Postscript: How David Miscavige spun the death of Lisa McPherson
We’re very glad to be done with our series about Lisa McPherson, who died 30 years ago Friday. But after paying such close attention to Scientology’s grimmest of scandals, we thought we owed you a laugh.
So, as a postscript to what you’ve been through, we’re offering something we know some of you have already seen, but is worth a look if you haven’t encountered it before. It’s David Miscavige at the Maiden Voyage event in 2000, spinning the church’s victory after the criminal prosecution for Lisa’s death was dropped that year.
This is some vintage Miscavige, but even more so than usual because he’s spinning these conspiracy theories in a speech rather than filtered through a Freedom magazine investigation or a Golden Era video with a voiceover actor.
Someone has put some very entertaining titles on the videos, which were posted in 2008, when Chanology was new. We’re more interested in your observations, however, especially now that we’ve all had a chance to refresh our memories about what actually happened to Lisa McPherson…
Bonus items from our tipsters
Alex Barnes-Ross passed along this latest item from Saint Hill Manor, Scientology’s UK headquarters, saying that Tony Melvin is a pretty well known “get rich” author over there.
We don’t know how well he’s known in the US, and wondered 1) if our American readers had heard of him and 2) if it’s generally known that he’s a major OT Scientologist.
In order to get this particular certificate, for example, he would have had to be drilled on dozens of L. Ron Hubbard books and lectures that were reissued in 2007, known as “The Basics.” It’s a ton of work. And the key to riches?
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Source Code: Actual things founder L. Ron Hubbard said on this date in history
Avast, Ye Mateys: Snapshots from Scientology’s years at sea
Overheard in the Freezone: Indie Hubbardism, one thought at a time
Past is Prologue: From this week in history at alt.religion.scientology
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How proudly did DM talk about the campaign to get Dr Woods to change her findings. Why yes the Saint Petersburg Times did cover the death and trial of Lisa McPherson very well. Miscavige is always playing the 'they are after us' card. The Clams need enemies to keep them in the safe clam bed. After all, it is not safe in the real world, entheta and all. So get your news only from approved sources. Do you really want another trip to 'ethics'?
In older times, being a 'melvin' was a derogatory term. I can't imagine how spending so much time listening to Lroon drivel on can mess your brain. And he paid big buck (or pounds or euros) for that privilege.
Miscavige says that Scientology will be here for decades to come. That may be true, but I believe its worldwide membership has dramatically decreased. Even at their peak around 1990, the number was around 100 thousand. That's not many with a worldwide population of over 6 billion. It's now around 20 thousand and hopefully continuing to fall.