OSA goes mad about a FILM that will be broadcasted in EUROPE !!!
- Thread starter german penguin
- Start date
degraded being
Sponsor
Very interesting. I put it through the google translator and it gave me a very coherent text to read.
Jump
Operating teatime
Quick&dirty Google Translation...
THE EYE OF SCIENTOLOGY
Many think of Tom Cruise in Scientology, but hardly anyone knows the "Office of Special Affairs." Interview with director Mark Thoess about his investigative documentary, and the largest private intelligence of the world: OSA
© BWR
Behind the name "Office of Special Affairs" short OSA, is hidden the secret of Scientology, in particular, have dropouts and critics of the sect, but also countries and their secrets in their sights. According to Scientology, the "Office of Special Affairs" is a press and law office - but there's the "Investigations Section," the department for investigation. Why does an organization that sees itself as a religion, a secret service? Director and cinematographer Mark Thoess has made, together with author Frank Nordhausen in search of answers.
(More at link above)
ChuckNorrisCutsMyLawn
Crusader
Hubbard's gang of thugs have been little more than a punchline to a joke for so long, it's getting harder to remember when there were actually an asset to the cult rather than a liability.
I'm sure this film will spawn yet another parade of foot-bullets by Hubbard's Stasi wannabes
I'm sure this film will spawn yet another parade of foot-bullets by Hubbard's Stasi wannabes
Smurf
Gold Meritorious SP
Here's a loose translation of the article... I don't speak German..
THE EYE OF SCIENTOLOGY
Many think of Tom Cruise in Scientology, but hardly anyone knows the "Office of Special Affairs." Interview with director Mark Thoess about his investigative documentary, and the largest private intelligence of the world: OSA.
Behind the name "Office of Special Affairs", or OSA, is hidden the secret of Scientology, as told by dropouts and critics of the sect.
According to Scientology, the "Office of Special Affairs" it is a media and law office, but there's also the "Investigations Section,". Why does an organization that see's itself as a religion, have a secret service?
Director and cinematographer Mark Thoess has made this effort, together with author Frank Nordhausen, to search for answers.
ARTE: How large is OSA, do you think?
MARKUS: No one knows for sure. O.S.A. In the United States, it has perhaps only 100 people. Interviewees in the film compare O.S.A. to the Stasi (former East German secret service). The high-level dropout Marc Headley told us that OSA spends $100,000 a week.
ARTE: Is O.S.A. officially a secret?
MARK THOEß: The Scientologists do not deny that there is a "Investigations Section", but they say they did nothing illegal. Many things that happen in OSA are very dubious.
ARTE: Like what?
MARK THOEß: That Scientology monitors as people around the clock, says Ingo Heinemann, who worked for a consumer association as a lawyer back in the 1970s against Scientology. There were judicial inquiries made, where detailed instructions on what occurs in the OSA were found.
ARTE: How did OSA retrieve their information?
THOEß MARK: It found out, for example, why Mr. Heinemann was investigating Scientology, and who were the backers who financed his efforts. And how to attain information - for example, by looking through his garbage cans.
ARTE: Scientology considers itself a religion - why does a church such information?
MARK THOEß: This question asks itself. I personally do not believe that Scientology is a religion. I believe that Scientology is a business company that does nothing more than what is now insanely popular: to recruit a person and they make it their own, as long as it is dependent on the organization - promising a better world without crime.
ARTE: In the USA, Scientology is recognized as a charity and is tax-exempt. Is Scientology also recognized as a religion, as is always claimed?
THOEß MARK: No, the American state recognizes no religion. The tax exemption in 1993 is a great victory, if not the largest ever, for OSA & Scientology. The letter from the tax authority with regards to Scientology referred to the common interest and led to it's tax-exempt status for religious reasons.
Scientologists now run around with this letter and say: "We are still recognized in America, so you must now recognize us here as well."
ARTE: In Germany, we saw the constitutional protection of the sect. Why is it not banned?
THOEß MARKUS: On one hand, there is the constitutional protections in Germany, which most countries have. On the other hand, the organizational structure in Germany is complicated: there is the International Organization of Scientologists, but also many sub-organizations such as Narconon Criminon. Therefore, it is difficult to ban Scientology as a whole.
Two examples: Russia has classified Scientology literature as extremist in 2011, and the higher regional court in Greece confirmed the dissolution of the Athens Scientology office in 1997. But, there's more than one Scientology entity in a country; there are maybe 20 sub-organizations to it.
ARTE: How dangerous is O.S.A. really?
MARK THOEß: Scientology is a state within a state, with its own police ethics and financial structure, its own news service and health care system, even with their own punishment systems.
The German Constitutional protection observed is not intended to support dangerous groups like Scientology. I've never heard of another religious community that has so influenced the American consulates, for them to act abroad.
ARTE: In what way?
MARK THOEß: German politicians of high rank, of all stripes have confirmed time and again, that if they take action against Scientology, they would get visits and receive undue political pressure from America.
There are even German politicians appointed to the consulate. All this came in 2010 when Wikileaks: Dispatches-out scandal.
The reason for the political pressure: A lot of money and familiar faces (celebrities like Tom Cruise) are two things that influence politicians to alighn themselves, and act on behalf of, Scientology.
