Scientology’s annual co-opting of Christmas is back, and this marks the 40th anniversary of “Winter Wonderland,” when, from his hiding place in 1983, L. Ron Hubbard had a Christmas tree put up in Hollywood for the first time.
Critics of Scientology jokingly refer to the Christmas village that Scientology sets up (complete with Santa Claus) as “R6mas,” a reference to the R6 engram that Hubbard claimed all of humanity suffers from because of the galactic ruler Xenu who, 75 million years ago, implanted in our immortal souls false memories of Jesus and all other modern religions.
In other words, Scientology doesn’t believe in Jesus, Christmas, or Santa Claus, but they know a good recruiting opportunity, and so every year in Hollywood and in other places they set up their ersatz village and lure in the local kids to sit on Santa’s lap.
This time, Santa rolled up to the Hollywood Winter Wonderland on a Harley.
But sadly, Scientology’s star power is so anemic these days, the only quasi-celebrity they had on hand for the formal opening ceremony was Kerri Kasem.
That’s a reminder that in past years, they could count on some heavy hitters showing up. Like the time Danny Masterson got several of his fellow That ’70s Show cast members to show up for the festivities.
Anyway, our friend who dives through old newspaper archives found something that has us thinking once again about Scientology’s attempts to recruit new people with their Christmas fake-out, and wow, this one really hit us hard, just a couple of days after a big anniversary.
What we’re talking about was that back in the summer of 1995, there was some controversy in Clearwater, Florida, when Scientology sought permission from the city to set up a Winter Wonderland in the upcoming holiday season in city-owned Coachman Park.
Some residents were angry that Scientology, which already owned so much of the downtown, would be given permission to set up their recruitment fakery.
But then, a Scientologist wrote to the St. Petersburg Times (today the Tampa Bay Times), asking why anyone would have a problem with such a beneficial amenity like Scientology’s winter village.
And take a look at the signature.
What’s wrong with a winter festival?
I read the article in the Aug. 31 paper about the winter festivities (sponsored by the Church of Scientology) being considered for Clearwater’s Coachman Park this holiday season. I was quite surprised to find such opposition to holiday activities for children.
It is hard for me to imagine anyone, especially one of our own city commissioners, objecting to Santa Claus and singing and to a church that wants to put this on.
It looks like this has become a controversial issue — the holidays, of all things! I find it quite silly. The park is the perfect place for these activities and I look forward to seeing it.
Lisa McPherson
Clearwater
Wow. This appeared in the Sept 8, 1995 issue of the newspaper. And it was that same month when Lisa was declared “Clear” at a ceremony at the Fort Harrison Hotel after church leader David Miscavige himself had gotten involved in her case and decided that she had attained that important intermediate step for any Scientologist.
Less than three months later, Lisa was dead, and Scientology would later endure years of bad publicity as more details emerged of how badly she had been treated by handlers at the hotel, watching by silently as she went mad and died of dehydration.
But sure, Scientology has its happy villages back up again, and Santa Claus is being used by Scientology to lure in more unsuspecting kids.
Is this a great country or what?
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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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The direct control over Lisa McPherson’s treatment, both before and during her final days, of defendant David « he is NOT insane ! » Miscavige is an eye opener. The criminal organisation known as the « church » of $cientology spent millions keeping that fact well obscured.
Scientology puts on show of celebrating Christmas and Saint Nicholas.
The cult does not believe in Christ, any Saints or god. Hubbard was an atheist as are all members in good standing.
Scientology has front groups to hide its hypocrisy, fraud and lies.
Hubbard established the scripture to save all of us trapped in the universe. In fact he built a destructive trap that kills believers lie Lisa McPherson. It’s a toxic virus.