sign they thought it was neat and wanted it.

[Coconut Flan]

Scientology's response to an article about Shelley:

https://jezebel.com/scientology-attorney-demands-jezebel-remove-our-story-o-1831229261

 

[Ozlsn]

A fatal stabbing at the Scientology headquarters in Sydney.

Spoiler

man who was fatally stabbed in the neck at the Church of Scientology headquarters in Sydney has been described as a "beloved member" of the Church. 

A 16-year-old boy was arrested after allegedly stabbing two men, killing one, at the organisation's headquarters in Chatswood, shortly after midday. The two victims were Church employees, according to police, and were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital, where one died from a wound in his neck. Detective Chief Inspector Simon Jones said the teen had been asked to leave the Scientology premises. "On being escorted down the roadway a knife was produced and with that knife he stabbed a 24-year-old who we believe to be a Taiwanese male in the neck," Detective Chief Inspector Jones said. "He also caused some lacerations to an older gentleman also escorting him from the premises." 

Police could be seen leading the 16-year-old out of the complex on Greville Street in handcuffs, with paper bags covering his hands. Detective Chief Inspector Jones said the reason the boy was removed from the premises was "solely in relation" to a domestic altercation that occurred on Wednesday. In a statement, the Church of Scientology said the "very unfortunate matter" was now in the hands of police. "We cannot make any further comment beyond the fact that the victim was a beloved member of our Church," the statement said. "The Church is providing the police with any assistance needed in their investigation." Police drew taser The 16-year-old is at Chatswood Police Station assisting with inquiries. Detective Chief Inspector Jones would not confirm whether the boy was a member of the Church of Scientology but said he had a "lawful reason" to be there before being asked to leave. He said officers had to draw their tasers but they were not discharged as the boy cooperated with orders to drop his knife on the driveway. It is alleged the knife was about 25 centimetres long. 

Ambulance Inspector Carolyn Parish said paramedics treated a man who was "bleeding heavily from a neck wound". He was stabilised before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition. "This type of injury is significant," Inspector Parish said. "No paramedic is immune to this type of case and under the circumstances they worked tremendously well and they did exactly what they're trained to do." She said the second patient sustained a minor laceration to his hand. He has been discharged from hospital after treatment and has spoken to police.

 The Chatswood Scientology Centre, known as the Advanced Organization and Saint Hill ANZO, was opened in September 2016 and is the "spiritual headquarters" for the Asia-Pacific region. Spread over almost 13,500 square metres, the facility is the Church's largest centre outside the United States. Described by the organisation as an "architectural masterpiece", the centre includes training facilities which can accommodate more than 450 people. The building also hosts a "purification centre" with a gym and sauna, two recording studios, and 60 "auditing" rooms where Scientology counselling is delivered.

Interesting. I wonder how many other incidents are defused or don't require paramedics.

I had no idea my work trip sent me so close to the Australian headquarters last year, I would have gone by if I'd known. $37 million for the property... hm.

[AuntKrazy]

@Ozlsn

I just found this about what they believe caused the attack:

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/teen-arrested-after-two-men-allegedly-stabbed-at-church-of-scientology-headquarters/news-story/661dd8a201bfabee9e156e8c03345376

Apparently the teenager is the son of a Scientologist.  According to the article the teen was attempting to see his mother, who had been at the church.  

[Ozlsn]

@AuntKrazy I figured it could be family related, given the original report said "he had a legitimate reason to be there". My other guess was he was trying to blow and was desperate. I might trawl a couple of the blogs and see if more has come out. 

Seriously so sad - and if the reason was family, then yet more evidence of how Scientology's policies are harmful.

