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Why Did a News Outlet Scrub a Controversial Story on Scientology?

Jan. 15, 2013 7:56am

Over the past 24 hours, social media has been abuzz over The Atlantic’s publication of a sponsored article about Scientology. But just as quickly as controversy followed the initial appearance of the advertorial and its related comments, the outlet decided to remove the controversial content.

The initial article was published on Monday at 12:25 ET under the headline, “David Miscavige Leads Scientology to Milestone Year” (here’s the cached version). The purpose of theΒ advertisement was to praise Miscavige and the church for spawning monumental growth over the past 12 months.

“2012 was a milestone year for Scientology, with the religion expanding to more than 10,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, spanning 167 nations–figures that represent a growth rate 20 times that of a decade ago,” the article read. “The driving force behind this unparalleled era of growth is David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion.”

The Atlantic Publishes Then Removes Scientology Sponsored Ad

A screen shot from the controversial Scientology sponsored content on The Atlantic

Then, the article goes on to note, in detail, the areas of expansion that the church has experienced. The piece includes images of recently-launched so-called “Ideal Scientology Churches,” houses of worship that are described as “idealΒ in location, design, quality of religious services and social betterment programs.”

After the article’s sponsored presence on The Atlantic spread across Twitter and Facebook, the outlet promptly removed the ad. At the link where it once resided, a message is posted that claims the content has been “temporarily suspended,” while policies surrounding sponsor content are reviewed.Β Here’s a screen shot:

The Atlantic Publishes Then Removes Scientology Sponsored Ad

A screen shot from The Atlantic

A description of sponsor content that accompanied the original article reads, “Sponsor Content is created by The Atlantic’s Promotions Department in partnership with our advertisers. The Atlantic editorial team is not involved in the creation of this content.”

But it wasn’t only the selection of the article that caused controversy. The second portion of The Atlantic’s suspension notice mentions that the outlet is also exploring how it manages comment threads that are attached to advertised content. Gawker, which called the ad “propaganda,” notes that, of the 17 comments that were posted as of Monday evening, the majority were pro-Scientology and read as though they were “an extension of the original post.”Β Β 

It will intriguing to see if — and how — the Church of Scientology responds to the controversy.

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Comments (42)

  • YoungAmerica2293
    Posted on January 16, 2013 at 1:03pm

    I don’t exactly get why they took it down, it’s pretty big in Hollywood and anything that is big with them seems to fly. However, if it were an article on say, the Catholic church, I could see this happening.

    Report this comment

    YoungAmerica2293  
  • sarah1972
    Posted on January 16, 2013 at 9:09am

    A religion created by a sci-fi writer….good luck with that….

    Report this comment

    sarah1972  
  • Military Vet
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 9:00pm

    I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
    Mahatma Gandhi

    Report this comment

    Military Vet  
  • alexegz30
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:33pm

    Haters gotta hate. No matter the religion, the haters always go after whoever posts the ad. Scientology may not be as mainstream as Christianity or Buddism, but it is attacked relentlessly whenever they try and promote themselves.

    I’m sure if a Jewish ad had been posted with praise for its leadership and expansion of its membership, we would have had the same result.

    Report this comment

    alexegz30  
  • DORVAN
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 7:01pm

    FREEDBYTRUTH I agree. Unlikely persuasion. However, for those interested, the “Los Angeles ” magazine just printed an excellent article by journalist, Joel Sappell, in its Jan. “13 edition, examining the defection of high ranking official, Mark “Marty” Rathburn, from his powerful investigative position at Scientology. Rathburn defected in 2004 and Sappell interviewed him recently for the article. Sappell and colleague, Bob Welkos, has also investigated the Church of Scientology for over 5 years and did a previous 24 part series published in the Los Angeles Times in 1990. This is an excellent eye-opener into a creepy CULT.

    Report this comment

    DORVAN  
  • KKC003
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 5:56pm

    simple test of religion vs cult

    do they divide or allow you to come and go as you wish?
    do they encourage harm or encourage helping your fellow man regardless?
    do they actually help others outside their so called religion or do they isolate themselves to secrecy?
    (help is a helping hand, and financial)
    do they hurt others in their families, church, schools and gatherings at anytime?
    do they demand you turn over all your assets, funds, etc to the facility?
    do they punish non believers with pain or harm or ridicule?
    do they threaten to kill or ham non believers or have done so?

    you see you can call it a religion, but its really a cult and I am talking about the last 50 yrs!