ARTE: You have Mike Rinder, the former head of OSA, the now independent Scientologist who you interviewed. How credible is he?
THOEß MARK: I think he's very believable in what he says about the Scientology leader David Miscavige & political lobbying by the cult.
I consider him lacking in credibility when it comes to himself. Mike Rinder was responsible for almost all major OSA actions until he left 2007. He must know a lot more than he reveals.
ARTE: How were you during your filming when you were confronted by OSA?
THOEß MARK: We were observed during the entire filming in America. We were photographed. Scientologists always knew where we were. We were kept under surveillance. When we drove to Florida, in Clearwater, which is the Scientology stronghold, all windows had something blocking them from the inside, so we couldn't film anything. The dropout Marc Headley told me that OSA possessed contacts within travel agencies.
ARTE: Were you personally threatened?
THOEß MARKUS: There was a very specific incident at a gas station in Hamburg, where I felt threatened, and which we report in the film.
ARTE: Have you communicated with Scientology?
THOEß MARK: We have asked countless times in various countries, for a television interview. We have a very short statement from Scientology's spokesman in France and Germany, Juerg Stettler, when we approached him on the street.
But when you ask him 20 questions, he responds with questions to counter you. Of course, Mr. Stettler has also answered questions in writing, but not before the camera. I cannot understand why an organization like Scientology is not able to give a reasonable television interview.
ARTE: Could you show this film at all?
MARK THOEß: The movie would not happen without the courage of the broadcasters and the production company, even if it is a compromise. The German press law is very strict and it also protects the Scientologists.
ARTE: What is it about the film that stuck out most in your mind?
THOEß MARK: I've made films about other faiths. I was in Kurdistan, and have made a film about honor killings. But I have never been prosecuted for hours, photographed, or even attacked by members of a religion, until we did a story on Scientology. This is unique. And I'm not the first person this has happened to.
------------------------------------------------------------
MARK THOESS - Born in Berlin in 1967, trained as a camera assistant, since 1990, he's been a freelance cameraman and author; numerous investigative documentaries. He's currently writing a book on the East German spy, Huseyin Yildirim.
SCIENTOLOGY - The former science fiction writer Lafayette Ronald Hubbard founded in 1954, the "Church of Scientology", since 1986. David Miscavige is the leader of Scientology. Scientology sees itself as a "religion of salvation," the people want "free spirit" (Dianetics). "Operating thetans" to take control over their environment. In Germany there are about 5,000 followers, and according to Germany's Constitutional Protection Office, globally, there are 130,000 Scientologists.
INTELLIGENCE - O.S.A. - In 1966, the first information service "Guardian Office" was established with a Guardian (Guardian) on the tip - Mary Sue Hubbard. The third wife of L. Ron Hubbard in 1979 after the biggest spy scandal of Scientology ("Snow White") was sentenced. From 1983, the office in the "Office of Special Affairs" (OSA) is renamed. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the headquarters in Munich Germany.
www.hamburg.de/ag-scientology
THE EYE OF SCIENTOLOGY
Many think of Tom Cruise in Scientology, but hardly anyone knows the "Office of Special Affairs." Interview with director Mark Thoess about his investigative documentary, and the largest private intelligence of the world: OSA.
Behind the name "Office of Special Affairs", or OSA, is hidden the secret of Scientology, as told by dropouts and critics of the sect.
According to Scientology, the "Office of Special Affairs" it is a media and law office, but there's also the "Investigations Section,". Why does an organization that see's itself as a religion, have a secret service?
Director and cinematographer Mark Thoess has made this effort, together with author Frank Nordhausen, to search for answers.
ARTE: How large is OSA, do you think?
MARKUS: No one knows for sure. O.S.A. In the United States, it has perhaps only 100 people. Interviewees in the film compare O.S.A. to the Stasi (former East German secret service). The high-level dropout Marc Headley told us that OSA spends $100,000 a week.
ARTE: Is O.S.A. officially a secret?
MARK THOEß: The Scientologists do not deny that there is a "Investigations Section", but they say they did nothing illegal. Many things that happen in OSA are very dubious.
ARTE: Like what?
MARK THOEß: That Scientology monitors as people around the clock, says Ingo Heinemann, who worked for a consumer association as a lawyer back in the 1970s against Scientology. There were judicial inquiries made, where detailed instructions on what occurs in the OSA were found.
ARTE: How did OSA retrieve their information?
THOEß MARK: It found out, for example, why Mr. Heinemann was investigating Scientology, and who were the backers who financed his efforts. And how to attain information - for example, by looking through his garbage cans.
ARTE: Scientology considers itself a religion - why does a church such information?
MARK THOEß: This question asks itself. I personally do not believe that Scientology is a religion. I believe that Scientology is a business company that does nothing more than what is now insanely popular: to recruit a person and they make it their own, as long as it is dependent on the organization - promising a better world without crime.
ARTE: In the USA, Scientology is recognized as a charity and is tax-exempt. Is Scientology also recognized as a religion, as is always claimed?
THOEß MARK: No, the American state recognizes no religion. The tax exemption in 1993 is a great victory, if not the largest ever, for OSA & Scientology. The letter from the tax authority with regards to Scientology referred to the common interest and led to it's tax-exempt status for religious reasons.
