Mark Rathbun

Mark "Marty" C. Rathbun (born 9. January 1957) was Inspector General of the Religious Technology Center (RTC), the organization that controls the copyrights and trademarks of the materials relating to Dianetics and Scientology. His role was to head the Inspector General Network, described by the Church of Scientology as "an independent investigatory and policing body whose function is to keep Scientology working by ensuring the pure and ethical use of Dianetics and Scientology technology." The post is one of the most senior management functions in the Church and its related organizations. Rathbun left the Church of Scientology in 2004 and is now an independent Scientologist.

Mark Rathbun in 2010

Quotes

• That’s the difference between the old Scientology and the new: the brave new Scientology is all these beautiful buildings and real estate and no people.
  • Laurie Goodstein (March 6, 2010). "Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). 

• I had the No. 2 position from 1998 until I left. I answered to no one but David Miscavige, who was chairman of the board. I was the personal counselor for Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley.
  • John MacCormack (July 11, 2011). "Coastal town now is awash in 'Squirrel Busters'". San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio, Texas). 

• I did a lot of soul-searching before going public. I was concerned there might be some type of Waco or Jonestown event.
  • John MacCormack (July 11, 2011). "Coastal town now is awash in 'Squirrel Busters'". San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio, Texas). 

• I love Scientology. But there needs to be a differentiation between the Church of Scientology and the philosophy.
  • Jason Sheeler (February 2012). "His Town". Texas Monthly (Austin, Texas: Emmis Communications). 

• I never doubt the gains that I got from Scientolog. I've never doubted the effectiveness of auditing. But I believe there's a real problem with the Church. The core poison is greed. I look at Scientology, and I think it's being destroyed by this quest for the buck.
  • Guy Adams (April 7, 2012). "Scientology's 'heretic': How Marty Rathbun became the arch-enemy of L Ron Hubbard devotees". The Independent (London, England). 

About

Media

• Marty Rathbun and Mike Rinder, the highest-ranking executives to leave the church, are speaking out for the first time.
  • Joe Childs and Thomas C. Tobin (June 21, 2009). "Scientology: The Truth Rundown, Part 1 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology". St. Petersburg Times (Florida). 

• That Rathbun and Rinder are speaking out is a stunning reversal because they were among Miscavige's closest associates, Haldeman and Ehrlichman to his Nixon. Now they provide an unprecedented look inside the upper reaches of the tightly controlled organization.
  • Joe Childs and Thomas C. Tobin (June 21, 2009). "Scientology: The Truth Rundown, Part 1 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology". St. Petersburg Times (Florida). 

• Marty Rathbun, who was once Mr. Miscavige’s top lieutenant, is now one of the church’s top detractors.
  • Laurie Goodstein (March 6, 2010). "Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). 

• Rathbun, a 55-year-old from California who spent 27 years in the church and rose to the rank of inspector general of the Religious Technology Center—a position directly under Miscavige—before leaving in 2004.
  • Jason Sheeler (February 2012). "His Town". Texas Monthly (Austin, Texas: Emmis Communications). 

• Many aspects of Marty's story are disputed by the Church, which calls him a liar, a criminal, and an apostate. But the verifiable facts are as follows: he was a fully-paid-up Scientologist for 27 years, before quitting in 2004. For much of this time, he was a high-ranking executive in the Church, helping steer some of its most sensitive legal campaigns. He was also acquainted with many celebrity members, including Kirstie Alley, John Travolta, and Tom Cruise.
  • Guy Adams (April 7, 2012). "Scientology's 'heretic': How Marty Rathbun became the arch-enemy of L Ron Hubbard devotees". The Independent (London, England). 

• Marty has become one of the Church's most public detractors, and has appeared in that guise on virtually every major US news network.
  • Guy Adams, The Independent, April 7, 2012.

• He speaks their language. He's not abandoned Hubbard. He's not given up on the faith. He's just worn down. And the people he's speaking to are also worn down. They are exhausted with requests for donations. Because of that, he reaches deep inside the organisation.
  • Tony Ortega, cited in (Adams 2012).

• Marty presents himself as a true believer. He still believes in the faith, but he's trying to reform it. He sees himself as a Martin Luther figure.
  • Janet Reitman, author of Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion, cited in (Adams 2012).

Former Scientology members

• Leaving felt like jumping out of an aeroplane with no parachute. But after two weeks at Marty's place I got my feet back under me. He put me in touch with a community of former Church members. One even offered me a job. It's been two years since then; I've now got a home, a wife, and a wonderful six-month-old daughter.
  • John Brousseau, cited in (Adams 2012).

• When I left Scientology, I lost every friend I ha. Then I went to see Marty. He gave me certainty, gave me hope, and made me realise I wasn't alone. He picked up the broken pieces of my life and put them back together.
  • Samantha Domingo, cited in (Adams 2012).

• Reading it [Rathbun's blog] had a therapeutic effect. It made me realise that I wasn't the only one with doubts. He reflected exactly what I was thinking.
  • Luis Garcia, cited in (Adams 2012).

• Marty's blog is a forum for information. That's what makes it such a threat. He's not trying to be a leader of men, or take over the Church, or storm the castle walls. He's just a guy on the outside who wants to speak his mind.
  • Mike Rinder, cited in (Adams 2012).

See also

• Andreas Heldal-Lund
• L. Ron Hubbard
• Scientology
• Tom Cruise
• Xenu

External links

• Mark Rathbun website
• Mark Rathbun blog
• St. Petersburg Times video interview