Free-use Scientology-related video project

The Free-use Scientology-related video project is intended to document and catalog free-use licensed videos relating to the subject matter of Scientology.

Goal of research

These videos are maintained on Wikiversity's sister project for images and media files, Wikimedia Commons. By virtue of the video files being on Wikimedia Commons, they must therefore be available under a free-use license, which allows them to be provided as an educational resource. Also in this manner, they can be used throughout multiple other Wikipedia sites - without needing to be locally uploaded to each site.

This project researches, catalogs, and documents the availability of free-use licensed videos relating to the subject matter of Scientology. Within this context, the project indexes what types of videos are available as free-use media, and provides a brief description of the videos.

As a form of multi-disciplinary analysis and lesson, the project also will delve into how to provide a thematic resource throughout Wikimedia projects. These may include Wikimedia Foundation sister projects, such as: Wikinews, Wikisource, Wikimedia Commons, Wikipedia, Wikiquote, and Wikiversity.

Types of videos

Videos by topic

Videos are organized topically at Wikimedia Commons, on sub-topics and themes relating to Scientology; these often are explained in greater detail through individual encyclopedia articles on Wikipedia. Topics include: Scientology and abortion, David Miscavige, Disconnection, Hollywood Guaranty Building, Sea Org, That is Scientology! Reports from the USA - This was a September 2008 conference held in Hamburg, Germany. Texts of some of the speeches from the conference are available on the sister website, Wikisource.

Videos of former Scientologists

Former members of the Church of Scientology have spoken out about their experiences inside the organization. These vary depending on their prior role in the organization's hierarchy itself, as well as on the nature of the individual's own personal experiences relating to their life in the group, and that of their friends and family members.

Videos at protests

The group called Anonymous has organized multiple protests outside of Scientology buildings through its movement Project Chanology. The first protest was held on February 10, 2008, to mark the birthday of a Scientologist who died under controversial circumstances - Lisa McPherson. The sister project Wikinews reported on the protest, in an article "Wikinews international report: "Anonymous" holds anti-Scientology protests worldwide".

Videos

Former Scientologists

Armstrong, Gerry

Gerry Armstrong is a former Scientologist; when he was a member of the elite group the Sea Org, he was tasked with researching and cataloging papers for a biography on Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

• Speech addressed to Scientologist lawyer, Kendrick Moxon
  (October 9, 2008)
• Speech addressed to Scientology leader, David Miscavige
  February 5, 2009
• Speech addressed to Scientology leader, David Miscavige
  February 11, 2009

Beghe, Jason

Jason Beghe is an actor and former Scientologist; while a member of the organization he participated in promotional videos for Scientology. Scientology leader David Miscavige called him "the poster boy for Scientology". Beghe left the organization in 2007.

• Clip of interview of Jason Beghe by Emmy Award-winning journalist Mark Bunker
  (April 14, 2008)
• Jason Beghe speaks at Hamburg, Germany conference, That is Scientology! Reports from the USA - Part 1 of 4.
  (September 4, 2008)
• Part 2 of 4
• Part 3 of 4
• Part 4 of 4
• Beghe visits a protest outside a Scientology building in New York
  (May 29, 2008)
• Beghe attempts to enter a Scientology building after meeting with protesters
  (May 29, 2008)

Brennan, Lawrence H.

Written document by Lawrence H. Brennan critical of the Scientology organization (2009)

Lawrence H. Brennan (Larry Brennan) is a former Scientologist, he served in high-level management positions in the Scientology intelligence agency, the Guardian's Office, as well as its successor, the Office of Special Affairs.

• Larry Brennan speaks at Hamburg, Germany conference, That is Scientology! Reports from the USA - Part 1 of 4.
  (September 4, 2008)
• Part 2 of 4
• Part 3 of 4
• Part 4 of 4

Christman, Tory

Tory Christman is a former Scientologist, who served as a volunteer within the Scientology intelligence agency, the Office of Special Affairs. She left the organization in 2000.

