How I Escaped the Church of Scientology | Informer

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  • Опубликовано: 12 май 2024
  • The Church of Scientology is well known for its celebrity following and the intergalactic warrior lord Xenu - who you can only learn about after climbing a paywall of courses worth many thousands of dollars. But who you don’t often hear from are the employees of the Church, who can be forced to work incredibly long hours for a tiny wage.
    In this episode of Informer, we speak to a former employee of the Church of Scientology, who was pressured into signing a work contract, had his passport taken off him, and regularly worked 80 hour weeks to earn under £5,000 a year.
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Комментарии • 1 тыс.

  • @ThatMaverickMo
    @ThatMaverickMo 2 месяца назад +1765

    According to the news, the South Park episode taught many scientology members about Xenu without having to reach that level.

    • @heavymestworker
      @heavymestworker 2 месяца назад +136

      It was the best deal in history: pay a few pounds to rent that South Park Episode and save £100,000.

    • @carpeimodiem
      @carpeimodiem 2 месяца назад +24

      It did! 🥳

    • @MargaritaMagdalena
      @MargaritaMagdalena 2 месяца назад +21

      ​@@heavymestworker I watched it online for free.

    • @heavymestworker
      @heavymestworker 2 месяца назад +6

      @@MargaritaMagdalena That’s what Cult of Scientology calls being “out exchange”…

    • @WalesGaming86
      @WalesGaming86 2 месяца назад +3

      @@heavymestworker How does that work?

  • @SanjayWest412
    @SanjayWest412 Месяц назад +503

    This man is a different breed. He lived under constant stress for years and worked 80 hours a week for little pay. He's a hard working, strong man. Im happy he got out of that place

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake Месяц назад +2

      Yup

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake 27 дней назад +1

      Yup

    • @selfesteem3447
      @selfesteem3447 17 дней назад

      I think Scientology has to be somewhat of a predator they first ask you all of your weaknesses using them against you.Anything you say or do can and will be used against you in the court of scientology.
      Much like a Pedophile a sexual predator praise on a child coming from a disadvantaged home. That's the only thing I can imagine is why anyone going in to this would not see right away that this is something they need to not spend another second getting into. But I guess the brain washing takes over before.You can even think for yourself.
      There's the court case coming up the scorn to rock the world of scientology, Leah Reminy.

    • @Chee.Y4ng
      @Chee.Y4ng 15 дней назад

      Yup

    • @Chee.Y4ng
      @Chee.Y4ng 15 дней назад

      Yup

  • @F1owns
    @F1owns 2 месяца назад +1177

    The "church" in FL is one of the most massive buildings I've ever seen that has zero windows and isn't officially a prison.

    • @IJH-Music
      @IJH-Music 2 месяца назад +3

      Now I'm interested!

    • @saibot1221
      @saibot1221 2 месяца назад +43

      how does it pass building laws? surely buildings need windows?

    • @777Spooky
      @777Spooky 2 месяца назад +1

      This place is real?

    • @funkdahmental
      @funkdahmental 2 месяца назад +19

      @@saibot1221people are paid off.

    • @TheTeaArtist
      @TheTeaArtist 2 месяца назад +2

      ​@@TomTreutleinI don't think so. It has windows. They said it has no windows

  • @astralfluxaf
    @astralfluxaf 2 месяца назад +1245

    Moral of the story… SAY NO TO FREE PERSONALITY TESTS 🎉

    • @TravelAlwaysOfficial
      @TravelAlwaysOfficial 2 месяца назад +40

      Ikr?
      I stopped for one in Seattle. Guy was very personable. We spoke for at least an hour.
      I knew something was wrong when he said he works 6 or 7 days a week with no pay. But he seemed very grateful because he said Scientology stopped him from using drugs.
      Anyways I later got something in the mail which promptly went in the trash as I wasn't taking any chances of being caught up in a cult!

    • @lucianadriancordis-zx9vq
      @lucianadriancordis-zx9vq 2 месяца назад +3

      You are so beautiful my lady❤

    • @wordzmyth
      @wordzmyth 2 месяца назад

      And the online ones were used to scrape data by Cambridge Analytica and Russian trolls to build a profile influence voters in. The US 2016 Election and Brexit.

    • @snowyy.5275
      @snowyy.5275 2 месяца назад +15

      I was waiting for my movie showtime at the TCL theatre and some people from the Hollywood Scientology church tried to get me and my friends to take the personality test. There were a lot of tourists and other folks inside but they tried particularly hard for us it felt like, probably because we were college freshmen and looked young, impressionable, and newly far from home. Anyway, I only looked up Scientology after that incident and felt like I dodged a bullet. I thought it would be fun to do the test but instantly balked and felt off when they wanted to take us to the back and separate us in different rooms. I thought it would just be a paper test. We backed out with the movie is starting excuse but they actually wouldn’t let us leave without filling out a paper slip with contact info. I put something fake on it and GTFO. So creepy

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад +17

      And keep the kidds away. Scientology believes children are old beings in small bodies. Super creepy. A lot of children has been traumatized.

  • @roland1912
    @roland1912 2 месяца назад +1187

    Scientology: The science of how money in your bank winds up in David Miscavige's bank!

    • @paulmark992
      @paulmark992 2 месяца назад +67

      Scientology is about reaching the state of clear. Clear your bank account that is.

    • @roland1912
      @roland1912 2 месяца назад +14

      @@paulmark992 The philosophy of less equals more! Unless you're David Miscavige!

    • @Davide-gk9sz
      @Davide-gk9sz 2 месяца назад +2

      Lmfao

    • @jm2307
      @jm2307 2 месяца назад +15

      I did a research report on them in high school & went to their location in Times Square to get some information. They asked me how old I was & where I lived, then told me “come back when you start making money” then kicked me out 😂

    • @Davide-gk9sz
      @Davide-gk9sz 2 месяца назад +4

      @@jm2307 loool

  • @cattameme
    @cattameme 2 месяца назад +2349

    It's always "HOW I ESCAPED" and never "HOW I GOT IN"

    • @jusbertmeza4424
      @jusbertmeza4424 2 месяца назад +162

      Normally thats the detail they add to the story of how they got in 😂

    • @psykkoman
      @psykkoman 2 месяца назад +202

      The front door... not so easy to get back out though.

