Spowiedź scjentologa. Były lider sekty przerywa milczenie

by Mike Rinder, Jan Halbersztat (Translator)

Pod pozorem walki o uratowanie świata manipulują ludźmi. Korumpują i zastraszają władze. Sprzeciwiają się psychiatrii, nękają lekarzy i walczą o delegalizację leków. Oficjalnie są kościołem, ale funkcjonują jak mafia. Scjentolodzy działają w bezwzględny i precyzyjnie zaplanowany sposób.

Jeden z ich byłych liderów, Mike Rinder, przez lata piął się po szczeblach skomplikowanej hierarchii tej organizacji. Gdy był niemal na szczycie – postanowił odejść. Po latach nadużyć, niewolniczej pracy i ciągłej kontroli znalazł w sobie odwagę, by uciec. Wciąż próbuje namówić do tego samego swoje dzieci.

Ta książka to wstrząsające wyznania i rozpaczliwa próba odzyskania rodziny, którą – jak niemal wszystko – odebrała mu sekta. W jakich luksusach pławi się scjentologiczna elita? Dlaczego udało im się zwerbować Toma Cruise'a i Johna Travoltę, a Michaela Jacksona i Davida Beckhama już nie? Po co członkowie sekty podpisują kontrakt na miliard lat? I jak się wyrwać, gdy ucieczka jest niemal niemożliwa?

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Cults, Biography, Religion, True Crime

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2022

About the author

Michael John Rinder was an Australian-American senior executive of the Church of Scientology International (CSI) and the Sea Organization based in the United States. From 1982 to 2007, Rinder served on the board of directors of CSI and also held the post of executive director of its Office of Special Affairs, overseeing the corporate, legal and public relations matters of Scientology at the international level.
Rinder left Scientology in 2007. Ever since then, he had spoken about the physical and mental abuse inflicted upon staff members by Chairman of Scientology, David Miscavige, and by Rinder himself before his departure from the organization, and has explained how abuse was embedded into the culture of Scientology. From 2016 to 2019, he co-hosted the Emmy Award-winning A&E documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. In 2020, he and Remini reunited to launch the podcast Scientology: Fair Game. In September 2022, he published a memoir titled A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something so unique about Mike Rinder: an empathy that doesn’t just “feel” for people, but that deftly pinpoints the source of another’s pain and swiftly responds with a skillful word or deed to kiss the hurt, and make it better.

I’ve witnessed him do this time and again (in the A&E series and on the podcast), and I… ugh… I just love him for it.

Please allow me one more gush before I quit, okay? Just knowing Mike Rinder exists: that someone brought up in Scientology, which is hellbent on beating the human warmth out of people, can come out the other side twice as tender and emotionally adept as the average person …

… it just blows my mind and gives me a great feeling of hope.

And now that I’ve embarrassed myself with fawning, I’ll get to the actual book review.

Rinder wrote this memoir for his two children who are still entrenched in Scientology, in the hopes they’ll someday read it and begin to question. He carefully recounts for them, and us, his story of being brought into the cult by his parents at a young age, being groomed for cult leadership, and ultimately being crushed to discover the whole thing is a lie.

Anyone who has grown up in a “prison of belief” will relate to one of his first descriptions of the experience:

Imagine that from the first moment you could comprehend words being spoken, you were told that if you travelled outside the wall around the house in which you were born, a terrible fate would befall you. And, that if anyone beyond that wall tried to tell you there was nothing to be afraid of on the other side, they were an agent of evil, simply trying to trick you into falling into their clutches, where you would die a horrible death and live in darkness for eternity.

Sound familiar? Sure as shit does to me.

Rinder goes on to elaborate on “the wall” around Scientologists, his personal story of 45 years in the cult, and his eventual escape from crazy-town. I won’t spoil the book by telling all his stories, but things get more weird, and more overtly abusive, than you can probably imagine. Very, very Lord of the Flies.

If you are curious about cults, have an inkling your own weird movement might actually be a cult, or are interested in taking citizen action against Scientology… you won’t find a better resource than this. Rinder is articulate, sensitive, funny, and he knows everything there is to know about L. Ron Hubbard and his Sci-Fi pulp turned quasi-religious movement.

Book/Song Pairing: Love Survive (Michael Nau)

I mean, what’s not to love about this wonderful guy, and his dopesauce family? ⬇️

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scientology have tried to stop the distribution of this book and will do their best to vote it down and write bad reviews. Don't let them fool you!