• Tory Christman and Andreas Heldal-Lund visiting Scientology critic Ida Camburn in Hemet, California
  (April 2008)
• Tory Christman explains how she met the author of Operation Clambake online (www.xenu.net) and how it led to her leaving Scientology.
  (April 2008)

Dubreuil, Jean-Paul

Jean-Paul Dubreuil is a French-Canadian critic of Scientology, who wrote a book about his experiences within the organization.

• Anonymous interviews Jean-Paul Dubreuil during protest of Scientology in Montreal - part 1 of 4.
  (November 8, 2008)
• Part 2 of 4
• Part 3 of 4
• Part 4 of 4

Headley, Marc

Marc Headley left Scientology and his wife left shortly thereafter. He wrote a book about his experiences, titled Blown for Good.

• Marc Headley speaks at Hamburg, Germany conference, That is Scientology! Reports from the USA - Part 1 of 3.
  (September 4, 2008)
• Part 2 of 3
• Part 3 of 3

Henderson, Michael

Michael Henderson is a former Scientologist, who experienced the policy of Disconnection, and was separated from his family after leaving the organization.

• Mike Henderson, guest speaker at Royalty Theater in Clearwater, Florida, speaks about his experiences inside Scientology - part 1 of 3.
  (April 12, 2008)
• Part 2 of 3
• Part 3 of 3

Many, Nancy

Nancy Many is a former Scientologist, who wrote a book about her experiences, titled My Billion Year Contract. She was interviewed for Wikinews: "Author of My Billion Year Contract reflects on life in elite Scientology group". Many was a member of the elite Scientology group called the Sea Org.

• Aida Thomas inteviews Nancy Many about her book, My Billion Year Contract. Nancy talks of her Life in the Sea Org. in Scientology. She speaks of Tom Cruise and other celebrities.
  (October 28, 2009)
• Part 2 of 3
• Part 3 of 3

Padgett, Tom

Tom Padgett is a former Scientologist, who experienced the policy of Disconnection. He became a critic of Scientology, and spoke at a conference critical of destructive cults. Padgett was an actor in the movie about Scientology, called The Bridge.

• Tom Padgett speaks at conference of Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation (formerly CULTinfo)
  (March 18, 2000)

Pieniadz, Patty

Patty Pieniadz is a former Scientologist, who worked in the Scientology agency the Office of Special Affairs for many years.

• Former Scientologist Patty Pieniadz speaks at protest of Scientology in New Haven, Connecticut about her 27 years in the organization and her 14 years in its Office of Special Affairs.
  (February 10, 2008)

Saxton, Aaron

Aaron Saxton is a former Scientologist, who served in a senior management position within the elite Scientology group, the Sea Org. He was also a member of the group, the Commodore's Messenger Organization, within Scientology. He contacted Senator Nick Xenophon of Australia, who quoted statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate in November 2009.

• Former Scientologist Aaron Saxton being interviewed about his experiences in Scientology and Scientology's elite group called the Sea Org.
  (November 18, 2009)
• Part 2 of 7
• Part 3 of 7
• Part 4 of 7
• Part 5 of 7
• Part 6 of 7
• Part 7 of 7

Topics

David Miscavige

Search for David Miscavige on Wikipedia.

David Miscavige (born April 30, 1960) is the leader of the Church of Scientology and its many affiliated organizations, having assumed that role shortly after the death of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1986. His formal title is Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center (RTC), a corporation that controls the trademarked names and symbols of Dianetics and Scientology.

• David Miscavige opening speech at Washington, DC "Ideal Org" of Scientology. Part 1 of 2.
  (October 31, 2009)
• Part 2 of 2
• David Miscavige speaks at Founding Church of Scientology Ideal Org opening ceremony in Washington DC.
  (October 31, 2009)

Disconnection

Search for Disconnection on Wikipedia.

Disconnection, when used in Scientology, is a term used to describe the severance of all ties between a Scientologist and a friend, colleague, or family member deemed to be antagonistic towards Scientology. The practice of disconnection is a form of religious shunning. Among Scientologists, disconnection is viewed as an important method of removing obstacles to one's spiritual growth. However, disconnection is controversial since it has ended marriages and separated children from their parents. Scientology spokesmen currently deny that such a policy exists.

