0:00 - Intro 2:26 - Neil Gaiman's deep Scientology involvement 6:25 - Neil's Scientology childhood & The Ocean at End of the Lane 14:33 - 7-yr old Neil Gaiman subjected to horrific Scientology abuse 22:48 - Neil's shame and pain related to his Scientology childhood 26:14 - Scientology auditing removes emotion from people 33:51 - Victim compares her abuse to what Scientology execs experienced 37:17 - Neil Gaiman responds publicly to allegations 43:28 - Neil Gaiman lying about Scientology involvement 45:05 - Comments / Questions
I am sorry how tough this was for you to read. Thank you for sharing. I had no clue about Gaiman's connections to the organization (I am sorry, I just CAN'T call it a church). I have to say that I am now being pushed Scientology ads on RUclips. You'd think they could make the connection that I only watch anti-Scientology content... but apparently not. 😅
What I think it is quite a coincidence the women hired by Gaiman and Palmer just happened to be young and struggling financially and perhaps mentally, rather than middle-aged or older women with abundant professional qualifications and agency. That's not what wealthy people generally do.
There's a bit in the article that goes into acts he did with the babysitter that some of the worst allegations involve, while his very young child was present, and the part this video said about the idea of children being small adults and the things said about level 1 at such a young age made that all the more horrifying. I don't have words for how sad all of this is.
Thank you for treating this tragedy with the weight it deserves. I had no idea Scientology was like that... I honestly dont know anything about it beyond what I've heard in this video.
I really appreciate you breaking this down and especially you being emotionally vulnerable. I would never have understood the horror lying right under the surface.
"There whole purpose is to remove emotion from you." How horrendously damaging to the Human Soul. Thank you for choosing to Feel, Aaron. Thank you for your Courage. It matters so much.
Thanks for helping to illuminate the Scientology side of this, and for sharing your experiences. I am sorry that there are monsters out in the world making more monsters. God bless you. ♥
While it is true that something like 1/3 to 1/4 of CA victims will go on to abuse others, it’s also inherently true that between 2/3 and 3/4 of victims go on to be virulent opponents of CA. I think that when we talk about the high number of victims who go on to victimize others we need to recognize the existence and importance of the 3/4s of victims who dedicate themselves to ensuring that no one else has to suffer as they did.
Felt really bad for Aaron in this video. Seems like this in particular was very upsetting and I’m sorry you had to look into something so upsetting for you. You’re doing great work man and people appreciate the knowledge you bring.
Which is why those who signed NDAs can cooperate with law enforcement. But speaking to the press about allegedly criminal activity in the absence of any ongoing criminal activity...I would wonder whether the same protection exists.
@@GrowingUpInScientology Well, to enforce the provisions of the NDA, he'd have to take her to court, where he would have to prove that she violated the NDA and that his behavior wasn't criminal. I'm guessing he doesn't want to talk about those charges in civil or criminal court.
@ GRAD 4 and GRADE 4 are two different things. GRAD 4 is an auditor training level that no longer exists, and is now called GRAD 5. Grade 4 is an auditing level that is below the level of Clear. Grade 6 actually refers to the State of Clear itself.
I think the hardest, most unsettling are the events that happened in the presence of his children. It’s also horrific that he thinks what he did to others made them happy and was positive. Who would joyfully eat his vomit? He’s really really disturbed . I wonder how his kids are after growing up with this.
The article doesn't cover the rumors that have existed for years that the early success of The Sandman (the comic that put him on the map) was the result of block buying by the church.
I could see your pain in talking about this and i hope you are handling the situation well. When i first met Neil, he spoke openly about his father's high role in Scientology, his Jewish genetic background, and his own history in the cult. In later years he apparently stopped telling people about this.
Good stuff Aaron, the most interesting part to me is to see how Gaiman ascended to such heights in his profession, created Sandman and Coraline and participated in decades of press and interviews without any reporter revealing that his father is a very high ranking member in the CoS.
Some people will not ever be ready to talk about what they went through. I'm not. There are some things I'll never say out loud. Keeping it in takes a huge toll on you. I'm not a great person. Too many years of self hatred.
Fear anger and grief are important emotions to have and to process the terrible painful things that happen at different times in our lives. It teaches us right from wrong. It teaches us about the importance of limits and to identify injustice. Fear anger and grief just like love kindness and compassion connect us to our humanity. Humanity being the only thing that truly separates us from animals. The trick is to have a balance and understanding of the negative and hopefully mostly positive emotions we receive and give to each other, not to erase them.