    • @psykkoman
      @psykkoman 2 месяца назад +402

      He just said the free personality test is how they recruited him, either your a bot or didnt watch the vid.

    • @annabooxp
      @annabooxp 2 месяца назад +61

      Yeah I get it but getting in is always Easy, it’s the GETTING OUT the hard part. Also most of the time the person tells how and why they got in anyways so yeah 🙂

    • @nickho4320
      @nickho4320 2 месяца назад +98

      The first 5 minutes is how they got him in lol

  • @MiBzAn
    @MiBzAn 2 месяца назад +204

    Vice - please ensure the safety of your interviewees.
    To the anonymous escapee, please take good care. We're grateful you're back with society again. May you live a long, happy, fulfilling, free life ❤️

  • @The_SP_Chef
    @The_SP_Chef 2 месяца назад +873

    As a former Scientologist myself who grew up in it as a child I too can say that it is a very dangerous organization who only want to suck out your money and use you for their own benefit. But it is important to remember that most Scientologists are good people who genuinely want to help, but have not realized yet, they re doing the opposite.
    And thanks to the guy for talking about it on VICE.

    • @dahjeekwenglee5909
      @dahjeekwenglee5909 2 месяца назад +76

      sounds like something a Scientologist would say

    • @julieb2398
      @julieb2398 2 месяца назад +103

      Let's not forget the human trafficking of children and adults for free labor use and SA.

    • @The_SP_Chef
      @The_SP_Chef 2 месяца назад +51

      @@julieb2398 you are quite right. I myself was trafficked to England when I was 13 years old.

    • @julieb2398
      @julieb2398 2 месяца назад +33

      ​@@The_SP_Chef I am so sorry you had to go through this. I am a never in that has went through years of research on this cult. I am disgusted that they continue or that they were allowed to practice this behavior at all. It is my mission to help shut this cult down once and for all. I hope that you have been able to get the help you need. Please know that you are loved and people care about you.

    • @zizimugen4470
      @zizimugen4470 2 месяца назад +8

      How does someone even get convinced that Scientology is real? I used to be a fundamentalist young-earth creationist non-denominational Christian. I was told that I’d suffer forever if I didn’t love God, when I was a kid. How does an adult get brought into a religion that targets adults, unlike Christianity’s targeting of kids?

  • @idea1istic
    @idea1istic 2 месяца назад +317

    Vice, I know your company is going down under but please don't stop producing these. I find this series, eye opening and opens a new perspective for me.

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake 24 дня назад +5

      This video needs millions of views

    • @ne_sa1
      @ne_sa1 18 дней назад +4

      They are?

  • @zacharyschortgen4985
    @zacharyschortgen4985 2 месяца назад +610

    “You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion.”~ L. Ron Hubbard
    The founder of the “Church” of Scientology.

    • @althechicken9597
      @althechicken9597 2 месяца назад +32

      You get rich writing science fiction, then ghastlighting people into believing it.

    • @iamashby6479
      @iamashby6479 Месяц назад +3

      I used to see his commercials doe his book on the aaaallll the time as a child

    • @TroyTempest777
      @TroyTempest777 Месяц назад +6

      Writing very bad science fiction!😂

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake 19 дней назад +1

      Yup

  • @divye.ruhela
    @divye.ruhela 2 месяца назад +188

    If they made him sign a NDA, he is very brave to come out like this. Even with the mask and all, these cults are ruthless and can probably trace him down with their 'connections'. Hope VICE takes into consideration all of this and provides some sort or cushion for the brave people doing this series.

    • @emeral311
      @emeral311 2 месяца назад +12

      They know exactly who he is.

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake 19 дней назад +2

      Yup

    • @Speedstack799
      @Speedstack799 18 дней назад +3

      eh, most NDAs are just intimidation tactics

  • @user-dv7hq2rh4g
    @user-dv7hq2rh4g 2 месяца назад +64

    The most baffling fact to me is that we're not banning such cults.

    • @21hairgirl
      @21hairgirl 21 день назад +6

      We can’t because of freedom of religion. Everyone has the right to believe what they want in America.
      As for me I love Jesus Christ. ❤

    • @alexandraonai8187
      @alexandraonai8187 8 дней назад

      ​@21hairgirl then what happened at wako?

    • @21hairgirl
      @21hairgirl 8 дней назад

      @@alexandraonai8187 Wako? What do you mean?

    • @hippopotamus86
      @hippopotamus86 8 дней назад

      ​@21hairgirl as with most religions, you belive what ever fairy tales your parents taught you. You would be a Muslim if you were born in the middle east. Just how it works and proves its all a load of 💩

    • @alexandraonai8187
      @alexandraonai8187 5 дней назад

      @21hairgirl a group of people were trying to live their own life and have their own religion. There are a lot of details in between. But it ended horrible when our government started open firing on civilians and the whole compound burned down. Ues the people had guns, yes they invited the feds in to investigate. They refused several times. The whole case is wild and there are documentaries on it

  • @snazzyyoto
    @snazzyyoto 2 месяца назад +191

    Holy Jesus this really has been getting a lot of traction lately. Love to see it!

  • @OhnoNora
    @OhnoNora 2 месяца назад +242

    Brilliant. Thank you for putting this out there @vice. And as for your guest if he needs anything there are loads of us out here who’ve escaped. He can reach out.

