Searching the Internet for Web sites about Scientology that are not sponsored by the church (an activity that was prohibited when they were in the Sea Org), they discovered that hundreds of other Scientologists were also defecting - including high-ranking executives who had served for decades. In 1993, when she was 16, Christie joined the Sea Organization, where she remained for 13 years. It actually backfired on her. Mike Rinder - Wikipedia Christie Collbran remained in Johannesburg, and for three months the church refused to allow them to contact each other, the Collbrans said. Christie was with us and then all of a sudden she took a big U-turn. The very survival of a religion is contingent on its protecting itself.. In her interviews with The New York Times and The Today Show, she still adamantly insis. Its like, No Christie, Im sorry, thisthis isnt going to happen. They worked seven days a week, on little sleep, for sporadic paychecks of $50 a week, at most. Christie King Collbran | www.scientology-cult.com Rinderwasraised a Scientologist from the age of six. He acknowledges that he pushed a 17-year-old staff member against a wall and yelled at his wife, who was his deputy. Scientology Defector breaks her silence - Today Show Rinder later toldThe New York Timesin March 2010 that his mother, sister, brother, daughter, and son disconnected from him after he departed from the church. Born into a family of Scientologists, Collbran, now 33, was raised in a loving home by her parents, Ed and Liz King. It was her second marriage. Fair enough, except she didnt tell it all. But recently even some celebrities have begun to abandon the church, the most prominent of whom is the director and screenwriter Paul Haggis, who won Oscars for Million Dollar Baby and Crash. Mr. Haggis had been a member for 35 years. In the past, Christie has also been known as Collbran Christie June, Christie June Collbran and Christie J Collbran. As a doula her greatest talent is her ability to connect with her clients on a personal level. So she intentionally conceived a child. ", Represented Scientology in the Office of Special Affairs. Actress: Delivering Christmas. We just didnt understand.. He also dealt with legal and governmental matters of the CSI at an international level. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'biographyhost_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_18',154,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); In April 2009, when Benjamin was starting his recovery, Bernardini said she informed Rinder, who lived in Denver. We just didn't understand.". The Collbrans went back to work for the church in Los Angeles, but Ms. Collbran found the atmosphere so oppressive, the staff members so miserable, that she likened it to living under martial law and again resolved to leave. She further stated that her mother was "damaged for life" as she is in pain every day. In October of the same year, he met Hubbard for the first time upon joining Hubbard's shipApollo, which Rindercallsthe "floating headquarters for Scientology.". His parentsbecameScientologists in1960. He shared that he did all he could to end the abuse within Scientology to bring about change. She spent years in persistent pain and physical therapy. I was pinned. He is also co-hosting theScientology: Fair Gamepodcast with Leah Remini. Episode 19: Christie Collbran Rinder Scientology is an esoteric religion in which the faith is revealed gradually to those who invest their time and money to master Mr. Hubbards teachings. "Since Anonymous has come forward," said Marc Headley, who belonged to the Sea Org for 16 years, "more and more people who have been abused or assaulted are feeling more confident that they can speak out and not have any retaliation happen.". Last year, it built or renovated opulent Scientology churches, which it calls Ideal Orgs, in Rome; Malmo, Sweden; Dallas; Nashville; and Washington. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Were working 16 hours a day trying to save the planet, and the church is shrinking., The church is vague about its membership numbers. Joanie Sigal is a 36-year parishioner in Clearwater who promotes the churchs antidrug campaign to local officials. But there were a few pertinent details that went unmentioned on her ambling interview with Cooper. And found out that he had left," Bernardini revealed. Ms. Collbran remained in Johannesburg, and for three months the church refused to allow them to contact each other, the Collbrans said. "Part of my job was to discredit and destroy critics who spoke out against the church. "These were not the claims made by 'outsiders' looking to dig up dirt against us," he wrote. The family livedas the Kings still doin a suburb outside Los Angeles. Christie King Collbran was in the Sea Org from the age of 16 until the age of 29. It was in Johannesburg, where the couple had gone to supervise the building of a new Scientology organization, that Chris Collbran, who is 29, began to have doubts. Shes just not Christie, to me, shes not Christie. "Why did we work so hard for this organization," Collbran asked, "and why did it feel so wrong in the end?". Eventually I realized I was part of a con, he said, and I have to leave it and get on with my life.. They were also handed what the church calls a "freeloader bill" for services rendered, of $90,000, which they later negotiated down to $10,000 for Christie Collbran's portion and paid. Mike Rinder, who for more than 20 years was the church's spokesman, said the disconnect policy originated as Hubbard's prescription for how to deal with an abusive spouse or boss. She waited until her pregnancy had almost reached the end of the first