5:37 I knew Mary McGrath at LA org in the mid 70's. She was a student there, as well as somehow working for the Guardian's Office. I guess she went to England because of her connection to the GO, and met Neil there. There's a video somewhere about her promoting ideal org donations at her org in the midwest (this was after her being separated from Neil).
The reason I can believe Neil completed Grades at ages thought of as too young, is because it is clear that Neil has had exceptional language skills since very young and no question still has those abilities along with an amazing mind, high intelligence, and imagination. He and most of his work have been one of a kind, which is a major reason the allegations against him are so sad. If someone loves SciFi and reading, it is quite a loss (like Marion Zimmer-Bradley) to one's available library. I hate that this stuff keeps emerging about talented and creative people and ending up with their work being questionable (or canceled) because of their personal behaviors. It is such a waste!! 😢
Im so sorry for whatever you went through in the Cult of Scientology. It was heartbreaking to see you in so much pain. You are brave to have shared this story ❤❤❤
Just finished the article, terrible. That cult really messes people up. I have to wonder, not at all condoning or excusing his actions, but I have to wonder if these things would have happened had he not been in with the upper echelons of the cult at such a young and impressionable age. I also have to wonder if he himself was a victim in the cult, since the article claims he refuses to talk about that part of his life and he "broke down crying" when his second wife pressed him on the issue. Regardless, nobody should have to have gone through anything like that, and he needs to answer for his actions
I was a big fan of Gaiman's Sandman series (of graphic novels) in my twenties. I had no idea he was a scientologist or that he had anything to do with it. Already growing up, knowing that would have steered me away, as Scientology had quite the toxic name here in Finland already in the 90's. Very sad and horrific news in every way.
It is so interesting that Gaiman was so prolific and interviewed so many times by the entertainment press and yet his CoS background seems to have been an 'off-limits' topic of discussion. Your comment probably reveals why both he and the church wanted the affiliation kept secret- the truth might cost them money.
If that book is anything like Mission Earth, then it must be horrible. I pulled one of that trilogy in German out of a books for free booth. Not that I wanted to read it. But I did have a look through it. Certainly not an HGWells 😂 Thanks for reminding me that I wanted to ditch it. Into the paper recycling bin, so it might be at least good enough for toilet paper. Cheers from Germany.
Thank you for this video. I can see it was hard on you. ETA - I once heard Palmer had Scientology connections. It was a half joking conspiracy theory around the time they got together because they both had Scientology connections.
Of course he thought his relationships were good , he wasn't raised to know and understand love , empathy , compassion,body language etc, None of it . I would venture to say any long term current sci 's or ex are on auto pilot . They've never had anything else to compare it to and Truly don't know the difference or that They're missing anything .Children raised in Sci are programmed to ignore intuition and critical thinking that tells you somethings wrong . So even being out of Sci a person would need to learn to LOVE FOR REAL In ways that express emotion on a heart level not a head level . If a persons Emotions are Flat Lined " no buttons" then theres no alarms that go off when youre hurting someones feelings ,its a form of total ignorance . When confronted youre confused cuz it never occured to you that what happend was hurtful .
Be skeptical of any claims that serve to "explain" Gaiman's abuse. Gaiman has hired infamous PR firm Edendale Strategies to attempt to save his career. I see their fingerprints in various sections of this article.
Comments with links usually don't go through here. The article is paywalled & so you'll need to use an archive site. Search for New York magazine, not The New Yorker.
I had no idea, so glad I never really got into his stuff, I had respect for him as an industry legend but that's it. Now I don't even have that for him.
This video felt exceptionally painful for you. I am so sorry for what happened to you Aaron. I find the surviours, including you, incredibly brave. Thanks for covering this even though it is very obvious it was a painful video for you. These videos matter. ❤️
When was the article published? The New Yorker? I read NG’s work and have read The Ocean at the End of the Lane several times because of the intrigue I’ve felt in the telling of this story - heartbroken hearing of NG’s childhood
Be careful about the abuse allegations woman have made (podcast and articles back in July) and now the Vulture article. I believe those allegations btw. It was an harrowing read and extremely disturbing.
Non disclosure is not in effect for a criminal act, such as grape. Or smecks crimes. But unfortunately, many people do not realize that- it's a scam to make ppl sign them who you've assaulted.
