heretics. 612. Ex-Scientologist on Tom Cruise: What They Don’t Want Out
Jan 24, 2026
Mike Rinder, a former senior Scientology official who defected and wrote a memoir, shares raw stories of life inside the Sea Org. He explains escape tactics, organizational control, and harassment methods. He reflects on L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige, celebrity involvement like Tom Cruise, and why he hopes his book helps others leave and rebuild.
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Life In The Sea Org
- Mike Rinder describes the Sea Org as an elite, communal inner core with extreme control and surveillance.
- He says security, cameras and patrols made physical escape difficult but many still managed to flee.
How Leaving Triggers A Rapid Hunt
- Scientology maintains exhaustive personal records to track and retrieve members who leave without authorization.
- Rinder explains the 'blow drill' system mobilizes teams to locate and return escapees quickly.
Fair Game Never Fully Ended
- L. Ron Hubbard's 'fair game' policy sanctioned extreme harassment of perceived enemies while later rescinding only the phrase.
- Rinder says the practice continued under other names, effectively preserving those tactics.