It's 100% worth purchasing! :)

[Tanya Abresch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to read this book. I was almost sucked into scientology in the late 80's - early 90's.

Update: normally I can finish a book in a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the length. I took my time with this one. What a journey! What a detailed account of the cult of Scientology by someone who worked at the highest levels for decades. I highly recommend reading this and watching the documentary on Netflix with Mike Rinder and Leah Remini. It’s quite the eye-opener!

[L R H · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in depth look inside the top levels of this abusive cult from Mike Rinder.
Interesting and well written this book this book will go a long way to exposing Scientology for what it really is.
Interesting to see they’re already trying to review bomb it here. Maybe I should tell DM they’ve been looking up anti Scientology materials online.

[Margitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, according to some, Scientology is a cult, and others wants it to be a religion.

For some it changed lives positively, and others had to plan escapes and were traumatized, terrorized, by the organisation's own highly weaponized private army. 'Never give up, never give in' is their driving force to save people from themselves.

Mike Rinder wrote his experiences down in a thoughtful, informative, eloquent way. The good and bad of decades of his life. He mostly did it for his two children, who stayed behind in the organization, hoping that they will one day understand and appreciate his message. In that case it was heartbreaking to me as a reader. He writes: I hope you come to see that scientology is a mind prison designed to be nearly impossible to escape'.

L. Ron Hubbard said: A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where is free to rise to greater heights are the aims of Scientology.

Helloooo?! ... wasn't that the aim of people such as Stalin, Karl Marx, most religions, and, oh dear, most politicians... well...basically... all -isms and whatnot? And look where they all ended up. Millions of people dead in horrific wars and revolutions and most of these game-changing rebels murdered or dead themselves. In L. Ron Hubbard's case, he did not die. He just left his body one day and aimed to return some day to continue his noble work. Apparently 21 years. But wait a minute: how many religions do indeed believe in reincarnation? Or an after-life? Mmm.

L. Ron Hubbard chose to name his organization a church. Not a Mosque (Islam), or Synagogue (Judaism). His aim was to offer Christians a better deal, but there's not really any signs anywhere in his teachings of a God or Jesus(Christianity). Why deceive people? How many millions did the followers have to dish out for this 'better deal?' Apparently billions. Just wondering. They even have 'The Hole' for the upper echelons of management, which was first exposed by Debbie Cook in court (available on Youtube). Mike also reference this abhorrent, shocking conditions of 'The Hole' in his book. He himself received similar treatment.

There was a sign against a fence in the Russian labor camps, which, paraphrased, declared something like 'We will force you into happiness'. Scientology had/still have their own labor camps, managed by the Rehabilitation Project Force(RPF).

That sign is applicable to all the above religions and -isms, in different countries, yet we never seem to learn. We don't want to, really. Too much money involved. Follow the money. In the case of former Scientologists, they did/still do slavery in overdrive, escaped with nothing, and are victims of a 'religious'-regime who finance their prosecutions on tax payers' dimes. Exemption. What a noble word. When it comes to tax breaks. Isn't it time for all religious entities to start paying taxes?

The first exposure of Scientology, was a book, The Mind Benders by Cyril Vosper(1971). The blurb says: This is less a book than a stick of dynamite...

...and...

The author's experience of Scientology stretches over a period of 14 years from when it was a little known and interesting form of psychotherapy, to September 1968 when he was declared an S.P. (Suppressive Person). This meant that he was considered 'Fair Game'. As Sir Elwyn Jones Q.C. said in the recent Scientology libel case, S.Ps. 'could be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist. He could be tricked, sued or lied to, or destroyed.' The direct cause of this action was the breakdown of the author's marriage and separation of his children.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading Mike Rinder's memoir. A primary source of information and experiences. Watching a few Youtube videos of dissenters, it is clear that there is a impressive cloud of smoke, hiding perhaps a massive fire.

The author was inspired by books such as Educated by Tara Westover, and influenced by Russell Miller's unauthorized biography of Hubbard, Bare-faced Messiah(2012). Another book, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright(2013), remained a thorn in Scientology's side for many years.

After reading the book I was wondering where 'freedom of speech' and 'freedom to choose' nosedived in this organization. Doesn't seem to be part of the mantra of noble goals. With global domination in mind, apparently not. Did nobody picked up on the lack of 'freedom'? What could possibly happen if an 'influencer', such as Swiss philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, decided to enter the arena here? What influence could his European Enlightenment-theories possibly have on Scientologists today?