How hasn't Gaiman being tied to Scientology been a thing discussed before? I mean, he was sort of the King of Alternative Comic Culture for two decades and this last decade he's become almost a Stephen King figure, where it's like a dozen movies/shows are always being worked on from his material. Other than Tom Cruise, Gaiman is probably the biggest celebrity/movie-show-book creator associated with Scientology nowadays, tbh. But, I get Scientology not publicizing the fact he minimizes them etc. Crazy. He is perhaps one writer who could actually write up OT9-15 from scratch and it feel sufficiently believable by Scientologists lol. As for the interview confronting him with tape of him as a kid, I don't find it odd that a person uninterested in their parents' abusive religion wouldn't use language attaching themselves to it, or comment on the abuse they received. I mean, there's so many abused by Catholic Priests who never speak a word of it, ever, to anyone. As for continuing into his early adulthood, if his parents were die-hards and high level execs, he probably was also dealing with the pressure to continue the "family business" - so many people are pressured, almost bullied, to be a lawyer/dentist/doctor, to follow into the family business, for example. Grown man crying in bed because the wife asked about his childhood, that's heavy: I mean, Catholic Choir boy type of reaction. Separately, if Scientologists are trained to become sociopaths, to have no reaction or even joy at extremely terrible trauma, it's surprising that all Scientologists and ex-Scientologists aren't psychopath killers. I mean seriously, you torture a dog and teach it to be vicious, it will be vicious.
"How hasn't Gaiman being tied to CoS been a thing discussed before?" My guess is that it's the result of Neil's lawyers playing the Religious Freedom Card and demanding that interviewers respect and not address Neil's 'religion". This way Neil gets to profit from his powerful connections and advocacy without anyone knowing that those connections even exist.
On Reply -I seen someone else say your the only one they watch same here ,this one hit the heart , I know people blame there past for there actions in the now but anyone that has gone through SA, Physical,Mental and phycological abuse as a child and repeats there abuse to another as an adult is a copout I could never understand why would you want to put someone through what you went through in your life as a child why would you want someone to feel your pain!! He’s an adult now they know right from wrong . I have a good sense of believing these women .
only issue, Palmer herself is as bad as Neil and despite her not being a Scientologist she has done horrible things too 32:12 Neil is lying yet again, he says he's a private person who doesn't like being online when he was MR Tumblr for years. He was constantly on social media and engaging with fans all of the time.
It's not necessarily wrong to reach a point of being able to review abusive events and not feel resentment or anger. But that kind of transformation is deep, subtle and complex. Simply being trained to suppress emotions and have happy affectations is delusional. Believing that if you behave in a manner demanded by Scientology then you're...healed? Free? Clear? ....is damaging to the core psyche. Scientology is such a load of crap.
from amanda palmer's wiki page: "In January 2025, a Vulture article implicated Palmer as being complicit in the alleged sexual abuse by Gaiman of at least two women. When one, a former nanny, filed a police report in New Zealand, she said an officer told her that Palmer's cooperation was essential for the case; Palmer declined to speak with police.[78]"
I believe in the US, you cannot be held to a NDA that covers up a felony. I could be wrong but I think that is true. However Neil was in the UK for a long time and I have no idea over there. But that's why people who have NDAs over here are able to be involved in lawsuits or talk to the media (as Stormy Daniels, for example). Might be a good question to ask your attorney friend.
I never really read Gaiman. His work seemed derivative to someone who had read Dunsany, Clark Ashton Smith, Tolkien, etc. And now it's coming out that he ripped off most of his ideas for The Sandman from The Tales of the Flat-Earth by Tanith Lee. And never gave her credit for it.
i'm thinking he's third gen. auditor newsletter number 9 in 1965 shows the death of diana gaiman, HPA. (hubbard professional auditor.) maybe she was a grandmother?
Hi, Just a thought while I catch the replay. It dawned on me listening how normally my observations of some of the requierd activities in scientology are ironically some of the things a psychologist or psychiatrist would do. I was on track but i now think i understand the difference. "Auditing" which is a form of therapy, in scientology it isn't meant to find the cause or answers in order to better understand oneself; in scientology it's the goal, almost totally self imposed, to break a person's will and or self esteem and confidence, and turn that person into an emotionless robot absolutely willing to do and say what they're ordered to. Hence the absolute definition of a cult. Once some years go by and a person is thousands of dollars committed, the thought or realization it's all bullshit is too unbearable to face. Just my opinion. 👍✌😉
He came from 2 cults and created a 3rd. One of the most immoral twisted characters walking the earth....he is completely broken, however rather than change for the better, he creates art that will break others down like him. He is not dark, he is the darkness itself
Have you listened to the podcasts on Slow Tortoise news? I felt sick listening to them? I don't give a shit about what he went through, it was nothing compared to what he inflicted on those women?