Scientologists now run around with this letter and say: "We are still recognized in America, so you must now recognize us here as well."
ARTE: In Germany, we saw the constitutional protection of the sect. Why is it not banned?
THOEß MARKUS: On one hand, there is the constitutional protections in Germany, which most countries have. On the other hand, the organizational structure in Germany is complicated: there is the International Organization of Scientologists, but also many sub-organizations such as Narconon Criminon. Therefore, it is difficult to ban Scientology as a whole.
Two examples: Russia has classified Scientology literature as extremist in 2011, and the higher regional court in Greece confirmed the dissolution of the Athens Scientology office in 1997. But, there's more than one Scientology entity in a country; there are maybe 20 sub-organizations to it.
ARTE: How dangerous is O.S.A. really?
MARK THOEß: Scientology is a state within a state, with its own police ethics and financial structure, its own news service and health care system, even with their own punishment systems.
The German Constitutional protection observed is not intended to support dangerous groups like Scientology. I've never heard of another religious community that has so influenced the American consulates, for them to act abroad.
ARTE: In what way?
MARK THOEß: German politicians of high rank, of all stripes have confirmed time and again, that if they take action against Scientology, they would get visits and receive undue political pressure from America.
There are even German politicians appointed to the consulate. All this came in 2010 when Wikileaks: Dispatches-out scandal.
The reason for the political pressure: A lot of money and familiar faces (celebrities like Tom Cruise) are two things that influence politicians to alighn themselves, and act on behalf of, Scientology.
ARTE: You have Mike Rinder, the former head of OSA, the now independent Scientologist who you interviewed. How credible is he?
THOEß MARK: I think he's very believable in what he says about the Scientology leader David Miscavige & political lobbying by the cult.
I consider him lacking in credibility when it comes to himself. Mike Rinder was responsible for almost all major OSA actions until he left 2007. He must know a lot more than he reveals.
ARTE: How were you during your filming when you were confronted by OSA?
THOEß MARK: We were observed during the entire filming in America. We were photographed. Scientologists always knew where we were. We were kept under surveillance. When we drove to Florida, in Clearwater, which is the Scientology stronghold, all windows had something blocking them from the inside, so we couldn't film anything. The dropout Marc Headley told me that OSA possessed contacts within travel agencies.
ARTE: Were you personally threatened?
THOEß MARKUS: There was a very specific incident at a gas station in Hamburg, where I felt threatened, and which we report in the film.
ARTE: Have you communicated with Scientology?
THOEß MARK: We have asked countless times in various countries, for a television interview. We have a very short statement from Scientology's spokesman in France and Germany, Juerg Stettler, when we approached him on the street.
But when you ask him 20 questions, he responds with questions to counter you. Of course, Mr. Stettler has also answered questions in writing, but not before the camera. I cannot understand why an organization like Scientology is not able to give a reasonable television interview.
ARTE: Could you show this film at all?
MARK THOEß: The movie would not happen without the courage of the broadcasters and the production company, even if it is a compromise. The German press law is very strict and it also protects the Scientologists.
ARTE: What is it about the film that stuck out most in your mind?
THOEß MARK: I've made films about other faiths. I was in Kurdistan, and have made a film about honor killings. But I have never been prosecuted for hours, photographed, or even attacked by members of a religion, until we did a story on Scientology. This is unique. And I'm not the first person this has happened to.
------------------------------------------------------------
MARK THOESS - Born in Berlin in 1967, trained as a camera assistant, since 1990, he's been a freelance cameraman and author; numerous investigative documentaries. He's currently writing a book on the East German spy, Huseyin Yildirim.
SCIENTOLOGY - The former science fiction writer Lafayette Ronald Hubbard founded in 1954, the "Church of Scientology", since 1986. David Miscavige is the leader of Scientology. Scientology sees itself as a "religion of salvation," the people want "free spirit" (Dianetics). "Operating thetans" to take control over their environment. In Germany there are about 5,000 followers, and according to Germany's Constitutional Protection Office, globally, there are 130,000 Scientologists.
INTELLIGENCE - O.S.A. - In 1966, the first information service "Guardian Office" was established with a Guardian (Guardian) on the tip - Mary Sue Hubbard. The third wife of L. Ron Hubbard in 1979 after the biggest spy scandal of Scientology ("Snow White") was sentenced. From 1983, the office in the "Office of Special Affairs" (OSA) is renamed. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the headquarters in Munich Germany.
www.hamburg.de/ag-scientology
Smurf
Gold Meritorious SP
The film crew of this documentary was chaperoned by Angry Gay Pope to the cult's Twin Peaks facility in June 2011.
http://angrygaypope.com/twin_peaks/index.html
AGP says.. "Journalist Markus Thöss was doing a documentary on OSA and his European video crew were being given a tour of two of Scientology's southern California prison camps when the cult's goon's decided to follow us in an attempt to "scare" us.
The incident happened in June 2011 and I held on to the footage until now. The documentary "Agenten für Scientology" to air on May 15 on ARTE the French /German TV channel. They have literally been working on it for years.
