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In Johannesburg, officials made the church look busy for publicity photographs by filling it with Sea Org members, the Collbrans said. She worked at Church organizations in Los Angeles and New York. "So all of a sudden, he just grabbed my arms and crossed them in a vise. Our family was going along this path. By 10, Ms. Collbran had completed the Purification Rundown, a regimen that involves taking vitamins and sitting in a sauna (a fixture inside every Scientology church) for as much as five hours a day, for weeks at a time, to cleanse the body of toxins. Christie was with us and then all of a sudden she took a big U-turn. But after 13 years and growing disillusionment, the Collbrans decided to leave the Sea Org, setting off on a Kafkaesque journey that they said required them to sign false confessions about their personal lives and their work, pay the church thousands of dollars it said they owed for courses and counseling, and accept the consequences as their parents, siblings and friends who are church members cut off all communication with them. And it was her decision. Today Show - Scientology defector Christie Collbran breaks - YouTube Rinder defended the Church and Scientology leader David Miscavige. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The family livedas the Kings still doin a suburb outside Los Angeles. To become pregnant to avoid standard procedures in leaving a religious order? The podcast was launched on 21 July 2020. Christie's current address is 808 Bentwood Crt, Palm Harbor, FL 34683-1901. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-leader-4','ezslot_16',172,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-leader-4-0'); We assure our audience that we will remove any contents that are not accurate or according to formal reports and queries if they are justified. Scientology parishioners interviewed in Clearwater seemed unperturbed by the protests, headlines and lawsuits. This is a representation of our success, said the churchs spokesman, Tommy Davis, showing off the buildings cavernous atrium, still to be clad in Italian marble, at the climax of a daylong tour of the churchs Clearwater empire. To make their numbers look good for headquarters, South African parishioners took their maids and gardeners to church. "This is a representation of our success," said the church's spokesman, Tommy Davis, showing off the cavernous atrium at the climax of a daylong tour. For one, they said, the church had taken their passports. Christie and Chris Collbran were married in a simple ceremony at the Scientology center in Manhattan. And one day, while Mike was in London, I was not hearing from him at all. Church of Scientology International (CSI). In 1981, he started serving as executive director of the Office of Special Affairs, overseeing media and public relations, legal and government relations of the Church of Scientology International (CSI). Who Is Mike Rinder's Wife? - Ourhairstyles "Eventually I realized I was part of a con," he said, "and I have to leave it and get on with my life.". [8] When he was 5 years old his parents became interested in Scientology and the family began attending the Church of Scientology International center in Australia. She knew that the Sea Org did not allow its members to have children, and she had known women who were removed when they refused to have abortions. The church has responded to the bad publicity by denying the accusations and calling attention to a worldwide building campaign that showcases its wealth and industriousness. He acknowledges that he pushed a 17-year-old staff member against a wall and yelled at his wife, who was his deputy. Eddie King, a former professional football player, was an opinion leader in every circle that he was a part of. On the pay issue, it says that Sea Org members expect to sacrifice their material well-being to devote their lives to the church. Christie celebrated 45th birthday on January 29. In Johannesburg, officials made the church look busy for publicity photographs by filling it with Sea Org members, the Collbrans said. Our dedicated Editorial team verifies each of the articles published on the Biographyhost. She was well known as a hot shot Establishment Officer. For one, they said, the church had taken their passports. She married Chris Collbran in 1999, when she was 22 and he 18. It was all built on lies, Mr. Collbran said. And at its base here on the Gulf Coast of Florida, it continued buying hotels and office buildings (54 in all) and constructing a 380,000-square-foot mecca that looks like a convention center. But after 13 years and growing disillusionment, the Collbrans decided to leave the Sea Org, setting off on a Kafkaesque journey that they said required them to sign false confessions, pay thousands of dollars to the church, and see their parents, siblings and friends cut off all communication with them. Christie King Collbran never wanted to become a Scientology defector. Ms. Collbran remained in Johannesburg, and for three months the church refused to allow them to contact each other, the Collbrans said. CLEARWATER, Fla. Raised as Scientologists, Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, were recruited as teenagers to work for the elite corps of staff members who keep the Church of. She was also continually violating ecclesiastical procedures, all of which inevitably led to her demotion. Her parents were dedicated church members in Los Angeles, and she attended full-time Scientology schools for several years. They have refused to speak to her ever since. It still took two months before the church let the Collbrans go, in 2006, and not before making them sign affidavits. Fifty-six years after its founding by the science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, who died in 