Many people still believe in L. Ron Hubbard's dreams. So I was thinking, if it is so good, why do they not just allow people to leave in peace if they choose to, and save themselves a lot of bad press for trying to force people back into the fold? And really, a billion year contract? Amazing. But more astounding: why are so many famous Hollywood stars still willing to support this 'mission'?

Most countries, according to Mike, did not share in Hubbard's ideals. Neither were they aware of his aim to safe all mankind, and therefore establish a sort of world domination. Ugh, it sounds so familiar. It's certainly not only a Scientology-ideal.

Quote: L. Ron Hubbard had created the Sea Org in 1967, with uniforms and nomenclature drawn from his military service. Though his career in the US Navy during World War II had been less than illustrious, he painted the picture for all who would listen of himself as a ship captain and war hero. He viewed the Sea Org as his private navy, and claimed he created it to give him a safe place where he could continue his OT research in order to save mankind. The truth was that the Victoria inquiry in Australia had been a catalyst for renewed scrutiny by the US and UK governments, as well as by the media, in the mid-’60s. Seeing the storm clouds gathering, he had first left England in March 1966 for Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), declaring that he was going to turn an entire country into a “safe base” for scientology.

Rhodesia may seem a strange choice, but Hubbard had his reasons. First and foremost, he believed he had been British imperialist Cecil Rhodes (after whom the country was named) in a previous life, and he was going to return to claim his rightful kingdom. (Hubbard did not announce this past life to those outside his inner circle, likely because Rhodes was a racist and often seen as the father of apartheid.) He also believed that the new government there, which had recently broken ties with Britain, would be sympathetic to his own problems with the establishment.

Germany to this day have issues with Scientology, according to Mike. There are other countries as well, I just cannot remember right now.

I listened to many testimonials and experiences of people on Youtube, who were mentioned in the book. Too many people 'escaped'. Too many folks lost their families and friends in 'disconnection'.
To me personally, this is the saddest of all. But it's a social tendency outside this organization as well.

Camden, New Jersey 1953. Former Scientologist, Jon Atack, found the registrations with Hubbard's signatures on for 'The Church Of American Science'; the 'Church of Scientology'; and the 'Church of Human Engineering'. Hubbard registered Dianetics in 1950 but lost it. It was, apparently, to be the beginning of big things for the science-fiction writer. In 1990, John Atack wrote, A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics, and L. Ron Hubbard Exposed, and Scientology: the Cult of Greed(2014). He defined Hubbard as suffering from hypographia - the inability to stop writing. Interesting. He also suspected that Hubbard suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy.

As the saying goes: 'Silence is violence', right, when you choose to remain silent while there's suffering and ignorance? Mike chose to speak up and share his experiences. So did a multitude of others. One such a book is My Billion Year Contract by Nancy Many(2009). The rest is available on Youtube.

However, nowadays it is also true of families and friends who are 'cancelled', even 'doxxed' if they reject/escape the teachings of a particular political eco chamber. How accurate was '1984' , or 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell? History teaches us that escapees of ideologies often are brutally prosecuted and killed; religions 'shun' people'. Jim Carrey's movie 'The Truman Show' gives me the heebie-jeebies too. Yikes!

In fairness to Scientology, there are a gazillion books written by deserters/runagates/apostates of many religions, political believes, or ideologies. Mike Rinder is just one of many. He is telling his story. It's sad, but positive. An encouraging, albeit in-depth experience for the reader.

There are even more religious mantras based on the writings of Madame Blavatsky, who was a Russian mystic and author, a co-founder of the Theosophical Society in 1875. She gained an international following as the leading theoretician of Theosophy. Her theories were plagiarized big time and even taken over and adjusted by Eugenics. At what point, if ever, did she influence Hubbard in establishing his non-Christian Church? There are rumors to the effect though.

Our most basic instinct to belong and to be accepted is our biggest weakness in the end. Our desire to connect convinces us that we will improve or enlighten ourselves. Or at least receive support and acceptance. There's nostalgia and remorse in Mike Rinder's case. And heartbreak.

So, good luck to Mike Rinder. Be true to yourself and be whomever you wish to be. It's never too late. I am truly sorry that you were declared an outcast by your own family.

Quote from the book: There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again. ~SOMETIMES ATTRIBUTED TO F. SCOTT FITSGERALD.

The book was a revelation and often painful to read.

