Smith Puts His Money Where His Church Is (Maybe)

Actor denies it, but live and let live, writes LAT

(NEWSER) - Will Smith denies he, wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, or the school they founded are affiliated with the Church of Scientology, writes the LA Times in an opinion piece, but who cares if L. Ron Hubbard himself is teaching Scientology 101? The school, set to open in September amid rumors that it uses Scientologist-developed teaching methods, is being funded on the Smiths' dime and should be subject to the Smiths' beliefs. More»

Organization 'obsessed with fundraising,' disgruntled member says

(NEWSER) - A leading Scientologist is attempting to spark a revolt against chief David Miscavige, who has led the organization since the death of L. Ron Hubbard 26 years ago. Miscavige has ignored the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard and turned Scientology into a fundraising machine that bleeds wealthy members dry to construct lavish buildings and stockpile more than $1 billion in cash, Debra Cook wrote in an email to more than 12,000 current and former Scientologists. Cook was a top-ranking Scientology executive for decades before leaving the organization's payroll to start an Internet firm in 2008. More»

Organization snaps up historic Sunset Boulevard site

(NEWSER) - Whether or not you want to see more movies based on L. Ron Hubbard's writings—and most critics who saw Battlefield: Earth would sooner go blind—Scientologists now have the facilities to make them. The controversial organization has bought a landmark movie studio in Hollywood from a struggling public television station, reports the Telegraph. More»

(USER SUBMITTED) - Director Paul Thomas Anderson's Scientology project has stalled, according to Examiner.com. The movie was to feature actors Jeremy Renner and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Renner told TotalFilm that The Master, which would have focused on Scientology and an L. Ron Hubbard-like figure, has been postponed indefinitely. More»

Works of L. Ron Hubbard labeled 'extremist'

(NEWSER) - The works of L. Ron Hubbard are no longer welcome in Russia. Officials say they intercepted a shipment of books and recordings by the Scientology founder and decided that they should be banned as extremist literature that "undermines the traditional spiritual values of the citizens of the Russian Federation." Prosecutors made the decision after consulting with psychiatrists and psychologists, reports the Moscow Times . More»