This page is here so you can give feedback on this website as a whole.

I originally got the idea to create a Rating/Review system for all things Scientology in 2009 and was going to put it in RediscoverScientology.com. Some people may remember that I announced at the time that Rediscover Scientology was not finished and something else "huge" was coming. But in 2011 after we were recognized by the German government — they even sponsored a meeting for us there — I knew we needed an online presence for Independent Scientology. And the rating/review system would be best located on the flagship website for iScientology.org. Getting the time to fit in all the work was the problem.

Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, myself and others have had several informal "summits" to discuss ideas and plans and coordinate. He briefed everyone with advance copies of his book and I briefed everyone on my latest plans for a flagship website for Independent Scientology. Marty said he was interested in announcing the new website at the end of his book which was due to be published in about a week and a half... and the race was on baby!

	Steve and wife, Erica

To complete the first phase of the website I spent the next 12 days working non-stop, around the clock (over 215 hours) writing most of the articles — 17,000 words — and handling the design, photography, and marketing — figuring out everything that should be in a site for "Independent Scientology." I mobilized a team of veteran Scientologists and friends for input, suggestions, editing and also writing including Haydn and Lucy James, Dan Koon, Russ Williams, Ronnie Bell, John Aaron Williams. Marty and Mike were both flat out on other projects but of course I have invited their input as well as projects like this are always improved by contribution.

The articles on this website are in two types — there are unsigned articles written in third person in the "About iScn" section (which are sort of from "the website" even though Haydn and I wrote them) and there are "Essays" which draw on the personal experiences of the writer. I've set it up so readers can comment on everything because I two-way communication is a Scientology fundamental.

When I first started writing as Thoughtful, I was under the radar so couldn't tell much of my personal history. You will find more of that in these articles. There are several key elements of Scientology which are missing from the Church of Scientology. One is the understanding that living people (YOU) are the only thing — besides the tech itself — that matters in Scientology. Two is the element of Help. LRH discovered the universe and everything in it are made of Help. This website was written only with those two elements in mind. I hope it helps you.

YOU are the only reason Scientology exists.

YOU are the only channel by which Help can extend out into the world.

YOU are Independent Scientology. Long may you reign!

— Thoughtful

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+1 # Ronnie Bell 2012-10-12 17:19

Steve, it was an honor and a privilege to help you get the iScientology site ready for launch. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to give something back to this wonderful community.

I must add, I think this website is your best effort to date (and I love the others!). I believe that it will quickly become the 'go to' site for those just stepping off the Underground Railroad.

Thank you, my friend!

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+1 # Robin Rhyne 2012-10-12 18:16

What a beautiful thing! Getting our Scientology back!

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+1 # Mark Shreffler 2012-10-13 04:39

Congratulations, Steve!

The site is beautiful, comprehensive, informative and a much needed and wanted gathering point for people who want to know what is happening in our community. It inspires cooperation and the application of LRH technology to the end of a civilization of which we can all be proud.

Great job! Shreff

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0 # larry 2012-10-13 18:25

Steve, your website is excellent. The question I have (which many wonder) is why have "the work was free, keep it so" on the t shirts?!?!?! It's not free. Auditing is not free. Books are not free. You might as well have said: Get perfect recall join independent scientology. I appreciate your work and your site. It will do much good. But jeesh, an opening line that seems like an inside joke is hard to understand. For not just myself. Anyway, great job on the site. I wish you great success.
Larry

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0 # Thoughtful 2012-10-13 19:44

Thanks for the props. I'm not sure what you mean about the LRH quote on the shirts.

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+1 # SKM 2012-10-14 11:41

Hello Larry,
"The work was free, keep it so". This means free of other-intentioned influence. Not free as in "for free".
You can find this LRH quote in "Scientology Clear Procedure Issue One" from 3. Dez. 1957

Here is an excerpt:
Quote:

"And so the work has emerged free of taint and misguided slants. It is itself. It does what it says it does. It contains no adroit curves to make one open to better believing some “ism.” That makes it singular today in a world gone mad with nationalism. Buddhism, when it came to the millions, was no longer free of slant and prejudice. Taoism itself became a national jingoism far from any work of Lao- Tze. Even Christianity had its “pitch.” And if these great works became curved, with all the personal force of their creators, how is it that our little triumph here can still be found in a clear state?

