David Miscavige: Difference between revisions

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	Miscavige was interviewed at length by ] of ABC television in 1992. In the interview he spoke of the ] field feeling threatened by Scientology and picking a fight with them. Aside from that interview, he has rarely spoken to the press. Miscavige is, however, often a speaker at major Scientology openings, award ceremonies and related events.		Miscavige was interviewed at length by ] of ABC television in 1992. In the interview he spoke of the ] field feeling threatened by Scientology and picking a fight with them. Aside from that interview, he has rarely spoken to the press. Miscavige is, however, often a speaker at major Scientology openings, award ceremonies and related events.

	In May 1995, Miscavige announced his evaluation of what he thought was wrong with Scientology: He proclaimed that "the blind are leading the blind." His solutions to this included deleting passages from lectures by L. Ron Hubbard that he did not like, and compelling Scientology students to read certain course text to a wall, which he called "]. Many Scientologists have objected to these solutions, which resulted in them being subjected to a tribunal called a ] and declared ]s.

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==
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Revision as of 09:44, 27 December 2005

David Miscavige (born April 30, 1960) is Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, a corporation that owns the trademarked names and symbols of Dianetics and Scientology.

As RTC Chairman, Miscavige is officially described as "the highest ecclesiastical official of the Scientology religion," a position he assumed over a year after Hubbard died in 1986. Although Religious Technology Center is a separate corporation from the Church of Scientology, Miscavige is widely reported to be the effective leader of the Church and all affiliated Scientology enterprises. In Scientology, he goes by the acronyms "DM" and "COB" (Chairman Of the Board).

Biography

David Miscavige was born in Philadelphia to Loretta and Ron Miscavige Sr. The family was of Polish/Italian extraction and he was their youngest son. The family was Roman Catholic, but not observant.

David suffered from childhood ailments, including allergies, which kept him from accomplishing athletic and academic goals. During this time his father, a trumpet player, became interested in Scientology. Ron Miscavige Sr.'s interest in Scientology led him to have the boy sent to a Scientologist. According to him and his son, the 45 minute Dianetic session cured his ailments. The family was impressed enough by Scientology to convert and move to the world headquarters in Saint Hill Manor, England. David Miscavige soon became one of the youngest full-time Scientology auditors.

Miscavige dropped out of high school in 1976 and joined the Church of Scientology's Sea Org and Commodore's Messenger Organization, where, while still a teenager, he became one of L. Ron Hubbard's personal assistants, in the production of Scientology training films. In the early 1980s, he became Chairman of the Board of Author Services, Incorporated (ASI), a for-profit corporation that managed Mr. Hubbard's personal, business and literary affairs until 1986, and sells special edition books and book cover prints. In 1987, he became the Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center.

Scientology career

In 1981 events concerning Mary Sue Hubbard began to cause the group substantial difficulties. Although only 21 at the time, Miscavige claims to have been significant in persuading her to resign.

Nevertheless his rise caused noteworthy controversies:

In 1982 Hubbard's estranged son, Ronald DeWolf, accused Miscavige of embezzling from and manipulating his father. In the following year Hubbard sided with Miscavige, ending the issue.
The Internal Revenue Service launched an investigation of Miscavige in 1984, although this fizzled in 1985.
In 1985 his mother-in-law, Florence Barnett, committed suicide.

This encouraged the war with the IRS to intensify on both sides. The IRS began auditing the income tax records of thousands of Scientologists and Scientology responded by pursuing massive lawsuits against the IRS.

It reached a boiling point in the early 1990s, but ended in 1993 after lengthy negotiation and an agreement with the IRS. This breakthrough was spearheaded by Miscavige who went to IRS headquarters to meet with the Commissioner, which visit led to a two year review process and ultimately full tax exemption.

Outside of this battle he has played an active role in expanding the religion's clout. He encouraged the rise of their Celebrity Centre International and other churches. He also tried to increase the profile of the group by working with professionals in public relations.

Miscavige was interviewed at length by Ted Koppel of ABC television in 1992. In the interview he spoke of the mental health field feeling threatened by Scientology and picking a fight with them. Aside from that interview, he has rarely spoken to the press. Miscavige is, however, often a speaker at major Scientology openings, award ceremonies and related events.

Personal life

Miscavige's hobbies are: Riding his motorcycles, snorkeling and underwater photography, target shooting, and socializing with Scientology celebrities.

Miscavige has been married to Shelly (Michelle) Miscavige, neé Barnett, since 1981, who also serves as his official assistant. They have no children. He has a brother, Ronnie Jr., and a twin sister, Denise.

External links

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