Not all of this is funny. As at the time given. As happiness can be given a far happier term for those whom might being able to move through or on inlife. Might now need to adjust my decision.
This Is sad. Stardust Is an awesome but bittersweet Graphic novel. The movie Is crap. I still believe in The Death of the Author. Even if all the acusations are true, I'm not going to burn my collection of His books. His personal life doesn't diminish the value of His writing.
Apart from rather liking the movie version of Stardust, I agree. I won't be dumping his books and tbh I'll probably reread The Ocean at the End of the Lane in light of this new information.
He was a little kid born into it. Give the guy a break. If you are mad about whatever shenanigans he has gotten involved in recently that is one thins, but don't condemn him for what he did as a little kid.
Well, he's not a pop star or an actor on tv. He is a writer and they aren't usually super famous or identifiable on sight, so don't feel like you live under a rock!
He is listed in the Dictionary of Literary Biography as one of the top ten living post-modern writers, and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama. People talk a lot of crap about him now, but he has unique and outstanding work. Haters even go as far as calling some of his work, rip offs, when that is a lot of horse menure. Actually, Harry Potter is a rip off of his Books of Magic.
This is the first video of yours I've watched. I know nothing about you. But seeing you choke up like that while reading through these awful testimonies, you were so obviously hurting and I just want to say thank you for being so brave and sharing your vulnerability. 🫂 ❤
He came from 2 cults and created a 3rd. One of the most immoral twisted characters walking the earth....he is completely broken, however rather than change for the better, he creates art that will break others down like him. He is not dark, he is the darkness itself
0:00 - Intro
2:26 - Neil Gaiman's deep Scientology involvement
6:25 - Neil's Scientology childhood & The Ocean at End of the Lane
14:33 - 7-yr old Neil Gaiman subjected to horrific Scientology abuse
22:48 - Neil's shame and pain related to his Scientology childhood
26:14 - Scientology auditing removes emotion from people
33:51 - Victim compares her abuse to what Scientology execs experienced
37:17 - Neil Gaiman responds publicly to allegations
43:28 - Neil Gaiman lying about Scientology involvement
45:05 - Comments / Questions
I am sorry how tough this was for you to read. Thank you for sharing. I had no clue about Gaiman's connections to the organization (I am sorry, I just CAN'T call it a church).
I have to say that I am now being pushed Scientology ads on RUclips. You'd think they could make the connection that I only watch anti-Scientology content... but apparently not. 😅
@@thescarletgraywitch8052
Ya the Funny thing is they're paying AArons Bills 😂
Waiting for Ashton Kutcher’s character letter to make up my mind.
What I think it is quite a coincidence the women hired by Gaiman and Palmer just happened to be young and struggling financially and perhaps mentally, rather than middle-aged or older women with abundant professional qualifications and agency. That's not what wealthy people generally do.
Not all people abused as children grow up to be abusers. But nearly all adult abusers were abused as children.
You learn social interaction from your parents.
Agreed. As the saying goes:, “hurt people hurt people”
There's a bit in the article that goes into acts he did with the babysitter that some of the worst allegations involve, while his very young child was present, and the part this video said about the idea of children being small adults and the things said about level 1 at such a young age made that all the more horrifying.
I don't have words for how sad all of this is.
Some people such as psychopaths can be monsters without themselves being abused because they are not all there.
Thank you for treating this tragedy with the weight it deserves. I had no idea Scientology was like that... I honestly dont know anything about it beyond what I've heard in this video.
I really appreciate you breaking this down and especially you being emotionally vulnerable. I would never have understood the horror lying right under the surface.
Beck still lives within walking distance of the Celebrity Center. Everyone in his neighborhood.knows he's still very much a Scientologist.
These hard videos is why I've followed you since the beginning. No matter how difficult you've never shied away from these topics...
"There whole purpose is to remove emotion from you." How horrendously damaging to the Human Soul. Thank you for choosing to Feel, Aaron. Thank you for your Courage. It matters so much.
Can not believe any former sciontologist functions in the Real World without Epic Regular Therapy.
Writing is therapy. Read Good Omens or watch the Series ☝️😉
@@Draytsn Mind you, Good Omens is mostly Terry Pratchett's work. Seeing the book of this gentle old soul dragged through mud with NG hurts me.