Spoiler

The teenage son of a Scientologist has been arrested over an attack at the Sydney base of the controversial church where a “beloved” member died after being stabbed in the throat. The 24-year-old victim was killed by a “traumatic” stab wounds after an incident at the $57 million Church of Scientology headquarters in Chatswood on Thursday afternoon. The incident is alleged to have occurred on the driveway to the church after the 16-year-old was asked to leave. Police said the teen was escorted from the premises - and as he was taken down the road a 25cm “very sharp kitchen knife” was allegedly produced. Police said the 24-year-old, who is believed to be from Taiwan, died in hospital. He was “bleeding heavily” from the neck when paramedics arrived. The second man, aged 30, was treated for minor cuts and is in a stable condition. Detective Chief Inspector Simon Jones said when officers arrived they asked the 16-year-old to drop the knife and drew their tasers to get him to drop the knife. “At this stage it’s very early. It would appear the altercation, or the reason the young person has been removed from the premises, was only and solely in relation to a domestic incident that occurred yesterday.” The victim couldn’t be saved, he said. “At this stage unfortunately the 24-year-old male has passed away and inquiries are being made to contact family. Two people being are being treated for stab wounds at the Church of Scientology headquarters on Grenville Street in Chatswood on Sydney's north shore. One of the victims is in a critical condition. Both men were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital. The teen was taken to Chatswood Police Station where he is assisting police with inquiries. NSW Ambulance acting deputy commissioner Tony Gately described the 24-year-old victim’s injury as “traumatic” and said paramedics had done everything they could to help him. Inspector Jones said both the men were employees of the church and they were trying to establish why the teen was asked to leave. “He had a lawful reason to be here originally and they’ve asked him to leave for various reasons, which we still need to get to the bottom of and speak to staff here on premises,” he said. Inspector Jones said the domestic incident yesterday did not relate to the church. “However resulting from that incident yesterday the staff on premises made a decision he should leave,” he said. He said a member of the teen’s family had been at the church today. The Daily Telegraph reported the family member was the teenage boy’s mother, who he was trying to see. After his mother told Scientology staff what had happened between them the day before, they decided to move him off the premises, a church source told the Telegraph. A man at the centre’s reception told news.com.au he had “no idea” about the circumstances surrounding the incident. “We’re not going to report anything right now,” he said. Other staff in the church also said they were unaware of what unfolded in the driveway. The Church said in a statement the man killed was a “beloved” member of the congregation. “This very unfortunate matter is in the hands of the police. We cannot make any further comment beyond the fact that the victim was a beloved member of our Church,” it said in a statement. “The Church is providing the police with any assistance needed in their investigation.” A young Scientologist, who asked not to be identified, had not been aware of the stabbings until media crews arrived. “I came down when the first camera crew showed up but I was told it wasn’t a huge deal,” he told AAP. “It’s a huge building, a lot of people come from around Asia to study here. “It offers a lot of services other (Scientology properties) don’t.” A teen has been arrested over the incident.

 The headquarters for the church was officially opened in the leafy suburb of Chatswood in December 2016. The day included a performance of Waltzing Matilda by Aussie singer and Scientology member Kate Ceberano. The imposing building was described at the glitzy opening as “a cosmic alignment of universal factors” by the church’s global leader David Miscavige. More than 100 Scientology members are reportedly bussed into the fancy building daily to study “Dianetics” (the church’s key teachings on the science of the mind), take courses in purification to rid them of “toxic residues” and attend “auditing” sessions costing thousands of dollars to help them overcome their past and ascend to a higher level of existence. It is also known as Advanced Organisation Saint Hill Australia New Zealand Oceania, providing “advanced religious services” to Scientologists from across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. The centre is said to be its biggest spiritual centre outside the United States.

Added in article text as Murdoch goes paywall very quickly.

Edited January 4, 2019 by Ozlsn
Effing Murdoch

[quiversR4hunting]

On 1/4/2019 at 3:28 PM, AuntKrazy said:

@Ozlsn

I just found this about what they believe caused the attack:

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/teen-arrested-after-two-men-allegedly-stabbed-at-church-of-scientology-headquarters/news-story/661dd8a201bfabee9e156e8c03345376

Apparently the teenager is the son of a Scientologist.  According to the article the teen was attempting to see his mother, who had been at the church.  

Just based on watching Leah's show and other things about CO$ (Anderson Cooper, etc), I will bet CO$ will say they did nothing wrong and the kid was hostile, etc and the kid will have to take the full punishment. I also think the kid was about to blow or his mom was disconnecting from him. Either way, I think CO$ is the root of the stabbing. And a 16 year old doesn't have the impulse control of a gnat so mix that with CO$ crap, bad things happen. (As we discuss on the Naugler thread, the teenagers are the ones we are more concerned for because of  lack of brain development in all teenagers. The reasoning and impulse control is not fully formed in teens.) 

[seattlechic]

On 12/20/2018 at 12:00 PM, AliceInFundyland said:

The one this week on Where is Shelly? is so creepy.

First of all, the fact that they are sinking all their billions of dollars into etching Hubbard’s writing on titanium discs in gas-sealed vaults is awful. When mankind finds that in a bazillion years - what will they think? Yikes.

Second of all, I am firmly convinced that a solid percentage of the celebrities involved are just terrified of what would happen if they left. Sure some of it’s the brainwashing, but clearly it is not just that.

And third - that poor woman. 

I can't see it on my Hulu account yet. Booo hulu. 

[quiversR4hunting]

Anyone watch tonight's episode? It was all about Gold Base. It was, as usual, really good. I want to discuss it but don't want to give spoilers for those of you that might have recorded it. 

[quiversR4hunting]

Not shocking, CO$ blames Leah & Mike and the show for the stabbing in Sydney

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/church-scientology-blames-leah-remini-members-alleged-murder-organizations-sydney-hq-185755602.html

At the end of the article it says the Feb 18 episode has Danny Masterson's accuser. 

[PennySycamore]

@quiversR4hunting,  I forgot to tune in this evening.  I was watching Thousands Cheer on TCM and then remembered that Finding Your Roots was on PBS, changed the channel and then watched Below Deck on Bravo after Finding Your Roots.  I will definitely have to watch it On Demand.  

