Mike Rinder is a hero. There just isn't any other word that does him justice. I am lucky to have known him and to be able to have counted him as a friend. I knew him in the church and he was the first "SP" I reached out to back in 2013 when I first was getting out. I'm so sad I'm never going to be able to reach out to him again. I am going to miss him so much. In his actions, he was everything that is good about this anti-Scientology thing. His life mattered and his work mattered and everything he did will stay with us no matter how many idiots and naysayers want to try to ruin that. Mike was genuine, real and he cared. I really don't know what else to say right now but I wanted to say that.
I was never a Scientologist and I never had the privilege of meeting Mike Rinder. Instead, I feel like I know him through his writings and podcasts. He realized that things needed to change and he worked on doing so despite any personal cost. The world will miss this extraordinary man immensely.
Mike Rinder, a hero, a warrior and a class act until the very end. Mike has been my hero for a long time now and I was always rooting for him. His good character and integrity shone through so brightly.
His Aussie silver-fox charm and cool accent were definitely a great addition to Leah's sassiness on the Aftermath show and podcast. His laugh and show of raw emotion really made us love and appreciate him even more.
Mike more than paid his dues to make up for his time in the Sea Org. He did so much on so many fronts to fight Scientology and to help those who were hurt or abused by Scientology. He woke people up by speaking his truth and laying out the facts.
His journey in and out of Scientology is the stuff of legends. Just like him.
My heart goes out to his beautiful wife Christie, to their sons Shane and Jack, and to Mike's friends and loved-ones.
Rest in peace, Mike. You will be greatly missed. The fight goes on.
I grieved his loss when I watched that series of seven videos he released. I lost my sister to cancer about 15 years ago and there’s a certain look people have in their last weeks, and I could see that all over Mike in those powerful videos. He was such a fighter for those trapped in high control groups, and in the end, such a fighter for his own health. His love for his family and his friendship with Leah stand out to me as much as his fighting spirit against the cult of Scientology. The arc of his life was truly extraordinary and he won’t be forgotten.
A few years ago Mike wrote an excellent story on his blog about the many high-level Sea Org executives who left, made a deal or otherwise, and have never spoken out. This "hall of shame" as he put it needs to be shared far and wide.
Mike was subject to a ton of unjustified flack from the flying monkeys, who never seemed to understand that at any point Mike could have -- like so many others -- taken a deal and slithered off to enjoy the peace and quiet.
But no, Mike took the fight to the heart of the beast, and never relented.
I was truly heartbroken to see the notification of this article. Next to the Underground Bunker, Mike Rinder was one of the first people that I became aware of in this realm of anti Scientology activism. I always wished that I could said thank you to him (that wasn’t just via social media) for raising so much awareness about the very dark side to Scientology. Rest in peace, Mike. My condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends 💔💔
May his memory be a blessing to his family. I hope someday Taryn and Benjamin will be able to understand who their father really was and that they have the space to grieve properly. Best to Christie and Shane and Jack, in what is a difficult time. Cancer is a foul scourge that takes far too many.
May his memory be for a blessing. I have read all of his writings. We lost a brother and mensch. Brave heart. I was lucky to survive a non malignant brain tumor (2) It was due to being declared a S P and not being in the cult that I was diagnosed and saved with a craniotomy. If I had been in Scientology I would probably forced to just have auditing and discouraged from seeking medical treatment
I have the greatest respect for people like Mike Rinder. I'm sad to hear of his death. I also feel confident that the great work he's done exposing Scientology, will also result in the death of this despicable cult.
He was there for me in MY darkest hour when there truly was no one else. He didn’t know me and in fact, we didn’t meet for about a year later but he would always answer calls or emails. I ended up losing my son and at the time I thought I lost my husband to this horror story of a religion. There was no Aftermath Foundation, there was no one. But Mike Rinder to help me navigate out of the dark recesses of my mind and claw my way out of that group.
I am now 12 years in recovery out of the church of Scientology and standing in the light. It all started with help from Mike Rinder. A true hero. And a good friend.
I never met Mike Rinder personally, but I listened to so much from him, be it his book, or podcast, or many interviews, over so many years that I felt like I knew him. Some celebrity deaths hit really hard, and this is one of them. Rest in peace Mike.
Oh, heavy heart, to hear this news. Mike, through his public efforts to expose CoS's fraud and deceit, came into my awareness. I never met him, yet I feel the loss of his passing with tears and also a deep sense of great gratitude for his accomplishments. Deep condolences to his wife, family, and friends.
Oh, my heart dropped just seeing the title of the article. I never participated in SCN and I didn't know Mike other than reading about him here and watching his latest videos. I feel so sad and offer my deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.
I felt certain he would survive when he walked away from traditional medicine.
I so agree, Verity. My heart was broken when I saw the title. He has been such a big part of my life (which is podcasts, books, and tv) I know that he was greatly loved and respected and will be greatly missed, even by those of us who never knew him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends and hope that what he and Leah began will continue and eventually bring down this abusive cult .
Mike Rinder is a hero. There just isn't any other word that does him justice. I am lucky to have known him and to be able to have counted him as a friend. I knew him in the church and he was the first "SP" I reached out to back in 2013 when I first was getting out. I'm so sad I'm never going to be able to reach out to him again. I am going to miss him so much. In his actions, he was everything that is good about this anti-Scientology thing. His life mattered and his work mattered and everything he did will stay with us no matter how many idiots and naysayers want to try to ruin that. Mike was genuine, real and he cared. I really don't know what else to say right now but I wanted to say that.
