I knew so little about the Cult of Scientology before this show aired on A&E. I was riveted. Already a fan of Leah Remini from her time on "King of Queens" with Kevin James, I became a fan of this docu-series exposing the abuses of this destructive cult. It was enlightening and frightening at the same time.
Fast forward a few years, and about the time that I really start digging into YouTube, making it my primary form of entertainment (ditching cable almost exclusively), the Danny Masterson case heats up and he's about to go on trial. I watched everything Tony Ortega put out. Then I found Aaron Smith-Levin's popular channel, called "Growing Up in Scientology."
It quickly became, and still is, one of my favorite channels on YouTube. ASL is quite entertaining and opinionated. He speaks his mind and often gives the caveat, "But what do I know? I grew up in a cult!" LOL! The first bit of drama about the Masterson case arose when he attacked Tony Ortega for profiting off the stories of ex-Scientologists, many of them victims of childhood trauma and abuse (of all kinds). They do not like each other.
ASL was a board member, and co-founder, of The Aftermath Foundation, which became a household name thanks to Remini's docu-series. They do great work advocating for victims of Scientology and helping them break free of it's seductive hold. Those within the community of ex-Scientology were labeled as "suppressive persons" by the cult (COS). They proudly wear the label and even call their YouTuber community, SPTV, for Suppressive Persons Television, complete with a retro, MTV-esque, logo.
During the Masterson trial, ASL found himself entangled in a romantic fling with a California woman who alleged abuse. He gave his side of the story on his channel months after the fact. He counters her claim and alleges she was the abuser, not him. This caused a great rift within the SPTV community.
"DRAMA!"
And next we know, the board of The Aftermath Foundation is demanding ASL's resignation, the charge led by Mike Rinder, who everyone knows from Remini's show on A&E. Rinder, a once ranking member of COS, who is now speaking out on their mob-like practices from his own personal experience, co-hosted the show. He was apparently not a fan of ASL nor his over-the-top persona and YouTube channel. Rinder gave the foundation board an ultimatum, either "he goes or I go," speaking about ASL.
The SPTV camp began to splinter, catching Remini in the middle. Rinder and the Headley's (Claire is foundation president) in one camp, ASL and his associates in the other. ASL has publicly criticized Rinder, the Headley's and the foundation, which he co-founded. He has also stated his intent to start a new, rival foundation.
What began as a noble crusade to help victims, many of them suffering PTSD from child sexual abuse inside the cult, is now a made-for-YouTube soap opera. It's sad, really.
At the heart of it is oversized egos.
Well, now, Rinder has criticized one of those victims who appeared on "Scientology and the Aftermath." He's come under fire from the ASL camp in SPTV land. He's once again showing his arrogance and complete disregard for the community. It has splintered the group beyond recognition or any hope of reconciliation.
They dropped the ball, lost sight of their primary mission. What was once a shared mission of helping abuse victims and combatting the years of gaslighting by COS, has now devolved into a daytime drama online.
Shame on you people!
Lose the egos, get back on track and quit making all these HOUR-PLUS, self-serving, clickbait videos. It's become tiresome...exhausting really!