There you go. Enough said.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't know if there are a lot of people here who are also Ex Sea Org members but I am one and have to say this is probably the best balanced book on the Sea Organization that's ever been written. Does it show you the horrible stuff that they do with no apologies like the other similar books ... YES ... does it also give you ideas about the policies and the psychological conditions that create an atmosphere where people feel justified to do those things ... YES ... as well as anybody without a formal social science background could be expected to, What it does do that the other books don't, is make you feel the sheer tedium of what most days are like in the Sea Organization. Yes there are exciting horror show days ... nobody can dispute that well nobody that isn't currently brainwashed by scientology that is ... but what the other books fail to do that he's done here is really get you into how cult control uses boredom as a weapon too. How he does is it without making the reading itself boring is clever.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wss a huge fan of the Leah Remini expose of scientology when it aired a few years ago. I was impressed by Mike Rinder at that time and was excited to read this book, A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology. How Mr. Rinder managed to free himself from the psychological and physical constraints of that organization is a story to be remembered and pondered. He has my highest admiration. This book is definitely one to read and keep handy.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If everyone had this much courage the world would be a better place.

[Tanja Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mind boggling, horrifying and brave expose of the cult of scientology (why was it initially automatically corrected to capital “S”, seriously, WTF?!). The author’s parents got involved and Mike Rinder even trained with Hubbard. It’s astonishing what people will put up with when they have been brainwashed. It’s also interesting to see how the organization has target and used celebrities, first and foremost Cruise - whom I thus cannot stand. Leaving isn’t easy, you lose everything and the organization comes after you with everything they’ve got, including “noisy” surveillance. I knew scientology is a bs “religion”, but the level of control they have over their members surpassed my wildest imaginations. Again, a brave testimony. Read it!

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight to Mike Rinder's life in the Sea Org and beyond. I have followed his story from afar since the first John Sweeney documentary, and I remember the shock and relief I felt when I read he had left scientology. I have since kept up with his journey sporadically and I have silently cheered him on when he pops up in my memory or I see his name somewhere on the Internet.

He did a great job showing us how indoctrinated one can be, how utterly convinced one can be of doing the right thing, forging forward through all the mud, because one is trying to save humanity. It left me with compassion and sadness.

3.7 stars

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. I listened to the audiobook and Mike did such a good job with the narration here. I've listened to quite a few books where the authors did their own narration, and it's not always great. It's really an ideal way to do an audiobook though if you've got the skill for it.

As for the content of the book itself, this was a massive undertaking by Mike Rinder to consolidate 42 years of Scientology plus the years of the aftermath after leaving into a single book, and do it well. I had brief feelings of disappointment in content that I know was omitted in this book, but I also understand that it would be an impossible task to include it all. His blog is an excellent source of extra information, especially the stories of other scientologists that are not really his to tell in his book anyways.

As far as memoirs go, I think this is a critical one to read, not only because it's well done, but because cults and thought control is a widely misunderstood topic and I think it's extremely important to understand how it works. Educated people make poor victims if you know what I mean. Reading this will help you understand not only Scientology specifically but also the mindset of any person with a cult and how it works.

If you go into this book with zero prior knowledge about Scientology, I believe it would be difficult to truly understand the magnitude of the information and follow along with all the jargon. Rinder does provide a glossary of terms which is helpful, but I would highly recommend either watching the aftermath series that he and Leah Remini did on A&E first, or spend some time on Aaron Smith Levin's YouTube channel. The very first information I got on Scientology was reading Leah remini's Troublemaker book a few years ago and I also would recommend that as a good place to start.

This book gave me such a sense of hope and also sadness that a man could spend the first 50 plus years of his life being controlled and ultimately tortured, and yet turn around and start his life over at that point. It takes a lot of strength to walk away from everything you've ever known and literally start over. Mike does such an excellent job of conveying his turmoil and pain throughout everything that happened to him, and you'll really find yourself emotional at times. I swear I heard Mike on the brink of tears at several times during his narration when describing the worst of The Hole (where Scientology executives and others were locked against their will for weeks and sometimes years), and talking about his two children who were born into Scientology.

The most difficult part of his story in my opinion is his obvious pain and regret when it comes to his children. Being born into Scientology (and subsequently spending almost zero time with their busy parents), they truly had little chance. They were being raised by people other than their parents and were fully indoctrinated in the cult mindset since birth. I knew all of this prior to reading the book but hearing the new-to-me details of how he spent close to no time with his children, sometimes going months or even years without even seeing them, was shocking. He barely knew them before leaving Scientology, and now has been 100% cut off from them and subject to vile public comments and videos online reviling him. I truly pray that he is able to one day reconcile with them and show them the unconditional love that they never were afforded before.

