Bare-Faced Messiah (PDF) - Apologetics Index

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Foreword By Chris Owen Truth, fiction and L. Ron Hubbard "What is true is what is true for you." - L. Ron Hubbard There are two wildly conflicting versions of the life story of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology, The first, promoted by the Church, is that he was an unfailingly honest, generous humanitarian whose profound insights have transformed the world. The second, propounded in its fullest form in Bare-Faced Messiah by Russell Miller, is that he was a pathological liar, a fraud consumed by greed and paranoia who sucked literally millions of people into an extraordinary fantasy world. The quotation above is one was one of Hubbard's favourite aphorisms, highlighting his claim that subjective truth is all that matters. If that's correct, then either account is equally plausible. But if objective truth is at all important, relying on evidence and reason rather than pure belief, then Bare- Faced Messiah is considerably more convincing. I have provided links between Miller's account of Hubbard's life and that of the Church of Scientology (on their Web site, http://www.lronhubbard.org). Compare and contrast the two biographies, look at the supporting evidence and then decide for yourself. Why is the biography of L. Ron Hubbard important in the first place? The obvious reason is that it calls into question the whole validity of Scientology. Some Scientologists have acknowledged privately that Hubbard's official biography may be inaccurate, but that it doesn't invalidate his work. That may be so, but for those who take this view, consider this point: as a great deal of the inaccuracies in his biography originate with the man himself, what else was he inaccurate about? If Hubbard lied about his life, what else did he lie about? This argument is, incidentally, not one that is lost on the leadership of the Church of Scientology; Russell Miller faced considerable harassment and legal action from the Church before it was possible to publish Bare-Faced Messiah. The court which permitted him to do so in Britain pointed out, quite correctly, that Hubbard was a figure of considerable public interest whose reputation was used by the Church to promote itself - and that a biography of his life was therefore prima facie in the public interest. Bare-Faced Messiah is out of print now, but this argument remains no less strong. That is why I have reproduced the book on the Web, with Mr Miller's permission; not because I have any desire to damage the Church of Scientology but because I believe strongly that it is in the public interest to make his well-researched book available to a wider audience. Here for the first time, then, is an electronic version of Bare-Faced Messiah. Conversion to Adobe Acrobat pdf format by an anonymous friend.
Author's Note I would like to be able to thank the officials of the Church of Scientology for their help in compiling this biography, but I am unable to do so because the price of their co-operation was effective control of the manuscript and it was a price I was unwilling to pay. Thereafter the Church did its best to dissuade people who knew Hubbard from speaking to me and constantly threatened litigation. Scientology lawyers in New York and Los Angeles made it clear in frequent letters that they expected me to libel and defame L. Ron Hubbard. When I protested that in thirty years as a journalist and writer I had never been accused of libel, I was apparently investigated and a letter was written to my publishers in New York alleging that my claim was 'simply not accurate'. It was, and is. This book could not have been written without the assistance of the many former Scientologists who were prepared to give freely of their time to talk about their experiences, notwithstanding considerable risks. Some of them are named in the narrative, but there were many others who provided background information and to them all I pay tribute. I was deeply impressed by their