Janet Reitman: author of Inside Scientology (The Story of America’s Most Secretive Religion)

Good afternoon, welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei.

Scientology, a religion founded by science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard describes itself as the world’s fastest growing religion. The Church of Scientology is a significant player locally—owning significant amounts of real estate in Clearwater and Ybor City.

For years the church has been embroiled in scandal. Some describe it as a cult. But faithful Scientologists say the church has helped them. The Church has been embroiled in many local controversies—the secret way it came to Clearwater, the Lisa MacPherson case- where a parishioner died while in church custody, recent protests outside church spiritual headquarters in Clearwater buy the group Anonymous.

We’re joined now by Janet Reitman, a contributing editor for Rolling Stone Magazine who has written a brand new book called Inside Scientology, the Story of America’s Most Secretive Religion. Reitman has interviewed hundreds of current and former members and has written what she describes as the first objective book about Scientology.