The Church of Scientology’s UK headquarters have intensified their marketing efforts aimed at children ahead of the annual celebration of their founder, L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday this weekend.
Hubbard, who died 39 years ago, would have turned 114 on March 13th. His birthday is celebrated by Scientologists every year with an event hosted by David Miscavige, who took over after Hubbard’s death, at the 2,180 capacity Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. His speech is video recorded and then played at smaller local Org events around the world the following weekend.
The event is a chance for Captain Miscavige to update his followers on Scientology’s latest ‘expansion’ news and celebrate the winners of The Birthday Game – an annual competition between Scientology Orgs which rewards the best performing Orgs with trophies and commendations. But perhaps most importantly the occasion acts as a keystone fundraising event in the Scientology calendar, with parishioners encouraged to part with vast sums of cash in order to reach their next donation tier and support the ongoing efforts to ‘Clear the planet’.
With many of its wealthiest donors now reaching retirement age, the Church have been making a conscious effort recently to redirect its efforts towards inspiring the younger generation of third or fourth-generation Scientologists to line its coffers. In August 2024, we reported Saint Hill were asking Scientology parents to enrol their kids onto the dangerous ‘Purification Rundown’ before the school holidays were over. Now ahead of this weekend’s birthday event, Scientology have released a program of kids activities in attempt to attract a younger demographic to its property for the weekend of festivities.
The event will take place at the Great Hall on their Saint Hill compound near East Grinstead on Saturday 22nd March 2025. Things kick off with a dinner at 4pm followed by doors at 5:30pm. The recording of Miscavige’s speech will be played at 6pm and typically lasts for 3 hours.
Materials promoting an Easter Egg hunt on 20th April have also been distributed recently in a clear and deliberate attempt to target children. Described as an “annual Easter Eggs-travaganza Hunt around the grounds of Saint Hill”, tickets are available to the general public at £6.13 for adults and £11.55 for children aged 1-15. Toddlers under 1 go free.
According to Scientology’s Eventbrite page, 40,000 chocolate eggs will be hidden around the property for children to find throughout seven separate timed hunts throughout the day. Donkey rides, a petting zoo, fairground rides and face painting are among the activities listed.
In 1984, a High Court Judge Lord Justice Latey warned in a landmark legal ruling that Scientology is “dangerous because it is out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people, and indoctrinate and brainwash them so that they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living and relationships with others.”
The Standard also raised concerns about Scientology’s targeting of children in a 2017 article which revealed 35,000 children had been exposed to their drug education program in the UK, despite scientists dismissing it due to a lack of medical evidence. “Critics say the lectures provide a “soft introduction” to Scientology” journalist Benedict Moore-Bridger wrote. The piece quoted Professor David Nutt, former chair of the government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, who explained “We have known for years that Scientologists have been targeting schools.”
Nonetheless, with an aging population and dwindling cashflow Miscavige continues to target the next generation and the authorities refuse to step in to safeguard children from abuse.
Former Scientologist Danielle Chamberlin, who’s horrific story of being locked up as a child on board a Scientology ship by L. Ron Hubbard was covered by The Sun newspaper last year, told us “The one thing Scientology is very good at is putting a gloss over everything. Whilst having a Birthday event which has entertainment, fireworks, car races, face painting, bouncy castles, arts and crafts and games for children, what remains hidden behind the scenes is that this is firstly celebrating the birthday of a man who died in 1986, who created a cult that is the antithesis of fun and creativity for children. A normal Sea Org member in Scientology is overworked, underpaid and under coercive control and never gets to experience a fun day such as is being advertised. This is all PR shine and the real truth remains hidden.”
She continued, “children are extremely vulnerable and easily influenced by adults around them, so what better way to awaken their interest than invite them to a Scientology event. They absorb information like sponges, so surely the seed is sown that joining a cult is going to be fun? This will be their reality if they are enjoying it and they see that the adults are too.”