Even though I bought the audiobook, this is one that I'm going to buy as hopefully a signed copy when they get released again for my bookshelf. I hope this is the final nail in the coffin of Scientology and that they are finally brought to justice for their crimes once and for all.

[Eggert Snorri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for a book from Mike Rinder for years, and now its here, and what a ride!!! Mike has told his story in bits and pieces througout the years but here you have the whole thing in his own words, plus a lot of new stuff that shows how Truly Sick scientology and it's leader David Miscavige is. And trust me, I'm a long time follower of all things Cultish and especially scientology, that Cult is Always worse than you think, no matter how long and how much you know about this sickening little thing called scientology.

[Aaron G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who followed Mike Rinder's path out of Scientology on the web (yep, Scientology-watching is a hobby!) I was very interested to read his book, and it did not disappoint. It was a great, gripping read. It was especially intereting to get Mike's perspective on thirty-plus years of Scientology history, and to better understand the mental and emotional path he followed, from hard-core believer to "Indie" to critic to a normal life (or at least as close as he can get). His book is a great illustration of how great, well-meaning people can do some pretty horrible things, and the inordinate power that religion has over our (more accurate) inner moral compass.

If you read this book and think "It can't possibly be true" -- just look at the one-star reviews obviously posted by Scientologists who haven't read the book. (They're repeating pre-packaged slander published by the Church.) You can see the things Mike is describing *actually happening in the here and now*. Wow, just wow.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Mike Rinder through Leah Remini's show Scientology and the Aftermath and quickly came to love both of them. So, when I saw that Mike had a book coming out I quickly pre-ordered it. And while I knew a lot about his personal story from the TV show, there is a lot more detail in the book. He explains how he grew up in Scientology and then joined the Sea Org and went on to become one of the highest ranking people in the organization. But, all along there were nagging thoughts that troubled him about the religion and if they had all the answers why were the highest people (those in the Sea Org) treated so horribly. But, like any good cult member he pushed those thoughts aside and kept on doing what he was told. Once David Miscavige took control of Scientology it became harder and harder for Mike to continue pushing down his doubts. Even after he finally escaped he still believed in Hubbard and Scientology for awhile, until he started to see the truth that it was all a sham and Hubbard was just as delusional as Miscavige - just not as personally violent. All cults have similar core practices (like isolating people, us vs. them mentality, etc.), but Scientology really goes to extremes more than other cults. This was a fascinating look at Mike Rinder's personal story in Scientology and definitely worth reading.

Some quotes I liked:

"One of the punishments for those who messed up in the RPF [Rehabilitation Project Force] was assignment to the RPF's RPF. You slept and ate separately from and were not allowed to even talk to the other RPFers." (p. 106) [You know things are bad when there are punishments within punishments]

"His [LRH] demise also raised one of the most puzzling inconsistencies: though he'd had the time and foresight to clearly specify he did not want an autopsy done and wished to be cremated immediately, and though his elaborate estate planning had detailed precisely where his money was to go, he had not provided instructions or even a briefing for scientologists on what was to happen to the organization and who was to be his successor. This was the man who wrote millions of words and delivered thousands of lectures explaining everything from how to wash windows to how to cure yourself of cancer...Despite his supposed 'causative departure' from this earth as he 'discarded his body,' he neither spoke nor wrote anything that laid out his plans for the future or who would be in charge after he left or how long he was planning on being gone. To not have anything from Ron was an enormous omission that should have been a signal flare to every scientologist." (p. 117)

"One of the first things on my to-do list as PPRO Int was to get Hubbard a Nobel Prize. In the early 1980s, Hubbard had believed he deserved one for his 'discoveries' of the Purification Rundown, in which he claimed a regimen of saunas, vitamins, ingesting oil, and huge doses of niacin resulted in drug residues being 'sweated out.' This program was the cure for the planet's drug problems...I fairly quickly learned that Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously. But that was just a wog rule, according to Miscavige, and I was ordered to figure out how to get the prize committee to change their criteria - a classic example of scientology's 'make it go right' attitude. Everything outside the isolated world of scientology was invalid and could be bent to the will of the 'most ethical beings in the universe.' (p. 130-31)