    • @FlufferSquirrelUK
      @FlufferSquirrelUK 2 месяца назад +17

      💖 so much love and support in the "SP community" 💖

    • @carpeimodiem
      @carpeimodiem 2 месяца назад +7

      Nora! ❤

    • @kosmickrysti
      @kosmickrysti 2 месяца назад +5

      You’re a legend Nora 💕💕💫

    • @Rosarium2007
      @Rosarium2007 2 месяца назад +2

      There is also the Aftermath Foundation. I have heard good things about them helping people get out. I’m what they call a never-in,and I look forward to the day the cult is out of business. I’m so glad Vice is shedding some much needed light on them and their actions.

  • @demonatemu
    @demonatemu 2 месяца назад +169

    why am i not surprised florida is considered the "mecca" for scientology

    • @dwastart
      @dwastart Месяц назад +9

      Why am I not surprised that their international location, "Gold Base", is in California.

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake 24 дня назад +1

      Yup

    • @des.mezzzz
      @des.mezzzz 16 часов назад

      As a Floridian I legit thought they only had one building which was only in California

  • @Dannysimpact
    @Dannysimpact 2 месяца назад +101

    This is why we protest the so called "church"

    • @ItsMadInHere
      @ItsMadInHere 2 месяца назад +10

      Keep it up Danny! ❤ you and Leah

    • @LikelyLost
      @LikelyLost 2 месяца назад +6

      FREE DANNY

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake Месяц назад +3

      Yup

    • @YourTruth_Seeker
      @YourTruth_Seeker Месяц назад +2

      So excited to see what’s next for you and Leah. Hopefully the shoes won’t get taken as evidenced. #spicyeyes

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake 27 дней назад

      We need more shares this video needs 10million views

  • @WraySchultz19
    @WraySchultz19 2 месяца назад +57

    Pack it up, Scientology! Keep it coming, Vice. Let's shut em down!!!!

  • @emeral311
    @emeral311 2 месяца назад +45

    When Scientology made a superbowl ad I knew then that the war for our souls was reaching its peak.

  • @johnarmstrong3011
    @johnarmstrong3011 Месяц назад +18

    I live right by two of the Scientology buildings in Washington DC, so terrifying that they prey on people who can’t defend themselves and trap you

  • @apostatealex
    @apostatealex 2 месяца назад +47

    👏👏 So glad to see major media outlets in the UK starting to cover Scientology again after so long. If you are watching this and you are currently an under-the-radar Scientologist, please know there is a huge community of support here for you if you choose to leave or need help escaping.

    • @WDC_OSA
      @WDC_OSA 2 месяца назад +3

      It's good to see you commenting on this video, Alex. I hope that this video gets new people digging into your channel and others'. The SPs who've spoken out have shared a wealth of knowledge about everything this guy mentions, and much more.

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake 27 дней назад

      Yup

  • @winkle1983
    @winkle1983 2 месяца назад +91

    All this information has been known for years. Contact your representatives and have them investigate their tax exempt status!!!

    • @ThaBiGGDoGG
      @ThaBiGGDoGG 2 месяца назад +13

      A lot of those representatives are being PAID by the cult so they don't do anything.

  • @carpeimodiem
    @carpeimodiem 2 месяца назад +115

    Not sure why my comment was deleted. It's a really good interview.
    Might be worth noting the reason many need to hide their identity when speaking out about the cult. Their notorious "Fair Game policy" is the big reason people fear them today.
    Also was recommending to VICE to check out the unbelievably interesting protests happening outside Scientology Orgs in LA over the past few months. Young people have been streaming them daily. There have been numerous false arrests on camera. And several assaults streamed as well. It seems like the LAPD really wants them to leave Scientology alone. Scary stuff. Local news has begun to take note. VICE would be amazing out there! ❤

    • @ZynetESLD
      @ZynetESLD 2 месяца назад +7

      After the layoffs, they're, actually starting to get out some good stuff. Whether it's past work, or some of their newer stuff. This could be a way of them trying to change back, and do some real journalism. It may have hope to ressurect from the dead, if we are lucky. But, if they die due to their past woke stuff, so be it

    • @tylernilson7021
      @tylernilson7021 2 месяца назад

      @@ZynetESLD you poor snowflake

    • @cookiechaser126
      @cookiechaser126 2 месяца назад +5

      Ya I seen these videos. Hilarious. "Don't do it, depta septa it's a cult" and "there's our boy Lurch".

    • @flob6651
      @flob6651 2 месяца назад +1

      Yes !!!!

    • @Akac3sh
      @Akac3sh 2 месяца назад

      youtube has ramped up sensorship heavy. every comment we make is read over by a Ai and if it dosent like it even without telling you it will delete your comment seconds after posting. you can refresh and it’ll be there but come back the next day it will be gone. absolutely disgusting censorship from youtube. let’s hope this one stays.

  • @chrissiescalling44
    @chrissiescalling44 2 месяца назад +25

    Bruhh, the "Big Church" is in downtown Clearwater, Florida!!! I had to walk by that building one time and it creeped me out so bad that I actually ran to my car 🤣 I promised myself i would never go near it again and that 25 yrs ago 🕊️

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад

      If you pick up your mobile phone and start filming the cult members will run away.

  • @Zman44444
    @Zman44444 2 месяца назад +9

    How tf hasn’t the government clamped down on them?
    He mentioned 13/14 year olds working construction. Absolutely no safety precautions.
    That’s two hefty crimes right there. And if that behavior is ubiquitous? Then shut the whole organization down.

  • @ajadrew
    @ajadrew 2 месяца назад +19

    I 'worked' on the corner of Ivar & Sunset in LA in the early 90's.... They flew me out etc & I left after 3 weeks as I'd never heard so much bs in my life. I literally couldn't stop laughing at them! I type this because they hadn't taken my passport away.