integrity, intelligence and courage. This book could also not have been written without the existence of the Freedom of Information Act in the United States, which may give pause for thought to those who care about the truth yet are opposing the introduction of similar legislation in Britain. A special word of thanks is due to Jon Atack, a former Scientologist resident in East Grinstead, who has assembled one of the most comprehensive archives about Scientology and its founder and generously made his files available to me. I would also like to thank George Hay and John Symonds in London; Lydia and Jimmy Hicks in Washington DC; David and Milo Weaver in San Francisco; Connie and Phil Winberry in Seattle; Skip Davis in Newport, Rhode Island; Diane Lewis in Wichita; Arthur Jean Cox, Lawrence Kristiansen and Boris de Sidis in Los Angeles; Ron Newman in Woodside, California; Ron Howard of George Washington University; Sue Lindsay of the Rocky Mountain News, Denver; Dave Walters of the Montana Historical Society; and the ever helpful staff of the Library of Congress. Too many people to name patiently replied to queries by mail and searched their records for the answers to innumerable obscure questions. Their contribution to the whole picture was invaluable. My editor, Jennie Davies, polished the manuscript with her usual skill and diligence, despite the demands of her newly-born twins. My wife, Renate, read every chapter as it was written and always offered constructive advice. She had to put up with my long absences abroad while I was tracking down the truth about L. Ron Hubbard and then endure the misery of living with an obsessive author through the long months of writing. I could never thank her enough for her patience, love and support. Russell Miller, Buckinghamshire, England
Page 2 and 3: INDEX Foreword by Chris Owen Author
Page 6 and 7: Introduction For more than forty ye
Page 8 and 9: By then Hubbard was nearly seventy
Page 10 and 11: Chapter 1 A Dubious Prodigy Accordi
Page 12 and 13: heavy with child; a daughter, Ledor
Page 14 and 15: and play his fiddle, which had a ne
Page 16 and 17: The hospital in Tilden, Nebraska, w
Page 18 and 19: Little Ron in a sailor hat. One day
Page 20 and 21: pushing it involved. Only the four
Page 22 and 23: war notwithstanding. He had been se
Page 24 and 25: complained to the Navy Department,
Page 26 and 27: 1. Oregon Journal, 22 Apr 1943 2. M
Page 28 and 29: Chapter 2 Whither did he Wander? Fu
Page 30 and 31: about how anyone with red hair was
Page 32 and 33: Ron's first impression of Guam, wit
Page 34 and 35: [He had, in fact, been thirteen. Bu
Page 36 and 37: teacher and put his butt into a was
Page 38 and 39: The Travels of Ron 2 - Asian Odysse
Page 40 and 41: gentle coaching of his mother. In O
Page 42 and 43: long expected will donation.' On pa
Page 44 and 45: The Hubbards returned to the United
Page 46 and 47: Hubbard learned to fly a glider whi
Page 48 and 49: A few years later Ron would provide
Page 50 and 51: sixteen ports on the islands of Mar
Page 52 and 53: Among the scientific accomplishment
Page 54 and 55:
11. The Hatchet, 24 May 1932 12. Le
Page 56 and 57:
Although she was nearly four years
Page 58 and 59:
'And here's my plea. Isn't there so
Page 60 and 61:
it be a Congressional hearing or ju
Page 62 and 63:
Interspersed between these gripping
Page 64 and 65:
Although the house had three rooms
Page 66 and 67:
. . . Polly could hardly believe he
Page 68 and 69:
6. Certified airman's file 7. Adven
Page 70 and 71:
always accompanied by a flood of ne
Page 72 and 73:
existence of the book, with the exc
Page 74 and 75:
Westerns, but only about three or f
Page 76 and 77:
the Explorers Club on the basis of
Page 78 and 79:
sister, according to Ron, was a mem
Page 80 and 81:
was angry that Marnie should involv
Page 82 and 83:
When he was not working, Ron spent
Page 84 and 85:
6. L. Ron Hubbard, Mission Into Tim
Page 86 and 87:
ecruiting, all of which were 'going
Page 88 and 89:
Censor in Washington recommended th
Page 90 and 91:
without dark glasses. Moulton, unde
