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| '''David Miscavige''' (born 1960) is Chairman of the Board of ], an organization that controls the copyrighted material authored by the late ] founder ], as well as the trademarked names and symbols of ] and ]. As RTC Chairman (he is known among Scientologists simply as "C.O.B."), Miscavige is officially described as "the highest ecclesiastical official of the Scientology religion," a position he assumed when Hubbard died in 1986. Although Religious Technology Center is a separate corporation from the Church of Scientology, Miscavige is widely reported to be the effective leader of the Church and all of the affiliated Scientology enterprises. | '''David Miscavige''' (born 1960) is Chairman of the Board of ], an organization that controls the copyrighted material authored by the late ] founder ], as well as the trademarked names and symbols of ] and ]. As RTC Chairman (he is known among Scientologists simply as "C.O.B."), Miscavige is officially described as "the highest ecclesiastical official of the Scientology religion," a position he assumed when Hubbard died in 1986. Although Religious Technology Center is a separate corporation from the Church of Scientology, Miscavige is widely reported to be the effective leader of the Church and all of the affiliated Scientology enterprises. | ||
| David Miscavige was born in ] to Loretta and Ron Miscavige Sr. The family was of Polish/Italian extraction and he was their youngest son. The family was ], but not especially observant. At an early stage David suffered from childhood ailments, including ], which kept him from accomplishing some of his goals. His father played ] and became interested in Scientology. Ron Miscavige Sr.'s interest in Scientology led him to have the boy sent to a Scientologist. According to him and his son the ] auditing cured these ailments. Impressed by these results, the family moved to the world headquarters of Scientology, ] in England. Miscavige became one of the youngest full-time Scientology auditors. | |||
| He left high school to join the Church of Scientology's ], where, when still a teenager, he became one of L. Ron Hubbard's personal assistants, working on the production of Scientology training films. | He left high school to join the Church of Scientology's ], where, when still a teenager, he became one of L. Ron Hubbard's personal assistants, working on the production of Scientology training films. | ||
| In 1981 the activities of ] began to cause the group substantial embarrassment. Although only 21 at the time David claims to have been significant in persuading her to resign. In 1982 he was given substantial authority over Hubbard's personal, business, and literary affairs. The respect given to him from such an early age likely inspired the strong loyalty young converts like himself give to the group. | |||
| After Hubbard's ] stroke Miscavige became active in expanding the religion's celebrity clout. He played a role in the rise of the Celebrity Centre International. He also tried to increase profile for the group by working with professionals in public relations. These efforts have caused critics to deem him a cunning and ruthless purveyor of "spin." The criticism has subsided somewhat thanks to a mixture of time and "defensive" litigation by the ]. | |||
| This rise did not come without controversy though. In 1982 Hubbard's estranged son accused him of embezzling or manipulating his father. In the following year Hubbard sided with Miscavige effectively ending the issue. The ] launched an investigation of him in 1984 which essentially fizzled by 1985. | |||
| ⚫ | Miscavige was interviewed at length by ] of ABC television in 1992. In the interview he |
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| After Hubbard's ] stroke Miscavige rose to the position he holds today. This encouraged the "war" with the IRS to intensify on both sides. For its part the IRS began auditing the income tax records of thousands of Scientologists and Scientology responded by pursuing massive lawsuits against the IRS. It reached a boiling point in the early 1990s, but ended in ] when he told an assembly of Scientologists that the war with the IRS was over. During the speech he reputedly blamed the dispute origins on ] and its "pea-brained psych-indoctrinated mental midgets." Nevertheless the group received the status it wished and greeted the end of the "war" with jubiliance. | |||
| Outside of this battle he has played an active role in expanding the religion's clout. He encouraged the rise of their Celebrity Centre International. He also tried to increase profile for the group by working with professionals in public relations. He played an active role in their efforts to treat drug addicts and other troubled people. As of ] he wished to expand the group in the Midwest and improve its relations with mainstream society. However critics insist these efforts are ] used to mask his personal "vicious streak" and the ruthless nature of the organization. | |||
| ⚫ | Miscavige was interviewed at length by ] of ABC television in ]. In the interview he did speak of the mental health field feeling threatened by Scientology and picking a fight with them. This adds credence to his reputed 1993 blaming of psychiatrists for battles with the IRS. Exempting that interview he has rarely spoken to the press. Miscavige is, however, often a speaker at major Scientology openings, award ceremonies and related events. | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 01:43, 30 August 2005
David Miscavige (born 1960) is Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, an organization that controls the copyrighted material authored by the late Church of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, as well as the trademarked names and symbols of Dianetics and Scientology. As RTC Chairman (he is known among Scientologists simply as "C.O.B."), Miscavige is officially described as "the highest ecclesiastical official of the Scientology religion," a position he assumed when Hubbard died in 1986. Although Religious Technology Center is a separate corporation from the Church of Scientology, Miscavige is widely reported to be the effective leader of the Church and all of the affiliated Scientology enterprises.