  • @julieb2398
    @julieb2398 2 месяца назад +36

    @Vice thank you for scratching the surface with this interview. Please come to America and see how they are trying to take over and abuse those who protest Scientology. Some are falsely arrested and then attacked by the police. There is so much child and adult trafficking along with SA to both adults and children. #KidsCanNotConsent

    • @carpeimodiem
      @carpeimodiem 2 месяца назад +5

      This!! Get to LA, VICE! Talk to William Goude (Streets LA) and Jessica Palmadessa. Defender of Ants and Confident Chris. Protestors who have been harassed by Scientology and the cops who have been working to shut down the protests with false arrests on camera. There have been numerous assaults for nothing but these young people standing outside with their phones recording. Multiple SWAT'ings. Protestors help at gunpoint by police who know full well no laws have been broken by them. It's beyond wild!

  • @knelle1114
    @knelle1114 2 месяца назад +20

    Vice should do a report about the Scientology protest going on in LA. That’s a grassroots movement and it’s going strong.

  • @Digitalgirl.mp3
    @Digitalgirl.mp3 2 месяца назад +13

    There is a church on 125th street in harlem. ALWAYS empty. They’re even reying to get the poor poc down here. They should be ashamed of themselves and tried for all of the abuse they have caused people over the course of DECADES.

  • @Borsoo13
    @Borsoo13 2 месяца назад +106

    I recommend the movie Going Clear about this madness. That's the best documentary I've seen.

    • @Bingshuina-yp7nm
      @Bingshuina-yp7nm 2 месяца назад +7

      South park did a good episode on this to.

    • @ThinkingCap_
      @ThinkingCap_ 2 месяца назад +8

      It's a must see if youre reading this comment and considering watching it

    • @julesrules7297
      @julesrules7297 2 месяца назад +8

      I'll check that out, thanks for recommending

    • @carpeimodiem
      @carpeimodiem 2 месяца назад +5

      It's amazing. And watch Leah's series "Scientology and the Aftermath" to get a lot more personal stories about the people who escaped that world.

    • @redqueen7325
      @redqueen7325 2 месяца назад +1

      Panorama is good as well. Scientology is crazy hopeful. One day, they will lose their tax exempt so it can be stopped.

  • @speciosae
    @speciosae 2 месяца назад +100

    There's enough content about Scientology to the point where if someone still joins, its really on them. Like the Internet tried to help.

    • @tyrant-den884
      @tyrant-den884 2 месяца назад +12

      As someone who works in a bookstore: it's amazing what people don't know about.
      The sheer volume of teens who spend all day online talking about Harry Potter and have no idea how much Rowling hates trans women has taught me more about bubbles than anything political; ignoring how political Rowling can be.

    • @queenkimi00
      @queenkimi00 2 месяца назад +7

      Not many new people join . The younger people in , were born or raised in it . Many have left and are speaking on youtube without masks .

    • @PumpiPie
      @PumpiPie 2 месяца назад +4

      Read what she actly wrote and dont trust the hadlines... she dont hate trans 😂 it is so overblown. Thay just wanted to drage a famouse person to the ground. It is what media does...

    • @Kwhite.nothingmakessense
      @Kwhite.nothingmakessense 2 месяца назад +4

      Just because people passively hear about it and realize it’s a cult, doesn’t mean we should not care and want to help the helpless get out. Children cannot consent! The people who have spent their lives inside and then are cast aside when they’re old and of no use to scientology, get stuck in sub par facilities which lack proper medical care. They have them sign over what little social security that they have, open credit cards in their name, max them out and let it go. The abuses are too numerous to list. There are many people in this world that need help but, the trapped, tr*fficked and abused should not be hidden behind this “church’s “ tax exempt status!

    • @AnnafromHungarylvNW
      @AnnafromHungarylvNW 2 месяца назад +5

      It's kind of like saying that you don't empathize with abuse victims, because there is enough info about abuse and they should know better.
      Yet you don't seem to know better either. Cults follow the same route as an abusive relationship. Cults lure people in with some non-religious content, possibly without even disclosing their religion in the beginning. Once disclosed, they convince you that whatever you know about them is a misconception. They keep up this fake image until you're committed, then slowly reveal themselves.

  • @ohwillx
    @ohwillx 2 месяца назад +81

    Please make more videos exposing this cult

    • @redelfumetto2120
      @redelfumetto2120 2 месяца назад +10

      Agree!

    • @Cloudnine2024
      @Cloudnine2024 2 месяца назад +1

      Why? By now, everybody already knows it's a crazy cult. And we've known that for at 15 years.
      With all the negativity and stories online about them, you'd be a complete fool to still join them.
      The truth is just one Google search away.

    • @ATChick
      @ATChick 2 месяца назад +16

      ​@@Cloudnine2024the more exposure the better. They still have a tax exempt status with the US IRS.

    • @Kwhite.nothingmakessense
      @Kwhite.nothingmakessense 2 месяца назад +8

      @@Cloudnine2024 - the bigger picture is stripping their tax exempt status and getting children and the elderly, who are being abused out. You ship someone from another country, take their passport, house them in buildings in “birthing” areas that they can’t afford to leave AND subject them to auditing people regarding things that no child should even understand!

    • @mothersgauri4137
      @mothersgauri4137 2 месяца назад

      @@Cloudnine2024 Sorry, it ISN'T just a "crazy cul". It is a DANGEROUS, fraudulent and VERY abusive
      organization, pretending to be a religion. Until this horrible organization is stopped, there is NEVER enough said . And if you don't understand the depth, perhaps you might also want to do a little more Google searching yourself.

  • @user-ln9fk5ht9q
    @user-ln9fk5ht9q 2 месяца назад +32

    Glad you got out of it mate.
    Now for the billions of others that suffer the same from - socially accepted - religion.

    • @Kwhite.nothingmakessense
      @Kwhite.nothingmakessense 2 месяца назад

      The good news,regarding your statement, is that the real number for COS is less than 30,000. Anyone who has taken a personality test, bought a dianetics book, etc. is put on their mailing list, which is next to impossible to get removed from. Those people will forever be “counted” as a member. That AND, of course, they lie. The org puts all of their money in tax exempt real estate and most of these places are desolate. They just want to keep outsiders out and keep the duped in.

