I escaped Scientology...here's what Tom Cruise is really like: Mike Rinder | OTE Podcast 184
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 28 май 2024
- Mike Rinder escaped from the sea org of scientology, and has a real insight into Tom Cruise. He had to leave his family behind. He is one of the biggest names in the former scientology world, working in the heart of the Sea org for 25 years. He is an author and television presenter, and has just released his brilliant memoir. Tragically, Mike had to leave his wife and daughter behind when he left the cult. As seen on the Megyn Kelly Show.
• On the Edge with Andre...
Mike Rinder links:
Get his new book, A Billion Years! : www.amazon.co.uk/Billion-Year...
mrinder.com
www.mikerindersblog.org
/ mikerinder
Andrew Gold links:
/ andrewgold1
/ andrewgold_ok
/ andrewgold_ok
#scientology #mikerinder #cultsandextremebeliefs
0:00 Why Escape?
3:48 Tracking Escapees
5:57 Fair Gaming / Mike's Family
15:30 Mike's Early Days and L Ron Hubbard
26:35 Lord Xenu / E-Meters / Thetans
31:47 Leaving Scientology / Aftermath Foundation
47:54 Journalists' Responsibility / Lisa McPherson
56:32 Tom Cruise and John Travolta
1:00:40 Reflection and Remorse 
Развлечения
Let me know your thoughts down below!
I'm a clinical therapist and have worked with clients who have left cults that resulted in them losing their family. Logically they know they did the right thing but emotionally they struggle with the total loss of their family and support network.
As a mother, I cannot conceive of walking away knowing I could never have contact with my children again.
@@dot-to-dot thanks dot to dot! So difficult!
@@dot-to-dot after watching a video about the wife, he surely is better off in that aspect. and the kids are iffy as well! the cult doesn't necessarily view family the same way as others do. my personal belief is that we plan our lives before we arrive, so whatever happened was intended. i got out decades ago but many people i knew then are still involved. likely people mike knew too. we are a strange bunch of ducks!
I was born into a cult where women weren't allowed to have an education but at 16 I enrolled myself in school and got kicked out I was homeless no with family or friends but it turned out to be the best thing I ever did. Now 16yrs later I've been able to repair many relationships. My mom is still in deep but is more aware of reality and atleas she's able to speak to me now
Hi late to the party as usual lol ❤ Looking forward to this 🤩Thank you ❤
My husband, back in the 60's had one date with a Scientologist and went to exactly one event. He made the mistake of signing the guestbook. For years we got letters from them, which we ignored. Then, in 2008, he passed away and I moved. Much to my astonishment, I continued to get letters addressed to him at my new address. Then I moved again, to another city, and the letters continued to come! The last letter I got was in 2022. This means about 50 years of letters including after he died from one guestbook signing. I can't imagine the effort, and resources, that must have been involved to do this. Just creepy.
I am still getting mail from Scientology. My mother-in-law got involved in it in the seventies. I live in Georgia. She never lived with us, nor did she live anywhere but Miami where she died in 1995. We bought my current house in 2008, and my husband died in 2021. I have no idea how they got our address here. The mail is still addressed to my late mother-in-law. I got junk mail from them as recently as last week. I don’t send it back because I prefer to let them keep wasting their money on printing and mailing fees.
Yes, this is common. Scientology considers every person who ever signed anything whatsoever to be an active $cieno for inventory purposes. This is hw they can state that they have millions of members despite having less (far less) than a million active adherents at their peak (in the 1980s and 1990s).
@@j.a.terranson Makes sense. They probably promote the dead having voting rights too!
My condolences, hope you’re doing well Melissa
And they're probably using our tax dollars to send those and to find out the new places people have moved
Leah Remini and Mike Rinder deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. These two are saving people from cults.
It’s sickening to see how many websites are devoted to trashing he and Leah.
Incredible idea! I wonder how nominations work
@@joancrawford1146 All probably backed by those silly scientology people. People that believe all the junk printed about Leah and Mike are just nuts or Scientologist.
Steady on
They save people from that particular cult because of their courageous outspokenness. However, there are a lot of people in the world who are vulnerable to the allure of cults of every variety imaginable, and these brave, former Scientologist don't save them from those.
In the early 90ies, I used to work on a years long project where the project manager was an American expat from New York. We talked a lot about the differences between Americans and Scandinavians, and he explained why the US is seen as the paradise of the western world for anyone who wants to start a cult, an MLM, a Ponzi scheme, getting absurdly wealthy by starting a TV network preaching the prosperity gospel: A lot of Americans grow up being taught to trust and obey authority figures without questioning anything. The same people grow up in sheltered, social groups where everyone else has grown up that way, for generations. Loyalty is blind, and questioning what you hear is seen as disloyal. If you fill them with fear and anger, they will become fearful and angry.
Critical thinking, questioning what you're told and staying informed is encouraged in Scandinavia. When someone no longer deserves our loyalty, it's okay to walk away. We aren't more intelligent (obviously!), but we are more intellectually curious because we were brought up to be that way. That means we're more informed, and since we're more informed, we are quick to smell a rat when our authority leaders lie to us.
Not one of the Americans I had known, worked with, read or watched on TV were anything like what he described, so I couldn't wrap my head around it. This was 30 years ago, and he predicted virtually everything that has happened in the US since Trump launched his 2015 campaign. Being from NYC, he even mentioned that "someone like Donald Trump for example" would become POTUS someday and pose a real threat to the American democracy. There are a lot of people in the US who worship and blindly follow their chosen authority figures the same way that the Germans did Hitler and the Italians, Mussolini". That was 30 years ago, and have believed him since Trump won the 2016 election. Good grief.... Q-Anon, Christian Nationalism (the Nazis called themselves that, because it would sound better to the masses than Nazism), Trumpism... My project manager was a Republican. If he had been alive to see what has happened to his country, his party and his now diseased religion over the past few years, it wouldn't have surprised him, but it would have broken his heart.
My greatest wish for Mike is that someday his kids will wake up and come back to him. Best of luck,Mike.
I really hope so too. His story is truly heart breakening!!!!
A re his kids into this cult?
@@centric145 they remained inscn when mike left. His daughter Taren was weaponized against him, his son Ben is basically held hostage in clearwater (allegedly). So yeah, there is no happy end in sight.
I wonder what made Mike leave ?
@@micheledemos9587, are you serious?
Ron's quote has always been so telling to me:
"You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion.”
― L. Ron Hubbard
Like Joseph Smith did.
