Report: Violence Common Among Scientology Managers

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The leader of the Church of Scientology struck his subordinates numerous times and set an example for physical violence among the tightly controlled religion's management team, four former high-ranking executives told a newspaper for a story published Sunday.

The executives who have since left the organization told The St. Petersburg Times that they witnessed David Miscavige, chairman of the board that oversees the church, hit staff members dozens of times.

"It was random and whimsical. It could be the look on your face. Or not answering a question quickly. But it always was a punishment," said Mike Rinder, who oversaw the church's legal and media relations operations. Rinder said he was struck many times by Miscavige and that he also hit others before leaving in 2007.

I took two Scientology courses in the early 90s. My very good friend has been a lifelong Scientologist and I have always admired the way he lived. At the time, I was floundering spiritually and open to new thinking. As I neared the end of my second course, I received much pressure to sign up for my next course, which I did. Shortly thereafter, I decided that the coercion and mind control techniques used on me were not something I wished to be involved with. I was denied a refund of the $ 600 I had paid for my third course.

I’ve stopped participating but the Scientologists have not let up on me. I receive mail regularly, and occasional hand written letter, and phone calls 1-2x/month. The last call I received was 3 nights ago at 9:38 p.m. I have made five requests by phone that I be permanently removed from mailing and phone lists. I live in So Cal and have called both the LA chapter and the FL chapter to no avail. My sister lives on the East Coast and she received mail addressed to me regularly. I do not know how they could have gotten her address. She has pleaded with me to get them to stop.

If anyone has had a similar experience and knows how to get them to stop, please let me know.

Here is another very long article about Miscavige from the 06/21/09 edition of the Tampa Bay Times. Miscavige sounds like Jim Jones. Bet a lot of Scientologists would drink the poisoned kool-aid if so ordered.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1012148.ece

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