    • @Dwigt_Rortugal
      @Dwigt_Rortugal 2 месяца назад

      For the non-religious, I can totally understand the perspective that all religions (including this "religion") fall into the same category and just pull the wool over people's eyes for gain. If I were in your shoes, I'd see this cult and say, "Nope," to all religions because it is genuinely repulsive. I am religious, though I really dislike that word, but I can freely say that I am not beholden to anyone except of my own free volition and that I try to love others with even a tiny fraction of the love God has for me and you. It has made my life so much better, I hope it's making others' lives better, and I've never felt so free to be who I am. That being said, I despise and want nothing to do with the toxic blend of religion and politics, judging people with different lifestyles or even tattoos. (Oh, no! You know how "they" can be!) We (the "religious") tend to get fixated on judging the people who make us most uncomfortable. It's an insatiable desire to drown out our own glaring insecurities by saying to ourselves, "At least I'm not that person." I grew up in that caustic mess, and it's a disgrace. It's the opposite of how Jesus treated people. I truly empathize with those who were harmed or judged accordingly because I myself was one of those on the receiving end. So many people who claim to follow a given religion make a complete mockery of it by not only ignoring but doing the complete opposite of the religion's tenets. Hopefully, new generations will learn from this and set a better precedent.

  • @StacysSoCalledLife
    @StacysSoCalledLife 2 месяца назад +34

    Its a great day not to be in a cult!

    • @ZeroSpawn
      @ZeroSpawn 2 месяца назад +4

      I don't know. I'm thinking of joining Heaven's Gate. They come with cool Nikes. Also a free ride on a comet thats traveling at 100,000 mph

  • @iconoclasticgypsy
    @iconoclasticgypsy 2 месяца назад +30

    Please research about the protests going on around the country and specifically in LA . Find me doa

    • @carpeimodiem
      @carpeimodiem 2 месяца назад +1

      Defender of Ants let's gooooo!! 👏🙌

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад +1

      Free DOA socks from LAPD

  • @JarlTryggve
    @JarlTryggve 2 месяца назад +15

    This sounds an awful lot like "1984" by George Orwell.

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад +2

      And North Korea

  • @001Khy
    @001Khy Месяц назад +9

    My girlfriend and our mutual friend and I went to LA in 2017 and got suckered into taking that personality test. We honestly had no idea it was a Scientology center until we really got in. When I tell you that was the longest hour or so of my life 😂😂😂

  • @sannaantoniamusic
    @sannaantoniamusic 2 месяца назад +11

    whoever makes the music to these videos does a phenomenal job. i’m always freaked af !

  • @RandyDuffel
    @RandyDuffel День назад +2

    I am a former staff member of the Church of Scientology of Cincinnati and I attest that everything this individual has said is true. It all happened to me as well.

  • @TravelAlwaysOfficial
    @TravelAlwaysOfficial 2 месяца назад +12

    Great interview!
    Thanks for sharing!

  • @Cloudnine2024
    @Cloudnine2024 2 месяца назад +36

    "They had you sign a contract."
    How does that not raise the alarm internally?

    • @heavymestworker
      @heavymestworker 2 месяца назад +10

      The alarm should be raised when you actually read the contract and they go berserk because reading the contract “means you don’t trust them”. (Trust is a two way street: if it was about trust they wouldn’t be pushing people into contracts in the first place.)

    • @WDC_OSA
      @WDC_OSA 2 месяца назад +3

      @@heavymestworker This is very important. The contracts that Scientologists sign have always sounded predatory, and the pressure they're put under to sign without reading is wild.

    • @carpeimodiem
      @carpeimodiem 2 месяца назад +9

      The contracts themselves are unenforceable in any legal sense. They read like a pledge to volunteer for between 2.5 years... and a billion. They have children sign them without their parents being present. Or their consent.
      The danger comes when you don't fulfill the contract, and are blacklisted by the cult. Who then demands every member disconnect from them. Including family, friends, employers, children, parents... Otherwise they become blacklisted too.
      They call it being declared an SP or "Suppressive Person". Who are then subject to Hubbard's policy of "Fair Game." Where members are encouraged to destroy the SP's life if they do not remain silent about their grievances with the cult or it's members.
      Scarry stuff. Definitely NOT written on the contract. Which are primarily ceremonial in nature. And have no validity in any court of law. Scientology doesn't care about courts outside their own internal "Courts of Ethics" and "Committees of Evidence."
      Scientologists are forbidden from calling authorities on other members without explicit approval from them to do so. Same thing with civil courts and lawsuits. Violating this policy is grounds for immediate blacklisting. Even if your child was assaulted by an adult member of the "Church".
      People compare the horrors of similar events in the Catholic Church. But I don't remember the Pope declaring anyone calling the cops on a sick priest an "enemy of the church."
      That's precisely what Scientology's Pope 'David Miscavige' does. They don't stop at covering it up like the Vatican. They "Fair Game" the victim and their family until charges are dropped and the victims are silent.
      If they DON'T speak out to the authorities, and remain in good standing with the cult... The victims are blamed and punished for "pulling it in". The ultimate victim blaming. This was proven in court recently in the Danny Masterson trial. Mind blowing details revealed on the record. In case you missed it, Actor Danny Masterson was found guilty on multiple counts of drugging and assaulting women in the worst way. And Scientology was shown to have actively taken steps to silence two of the victims who were members at the time. Who were punished for reporting it to them. Because Danny was on that 70's show. And could get away with anything as a celebrity.
      The point is Scientology, as an organization, shouldn't be legally allowed to exist. Their policy is provably criminal. And is always followed by their members. It's all in writing.
      The Mafia doesn't have a legally sanctioned headquarters. They're forced to operate under the radar. Scientology doesn't have this problem. They can lie, cheat, steal, defraud, traffic human beings... All with no oversight. Many deaths have occured as a result. And countless lives have been destroyed.
      If people want to read books about Scientology. And mess around with pseudo therapy and imitation lie detectors... They should be allowed to. As long as it's only adults. With absolutely no money changing hands. And no "centers" for this to happen as any kind of business.
      The same standard for any organized crime in the US. Scientology's list of felony level crimes is staggering. They hold the record for the largest FBI raid in human history. And are responsible for the largest infiltration in US history as well.
      And yet we're still subsidizing them with our tax dollars. And they're still using fake contacts to gain free labor. Who are abused to the point of mental breakdowns on a regular basis.
      Most people think they're just some goofy weirdos. Playing with alien spirits. And not the very real danger they have been allowed to be in society today.

