The text discusses the controversy surrounding the Church of Scientology, particularly following the conviction of Hollywood actor Danny Masterson for multiple rapes. The Church has been accused of using extraordinary tactics to protect Masterson, its star recruit, and silence his victims. The Church's alleged abuses and MOB-style operations have been exposed, causing significant backlash.
Masterson, a high-ranking Scientologist, was found guilty on two counts of rape. His conviction has resulted in a loss of public image for Scientology, leading to a series of revelations about the organization's practices. The Church's response to the allegations of abuse within its ranks has been criticized, with former members accusing the Church of victim-shaming and intimidation tactics.
The Church's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, created the religion in the 1950s, and it has since attracted many celebrities. The Church's practices, which include costly personality testing and self-help courses, have been compared to psychoanalysis. However, the Church's policies that forbid a Scientologist from reporting to law enforcement and the consequences for violating this rule have been exposed.
The Church's response to allegations of rape within its ranks has been criticized. Initially, the victims were victim-shamed and discouraged from reporting the crimes. It was revealed that the Church had knowledge of the rapes and actively discouraged the victims from coming forward. This led to a prolonged investigation, with the allegations not being investigated until 12 years after the incidents occurred.
Former Scientologist Valerie Haney has shared her experiences of being followed, harassed, and intimidated by the Church. Her escape from the Church was a dramatic one, involving being smuggled out in the trunk of a stranger's car. However, her freedom has been threatened as the Church has tried to force her to return under their terms.
The Church's leader, David Miscavige, has been accused of hiding to evade taking the stand in court. Despite this, he continues to control the Church. The Church's response to the legal challenges faced by Haney and other victims has been criticized. The Church's arbitration process, which allows it to be its own judge and jury, has been described as a contrived legal strategy to cover up crimes.
The text concludes with a warning from Haney against getting involved with Scientology. She advises others to stay away from the Church, as it is not worth the potential harm it could cause.
1. Hollywood actor Danny Masterson was found guilty of multiple rapes.
2. Masterson was a member of the Church of Scientology, which has been revealed to use extraordinary tactics to protect its members.
3. The Church of Scientology has been accused of serious abuses and MOB-style operations.
4. The Church of Scientology was founded by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s.
5. The Church of Scientology encourages its members to report crimes to the church rather than to law enforcement, and has been accused of working to destroy the lives of those who report crimes to authorities.
6. Valerie Haney, a former member of the Church of Scientology, was harassed and followed by the church after she tried to leave.
7. Valerie Haney made a dramatic escape from the Church of Scientology by hiding in the boot of a stranger's car.
8. Valerie Haney has since filed a lawsuit against the Church of Scientology for human trafficking, kidnapping, harassment, stalking, and violation of child labor laws.
9. The Church of Scientology's leader, David Miscavige, has been found by a judge to have actively concealed his whereabouts to evade taking the stand.
10. The Church of Scientology's arbitration process, which allows the church to be its own judge and jury, has been criticized as a contrived legal strategy to cover up crimes.
11. The whereabouts of Shelley Miscavige, David Miscavige's wife and one-time high priestess of the church, have been unknown since 2006.