This was great interview. I'm also an escaped 2nd generation Scientologist (Mike knows me). My mother worked with Hubbard. I was never in the Sea Org thankfully - but fully immersed in the "church" and on staff for years. Mike helped me enormously on my journey out of the church and I am eternally grateful to him and his beautiful wife for their support.
I’m happy you were able to get out. It is heartbreaking to hear all the stories specially the tragic ones. I hope you are going well and keep your head up and moving forward, the world outside of Scientology is beautiful, kind and something to enjoy!
Awesome story. Stay strong & keep moving. The world is crazy place but it includes freedom. We applaud your dedication to free, independent. One day, write a book, do an interview, just don't let scientology never hold you back again. Keep on keepin' on 💪🙌👏👏👏👏🌟
Happy that you are free. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to leave something that is so ingrained into your entire life. Best wishes to you.
@@BrandyD1777 - Thanks for your kind message.
@@run2yah4salvation35 - Thanks so much 🙏
Mike has hurt and wronged a lot of people. The fact that he can sit down across from those people and admit he was wrong, validate the things that happened to them, and then with a true heart apologize. I have so much respect for him.
Mike is a cunt who found himself on the outs with his cult and is now raging against it however too little too late! Mike was making men do shameful things when he had his power so forgive me for not being so forgiving
When u are brainwashed by a cult all your life I don't blame him .
@@crystallove9813 he joined as an adult and he was very high up he fell out of favour and now he’s acting like the good guy! He was a cunt and still is
Agreed. The ex members i respect are the ones doing that! It would be easy for him to ignore it and try to pass them blame… it takes guts and a big heart to admit his mistakes, apologise and try to help others get out safely.❤
What about Meyerism?
Leah and Mike should start a “Scientology recovery camp” type thing where people can go and escape Scientology and get help getting their lives back on track.
She does have a program that helps people get out and get on their feet.
One of the barriers to leaving Scientology is, “How could I survive outside of Scientology with no skills?!” They deliberately keep their staff DUMB for that specific reason!
Someone should open a school or a scholarship program to train these people to have usable skills.
And to be honest, anyone who worked at somewhere like Gold base would have, at least, Administrative skills (maybe also PR, Marketing, Audio/Visual etc) that would set them up to work in the real world. In the UK at least, the job center (that helps the unemployed learn functional and work skills) would be great to have something similar to help people that come out to start from absolute zero; bank accounts, work skills, work experience etc.
A cult deprogramming course would be good.
PTSD
I took a 'Personality test' in the London Tottenham Court Road office, I was probably around 25 at the time. I remember filling out the form, listening to the 'sales pitch', and very quickly concluding that it was cult/cash farming scam. I was out of there like a shot.
Yes they used to stand outside asking passers by if they are stressed. One day I was walking past on my way to Goodge St station and was approached and when I ignored her and tried to walk past she grabbed onto my coat to pull me back! I told her don't you dare touch me! And she let go and I was on my way. What a cheek! The store isn't there anymore.
Me too! in the USA back in the 1990's. I was about 30 years old Saw an ad in a newspaper for personality test. There was no reference to Scientology in the newspaper, ad so I had no idea. Got a call that I should come in to discuss the results of my personality test. They still never told me who they were. I went to a building, took my husband too. There was a black man who took me into a room, and a white lady took my husband into a separate room. They talked to us for hours, showed us a weird movie, told us we could work in exchange for taking their classes and becoming Scientologists. My husband came out of the room bawling, crying....apparently he had told them his life story. Anyway we never went back, but they really tried to get us
This means you already had a functioning brain. I can't even understand why people can really believe in a god, prophet or messiah, and do as some priest tells them too, let alone join a cult where you give away any common sense at the entrance
I used to have coffee at a Coffee Bean &Tea Leaf in Los Feliz and Scientology bombed the place regularly with leaflets and such. I could've gone down a very bad path of I'd been stupid enough to treat them as anything more than propaganda from a cancerous, malignant, illegitimate organization.
A friend and I out of curiosity went into the office in 73/74. We didn't bite his bs either, & he was glad when we left. lol
My aunt _just_ got out of Scientology, at age 60-something, and I see exactly what Mike talked about. She's like a child who's been thrust into adulting, and if she didn't have my cousin (who's going insane helping her, but treats her mum very well and only complains to me lol) I don't think she could survive on her own. My cousin got kicked out in her 20s (born into it) for an affair, and had to jump through hoops to be able to talk to her mum again. Even though my aunt still has her family, I think she'd be on the street if it weren't for her daughter. This cult took EVERYTHING from her. Many of the family didn't even know she was a Scientologist for decades, but because of that, we didn't bad mouth it, and weren't "suppressive persons," so she never had to cut everyone off. We never knew why her and my cousin weren't together at some of the family gatherings for a few years, and after learning that those were years when her daughter was still a "suppressive person," it all made sense. People want to try and say, "all religions are cults," but it's just not true. I'm not religious, but grew up Catholic, and when I didn't go through with confirmation and left the church, I was always told that I was always welcome and could come back at any time. I still talked to the priest when my grandmother would help with events and fundraisers they did, my family didn't disown me, nor were they expected to, and nobody tried to ruin my life. Religion is an organisation - Scientology is a cult. (Allegedly, in my opinion 😂)
Yes it is true...All religions are cults, its just some are a lot worse than others..
@@markweatherall7437 That depends on your definition of "cult." Because, if you're going to say, "all religions are cults," then you're expanding the definition into it's more literal meaning, and we can go further saying that sports teams are cults, and music groups are cults, and yoga groups are cults, and the list goes on. There's an argument that "cult" can be a spectrum - but that's not what we're talking about here, and you know it. All religion is not a cult. None of the Abrahamic religions (excluding cultish sects) require you to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to read their books, cut off your family members, or forcibly prevent you from leaving if you choose to. An organized religion is nothing more than a set of beliefs shared by others. A cult is a set of beliefs forced upon others. People _choosing_ to believe in something, and surrounding themselves with others who believe similarly is very different from people being brainwashed and manipulated by a single person (or select few) through bait and switch tactics, and then having the rug pulled out from under them. A religion can very easily _become_ a cult, but that doesn't mean all religion is a cult. I'm not a religious person, but when you get flippant, you discredit the horrors that people who have been in cults have gone through, and you disrespect perfectly kind religious people.
As a member of AA I see quite a few elements in common with cults. But it is not one, in my opinion, because of the way current members interact with lapsed members. That's always along the lines of: I cannot agree with your choice, but I wish you well, and will welcome you back if you return. So yes, I agree with your opinion that Scientology is a cult.
