scientology
The Harry Potter Fan Fiction Author Who Wants to Make Everyone a Little More Rational
"Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality," by AI specialist Eliezer Yudkowsky, has commanded a sprawling, cult-like international fan base thanks to its message of rational thinking.
An American Football Player in London: The Journey of Victor X
Victor X, formerly known as Victor Ebubedike, was once the best American football player in the UK. His story is even more interesting than you'd think.
Scientology Is Struggling to Crack the UK
Scientology has always been a poor fit for the UK. It’s a phenomenon better suited to wealthy, tanned Americans who’ve spent their entire lives being told they can be anything they want to be if they throw enough money around
Los Angeles Is a Paradise
I have, at various times, loved LA and hated LA. Right now, I'm on an up-swing, and I can't imagine myself living anywhere else.
One of the Stars of '10 Things I Hate About You' Started a Religion
Andrew Keegan, of 10 Things I Hate About You fame, recently started a church in Venice Beach, California. We visited it to find out why he swapped his acting career to lead a religion.
L. Ron Hubbard's Great-Grandson Is a Circus Ringmaster
Jamie DeWolf is a filmmaker, circus ringmaster, writer, performance artist, and a teacher. He’s also the last of his relatives who’s willing to speak out against the organization that his great-grandfather created.
The Church of Scientology Had Their Own Teen Pop Band
They were called Kids on Stage For a Better World and they were amazing.
The Most Evil Thing I Own
Nothing ups the value of a run-of-the-mill kitchen implement or piece of clothing like someone dying all over it. It's like smearing it with interesting butter. And—as with ghosts—the eviler the person who died on it, the heavier the smear.
Scientology's Super Bowl Ad Preached to the Cult of Apple
The cult understands what inspires devotion these days: whatever device a tech company is selling.
The 12 Least Overrated Things in Los Angeles
A local writer took the city to task for being "overrated." Well, I live in Los Angeles, and I take offense to people making fun of all the amazing things the city has to offer. LA has the most pre-war movie houses in the world, some of the top art...
I Used to Be a Scientologist, Now I Help People Out of Cults by Smoking Weed
Dennis Erlich was the original guy who exposed the craziness of Scientology on the internet. A member since 1967 and later a minister, he started to rebel against the church in the mid-80s. Now he runs a support group to help people out of cults...
Don't Bet on the Apocalypse
Remember those billboards during the summer of 2011 that boldly claimed the world was going to end on May 21 of that year? Those predictions were put together by a California-based Christian cult who is now destitute, because they spent all their money...