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Ex-Scientologists Speak Out at LA Press Conference

On Friday, six ex-scientologists spoke out about their experiences inside the Church of Scientology  at a Press Conference in Hollywood.

Each of the presenters was able to tell his or her personal story of life inside the organization. A prepared summary given to journalists at the event offered a brief biography of the speakers and a bit about their story. Additionally, the press was also given background information and samples of Scientology documents.

Each of the presenters was able to tell his or her personal story of life inside the organization. A prepared summary given to journalists at the event offered a brief biography of the speakers and a bit about their story. Additionally, the press was also given background information and samples of Scientology documents.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) – The airwaves of Los Angeles were buzzing with accounts of Scientology abuses last Friday after ex-staffers held a news conference in Hollywood. This event and a weekend filled with activities called a Megaraid marked the second anniversary of Project Chanology, a global protest against Scientology by an internet-based group called Anonymous.

The press conference, which was also presented as a live video stream on the internet, was moderated by Mark Bunker an Emmy-winning journalist who has been covering Scientology since 1997. He is the webmaster for XENU TV (www.xenutv.com), which features video and audio interviews from former members, along documentaries, speeches, panels, protest videos, courtroom footage and a vast archive of broadcast media from around the world covering the controversial Scientology organization.

Each of the presenters was able to tell his or her personal story of life inside the organization. A prepared summary given to journalists at the event offered a brief biography of the speakers and a bit about their story. Additionally, the press was also given background information and samples of Scientology documents.

Marc Headley, the author of "Blown for Good," grew up in Hollywood, and joined Scientology´s Sea Org when he was just 16 years old. For 15 years he lived at Scientology´s International Base, where he worked 100-hour work weeks, for less than 50 cents an hour, and experienced mental and physical abuse. Headley told the conference of the dramatic escape he made, at age 32, from the heavily guarded Scientology compound in Hemet, California. He has since started a new life with his wife, who also escaped.

Jefferson Hawkins spent 35 years working for the Church of Scientology, all over the world, and at all echelons, including the top level at the Scientology International Base in Hemet, California. For much of his time in Scientology, Hawkins was a key executive in Scientology´s marketing department. He conceived and ran the well-known Dianetics campaign in the 1980s that resulted in Dianetics appearing on all major bestseller lists.

Hawkins talked about leaving Scientology in 2005 after experiencing firsthand the abuses and human rights violations at Scientology´s International Headquarters, including being allegedly beaten physically by Scientology´s leader, David Miscavige. Since 2006, he has been active in sharing his story concerning the Church of Scientology´s lies and abuses, and in providing help to individuals and families who have been harmed by Scientology.

Laura DeCrescenzo was recruited into the Sea Org at the age of 12. Married at16, she told of her story of becoming pregnant and subsequently forced to have an abortion, because children aren´t allowed in the Sea Org. She eventually became so desperate to escape she swallowed bleach to get herself thrown out. DeCrescenzo is now suing the church, alleging restricted freedom, forced abortions, severe punishment, and human trafficking.

Maureen Bolstad has stated that at age 15 she "got tricked into making a dumb mistake" and signed a contract to join Scientology staff. She was promised an education and regular pay. Instead, Bolstad worked 18 hours a day, seven days a week, and developed health and emotional problems. In 17 years, she only got to see her mother twice, for less than a week each time. She was allowed to leave after three years of being made to "confess her sins and evil intentions." Bolstad was divorced by her husband and still hasn´t heard from her sister, who stayed on staff, since 2006.

Will Fry was raised by scientologists, and attended Scientology boarding school while his parents worked for the church. As a teenager, he joined the Sea Org, but immediately realized he wanted out; it took him almost three years. Afterwards the church billed him $12,000 for a so-called "freeloader debt."

Nancy Many, author of "My Billion Year Contract," was a college student in Boston when she first joined Scientology. She signed the infamous "Billion Year" contract when she joined the Sea Org, and was sent to Clearwater, Fl, to work under L. Ron Hubbard.

When she was five months pregnant, Many was sent to the RPF (Rehabilitation Project Force--Scientology´s re-indoctrination and labor camp) where she was locked in the garage of the Fort Harrison Hotel until she was deemed "rehabilitated." After being subjected to relentless interrogations and confessions, Nancy suffered a mental breakdown that led to her leaving the church.

During her presentation, Many also talked about Greg Bashaw, who was a devotee to Scientology, and later took his life in 2002. "I hope you people today," she told the reporters present, "can relay the fact that people are dieing... people are dieing... people are ...


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1 - 10 of 29 Comments

  1. Joy
    3 years ago

    And this is the main reason I read www.catholic.org. Unbelievable posts.

  2. DrivenToTears
    3 years ago

    former Sea Org member.
    left in Jan 2000.
    now a liberty activist.
    all of this that is coming out is connecting a lot of dots for me.
    thanks and continue.
    we are winning on all fronts.

  3. DebbieC
    3 years ago

    It's heartbreaking watching those videos. A church did this to it's members? Forced abortions? This is disgusting.

  4. Salvatore90
    3 years ago

    Hello Mr. Sly:

    I see you are still posting comments (as of 19 Feb).

    But mine have not made it past your filter. Why? Because I disagree?

    By the way, as I have said in my posts, I am a Scientologist. But here is something you may find interesting. One of my good friends who is a Catholic and NOT a Scientologist, made a post under one of your columns, attempting to correct some facts. She was promptly assaulted by your loyal "Anonymous" legionaires, accusing her of "lying" about not being a Scientologist. Nice crowd of admirers you have.

    You have my e-mail address. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in some actual discourse.

    Needless to say, I am pretty disappointed in your willingness to publish false information as long as it serves your purpose. "The end justifies the means" is not a concept I endorse, and from my Catholic friends I believe it is not something you should support either.

    Over to you.

  5. katienoel
    3 years ago

    Dear Mr. Sly,
    Thank you and Catholic Online for this continuing series of articles. The more light that can be shed on these abuses the better.
    I have been protesting for two years because, as a Catholic, I just can't stand by and watch people continue to be abused.

  6. alena volk
    3 years ago

    John Davis, Jeff Hawkins answered your question at the press conference. Watch his video for the answer. http://www.youtube.com/user/ScilonTV

  7. Randall Forrester
    3 years ago

    May the Lord give those who witness wrongdoing the strength to take a stand. May He give those who live in fear and misery the courage to try a new direction. Dear Lord, please look kindly upon those who have been disconnected from their families, and help them to seek restitution. In the knowledge that You will grant Your mercy to those who have strayed, and are lost in dark places and in bitterness. Keep them safe, and bring them home. Amen.

  8. Tim
    3 years ago

    Remember that the RPF (labour camps), sec-checks and the harassment of critics is all part of Scientology scripture.

  9. randy S
    3 years ago

    I don't pay any attention to the scientologist but their compound in Hemet is CREEPY!

  10. former scientologist
    3 years ago

    It is well-documented that L Ron Hubbard cloaked his organization in "religion" for 4 reasons:

    to be afforded tax-exempt status.
    as a shield when his pseudo-scientific "theories" kill or injure.
    so that the organization can scream "bigot" when anyone questions the abuses.
    to avoid fair labor laws.

    That this organization is allowed to still operate in this country is shocking.


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