trimester to inform her superiors. Mr. Davis, the church spokesman, said the Collbrans exit was not unusual. That, coupled with her knowledge and experience, provides . And thenand then telling me how stupid I was. Christies job performance became increasingly erratic; she was continually lying to cover poor and inadequate production. And it was her decision. Source: New York Times. He was crushing me. Davis, the church spokesman, said the Collbrans' exit was not unusual. Mike Rinder with his current wife Christie on their wedding day in 2013. After Christie Collbran hooked up with Mike Rinder, she yelled and screamed at her mother to leave her religion, then Christie abandoned her familyjust like Rinder did with his. Raised as Scientologists, Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, were recruited as teenagers to work for the elite corps of staff members who keep the Church of Scientology running, known as the Sea Organization, or Sea Org. The church says the defectors are lying. Actress: Bad Girls. She abandoned her family. New York Times: Scientology Defectors Report Coercion, Beatings, and I didn't get any messages or a normal letter, even if it's a little note, or anything. It claims it will wake you up and make you happier and more able to communicate with the world around you," he continues, "In practice it accomplishes the polar opposite. Mike Rinder was born Michael John Rinder on 10 April 1955 in Adelaide, Australia, to Barbara and Ian Rinder. And then I could hear through my ear, my bones starting to crack. He had already paid her airfare from Florida, so he too really had no choice but to pass her off as a credible source and take her for a stroll in New Yorks Central Park. We never will.". VIDEO TRANSCRIPT. In 2008, organizers with the Internet-based group Anonymous began waves of protests outside Scientology churches in many countries. But recently even some celebrities have begun to abandon the church, the most prominent of whom is the director and screenwriter Paul Haggis, who won Oscars for "Million Dollar Bab" and "Crash." They may spend hundreds of hours in one-on-one "auditing" sessions, holding the slim silver-colored handles of an e-meter while an auditor asks them questions and takes notes on what they say and on the e-meter's readings. She waited until her pregnancy had almost reached the end of the first trimester to inform her superiors. They now had a child and no money, but they thought they were still in good standing with their church. Her parents were dedicated church members in Los Angeles, and she attended full-time Scientology schools for several years. But, you know, after all this time and all she's said and all she's done, it's like, she's not a loving daughter. The church acknowledges that Sea Org members are not allowed to have babies, but denies that it pressures people into having abortions. By 10, Ms. Collbran had completed the Purification Rundown, a regimen that involves taking vitamins and sitting in a sauna (a fixture inside every Scientology church) for as much as five hours a day, for weeks at a time, to cleanse the body of toxins. And what we see here is evidence of the fact that were definitely better off without them.. You know, like, how can this be true, what youre saying?. Scientology parishioners interviewed in Clearwater seemed unperturbed by the protests, headlines and lawsuits. FREEDOM is a trademark and is used with the owner's permission. Author (s): Laurie Goodstein. In 1969, he again visited the home to participate in advanced Scientology courses and auditing. His wife, who said the church coerced her into having two abortions, has also filed a suit. And if I don't do something he's going to do damage,'" she said. The Sea Org is a religious order that requires enormous dedication, he said, and leaving any religious order can be a lengthy process. And since theyre removed, the church is expanding like never before, said Mr. Davis, a second-generation Scientologist whose mother is the actress Anne Archer. Well, at least they have each other. The churches used to be busy places where members socialized and invited curious visitors to give Scientology a try, he said, but now the church is installing touch-screen displays so it can introduce visitors to Scientology with little need for Scientologists on site. They went through that file, wrote this affidavit as if I wrote it.". He is breaking my bones. What does that say about her character, her sense of maternal responsibility? Finally, Ms. Collbran was permitted to go to Los Angeles, but husband and wife were kept separated for another three months, the Collbrans said, while they went through hours of special auditing sessions called confessionals. The auditors tried to talk them out of leaving, and the Collbrans wavered. And at its base here on the Gulf Coast of Florida, it continued buying hotels and office buildings (54 in all) and constructing a 380,000-square-foot mecca that looks like a convention center. "We're working 16 hours a day trying to save the planet, and the church is shrinking.". She was well known as a hot shot Establishment Officer. This is funny: Raised as Scientologists, Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, were recruited as teenagers to work for the elite corps of staff members who keep the Church of Scientology . Recently, Christie Collbran received an e-mail message from her mother calling her a "snake in the grass.". Headley, who wrote a book about his experiences, is suing the church for back wages, saying that over 15 years his salary averaged out to 39 cents an hour. The reason, they agree sadly, is that they no longer see eye to eye on Scientology. And we have the