    • @heavymestworker
      @heavymestworker 2 месяца назад +3

      @@carpeimodiem The contracts that must be signed before taking CoS courses are legally binding and force you to accept “arbitration” instead of your normal right to sue. I have been educated that I must read and understand everything before considering signing anything so even the (unenforceable) Sea Org contract should be read and questioned and if pressed to sign something my law teacher was clear: the answer is “no”.

    • @lamambas9390
      @lamambas9390 2 месяца назад +2

      A lot of people they recruit are young 18-21 year old ppl who have never had a job in their life. They sign the contract because they think that’s what ppl do when getting jobs & opportunities

  • @CallmeBriii
    @CallmeBriii 2 месяца назад +8

    I will say I live by one and went to school with kids who’s parents were in Scientology and they were recruiting in schools. They had their kids come to school and their kids would invite people to the church for events. I don’t know if they do this anymore but they did when I was in high school (2017-2019)

    • @mothersgauri4137
      @mothersgauri4137 2 месяца назад +2

      Yes, they still do. They are ruthless.

  • @pandorasnow
    @pandorasnow 2 месяца назад +9

    this happened to my friend, they use drug rehabs to lure people in. david miscavige prolly killed his wife, no one has seen her for decades.

    • @johnye2210
      @johnye2210 2 месяца назад

      Shelly! I remember leah remini tried looking for her in twin peaks or pikes

    • @KD214_
      @KD214_ 2 месяца назад +1

      She’s alive. @Growingupinscientology actually made a video about it yesterday. He was able to speak to an informant in her security team.

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад +1

      Narconon is a front group

  • @staabelgapler
    @staabelgapler 2 месяца назад +10

    Thanks for the video @VICE! 🙏🙏

  • @XSpImmaLion
    @XSpImmaLion 2 месяца назад +11

    Tolerating such cults and the sort of exploitive behavior that arises from them might be the ultimate source for our extinction as a species. It's not inherently to do with cults, but rather a failure to cultivate societies that are so bad at community living and so bad at socialization that ends up in huge portions of the population falling victim to ill intended people and schemes that are willing to use others for pure exploitation.
    We did not heed the warning of cults in the past, let this entire scheme fester and gain ground, and now it's taking over politics. They are brazenly acting now as part of politics, which is the way theocracies replace democracies.
    People need to realize that this is all that the far right movement really is - a cult scam elevated to national level. It makes alliances with all sorts of other radical organizations, because that makes it easier to find the exact type of people who are vulnerable to their scam.

    • @Dwigt_Rortugal
      @Dwigt_Rortugal 2 месяца назад +1

      Unconditional allegiance to any person or group of people is very dangerous. History repeats itself over and over, unfortunately.

  • @youdontseeanoldmanhavinatw4904
    @youdontseeanoldmanhavinatw4904 2 месяца назад +96

    All religions do weird stuff, sometimes awful things, but scientology is on another level.

    • @3rdmm
      @3rdmm 2 месяца назад

      Not an actual religion, just a big scam.

    • @DavidZ4-gg3dm
      @DavidZ4-gg3dm 2 месяца назад +3

      How would you compare it to Islam, especially Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, Hamas, Hezbollah, IS, al-Qaeda etc.?

    • @youdontseeanoldmanhavinatw4904
      @youdontseeanoldmanhavinatw4904 2 месяца назад +6

      @@DavidZ4-gg3dm Islamic extremism you mean?

    • @temmaxtemma9570
      @temmaxtemma9570 2 месяца назад +6

      @@youdontseeanoldmanhavinatw4904 If Islam is a religion of peace, the extrimists would do extremely peaceful things.

    • @josephiaw
      @josephiaw 2 месяца назад

      Scientology is a cult, not a religion, and the specific organized groups you've mentioned aren't either. They're terrorist groups. Who happen to be religious. The KKK is another example of an extremist group who happens to be religious (Christian). I'm not religious myself, but from what I can understand, true religion is about peace, community, and love @@DavidZ4-gg3dm

  • @napoleoninrags1346
    @napoleoninrags1346 2 месяца назад +7

    Aaron SL brought me here. As a Vice subscriber with alerts... Nothing. Thanks Vice and A-Aron for content. Screw you, faulty algorithms

    • @ronswansonsdog2833
      @ronswansonsdog2833 2 месяца назад +1

      Exact same thing happened with me. And I am on squirrel squad lives all the time.

  • @TomThumb151515
    @TomThumb151515 2 месяца назад +9

    It is scary and illegal to take someone’s passport

    • @ZeroSpawn
      @ZeroSpawn 2 месяца назад

      Hostage & Kidnapping.

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад +2

      They are currently being sued for trafficking. Their tiny leader has just been served.

  • @ZeroSpawn
    @ZeroSpawn 2 месяца назад +7

    Don't worry. We have the Batman = Streets LA(William) . He has demolished The LA recruitment center.

  • @malibubree333
    @malibubree333 2 месяца назад +6

    i am currently taking a course to become a professional transpersonal hypnotherapist. what i can say is:
    people who have a high extent of imaginability (the extent to which a person can imagine an idea told by another person) are more susceptible and/or have a right brain dominant personality.
    i also learned that if people have a weaker sense of belief (even self) they are easier to “brainwash” by breaking down or in some cases tortured. hypnosis does not include ANY of those things. it is all a suggestion and you cannot be forced to do something against your morals, values, or better judgement.
    if this subject intrigues anyone i highly recommend the Clinical Hypnotherapy book by Allen S Chips.
    i see what this person means though, if you are more suggestible it is easy to convince you of something because you can literally see it in your minds eye the way they are describing it even if it is not true.