[video=youtube;DpVXL4j9p0Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpVXL4j9p0Y[/video]
http://angrygaypope.com/twin_peaks/index.html
AGP says.. "Journalist Markus Thöss was doing a documentary on OSA and his European video crew were being given a tour of two of Scientology's southern California prison camps when the cult's goon's decided to follow us in an attempt to "scare" us.
The incident happened in June 2011 and I held on to the footage until now. The documentary "Agenten für Scientology" to air on May 15 on ARTE the French /German TV channel. They have literally been working on it for years.
[video=youtube;DpVXL4j9p0Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpVXL4j9p0Y[/video]
gladtobeout
New Member
OSA documentary today ARTE channel
http://www.arte.tv/fr/La-face-cachee-de-la-scientologie/6628686.html
http://www.arte.tv/fr/La-face-cachee-de-la-scientologie/6628686.html
Irayam
Patron with Honors
Re: OSA documentary today ARTE channel
Je me réjouis de voir ça !!
Je me réjouis de voir ça !!
Smurf
Gold Meritorious SP
Evidently, this aired in France yesterday. Hopefully, someone there caught it & it will be uploaded on YouTube. Translated from French..
May 15, 2012 (8:35 pm)
O.S.A. - The spies of Scientology
Why a religious community that says she needs to have intelligence agents? From Europe to the United States, a special survey on one of the most mysterious structures of Scientology.
The organization O.S.A. is a foremost mission is to counter those - lawyers, jurists, politicians, media, former followers - who are trying to denounce the actions of Scientologists. To do this, it will stop at nothing: communication operations, infiltration of certain institutions and public authorities, acts of sabotage, smear campaigns and intimidation, etc..
Critics of Scientology often feel directly threatened and spied. However, the sect says that O. S.A. is a simple press service and legal affairs that merely collect through legal information on critics and protesters.
Nebulous networks
OSA's surveillance system was set up with similarities to that of the Stasi in the former GDR, according to former Minister President of Bavaria, Günther Beckstein. In 2010, the sect had a severe crisis with the departure of several of its executives, including one who was long the leader of the OSA, Mike Rinder.
His testimony and that of other officials at the highest level possible uncovered the different branches of the organization. These formerly zealous members now openly attack the current leader of Scientology, David Miscavige, accusing him of assault and abuse against them.
Considered an extremist sect in various European countries, Scientology is closely monitored by public authorities. But the public is generally unaware that the sect has built its own structure of information, that some officers were convicted of espionage, burglary, coercion and other criminal offenses that were duly proven.
Who are really the employees of the O. S.A. ? Which networks do they support? During their investigation, the filmmakers have discovered amazing links between OSA and policy makers who have set up shop in Washington, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Reference to book: SCIENTOLOGY: AUTOPSY ON A NATIONAL CULT by Emmanuel Fansten, 2010
http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33396
http://www.arte.tv/fr/O-S-A----Les-espions-de-la-scientologie/6628714.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debate
The secret power - Who will stop the spies of Scientology?
The guests of Emilie Aubry:
Prof. Dr. Arnd Diringer, a lawyer teaching at the University of Ludwigsburg, Germany. In 2003 he published the book "Scientology: Verbotsmöglichkeit einer verfassungsfeindlichen Bekenntnisgemeinschaft" (in German)
http://www.amazon.com/Scientology-German-Edition-Arnd-Diringer/dp/3631398069
Emmanuel Fansten is a journalist and writer. In 2010, he wrote a book about "Scientology. Anatomy of a sect of State"
http://www.arte.tv/fr/Debat/6628716.html
gladtobeout
New Member
no - it just aired right now. Discussion with experts going on. very well done film, thanks german penguin!
First 5ish minutes:
Voiceover: Paris March 2011
At a demonstration against Scientology, adherents of the cult become violent.
Demonstrator in mask: We were just attacked by Scientologists! (cut to bloody face)So that's what the understand of free speech.
Voiceover: Worldwide, the sekt fights critics, the media and authorities with a secret service: the Office of Special Affairs. OSA.
1st interviewee: I will submit that the OSA department of Scientology is one of the oldest secret service organizations of the world. They have been working uninterrupted for over 50 years.
2nd Interviewee: The secret service OSA is for Scientology what the Stasi was for the DDR.
VO: We want to know more about this special department of the sekt and have researched for over a year. What for does a belief organization need a secret service? And what are it's assignments? (1:09 )The Scientologists claim OSA is it's press and rights department, but in reality this organization is said to be pushing a Scientology world order. (1:54) A village in Brandenburg. The former sekt official of the evangelical church, Thomas Gando (spelling?), here left in the picture, has regular visits from Gerry Armstrong, an American former sekt member. In the 1970's, Gerry Armstrong was a close follower of the sekt co-worker L. Ron Hubbard. The Scientology leader was even the witness to his marriage. Back then, Armstrong was working on a biography of the sekt leader. (2:30)
GA (in voiceover): In the course of doing this research, I documented the fact that the man lied about his whole life. He lied about his family, his education, his grades. He also wasn't a nuclear physicist. He lied about so many things that for me the whole thing, Scientology and everything I believed in, fell apart. It was in no way an ethical organization .It was very unethical organization.