Well, no diamonds and palaces have been accepted from rajahs, no gratuitous printing of results has been the gift of warlords, no testament had to be written 300 years after the fact.

For this we can thank Johann Gutenberg, and the invention of magnetic tape. Therefore, although we have no such stature as the Great Philosophies, I charge you with this—look to source writings, not to interpretations. Look to the original work, not offshoots.

If I have fought for a quarter of a century, most of it alone, to keep this work from serving to uphold the enslavers of Man, to keep it free from some destructive “pitch” or slant, then you certainly can carry that motif a little further.

I’ll not always be here on guard. The stars twinkle in the Milky Way and the wind sighs for songs across the empty fields of a planet a Galaxy away.

You won’t always be here. But before you go, whisper this to your sons and their sons—”The work was free. Keep it so.”"

I hope this clears it up.

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+1 # Thoughtful 2012-10-14 11:57

I might add launching Phase One of this website required 215 hours of my time — over a month's worth of hours — which no one paid me for. Not only did I not get paid, I forewent my normal income making actions to devote this time to our cause. For Scientology-cult I have spent thousands of hours writing, editing, working — all hours unpaid. Then I built Freeandable — also free. And you can advertise to other Indies 100% free. I even refuse paid ads on these websites because I want to keep them non-commercial. So if you want Scientology to be actually FREE as in free of charge, I invite you go ahead and start doing it! Start delivering auditing or training or helping in some other way and finance it yourself on your own savings. Not everyone can do this. It's been hard for me and I've sacrificed a few things and suffered through some very tight months, but my life gained so much more meaning and the affection of many warm friends I didn't have before. I wouldn't trade that for anything. If you think Scientology should be delivered for free, then start doing it. You will get paid anyway — but the payment is in love, personal pride and meaning that floods into your life. Actually, I really recommend it!!! Thank you for your comment, friend.

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0 # SKM 2012-10-14 12:20

Dear Steve,

I understand that "running on duty" is a worthwhile activity.
There is also a concept from Ron described in the Ability-Congress lectures, the so called "pay for living" concept.
I also agree with you, that it could work, to some extent, to go up the bridge or deliver it without any pay (money) involved in it. For sure.
The motivation scale is valid for sure.

I did many voluntary work myself (within the CoS) and I would do it again and again if I wouldn't support a sociopath's reign at the same time. There is a time where it was my duty to stop my participation and support.

My admiration to you, not only for your creativity but also for the positive results in your own space for using it for a good cause.
:-)

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0 # John 2017-12-30 05:54

You are doing a great job Steve. We have a Blog that is supported by a group of Independent Scientologists who are 100% pro LRH and his Tech and very much supportive of LRH and his Tech. Have a look at: back-on-mybridge.com We make every effort to ensure that anything you find posted here will have been taken from the era prior to the gross alteration of original works that took place after the early eighties. It would be great to link with you. ARC John

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0 # larry 2012-10-14 14:02

Thanks SKM. That's a strong clarification. If I understand it correctly, it means 'free' of interpretation & or of development.

"I charge you with this—look to source writings, not to interpretations. Look to the original work, not offshoots."

Had the 'bible' contained such a charge, perhaps there would not be 12,543 demoninations now. Lol. In any event this web-site is indeed first class. I am an ex-scn but I wish Steve and those that share his intuitions & convictions (like yourself) great success.