@@rossmurray6849 All the oynymouses are cults..
The 12 steps keeps people trapped in it..
They find it very difficult to walk away from the group out of fear.
@@rossmurray6849 Exactly. AA can literally be defined as a "cult," but that's in the broadest of terms. People are there voluntarily (excluding court mandated, but that's a different situation altogether), and just like you said - they can choose to stop going, but would be welcomed back, and typically aren't ostracized just because they've stopped attending meetings. That's the biggest difference between groups with shared interests, and genuine cults.
Mike and Leah have done a fantastic job of bringing this cult down. Keep up the great work.
Mike and Leah have shown us how most cults operate.
I disagree only because they haven't brought it down, it's still there and still operating
@@Steve_P_B
HA! Right, and I love (sarcasm) how the word "CULT" is thrown around. Not saying it isn't, just saying every religion/club/organization in the world is defined as a cult to some body:)
@@geico1975 not necessarily. There's certain criteria that determines the difference between a religion and a cult. A religion belongs to the wider community and its members are free to socialise with people outside the religious group. Also its adherents come and go freely. A cult tends to be counter-cultural, restricting the social life of its adherents to other cult members and, especially in the case of Scientology, are aggressive when it comes to preventing members from leaving even to the point of tracking leavers down and forcing them back.
@@Steve_P_B But their members are leaving and hardly any new members are joining.
I never understood how scientology was able to get tax exempt status since they are not a 'religion' but Mike's book explained exactly how it happened - and it is terrifying.
How did he describe it? If you can share a lil bit about what he wrote... 🙏 ❤
I’m interested in the answer too. Because they’re an “organization” NOT a religion so I don’t understand.
*I believe the organization overwhelmed the IRS with legal effort (but, I know there was more, I just can't remember). The book sounds fascinating; why not just read it? Cheers!*
I believe you're correct
This man is so brave. I admire the courage it takes to escape a place like that and then speak out about it
As a ExScientologist I can say that he has described everything spot-on
I just admitted this for the first time on my channel LOL
@@edy1361 no this was Before the Internet when all the celebrities are speaking out in favour of Scientology it’s not like how it is today in that respect
Tom……?? Is that you???……
I am so sorry you were in that cult and wasted that time. I do believe what most of these ex-members say: that most people enter b/c they want to do GOOD things and really believe they're helping This cult, like many, targets young adults specifically b/c for many that is a time of vulnerability - figuring out who you are and your purpose. Some have mentioned that shame should be involved, but I just don't see it that way. We have only one, very short life, and I'm just so sorry for this wasted time. Blessings to you and I hope you get all good things in your life.
@@purselmer5931 🙏 im lucky i chose my family and left but some people waste their whole life and lose their family that stay with the cult!
Now i know its BS but back in the day i thought i was missing out on spiritual freedom etc
Thank you ✌️👍🙏
Mike Rinder is wonderful! He’s doing the most important work that he can do for the rest of his life. He’s exposing the damaging Scientology cult. Thanks to Mike for all he does! Complete respect!
Is he related to Rob Rinder?
thats what you guys said about rathbun...lol.
@@fionagregory9147Do you mean Rob Reiner?
Back in 1979 (North Sacramento) my roomie got hooked by the "Church" of Scientology. I mailed in a kind of personality test that was graded by a member of the "church" who told me in an interview that I was "unhappy" according to my responses. I disagreed and picketed out front of the church with a sign that said "Cults may be Hazardous to your Health" on one side and "God have Mercy" on the other side. Two "church" member came outside to ask me who was sponsoring me. I told them I was picketing on my own. I was waiting for some media attention, but that never materialized. I used to work security at nights across the street from the "church" where I could see and hear pairs of members sitting in chairs face-to-face and screaming at one another. I thought by now the "church" would have been exposed as not being a church at all, however I see the government has continued to give the "church" a tax exempt status. Unbelievable. P.S. I got the idea for my sign after the Jim Jones massacre took place the year before (1978).
I remember how gaunt and unwell Mike was in the first Panorama dicumentary. He looked possessed. He is now so handsome and glowing with health. I love listening to him. I'm so glad he escaped. I just wish his ex wife and children could get out too. ❤
Same. ❤
Is a shame he got his two daughters & wife into it. I;m sure he has the deepest regrets now.
I am 60 years old. When I was in my 40's I walked into a scientology store. Found interest and told my 23 year old daughter, Amy, at the time that I had some interest. She knew more than I and started laughing and then got serious. Please Mom don't join this cult. She continued to tell me about the sci Fi author and his vision. She convinced me to not go further but to research how weirded out cult they were. Now, 20 years later, much has changed with all that has come out about scientology truth.
I look forward to the day they no longer are an organization. Let alone a religion one. Thanks for all the information the last few years and now.
I knew 30 years ago when I went in that it was completely ridiculous! Glad you have a smarter kid!!
I’m curious what interested you about it? I’ve been trying to understand why adults or young adults are drawn to this.
@@beingbenign2685 they're told they'd become super human. Narcissists!
Readers Digest deserves some credit here. They reported about scientology early on (let 70s I think early 80s) and the were against smoking and its dangers long before that became talked about by other media. I do not think they had cigarette ads either. Of course conservative and the U.S. is the Greatest etc. - but in that respect they did good.
The more I hear about the truth of Scientology, the more disturbing I find it. The lengths they will go to ruin your good name and reputation is disgusting. Anyone that has had the guts to stand up and leave this cult (not religion), to get your freedom back, you are very courageous. Thank you for telling the truth about this cult.
Well all religions are the same as cults really. All man made and indoctrinating.
I have thus happening to me a week. Not sure which church I went to is doing this to me. Many Churches attack me more. I left. All because the did not teach without twisting truth and making thier own rules. Saying it's in the bible. I addressed the issues. That does not make all in the church guilty of this.
Exactly! Truth should stand on its own merit.
Is more than disturbing, is outright demonic!
To hear that someone is locked up and watched if they want to leave Scientology - I ask, what is law enforcement doing to investigate and prosecute such kidnappings?
I was thinking about too that that surely is kidnappning and illegal and the people who do this should be locked up themselves but then the police is most likely corrupt and bought by them.
Nothing, they own law enforcement
All under payroll.....
The IRS and Law Enforcement try not to get involved with Scientology because they are actually intimidated by the group.
They are added on payroll.
When I was 21 I thought about joining Scientology. I met a member. My life took a turn and I moved away. I never talked to my neighbor again. Twenty five years later I’m watching this.