I was never a Scientologist and I never had the privilege of meeting Mike Rinder. Instead, I feel like I know him through his writings and podcasts. He realized that things needed to change and he worked on doing so despite any personal cost. The world will miss this extraordinary man immensely.
Also — FUCK CANCER. So tired of losing people too early.
Mike Rinder, a hero, a warrior and a class act until the very end. Mike has been my hero for a long time now and I was always rooting for him. His good character and integrity shone through so brightly.
His Aussie silver-fox charm and cool accent were definitely a great addition to Leah's sassiness on the Aftermath show and podcast. His laugh and show of raw emotion really made us love and appreciate him even more.
Mike more than paid his dues to make up for his time in the Sea Org. He did so much on so many fronts to fight Scientology and to help those who were hurt or abused by Scientology. He woke people up by speaking his truth and laying out the facts.
His journey in and out of Scientology is the stuff of legends. Just like him.
My heart goes out to his beautiful wife Christie, to their sons Shane and Jack, and to Mike's friends and loved-ones.
Rest in peace, Mike. You will be greatly missed. The fight goes on.
I grieved his loss when I watched that series of seven videos he released. I lost my sister to cancer about 15 years ago and there’s a certain look people have in their last weeks, and I could see that all over Mike in those powerful videos. He was such a fighter for those trapped in high control groups, and in the end, such a fighter for his own health. His love for his family and his friendship with Leah stand out to me as much as his fighting spirit against the cult of Scientology. The arc of his life was truly extraordinary and he won’t be forgotten.
A few years ago Mike wrote an excellent story on his blog about the many high-level Sea Org executives who left, made a deal or otherwise, and have never spoken out. This "hall of shame" as he put it needs to be shared far and wide.
Mike was subject to a ton of unjustified flack from the flying monkeys, who never seemed to understand that at any point Mike could have -- like so many others -- taken a deal and slithered off to enjoy the peace and quiet.
But no, Mike took the fight to the heart of the beast, and never relented.
https://www.mikerindersblog.org/the-ex-so-hall-of-shame/
Hopefully they will be motivated to take up the fight. We can always hope
Thank you for sharing that post at this sad time. Hopefully, another warrior will step up.
I was truly heartbroken to see the notification of this article. Next to the Underground Bunker, Mike Rinder was one of the first people that I became aware of in this realm of anti Scientology activism. I always wished that I could said thank you to him (that wasn’t just via social media) for raising so much awareness about the very dark side to Scientology. Rest in peace, Mike. My condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends 💔💔
Sending love and light to everyone in grief right now.
RIP Mike Rinder. You were loved by many. Heart goes out to Christie and the boys.
May his memory be a blessing to his family. I hope someday Taryn and Benjamin will be able to understand who their father really was and that they have the space to grieve properly. Best to Christie and Shane and Jack, in what is a difficult time. Cancer is a foul scourge that takes far too many.
May his memory be for a blessing. I have read all of his writings. We lost a brother and mensch. Brave heart. I was lucky to survive a non malignant brain tumor (2) It was due to being declared a S P and not being in the cult that I was diagnosed and saved with a craniotomy. If I had been in Scientology I would probably forced to just have auditing and discouraged from seeking medical treatment
I have the greatest respect for people like Mike Rinder. I'm sad to hear of his death. I also feel confident that the great work he's done exposing Scientology, will also result in the death of this despicable cult.
He was there for me in MY darkest hour when there truly was no one else. He didn’t know me and in fact, we didn’t meet for about a year later but he would always answer calls or emails. I ended up losing my son and at the time I thought I lost my husband to this horror story of a religion. There was no Aftermath Foundation, there was no one. But Mike Rinder to help me navigate out of the dark recesses of my mind and claw my way out of that group.
I am now 12 years in recovery out of the church of Scientology and standing in the light. It all started with help from Mike Rinder. A true hero. And a good friend.
Mary, what better friend could you ask for? What a wonderful memory you have to hold onto.
For all who knew Mike personally, and those like me who merely admired him from afar, may his memory be for a blessing.
I never met Mike Rinder personally, but I listened to so much from him, be it his book, or podcast, or many interviews, over so many years that I felt like I knew him. Some celebrity deaths hit really hard, and this is one of them. Rest in peace Mike.
Oh, heavy heart, to hear this news. Mike, through his public efforts to expose CoS's fraud and deceit, came into my awareness. I never met him, yet I feel the loss of his passing with tears and also a deep sense of great gratitude for his accomplishments. Deep condolences to his wife, family, and friends.
To Mike's spirit, thank you.
Oh, my heart dropped just seeing the title of the article. I never participated in SCN and I didn't know Mike other than reading about him here and watching his latest videos. I feel so sad and offer my deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.
I felt certain he would survive when he walked away from traditional medicine.
I shed tears for you all. 💜
I so agree, Verity. My heart was broken when I saw the title. He has been such a big part of my life (which is podcasts, books, and tv) I know that he was greatly loved and respected and will be greatly missed, even by those of us who never knew him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends and hope that what he and Leah began will continue and eventually bring down this abusive cult .