In his final days as the Church of Scientology’s international spokesperson, Mike Rinder stood in the doors of the London Test Centre on Tottenham Court Road vehemently defending his faith to BBC Panorama journalist John Sweeney, who had questioned whether their leader David Miscavige physically abuses his staff. Having only days prior been locked in a double-wide trailer known as ‘the Hole’, a North Korea-style hard manual labour re-education camp at Scientology’s international base in California, it was this encounter that led Mike to question the organisation he was a part of – and he escaped the following day.
Little did I know, only a few short years later I would be standing in that very same door, denying the same rumours and determined to prove the public wrong about their understanding of what Scientology really is.
Now I find myself once again standing in his shoes.. only this time, on the other side… trying to raise awareness and put an end to the abuses that are prevalent inside the Church of Scientology.
In leaving Scientology, Mike did not go quietly. He made it his life’s mission to sound the alarm and appeared in dozens of documentaries, news stories and in 2023 he published a book, A Billion Years, in which he describes the lengths he went to briefing law enforcement agencies and government bodies.. at one point even arranging an informant to infiltrate the organisation wearing a wiretap to collect evidence for the FBI.
The docuseries he produced with actress Leah Remini, ‘Scientology and the Aftermath‘ ran for three seasons and won multiple Emmy awards. But the show was not only a television success; it gave ex-Scientologists an opportunity to see that they were not alone and gave them the courage to share their own experiences publicly.
For two decades, Mike endured the worst of Scientology’s ‘Fair Game’ harassment tactics.. following him with private investigators, setting up hidden cameras outside his home and attempting to infiltrate his inner circle of friends and confidantes. But he did not give up in his mission to end Scientology’s abuses, and carried on fighting until his final days.
In November 2023, when I announced the first IAS protest Mike was quick to reach out and offer his support and ever since, he has continued to be a mentor and a friend. He was always there at the end of the phone whenever I needed advice, guidance or a comment for an article here on Scientology Business and we kept in touch right up until the day before his passing.
In his final blog post titled ‘Farewell’, Mike wrote “If you are in any way fighting to end those abuses please keep the flag flying — never give up.” There is no doubt Mike’s efforts paved the way for many to escape and find a platform to share their stories. He lit the torch I, and many others, must now carry in his honour.
Thank you for your hard work, your determination, your courage and your bravery Mike. We all owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude and we will continue to fly the flag here in the UK on your behalf.
My thoughts are with his wife Christie, and his family.
You can read Mike Rinder’s farewell blog post below.
This is the last post on this site. I have shuffled off this mortal coil in accordance with the immutable law that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes.
The site will remain as an archive of more than 4000 posts and 300 thousand comments.
It has been a labor of love and passion which has allowed me to speak my mind and offer my perspective with no outside filters.
I have been lucky — living two lives in one lifetime. The second one the most wonderful years anyone could wish for with all of you and my new family!
My only real regret is not having achieved what I said I wanted to — ending the abuses of Scientology, especially disconnection and seeing Jack into adulthood. If you are in any way fighting to end those abuses please keep the flag flying — never give up. And please, if you are able in some way, help Christie and the boys to move forward into the next chapter of their lives.
I know many of you will be inclined to send flowers, I ask you not to. Instead contribute to Jack’s family college fund. Unfortunately this is a government site so is not very user friendly, if you want to use a credit card click this donation button and Christie will redirect it.
Let the flowers grow and look to the future…
With that said, I rest in peace.
Mike
The life of the dead is placed in
the memory of the living — Cicero