VO (3:12): Since his exit in the 1980's, Gerry Armstrong is internationally active as advisor in problems with Scientology. The secret service has been following him for 30 years. Also in Buchal tall (sp?) observers have shown up since his arrival. (clip of man filming over brick wall). OSA leads a significant effort to watch over the American. (3:43) On a day in spring 2003, Gando and Armstrong want to take part in a religious service in Berlin. Suddenly pursuers show up.
GA: Then we saw that he was taking pictures, my companions thought he had a pistol. It was terrifying.
VO (4:13): The pursuit leads to a large media response. The pursuer, a well known Berlin real estate expert, is later sentenced for coercion. Scientology admits that his membership is responsible for the action.
TG: I've experienced from no sekt that which I've experienced from Scientology. That I have been physically attacked.
VO (4:36): Armstong has long been collecting reports about such events, for him the freeway pursuit is no lone occurence.
GA: I believe there is nothing that they would not do for Scientology. We will know that they would commit any crime for Scientology, and when the pressure on Scientology and its followers further grows, it becomes more likely that it comes to a catastrophy, assasinations.
end (5:09)
{tech newbie, not sure how to do subtitles, will work on more tomorrow}
Voiceover: Paris March 2011
At a demonstration against Scientology, adherents of the cult become violent.
Demonstrator in mask: We were just attacked by Scientologists! (cut to bloody face)So that's what the understand of free speech.
Voiceover: Worldwide, the sekt fights critics, the media and authorities with a secret service: the Office of Special Affairs. OSA.
1st interviewee: I will submit that the OSA department of Scientology is one of the oldest secret service organizations of the world. They have been working uninterrupted for over 50 years.
2nd Interviewee: The secret service OSA is for Scientology what the Stasi was for the DDR.
VO: We want to know more about this special department of the sekt and have researched for over a year. What for does a belief organization need a secret service? And what are it's assignments? (1:09 )The Scientologists claim OSA is it's press and rights department, but in reality this organization is said to be pushing a Scientology world order. (1:54) A village in Brandenburg. The former sekt official of the evangelical church, Thomas Gando (spelling?), here left in the picture, has regular visits from Gerry Armstrong, an American former sekt member. In the 1970's, Gerry Armstrong was a close follower of the sekt co-worker L. Ron Hubbard. The Scientology leader was even the witness to his marriage. Back then, Armstrong was working on a biography of the sekt leader. (2:30)
GA (in voiceover): In the course of doing this research, I documented the fact that the man lied about his whole life. He lied about his family, his education, his grades. He also wasn't a nuclear physicist. He lied about so many things that for me the whole thing, Scientology and everything I believed in, fell apart. It was in no way an ethical organization .It was very unethical organization.
VO (3:12): Since his exit in the 1980's, Gerry Armstrong is internationally active as advisor in problems with Scientology. The secret service has been following him for 30 years. Also in Buchal tall (sp?) observers have shown up since his arrival. (clip of man filming over brick wall). OSA leads a significant effort to watch over the American. (3:43) On a day in spring 2003, Gando and Armstrong want to take part in a religious service in Berlin. Suddenly pursuers show up.
GA: Then we saw that he was taking pictures, my companions thought he had a pistol. It was terrifying.
VO (4:13): The pursuit leads to a large media response. The pursuer, a well known Berlin real estate expert, is later sentenced for coercion. Scientology admits that his membership is responsible for the action.
TG: I've experienced from no sekt that which I've experienced from Scientology. That I have been physically attacked.
VO (4:36): Armstong has long been collecting reports about such events, for him the freeway pursuit is no lone occurence.
GA: I believe there is nothing that they would not do for Scientology. We will know that they would commit any crime for Scientology, and when the pressure on Scientology and its followers further grows, it becomes more likely that it comes to a catastrophy, assasinations.
end (5:09)
{tech newbie, not sure how to do subtitles, will work on more tomorrow}
5:09 VO: And a Brandenburg town as goal of Scientology? Scientology is an international organization, branches are almost everywhere and there with also the secret service. On the internet, the organization presents itself as a complex organization of countless partnerships and firms. 1954 founded the American L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction author, the sect. It's goal is the so-called freeing of the planet Earth, called "clear planet" and the establishment of a new civilization without mental illness, criminals and without war. Hubbard claimed Scientology had the only technology to guarantee the survival of mankind, the psycho-technology "auditing", a type of lie detector test with reaching to past lives. Critics describe this method as classic brainwashing. (6:09)
Hubbard was during the second World War in the US Navy Intelligence and later lived on a ship for a long time. He wrote that breaking the law was necessary to attain the goals of Scientology. Lying, stealing, blackmail and a series of other crimes were permissible as ways to save mankind. For that purpose, Hubbard founded his own secret service in the 60s. At first he called it the "guardians office". Soon more than 1000 agents and contributors worked for the service. Hubbard sets goals for them, for example to weed out enemies and gain control over the media and politicians. He posted pages worth of orders for wiretapping operations, hidden research or false information campaigns.
(7:05) This is David Miscavige, Hubbard's successor. For 30 years he presides over the Scientologist and carries out Hubbar's directives. He recruited Hollywood stars like John Travolta. Scientology can also count on the cooperation of other celebrities, such as Kirstie Alley or Tom Cruise, here with Miscavige.
