Mike Rinder: Difference between revisions
Some fixes. |
→Leaving Scientology and criticism: tweak heading (he has left the Church, but not Scientology) |
||
| (5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
| spouse = Divorced from Cathy [[née]] Neal.<ref name="bringwarnings"/> |
| spouse = Divorced from Cathy [[née]] Neal.<ref name="bringwarnings"/> |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Michael "Mike" Rinder''' (born 1955) is an [[Australian people|Australian]] [[Scientology|Scientologist]] who was a former chief spokesman of the [[Church of Scientology]].<ref name="johncook">{{cite news| last =Cook| first =John| title =Scientology - Cult Friction| work =Radar Online| publisher =[[Radar (magazine)|Radar Magazine]]| date =March 17, 2008| url =http://radarmagazine.com/from-the-magazine/2008/03/scientology_anonymous_protests_tom_cruise_01.php | accessdate =2008-03-20}}</ref> Rinder served as Executive Director of the Office of Special Affairs and was a director of the Church of Scientology International.<ref name="bio">{{cite web | title = Mike Rinder Biography | url=http://www.scientology.org/news-media/biographies/rinder.html | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080128161937/www.scientology.org/news-media/biographies/rinder.html | publisher = [[Church of Scientology International]] | archivedate = 2008-01-28}}</ref> However, after becoming dissatisfied with how he believed the Church was propagating Scientology, and believing that they had become excessively [[authoritarian]], he left the Church in 2007, instead |
'''Michael "Mike" Rinder''' (born 1955) is an [[Australian people|Australian]] [[Scientology|Scientologist]] who was a former chief spokesman of the [[Church of Scientology]].<ref name="johncook">{{cite news| last =Cook| first =John| title =Scientology - Cult Friction| work =Radar Online| publisher =[[Radar (magazine)|Radar Magazine]]| date =March 17, 2008| url =http://radarmagazine.com/from-the-magazine/2008/03/scientology_anonymous_protests_tom_cruise_01.php | accessdate =2008-03-20}}</ref> Rinder served as Executive Director of the Office of Special Affairs and was a director of the Church of Scientology International.<ref name="bio">{{cite web | title = Mike Rinder Biography | url=http://www.scientology.org/news-media/biographies/rinder.html | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080128161937/www.scientology.org/news-media/biographies/rinder.html | publisher = [[Church of Scientology International]] | archivedate = 2008-01-28}}</ref> However, after becoming dissatisfied with how he believed the Church was propagating Scientology, and believing that they had become excessively [[authoritarian]], he left the Church in 2007, instead becoming an independent Scientologist.<ref name=BBCIndependent /><ref name="Leaving"/> |
||
==Scientology== |
==Scientology== |
||
Rinder is an Australian national who joined the [[Sea Organization|Sea Org]] on the Apollo at 18. In a 2006 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Rinder said he had experienced discrimination in Australia during the period when the Australian state of Victoria had banned Scientology: "You couldn't own Scientology books ... If you did, you had to hide them because if the police came and found them, they'd take them away."<ref name="reitman">{{cite web | first = Janet | last = Reitman | title = Inside Scientology | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/9363363/inside_scientology/print | work = | publisher = [[Rolling Stone]] | date = 2006-02-23 | accessdate = 2007-11-13 }}</ref> During his time as Executive Director, he served as Church spokesman in countless interviews with newspapers and television outlets.<ref>For example Rinder served as church spokesman on: Anderson Cooper, [[AC360]], 14 May 2007; CBS, [[Public Eye]], 7 January 1998; "The Dark Side of Scientology," WDR - Germany 1997; CBS [[60 Minutes]], 28 December 1997; A&E "Inside Scientology," 14 December 1998; Dateline NBC "The Crusader," 16 June 1998.</ref> |
Rinder is an Australian national who joined the [[Sea Organization|Sea Org]] on the Apollo at 18. In a 2006 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Rinder said he had experienced discrimination in Australia during the period when the Australian state of Victoria had banned Scientology: "You couldn't own Scientology books ... If you did, you had to hide them because if the police came and found them, they'd take them away."<ref name="reitman">{{cite web | first = Janet | last = Reitman | title = Inside Scientology | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/9363363/inside_scientology/print | work = | publisher = [[Rolling Stone]] | date = 2006-02-23 | accessdate = 2007-11-13 }}</ref> During his time as Executive Director, he served as Church spokesman in countless interviews with newspapers and television outlets.<ref>For example Rinder served as church spokesman on: Anderson Cooper, [[AC360]], 14 May 2007; CBS, [[Public Eye]], 7 January 1998; "The Dark Side of Scientology," WDR - Germany 1997; CBS [[60 Minutes]], 28 December 1997; A&E "Inside Scientology," 14 December 1998; Dateline NBC "The Crusader," 16 June 1998.</ref> |
||
==Leaving Scientology and criticism== |
==Leaving the Church of Scientology and criticism== |
||
