SP Times - Part 1 of 3: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

whoever · Jun 20, 2009

SP Times - Part 1 of 3: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Scientology: The Truth Rundown, Part 1 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology - St. Petersburg Times

EDIT: Main page with links to complete coverage is now here.

By Joe Childs and Thomas C. Tobin, Times Staff Writers
Posted: Jun 21, 2009 01:06 AM
Part ONE of THREE

The leader of the Church of Scientology strode into the room with a boom box and an announcement: Time for a game of musical chairs.

David Miscavige had kept more than 30 members of his church's executive staff cooped up for weeks in a small office building outside Los Angeles, not letting them leave except to grab a shower. They slept on the floor, their food carted in.

Their assignment was to develop strategic plans for the church. But the leader trashed their every idea and berated them as incompetents and enemies, of him and the church.

Prove your devotion, Miscavige told them, by winning at musical chairs. Everyone else — losers, all of you — will be banished to Scientology outposts around the world. If families are split up, too bad.

To the music of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody they played through the night, parading around a conference room in their Navy-style uniforms, grown men and women wrestling over chairs.

The next evening, early in 2004, Miscavige gathered the group and out of nowhere slapped a manager named Tom De Vocht, threw him to the ground and delivered more blows. De Vocht took the beating and the humiliation in silence — the way other executives always took the leader's attacks.

This account comes from executives who for decades were key figures in Scientology's powerful inner circle. Marty Rathbun and Mike Rinder, the highest-ranking executives to leave the church, are speaking out for the first time.

Two other former executives who defected also agreed to interviews with the St. Petersburg Times: De Vocht, who for years oversaw the church's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, and Amy Scobee, who helped create Scientology's celebrity network, which caters to the likes of John Travolta and Tom Cruise.

One by one, the four defectors walked away from the only life they knew. That Rathbun and Rinder are speaking out is a stunning reversal because they were among Miscavige's closest associates, Haldeman and Ehrlichman to his Nixon.

Now they provide an unprecedented look inside the upper reaches of the tightly controlled organization. They reveal:

• Physical violence permeated Scientology's international management team. Miscavige set the tone, routinely attacking his lieutenants. Rinder says the leader attacked him some 50 times.

Rathbun, Rinder and De Vocht admit that they, too, attacked their colleagues, to demonstrate loyalty to Miscavige and prove their mettle.

• Staffers are disciplined and controlled by a multilayered system of "ecclesiastical justice.'' It includes publicly confessing sins and crimes to a group of peers, being ordered to jump into a pool fully clothed, facing embarrassing "security checks'' or, worse, being isolated as a "suppressive person.''

At the pinnacle of the hierarchy, Miscavige commands such power that managers follow his orders, however bizarre, with lemming-like obedience.

• Church staffers covered up how they botched the care of Lisa McPherson, a Scientologist who died after they held her 17 days in isolation at Clearwater's Fort Harrison Hotel.

Rathbun, who Miscavige put in charge of dealing with the fallout from the case, admits that he ordered the destruction of incriminating evidence. He and others also reveal that Miscavige made an embarrassing miscalculation on McPherson's Scientology counseling.

• With Miscavige calling the shots and Rathbun among those at his side, the church muscled the IRS into granting Scientology tax-exempt status. Offering fresh perspective on one of the church's crowning moments, Rathbun details an extraordinary campaign of public pressure backed by thousands of lawsuits.

• To prop up revenues, Miscavige has turned to long-time parishioners, urging them to buy material that the church markets as must-have, improved sacred scripture.

Church officials deny the accusations. Miscavige never hit a single church staffer, not once, they said.

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

This needs to go everywhere. EVERYWHERE.

Hubbard-Telescope · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Holy. Crap.

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

A letter from David Miscavige

Posted: Jun 20, 2009 04:30 AM

At 5:50 p.m. Saturday, David Miscavige e-mailed this letter to the Times:

Dear Mr. Childs and Mr. Tobin,

I have been advised that you have decided to move forward with your story without my interview. This, despite the fact confirmed more than three weeks ago that I would make myself available on a date certain (6 July), after you spoke to other relevant Church personnel and toured Church facilities, and that I would provide information annihilating the credibility of your sources including the fundamental crimes against the Scientology religion that were the reasons for their removal from post. You were advised that information would include addressing the extraordinary "admissions" of one of your sources regarding a long-settled legal matter.