    I plan to start my own religion, its called
    “chocolate cake religion”
    anyone can join, you can leave at anytime, we encouraging others to share chocolate cake and we will donate to others who wish to share in the adventure. we meet monthly its donation only and we dont have punishment if you cant finish your cake, just please bow to the oven upon departure as a “nice gesture”

    Report this comment

    KKC003  
  • Larry E
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 5:40pm

    So, more importantly and to the point, what is a “cavige” if he’s a “miscavige”. Curious people would like to know. Scientology is truly bizarre and strange, but I’m not sure it’s a religion of any kind.

    Report this comment

    Larry E  
  • pap pap
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 3:33pm

    Tom Cruise is into Scientology and so it is something that I would certainly shy away from and beware of.

    Report this comment

    pap pap  
    • YoungAmerica2293
      Posted on January 16, 2013 at 12:58pm

      I agree with you on that one. Didn’t Holmes leave him because of the whole Scientology thing? Not to metion he’s just a nut case in general.

      Report this comment

      YoungAmerica2293  
  • alinskythis
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:47pm

    An irresistible daily read is Mark (Marty) Rathbun’s blog on the evil workings of the Church of Scientology, which are nearly identical to those of our Evil Shadow Government.

    He was like second in command next to Sociopath Miscavige, and was Tom Cruise’s β€œAuditor” for years….then he left the Church and his daily accounts of the horrific activities are riveting.

    http://markrathbun.wordpress.com/

    He daily withstands many of the identical things that other people who are targeted suffer. Vicious, aggressive, smear campaign, insane levels of surveillance, stalking, harassing, sabotage, etc.

    Your basic Hell.

    According to Rathbun, members are leaving the Church in droves due to the felonious, usurious abuse, terrible conditions, embezzlement, larceny, enslavement, human trafficking, murder, fraud, you name it, so don’t believe all the propaganda shoved down your throats.

    Ask Kate Holmes. Her first statement after leaving that crazy midget was β€œIt was like Rosemary’s Baby….”

    And they literally get away with murder. INTERESTING favoritism from their fellow Satanists, the Federal Family Shadow Government.

    Nice pyramids in the photo of Miscavige.

    This is just one of many arms of a propaganda onslaught that is coming fast, to promote CULTS, CULTS, CULTS.

    Any cult, as long as it’s a cult.

    Cults = Satan.

    Report this comment

    alinskythis  
    • alinskythis
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 4:08pm

      Possibly even more fascinating are the MULTITUDES of “escaped” Scientologists who flock to the comments section, and their unbelievable stories, all in immediate real time.

      As to the Federal Family Shadow Government and Scientology The Cult I’ve also noticed a near-identical interchangeability between the paid Marxist government internet stalkers, and the paid COS internet stalkers.

      Report this comment

      alinskythis  
    • Alex
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 6:29pm

      I’m no Scientologist and am about as ignorant as anybody about them. That said, if we truly follow Jesus Christ, call Him our Lord and Master, seek salvation through Him, and try to follow his commandments, does that not in a way make us cultists? Or are you saying that Scientologists are cultists because you think their kind of devotion makes them weird. Be very careful about making being a cult to being Satanic. Christianity early on was a cult. That is what it is. The door swings both ways my friend.

      Report this comment

      Alex  
  • dlherring1964
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:45pm

    Scientology has been an intentional fraud since its inception. It was created as a money making deception by L Ron Hubbard. Unfortunately, it can’t be prosecuted because people have the inalienable right to be stupid, and it’s protected by the Constitution.

    Report this comment

    dlherring1964  
    • DORVAN
      Posted on January 16, 2013 at 7:48pm

      Alex: Study some more. These people believe in the reincarnation of the spirit into different bodies, and being able to change things about themselves through spiritist means. Besides ripping people off by all sorts of deception and teachings and Force. They run a commando type ship, to the point of beating their own high-ranking investigators if they get out of line.

      Report this comment

      DORVAN  
  • jansliv
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:14pm

    2+2=3 is true for me! Is it for you?

    jansliv  
  • Chuck Stein
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:13pm

    It doesn’t get any more “man made” than the Council of Nicea. L. Ron Hubbard acted on his own (in the form of an author). The Council of Nicea acted as a political body.

    Report this comment

    Chuck Stein  
  • jansliv
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:11pm

    If a Satanic cult can be called a religion then I guess you could call Scientology a religion. But it is most definitely not the Christian religion and should not be using the word “church”! It stands in hostile opposition to everything the Church of Christ stands for.

