Leah, your amazing post reflects the amazing person you are. I’m very happy to celebrate this month as our mutual anniversary of publicly leaving the cult. This month (July 31) marks my 25th anniversary of publicly leaving the cult and your 10th year. I’m thrilled that you went to college since you’ve been out. I walked a similar path and also went back to college when I got out. I’m sure your education, although a challenge as mine was too, is a life changer for you as it was for me. Actually, my education was a form of therapy to help me replace the Scientology crap with meaningful knowledge that I always wanted to attain. So happy for you and your family that stayed together. You’ve accomplished such amazing things in the last 10 years to expose the cult and demand accountability, and I so deeply appreciate you ❤️
Congratulations Leah for reaching your 10 year mark! (At 10 years for me...2000-2010...So many people had asked me similar questions that I decided to make a 10 part series on escaping out 😊)
You leaving, writing your book and starting The Aftermath has been fantastic for all. Thank you very much! 🌹🌠🎯💖
Oh my Lord, Tory, Congratulations! I know that I was indoctrinated being Catholic but luckily my Ma was a liberal Democrat & while we still have faith, we waded through & discarded the BS. But Scientology, the courage of people like you and Leah is astounding. ✌️🌻
I'm not one for sappy, but, Leah, if it weren't for you Danny would never have been held accountable for his crimes. That would be amazing enough but filing the missing persons report on Shelly, producing the Aftermath series, exposing and explaining the horrible human rights abuses by Scientology against it's own members, exposing the crimes against children. Honest to God, sweetheart, you are truly my hero!!!
I have read your book (couldn't put it down) and have been following your updates about Scientology and former members. It is unreal to me that this organization (who considers themselves a "church") would treat people like this. Karma is a long-time coming to them. One question that has been gnawing at me for a long time now is, HOW THE HECK DOES TOM CRUISE NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON?? I'm sure the man sees the news and has used Google a time or two. I cannot watch his movies anymore....I only see a dim-witted twit when I look at him. Unbelievable!
Exactly. I stopped supporting Tom Cruise YRS ago. He's invested his whole life in this cult, and would NEVER leave. That is how narcissists roll - they REFUSE to admit they were wrong.
Thank you Leah for your bravery and resilience. You’re a true inspiration. The town I spent most of my childhood in has a big Scientology building and it is right across from my middle school. I was always curious but I’m glad I never perused my curiosity.
The $cientology organisation has criminal judgements against it in France and in Canada. To go with a severe civil case defeat (against Bonnie Woods) in England.
So, yeah, criminal organisation for sure, "church" only by self declaration.
Read so many horrible things, that Scientology did to you, in your book. Some of the worst things were fines. How would a ‘every day’ person, survive the financial part, of that equation? If you were not a super-star, making Uber money, it would be impossible. Support all you are doing Leah! 💛
Everything you stated in your article simply confirms that Scientology is indeed a cult. I’m so glad that you and many others were able to get out. My heart breaks for those who are still in the cult. I’m sure many of them want out but they’re scared. perhaps your continued exposure will give them the courage to do what you did
Happy 10 year Freedom-Anniversary! Thank you for sharing so much of your story and speaking up for those that are unable to do so for themselves. I'm sorry if this has been covered before, but something your post made me curious about -- How long did it take to prepare for / plan for your separation? I assume approaching that idea with family came with some risk that they wouldn't be on board and you'd be not only risking someone "turning you in", but most importantly it could mean losing a relationship with them? To think of possibly losing my parents, siblings, spouse, or scariest of all, my child in order to escape a cult is honestly such a terrifying thought. I can't get over your strength and bravery to do that! So happy your family decided to leave with you - Wishing you all continued strength and healing!!
The bravery you and other former scientologists show by standing up to that criminal organisation is something I’m in awe of. You courage is an inspiration and I see you all as real life heroes. I’m a never-in and my eyes have been opened through all of your stories and I’m doing my bit to help spread the truth.