answers.". They may spend hundreds of hours in one-on-one auditing sessions, holding the slim silver-colored handles of an e-meter while an auditor asks them questions and takes notes on what they say and on the e-meters readings. Thats the difference between the old Scientology and the new: the brave new Scientology is all these beautiful buildings and real estate and no people, said Mr. Rathbun, who is among several former top executives quoted by The St. Petersburg Times in a series of articles last year about the churchs reported mistreatment of staff members. They do believe in God, or a Supreme Being that is associated with infinite potential. Finally, Christie Collbran was permitted to go to Los Angeles, but husband and wife were kept separated for another three months, the Collbrans said, while they went through hours of special auditing sessions called "confessionals." He had spent months at church headquarters in Clearwater revising the design for the Johannesburg site to meet Mr. Miscaviges demands. Its a big yawn, actually., The Collbrans, despite their efforts to remain in good standing in the church, were declared suppressive persons last year. They were also handed what the church calls a "freeloader bill" for services rendered, of $90,000, which they later negotiated down to $10,000 for Christie Collbran's portion and paid. ", The church immediately sent emissaries to Christie Collbran's parents' house in Los Angeles to inform them that their daughter was "suppressive," Collbran said. In the end, the documentary premiered on 17 May 2007 as a part of BBC One's Panorama series. As a result, Rinder was called to visit Sussex's church facility. In the end, the documentary premiered on 17 May 2007 as a part of BBC One's Panorama series. But the Ideal Orgs are supposed to be self-supporting, and the Johannesburg church was generating only enough to pay each of the Collbrans $17 a week, Collbran said. Anonymous said it was protesting the Church of Scientologys attempts to censor Internet posts of material the church considered proprietary including a video of Tom Cruise, an ardent Scientologist, that was created for a church event but was leaked and posted on YouTube. Despite all they have been through together, the Collbrans are divorcing. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. She still gets auditing, from other Scientologists who have defected, like Rathbun. Especially in the tone of voice youre saying it and sort of thejust shrill screaming. CLEARWATER | Raised as Scientologists, Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, were recruited as teenagers to work for the elite corps of staff members who keep the Church of. The church in Johannesburg is thriving now that the Collbrans have left, Davis said. Shes a completely different person. Our dedicated Editorial team verifies each of the articles published on the Biographyhost. Eddie King, a former professional football player, was an opinion leader in every circle that he was a part of. The couple welcomed their son named Jack in April 2012. Christie Collbran Founder Buddha Belly Buddha Belly As for the defectors, Davis called them "apostates" and said they were expelled. "All of the auditing that you do, there's files kept on it," Christie Collbran said. TV Personality, Podcast Host, Former Scientologist, Former Senior Executive of the CSI, Sea Org, Former Scientologist, Former Senior Executive of the CSI and Sea Org, Mike Rinder and Leah Remini launched a podcast called'Scientology: Fair Game' in July 2020. . Freedom Magazine: Christie Collbran's Affair with Mike Rinder, CNN Previously city included Tarpon Springs FL. The churches used to be busy places where members socialized and invited curious visitors to give Scientology a try, he said, but now the church is installing touch-screen displays with little need for Scientologists on site. To make their numbers look good for headquarters, South African parishioners took their maids and gardeners to church. Born into a family of Scientologists, Collbran, now 33, was raised in a loving home by her parents, Ed and Liz King. Christie and I together were seen as a major threat to Miscavige, and the harassment was non-stop. Apr. The church works hard to cultivate public members especially celebrities like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Nancy Cartwright (the voice of the cartoon scoundrel Bart Simpson) whose money keeps it running. In her interviews with The New York Times and The Today Show, she still adamantly insists that. The defectors say Sea Org members were repeatedly beaten by the church's chairman, David Miscavige; pressured to have abortions; forced to work without sleep on little pay; and held incommunicado if they wanted to leave. Since Anonymous has come forward, said Marc Headley, who belonged to the Sea Org for 16 years, more and more people who have been abused or assaulted are feeling more confident that they can speak out and not have any retaliation happen.. They soon discovered others who felt the same. He was absent during his son's cancer treatment. CC King was born on August 14th, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She knows what shes doing. Let Children Think For Themselves Christie Collbran Christie Collbran OfficialUSA.com Records Coopers response as to why he didnt let his viewers know would no doubt be his favorite catchphrase: I didnt think it was relevant.. He visited the founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard's home in England with his family for the first time in 1966. The church works hard to cultivate public members - especially celebrities like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Nancy