Cult of Scientology is coming to Detroit

[Richard]

I am surprised that the ones that lean towards the socialist aspect do not join up with them,they pretty much control every movement or thought one might have,but they take care of you.

When they first came to Clearwater they sent investigators in advance to gather all of the dirt on local politicians and used it to thier benefit in order to get deep rooted established.

The local city council are finialy standing up to them and recently shot down a real estate deal that was not in the best interest of the residents,go downtown there on a Sunday and it is a sea of white shirts and black pants,thousands.

I like and would contribute to Meddle's cause + 100.

They do have a good history of keeping historic buildings historic looking,I have to give them that.

[Gistok]

Here's an example of Scientology's "character assasination" methodology against those who are against them. This was their website against Leah Remini.... who is doing the A&E series against Scientology....

http://www.leahreminiaftermath.com/?...RoCYmkQAvD_BwE

I give Leah Remini credit for exposing them in the A&E series... and to her credit, the show garnered an Emmy nomination last week.

[JenniferL]

In the 1980s, the $cientologists had an outpost on 3rd and Main in downtown Royal Oak. [[The same building where Starbucks's is now.) They'd go up to people on the street-- including kids-- and ask them if they want to take a free personality test. I was in high school at the time and you could not walk down Main Street without being bothered by these nutjobs. [[And no, it's not a case where they mistook me for an adult. When I was 16, I looked about twelve.)

[msamslex]

When I was in junior high school back in the 70s, a classmate & I rode the bus downtown to go shopping. I don't remember what building it was on Woodward but someone stopped us on the sidewalk & asked us to come up to take a test which turned out to be a personality test.

Us being silly teenagers went on up to take the test, then I seem to remember talking to someone in a room, I guess about the test results. I really don't remember much else but after reading the comments here, it had to be the Scientologists although that name never came up that I recall.

I don't recall being contacted by them through mailings or by phone, but I do remember feeling uncomfortable when I talked to whoever it was after taking the test. I don't know if they were trying to get me to join up or not but I sat there thinking I'm not interested.

[night-timer]

Here is a worthwhile expose' [['Prison of Belief' by Vice Magazine) on Scientology featuring the second in command, Marty Rathbun and what he revealed about the organization after he left... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cBvqG9uIjc and here is the full movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYan7pv_Jb0

[Blueidone]

They still have a building on the corner of 12 Mile and Middlebelt in Farmington/Southfield....right across the street from Ginopolis Restaurant. I used to drive by there all the time. Usually very few cars in the lot, but all the lights were on.

After watching Leah Remini's shows and reading more about Scientology, I am very surprised that so many people are so gullible and spend so much money trying to get "clear".

[hybridy]

Yup, the Church of Scientology is still working on its downtown building

"The picture you enclosed was a promotional piece sent to Church members inviting them to join staff at the Church of Scientology of Michigan in anticipation of the opening of the new Church in downtown Detroit," a church spokeswoman wrote me Monday. "There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from Scientologists in Detroit who are looking forward to moving into the new beautiful premises and expanding the services they deliver to the community."

[SammyS]

Are they tax exempt?

[hybridy]

Are they tax exempt?

In October 1993, the church and the IRS reached an agreement under which the church discontinued all of its litigation against the IRS and paid $12.5 million to settle a tax debt said to be around a billion dollars, and the IRS granted 153 Scientology-related corporate entities tax exemption and the right to declare their own subordinate organizations tax-exempt in future.

https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/09/u...ax-exempt.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_st..._United_States

[SpartanDawg]

This is the only time i would rather see a building in downtown detroit rot and burn rather than be renovated. this is terrible for our downtowns image. get this SICK CULT out of our city

[Honky Tonk]

This is the only time i would rather see a building in downtown detroit rot and burn rather than be renovated. this is terrible for our downtowns image. get this SICK CULT out of our city

I bet they'll do really well in that area.

[Meddle]

At least they openly display themselves as a cult, unlike the one Bezos is running.

[EastsideAl]

https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/09/u...ax-exempt.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_st..._United_States

That Times article you link is pretty long, but very revealing. Scientology used its usual tactic of harassment, personal threats, threats of character assassination, and a blizzard of lawsuits to intimidate the IRS into backing down. I wonder what dirt they had on IRS Director Fred Goldberg that they used in that secret meeting to get him to fold?

[Zacha341]

At least they openly display themselves as a cult, unlike the one Bezos is running.

Hold up -- you might jinx the delivery of my package. Hah!

[Honky Tonk]

At least they openly display themselves as a cult, unlike the one Bezos is running.

Nice......

[JBMcB]

The positive aspect is that they are blowing their own money fixing up and maintaining the building [[most of their money comes from a few wealthy investors and celebrities.) The city of Detroit won't get property taxes, but they have so few members there won't be that much of a strain on city services.

When the church inevitably implodes, there will be a nice building available for someone to use.

[Richard]

^ whoever stocks up on black pants,white button down dress shirts and ties will make bank.

[night-timer]

Are they tax exempt?

They're into every scam. I find their entire operation cynical and exploitative. Dirty tricks of every type.

[O3H]

Pound them baby, make them pay

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/...ployees-670362