Thanks for helping to illuminate the Scientology side of this, and for sharing your experiences. I am sorry that there are monsters out in the world making more monsters. God bless you. ♥
Two things can be right. A lot of abusers have histories of being victims of abuses themselves.
While it is true that something like 1/3 to 1/4 of CA victims will go on to abuse others, it’s also inherently true that between 2/3 and 3/4 of victims go on to be virulent opponents of CA.
I think that when we talk about the high number of victims who go on to victimize others we need to recognize the existence and importance of the 3/4s of victims who dedicate themselves to ensuring that no one else has to suffer as they did.
Felt really bad for Aaron in this video. Seems like this in particular was very upsetting and I’m sorry you had to look into something so upsetting for you. You’re doing great work man and people appreciate the knowledge you bring.
He’s very empathic imo and very sensitive and compassionate imo. Just a few of his good qualities ;)
so very sad.. Thank you SO MUCH for all you do to bring this extremely cruel organization to public awareness
NDAs don't protect criminal activity.
Which is why those who signed NDAs can cooperate with law enforcement. But speaking to the press about allegedly criminal activity in the absence of any ongoing criminal activity...I would wonder whether the same protection exists.
@@GrowingUpInScientology Well, to enforce the provisions of the NDA, he'd have to take her to court, where he would have to prove that she violated the NDA and that his behavior wasn't criminal. I'm guessing he doesn't want to talk about those charges in civil or criminal court.
Niel was the qual review auditor at Saint Hill UK AO in 80-81 when I did the OT levels. That’s definitely involved
Wouldn’t that make him a Class IX auditor?
Wouldn’t that make him a Class IX auditor?
@@GrowingUpInScientology I think he was doing reviews on OT 1-3 students. Definitely what was called a grad 4 auditor at the time
Grade IV? I was Grade IV and nowhere near OT levels.
@ GRAD 4 and GRADE 4 are two different things. GRAD 4 is an auditor training level that no longer exists, and is now called GRAD 5. Grade 4 is an auditing level that is below the level of Clear. Grade 6 actually refers to the State of Clear itself.
The one we've all been waiting for!
I think the hardest, most unsettling are the events that happened in the presence of his children. It’s also horrific that he thinks what he did to others made them happy and was positive. Who would joyfully eat his vomit? He’s really really disturbed . I wonder how his kids are after growing up with this.
The article doesn't cover the rumors that have existed for years that the early success of The Sandman (the comic that put him on the map) was the result of block buying by the church.
I could see your pain in talking about this and i hope you are handling the situation well. When i first met Neil, he spoke openly about his father's high role in Scientology, his Jewish genetic background, and his own history in the cult. In later years he apparently stopped telling people about this.
Good stuff Aaron, the most interesting part to me is to see how Gaiman ascended to such heights in his profession, created Sandman and Coraline and participated in decades of press and interviews without any reporter revealing that his father is a very high ranking member in the CoS.
Some people will not ever be ready to talk about what they went through. I'm not. There are some things I'll never say out loud. Keeping it in takes a huge toll on you. I'm not a great person. Too many years of self hatred.
💜
Tough one Aaron! Thank you for pushing through this.
Fear anger and grief are important emotions to have and to process the terrible painful things that happen at different times in our lives. It teaches us right from wrong. It teaches us about the importance of limits and to identify injustice. Fear anger and grief just like love kindness and compassion connect us to our humanity. Humanity being the only thing that truly separates us from animals. The trick is to have a balance and understanding of the negative and hopefully mostly positive emotions we receive and give to each other, not to erase them.
So horrible - teaching people to shrink their feelings to put in a box. Sheer madness.
5:37 I knew Mary McGrath at LA org in the mid 70's. She was a student there, as well as somehow working for the Guardian's Office. I guess she went to England because of her connection to the GO, and met Neil there. There's a video somewhere about her promoting ideal org donations at her org in the midwest (this was after her being separated from Neil).
This was very good Aaron
These organizations are just terrible /he still has to be made accountable because I believe the women.
The reason I can believe Neil completed Grades at ages thought of as too young, is because it is clear that Neil has had exceptional language skills since very young and no question still has those abilities along with an amazing mind, high intelligence, and imagination.
He and most of his work have been one of a kind, which is a major reason the allegations against him are so sad. If someone loves SciFi and reading, it is quite a loss (like Marion Zimmer-Bradley) to one's available library. I hate that this stuff keeps emerging about talented and creative people and ending up with their work being questionable (or canceled) because of their personal behaviors. It is such a waste!! 😢
Im so sorry for whatever you went through in the Cult of Scientology. It was heartbreaking to see you in so much pain.