"At the outset, I was enthusiastic and determined to get the truth out to counteract what I believed were lies about Hubbard perpetuated by those who sought to take him down. Ultimately, however, the task of writing a church-authorized biography of L. Ron Hubbard was a fool's errand. There were too many things that could not be ignored or explained in the man's life. If everything that was a lie, embellishment, or embarrassment was omitted, the biography would be so full of holes that even scientologists wouldn't buy it. Furthermore, if we published a book that full of lies, we opened ourselves up to being dissected by reviewers and critics...So instead of publishing a biography that risked opening scientology up to criticism, we followed the example of the LRH Life Exhibition and published issues of Ron magazine that covered carefully selected stories about Hubbard's life, such as 'Master Mariner' and 'The Humanitarian.' Each included convenient facts but left huge gaps." (p. 136-37)

"Hubbard noted in one of his policy letters that the hardest thing to see is that which is omitted, and this sums up the official scientology 'biography' of Hubbard." (p. 138)

"[David] Miscavige was the best man at Tom and Nicole's wedding on December 24, 1990, in Telluride, Colorado, where Cruise had a home. Though I was not there, my old friend Sinar Parman, Hubbard's personal chef, was flown in to cook for the newlyweds. It was the first time I became aware that Sea Org members were used as personal staff for Cruise. It was indicative of how far Miscavige was willing to go to ally Cruise. Other Sea Org members were sent to help set up the house. This became a standard pattern with Cruise. Miscavige would dispatch Sea Org members to do various tasks to 'help Tom'." (p. 139)

"You could never predict whether you would be in or out with Misavige. I think this was deliberate. It was a tactic famously used by Stalin - keep your subordinates divided, fearful, confused, and off-balance. No cabal to overthrow the king can form if no one at court is certain of their position. One minute I was digging ditches and the next I was heading up external affairs for all of scientology." (p. 147)

"Nobody lasted at the top of the pile before they were relegated to the bottom. It took me a long time to put the pieces together and realize that every single prominent executive of scientology was removed and disgraced on an almost rotational basis. Each individual instance seemed so justified - these people failed to do their jobs, so their punishment was well deserved. It also made my own failings seem less awful if everyone else was just as bad as me. There are many things about life in scientology that fit the old adage of not seeing the forest for the trees." (p. 192)

[Amanda Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penned with clarity, style, and immense vulnerability, this engaging memoir absolutely deserves a place at the top of the list of Scientology survival stories.

If (like me) you've watched Scientology and the Aftermath and Going Clear, listened to the first season of the Fair Game podcast, and further researched the organization, you might be wondering if this book offers anything you haven't already learned about Mike Rinder's life. Well, it does. Many events were familiar to me, but new details emerge as well.

More importantly though, Mike deserves his story to be heard as his story--not only as an example of David Miscavige's criminal abuses or of Hubbard's sociopathic con game. In the past, Mike has served as an interpreter of sorts, the events of his life discussed mainly when they will further the audience's understanding of the Scientology organization. Here he is finally able to speak as a protagonist.

So yes, this book is needed. Because Mike Rinder is an important source of knowledge, but he's also a person. A person with a story of trauma, escape, healing, and hope.

[Ashli O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Rinder’s memoir is fascinating. His experience in Scientology (as a child indoctrinated and groomed for life as a Sea Org member and eventually a top leader for the organization) is tragically sad, but his resilience in finding his way out, making amends, and having the courage to stand up to the “church” is incredible. Very few people can tell this story with the detail that he shares. Having been trusted as a spokesman (and henchman) for David Miscavage, Rinder writes with detail that is clearly making the COB squirm (as evidence, read the one-star reviews for this book on Goodreads and Amazon that were all written by new and anonymous profiles BEFORE the book was even released - Scientologists have been out in full force trying to discredit it in their silly ways.) The book is well-written and full of details about how the organization operates. It doesn’t read as a trashy tell-all, but rather a thoughtful analysis of his experience and complicity in a harmful cult. If you’re interested in Scientology, you don’t want to miss out on this book.

