Episode 28: Cultbusting Attorney Ford Greene
Leah and Mike talk to Ford, the former Moonie who became a lawyer to fight cults. He has participated in some of the most important anti-cult litigation. The discussion covers the Fair Game assaults he has endured, the army of high-priced lawyers he fought and how best to deal with scientology in the legal arena.
“The state clearly has a compelling interest in preventing its citizens from being deceived into submitting unknowingly to such a potentially dangerous process.”
“…should any church seek to resurrect the inquisition in this country under a claim of free religious expression, can anyone doubt the constitutional authority of an American government to halt the torture and executions? And can anyone seriously question the right of the victims of our hypothetical modern day inquisition to sue their tormentors for any injuries—physical or psychological—they sustained?”
“When one party to a lawsuit continuously and unsuccessfully uses the litigation process to bludgeon the opponent into submission, those actions must be closely scrutinized for constitutional implications.”
“Real control is exercised less formally, but more tangibly, through an unincorporated association, the Sea Organization, more commonly referred to as the Sea Org.”
13 Comments
Hey I just heard the last podcast And in the first minute came up with a question. Can a Scientologist who reaches a level of Theaton five or above Control his or her menstruation?
I was so happy to listen to an attorney explain how and why Scientology keeps winning in court and how he was able to beat them at their own game. I love that he stuck with that case for 20 years. Ford Greene, you are a true inspiration. Thank you to Ford, Leah and Mike for telling this story.
I can only assume that with “The Aftermath” this podcast and countless other outlets that Scientology numbers have to be decreasing. Do you have any idea how many current members they now have and what their current recruitment looks like?
Current recruitment is dismal.
Please get rid of Bitcoin related sponsors. The hardcore Bitcoin community is a cult and destructive. More importantly it’s an asset bubble with few competitive use cases rendering it incapable of achieving the fever dreams espoused by the cultists. A lot of people will lose a ton of money during the next crash. https://adamcaudill.com/2018/06/21/bitcoin-is-a-cult/
The Bitcoin ads are bad for your otherwise amazing image of fearless cult busters!
Love the podcast regardless.
We do not control the ads that appear on our show… Other than the ones that we read.
Hi Leah & Mike – I applaud both of you so much for the work that your doing & have done!
I knew nothing about Scientology at all – thought it was just a fad that Hollywood types got sucked into.
Had ZERO idea how deeply it affected “regular” people and most of all families or how dangerous and controlling they are.
I do however have a request – PLEASE – keep politics out of this podcast. Your most recent guest (the cult lawyer) as well as 2 other guesrs at my count have chosen to interject politics.
I am on the other side of the asile so to speak – but that in no way makes me a member of a cult – I listen to learn about how easy it is for all kinds of people to be drawn into dangerous “religions” – but I (and likey 70+million others) do not appreciate my/our politics or patriotism being lumped into such things.
One of the things I have always liked about you Leah is that I don’t really recall hearing you spouting off about politics like so many others in “the biz”- I believe we can agree to disagree on things and still show respect for each other – so we that we can combat really destructive things like genuine cults (like Scientology). Please keep up the good work – keep up the fight – just please keep politics out of it.
Thank you both & God bless you in this work.
I so agree with this! Keep Politics out of it. I love listening and appreciate all Mike and Leah so much. My mother’s family came from the cult of “Christian Science” and I can relate to so much.
Hey Mike! Hey Leah!
Great episodes the last few weeks! It’s great to hear from a bunch of these people we didn’t get to hear from on The Aftermath. Keep up the good work guys!
So question: any truth to the John Travolta rumors? Is he really quitting and, according to some, having to pay a TON of money just for the privilege of getting out?
No, I suspect those rumors are just that.
Hi Leah & Mike! I love and deeply appreciate the work that you all are doing for scientologists & their families by ripping back the curtain and exposing the rampant abuse in the cult.
If you ever do another listener Q&A, I have a few question about Christian Science Reading Rooms. First of all, what the hell are they? Are they for recruitment, selling LRH books, or both? Who are the proprietors of the business? Who owns/rents the buildings they occupy? Do any other activities occur inside, such as auditing?
There is one on the historic main street of my small town in Northern Virginia, and I have always thought it was weird that it exists, and takes up prime real estate; and that even though many other businesses have come & gone, the Christian Science Reading Room remains…so very strange.
Thank you again for all that you do.
My family came out of Christian Science (a cult started by Mary Baker Eddy) it is not associated with Scientology.
I just listened to this episode yesterday and was wondering why did it sound like every time Ford was talking, he was shaking a tambourine? Go back and listen to the episode and see if you can hear it….it was very distracting!