Sorry to hear that. I had a young Menonite friend who went through similar to you. Sad. I’ve found listening to Kurt Metzger, (a comedian often on the Jimmy Dore Show) who himself left the Jehovas Witnesses, that you are usually gifted with great insight into cult formation and behaviour. Terrible way to gain the wisdom, but nonetheless, extremely valuable for yourself and to help others in all walks of life. Best BS detectors around. Take care
It's a privilege to stand up and support you. As a US Army veteran, as a female, as a Baptist, AND as someone with Jewish ancestry, I want you to know (for what it's worth), I SEE you. I empathize with you. I encourage you. I uplift you. I support you. I pray for you. Keep exposing the wickedness for ALL those who are oppressed.
You do such amazing work for the ppl leaving scientology. The wider community need to do what scientology did to the IRS, target individual employees. So we need to target the wealthy scientology, out them see where/how they're funnelling their money into scientology. Hit their financial pocket, you hurt scientology financial purses.
I was done with SCN in 2010. However I wasn’t sure where to get info on how to exit and keep my family intact. I read everything I could get my hands on and got some good pointers from Chris Shelton who I knew when we were both still in. With help from Rachel Bernstein I was able to convince my husband to also exit the cult. I had secretly been watching Aftermath which helped me feel like I was not alone. Soon after my husband also opened his eyes and we watched every episode together. Your show saved my marriage and helped me gain a much needed ally in rescuing our daughter from the cult.
Sadly I lost my #1 ally in 2021 to cancer and have yet to get through to my daughter. However, with your persistence and all the other SP’s continuous pressure to hold the cult accountable for their crimes, I have a lot of hope that SCN will be a distant memory after my daughter finally wakes up.
Leah, your amazing post reflects the amazing person you are. I’m very happy to celebrate this month as our mutual anniversary of publicly leaving the cult. This month (July 31) marks my 25th anniversary of publicly leaving the cult and your 10th year. I’m thrilled that you went to college since you’ve been out. I walked a similar path and also went back to college when I got out. I’m sure your education, although a challenge as mine was too, is a life changer for you as it was for me. Actually, my education was a form of therapy to help me replace the Scientology crap with meaningful knowledge that I always wanted to attain. So happy for you and your family that stayed together. You’ve accomplished such amazing things in the last 10 years to expose the cult and demand accountability, and I so deeply appreciate you ❤️
Congratulations, Karen! Ya'll have so very much living to do! I am so very proud of all the survivors of this awful cult.
Congratulations 🎉 to you as well!
Congratulations Leah for reaching your 10 year mark! (At 10 years for me...2000-2010...So many people had asked me similar questions that I decided to make a 10 part series on escaping out 😊)
You leaving, writing your book and starting The Aftermath has been fantastic for all. Thank you very much! 🌹🌠🎯💖
Oh my Lord, Tory, Congratulations! I know that I was indoctrinated being Catholic but luckily my Ma was a liberal Democrat & while we still have faith, we waded through & discarded the BS. But Scientology, the courage of people like you and Leah is astounding. ✌️🌻
Thank you for your contribution to bring light to this horror!
Thanks for continuing to stand up to the misanthropic, misogynistic, racist, lift-wearing puto David Miscavige and his space opera crime syndicate!
I'm not one for sappy, but, Leah, if it weren't for you Danny would never have been held accountable for his crimes. That would be amazing enough but filing the missing persons report on Shelly, producing the Aftermath series, exposing and explaining the horrible human rights abuses by Scientology against it's own members, exposing the crimes against children. Honest to God, sweetheart, you are truly my hero!!!
I have read your book (couldn't put it down) and have been following your updates about Scientology and former members. It is unreal to me that this organization (who considers themselves a "church") would treat people like this. Karma is a long-time coming to them. One question that has been gnawing at me for a long time now is, HOW THE HECK DOES TOM CRUISE NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON?? I'm sure the man sees the news and has used Google a time or two. I cannot watch his movies anymore....I only see a dim-witted twit when I look at him. Unbelievable!