[quiversR4hunting]

@PennySycamore oh! Finding your roots! I love that show. I'm always shocked at the ones that have zero clue where a branch of the family comes from. I had one branch we weren't sure but we knew that we were at least 3 generations here and knew the previous state they came from. Some of these people don't even know where their grandparents lived. 

[nomoxian]

FIY if anyone is looking for the newest episode (E08) about the International Base, the official name for the video is "Gilman Springs Road" 

[AuntKrazy]

@quiversR4hunting

My husband and I watched it last night - and I would love to discuss it too - maybe we could just put our comments under spoilers so people can hide it until they have seen it and then participate in discussion too?

[Coconut Flan]

8 minutes ago, AuntKrazy said:

maybe we could just put our comments under spoilers so people can hide it until they have seen it and then participate in discussion too?

There's no need for spoilers for an already aired show.  People are responsible for entering a thread before viewing an episode.  

[AuntKrazy]

I'm really glad that she did the episode on Gold Base.  I wish that the quieter gentleman had been given more air time, as I don't really know his story.

There was a moment where they had showed disavowals from the Co$ about the hole, and then a montage of all kinds of people saying the same kind of abuses after they had "blown".  My husband and I had to pause the show for a minute.  I had heard a lot of the stuff before, but he had not - and this episode floored him.

The whole Gold Base looks like a prison - even that statement about "ecclesiastical discipline" from the Co$ was disturbing to me.  

It would be really great if someone could somehow organize a secret ride program for people wanting to escape there. 

[quiversR4hunting]

39 minutes ago, AuntKrazy said:

I'm really glad that she did the episode on Gold Base.  I wish that the quieter gentleman had been given more air time, as I don't really know his story.

There was a moment where they had showed disavowals from the Co$ about the hole, and then a montage of all kinds of people saying the same kind of abuses after they had "blown".  My husband and I had to pause the show for a minute.  I had heard a lot of the stuff before, but he had not - and this episode floored him.

The whole Gold Base looks like a prison - even that statement about "ecclesiastical discipline" from the Co$ was disturbing to me.  

It would be really great if someone could somehow organize a secret ride program for people wanting to escape there. 

I wish when they would do aerial views of Gold that they would label the buildings. I also wish there were pictures inside but I am sure nobody has been able to sneak in and out a camera of any kind. 

I can't find out what the older gentleman's name is, I too want to know more about him. Also the picture of all the bigwigs still at gold base (the picture with Guillermo and many others) I wonder who they blurred out in the middle. Also when they talk about who is still in the hole - they don't know for sure because some of these people are old. They mention Heber Jentzsch, he is 83 (per wiki)! Tony Ortega has an article about him: https://tonyortega.org/2018/05/14/scientologys-reclusive-president-82-year-old-heber-jentzsch-tells-a-niece-hes-doing-fine/ ) 

When showing the attached row houses at Gold Base my daughter state - that looks eerie. Yup, it sure does. My daughter also couldn't believe the lack of education. So I explained to her that these people leave with nothing, no education, no money, no id (sometimes), etc. 

My daughter was asking about escaping and told her that they have built such a snitch culture that you can't trust anyone to help you escape. Then she said (about David's diminutive size in comparison to those he beats) why don't they just all gang up on him. And again, I had to explain the extreme brainwashing that happens and inability to trust that anyone will have your back. 

After this episode airs, I hope area uber, lyft, taxis, hotels, etc won't give out information on people they pick up from gold base. The hunters trying to get people back are insane. 

The thing that struck me most about this episode was the fact that the FBI has investigated but told the Headley sand Rinder that they need someone more recent to come forward. The 3 said that they gave exact details of each building and the security measures to the FBI, yet still nothing can be done. I don't understand why the IRS and the state of California and Florida can't do an investigation to the payroll books and see that kids are being worked all hours with little to no pay. 

Who is the blonde curly hair lady that just blew in the last 2 years? She maybe the only hope to get into Gold with the FBI. 

[Tim-Tom Biblethumper]

@quiversR4hunting  I remember years ago (pre-Leah) Tony O. did an article about Gold with some great aerial pics with labels.  I just went to look and can't find it now.  But I came across this article that has some good aerial shots (possibly taken from Tony's article).
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2168482/Snipers-razor-wire-prison-cells--inside-secret-Scientology-HQ-Katie-fear-Suri.html

I haven't watched the episode yet (I have it recorded though).  But if I can identify the folks y'all are talking about, I'll be back to let you know.

As far as helping escapees, once in a while there will be a wave of billboards close to main roads leading to FLAG that will have phone number to call if you need help to get out.  But if the church even has an inkling that you're entertaining the idea of leaving, they don't leave you alone for even a moment.

[fransalley]

19 hours ago, quiversR4hunting said:

Anyone watch tonight's episode? It was all about Gold Base. It was, as usual, really good. I want to discuss it but don't want to give spoilers for those of you that might have recorded it. 

I'm watching it right now.