I was advised Thursday that you would only interview me on Friday, although you well knew it would be impossible for me to meet with you this week because of a long standing commitment to be aboard the SMV Freewinds for a week of religious events at the Church's annual OT Summit. 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, on the pretense that you cannot wait until after I have fulfilled my religious commitments.

While you have already received unequivocal statements from more than a score of witnesses, along with documentary evidence, providing uncontrovertible proof that your sources are lying, I remain ready to sit down for the requested interview on the date previously confirmed. If you decide not to avail yourself of this opportunity, I insist you do not misrepresent the fact that the decision was yours, not mine.

Kind regards.

Sincerely,

David Miscavige

Editor's note: The Times first requested an interview with Mr. Miscavige on May 13, and offered to meet with him in person, or interview him by telephone at any time since.

[Last modified: Jun 21, 2009 01:39 AM]

Woo! Video and previews of next parts..

Scientology: The truth rundown | Tampabay.com St. Petersburg Times

mirele · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Monday's going to be epic too, look at the end of this article!

==========

Late in the summer of 1995, a woman exited an auditing room at the Fort Harrison Hotel, raised her arms above her head and shouted with delight — a breach of the all-quiet protocol on the auditing floor.

"Who's that?'' Rathbun asked a supervisor.

"That's Lisa McPherson.''

==========

Maybe we'll finally find out what really happened to Lisa. I sure hope so.

*doing a happy dance for this hard work by the SP Times!!!*

ChronicEnturbulator · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Toasting to an epic bread!

NotSoAnon · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Scientology: The Truth Rundown, Part 1 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology

By Joe Childs and Thomas C. Tobin, Times Staff Writers
Posted: Jun 21, 2009 01:06 AM

Scientology: The Truth Rundown, Part 1 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology - St. Petersburg Times

It is vitally important to give credit when copypasta articles that one did not write. Just a hint on acceptable style in posting information to the internets. If YOU don't post about the authors, who the hell do you think WILL post about the authors? Many internet readers don't much care about the authors. It is YOUR JOB to give credit to those who researched and wrote the article.

Now, don't go all blue and yellow about this. Everyone needs to know that reposting an article on the internets simply needs to acknowledge those who did the work, and those who originally took their chances on publishing the work.

leroyjenkins · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

THIS IS WHAT WE BEEN WAITING FOR

FrancesJWorthingtonIII · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

HOLY SHIT.

Edit: HOLYSHITHOLYSHITHOLYSHIT.

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

SHIT, MEET FAN

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

lol

LilDebbie · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

brix were shat

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

and it flushed out a response from David Miscavige

holy fuck shit

ryangiggs · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Hoo boy.
There ain't going to be enough popcorn for this show.

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

It is... beginning.

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Hubbard biographer Danny Sherman told a story of Miscavige spotting an injured sparrow, talking to it and checking back later to see if it lived. "It was immensely tender.''

LilDebbie · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

can you say corroborating evidence?

whoever · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

NotSoAnon;904452 said:

It is vitally important to give credit when copypasta articles that one did not write. Just a hint on acceptable style in posting information to the internets. If YOU don't post about the authors, who the hell do you think WILL post about the authors? Many internet readers don't much care about the authors. It is YOUR JOB to give credit to those who researched and wrote the article.

Now, don't go all blue and yellow about this. Everyone needs to know that reposting an article on the internets simply needs to acknowledge those who did the work, and those who originally took their chances on publishing the work.

Not being blue and yellow here, but STFU with your righteousness. I know better, and did not intentionally leave out the info. I just posted it a hurry. I will fix OP.

(BTW I didn't post the whole article, just a taste...people are supposed to go to the LINK.)

Ramona · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

DIGG: Scientology: The Truth Rundown (St. Petersburg Times)

muldrake · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

blownforgood · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Musical Chairs, beatings, SP Hall and more!

Took them long enough.

Parts 2 & 3 should prove interesting as well.

Until next time...
BFG

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

What the fuck is wrong with you? You're the kook who is all butthurt about "Anon didn't do nothin', the OGs done it all." Yes, when posting a link to a major newspaper article that everyone will read on the other site, yeah, give the complete fucking citation. Sure. Kook.

NotSoAnon;904452 said:

Scientology: The Truth Rundown, Part 1 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology

By Joe Childs and Thomas C. Tobin, Times Staff Writers
Posted: Jun 21, 2009 01:06 AM

Scientology: The Truth Rundown, Part 1 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology - St. Petersburg Times

It is vitally important to give credit when copypasta articles that one did not write. Just a hint on acceptable style in posting information to the internets. If YOU don't post about the authors, who the hell do you think WILL post about the authors? Many internet readers don't much care about the authors. It is YOUR JOB to give credit to those who researched and wrote the article.