(7:30) In the book of former Scientologist Marc Headley, we read breathtaking accounts from the sects headquarters. Therein, Headley also says the Scientology secret service harrassed hiim after his 2005 exit from the sect. We want to get in contact with him.
(8:00) We travel to Washington DC to meet with him. In the past, Marc Headley produced Scientology propaganda films. Today, he is a successful businessman in the multimedia industry.
MH: Most of the people that work for OSA are 20, 30, 40 years with Scientology. They are 100% Scientologists that work 24 hours a day and 365 days a year for the sect. They do nothing else. The OSA people are convinced that the future of mankind depends on them. If they don't do or achieve what David Miscavige commands of them, then the survival of mankind may be in danger.
VO (9:08): Washington. In the 70s, the founder Hubbard and Scientology came into conflict with US authorities. On the account of the sect's secret service begins one of the largest domestic spying scandals of US history, named "Operation Snow White". Goal was to stop from a government wide investigation of Scientology. Scientology agents infiltrate government authorities and ministries, they steal thousands of files and listen to politicians and thereby gain secret information about government measures agains the sect. A dark affait that shakes the U.S.A. (9:45) The FBI discovered the operation in 1977 , 11 leading Scientologist were sentenced to prison. Scientology falls into a difficult crisis.
MH (9:59): In the 1980's, and later 70s, as Scientology was being attacked by the US government, they formed the strategy to turn Scientology into a religion. It was clear to them that many of their problems would disappear if they hid them behind a religious facade. In the US, it worked very well for them. They then tried to repeat it in other countries, to convince these countries that they were a religion. Then if something criminal occured, the sect as a religious organization couldn't get pulled in.
VO (10:38): The pressure from Washington came at that time mostly from the IRS. Hundreds of millions of tax debts threatened. If the sect had to pay them then , it would have been bankrupt. Scientology goes on the offensive, suing thousands of IRS agents for abuse of power, thereby making them ineffective. 1993, the IRS capitulates and Scientology attains full tax exempt status.
end 11:02
Hubbard was during the second World War in the US Navy Intelligence and later lived on a ship for a long time. He wrote that breaking the law was necessary to attain the goals of Scientology. Lying, stealing, blackmail and a series of other crimes were permissible as ways to save mankind. For that purpose, Hubbard founded his own secret service in the 60s. At first he called it the "guardians office". Soon more than 1000 agents and contributors worked for the service. Hubbard sets goals for them, for example to weed out enemies and gain control over the media and politicians. He posted pages worth of orders for wiretapping operations, hidden research or false information campaigns.
(7:05) This is David Miscavige, Hubbard's successor. For 30 years he presides over the Scientologist and carries out Hubbar's directives. He recruited Hollywood stars like John Travolta. Scientology can also count on the cooperation of other celebrities, such as Kirstie Alley or Tom Cruise, here with Miscavige.
(7:30) In the book of former Scientologist Marc Headley, we read breathtaking accounts from the sects headquarters. Therein, Headley also says the Scientology secret service harrassed hiim after his 2005 exit from the sect. We want to get in contact with him.
(8:00) We travel to Washington DC to meet with him. In the past, Marc Headley produced Scientology propaganda films. Today, he is a successful businessman in the multimedia industry.
MH: Most of the people that work for OSA are 20, 30, 40 years with Scientology. They are 100% Scientologists that work 24 hours a day and 365 days a year for the sect. They do nothing else. The OSA people are convinced that the future of mankind depends on them. If they don't do or achieve what David Miscavige commands of them, then the survival of mankind may be in danger.
VO (9:08): Washington. In the 70s, the founder Hubbard and Scientology came into conflict with US authorities. On the account of the sect's secret service begins one of the largest domestic spying scandals of US history, named "Operation Snow White". Goal was to stop from a government wide investigation of Scientology. Scientology agents infiltrate government authorities and ministries, they steal thousands of files and listen to politicians and thereby gain secret information about government measures agains the sect. A dark affait that shakes the U.S.A. (9:45) The FBI discovered the operation in 1977 , 11 leading Scientologist were sentenced to prison. Scientology falls into a difficult crisis.
MH (9:59): In the 1980's, and later 70s, as Scientology was being attacked by the US government, they formed the strategy to turn Scientology into a religion. It was clear to them that many of their problems would disappear if they hid them behind a religious facade. In the US, it worked very well for them. They then tried to repeat it in other countries, to convince these countries that they were a religion. Then if something criminal occured, the sect as a religious organization couldn't get pulled in.
VO (10:38): The pressure from Washington came at that time mostly from the IRS. Hundreds of millions of tax debts threatened. If the sect had to pay them then , it would have been bankrupt. Scientology goes on the offensive, suing thousands of IRS agents for abuse of power, thereby making them ineffective. 1993, the IRS capitulates and Scientology attains full tax exempt status.
end 11:02
MH (11:06): Why the United States IRS determines who has religious status, doesn't make much sense. But Scientologist saw it as a way to become recognized as a religion in other countries.