  • @Astral_Dusk
    @Astral_Dusk Месяц назад +9

    Real spirituality never costs money... ever. Have a ritualistic meditation and walk through nature almost daily - real benefits for free.

  • @ryanmcgoldrick7076
    @ryanmcgoldrick7076 2 месяца назад +3

    Good for you mate, glad you made it out.

  • @Freddy67675
    @Freddy67675 2 месяца назад +10

    Why don't governments put a stop to this ?

    • @witcheshour9718
      @witcheshour9718 2 месяца назад +1

      Cause they have a lot of money. They in the government. Hollywood. Music industry. Basically a branch of the illuminati

  • @jdcje0292
    @jdcje0292 2 месяца назад +5

    Hey Vice,
    Could you guys please stop using that blank Overlays which pop up for a second over a dozen times in this video, its very irritating for people who watch the video in a dark environment or for people who have epilepsy.
    Thanks :)

  • @pillarofdawn
    @pillarofdawn 2 месяца назад +13

    Where is Shelly?!

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад +1

      At the secret base at Twin Peaks waiting for Hubbards return.

  • @hasanx8066
    @hasanx8066 2 месяца назад +18

    First word is Xenu. That's all you need to know this is all wrong.

    • @Dwigt_Rortugal
      @Dwigt_Rortugal 2 месяца назад

      "Thetan" is just satan with a lisp. Hubbard is trolling his prey from the grave. The first rule of xenu club is that you don't talk about xenu club or they'll hit you with the xenu club.

  • @johnye2210
    @johnye2210 2 месяца назад +20

    I ordered a book from them for free about15 years ago. They still email me til this very day! Smh

    • @melanatedandlovingit1305
      @melanatedandlovingit1305 17 дней назад +1

      Same, I tucked into a personality test when I was 19 I am 40 now. They only stopped sending me things, 2 yra ago. They're relentless. Luckily I was one of the strong ones.

    • @johnye2210
      @johnye2210 16 дней назад

      @@melanatedandlovingit1305 im surprised they stopped. I just ignore them

  • @marydlutes1792
    @marydlutes1792 2 месяца назад +8

    How does the non-scientologist world know about Xenu and the average scientologist does not? That is so odd.

    • @ChiCityLady
      @ChiCityLady 2 месяца назад

      It was secretive until South Park did an episode mocking it. Now, it's pretty common knowledge even for non-Scientogolists.

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад

      They are not allowed to read or see anything that is critical to the cult. I do not think those that signed the thousand year contract are allowed to go on the internet.

  • @smoothpoon86
    @smoothpoon86 Месяц назад +5

    I feel bad for all the vulnerable individuals they’ve tricked and trapped over the years

  • @Mr_A_Mia
    @Mr_A_Mia 2 месяца назад +40

    “Where is A ARON right now”!?😂

    • @astralfluxaf
      @astralfluxaf 2 месяца назад +3

      He’s on his way 😂

    • @aprilinamsterdam
      @aprilinamsterdam 2 месяца назад +2

      He done messed up!😂

    • @carpeimodiem
      @carpeimodiem 2 месяца назад +4

      Why didn't you say it.. the first time I said 'A-A-Ron'??

    • @Dwigt_Rortugal
      @Dwigt_Rortugal 2 месяца назад

      Pre-sent.

    • @bobsyouruncle3075
      @bobsyouruncle3075 2 месяца назад

      I was going to tag him.
      Scientology done messed up. 😂

  • @user-tm5em4vu7u
    @user-tm5em4vu7u 2 месяца назад +8

    Damn! What a complete and total scam! This is slavery! 🤦‍♂️

  • @aidanw6725
    @aidanw6725 2 месяца назад +14

    This is just like the south park episode

  • @Vloggerjake
    @Vloggerjake 27 дней назад +9

    Anonymous we need you

  • @salimtessa8789
    @salimtessa8789 2 месяца назад +11

    Cults should be illegal

  • @Bubblepoot
    @Bubblepoot 2 месяца назад +4

    How is this legal and still around if we are all well aware of the large scale of abuse and cult type practices they inflict on people?

  • @Jose-pv9tz
    @Jose-pv9tz 2 месяца назад +2

    I had someone try to get me to join this and I went to check it out and said no thanks. That person left to Florida for a few months, wonder why?

  • @bobsyouruncle3075
    @bobsyouruncle3075 2 месяца назад +7

    Why do they still have tax exemption?

    • @Vloggerjake
      @Vloggerjake Месяц назад

      Religious status

    • @erikjohnson2885
      @erikjohnson2885 28 дней назад

      They attacked the IRS via operation Snow White and infuriated the government until they gave in,

  • @monkeyboykc3190
    @monkeyboykc3190 2 месяца назад +9

    Thank you Vice!

  • @benlomas1490
    @benlomas1490 2 месяца назад +8

    Expose Scientology at all cost !!!

  • @userbosco
    @userbosco Месяц назад +2

    The fact that this dude needs to hide his identity says a lot about what he feels the ramifications will be if he didn't do this anonymously. Scary.

  • @matytj5738
    @matytj5738 2 месяца назад +5

    Get their tax exempt removed!!! It's the only reason they love David Miscavige. It was his uprise and it should be his down fall. Poetic justice.

  • @RAHHicecream
    @RAHHicecream Месяц назад +3

    They had a free ‘meet up’ zoom meeting called ‘build self confidence!’ And I was like ooo sounds interesting. (Didn’t realize it was from Scientologists) it was the weirdest meeting possible. They prey on weak and broken people to try to lure them in. After that meeting I cut off ties cause I wasn’t there for Scientology. Just there to hear about self confidence. I didn’t have any clue it was from their cult.