You are brave to have shared this story ❤❤❤
Just finished the article, terrible.
That cult really messes people up. I have to wonder, not at all condoning or excusing his actions, but I have to wonder if these things would have happened had he not been in with the upper echelons of the cult at such a young and impressionable age.
I also have to wonder if he himself was a victim in the cult, since the article claims he refuses to talk about that part of his life and he "broke down crying" when his second wife pressed him on the issue.
Regardless, nobody should have to have gone through anything like that, and he needs to answer for his actions
Whew...that was intense😮
Coraline has MK Ultra vibes does it not?
In what way?
I was a big fan of Gaiman's Sandman series (of graphic novels) in my twenties. I had no idea he was a scientologist or that he had anything to do with it. Already growing up, knowing that would have steered me away, as Scientology had quite the toxic name here in Finland already in the 90's. Very sad and horrific news in every way.
It is so interesting that Gaiman was so prolific and interviewed so many times by the entertainment press and yet his CoS background seems to have been an 'off-limits' topic of discussion. Your comment probably reveals why both he and the church wanted the affiliation kept secret- the truth might cost them money.
Yeah, release.
His COS background explains so much. It excuses nothing but it explains a lot.
He gave Battlefield Earth (book) a good review in 1985. One wonders if he was pressured to do so.
If that book is anything like Mission Earth, then it must be horrible.
I pulled one of that trilogy in German out of a books for free booth. Not that I wanted to read it.
But I did have a look through it. Certainly not an HGWells 😂
Thanks for reminding me that I wanted to ditch it. Into the paper recycling bin, so it might be at least good enough for toilet paper.
Cheers from Germany.
Thank you for this video. I can see it was hard on you.
ETA - I once heard Palmer had Scientology connections. It was a half joking conspiracy theory around the time they got together because they both had Scientology connections.
Of course he thought his relationships were good , he wasn't raised to know and understand love , empathy , compassion,body language etc, None of it . I would venture to say any long term current sci 's or ex are on auto pilot . They've never had anything else to compare it to and Truly don't know the difference or that They're missing anything .Children raised in Sci are programmed to ignore intuition and critical thinking that tells you somethings wrong . So even being out of Sci a person would need to learn to LOVE FOR REAL In ways that express emotion on a heart level not a head level . If a persons Emotions are Flat Lined " no buttons" then theres no alarms that go off when youre hurting someones feelings ,its a form of total ignorance . When confronted youre confused cuz it never occured to you that what happend was hurtful .
NG is one of my favorite authors, and I got my daughter into him. This is all very disturbing.
Be skeptical of any claims that serve to "explain" Gaiman's abuse. Gaiman has hired infamous PR firm Edendale Strategies to attempt to save his career. I see their fingerprints in various sections of this article.
In Vulture???
Can someone please post the link to the article in the New Yorker here
Comments with links usually don't go through here. The article is paywalled & so you'll need to use an archive site. Search for New York magazine, not The New Yorker.
Aaron can you post the New Yorker article here in comments I tried to open from chat and it wont work for me. Please and thank you !
i am so sorry aaron...for you and neil...and all of the broken lives that come from scientology 💔
I had no idea, so glad I never really got into his stuff, I had respect for him as an industry legend but that's it. Now I don't even have that for him.
Looked this up, because I was like “Neil Gaiman is a Scientologist?!” And read “Jewish parents”. … oh dear not bucking this stereotype again
Hugs to you Aaron ❤
It’s all very disturbing
It’s not The New Yorker magazine. It’s New York magazine.
Oops
@ no disrespect intended. Just thought you should know.
This video felt exceptionally painful for you. I am so sorry for what happened to you Aaron. I find the surviours, including you, incredibly brave.
Thanks for covering this even though it is very obvious it was a painful video for you. These videos matter. ❤️
Ooooof, that was rough 😥
When was the article published? The New Yorker? I read NG’s work and have read The Ocean at the End of the Lane several times because of the intrigue I’ve felt in the telling of this story - heartbroken hearing of NG’s childhood
Be careful about the abuse allegations woman have made (podcast and articles back in July) and now the Vulture article. I believe those allegations btw. It was an harrowing read and extremely disturbing.