In March 2007, Rinder was sent to defend Scientology from [[John Sweeney (journalist)|John Sweeney]], who was filming a BBC documentary titled ''[[Scientology and Me]]''.<ref name="Leaving">{{cite web | first = Thomas C. Tobin| last = Joe Childs | title = Leaving the Church of Scientology: a huge step| url = http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/article1012520.ece | work = | publisher = [[St Petersburg Times]] | date = June 23, 2009 | accessdate = 2009-07-13 }}</ref> Rinder defended Scientology leader [[David Miscavige]], but Miscavige was unhappy with the documentary.<ref name="Leaving"/> As a result, Rinder "was to report to the church's facility in Sussex, England, and dig ditches" and then was allowed to return to the United States.<ref name="Leaving"/> Rinder decided to leave the church instead.<ref name="Leaving"/> Rinder went to Virginia and told the church he wanted to talk to his wife and also wanted his possessions. He did not talk to his wife, but was sent a FedEx package with a check for $5,000, but his family photos were not sent.<ref name="Leaving"/> Rinder and his wife Cathy of 35 years divorced, and he has no contact with his two adult children.<ref name="Leaving"/> Rinder's official biography has since been removed from the official Church of Scientology website.<ref name="bio" >{{cite web | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080128161937/www.scientology.org/news-media/biographies/rinder.html | title=Rinder's Scientology bio | publisher=Archive.org | accessdate = 2009-06-23}}</ref> |
In March 2007, Rinder was sent to defend Scientology from [[John Sweeney (journalist)|John Sweeney]], who was filming a BBC documentary titled ''[[Scientology and Me]]''.<ref name="Leaving">{{cite web | first = Thomas C. Tobin| last = Joe Childs | title = Leaving the Church of Scientology: a huge step| url = http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/article1012520.ece | work = | publisher = [[St Petersburg Times]] | date = June 23, 2009 | accessdate = 2009-07-13 }}</ref> Rinder defended Scientology leader [[David Miscavige]], but Miscavige was unhappy with the documentary.<ref name="Leaving"/> As a result, Rinder "was to report to the church's facility in Sussex, England, and dig ditches" and then was allowed to return to the United States.<ref name="Leaving"/> Rinder decided to leave the church instead.<ref name="Leaving"/> Rinder went to Virginia and told the church he wanted to talk to his wife and also wanted his possessions. He did not talk to his wife, but was sent a FedEx package with a check for $5,000, but his family photos were not sent.<ref name="Leaving"/> Rinder and his wife Cathy of 35 years divorced, and he has no contact with his two adult children.<ref name="Leaving"/> Rinder's official biography has since been removed from the official Church of Scientology website.<ref name="bio" >{{cite web | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080128161937/www.scientology.org/news-media/biographies/rinder.html | title=Rinder's Scientology bio | publisher=Archive.org | accessdate = 2009-06-23}}</ref> |
||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
||
Rinder now lives in [[Tarpon Springs, Florida]].<ref name="bringwarnings"/> He is divorced from Cathy [[née]] Neal with whom he had a son, Ben, and daughter, Taryn.<ref name="bringwarnings"/> |
Rinder now lives in [[Tarpon Springs, Florida]].<ref name="bringwarnings"/> He is divorced from Cathy [[née]] Neal with whom he had a son, Ben, and daughter, Taryn.<ref name="bringwarnings"/> He is an independent Scientologist.<ref name=BBCIndependent>{{cite news|title=John Sweeney revisits the Church of Scientology|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9032000/9032278.stm|Accessdate=2010-12-21}}</ref><ref>Mike Rinder: [http://www.scientology-cult.com/the-real-third-party.html The Real Third Party], scientology-cult.com; [http://www.scientology-cult.com/2010-independents-day-celebration.html 2010 Independent’s Day Celebration], scientology-cult.com</ref> |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
{{Commons category}} |
{{Commons category}} |
||
*[http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2009/reports/project/ The Truth Rundown] by St. Petersburg Times |
*[http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2009/reports/project/ The Truth Rundown] by St. Petersburg Times |
||
{{Portal|Scientology}} |
|||
{{Scientology}} |
|||
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
||
| Line 59: | Line 56: | ||
[[Category:People from Pinellas County, Florida]] |
[[Category:People from Pinellas County, Florida]] |
||
[[Category:Scientology officials]] |
[[Category:Scientology officials]] |
||
[[Category:Independent Scientologists]] |
|||
[[it:Mike Rinder]] |
[[it:Mike Rinder]] |
||
Revision as of 03:21, 21 December 2010
Mike Rinder | |
|---|---|
 Rinder in April 2010 | |
| Born | 1955 |
| Occupation(s) | Former Executive Director, Office of Special Affairs |
| Spouse | Divorced from Cathy née Neal.[1] |
Michael "Mike" Rinder (born 1955) is an Australian Scientologist who was a former chief spokesman of the Church of Scientology.[2] Rinder served as Executive Director of the Office of Special Affairs and was a director of the Church of Scientology International.[3] However, after becoming dissatisfied with how he believed the Church was propagating Scientology, and believing that they had become excessively authoritarian, he left the Church in 2007, instead becoming an independent Scientologist.[4][5]
Scientology
Rinder is an Australian national who joined the Sea Org on the Apollo at 18. In a 2006 interview with Rolling Stone, Rinder said he had experienced discrimination in Australia during the period when the Australian state of Victoria had banned Scientology: "You couldn't own Scientology books ... If you did, you had to hide them because if the police came and found them, they'd take them away."[6] During his time as Executive Director, he served as Church spokesman in countless interviews with newspapers and television outlets.[7]