Also, Andrew you are a great interviewer. You actually let Mike speak. You didn't interject or cut him off ever. You let him tell his story uninterrupted, only asking questions when necessary. I appreciate this kindof interview because I'm actually able to get all the information without listening to the interviewer ask questions the entire time and the guest not being able to give complete answers.
Ah fantastic, I'm so glad you enjoyed it Rolo!
☝️ I agree!
The Jeff Mara Podcast here on RUclips is the only other person I've found that really can stay quiet and allow the speaker his freedom.
They have some amazing stories about near death experiences so it's great to just get into it and lose yourself to your imagination.
Normal debate can be quite stressful, even discussions can be tense but hearing what these people went through and how life changing it was, gives you a taste of the real experience. Just listening intently can be your own spiritual journey, just like the coming out stories of scientologists.
This 👏👏👏
Very well said... I 100% agree with you on that!👍
When I was one of Jehovah’s witnesses part of what woke me up from my indoctrination was seeing all the similarities to Scientology
I thought the exact same things... many similarities... so sad. Glad you are out.❤
I will speak up for the JWs here. They are a fundamentalistic religion also with the practice of shunning (however at least family members COULD stand up against it, I know of cases, although most of the time the JWs in "good standing" go along with the shunning). A JW that is leaving must not pay a lot of money for religious education or else he / she will be shunned. That is what happens to Sea Org members. They get all sorts of sessions (on the e-meter, courses, etc.). Of course they cannot pay for it they get only board and a very ! measly allowance. They get that for free and being the elite they should be the best educated. However if they only leave the Sea Org (the fulltime volunteer org) they all of a sudden have to pay their "debt". If they do and remain a normal Scientologist they will not be shunned. Scientology cannot sue them for the money this would be extremely bad PR (even if they had a legal claim, likely they have to sign something).
So if a member does not pay them they get nothing. But they can hold the contacts to family, friend over their head. And that the spouse will divorce them. (either they also leave OR the marriage is over).
JWs are not a money grabbing scam, if they think you need to be kicked out you cannot buy your way out of it. They do not collect information about members, and about judges, politicians etc. so they can extort them. Also they do not extort money from their members and the religious education is for free.
Scientology must have had dirt on some judges and or higher ups in the IRS or they would never have gotten the tax excempt status. The battle about it was going on for years and suddenly the IRS folded. If not Scientology would have gone bankrupt.
JWs also do not hire private investigators and do not start legal cases against civilians nor do they start campaigns to ruin somoneones reputation.
I have a soft spot for the JWs - the people not their governing body (I knew some members who were kind people). They are not nearly as bad as scientology. Not even the org.
One problem is that the faithful JWs really think the end is near and the people that leave will never have a chance at resurrection. They are lost (will be killed in the End Of Times and that was it). JWs do not believe in an immortal soul - hence the need for resurrection. So parents whose adult children leave are really devastated.
I never got the inner logic of the Scientologists and their urgency. The doctrine: Humans have a kind of immortal soul (or whatever they call that). Humans come back, have been on this (or other) planet(s) in other lifes and will have more lifes after this one. So even if they "mess up" by not getting Scientology right this life, they can always do better in the next life.
I'm going to fundamentally disagree. While the rank and file are often decent people, the JW teachings and behaviours cause huge, far reaching harm.
I have six siblings, all of us raise JW, all of us harmed in varying degrees by its teachings. We all know personally at least three others who were molested as children by high up men in the congregations.
My own sister had, after terrible, troubled teenage years, had a child out of wedlock. After returning to the fold, her daughter then three, she was pursued by an elder's son. They married, and he abused my niece. In court, he admitted he had selected my sister because he wanted her daughter, and he had already perpetrated on his little sister.
The elders knew all this, and still told my sister it was on her, because she wasn't satisfying him and had "forced him" to turn to her child. When he had done his time, the elders moved him to another congregation, didn't alert their members and he re-offended.
Another sister was treated similarly by an elder's son, the difference this time only that it was my sister he wanted. She was also dismissed and blamed by the powerful men.
You might argue that this is not the religion, that it's people behaving badly, as people do. But as I already said, my siblings and I all know others to whom this scenario happened, who were dismissed in the same way. As a child, I was touched repeatedly by different men in my congregation. In the kingdom hall, in plain sight. Men, coming up behind me slithering arms round my waist, whispering strange, disconcerting things in my ear, often observations of what they thought about my sisters and how revealing their clothing was. It was seen, and ignored. There is a culture of this behaviour. All children refer to ANY other adult in the organisation as Auntie and Uncle. We were told as females that we were "in subjection" to the men in the congregation. We had elders who would take other people's kids out of meetings to spank them, if they thought the meeting was being disturbed. Boundaries are blurred and crossed.
I have a friend who is gay. Literally everyone could see it, even from his childhood, including his parents. Yet, he was kicked out and made homeless at 16 after he confessed his orientation to his parents.
I could write volumes about the dogma and practises, and other harrowing experiences from many other JWs, but I just want to really express to you that, just because the organisation don't use the same tactics as scientology, that does not prove that the group aren't a cult. They do, in fact, meet the criteria.
JW is a rigid cultish sect. I just ignored anything they say to me, same as pentecostals, & other psycho groups. Did you ever hear of Cog(Children of God, late 60 early70's) They were bad. They'd get-for a guy-a girl in the cult to sleep with you to get you in. So I heard from many people anyway.
I love Mike, his story of redemption and his honest and kind heart is inspiring to me
I did not escape any cult, bit I escaped abusive relationships that stole altogether 14 years of my life. This interview gave me a sense of serenity and a lot of hope. Thanks for making this video and this interview.
The fact Mike can smile now and look back and acknowledge the bad he had done really gives me hope in humanity. He's a great example that there's no place you can go, no matter how dark, that you can't come back from.
Well a lot of his victims can't go back but I guess that's not important. He is not open about his crimes as he doesn't want to open himself up for litigation.
He has carefully avoided going into specifics with his crimes. Only pointing the finger when you were at the top destroying people doesn't cut it.
An abuser has fully healed from the abuse he inflicted and can look back on it and smile?
Im sorry, WHAT?!
Love this man, so natural and genuine! Easy to listen to and genuinely, eager to be helpful! 🌟🌟🌟
@@ChristinaFromRUclips thx people forget he was at the very top responsible for a lot of shady often criminal actions. He did not leave because he was critical but Miscaviege wanted him gone. I respect Rinders commitment to speaking out be he never did that about his part. He is just as much a sociopath. Very charming, v
And what about his victims. His acknowledgment won’t bring them back. He should probably be in prison.