It seems to me the gulf between non-scns and i-scns may be bridged (pardon the pun) by questions like mine being received and responded to, by answers like yours. Rather than resulting in an immediate dismissal, as my being a supressive person. If Scientology has any hope of ever fulfilling it's founders stated goals, I am near certain that Steve's approach to the entire subject matter will be found to be the 'how' with questions like mine being engaged and answered, being the 'why', it worked.
Thanks again,
Best wishes,
Larry

ps. for future reference, will you/Steve be open to answering sincere (even if skeptical) questions in the future? And if so, would this be the place to ask them? i.e. Contact us....comments?

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0 # dan351 2012-10-15 04:52

Perfect answer!

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0 # SKM 2012-10-14 12:07

Steve,
this is a beautiful site and a piece of great work.
Thank you for your inspiring initiative and hard work.
It looks like it was done effortless, full of aestetics and uptone intention.

If I was to describe the design in one word, it would be HOPE.

Great design,
great knowledge base,
great tool to spread the word!

Thank you and all who helped.

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+1 # Richard Kaminski 2012-10-15 09:19

Well done, Steve.
Your good work is appreciated.
Love, Rich

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+1 # Ron Klipstein 2012-10-17 22:58

Thank you, Steve! I am completely and utterly floored by iscientology.org. I can barely find words to express my appreciation. I'm practically shaking as I flip its pages, and imagining the positive effects that will result. Well freakin' done! It is deep and broad and helpful and attractive and valuable. L. Ron Hubbard would be so very pleased.

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+1 # DanielVictorsBlog 2013-06-22 02:34

This website/blog is a piece of extremely good work. Chapeau!

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+1 # Dave Soroka 2013-07-31 14:21

Hi all. Great site. I just got through Doubt and I'm making my announcement (if there's a better place to do this, please clue me in), so here goes:

On scientology

Most of my friends know I’m a scientologist. I was actually a scientologist last life, too. I’m an old-time scientologist. People who say scientology doesn’t work just haven’t thought it through. It’s a religion. If someone says it works for them, then you pretty much have to admit it works: it works for them. It seems to me that’s the nature of religions: different ones work for different people. Maybe scientology doesn’t work for you, or you weren’t able to make it work, or you haven’t seen it work, but if you say it flat out doesn’t work, when I’m telling you I’ve seen it work, then you’re calling me a liar or a fool. I don’t claim to be a very good scientologist, that is, I’m not very good at it. I’ve made mistakes, made a mess here and there and hurt some people. But when I realize I’ve made a mess I always stop, turn around, go back, and clean it up as best I can. If I hurt someone, I don’t try to say it’s somehow their own fault. If I hurt someone I always try to make good, and therein, in my opinion, is the measure of a human being. I’m an old-time scientologist, and I hereby quit the Church of Scientology.

Dave Soroka
July 31st, 2013.

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+1 # Thoughtful 2013-07-31 15:03

Hi Dave, Congratulations for making a rational decision. Here's another place where you can make an announcement. Click on some and read them to get the idea. These usually tell more of a story, how you got into Scientology, what happened after that, and the reason for your resignation from the CoS.

www.scientology-cult.com/.../

You can also check out the link in the bottom right corner of this website for a facebook group you can join to reconnect with some old friends.

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0 # ProudWog 2013-11-21 21:50

I just skimmed the site, followed the link to the Tribute to Mary Sue Hubbard, and found..... not one word about Operation Snow White and Mary Sue's prison sentence!

No spiritual growth can be built on lies. Pretending that LRH wasn't a money hungry sociopath and Mary Sue his willing accomplice tells me that this site is just another outpost of a dangerous cult full of misguided people.

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0 # Thoughtful 2013-11-21 23:38

It is correct that no spiritual growth can be built on lies. And it is also correct that the full info should have been included in that other website. Unfortunately, that one is not my website. I linked to it because MSH is today a non-entity in the CoS and at least they have some info about her, whereas she has been erased from history by DM. Regarding your conclusions about LRH, you'd have to weigh the value of the positive things he created along with the bad. Without that, your own judgment would be based on the lie that LRH created nothing of value. Hence, you are hoist by your own petard.

