MovieChat Forums > Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (2016) Discussion > Guess we won't be seeing Marty Rathbun

Guess we won't be seeing Marty Rathbun

posted 8 years ago by nyctc7
21 replies | jump to latest

A very interesting individual. For a time was Miscavige's #1 lieutenant. Left the cult and became an important source for info about the inner workings. Five years ago he was named No. 3 on Tony Ortega's list of http://www.villagevoice.com/news/the-top-25-people-crippling-scientology-6665220

But now, http://tonyortega.org/2016/09/01/marty-rathbun-defends-scientology-leader-david-miscavige-as-he-trashes-tell-all-memoir-ruthless/

Marty now refers to "ASC", the "Anti-Scientology Cult".

Remember Chris Shelton from last night's episode? I think sincere but there is something about him I don't like. I remember seeing his videos a couple of years ago. Interesting stuff but I thought it was SO pretentious to call himself "Critical Thinker at Large". He spends 20 years brainwashed and all of a sudden he is Mr. critical thinker.

So I had to chuckle when I read this: https://markrathbun.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/how-gullible-can-one-get/

I guess my point is, you know how some former smokers can be really annoying even though they are right about smoking? The self-righteousness and/or zealousness of the reformed. I hasten to add I don't feel that way about the vast majority of ex-scientologists I've read or heard.

[–] jwkfh 8 years ago

I believe he's ashamed of the wreckage he's caused and seeking redemption in his own heart.
I believe Miscavage is a monster, preying upon the weak minded through blackmail, inherited from the psychotic Hubbard's brilliant scheme of "Auditing" and keeping notes on devotees...

[–] kramsey20 8 years ago

A monster with a serious Napoleon complex.

[–] Hancockenstein 8 years ago

he always came off as a bit of an attention whore to me from the documentaries i've seen, and this isn't even the first time he's flip-flopped. who knows what he really wants...

Plot hole - Aspect of a film that is misunderstood or missed while using your smart phone.

[–] stimp-1 8 years ago

Rathbun's change of heart came as no surprise to me. He left the church but never discarded even the most ridiculous parts of its doctrine. To call him a flake is an understatement.

[–] nyctc7 8 years ago

Well we did get to see Marty in the recent 20/20 episode.

Overall, I kind of like him, believe it or not. I find him very insightful and articulate. I read his book "Memoirs of a Scientology Warrior" and enjoyed it. He did some regrettable, maybe even inexcusable, things but he is not a sociopath like Miscavige is.

Since Tony Ortega can't explain Marty now criticizing ex-scientologists, I shouldn't try to attempt to, as he knows a lot more than I.

If it is because Marty can't let go of what he sees as the positive elements of Scientology, then that's a shame. I think he is a smart man who should train his talents elsewhere.

[–] mysterious-j 8 years ago

Ortega has been hinting he might have something on what the real deal with Rathbun is coming soon.

[–] lpadr009 8 years ago

Shelton is amazing! i love his YT channel; we have also talked and he is extremely kind. i think he calls himself that to stay on the critical-thinking side at all times, ya know? like to never allow himself to fall in a similar trap and to always be weary.

[–] DocOfTheDead 8 years ago

Just yesterday or the day before I caught the last half of a documentary he did for A&E I believe. He discussed how he left that day, and seemed to be critical again. It said in the info that it was from 2017, so assuming it is a brand new one, he wasn't defending it for sure.
I checked to see if it would replay again but my guide said no. Did anybody else happen to see it that knows if it was actually new and not a repeat of an older one?

(referring to Marty, not Mr. Shelton)

I can't die! I have 43 twitter followers that depend on me! oh, and I have a daughter.

[–] Vicky8675309 8 years ago

I wonder if Marty backed off because of the harassment of his wife.....or maybe something to do with settling the lawsuit she had against the CO$.
IDK

[–] candacbap-88-377616 8 years ago

I can't imagine what the constant harassment feels like, but if someone isn't strong enough to handle it, they'll break.

[–] LoBo_77018 8 years ago

if they're just watching you and following you I don't see where it would bother me. Let them spend their money watching my boring life. But the confrontations, the anonymous letters to employers and neighbors, sending people in to pretend to be friends or pretend to be boyfriends WHAT THE HELL! That should be against the law. We have all these new cyber bullying and stalking laws you'd think it would apply to these people.

[–] candacbap-88-377616 8 years ago

I agree that I wouldn't be bothered by someone watching me. But messing with my family, friends, my job, or trying to ruin my reputation would be too much for me. If they invaded my privacy with pretend friends, I'd end up in jail because I know I'd beat the crap out of the fake friend.

[–] zubutix 8 years ago

Tell some friends to put on balaclavas and bring baseball bats, and scare the *beep* out of them when they stand outside your home.

[–] Vicky8675309 8 years ago

Doesn't Marty live in Texas where we are a Castle (??) doctrine state?

[–] LoBo_77018 8 years ago

I think Marty lives in Florida doesn't he? Didn't he mention he wanted to stay close in case his grown Scientology kids needed him?

It was the other high level guy who lives in Texas - the one who is now not promoting an anti-scientology agenda.

[–] nyctc7 8 years ago

Marty in Texas: http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/his-town/

[–] LoBo_77018 8 years ago

Ya I had my big wigs mixed up.

[–] slackersmom 8 years ago

I read one of those articles about Rathbun. Interesting. But I noticed it said that his wife was NOT a scientologist. How does that work, I wonder? How does someone so high up in the organization manage to be married to someone who's not indoctrinated? You'd think that would be severely frowned upon.

[–] nyctc7 8 years ago

He met and married Monique after he left Scientology. His first wife, a Scientologist, denounced him on a memorable Anderson Cooper 360 program.

[–] slackersmom 8 years ago

I see. Thanks for clarifying. All in all, sounds like this guy blows hot and cold in his opinion of scientology--one day criticizing it, another day defending it. As someone said, though, it seems he still believes in the principles of the so-called 'church,' but just doesn't like the #$^@# who leads it.

[–] Wood-20 8 years ago

Marty never gave up the religion, he just left the organisation. He took an auditing machine with him when he left, and now practises with other like-minded ex-scientologists who still believe in the mythology of LRH, but just don't like Miscavage. He's also quite hot-headed, and resistant to criticism of Scientology, so I don't think he would be a good representative for the tone of this series.