I can't imagine what Katie and Nicole went through. They were lucky to leave. Feel sad to the other people are still there. 😞
Both Nicole Kidman and Katie were lucky to be so well known so they couldn't bodily harm them.
I agree. And didn’t Laura Prepon recently say she left Scientology, and I thought I read there are rumors of John Travolta leaving as well. I don’t know for sure, but I do know it makes me happy whenever a famous Scientologist comes out against the church. Doesn’t happen often, but it happens.
When I heard Katie and TC were getting married I felt like screaming at the tv Katie don't be stupid girl RUN AWAY FAR AND FAST. But at least she was smart enough to learn from Nicoles experience. She got it all set up then just left without anyone knowing it until she was long gone. I was so happy she left before Tom let Scientology get its fangs in Suri. Suri could of been turned against Katie like Isabelle and Connor were turned against Nicole. I was so angry at Tom after they divorced. Tom made insinuations about her being a dirty cheater. I think he learned after that horrible reaction. If I remember correctly he got a lot of backlash after they split. So when he and Katie split I think he kept his mouth shut to stop getting hate like he didn't after Nicole.
@@ileanahernandez1709 Sadly Cruise turned the kids against Nicole and are full fledged Scientologists! Katie had the help of her father whose an excellent lawyer. He helped her plan her escape with her daughter!
I feel sorry for Nicole and her estranged children. She didn’t have support out. Her pain of leaving her children must still hurt. Even if those children leave, they’ll never get back that mother/child relationship. It’ll always be why didn’t you fight harder for us. 🥲
Can’t imagine how scary it would be to toss away everything and everyone you know and start all over without breathing a word of it to anyone because you were being that heavily monitored.
That’s bravery I can’t comprehend.
Mike Rinder is such an intelligent person. It’s hard to believe he was in the Scientology cult at all, much less 30 years.
I’ve been a “fan” of Mike Rinder since the first season of “Aftermath “. His is a very brave voice for those who are afraid to speak. Thank you for being brave enough to give him your platform. Well done!
And he's very emotional about all of it which made it seem truthful to me...
He is an amazing advocate for those who have no voice. I really like him , he comes over as really genuine.
Love you Mike! Glad you got out !
Me too. Mike is amazing and a hero
Me too!
I commented on an interview 1 year ago and someone just responded to my post warning me about Rinder, that he's a dangerous person. That makes me think he's making a difference! 🙏 for all those who escaped and who are trying to escape.
Wow... People really do believe in the smear campaigns. It's really sad
He's still with the church; it's a sham job😮
@@barneyronnie elaborate?
@@barneyronnie oh bless you! 🤦♀️
@@barneyronnie What???
His descriptions of life within Scientology are identical, beat for beat, to a different cult I escaped from in my late teens. I encountered many people like this guest who were brutal and ruthless in their assignments to police the members and bring down any who got out and spoke up. I'd been in the cult, with no choice, from the age of five and been exploited and frequently abused during my entire time in it. When I got out, I didn't have a bank account or any official records of my existence, not even a social security number. The world was vast and frightening, but I was free, outwardly at least. It's taken years to dismantle the modes of thinking and brainwashing, and I imagine how sweet it would be to track down those ignorant swine who locked me in rooms for days on end as a child to 'purify' my rebellious spirit, or the merciless beatings and other forms of corporal punishments and humiliation. But mostly, I wish I could get back the years of education and healthy socialisation that I was denied.
That was awesome ❤,, Andrew great job!! You let Mike speak,, uninterrupted, , it was interesting and informative thank you ❤❤
I work for AT&T and had a billing dispute for Scientology in CA. I called to discuss a billing dispute and the Lady asked me to hang up and call back in 5 minutes. I did that and called back. I could tell that I was being recorded or someone was monitoring the phone call. I could tell she was surprised at how nice I was to her and it was very strange. I felt so sorry for her. I'll never forget the phone call.
Was it the place on Gilman Springs that you were calling?
Wow
You can't help to admire the man who had the courage to face and turn away from his wrongs in this cult. Imagine allowing a vicious little man to beat on you because you are in a mind prison, when you could quash that pipsqueak miscavige in a heartbeat. Truly appreciate that kindness won out with Mike Rinder👏👏👏
Blind patriotism to a flag is cultism arising out of brain washing and cognitive dissonance
I do actually hope that someone beats the shit out of Miscavige. The unfortunate thing is that probably would not end in freedom for that person.
@@yilvoxe4017 It would result in so much mental satisfaction that it might just be worth it!
He's a gross, creepy, evil man. He needs to be brought down.
Miscaviage is a bully nothing more, he would crap his pants of someone was to smack his ass down. Thing is he knows it won’t happen, because he has people surrounding him to protect him if anyone tried to hit him back.
Listening to the stories about Scientology I more and more pity Lisa Marie Presley who was sent to Scientology courses, schools and boarding institutes by her dominering and selfish mother. Benjamin Keough once said Scientology ruined his life. I now ask myself: was Lisa Marie Presley murdered by Scientology?
Ben also committed suicide - heartbreaking.
There are Compassionate friends groups for people whose children died, one is dedicated to death due to injectable drugs.
Compassion friends groups are on Facebook
Well possibly look what it did to Benjamin
It seems that Benjamin Keough was a very sensitive guy, who was very close to Lisa Marie. It must have been heartbreaking for him to see how his mother was treated by golddigger Michael Lockwood, who endlessly sued Lisa Marie for divorce-settlements and alimony using his daughters Finley and Harper as mealtickets because he himself is not able to provide for them! Grandmother Priscilla W.B. was even worse; after the separation she sided with Michael Lockwood against Lisa Marie, hoping to win him plus Harper and Finley for her Scientology Sect. Priscilla Wagner Beaulieu also cheated Lisa Marie out of her inheritance by pressing her to sell 85% of her EPE-shares, whereafter the greater part of the money, after paying $50 million in taxes, disappeared into the pockets of Priscilla Wagner Beaulieu and her business-partner Barry Siegel. Poor Lisa Marie trusted her mother and Siegel, the co-trustees of her trustfund, but was robbed in any way possible. Wagner-Beaulieu and Siegel not only embezzled the lumpsum of her EPE-sale but also payed themselves yearly $900.000,-- resp. $400.000,-- out of Lisa Marie's remaining trustfund without her knowledge. It must have been devastating for Benjamin that his grandmother financially ruined her own daughter, his mother. Benjamin's uncle, Navarone Garcia/Garibaldi, publicly wished for Lisa Marie's death. On top of all that Lisa Marie developed an addiction to painkillers after the birth of her twins. Not very conducive for a son who has addiction problems himself. In my opinion Benjamin Keough was the collatoral victim of the meanness of Michael L., Priscilla W.-B. and Navarone G. towards Lisa Marie Presley.