VO: The victory over the IRS goes to the credit of OSA. We find out what tremendous personnel and financial resources the organization employed. At the time it's leader was Mike Rinder. We look at old recordings of Mike Rinder in action (11:40). He is the child of Scientologist, came up under Miscavige and leads since the 80s the secret service. Thereby he creates himself many enemies. In the internet, we read that Rinder left in 2007, but he still represents the ideology. He is now spokesman of a group called independent Scientologists. We want to get in touch with him. High ranking former members help us to arrange a meeting. (12:05) We travel to Florida, the former secret service leader is alleged to be staying there.
(12:30) An American colleague picks us up. He made contact with Rinder through a middleman, an interview seems possible. However, the former OSA leader doesn't want to agree on a time and place yet. We must wait.
(12:55) The next day, the middleman gives us the meeting place and time. But Mike Rinder has set conditions. Critical questions about the founder Hubbard are taboo. In secret service fashion, the meeting takes place in a hotel in Tampa. Mike Rinder is careful. He has completely fallen out with Miscavige. The former hunter is now the hunted.
(13:50) Mike Rinder shows us what that means. Almost daily harrassment by men he describes as OSA agents. He plays us a video filmed in his office.
VO of MR in video: If you still don't think it's enough, go away! The police are on their way. You are a retard. You have problems understanding things. You don't want to be a face of Scientology Jim? leave, leave, now. Leave the premisses, leave the premisses, leave the premisses.
VO: Mike Rinder is seemingly being fought with his own methods.
MR: Why does the church need OSA? (14:34) Because a church lives and operates in a secular society. If the bureau should be as it is is another question. But when you need to deal with medial and rights questions, also with the authorities.. therefore I also assume the Catholic church has people for it. The real question is if OSA, as it is structured by Scientologists, is really needed. The anser is no. I believe that OSA as a deparment of the church is currently doing more damage. I think OSA is causing very bad PR and that it creates legal issues that will likely become a huge problem for Scientology. Above all, I believe OSA is a mirrow of the manic psychosis of David Miscavige.
15:52- (cut to old video footage)
DM (VO): Please welcome Mr. Mike Rinder.
VO: In the past, Miscavige let his secret sevice leader be cheered, since OSA had done much in the victory of tax exemption.
MR: And Miscavige knows full well, that at least in the USA, one is very well protected from legal actions, even from civil suits, from any sort of external probe into the actions of the church. Because American courts can't get involved in matters of religion. The tax exemption is a huge shield from any external look in or external pressure on the church.
VO: The status also protects the Office of Special Affairs. It's three most important devisions are investigations, public affairs and legal section.
MH: The way Scientology is organized, are everywhere the same organizations, in every country they are active in. (17:20) There are a list of Hubbard directives that Miscavige reworked for OSA. Thereby the exact same organizations perform the exact same actions and operations in every country.
VO: We fly back to Europe and want to investigate one of the first large OSA operations in Germany. (17:50) Our goal is Remagen am Rhein. Here lives the lawyer Ingo Heineman. Already in the 70s he represented plaintiffs against Scientology. His clients felt themselves betrayed by Scientology. To attain promised spiritual freedom, they had paid extremely high course fees. Heineman thus came into OSA's view. Today he creates one of the most comprehensive information sites about the sect.
IH: I consider them damaging in one for the client, clients are massively damaged, the ones that enter not just financially but their entire life standing and life pursuits. On the other also thoroughly the public. That is also why the constitution is concerned.
Interviewer: Would you say that Scientology is unconstitutional?
IH: Yes. Scientology is clearly unconstitutional. Unconstitutional can involve constant breaking of law, and I am convinced this is the case with Scientology and then also the Human rights and constitutional laws, and also there I am of the opinion. (19:21)
VO: Is there evidence for this? Harrased and followed was Heineman from him, Norman Suchanek. The educated accounted went to Scientology as he hoped for more personal and professional success through the personality courses. Suchanek speaks with us as he now regrets his actions as OSA agent. (19:57)
NS: OSA was looking for personnel as they wanted to go more strongly against enemies. There wasn't much said about the target, just that there was an enemy, an opponent and we need someone to spy on him.
VO: The victory over the IRS goes to the credit of OSA. We find out what tremendous personnel and financial resources the organization employed. At the time it's leader was Mike Rinder. We look at old recordings of Mike Rinder in action (11:40). He is the child of Scientologist, came up under Miscavige and leads since the 80s the secret service. Thereby he creates himself many enemies. In the internet, we read that Rinder left in 2007, but he still represents the ideology. He is now spokesman of a group called independent Scientologists. We want to get in touch with him. High ranking former members help us to arrange a meeting. (12:05) We travel to Florida, the former secret service leader is alleged to be staying there.
(12:30) An American colleague picks us up. He made contact with Rinder through a middleman, an interview seems possible. However, the former OSA leader doesn't want to agree on a time and place yet. We must wait.
(12:55) The next day, the middleman gives us the meeting place and time. But Mike Rinder has set conditions. Critical questions about the founder Hubbard are taboo. In secret service fashion, the meeting takes place in a hotel in Tampa. Mike Rinder is careful. He has completely fallen out with Miscavige. The former hunter is now the hunted.