Page 92 and 93:
were men of experience, displayed a
Page 94 and 95:
Fletcher added that there was a 'kn
Page 96 and 97:
the war in the Pacific was of bitte
Page 98 and 99:
Monterey, California, for further t
Page 100 and 101:
Chapter 7 Black Magic and Betty 'Hu
Page 102 and 103:
times through a sacred fire, but th
Page 104 and 105:
eautiful, the most gorgeous, intell
Page 106 and 107:
a table lamp in the corner of his b
Page 108 and 109:
Come unto me, to me! Sing the raptu
Page 110 and 111:
the partnership could purchase its
Page 112 and 113:
friend to provide independent corro
Page 114 and 115:
Chapter 8 The Mystery of the Missin
Page 116 and 117:
to put together an imaginative and
Page 118 and 119:
'He opened his eyes and found a nur
Page 120 and 121:
Forrest Ackerman, who had noticeabl
Page 122 and 123:
a minute. It just poured out - I ha
Page 124 and 125:
added that he was also working on a
Page 126 and 127:
Chapter 9 The Strange Début of Dia
Page 128 and 129:
Winter still felt the subject was w
Page 130 and 131:
time permits a true evaluation of t
Page 132 and 133:
ank and perfect function. Every hum
Page 134 and 135:
claimed were the most common cause
Page 136 and 137:
off the hook all day. Everyone want
Page 138 and 139:
Republic weighed in by describing t
Page 140 and 141:
Chapter 10 Commies, Kidnaps and Cha
Page 142 and 143:
As people began getting up and walk
Page 144 and 145:
things they were doing in China and
Page 146 and 147:
LA Foundation. 'I think Sara must h
Page 148 and 149:
or Hoax?' The text left the reader
Page 150 and 151:
Avenue, he told Barbara about an oc
Page 152 and 153:
last agreed on a temporary truce. H
Page 154 and 155:
They were unlikely fellow traveller
Page 156 and 157:
All the salacious details were incl
Page 158 and 159:
Chapter 11 Bankrolling and Bankrupt
Page 160 and 161:
a letter, dated 2 May, that she had
Page 162 and 163:
concur and Hubbard's letter was tuc
Page 164 and 165:
on to the New York Times's bestsell
Page 166 and 167:
Understandably, the VA saw no cause
Page 168 and 169:
His relief was premature. Early in
Page 170 and 171:
Chapter 12 Phoenix Rising 'Many awa
Page 172 and 173:
Even judged by the standards of his
Page 174 and 175:
The portly Nibs (second from right)
Page 176 and 177:
She was disappointed to register no
Page 178 and 179:
In February 1953, Hubbard decided i
Page 180 and 181:
On 15 August he wrote again, pleadi
Page 182 and 183:
door. Ron went and talked to a guy
Page 184 and 185:
Chapter 13 Apostle of the Main Chan
Page 186 and 187:
individuals and organizations aroun
Page 188 and 189:
Hubbard with his friend Ray Kemp on
Page 190 and 191:
nuclear weapons by 'as-ising' the a
Page 192 and 193:
operate as a religion in Washington
Page 194 and 195:
Hubbard as genial family man. From
Page 196 and 197:
Chapter 14 Lord of the Manor 'My ow
Page 198 and 199:
evealed, gardener to gardener, his
Page 200 and 201:
financial affairs in the most optim
Page 202 and 203:
family dining-room, which included
Page 204 and 205:
Hubbard's blossoming omnipotence wa
Page 206 and 207:
and also solved his perspiration pr
Page 208 and 209:
Chapter 15 Visits to Heaven 'Well,
Page 210 and 211:
pocket. He is there to trick you in
Page 212 and 213:
practice a serious threat to the co
Page 214 and 215:
lackhearted politicians, no matter
Page 216 and 217:
Nothing of this was revealed to the
Page 218 and 219:
insisted they should remain unfurle
Page 220 and 221:
Well, I have been to Heaven. HUBBAR
Page 222 and 223:
laid out like Bush Gardens in Pasad
Page 224 and 225:
much harder on the pc even though i
Page 226 and 227:
ATTACKS ON SCIENTOLOGY (from the Fo
Page 228 and 229:
Society is pretty crazy. It's a raw
Page 230 and 231:
(3) Stress sex and blood in psychia
Page 232 and 233:
Hubbard had no more intention of co
Page 234 and 235:
Virginia Downsborough did not obser
Page 236 and 237:
Hubbard would show up every couple
Page 238 and 239:
ed-faced man boomed, 'Mr Hubbard is
Page 240 and 241:
'I arrived back on board at about f
Page 242 and 243:
