Tony Ortega: What really goes on at Scientology’s events

Journalist Tony Ortega takes a look at Scientology’s international events and reveals what really goes on behind closed doors at the IAS gathering, which took place recently in East Grinstead

Scientology’s calendar has both major and minor movable feasts. Some formerly crucial events, such as the Hollywood Celebrity Centre gala in August, and “Maiden Voyage” in June, seem to have slipped away over the years. Others, like Auditors Day or Sea Org Day, come and go with little fanfare.

Under current leader David Miscavige, three dates have become pre-eminent: The New Year’s celebration in Los Angeles, the observing of founder L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday in March in Clearwater, Florida, and the anniversary gala of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) which is held over a weekend in October or November.

The three-day IAS gala is the only one of the major events that lasts longer than a single night. It’s held under a giant tent erected on the grounds of the Scientology UK headquarters compound at Saint Hill Manor, in East Grinstead, England. It’s a unique event not only because it’s the only one that takes place outside of the United States, but also because of its focus on Scientology’s true deity: Cash.

On the second night of the IAS weekend, tables are brought into the giant tent for that night’s banquet, known as the Patrons Ball. Tickets run about 600 dollars each, and are limited to Scientology members who have donated at least $50,000 to the IAS. 

In that rarefied air, caviar and other gourmet foods are served, and a few of the tables in the middle of the room are reserved for the true leviathans of Scientology largesse. And among them sits the church’s shiniest ornament: actor Tom Cruise.

On stage, Miscavige poses with only the most generous of donors, those who have given tens of millions of dollars to the effort. The top donors have given hundreds of millions. Like the others, they receive a shiny new trophy to take home.

How do we know all this? Because Scientology documents it all in its own publications, something we keep a close eye on. And that’s how we know that over the years, as Scientology has struggled to bring in new people, it’s one true area of expansion has been in wealthy donors.

There’s little doubt that Scientology is only a fraction of its size from its height in the 1990s. Miscavige may continue to open new facilities around the world, but it’s obvious that he’s having trouble staffing them and keeping them open. Cash rich but people poor, Scientology is having a difficult time keeping the lights on.

But at the Patrons Ball, Scientology is still taking over the world with its dentists and veterinarians who have forked over a million dollars or more for their new trophies. What’s new is that they have to drive by a protest outside the grounds that has been going on since the gala started up again in 2023 after the pandemic.

Former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross leads the three-day demonstrations, and while they are not particularly large, there’s no doubt that they are effective. How do we know this? By the extraordinary efforts that Miscavige has made, trying to shield Scientologists from the messages of the protesters. He tried to have the law changed to keep them out entirely. He’s used illegally planted vegetation to keep demonstrators off of public land. 

For the leader of a worldwide, multi-billion dollar religious organization, Scientology’s pope is awfully concerned about these small number of protesters. But that makes sense when you understand what it is he’s trying to do in East Grinstead: Convince a few thousand followers that they should not believe their own eyes.

Inside the giant tent at Saint Hill, Scientology is taking over the world. But if that’s the case, why can’t Miscavige keep away those protesters? It’s a dose of cognitive dissonance that Dave is afraid is simply too much for his dwindling flock.