    Report this comment

    jansliv  
    • johnsell
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 11:49pm

      Scientology is an applied religious philosophy, different only in that with most religions, one must believe or have faith that the doctrine is true. In Scientology, any datum or practice is only true if after applying it you find it to be true for you.

      Report this comment

      johnsell  
    • DORVAN
      Posted on January 16, 2013 at 7:32pm

      Jansliv: There are all kinds of religions that believe and practice various things. Christians believe in God as creator of us all and of all things. We believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, as the bridge that makes a way for all mankind to be saved and inherit eternal life with God in Heaven. The Bible is our food and our map. We are to grow in it and in our faith in Him. We should try ‘religiously’ to study and obey as we learn. Obedience is a princible, not a condition of our Salvation. As humans, we often fail, ask forgiveness, (hopefully soon) get up and move on. As Christians, we are reminded in His book, to love, show mercy and remember where we came from. This is pleasing to God, but also helps keep us humble. The only thing ‘religious’ about Christianity, should be our striving to know him and to please him. Be blessed.

      Report this comment

      DORVAN  
  • FreedbyTruth
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:57pm

    Geez does every article that even comes close to any mention of any religion have to degrade into a debate between the religious zealots and the staunch atheists. Guys, none of you is ever going to convince the other, especially not by posting a comment on a news story.

    Give it up already.

    Report this comment

    FreedbyTruth  
  • encinom
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:29pm

    No different than Christianity or other religons.

    Report this comment

    encinom  
  • P8riot
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:17pm

    @zoro51

    Since you are such an expert on cults and religion, pray tell which singular religion is not “man made” in your opinion?

    By the way, don’t try to say something ignorant like “Christianity” because there are thousands of “Christian” sects. Logic and truth demand that only one could truly be God-made since each teaches something different (otherwise they would not be different sects/denominations). This must be true since God does not change, thus making it impossible for each to be completely right since they conflict. If a religion is not completely, 100% right, then it must be man-made since God would not allow false doctrine that is not completely, 100% correct.

    So in a nutshell, please tell us which SPECIFIC denomination/sect is 100% correct, for all others must be man-made.

    Its much easier to demean the beliefs of others rather than attempt to declare your own… isn’t it?

    Report this comment

    P8riot  
  • Frederick_Douglass_Republican
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 10:56am

    L Ron Hoover

    Report this comment

    Frederick_Douglass_Republican  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:46am

    .
    About right now with Obama in charge I’m ready to board the MotherShip……

    Report this comment

    SpankDaMonkey  
  • G.E.R
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:33am

    Who cares how they respond. They’re just as loony as christians, jews, and muslims. And once they are all gone the world will be better off.

    Report this comment

    G.E.R  
    • Stelex
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:50am

      Ah yes, a world full just the tolerant people such as yourself, paradise indeed. I’ll be with “Spank” on the mothership in that case.

      Report this comment

      Stelex  
    • 1FreeVoice
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:59am

      Freedom of speech and religion does not mean we will be free from idiots and frauds. It means we will have to live with them… part of the price of a free society.

      Civility is one of the essential requirements of civilization. You can be polite, even with people you despise. That politeness, and the self restraint that is essential to it, are the oil that reduces the inevitable frictions of human interaction and makes society possible. Please moderate your tone.

      Report this comment

      1FreeVoice  
    • G.E.R
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 9:34am

      I don’t despise the faithful. I despise the faith

      Report this comment

      G.E.R  
    • Colonialgirl
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 5:04pm

      The same applies to you; Too bad your mother didn’t go to “planned Parenthood” before you were born.

      Report this comment

      Colonialgirl  
    • G.E.R
      Posted on January 15, 2013 at 7:03pm

      Looks like the best part you ran down your fathers leg

      Report this comment

      G.E.R  
    • scarydave
      Posted on January 16, 2013 at 3:36am

      G.E.R.,

      You seem like a product of ‘modern-day immorality’. Congrats, you represent it well.

      Report this comment

      scarydave  
  • Stelex
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:31am

    Xenu, Xenu, oh wait thats Nanoo Nannoo. Buncha freakin loons.

    Report this comment

    Stelex  
  • tj1961
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:30am

    The L.Ron Hubbard Fan Club convinces me that PT Barnum was right!! There IS a sucker born every minute!!!

    Report this comment

    tj1961  
  • raabhimself
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:28am

    Who would allow comments on an advertisment? On Facebook for the people that placed the add but on your own website? I don’t get it…

    Report this comment

    raabhimself  
  • ares338
    Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:22am

    Watch out….the aliens are coming!

    Report this comment

    ares338  

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