MovieChat Forums > Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (2016) Discussion > Mike Rinder

Mike Rinder

posted 8 years ago by shadrack
10 replies | jump to latest

seems like a fundamentally bad guy to me. I'm four or five episodes in and I don't really see much in the way of remorse on his part in terms of what he did in his official capacity with the CoS. He only left because his own personal situation was bad and he felt he had nothing left to lose, not because he felt what he was doing to other people was wrong. I'm not saying he didn't know it was wrong, only that it didn't (and still doesn't) seem to bother him all that much.

That he eventually became a victim of the CoS's Fair Game tactics doesn't magically absolve him of the responsibility for having done the same or worse to other people for years.

I understand his former position in the CoS lends more weight to his story than other people they've interviewed, but at the same time, if I was in Remini's position, I would not want to have my name associated with his.

[–] LoBo_77018 8 years ago

Remember - the enemy of my enemy is my friend. They have something in common and are working together as a common goal. Leah obviously thinks he is a good guy because she says so throughout the series.

Leah should feel guilty as well. She used her celebrity to promote Scientology. How many mixed up people might have taken her advice and joined the church just because they recognized her face from TV.

[–] justKryptonite 8 years ago

She is a victim of that cult and you are going to twist it to blame her? That's a bit of a ridiculous statement.

[–] nyctc7 8 years ago

Remember when he broke down in a previous episode? When a woman was telling her story of disconnection, that she lost her son. It seemed quite genuine to me.

[–] shadrack 8 years ago

Remember when he broke down in a previous episode? When a woman was telling her story of disconnection, that she lost her son. It seemed quite genuine to me.

Sure, but why did he break down? Seriously, think about it for a second. There's no indication that he was directly involved in her disconnection from her son, so what's he sad about. His reaction is because her situation is similar to his -- her pain mirrors his own which just proves my point. He's sorry about his own suffering, NOT about the suffering he inflicted on others.

[–] SteverB 8 years ago

Your explanation of Rinder's reason for breaking down is pure conjecture. It was covered in one of the first episodes that although he does feel guilty about his involvement, everyone was in the same situation, so no personal responsibility can be attributed solely to him. I would imagine anyone who has ever escaped from a cult would feel the same way.

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"Um, yes your honor, in my opinion."

[–] esmad3-216-475224 8 years ago

Remember when he said no-one he met who has left has ever held him personally responsible? Once you're out you understand that even the people who are doing this are also victims of the same indoctrination. That doesn't mean he doesn't feel bad about it but he has made peace with it.

[–] Melancholy11 8 years ago

Just because he did bad things before when he was in Scientology doesn't mean that he is the same person now.

He seems very authentic and genuinely wants to expose Scientology for all that it is. The very fact that he is being honest is repentance in itself. He doesn't need to say sorry. His actions speak volumes. He is sorry and is trying to do the right thing. I like him more than the other top dogs that have left.

[–] justKryptonite 8 years ago

He feels remorse and he was brainwashed as much as anyone else. He has talked about the weight of what he did and how it bothers him. Why do you think he is spending his time and energy on this with Leah now? I agree that he does a good job or keeping his guilt in check and that's a good thing because if he was too consumed with it he wouldn't be able to help anyone.

[–] kramsey20 8 years ago

The guy's a recovering thug. Give him a break.

[–] jimbarnard12345 8 years ago

For some reason that Mark or Marty Rathburn seems like he is more creepy than Mike Rinder and he seems more unapologetic. Anyone else think Marty Rathburn seems like he has more sinister of a personality?