(13:50) Mike Rinder shows us what that means. Almost daily harrassment by men he describes as OSA agents. He plays us a video filmed in his office.
VO of MR in video: If you still don't think it's enough, go away! The police are on their way. You are a retard. You have problems understanding things. You don't want to be a face of Scientology Jim? leave, leave, now. Leave the premisses, leave the premisses, leave the premisses.
VO: Mike Rinder is seemingly being fought with his own methods.
MR: Why does the church need OSA? (14:34) Because a church lives and operates in a secular society. If the bureau should be as it is is another question. But when you need to deal with medial and rights questions, also with the authorities.. therefore I also assume the Catholic church has people for it. The real question is if OSA, as it is structured by Scientologists, is really needed. The anser is no. I believe that OSA as a deparment of the church is currently doing more damage. I think OSA is causing very bad PR and that it creates legal issues that will likely become a huge problem for Scientology. Above all, I believe OSA is a mirrow of the manic psychosis of David Miscavige.
15:52- (cut to old video footage)
DM (VO): Please welcome Mr. Mike Rinder.
VO: In the past, Miscavige let his secret sevice leader be cheered, since OSA had done much in the victory of tax exemption.
MR: And Miscavige knows full well, that at least in the USA, one is very well protected from legal actions, even from civil suits, from any sort of external probe into the actions of the church. Because American courts can't get involved in matters of religion. The tax exemption is a huge shield from any external look in or external pressure on the church.
VO: The status also protects the Office of Special Affairs. It's three most important devisions are investigations, public affairs and legal section.
MH: The way Scientology is organized, are everywhere the same organizations, in every country they are active in. (17:20) There are a list of Hubbard directives that Miscavige reworked for OSA. Thereby the exact same organizations perform the exact same actions and operations in every country.
VO: We fly back to Europe and want to investigate one of the first large OSA operations in Germany. (17:50) Our goal is Remagen am Rhein. Here lives the lawyer Ingo Heineman. Already in the 70s he represented plaintiffs against Scientology. His clients felt themselves betrayed by Scientology. To attain promised spiritual freedom, they had paid extremely high course fees. Heineman thus came into OSA's view. Today he creates one of the most comprehensive information sites about the sect.
IH: I consider them damaging in one for the client, clients are massively damaged, the ones that enter not just financially but their entire life standing and life pursuits. On the other also thoroughly the public. That is also why the constitution is concerned.
Interviewer: Would you say that Scientology is unconstitutional?
IH: Yes. Scientology is clearly unconstitutional. Unconstitutional can involve constant breaking of law, and I am convinced this is the case with Scientology and then also the Human rights and constitutional laws, and also there I am of the opinion. (19:21)
VO: Is there evidence for this? Harrased and followed was Heineman from him, Norman Suchanek. The educated accounted went to Scientology as he hoped for more personal and professional success through the personality courses. Suchanek speaks with us as he now regrets his actions as OSA agent. (19:57)
NS: OSA was looking for personnel as they wanted to go more strongly against enemies. There wasn't much said about the target, just that there was an enemy, an opponent and we need someone to spy on him.
dchoiceisalwaysrs
Gold Meritorious Patron
Thank you so much 'doingwell'
Transcribing can be a lot of work. Thank you. ... oh and welcome.
Transcribing can be a lot of work. Thank you. ... oh and welcome.
Smurf
Gold Meritorious SP
On OCMB... documentary producers Markus Thoess & Frank Nordhausen emailed AGP today..
Hi Gaypope,
Its great to hear from you ! YES it aired. The TV ratings were very very good.
France - 700.000 viewers
Germany - 500.000 viewers
That is for this culture channel a very good quote. We wait for the one in germany`s top channel !!!
It is already at youtube but will be translated soon...
Markus
=======================================
FROM FRANK NORDHAUSEN:
Hi Pope,
ARTE is not a very big channel. But for it's size the ratings were sensational:
2,4 % in Frankreich (France) = 623.000 Zuschauer (viewers)
1,36 % in Deutschland (Germany) = 426.000 Zuschauer (viewers)
that's double than normal at this time of airing.
We're looking forward to the translation! And there will be more TV airings, at least in Germany.
Frank
Hi Gaypope,
Its great to hear from you ! YES it aired. The TV ratings were very very good.
France - 700.000 viewers
Germany - 500.000 viewers
That is for this culture channel a very good quote. We wait for the one in germany`s top channel !!!
It is already at youtube but will be translated soon...
Markus
=======================================
FROM FRANK NORDHAUSEN:
Hi Pope,
ARTE is not a very big channel. But for it's size the ratings were sensational:
2,4 % in Frankreich (France) = 623.000 Zuschauer (viewers)
1,36 % in Deutschland (Germany) = 426.000 Zuschauer (viewers)
that's double than normal at this time of airing.
We're looking forward to the translation! And there will be more TV airings, at least in Germany.
Frank
anon0004
Patron
I am Actually interested in the HD version.
In return I can deliver the blurred Pics of the Osa Spies from Germany, they happen to be in my collection, as well as unblurred footage of the Guise waiting for Rathbun at the Airport. If you guise want them.
anon0004
Patron
And it is still the most viewed Video advertsied on the arte video stream site.
that is quite an archievement.
Similar threads
