Alex Gibney’s documentary on Scientology, Going Clear, didn’t contain any information—as bananas as it might have been—that wasn’t already publicly available in any number of news reports, or the book the documentary was based on, or Janet Reitman’s Inside Scientology, or even in that one South Park episode about Scientology. In fact, there was plenty that didn’t make it into the documentary, like the disappearance of current leader David Miscavige’s wife that led in part to actress Leah Remini’s split with the Church. (The Church insists that Mrs. Miscavige is not missing, just doing important Scientology stuff at a secret compound in the California desert, by the way.) Regardless, the film’s HBO premiere last night provided an opportunity for the Church Of Scientology to issue a sinister-sounding press release attacking everyone involved in the production, and we all love those.
The Wrap contacted the COS about its side of the story, and, as usual, it was happy to oblige:
Alex Gibney is proving to be exactly like the sources in his film–no accusation is too irresponsible to make. It doesn’t matter if he lacks corroboration and proof, it’s all about promoting his movie.
Each and every one of the allegations in your questions is absolutely false and rejected. Alex Gibney is getting desperate and is now resorting to ludicrous, made-up claims. The Wrap should ask him for his proof.
First, there has not been one physical or financial threat of harm from the Church to anyone. These are more lies from the same admitted liars who Gibney glorifies in his film.
Second, I have in my hands court records where Monique Rathbun stated under oath that she has no idea who sent those items to her at her office. She also conceded she had no evidence and had made the allegations against the Church without specific or direct evidence. In other words, court records contradict the accusation Alex Gibney made, which is exactly what he did during the entire making of this film – ignore facts and court records. There are countless more examples if you are interested.
Finally, as for Spanky Taylor the Church has not made one threat against her. Again that is made-up garbage.
The Church Of Scientology’s statement goes on to say that the Church has “issued the truth about these individuals” on a website we told you about back in January and won’t link here. The ever-helpful Church Of Scientology’s cooperation with Gibney’s production, it should be noted, did not include interviews with Miscavige or other top church officials. It also did not include giving the people what they really want, which is whatever dirt Scientology has on John Travolta.