hundred-mile voyage completed witho
Page 244 and 245:
Chapter 17 In Search of Past Lives
Page 246 and 247:
not, what mattered was being able t
Page 248 and 249:
island of Corsica. Hubbard had show
Page 250 and 251:
urging Hana Eltringham to somehow g
Page 252 and 253:
After the television interview, Hub
Page 254 and 255:
Two members of the Sea Org hoist an
Page 256 and 257:
signed a receipt for the letter and
Page 258 and 259:
the island's notorious Lotharios. H
Page 260 and 261:
Opposite the desks is the impressiv
Page 262 and 263:
(6) When the owners first requested
Page 264 and 265:
Chapter 18 Messengers of God 'It is
Page 266 and 267:
Despite the continuing restrictions
Page 268 and 269:
Two days later, Doreen received a n
Page 270 and 271:
them ran to tell the Commodore what
Page 272 and 273:
all with copies to President Nixon,
Page 274 and 275:
French and Arabic, the arrival of '
Page 276 and 277:
6. Affidavit of Gerald Armstrong, 1
Page 278 and 279:
The three of them checked in using
Page 280 and 281:
Most official photographs of Hubbar
Page 282 and 283:
agreed to be examined by a local do
Page 284 and 285:
While Hubbard had been suffering so
Page 286 and 287:
Ken Urquhart, who probably knew mor
Page 288 and 289:
get the ship next time she arrived
Page 290 and 291:
marks and Swiss francs in high-deno
Page 292 and 293:
months later. The Apollo had not be
Page 294 and 295:
ound the block and then come in the
Page 296 and 297:
agents into the US Attorney's offic
Page 298 and 299:
smoking cigarettes like mad and eve
Page 300 and 301:
two U-Haul trailers parked outside.
Page 302 and 303:
Angeles airport, said he was leavin
Page 304 and 305:
Chapter 21 Making Movies 'The crime
Page 306 and 307:
which he believed would rid the wor
Page 308 and 309:
Behind the security screen, the Com
Page 310 and 311:
yelling all the time. People were r
Page 312 and 313:
Everyone would work in a frenzied s
Page 314 and 315:
painting. Its main street signs ref
Page 316 and 317:
strange and secretive world of the
Page 318 and 319:
Broeker also directed, apparently a
Page 320 and 321:
least two or three copies each. Bat
Page 322 and 323:
Mr Justice Latey had been hearing a
Page 324 and 325:
The incident did not bother Whaley
Page 326 and 327:
About the Author Russell Miller was
Page 328 and 329:
1978, What Is Scientology? (Church
Page 330 and 331:
Chapter 15 Original paragraph from
Page 332 and 333:
Suppressive Persons How the Church
Page 334 and 335:
The Bare-Faced Messiah Interviews L
Page 336 and 337:
much account. He had a little studi
Page 338 and 339:
Polly was from Maryland, I don't re
Page 340 and 341:
He never talked about the workings
Page 342 and 343:
went through them one by one. Final
Page 344 and 345:
The Bare-Faced Messiah Interviews I
Page 346 and 347:
and papers were speculating whether
Page 348 and 349:
One night, in the midst of our affa
Page 350 and 351:
In Oakland, after the lecture, a ve
Page 352 and 353:
He said Sara had hypnotised him in
Page 354 and 355:
Page 356 and 357:
Beverly Hills of Havana. We moved i
Page 358 and 359:
control. He took the child from the
Page 360 and 361:
you want to go there?" The justific
Page 362 and 363:
First I took up a cup of hot chocol
Page 364 and 365:
There were so many policies you cou
Page 366 and 367:
Saint Hill but he contained it; on
Page 368 and 369:
work and I knew reports could bothe
Page 370 and 371:
Page 372 and 373:
messengers and me sitting on the fl
Page 374 and 375:
was to get up, handle comm[unicatio
Page 376 and 377:
We came out to LA to an overland ve
Page 378 and 379:
use new money with the first and la
Page 380 and 381:
would walk with him and a couple we
Page 382 and 383:
Interview - 28 August 1986 My first
Page 384 and 385:
He did do a lot of research and had
Page 386 and 387:
After he recovered and got up, he n
Page 388 and 389:
care if it was true or not. I wasn'
Page 390 and 391:
idea (this was while we were at Hem
Page 392 and 393:
Page 394:
For so many people the desire was t
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