Non disclosure is not in effect for a criminal act, such as grape. Or smecks crimes. But unfortunately, many people do not realize that- it's a scam to make ppl sign them who you've assaulted.
How hasn't Gaiman being tied to Scientology been a thing discussed before? I mean, he was sort of the King of Alternative Comic Culture for two decades and this last decade he's become almost a Stephen King figure, where it's like a dozen movies/shows are always being worked on from his material. Other than Tom Cruise, Gaiman is probably the biggest celebrity/movie-show-book creator associated with Scientology nowadays, tbh. But, I get Scientology not publicizing the fact he minimizes them etc. Crazy. He is perhaps one writer who could actually write up OT9-15 from scratch and it feel sufficiently believable by Scientologists lol.
As for the interview confronting him with tape of him as a kid, I don't find it odd that a person uninterested in their parents' abusive religion wouldn't use language attaching themselves to it, or comment on the abuse they received. I mean, there's so many abused by Catholic Priests who never speak a word of it, ever, to anyone. As for continuing into his early adulthood, if his parents were die-hards and high level execs, he probably was also dealing with the pressure to continue the "family business" - so many people are pressured, almost bullied, to be a lawyer/dentist/doctor, to follow into the family business, for example. Grown man crying in bed because the wife asked about his childhood, that's heavy: I mean, Catholic Choir boy type of reaction.
Separately, if Scientologists are trained to become sociopaths, to have no reaction or even joy at extremely terrible trauma, it's surprising that all Scientologists and ex-Scientologists aren't psychopath killers. I mean seriously, you torture a dog and teach it to be vicious, it will be vicious.
"How hasn't Gaiman being tied to CoS been a thing discussed before?" My guess is that it's the result of Neil's lawyers playing the Religious Freedom Card and demanding that interviewers respect and not address Neil's 'religion". This way Neil gets to profit from his powerful connections and advocacy without anyone knowing that those connections even exist.
heart wrenching
Was Danny Masterson’s childhood horrific as well?
Most likely.
note that AI doesn't relay facts -- it's garbage in, garbage out like all other IT Processes.
Oh I had no idea, I thought he never did a course.
Much love.to you.
On Reply -I seen someone else say your the only one they watch same here ,this one hit the heart , I know people blame there past for there actions in the now but anyone that has gone through SA, Physical,Mental and phycological abuse as a child and repeats there abuse to another as an adult is a copout I could never understand why would you want to put someone through what you went through in your life as a child why would you want someone to feel your pain!! He’s an adult now they know right from wrong . I have a good sense of believing these women .
Thank you so much for this video. I can’t stand these SA abusers.
So why are you subed to one?
@@MoldeeLunch why are you here
13:30....is Epiphany a possible term to describe this ?
only issue, Palmer herself is as bad as Neil and despite her not being a Scientologist she has done horrible things too
32:12 Neil is lying yet again, he says he's a private person who doesn't like being online when he was MR Tumblr for years. He was constantly on social media and engaging with fans all of the time.
as bad? did you read the article? she isn`t nearly at his level at all!
Relief, release, catharsis...
He was Grade 1? Jfc. I was twinned with my Mom and had to wait unt i was 9 to go above M1. Jeeeez.
Where is the link?
It's not necessarily wrong to reach a point of being able to review abusive events and not feel resentment or anger. But that kind of transformation is deep, subtle and complex. Simply being trained to suppress emotions and have happy affectations is delusional. Believing that if you behave in a manner demanded by Scientology then you're...healed? Free? Clear? ....is damaging to the core psyche. Scientology is such a load of crap.
sounds less like healing and more like being really broken like how a sociopath is broken.
from amanda palmer's wiki page: "In January 2025, a Vulture article implicated Palmer as being complicit in the alleged sexual abuse by Gaiman of at least two women. When one, a former nanny, filed a police report in New Zealand, she said an officer told her that Palmer's cooperation was essential for the case; Palmer declined to speak with police.[78]"
I believe in the US, you cannot be held to a NDA that covers up a felony. I could be wrong but I think that is true. However Neil was in the UK for a long time and I have no idea over there. But that's why people who have NDAs over here are able to be involved in lawsuits or talk to the media (as Stormy Daniels, for example). Might be a good question to ask your attorney friend.
How can you do a podcast on him without being familiar with his work or having not read all of the recent news podcasts? Seriously? 🤦🏻♀️
Was a tough one
I never really read Gaiman. His work seemed derivative to someone who had read Dunsany, Clark Ashton Smith, Tolkien, etc. And now it's coming out that he ripped off most of his ideas for The Sandman from The Tales of the Flat-Earth by Tanith Lee. And never gave her credit for it.