Love Mike. He is truly a man of integrity and character. Been watching him since he and Leah REMINI did their A&E special series. Love and respect both of them.
So much respect for Mike and Leah for the work they have done educating the general public on how cults work.
I used to escape from the Sea Org. And someone would find me and take me back. After I kept doing it they finally kicked me out. And I was a minor and had no place to go my mom was still in the Sea Org so I found a family that took me in. They didn’t want me anywhere close to the church. Security would surround me when I would try to see my mom. It was crazy
I think Mike & Leah are 2 really important people in the fight to bring down this “cult” down because they aren’t really a religion because of what they do to people who are in and those who finally get out.
Andrew, great interview. I think this is the first one in which mike shares his story uninterrupted. He had such a heartbreaking journey but has turned his life into a beautiful new experience.
Thank you Mike for your courage.
I really hope that one day his kids who are still in will realize what a great guy Mike is and he loves them!
His ex and several other wives of escapees were on a special where the wives called them all liars and that all allegations were "patently false"...sounds like a sound bite from the little 5'2" Napoleon Miscavage....he needs to be charged because even if this cult is shutdown and disbanded...Napoleon will still be a trillionaire and have vast real estate holdings....and I did hear Masterson did abuse and kill his victims pets....these are some sick fux...Uncle Tommy and his boyfriend first....
@@pjj9491 yeah I’ve seen that.
That’s so sad. It’s one thing to go in as an adult, but to be taken in or born into it as a child is incredibly tragic.
God, I love your honesty, Mike. THANK YOU and you are in our prayers. Much love and respect. our house to yours.
I am extremely appreciative you and Leah telling your story , God bless you and both your families ❤️ much love 💞
6😅6.5 I just got back in . o4f5yhgue3jfr, and 4Ud5soseWb8 is going well 👌 👍 👏 . Up and buy you yyhej ! you you need ryu4u3uut54uuu54uyyyuyyy re e and 8th, you have the first to in a row 4 tr 4th , which will you 😉 😜 yeh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh8hhhh8hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh&hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh5ehhhh54h544h4hhhrhheh5hhee😮😅8l5hnlnl5hh5hrj4hh9hhhrse5e8s59r485s😅
L?5r😊4?5😮😮😮
55ewhwerywh5hwhur9e3we5hye45t3h5he5e54h tr o4f5yhgue3jfr 455855eth5t4weeu😢54g444ey46sw😮😮
S45un6j7😊r 5rtrye966666😮u😮😮😮😮😮u4😅😊
😮
I give M.R. a lot of credit. He has faced people that he technically wronged. That’s a hard thing to do. He owned it and now he is trying to rectify it. He has a wonderful heart and mind. I will buy his book. I was raised fundamentalist Christian. A very cultish church. Anyone who has dealt with that can comprehend what was going on in the Scientologists world. Only through educating and speaking out will this type of thing be stopped. God bless him and all the others speaking out. It has taken great courage to do so.
Blind patriotism to a flag arises out of cultism brain washing and cognitive dissonance
Mike R Hero 👏👍
@@sugarpuddin agreed!
I totally agree. I was raised (loosely) Catholic and only got involved in an evangelical, fundamentalist church in my 20s but I know the abuse, and the efforts made to gaslight the questioning. Joining that church was probably the worst decision I’ve made in my life for many reasons, and I’ve said many times that I cannot imagine having been raised in that environment. I commend people who were for being able to explore their questioning and ultimately make the choice to leave.
@@allieren so well put! Yes, it was not easy. I even had to go to a Christian School. I am now a teacher for at risk kids and would never use the tactics they used. When my mom struggled with me. The answer was: just beat her more. Or, find creative ways to do so. That may work on some kids, but not on me. I also raised amazing kids who were encouraged to always question.
I was never a Scientologist but just finished Mike's book and can highly recommend it. His story is fascinating and helps the reader to recognize psychological manipulative behavior in other people and organizations.
Yes indeed, psychological manipulative behavior always stems from people who are already trapped within such a situation, my humble opinion. That is all they know, that is what they really live by, and to the outsider it is just so unbelievable that they live by such laws and regulations.
Do not slander my religion. It is NOT a cult. It is a bona fide religion and recognized as such in most developed nations, if you don't believe it LOOK IT UP ! I am a scientologist and I stand proud. I expect the same tolerance of my religion as you would have me be tolerant of yours. I demand respect ! Do not abuse the 14th amendment which protects us all to have freedom of religion. I will not settle for your discrimination.
@@imjoeimjoeAre you allowed to leave your “religion”?
@@imjoeimjoeit's a cult
It's a brilliant book. Alternately upsetting and shocking. Fascinating read..if frightening
He‘s so inspiring, just like Leah. They gave so much up, when they were able to open their eyes and leave that cult. Very strong people! Thanks for sharing your stories!
I recently finished Mike's book. Yes, *now* his actions may come across reprehensible, but he made a concerted effort to take responsibility for them in the book. He explained his thought processes & what he believed his options were without trying to downplay his culpability. Very much enjoyed the book. You do a great job with this podcast, Andrew. Blessings! Jackie in upstate NY
I’m so proud of Mike Rinder ,Leah Remini and all the ones who escaped that CULT.Well Done
I enrolled on a Scientology course in London in 1975. After a few hours they gave me my money back and asked me to leave.
Good work!! 👍
Andrew’s interview style is kind of Old School (I.e., the good way). Maybe it’s the Brit in him (or the American in me), but he asks a question then gives his guest time to _answer it._
I hear what a great (podcast) interviewer so-so is, then the host talks over the guest *constantly.* So this is a treat - not being annoyed every time the needy host talks right over the guest. Thx Andrew.!
It must be terrifying to leave not knowing what you are getting into. What a brave man you are. I admire and respect you. I wish I could watch all of this but it’s the wee hours and I need to sleep. I wish you well and hope you are having a good life. You can pray to God from anywhere. ❤
I wish they would make a film out of Mike's story, its fascinating, so glad Mike got out and is doing the work he is doing now!
Get Tom Cruise to play Mike Rinder! Now that would be ironic. 🤣
@@Jeweleye62😂😂😂😂
@@Jeweleye62Tom Cruise is in the top tier in Scientology.