• A woman is interviewed in Leipzig, Germany about Scientology's policy of disconnection.
  (June 7, 2008)
• Tanja Neujahr is interviewed about losing her father after leaving Scientology and its elite group the Sea Org.
  (June 7, 2008)

Hollywood Guaranty Building

Search for Hollywood Guaranty Building on Wikipedia.

The Hollywood Guaranty Building is a Beaux Arts office building in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California built in 1923 and designed by John C. Austin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Church of Scientology maintains operations of the upper middle management of the organization in the Hollywood Guaranty Building.

• Former senior official within the elite Scientology group the Sea Org, Aaron Saxton, discusses the operations of Scientology within the Hollywood Guaranty Building.
  (November 24, 2009)
• Aaron Saxton, part 2 of 2
  (November 24, 2009)
• A mother flew in from Britain to the United States in an attempt to visit her Scientologist daughter at the Scientology building Hollywood Guaranty Building (HGB) in California.
  (March 6, 2009)

Mace-Kingsley Ranch School

Search for Mace-Kingsley Ranch School on Wikipedia.

Mace-Kingsley Ranch School (later called The Ranch School, Inc., and the New Mexico Ranch School) was a Church of Scientology-affiliated private school for teenagers in a rural ranch environment.

• Alexandria discusses her time at the Mace-Kingsley Ranch School; she was a student there at the age of 12. Part 1 of 2
  (October 25, 2009)
• Part 2 of 2
• Audio of Wally Hanks at Mace-Kingsley Ranch School on W. Ave R8 in Palmdale, California; recorded circa September 1988.
  

Project Chanology

Search for Project Chanology on Wikipedia.

Project Chanology (also called Operation Chanology) is a protest movement against the practices of the Church of Scientology by members of Anonymous, a leaderless Internet-based group that defines itself as ubiquitous. The project was started in response to the Church of Scientology's attempts to remove material from a highly publicized interview with Scientologist Tom Cruise from the Internet in January 2008.

• "Message to Scientology" video, uploaded to YouTube
  (January 21, 2008)
• Mark Bunker of XENU TV addresses Anonymous and their Project Chanology movement, a little under a week after the release of their "Message to Scientology" video.
  (January 26, 2008)
• A video report for n:Wikinews international report: "Anonymous" holds anti-Scientology protests worldwide
  (February 10, 2008)
• At Anonymous DC's Valentine's Day flash raid protesting the Church of Scientology, Meme offers "Free Valentines" and other flyers to passers-by that explained why we were protesting outside the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington DC. The flyers explained what Anonymous was, and gave an overview of Operation Snow White and Fair Game, among other things.
  (February 14, 2009)

Scientology and abortion

Search for Scientology and abortion on Wikipedia.

The intersection of Scientology and abortion has a controversial history which began with Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's discussion of abortion in his 1950 book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Hubbard wrote in Dianetics that abortion and attempts at abortion could cause trauma to the fetus and to the mother in both spiritual and physical ways. Scientologists came to believe that attempted abortions could cause traumatic experiences felt by the fetus, which would later be remembered as memories referred to in Scientology as "engrams". Multiple female Scientologists have come forward in later instances, stating that if members of Scientology's elite group the Sea Org become pregnant, they are told they must have an abortion.

• Former Scientologist and author of the book Blown for Good, Marc Headley, discusses Scientology and abortion.
  (September 4, 2008)
• Former senior official, Aaron Saxton, talks about abortion within the elite group the Sea Org
  (November 18, 2009)
• Aaron Saxton, Part 7 of 7
  (November 18, 2009)

See also

• Topic:Scientology
• Church of Scientology
• Origins of Scientology

External links

Official Sites

• Main Church Official Website
• What is Scientology: Catechism
• "ChurchofScientology's Channel", at YouTube
• Tampa Church Site
• Volunteer Ministers

Scholarly web pages on Scientology

• Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR)
• Stephen A. Kent

Critical sites

• www.xenu.net, the website Operation Clambake
• XENU TV, website of Mark Bunker