Now, don't go all blue and yellow about this. Everyone needs to know that reposting an article on the internets simply needs to acknowledge those who did the work, and those who originally took their chances on publishing the work.

LilDebbie · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

well we now have absolute proof that RTC will pull your "confidential" ethics files. can't wait to rub that in the $cilons' faces next raid.

BlooAnon · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Scilons ==

Oinkertron9000 · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

I CAME SO FUCKING HARD! NOM NOM FUCKING NOM.

Spread this far and wide.

LilDebbie · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

If Rathbun's responsibility was as limited as the church says, the Times asked, how did he get people to submit to a reign of terror? Davis, the church spokesman, erupted.

"He's the one who's saying that Dave Miscavige beat these people,'' Davis screamed. "And he's saying that Dave Miscavige beat the exact same people that he beat. And that's what pisses me off. Because this guy's a f------ lunatic and I don't have to explain how or why he became one or how it was allowable.

"The fact is he's saying David Miscavige did what he did … And now I'm getting a little angry. Am I angry at you? Not necessarily. But I'm g-- d--- pissed at Marty Rathbun. Because he knows that he was the reign of terror."

not sleeping much, eh tommy?

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Oinkertron9000;904480 said:

I CAME SO FUCKING HARD! NOM NOM FUCKING NOM.

That conjurs up a particularly unpleasant mental image at this time of the day.

Resistance Is Futile · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Rinder and Rathbun have just echoed BFG's words so far.

I'll save my tinglies for when they drop a load of fresh dirt.

Hombre · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Holy mother of FUCK!

Olrik · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

ME HAPPY.
While enjoying my croissants, i vote too !

Cheshirecat · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

SO MUCH WIN!!!!!!!!!

Sponge · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

FrancesJWorthingtonIII · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

"The fact is he's saying David Miscavige did what he did … And now I'm getting a little angry. Am I angry at you? Not necessarily. But I'm g-- d--- pissed at Marty Rathbun. Because he knows that he was the reign of terror."

Now that sounds more like the old Tommy.

Anonymous · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

FrancesJWorthingtonIII;904496 said:

Now that sounds more like the old Tommy.

Wonder if Tommy Davis is boning David Miscavige. Rushing in to protect his boyfriend.

Davis, David. Have a nice day!

Sponge · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Resistance Is Futile;904489 said:

Rinder and Rathbun have just echoed BFG's words so far.

I'll save my tinglies for when they drop a load of fresh dirt.

Yes, particularly on the Lisa McPherson case.
I'd like a re-trial if that is legally possible.

St. Petersburg Times said:

COMING TOMORROW PART 2

New details about the case of Lisa McPherson — who died in the care of Scientologists — from the executive who directed the church's handling of the case. He admits he ordered the destruction of incriminating evidence.

Oinkertron9000 · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

"David Miscavige bio, and bios of Scientology officials who defected"
http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1012137.ece

FrancesJWorthingtonIII · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Anonymous;904498 said:

Wonder if Tommy Davis is boning David Miscavige. Rushing in to protect his boyfriend.

Davis, David. Have a nice day!

You got that impression, too? Tommy Davis/David Miscavige = OTP. It's canon now, motherfuckers!

Meanwhile, Tom Cruise/Davey shippers go weep in the corner.

chrisanon · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

blownforgood;904471 said:

Musical Chairs, beatings, SP Hall and more!

Took them long enough.

Parts 2 & 3 should prove interesting as well.

Until next time...
BFG

Is this the shitstorm from Florida you and Larry Brennan have been hinting about for the last couple of months?

'Cause this here's certainly a SHITSTORM!! OMFG!!

ChronicEnturbulator · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Anonymous;904488 said:

Oinkertron9000;904480 said:

I CAME SO FUCKING HARD! NOM NOM FUCKING NOM.

Spread this far and wide.

That conjurs up a particularly unpleasant mental image at this time of the day.

and...

ryangiggs · Jun 20, 2009

Re: St. Petersburg Times: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

Sponge;904495 said:

Sponge, Nooooooo!

Not before the July 6th interview if it happens.

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SP Times - Part 1 of 3: Rinder, Rathbun speak out

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