Indeed, that will open the eyes for future potential "clients"as well as for the present ones.
That the US allows this to continue to remain tax exempt is grotesque. My comment is not meant to debate the idea or benefit of the freedom to practice religion but Mike belonged to a cult. A dangerous and abusive cult. Mike's book is tremendous. Just finished listening to it a few days ago. Great show. Thank you for hosting Mike and his great work.
How are they Tax exempt? They arn't really a church or a religion. They don't believe in a higher power, just Ego. They are at best just another philosophy or pseudo philosophy.
@@nicolelabram5575 I agree you, Nicole but sadly, our government does not. One of the reasons religions are supposedly tax exempt is because of the expectation of not hoarding "income" but Scientology is basically a fund raising scam. Tony Ortega said it best when he called their business model related to raising money, rapacious. I know I probably didn't exactly answer your question, but that's only because I don't really have a great answer. Scientology basically bullied the Federal government into declaring then tax exempt. Sad deal.
@@nicolelabram5575 I think it would be hard to argue scientology is not a religion from a legal standpoint. And I have only negative feelings about scientology, but people in the US can believe what they want, even...this.
@@nicolelabram5575 They are objectively a church and a religion. You people just don't like acknowledging that churches and religions are terrible.
@@nicolelabram5575 I agree but I watched this movie (It may be a Michael Moore movie), about scientology and how they got to be tax exempt 🙄 shocking really!
I love Mike. He has the most amazingly calming voice and to think he has been through so much. Respect Mike, Respect.
Why aren’t our elected officials having hearings on this tax exempt status being used for nefarious purposes? I had no idea that we the people were paying for this !! 😡 … good for you Mike and Leah and all those who broke this cycle. I’m sorry some of you’re family and friends don’t see it yet . I can’t imagine what that must be like for you guys. God bless you
Mike deserves all those media honors. I look forward to reading his book.
AGREED 100%!!!!
So sad that Mike had to leave his family behind. I hope that one day they will reunite. ❤
What still baffles me about the Xenu story: How the hell did the South Park creators know about Xenu at that time when they made the episode "Trapped in the Closet"? The episode was made in 2005, when basically no one outside the "Church" was aware of these super secret origin stories.
Well, back in the 80's here in Denmark, one of the youth news papers had a feature on Scientology that elaborated on Xenu and the Scifi aspect of it all, so I don't think it has been entirely secret, just at that different points in time Scientology has had different strategies for what was available info to outsiders.
@@marie-luiselubich3288 ah got it, thanks. I didn't know that.
@@Drumming_MonkeyThat was already public knowledge for quite some time. I knew a few satanists (Church of Satan members) back in the day that were very well read about L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology and they were the ones who told me about all the Scientology sheninigans 😂
But the public knew since mid 80's about the Xenu creation story. There was a courtcase against the church of scientology and scientology failed to have the court documents sealed. So this was all published back than.
The Xenu creation story was first published on the internet in 1994!
It's unbelievable that still so many people were recruited into Scientology after all this came out 🤦♀️
They literally have giant murals of the Xenu story in their buildings in L.A that they let the public use for filming, etc. They don't keep it secret at all
@@evekurocieru Seriously? That's the first im hearing about that. Even the Wikipedia page states: "The Church of Scientology normally only reveals the Xenu story to members who have completed a lengthy sequence of courses costing large amounts of money. The church avoids mention of Xenu in public statements and has gone to considerable effort to maintain the story's confidentiality, including legal action on the grounds of copyright and trade secrecy. Officials of the Church of Scientology widely deny or try to hide the Xenu story. Despite this, much material on Xenu has leaked to the public via court documents and copies of Hubbard's notes that have been distributed through the Internet."
Maybe they have changed their stance on the secrecy part in recent years.
What I like about Leah and Mike is that they not only are actively working to expose the cult they are in, but about people in other cults.who use the same narcasistic playbook and allowing them to be exposed as well. I have the highest respect for them. They are a start using their platform of ground breaking help and recovery here. And then you Andrew and so many more who are putting this out there.
I was given Mike's book as a Christmas present and being a quick reader ( and also being shocked) I read the whole book over 2 days. It's mind-blowing and I'm so glad he got out.
I think Mike Rinder and his wife are amazing people! Whatever smears Scientology has put out there means nothing. They have helped and continue to help many, many people! Keep up the good fight Mike! ❤
Thank you for answering so many of my questions my best friend was involved in Scientology he's now dead but he sought his Escape through heroin
Cults disguised as religion should be illegal and shut down immediately. Absolute insanity.
Mike Rinder is the man. So proud of his work post-Scientology. One of my heroes. ✊️❤
I could listen to Mike Rinder speak all day long! He's very forthcoming and very intelligent with a great speaking voice that commands your attention! I really admire his educating us on basically cults in general and how they operate. You're a great interviewer Andrew, you ask good questions and don't interrupt! I'm new to your podcast and I really like it!
Aw thank you!!
It's funny that you should mention Mike's speaking voice - I'm currently reading his book, & it's like I'm actually hearing Mike's voice as if he's reading it to me. He has a very distinct sound and there's no hint whatsoever of his Australian accent - and I'm an Australian. Cheers from an ex in Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺
I listened to the audio book, even if you heard all the bits and pieces before, his voice wants you to keep on listening
@@bradwilliams1691 Hi from Sydney. I hear the Aussie accent occasionally ....... just love listening to him speak the truth regardless of language or accent.
Mike you are brave and let this be a testimony to all, it’s never too late to change your life to do what is right… not just for yourself but for others that don’t have the courage to stand up against those that brain wash , trick and manipulate them.
Human trafficking needs to be dealt with
I just started to read his new book. Only a few pages and I am already gasping at the implied mindset tactics and the horrific situations at Sea Org. That one loses his or her whole family just to escape is unbelievable. This is a world that we all did not even know about, what happens to people in Scientology.
Going to continue reading about his harrowing Sea Org time. Even though the reader knows the author will escape it is nail biting tough to read through the passages in the book. Only someone who has truly been in such a situation could ever tell it in such a nail biting way.
The book is amazing!!! Mike reads it with his lovely voice! Legend!
Tom cruise is a narcissistic character of a supposedly good person, but I’ve seen right through him since he became “somebody”. There’s definitely a darkness round and about him. I wouldn’t want to have to deal with him in ANY capacity. Tom will never change…
Can you elaborate? I think it’s important for all of us to learn not to fall for false personas like this, but it can be easy to be taken in by the act …
@@mayakronfeld4617 it’s really quite simple, separate him from his persona and what do you have? Read all the comments about him, they are all different people saying the same thing; he’s a man that’s vain, angry, unstable, entitled to his demands and desires, haughty, self-centered, frightening and someone who’s motives are dark. As I said (and many others) he’s not right as something about him is…? Pick one of those traits.