Clark Ashton Smith, Algernon Blackwood, and William Hope Hodgson are my favourites 🥰
He was a flat out plagiarist. Never had a single original idea his entire life.
Text book narcissist. I can't remember therefore it didn't happen. 😡
i'm thinking he's third gen. auditor newsletter number 9 in 1965 shows the death of diana gaiman, HPA. (hubbard professional auditor.) maybe she was a grandmother?
Wow!
A-A-Ron!! Why didn't you say it the first time I said A-A-Ron?!?!?
Where is the article?
Neil Gaimans letter seemed genuine but who knows why would they lie and distort maybe they felt ill used and decided they deserved some money.
He’s creepy. I’ve always felt a bad vibe from him.
The Good Omens guy is a Scientologist? Ffs!!
Obviously very triggering for you. I hope this is heading you toward peace.
Hi,
Just a thought while I catch the replay. It dawned on me listening how normally my observations of some of the requierd activities in scientology are ironically some of the things a psychologist or psychiatrist would do. I was on track but i now think i understand the difference. "Auditing" which is a form of therapy, in scientology it isn't meant to find the cause or answers in order to better understand oneself; in scientology it's the goal, almost totally self imposed, to break a person's will and or self esteem and confidence, and turn that person into an emotionless robot absolutely willing to do and say what they're ordered to. Hence the absolute definition of a cult. Once some years go by and a person is thousands of dollars committed, the thought or realization it's all bullshit is too unbearable to face.
Just my opinion. 👍✌😉
He came from 2 cults and created a 3rd.
One of the most immoral twisted characters walking the earth....he is completely broken, however rather than change for the better, he creates art that will break others down like him.
He is not dark, he is the darkness itself
Listening to this recording is just sick
Wrecked me
Have you listened to the podcasts on Slow Tortoise news? I felt sick listening to them? I don't give a shit about what he went through, it was nothing compared to what he inflicted on those women?
Not all of this is funny. As at the time given. As happiness can be given a far happier term for those whom might being able to move through or on inlife.
Might now need to adjust my decision.
This Is sad. Stardust Is an awesome but bittersweet Graphic novel.
The movie Is crap.
I still believe in The Death of the Author. Even if all the acusations are true, I'm not going to burn my collection of His books. His personal life doesn't diminish the value of His writing.
Apart from rather liking the movie version of Stardust, I agree. I won't be dumping his books and tbh I'll probably reread The Ocean at the End of the Lane in light of this new information.
He came from two cults actually.
Is the other one “the one with the pyramid eye”
You have to say the other one then?? Now I gotta Wikipedia this cause idk lol
COS and .... what?
Yikes. What's the other one??
His books are the best that sucks ive never heard he was in Scientology! Wtf imded!
You're a good man, Aaron.
I had no idea Neil Gaiman was a scientologist, such a smart man to be taken in by such nonsense. I'm so disappointed in him.
He was born into it
He didn’t have a choice.
He was a little kid born into it. Give the guy a break. If you are mad about whatever shenanigans he has gotten involved in recently that is one thins, but don't condemn him for what he did as a little kid.
@@EveningTV you're correct of course that he was a child and had no say in that, but the current allegations are in no way "shenanigans."
And the Oscar goes too………
He has stated he is not a Scientologist or a religious person on numerous occasions. His family has been involved for a long time though.
I’m guessing you commented before watching the video
Lunatic fringe
Neil Gaiman - another famous person I haven't heard of. Oh well.
Well, he's not a pop star or an actor on tv. He is a writer and they aren't usually super famous or identifiable on sight, so don't feel like you live under a rock!
@@EveningTV Ok thank you for that information
He is listed in the Dictionary of Literary Biography as one of the top ten living post-modern writers, and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama. People talk a lot of crap about him now, but he has unique and outstanding work. Haters even go as far as calling some of his work, rip offs, when that is a lot of horse menure. Actually, Harry Potter is a rip off of his Books of Magic.
This is the first video of yours I've watched. I know nothing about you. But seeing you choke up like that while reading through these awful testimonies, you were so obviously hurting and I just want to say thank you for being so brave and sharing your vulnerability. 🫂 ❤
He came from 2 cults and created a 3rd.
One of the most immoral twisted characters walking the earth....he is completely broken, however rather than change for the better, he creates art that will break others down like him.
He is not dark, he is the darkness itself