Cartwright (the voice of the cartoon scoundrel Bart Simpson) - whose money keeps it running. Mike Rinder's Live-in Media Puppet Christie Collbran Rinder was born in Adelaide, Australia, to Ian and Barbara Rinder in 1955. Now, disconnection has become a way of controlling people, said Mr. Rinder, who says his mother, sister, brother, daughter and son disconnected from him after he left the church. "All of the personal things you ever said, all the secrets, the transgressions, are all kept in there. A Scientologist Speaks Out On Church Abuse "You're so into it, it's everything you know: your family, your eternity.". But after 13 years and growing disillusionment, the Collbrans decided to leave the Sea Org, setting off on a Kafkaesque journey that they said required them to sign false confessions about their personal lives and their work, pay the church thousands of dollars it said they owed for courses and counseling, and accept the consequences as their parents, siblings and friends who are church members cut off all communication with them. Rinder believes that the actual approach of Scientology contradicts when it comes to reality. Christie's segment begins at about 6:35. 2010 He said he did not know how to account for the findings in the American Religious Identification Survey that the number of Scientologists in the United States fell from 55,000 in 2001 to 25,000 in 2008. They would lose the possibility of living for eternity. Rinder served as a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology for over two decades before being removed from his disgrace in 2009. Christie and Chris Collbran were married in a simple ceremony at the Scientology center in Manhattan. Church of Scientology International (CSI). He has no contact with his two adult children from his first marriage. However, Christie got pregnant in 2006 amid their fragmented marriage. An orthopedic surgeon informed her she would never recover full use of her arm. It was in Johannesburg, where the couple had gone to supervise the building of a new Scientology organization, that Chris Collbran, 29, began to have doubts. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The family livedas the Kings still doin a suburb outside Los Angeles. And in Clearwater, it continued buying buildings (54 in all) and constructing a 380,000-square-foot mecca that looks like a convention center. And I realized all of a sudden, 'Oh, my god. Joanie Sigal is a 36-year parishioner in Clearwater who promotes the church's anti-drug campaign to local officials. He had spent months at church headquarters in Clearwater revising the design for the Johannesburg site to meet Miscavige's demands. It's pinch-yourself material." After failing such job attempts, he teamed up with some other individuals who were also expelled from the Church to establish a competitor church. Christie Rinder's Father Tells of Her Rejection, Abuse of Parents Christie calls and talks to Liz [mother] and Christie starts sort of yelling and screaming at Liz, saying that she's a dupe. Rinder defended the Church and Scientology leader David Miscavige. Rinder has done multiple media interviews and appeared in HBO'sGoing Clearand three seasons ofLeah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. All Rights Reserved. ", The Collbrans, despite their efforts to remain in good standing in the church, were declared suppressive persons last year. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'biographyhost_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',150,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-leader-2-0'); According to STAND League, Rinder soon launched a "billion-dollar" anti-Scientology harassment scheme with an anti-Scientologist Robert Almblad to profit off his independent church. With multiple surgeries and radiation treatments, Benjamin started recovering after two years. "These accusations were made by top international executives who had devoted most of their lives to the church.". Personal Profiles for Christie June Collbran from Palm Harbor, FL and Christie J Collbran from Palm Harbor, FL, and one other person with the same name, addresses, phone numbers, emails. After being expelled from the Church, Rinder tried to hold down various jobs, including Toyota car salesman and telemarketer. She eventually started a love affair with Rinder, married him, and welcomed their son together. When Christie first called me and we had our first . MSNBC: Christie Collbran, Secretes of Scientology - YouTube Her parents were dedicated church members in Los Angeles, and she attended full-time Scientology schools for several years. That Cooper himself knew every sordid detail of Christie Collbrans story and never whispered a word of it to AC360 viewers is yet another wrinkle in her soap opera. She was also continually violating ecclesiastical procedures, all of which inevitably led to her demotion. From 2016 to 2019, Rinder co-produced and co-hosted the A&E documentary seriesLeah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermathwith fellow ex-Scientologist Leah Remini. They signed a contract for a billion years in keeping with the churchs belief that Scientologists are immortal. They worked seven days a week, often on little sleep, for sporadic paychecks of $50 a week, at most. In 2000, the couple transferred to the Churchs South African Continental Office in Johannesburg, and over the next several years their relationship with each otherand with the Churchheaded south. NBC Today show - Christie King Collbran Posted on March 9, 2010 by Mark C. Rathbun | 114 Comments Tune into NBC Today show this morning (7 or 7:30) your time to watch the Mat Lauer interview with Chrsitie King Collbran.