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Revision as of 02:00, 30 August 2005 by T. Anthony (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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 his athletic and academic goals. During this point his father was a trumpet player who 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 45 minute Dianetic auditing session cured these ailments. There is little independent information to support or dispute this. Nevertheless the family was impressed enough by Scientology to convert and move to the world headquarters in Saint Hill Manor England. David Miscavige soon 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 events concerning Mary Sue Hubbard began to cause the group substantial difficulties. Although only 21 at the time David claims to have been significant in persuading her to resign. In 1982 he received substantial authority over Hubbard's personal, business, and literary affairs. The respect given to him from such an early age likely influenced his strong loyalty.
Still his rise did not come without controversy. 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. In 1985 his mother-in-law committed suicide under a cloud of rumors she had become affiliated with a Scientology splinter group thus angering David. Further the IRS launched an investigation of him in 1984, but this 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 US 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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