Obviously he was always a mentally disturbed person, why else would he seek help at scientology. And nowadays he's become a real psycho
Thanks for standing up and speaking out. I am sure you have experience threats, intimidations, loss of personal relations, financial hardship since leaving.
On the other hand you have your own mind now, integrity, and the satisfaction of truly helping others.
He lost his children. That’s so sad.
Scientology is not tax exempt in South Australia thanks to an on fire ex Scientologist and a great politician
Good stuff!
It's not just Sth.Australia - $cientology is not tax exempt in Australia, period. All thanks to the hard work by senator Nick Xenophon. However, I don't believe that Nick was ever a $cientologist.
I’ve watched all the episodes that Mike and Leah did, if anything it was well produced and soooo informative!! Now any church that keeps adults away from their children and vice versa is NOT a church!! Perfect example is Tom Cruz not seeing his daughter because she is no longer a member, speaks volumes!! This is truly sad on so many levels!! Wake up people!!
I lived very close to their huge compound in San Jacinto,California, Golden Era . We told our kids to never go near the place!
Years ago, I worked at a Grocery Outlet store in Hemet, California. Someone from the compound would come to our store and buy supplies for the people that lived there. These people couldn’t even choose their own toiletries! Everything they receive is chosen for them. And they purchase the least expensive items for them to use.
I go back to the area to visit family now and then, driving by that compound still gives me the creeps. All the stories about the way their followers were treated by the higher ups, seem to be true!
Just drove through that area last month. Such a beautiful area but so Erie-cameras all over and God forbid you should pull your car over for any reason. The Scientology security will be all over you.
Imagine having to make such a life changing, daunting, scary decision as leaving everyone and everything you know-without asking even one person for advice or support? Takes a real inner strength I admire.
I appreciate you and your taking the time to understand what it means to put yourself up against an entire organization devoted to keeping you trapped. You have just highlighted the importance of knowledge, that the greatest tool in the game of survival in the modern world-is our own personal wit. There is no substitute for a sound mind, …and what a pleasure it is, blessing if you will, to be living in an age of reason. I don’t mean to sound hyperbolic. I just want to say thank you. My moral of the whole story is this: Knowledge heals.
~ I believe we are here to observe Nature. That Mankind, born out from the Universe, is how Nature found a way to observe itself. The big game is ignorance verses mindfulness, and what a pleasure it is having written that down.
@@markmarco2880 Indeed 🌒❤️
Don't forget they also leave with no money no job and don't even know how to drive( the ones like Mike Aaron and Marc and Claire! The aftermath foundation helps them get a pace to live, a job and whatever else assistance they need. The money they earn through their podcasts and merchandise goes to the foundation to help those that want to leave Scientology.
I find, l really like your style of interviewing, you let people say their piece uninterrupted. Good on yer young fella. From Australia.
Aw thank you, and love to Oz!
I miss your show….. please try to bring it back on. Mike & Leah you’re the best in trying to exposed this organization. Keep up the good work
Great interview! Mike has so many inside stories to tell and thankfully he has a sense of humour about it. So glad he finally wrote a book. Thanks Andrew and Mike!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thankyou xx
I’ve been following Mike and Leah for a while now. Also the NXIVM story and I listen to all their podcasts. It’s great this is being exposed in the U.K. now. Cult awareness needs to be raised to a much higher level in the U.K. especially with one playing out in public in the U.K. right now.
Any connections with Hubbard and schwab seem to share some mad ideologies
You should look into Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormon fundamentalists-nearly as as scary 😧
@@richlisola1 definitely! In the world of MLMs the Mormons cross our paths a lot, also a heavy dose of people who call themselves Christians. Faith manipulation and affinity fraud is big in these circles.
Blind patriotism to a countries flag is cultism caused by brain washing and cognitive dissonance.
Which cult are you referring to in the UK? I find cults to be very interesting.
Many years ago when I was young I was approached on a street and asked if I wanted to take a "personality test" by one. It creeped me out so badly. He got really pushy and I had to actually run away on the street. This is such a dangerous cult!
I can’t believe there are people that fall for this Scientology in the first place.
Mike Rinder is a hero. Loving his book so far
I could listen to this man talk about Scientology for hours. I have such a fascination with the psychological aspects of cult behavior and mind control.
Scientologists are merely sinners in need of a Savior.
So am I.
My father in law refused to work with Scientologists…. He said they couldn’t be trusted. He heard so many horror stories.
Leah and Mike it hurts my heart to see the pain that Scientology has caused you both. The pain is evident in your eyes and expressions. I will be 🙏 that God heals you both, keeps you strong to help others from the same fate, and that you are filled with joy you both never dreamed possible. You are both so brave! Keep up the good fight! You guys are awesome! 🤗
The book is so interesting and Mike is so courageous 🙏🏼
Mike has so much courage. Good for him.
No organization that uses cult tactics or tells people 'you can never leave' AND doesn't pay taxes should exist.
I started down the Scientology rabbit hole in the early 2000's after reading a fantastic article in Rolling Stone magazine where a journalist went undercover and the difficulties she faced getting out. I've tried to find that issue for years but if you can locate it, it is worth the read.
It's the Janet Reitman article? After the article she wrote the book Inside Scientology.
Oh how I wish I'd seen this live! I would love to have asked him if he knew my dearest friend Lisa McPherson. And knew anything about her or her horrific death! They sadistically tortured and killed her because she was trying to leave to come back home to Dallas and her family! Her family did win their law suit- however real justice was not served. So sad!
I've seen a couple of documentaries on this. It's scary how they have people hooked into it. To hear the cult leader every day speak over speakers. Then get told who to speak to, etc. Then, when they are lucky to get away, they are like children in a foreign world 🌎 Great respect and admiration to Mr Rinder 👏
Love Mike Rinder! What a brave and courageous man!
I just read A Billion Years in the last two days. Could hardly put it down! Nice job, Mike. I have so much respect for you, and for all of the people who are getting out and trying to help others.
Still in awe of Mike Rinder for leaving and for all the good he has done since to help others. I look forward to reading the rest of his book.
"I wasn't looking forward to doing a billion years of that s**t..." Well said, Mr Rinder!
I just read his book! I couldn’t put it down ! I remember him in that nutty documentary. He’s an incredible person.