David Miscavige was born in Philadelphia to Loretta and Ron Miscavige Sr. The family was of Polish/Italian extraction and he was their youngest son. The family was Roman Catholic, but not especially observant. At an early stage David suffered from childhood ailments, including allergies, which kept him from accomplishing some of his goals. His father played trumpet and became interested in Scientology. Ron Miscavige Sr.'s interest in Scientology led him to have the boy sent to a Scientologist. According to him and his son the Dianetic auditing cured these ailments. Impressed by these results, the family moved to the world headquarters of Scientology, Saint Hill Manor in England. Miscavige became one of the youngest full-time Scientology auditors.
He left high school to join the Church of Scientology's Sea Org, where, when still a teenager, he became one of L. Ron Hubbard's personal assistants, working on the production of Scientology training films.
In 1981 the activities of Mary Sue Hubbard began to cause the group substantial embarrassment. Although only 21 at the time David claims to have been significant in persuading her to resign. In 1982 he was given substantial authority over Hubbard's personal, business, and literary affairs. The respect given to him from such an early age likely inspired the strong loyalty young converts like himself give to the group.
This rise did not come without controversy though. In 1982 Hubbard's estranged son accused him of embezzling or manipulating his father. In the following year Hubbard sided with Miscavige effectively ending the issue. The IRS launched an investigation of him in 1984 which essentially fizzled by 1985.
After Hubbard's 1986 stroke Miscavige rose to the position he holds today. This encouraged the "war" with the IRS to intensify on both sides. For its part the IRS began auditing the income tax records of thousands of Scientologists and Scientology responded by pursuing massive lawsuits against the IRS. It reached a boiling point in the early 1990s, but ended in 1993 when he told an assembly of Scientologists that the war with the IRS was over. During the speech he reputedly blamed the dispute origins on psychiatrists and its "pea-brained psych-indoctrinated mental midgets." Nevertheless the group received the status it wished and greeted the end of the "war" with jubiliance.
Outside of this battle he has played an active role in expanding the religion's clout. He encouraged the rise of their Celebrity Centre International. He also tried to increase profile for the group by working with professionals in public relations. He played an active role in their efforts to treat drug addicts and other troubled people. As of 1998 he wished to expand the group in the Midwest and improve its relations with mainstream society. However critics insist these efforts are spin used to mask his personal "vicious streak" and the ruthless nature of the organization.
Miscavige was interviewed at length by Ted Koppel of ABC television in 1992. In the interview he did speak of the mental health field feeling threatened by Scientology and picking a fight with them. This adds credence to his reputed 1993 blaming of psychiatrists for battles with the IRS. Exempting that interview he has rarely spoken to the press. Miscavige is, however, often a speaker at major Scientology openings, award ceremonies and related events.
External links
- David Miscavige Bio Page
- An Index of David Miscavige sites
- David Miscavige at Church opening
- A blog on David Miscavige
- "The man behind Scientology", St. Petersburg Times, October 1998.
- Contains harsh criticism of David Miscavige
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