Leaving the Church of Scientology and criticism
In March 2007, Rinder was sent to defend Scientology from John Sweeney, who was filming a BBC documentary titled Scientology and Me.[5] Rinder defended Scientology leader David Miscavige, but Miscavige was unhappy with the documentary.[5] As a result, Rinder "was to report to the church's facility in Sussex, England, and dig ditches" and then was allowed to return to the United States.[5] Rinder decided to leave the church instead.[5] Rinder went to Virginia and told the church he wanted to talk to his wife and also wanted his possessions. He did not talk to his wife, but was sent a FedEx package with a check for $5,000, but his family photos were not sent.[5] Rinder and his wife Cathy of 35 years divorced, and he has no contact with his two adult children.[5] Rinder's official biography has since been removed from the official Church of Scientology website.[3]
In 2009, St Petersburg Times asked Rinder for an interview, but he declined.[8] Then a month later, two Washington-based Scientology lawyers went to his home unannounced, informed Rinder that they knew about the newspaper's visit and asked what he had revealed.[8] Subsequently, he spoke to the Times about Scientology's management and repeated beatings he gave as well as received.[9] The interviews became part of the paper's "The Truth Rundown" special issue.[8] Rinder said he was speaking out because "I don't want people to continue to be hurt and tricked and lied to."[8]
In October 2009, Rinder and Marty Rathbun revealed to the St. Petersburg Times how Scientology silenced critics, such as Bob Minton, by digging into personal details and secretly recording conversations.[10] Rinder told the Times: "There were things that, really, he was worried about and had caused problems for him in the investigation that we had done" and Minton and church reached a private settlement.[10] Rinder, who left the church in 2007, considered Minton a friend at the time of Minton's death in January, 2010.[10]
In March 2010, Rinder again confirmed allegations of abuse within Scientology to CNN's Anderson Cooper on AC360.[11] Rinder did not speak on camera because he promised his first interview to the BBC.[11]
In April 2010, Rinder traveled to Clearwater, Florida to meet with his son, but was denied access.[1] A few days later, according to police reports: "five senior members of its California-based international management team — surrounded and screamed at [Rinder] a former church executive, then loudly carried the dispute into the office of an unsuspecting and startled doctor."[1] The Scientologists were issued warnings.[1]
On 28 September 2010 Rinder appeared on The Secrets of Scientology aired by the BBC series, Panorama.[12] He discussed his life, losing his family and behind the scenes activity of Scientology.[12] The documentary claims that private auditing sessions are secretly recorded, including ones with secrets about Tom Cruise.[13]
Personal life
Rinder now lives in Tarpon Springs, Florida.[1] He is divorced from Cathy née Neal with whom he had a son, Ben, and daughter, Taryn.[1] He is an independent Scientologist.[4][14]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Scientology run-ins bring warnings". St. Petersburg Times. April 28, 2010. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- ^ Cook, John (March 17, 2008). "Scientology - Cult Friction". Radar Online. Radar Magazine. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ a b "Mike Rinder Biography". Church of Scientology International. Archived from the original on 2008-01-28. Cite error: The named reference "bio" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b "John Sweeney revisits the Church of Scientology". BBC.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|Accessdate=ignored (|accessdate=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g Joe Childs, Thomas C. Tobin (June 23, 2009). "Leaving the Church of Scientology: a huge step". St Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ^ Reitman, Janet (2006-02-23). "Inside Scientology". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-11-13.
- ^ For example Rinder served as church spokesman on: Anderson Cooper, AC360, 14 May 2007; CBS, Public Eye, 7 January 1998; "The Dark Side of Scientology," WDR - Germany 1997; CBS 60 Minutes, 28 December 1997; A&E "Inside Scientology," 14 December 1998; Dateline NBC "The Crusader," 16 June 1998.
- ^ a b c d Joe Childs, Thomas C. Tobin (June 23, 2009). "The Truth Rundown". St Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ^ Joe Childs, Thomas C. Tobin (June 23, 2009). "Scientology: Ecclesiastical justice". St Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ^ a b c "How Scientology got to Bob Minton". St. Petersburg Times. November 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- ^ a b "Scientology: A History of Violence". AC360. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
- ^ a b "John Sweeney revisits the Church of Scientology". BBC's Panorama series. September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
- ^ "Mr Shouty and and Cruise: The Rematch". Sunday Times. September 26, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
- ^ Mike Rinder: The Real Third Party, scientology-cult.com; 2010 Independent’s Day Celebration, scientology-cult.com
External links
- The Truth Rundown by St. Petersburg Times