We’ve paid considerable attention to David Miscavige’s November appearances at the IAS gala in England and the taping he made of the New Year’s event on December 16 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
But of course, most Scientologists probably experienced that New Year’s speech at their local orgs on the night of New Year’s Eve itself.
One of our readers attended the December 31 party at Saint Hill Manor in England, and told us that all attendees received a pamphlet that they thought we’d like to see.
We’re always interested in the propaganda that Scientology hands out to its members, and since this particular piece of literature was handed out at Saint Hill, we asked former London staffer Alexander “Apostate Alex” Barnes-Ross to give us his thoughts about it.
Alex: “The first page is a contact form, “We want to hear from you” – but if you look carefully at the copyright statement, this is a data capture for the Church of Scientology International. Only current Scientologists would have been invited to attend the New Year’s event at Saint Hill, so most of the data will already be known to the Org. However, this is clearly a data capture for reges (registrars, salespeople) across the pond to scope out UK prospects they can poach for the Sea Org, Ideal Org fundraisers, and course sales.”
Alex: “The letter from Lavinia Vos, Saint Hill’s Director of Training, takes an interesting approach, focusing on not just the parishioner’s progress up the Bridge but ‘your family and your friends.’ Although this is nothing new, it could be a nod toward Scientology’s aging demographics: The big whales are getting old and Ms. Vos is trying to shift the focus and secure the next generation of Scientology donors.”
Alex: “This theme continues through the pack with success stories and photos of children standing on the steps of Saint Hill Castle holding course completion certificates under the heading ‘Next Generation moving up the Bridge at Saint Hill.’ Most of the staff I worked with at London Org were third generation and now in their early 30s – and many of them are now having children of their own and starting families. It’s clear to me Saint Hill are also trying to engage this audience and get kids indoctrinated and up the Bridge as young as possible.
“I was a teenager when I joined Scientology and was on a ‘project prepare’ to arrive in the Sea Org at Flag and start a new life fully dedicated to working for the Church. If I’d have finished the program, it would have amounted to child trafficking, and there are several families I know of that have been torn apart by Scientology. Charlie Wakley’s brother Jason, for example, was Director of Inspections and Reports (Dir I&R) at London Org as a teenager and now works for the Sea Org in Los Angeles. He hasn’t seen his family in years.
“When you consider the reality of what practicing Scientology means — interrogations, ethics handlings, and punishment for (god forbid) yawning in a course room — it’s sickening Saint Hill are starting 2024 on this note, and it just highlights the urgent need for the authorities to step in and protect these children from what is nothing short of abuse.”
Thank you, Alex, for that crucial perspective.
And thanks again to our reader for passing along the pamphlet!
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'What Route to Knowledge are you on?' I'm on the on ramp to the Road to Perdition and I am trying to fill up the clown car with my friends.
Every group wants to indoctrinate their children with whatever religion or culture they have. The Clampire is no different. As actual proselytizing is not effective anymore, they are forced to go after their children. Now every $cieno family is being run by a Reg (parent) whose 'stat' is how many of their children get on Staff or Sea bOrg. What could go wrong?
I noticed the grade chart still has OT IX AND X and all those other bogus levels above 9 & 10..
Miscavige has paired down the grade chart to maximize income and minimize result. And the original result was mostly based on people who had the actual intention to help not the “tech”. That was 50 years or so ago.
Thanks Tony and Alex for the heads up that Scientology is full on scamming to turn out Sciebots and Seaborgs. Pod people for 2024, a very important year.