  • @henrytep8884
    @henrytep8884 2 месяца назад +3

    The personality test is the ultimate way to create a profile to control people

    • @emeral311
      @emeral311 2 месяца назад

      Makes you think why corporate entities want these personality tests.

  • @JarodFarrant
    @JarodFarrant 11 дней назад

    This is the vice I love! Making shocking & revealing news that MATTERS!

  • @bobsmith-ru7xp
    @bobsmith-ru7xp 2 месяца назад +3

    I was raised in a milder cult. Not a top tier cult like Scientology, or even a mid tier cult like Catholicism, but the Southern Baptist Convention has many cult like tendencies.

  • @SwissDHD
    @SwissDHD 2 месяца назад +6

    How are they still a thing.

  • @tampopo
    @tampopo 2 месяца назад +8

    Tom Cruise is owning that mask

  • @Lupe7431
    @Lupe7431 2 месяца назад +6

    Vice can you interview other people that left this cult who are on YT

  • @buttershy_
    @buttershy_ Месяц назад +2

    we've known about all of this for years, when will it be shut down already?!?!

  • @randomx8822
    @randomx8822 2 месяца назад +13

    What he says is true. I fell into that Hell as well. Wasted twenty years of my life. Plus another twenty keeping a low profile...So as mot to be targeted by their dirty tricks department.

    • @johnye2210
      @johnye2210 2 месяца назад

      Squirrel busters or whatever they're called

    • @forrestfey
      @forrestfey 2 месяца назад

      OSA=office of special affairs

  • @MrMattSax
    @MrMattSax 2 месяца назад +4

    Scientology edges out Mormonism as the most obviously man made religion, although the ancient ones aren’t far behind.

  • @user-tm5em4vu7u
    @user-tm5em4vu7u 2 месяца назад +5

    How is this so called “church” even given tax exempt status? What a scam! 😂

  • @SMAFSJ
    @SMAFSJ 2 месяца назад +52

    IT'S A CULT!

  • @Vloggerjake
    @Vloggerjake Месяц назад +3

    This video needs 5 million views

  • @papa_pt
    @papa_pt 2 месяца назад +3

    So 90% of people in scientology haven't googled scientology and see that Xenu is the second or third thing to come up? Truly ignorant

  • @lavender_dreams01
    @lavender_dreams01 8 дней назад

    there’s a “church” of scientology roughly 5 minutes away from me, and it scares me each time i pass it on the intersection after this😢

  • @terryallen8463
    @terryallen8463 2 месяца назад +1

    Omg! They almost trapped my young naive ass, back in 2017. Then they had my friend in a back room for a while. She came out with more books and CD’s..
    I knew a bit about them before…
    They were “too” convincing for me. I said, no I’m ok.

    • @macdog1
      @macdog1 Месяц назад

      im curious as to how they were convincing at that point in your life? What did they do precisely?

  • @rhondadearborn3265
    @rhondadearborn3265 2 месяца назад +4

    Do more of this - tell your politician : take away COS Tax ExceptionStatus

    • @erikjohnson2885
      @erikjohnson2885 28 дней назад

      if they can get away with having a "church" built in Detroit recently they probably are paying them off enough to prevent that.

  • @chipsinatube
    @chipsinatube 2 месяца назад +4

    My uncle is a scientologist. He spent more time with my grandmother than any of her other sons. We still put conditions on his inheritance so that he couldn't dump the funds into scientology.

  • @gam4938
    @gam4938 Месяц назад +1

    I know someone whose band once performed for the church of Scientology and they locked them in a room after and tried to recruit them. He says it like it was a funny story but it was definitely scary

  • @user-om2cy2cv7z
    @user-om2cy2cv7z 16 дней назад

    I had a friend who was forced to be a Scientologist and she went to flag many times and a Scientology school. She said they made her read a dictionary every time she yawned or put her head down

  • @missunderstood4246
    @missunderstood4246 Месяц назад +3

    I just want to know if they found David Miscavige's wife for real though like is she still alive and genuinely safe.

  • @pro-yn2mi
    @pro-yn2mi 2 месяца назад +4

    Leaving scientology church ? More like mission impossible.

  • @jordanknight9729
    @jordanknight9729 2 месяца назад +4

    They tried to recruit me when I lived in UK

  • @alison2649
    @alison2649 2 месяца назад +5

    It’s such a shame that he has to wear the mask. But I absolutely get it. Still, shame on Scientology

  • @jeaniebird999
    @jeaniebird999 2 месяца назад +3

    It's funny that the majority of scientologists have never even heard about Xenu when the whole rest of the world already knows about that silliness! 🤣
    I do feel sorry for them. It's funny, but really it's not.😢

  • @debbiea9262
    @debbiea9262 2 месяца назад +6

    this is modern day slavery

  • @CamElRodriguezSnrJnrIII
    @CamElRodriguezSnrJnrIII 2 месяца назад +5

    They tried to pull this same personality test on me here on a street in Sydney's CBD 😂😂😂

  • @WalesGaming86
    @WalesGaming86 2 месяца назад +2

    My favourite part is how Xenu came to earth on modified DC-8s which were a popular model of plane at the time. That's not even a lie.

    • @ZeroSpawn
      @ZeroSpawn 2 месяца назад

      Well I know when uneX arrives, it will be in a StarShip or F-22 Raptor.

  • @reginafromtexas2314
    @reginafromtexas2314 2 месяца назад +9

    There are many YT channels of former 2nd and 3rd generation members who were born into the cult of Scientology and escaped. They don't hide their faces when speaking of their experiences. If you're interested, @GrowingUpInScientology is a good one.

    • @EggertOlafs
      @EggertOlafs 2 месяца назад +1

      You must be new to the scientology space, if this person has family and friends that are still in and he can still communicate with them and he likes to keep doing so, he needs to hide who he is. When you have learned more about scientology you will understand why that is.

  • @cactusbuds2979
    @cactusbuds2979 20 дней назад +1

    Their recruiting system is VERY similar to Nxvim. Wouldn't be surprised if that's where Keith Raniere got his ideas.