[Robert Lambregts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know where I heard about this book by Mike Rinder. It might have been a podcast about secret societies, or a magazine about it, but I immediately wanted to read it. Eventually I discovered it as an audio book and put it on top of my list. Somehow Scientology has always been an interesting topic, mostly because of what you hear about it through modern media, where it's talked about in relevance to actors and celebrities who are involved in this. Having an ex scientology member who used to be in a higher rank talk about his experience seemed extremely interesting, and man, I wasn't wrong. Mike Rinder opens up a book full of stories that are so mindblowing that some of them are even very hard to believe. Yet, having read and seen stuff in the past, I also couldn't not believe his story.
One of those things that I had to think about was the news a while ago that Nicole Kidman was not allowed to attend her children's wedding. The way Rinder explains that Scientology always comes first and that family and compassion are coming so far second that it's almost non-existing, it made a lot clear about that dynamic and how heartbreaking it must have been for Kidman. It also opens up a whole different light about Tom Cruise and other well known people who did or did not manage to get out of Scientology.
The whole book is basically a memoir of Rinders life, from his childhood, being brought up in Scientology, to his escape and work with Leah Remini, until now and it was like watching a train wreck. You just can't stop reading, or in this case listening. It's extreme, almost unbelievable and in that aspect I can highly recommend everyone to read this book, because no matter what you think, it will absolutely blow your mind.
But is it all true? You wonder why people would want to remain in scientology with everything that's told. For some people it clearly worked. Kirstie Alley (RIP) did stay until she 'left her body to move on' and always said Scientology safed her life. But the price seems extremely high.
I'm giving this 4 stars, just because I don't know what's real altogether. The fact that Rinder comes from Australia, but seems to have an almost New Jersey-like accent, makes it feel a bit off. But for entertainment purposes, also because I really can't understand why someone would ever want to be in this cult and all the extreme events, I'm giving this 4 stars.

[JR · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the subject matter fascinated me and the story of CRAZY abuse these people have gone through, and what they believed, I really didn’t like how this was written. A lot of it was drab facts, terminology and the acronyms made for a hard read. Mike’s story did not flow the way I wanted it too. Disappointed because I was super excited to read this.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly, highly recommend going audio for this journey, since Mike Rinder narrates his story himself (and honestly, he has one of the most soothing voices you'll ever hear). It's available on Spotify if you have the audiobook add-on!

I've watched several Scientology-related documentaries, listened to numerous podcasts, and watched all of Scientology: The Aftermath, and there was still new info here that I had never heard before. I don't think I had ever gotten the full picture of just how unhinged David Miscavige really is. A raging tyrant, sure, but there was information in this book that shows how much he believes his own bullshit and how paranoid his behavior is. There is also some interesting stuff about celebrities Mike Rinder encountered while in Scientology. I'm a lifelong Michael Jackson fan and was sad to hear about some of his own unhinged behavior and paranoia. (MJ was not a Scientologist, his former wife Lisa Marie Presley was, so they tried to bring him into the fold and showed off their nicer facilities to him.)

Here's what I love about Mike, throughout all these books, docs, and shows (besides his voice, lol): This guy takes accountability for his actions, apologizes for them, and tries to do the right thing today, whatever the personal cost. He worked with L. Ron Hubbard personally, so he's almost like a founding member of Scientology. He admits to the lies he told as part of his training. He got out and made a life for himself and could have just turned his back on it all, but instead he shares his story and gives others a platform to share theirs. And he graciously says his door is always open for those who want to leave and need someone to turn to. All after Scientologists spend time and money to harass him into shutting up, he has not backed down. He's lost a lot because of this cult, but he lives his life with a lot of integrity and I respect him.

[Badseedgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched and then read Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief and saw "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath." That might be the problem with this book. Most of the things in it are covered by those already. Mike Ridner's early life in scientology was interesting and mostly new, but most of this was handled in the series and in the previous book.

I was originally going to give this book 3 stars. It was a good book, but did not really provide me with any new details. But then I saw this book:

If you look at the reviews, it is (allegedly) obvious that (allegedly) someone in Scientology in October 2022 (allegedly) said,(allegedly) create a goodreads account, (allegedly) review Mike Ridner's book with one star and then (allegedly) review Our book about him with 5 stars. (allegedly) Anyone who read Mr. Ridner's book is going to see the "Fair Game" at play here.*

I hate bullies. That's not alleged, that is fact. I'm giving this book five stars because, again, I hate bullies!

*I don't want to be sued by any religious organization so I liberally used allegedly in this review.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always so sad to read about other people's negative experiences with religion. The truth is that there are terrible people with terrible power in this world, and religion can give some of these people the platform they crave to wreak as much havoc as possible on the lives of others. Mike Rinder's experience with scientology (I would call it a cult before I call it an actual religion) was terribly abusive, manipulative, and terror inducing, and reading his story made me so appreciative of the life I have led so far. I have freedom. Mike did not. Just reading about how he started sleeping 8 hours a night for the first time, and how he was able to visit a park and be able to take time to enjoy it for the first time after leaving scientology, was illuminating. I wish Mike Rinder and all other victims of abuse in scientology peace and comfort.
Edit: Most 1 star reviews were written on Oct. 16, 2022 or before the book came out - pretty weird... almost like scientology tells people to write the reviews at the same time...
Edit #2: reread this in sept 2024, loved the updated afterward

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

There is so much abuse detailed in this book. At the end, Mike Rinder says writing this has been cathartic, and I hope that’s the case.