Exactly. I stopped supporting Tom Cruise YRS ago. He's invested his whole life in this cult, and would NEVER leave. That is how narcissists roll - they REFUSE to admit they were wrong.
Thank you Leah for your bravery and resilience. You’re a true inspiration. The town I spent most of my childhood in has a big Scientology building and it is right across from my middle school. I was always curious but I’m glad I never perused my curiosity.
Sounds more like a criminal organization or skull and bones in eternity🥲
The $cientology organisation has criminal judgements against it in France and in Canada. To go with a severe civil case defeat (against Bonnie Woods) in England.
So, yeah, criminal organisation for sure, "church" only by self declaration.
Read so many horrible things, that Scientology did to you, in your book. Some of the worst things were fines. How would a ‘every day’ person, survive the financial part, of that equation? If you were not a super-star, making Uber money, it would be impossible. Support all you are doing Leah! 💛
Everything you stated in your article simply confirms that Scientology is indeed a cult. I’m so glad that you and many others were able to get out. My heart breaks for those who are still in the cult. I’m sure many of them want out but they’re scared. perhaps your continued exposure will give them the courage to do what you did
Happy 10 year Freedom-Anniversary! Thank you for sharing so much of your story and speaking up for those that are unable to do so for themselves. I'm sorry if this has been covered before, but something your post made me curious about -- How long did it take to prepare for / plan for your separation? I assume approaching that idea with family came with some risk that they wouldn't be on board and you'd be not only risking someone "turning you in", but most importantly it could mean losing a relationship with them? To think of possibly losing my parents, siblings, spouse, or scariest of all, my child in order to escape a cult is honestly such a terrifying thought. I can't get over your strength and bravery to do that! So happy your family decided to leave with you - Wishing you all continued strength and healing!!
The bravery you and other former scientologists show by standing up to that criminal organisation is something I’m in awe of. You courage is an inspiration and I see you all as real life heroes. I’m a never-in and my eyes have been opened through all of your stories and I’m doing my bit to help spread the truth.
PS. I understand 100% because I lost everything & everyone at 15 for leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Sorry to hear that. I had a young Menonite friend who went through similar to you. Sad. I’ve found listening to Kurt Metzger, (a comedian often on the Jimmy Dore Show) who himself left the Jehovas Witnesses, that you are usually gifted with great insight into cult formation and behaviour. Terrible way to gain the wisdom, but nonetheless, extremely valuable for yourself and to help others in all walks of life. Best BS detectors around. Take care
It's a privilege to stand up and support you. As a US Army veteran, as a female, as a Baptist, AND as someone with Jewish ancestry, I want you to know (for what it's worth), I SEE you. I empathize with you. I encourage you. I uplift you. I support you. I pray for you. Keep exposing the wickedness for ALL those who are oppressed.
You do such amazing work for the ppl leaving scientology. The wider community need to do what scientology did to the IRS, target individual employees. So we need to target the wealthy scientology, out them see where/how they're funnelling their money into scientology. Hit their financial pocket, you hurt scientology financial purses.
Bingo!
Thanks for everything you do for all cult survivors. I think it's time to write a new memoir! Life After Scientology!
I was done with SCN in 2010. However I wasn’t sure where to get info on how to exit and keep my family intact. I read everything I could get my hands on and got some good pointers from Chris Shelton who I knew when we were both still in. With help from Rachel Bernstein I was able to convince my husband to also exit the cult. I had secretly been watching Aftermath which helped me feel like I was not alone. Soon after my husband also opened his eyes and we watched every episode together. Your show saved my marriage and helped me gain a much needed ally in rescuing our daughter from the cult.
Sadly I lost my #1 ally in 2021 to cancer and have yet to get through to my daughter. However, with your persistence and all the other SP’s continuous pressure to hold the cult accountable for their crimes, I have a lot of hope that SCN will be a distant memory after my daughter finally wakes up.
Thank you for being that voice for us.