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0 # Lynn 2015-07-03 11:05

Hi, I have been reviewing this website and really like most of what I have read. It makes me take interest in the truth about Scientology. The positive and motivating written word brings me closer to wanting to learn more about clearing myself. The only set back that pulls me away from considering educating myself through the use of this website, would be the negative written words about DM and the Church of Scientology. I realized you are exercising your freedom of speech while offering to us your experiences and opinions. With this said, I truly feel that this wonderful website would benefit even more by leaving out the negative and replacing these sections with more empowering, positive and focused Scientology information. I look forward to reading more about Scientology.

Sincerely,

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+1 # Thoughtful 2015-07-03 11:14

Unfortunately, Lynn, the Church was taken over by an outright sociopath who has caused extensive death and destruction. It would be a disservice not to warn people and instead just let them fall down the manhole.

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0 # WellDoneKeepGoing 2016-04-27 04:12

Thank you for all this. It really is allowing people to study the tech and understand how they can apply it for true change in their lives.

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0 # Floppy 2016-06-18 12:25

I tried sending a regular email, but your caption isn't visible. I am looking to continue my auditing without the church in tampa fl.

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0 # thamesiansteve 2016-07-24 07:06

Hi,

Can I just say, and I hope that this is the appropriate place in which to do so, that firstly your website is absolutely fantastic and defines completely what theta actually is.
Thanks entirely to nothing other than reading the many listings and postings on your website somehow I have changed from a spiritually numb entity, as I was when I walked through the (exit) door of the CoS for the last time at the end of the 1990's to a being who has never been more alive that here today.

A series of life changing events have occurred to me including one where a young (epileptic) girl was delivered (alive) to proper medical care because I handled the situation causatively.

Right now I have come to realise that I am in the company of some absolutely lovely people (beings). I am still not sure what I have done to deserve this good fortune but sure as hell it is wonderful!! the colours have truly turned on in my (current)life, possibly for the very first time.

I would say that this (web)site is the most important thing to come about since Ron himself last walked in human form on this planet. I know that's a huge call to make but please do not estimate the positive power coming from this source.

Keep it on coming.

As a final comment to all and everyone, try applying the smallest amount of "tech" and just see the miraculous consequences.


Much ARC
Steve

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0 # Kevin Easter 2017-12-30 19:46

I tried sending email to the site owner, but I get this message: For security reasons, you must pass the a secret variable to PlayThru servers. I have no idea what that means or what to do about it, so I'm reposting my questions here. As a non-Scientologist, I've been watching Chris Shelton's videos for about a month now. He makes it very clear that LRH established fair game, disconnection, and purification rundown. I'm curious as to how you reconcile your non-performance of disconnection and fair game with the teachings of LRH in the positive? Also, I would like to know what your practice is regarding purification rundown. Thanks. I wish you all the very best.

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0 # Thoughtful 2017-12-30 20:26

Thanks for letting me know about the PlayThru Captcha not working. I got your message. Disconnection and fair game are both insane practices that did come from LRH and there is nothing right about it nor any justification. One cannot go through life attacking others and not wind up a victim. As history shows, he did wind up a victim and died a painful death. This is not an endorsement of Chris. The facts speaks for themselves. Regarding my practice, I don't have one. This website is to let people know, who have left the CoS that they don't need the CoS for anything. The CoS is only a hindrance and has basically nothing positive to offer anyone. Hope that helps.

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0 # Ron Larson 2019-05-17 12:02

I'm hoping to connect with some fellow independents. I am looking to get some auditing and maybe find some of the old Dianetics assessment lists. I was in Sarge Gebode's group for a few years when they were in Palo Alto. I did the old bridge up through OT6, which I never completed. I'm not so much interested in that anymore. But I am interested in connecting with your group and maybe getting some sessions to overcome some life problems. I still do some solo, but sometimes need a little more help than that.

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0 # Ron Larson 2019-05-17 12:03

I forgot to mention that I am located in Coarsegold, CA.

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