David Miscavige is probably one of the shittiest people on the planet and I can’t wait until he gets what he deserves

[Farrah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rinder narrates the audiobook and does a great job and I really like him from watching him on the Scientology show with Leah Remini, but this book just dragged a bit for me. A little too long and a little too dry. Can’t believe Scientology is STILL hanging on!! Horrible.

[Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent the whole weekend reading this. Scientology is quite a rabbit hole, and Mike Rinder's book is a flashlight that helps you see just how deep and twisted it really goes. I thought I knew a great deal about them, but the author delivers some shocking revelations about the man currently at its helm, exposing him as a psychopathic tyrant of the highest order. Even worse, he exposes the entire organization from its creation to today as this gigantic bullying machine that wrecked tens of thousands (if not more) of lives with lawsuits and harassment campaigns. I'm just scratching the surface. This was a riveting, though at times depressing, read, but a consistently informative and honest one.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Edit to add: If you had any question as to whether the harassment, obsession, trailing of ex-members, "Fair game" type nonsense of Scientology was true, you can simply look at the number of accounts that magically appeared to give this book (and any other book about Scientology) a bad rating before it was even published. It is their life's work to protect the secrets of their cult, y'all.*

If you have any interest in cults and extreme religions, and specifically if you have interest in Scientology, Mike Rinder’s book A Billion Years is a MUST READ. Even better - listen to Mike narrate his own story on audio.
Everything you think you know about Scientology is probably true…and it’s only a drop in the bucket.
Mike has a unique perspective on Scientology. He not only grew up in the “church” but rose to its highest ranks, working directly with self-appointed leader David Miscavige, Tom Cruise, and in his early years as a teen, founder L Ron Hubbard himself.
I have read a LOT of Scientology books and watched basically every documentary, include Aftermath - Mike’s show he hosted with Leah Remini. Despite all of that previous exposure to this cult, my jaw still dropped more than once at the absolute madness that is Scientology.
From billion year contracts, to mysteriously missing people, to surveillance cameras, to Xenu the alien leader and his hydrogen bombs, Scientology is even more wild, and it’s leaders (past and present) even more unhinged than you ever thought possible.
Huge props to those like Mike, Leah, and others who have knowingly put themselves in the line of fire from Miscavige and his minions in order to shine a light on this dangerous cult.

[Patricia Herwegh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Stunning Takedown of Scientology

I have been a fan of Mike Rinder from his blog and the t.v.show with Leah Remini called Scientology The Aftermath. I've been waiting for Mike to write a book about his life before, during and after being in the Sea Org for years. He does not disappoint. He brings the reader right with him into the belly of the Beast. He describes his thinking and his feelings as he went through tremendous ups and downs (and then mostly downs) as a high level executive in the organization. This book is a must-read for all people who value true religious and spiritual freedom. Scientology is a horrendous cult which has caused untold damage to tens of thousands of people because even friends and family members of those who are in are negatively affected. Disconnection, especially, is a huge emotional trauma on those who leave. I wish for Mike and his family nothing but love and joy.

[Amanda ~lilacsandliterature · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly written and intriguing look at the inside of Scientology. I commend the author for being vulnerable and not giving excuses for his actions but explaining how someone could fall for the lies of the organization especially when you’re pulled in at a young age. This covers every aspect of Scientology and I highly recommend for anyone who is interested in the history and the tactics used by the church to silence anyone who dares question anything.

[Matt G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda disappointed. Rinder headed Special Affairs, so expected big reveals not covered in other Scientology memoirs. Besides Miscavige being a true believer in a reincarnated Hubbard's return, little I hadn't read elsewhere. Also, Rinder is culpable for tons of evil shit from heading Special Affairs—he glosses over that.

[Annie Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and shocking. I really respect how Rinder doesn’t let himself off the hook for the impact of his actions while working in the highest echelons of Scientology. It’s the mapping of his realization that the organization is a corrupt, brutally abusive scam, that is truly fascinating. I respect the hell out of this man.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The inside look at the roots of an influential cult/religion was interesting at first, but it became so repetitive. In regards to scientology itself, I'm shocked by how naive people can be (adults who deliberately choose scientology—not the children who are born into it). I want to empathize but just no.