1986, the church is fighting off calls by former members for a Reformation. And when I did, I put so much effort into and, like, put out a lot towards him with no return, ever. The church says the defectors are lying. She was well known as a hot shot Establishment Officer. They were also handed what the church calls a "freeloader bill" for services rendered, of $90,000, which they later negotiated down to $10,000 for Christie Collbran's portion and paid. It is very, very prevalent. ", In June 2013, he married his second wife, Christie King Collbran, also raised as Scientologist. Christie and Chris Collbran were married in a simple ceremony at the Scientology center in Manhattan. The defectors say that the average Scientology member, known in the church as a public, is largely unaware of the abusive environment experienced by staff members. John Travolta Opens She knows what shes doing. She abandoned her family. He had already paid her airfare from Florida, so he too really had no choice but to pass her off as a credible source and take her for a stroll in New Yorks Central Park. The family livedas the Kings still doin a suburb outside Los Angeles. Its like, No Christie, Im sorry, thisthis isnt going to happen. However, their scheme failed, and they were even required to pay more than $42,000 to the Church of Scientology. But, you know, after all this time and all she's said and all she's done, it's like, she's not a loving daughter. Although she and her parents were very close, she said they had spent so much to advance up the bridge that they could not afford to attend the wedding. The reason, they agree sadly, is that they no longer see eye to eye on Scientology. Her marriage on the rocks, she's severed all ties with her family, breaking her parents hearts, and now she knows not where to turn. Mike Rinder Now: Where is Ex-Scientologist Today? Update - The Cinemaholic In 1993, when she was 16, Christie joined the Sea Organization, where she remained for 13 years. Her mind-set then, Collbran said, was: "This planet needs our help, and people are suffering. So it was with the Collbrans. They now had a child and no money, but they thought they were still in good standing with their church. And I realized all of a sudden, 'Oh, my god. She spent years in persistent pain and physical therapy. I didn't get any messages or a normal letter, even if it's a little note, or anything. In her interviews with The New York Times and The Today Show, she still adamantly insists that. The church discovered that Mr. Collbran had traveled to Texas to talk with Mr. Rathbun, the defector who runs a Web site that has become an online community for what he calls independent Scientologists., The church immediately sent emissaries to Ms. Collbrans parents house in Los Angeles to inform them that their daughter was suppressive, Ms. Collbran said. His parentsbecameScientologists in1960. Their parents, siblings and friends who are Scientologists would have to disconnect completely from them, or risk being declared suppressive themselves. "It was all built on lies," Collbran said. CC King was born on August 14th, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Finally, Ms. Collbran was permitted to go to Los Angeles, but husband and wife were kept separated for another three months, the Collbrans said, while they went through hours of special auditing sessions called confessionals. The auditors tried to talk them out of leaving, and the Collbrans wavered. In her interviews with The New York Times and The Today Show, she still adamantly insis. We have never violated that trust, Mr. Davis said. His resignation letter recounted his indignation as he came to believe the defectors' accusations. She left the soap in dramatic fashion in 1999 and went on to star in a number of TV dramas over the next decade. She said the defectors' stories were like what you would hear "if I asked your ex-husband what he thought of you. Headley, who wrote a book about his experiences, is suing the church for back wages, saying that over 15 years his salary averaged out to 39 cents an hour. She knew that the Sea Org did not allow its members to have children, and she had known women who were removed when they refused to have abortions. He has no contact with his two adult children from his first marriage. We just didnt understand.. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'biographyhost_com-box-3','ezslot_1',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-box-3-0'); Mike Rinder is an Australian-American former Scientologist known for being a former senior executive of the Church of Scientology International (CSI) and the Sea Organization (Sea Org), based in California. Rinder married his first wife, Cathy Bernardini, in 1976, when they both were members of the Sea Org. Collbran says she still believes in Scientology -- not in the church as it is now constituted, but in its teachings. Instead of reporting to Sussex, he decidedto leave the churchin 2007. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'biographyhost_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-banner-1-0'); In his website bio, Rinder says he left the church after he decided that "there was no way he could change the culture of violence and abuse that had become endemic under the leadership of David Miscavige. To make their numbers look good for headquarters, South African parishioners took their maids and gardeners to church to be counted. Bernardini shared in an interview that while her son, Benjamin, was doing his recovery program, Rinder, along with his three-four friends, showed up with cameras on 23 April 2010, demanding to see Benjamin. The churches used to be busy places where members socialized and invited curious visitors to give Scientology a try, he said, but now the church is installing touch-screen displays so it can introduce visitors to Scientology with little need for Scientologists on site. Claire King - IMDb The defectors say Sea Org members were repeatedly beaten by the church's chairman, David Miscavige; pressured to have abortions; forced to work without sleep on little pay; and held incommunicado if they wanted to leave. He also traveled to Australia, England, and Ireland to speak out about Scientology abuses. Her performance as Sofia in Delivering Christmas gained recognition, earning the Young Artist Academy Award and . When Chris Collbran decided he wanted to leave the Sea Org, he was sent to Los Angeles, where potential defectors are assigned to do menial labor while they reconsider their decision. Mike Rinder, who for more than 20 years was the churchs spokesman, said the disconnect policy originated as Mr. Hubbards prescription for how to deal with an abusive spouse or boss. Despite all they have been through together, the Collbrans are divorcing. In 1969, he again visited the home to participate in advanced Scientology courses and auditing. And it went on and on and onher screaming at me about various things that she wanted to get across to me that she thought was bad. In 2008, organizers with the Internet-based group Anonymous began waves of protests outside Scientology churches in many countries. And we have the answers.". The church works hard to cultivate public members especially celebrities like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Nancy Cartwright (the voice of the cartoon scoundrel Bart Simpson) whose money keeps it running. Christie Rinder's Father Tells of Her Rejection, Abuse of Parents And that was what she wanted to accomplishthats what she was trying to do. They would lose the possibility of living for eternity. After this is when the real Fair Game began. 3.2K views 12 years ago Christie King Collbran never wanted to become a Scientology defector. "These were not the claims made by 'outsiders' looking to dig up dirt against us, " Haggis wrote." The defectors say that the average Scientology member, known in the church as a public, is largely unaware of the abusive environment experienced by staff members. Mr. Davis, the churchs current spokesman, said Scientologists are no different from Mormons, Catholics, Jehovahs Witnesses and Amish who practice shunning or excommunication. Her parents remain dedicated Scientologists. Christie King Collbran was in the Sea Org from the age of 16 until the age of 29. But recently some celebrities have begun to abandon the church, the most prominent of whom is the director and screenwriter Paul Haggis, who won Oscars for "Million Dollar Baby" and "Crash." A portrait of the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, in a church retreat center in Clearwater, Fla. Christie King Collbran, who has left the Church of Scientologys elite religious order, the Sea Org, at her home in Safety Harbor, Fla. Her parents were dedicated church members in Los Angeles, and she attended full-time Scientology schools for several years. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'biographyhost_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_20',156,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-narrow-sky-2-0'); Rinder's daughter, Taryn, calls him a "cold and uncaring father." She went to see Rinder stop her son from being exploited in Rinder's media stunt, but Rinder immediately attacked her. "And what we see here is evidence of the fact that we're definitely better off without them.". Source: New York Times. It still took two months before the church let the Collbrans go, in 2006, and not before making them sign affidavits. "And since they're removed, the church is expanding like never before," said Davis, a second-generation Scientologist whose mother is the actress Anne Archer. The building, which is 380,000 square feet, has 33-foot ceilings and a chapel that will seat 250 people. Davis said there is no such thing: "One can't be a Scientologist and not be part of the church. "Why did we work so hard for this organization," Christie Collbran said, "and why did it feel so wrong in the end? "And what we see here is evidence of the fact that we're definitely better off without them.". It is a gradual process, but eventually scientologists become convinced they are the only people on earth who understand what is going on, that anyone who questions or doubts them is an "enemy of mankind" and that hurting people or destroying their lives is justified as being for the "greater good." Its pinch-yourself material.. Christie King Collbran, who has left the Church of Scientology's elite religious order, the Sea Org, at her home in Safety Harbor, Fla. U.S. > Image > March 7, 2010 And to then tell the press where it will permanently remain available for retrieval on the Internet in perpetuity? They worked seven days a week, often on little sleep, for sporadic paychecks of $50 a week, at most. And then it ratcheted up and ratcheted up andto the point where Christie was screaming in my ear. He shared that he did all he could to end the abuse within Scientology to bring about change. The documentary investigates the Church of Scientology and some former members, who allege "the Church uses a mind control technique to put opponents at a psychological disadvantage." Manage Settings Coopers response as to why he didnt let his viewers know would no doubt be his favorite catchphrase: I didnt think it was relevant.. An orthopedic surgeon informed her she would never recover full use of her arm. And we have the answers.. She further stated that her mother was "damaged for life" as she is in pain every day. Her parents were dedicated members in Los Angeles, and she attended full-time Scientology schools. When Christie first called me and we had our first talk about what she was doing, it started out sort of, you know, okay. But the Ideal Orgs are supposed to be self-supporting, and the Johannesburg church was generating only enough to pay each of the Collbrans $17 a week, Mr. Collbran said. Their parents, siblings and friends who are Scientologists would have to disconnect from them. It was in Johannesburg, where the couple had gone to supervise the building of a new Scientology organization, that Chris Collbran, 29, began to have doubts. They worked seven days a week, often on little sleep, for sporadic paychecks of $50 a week, at most. Fifty-six years after its founding by the science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, who died in 1986, the church is fighting off calls by former members for a Reformation. To report about any issues in our articles, please feel free toContact Us. Videos. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'biographyhost_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',151,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); In 2020, Rinder and Remini reunited to start a podcast calledScientology: Fair Game. Haggis had been a member for 35 years. Completely. She finally left the Sea Org three years ago. By doing enough auditing, taking courses and studying Hubbard's books and lectures - for which some Scientologists say they have paid as much as $1 million - Scientologists believe that they can proceed up the "bridge to total freedom" and live to their full abilities as Operating Thetans, pure spirits. In Johannesburg, officials made the church look busy for publicity photographs by filling it with Sea Org members, the Collbrans said. FREEDOM is a trademark and is used with the owner's permission. All Rights Reserved. Christie Collbran remained in Johannesburg, and the church refused to allow them to contact each other, the Collbrans said. Christie's segment begins at about 6:35. 2023 www.theledger.com. Mike has since remarried, tying the knot with Christie King Collbran in 2013, with whom he has a son, and according to his blog, they are a happy family, residing in Palm Harbor, Florida. And it was her decision. The Sea Org is a religious order that requires enormous dedication, he said, and leaving any religious order can be a lengthy process. She had, indeed, earlier told two news outlets that she had gotten pregnant for one reasonand one reason onlyto expedite her departure from the Sea Organization, since she knew the Church would want her to begin prenatal care at once. They went through that file, wrote this affidavit as if I wrote it and I never wrote this affidavit, the church wrote it and made me sign it.. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Her mindset then, Ms. Collbran said, was: This planet needs our help, and people are suffering. One can only begin to imagine the emotional devastation that awaits her three-year-old when he grows old enough to learn how he really came into the world. Despite all they have been through together, Ms. and Mr. Collbran are getting a divorce. When Christie first called me and we had our first . But, after 13 years, she grew disillusioned with the Church's leadership and left. Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse - New York Times These accusations were made by top international executives who had devoted most of their lives to the church.". The family livedas the Kings still doin a suburb outside Los Angeles. Shes a completely different person. They may spend hundreds of hours in one-on-one "auditing" sessions, holding the slim silver-colored handles of an e-meter while an auditor asks them questions and takes notes on what they say and on the e-meter's readings. Mike Rinder, who for more than 20 years was the church's spokesman, said the disconnect policy originated as Hubbard's prescription for how to deal with an abusive spouse or boss. When Rinder quit the Sea Org, he also decided to abandon his wife and their children because they remained Scientologists. Christie Collbran remained in Johannesburg, and for three months the church refused to allow them to contact each other, the Collbrans said. He is 66 years old as of 2021. She fully believed in the mission: to "clear the planet" of negative influences by bringing Scientology to its inhabitants. Scientologists believe human beings are impeded by negative memories from past lives, and that by applying Hubbard's "technology," they can reach a state known as clear. Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, gave a detailed account of they were effectively raised to serve the ultra-secret Sea Organization, or Sea Org in the Church. From 2016 to 2019, Rinder co-produced and co-hosted the A&E documentary seriesLeah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermathwith fellow ex-Scientologist Leah Remini. I was pinned. Mr. Headley, who wrote a book about his experiences, is suing the church for back wages, saying that over 15 years his salary averaged out to 39 cents an hour. They would lose the possibility of living for eternity. Bradford-born King played the dastardly Kim Tate on Emmerdale originally for 10 years from 1989. He acknowledges that he pushed a 17-year-old staff member against a wall and yelled at his wife, who was his deputy. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The church has responded to the bad publicity by denying the accusations and calling attention to a worldwide building campaign that showcases its wealth and industriousness. "This is a result of our expansion. Letters they wrote to each other were intercepted, they said. ''You're so into it, it's everything you know: your family, your eternity.". "Scientology hooks people with the promise of making them better. We just didn't understand.". Her parents remain dedicated Scientologists. ", The church is vague about its membership numbers. "We have never violated that trust," Davis said.