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A Scientology Wedding

SCIENTOLOGY MARRIAGE CEREMONY


A CLASS XII WEDDING



DISCLAIMER: This page is not endorsed by the Church of Scientology. In fact, I departed the Church of Scientology in 1992 over repeated disagreements with their secular practices.
The excerpts quoted from the original text whose copyright has incidently lapsed, are used per the fair use doctrine and in accordance to copyright laws.

In late 1992 in Clearwater, Florida and under the personal lead and guidance of David Miscavige himself, I was, along with most locally practicing auditors (auditors in the Church of Scientology are ordained ministers who hear the confessions of their parishioners and counsel individuals according to strict procedures), subjected to "Sleep Deprivation and "Diet Manipulation". Trumped up charges where then brought up against me and widely disseminated, while I was forbidden to object or even defend myself.

My key disagreements with the Church Leadership were that:

A) Following David Miscavige Lead on what he believes to be an "exclusive communciation line to L. Ron Hubbard". which continues to this day, more than 20 years after Hubbard's death, that he has created within the Church and in particular in the Sea Organization (a pseudo fraternal group viewed by the Church as its elite) a Culture of Hatred, where intimidation and callousness are the daily tool of the trade along with Terror for any non-compliance with orders.

B) That the Scriptures of the Church have been subverted under his guidance and that numerous key teachings professed by the Church today are in complete contrast with the beliefs that were taught by the Church when I joined it in the 1970s.

C) I felt strongly that confession of its parishioners should be kept inviolate, contrary to the current Church Leadership beliefs that every past or present transgression must be subjected to a mandatory written up report in triplicate to be later used for entirely secular purposes. As my greatest fears later demonstrated, those reports were subsequently used to coerce donations by exploiting guilt or shame or for more effective means of control. In the more extreme cases, it could be used as ammunition for eventual blackmail. (Why would John Travolta be so terrified about the tought of his folders being kept elsewhere than special room, as opposed to the treatment gotten by "normal" Scientologist? - this a well publicly known and documented fact, but not adequately explained)

Because I have departed the Church and sought to act as a whiste-blower for its unethical activities, I have been repeatedly persecuted by the Church and in their name  by some of the more zealot fanatics. Slanderous and threatening communication have been disseminated about me. Nevertheless, I view their impact as rather limited,  especially in the view of the Church ghastly and dishonorable repute with the legal system and the fact that the Church of Scientology is the "only religious organization in Canadian history having been found CRIMINALLY GUILTY of BREACH  of PUBLIC TRUST.
The following wedding was performed in August 1992, in Clearwater, at the Fort Harrison resort, in the Gazebo by the swimming pool. As a serving Sea Org Member I was not allowed any time-off prior to the ceremony (though I was given a short honey-moon following it). Therefore the wedding took place after 10PM on a Friday Night.

The Ceremony used was the same used by Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes for their own wedding: It is called the Double Ring Cerememony.

Perhaps less traditional than other ceremonies, I personally chose it as the most meaningful one.

The ceremony was written up in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard, right around the time he incorporated the Church of Scientology of California. It is inspired on the Catholic Ceremenoy and incorporates a number of Scientology  key principles such as the ARC triangle and the Communication Cycle.

This was not the average Church staff wedding and even though I was at their employ, I had to pre-pay a large sum for the wedding and its reception at a cost that easily rivaled those charged by professional caterers, though the service given was significantly smaller and they had a "crew of one". In spite of my significantly having been overcharged (by their own contractual agreement, written promises and actual services rendered) and in spite of a number of requests I have never been repaid what was unutilized and therefore due back to me.

Class XII auditors are the highest trained people in the history of the Church. In its 52 years history barely over 50 have been made. Aside those who had already departed the organization, more than 3/4 of the Class XII auditors in existence at the time were in attendance. They attended because they were my friends, not because of status or rank.

Contrarily to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes wedding, my Scientology wedding whcih was performed by a Scientology ordained minister was considered to be legally binding.  Both myself and the minister signed and sent the legal documents to the local Courthouse.


The complete wedding ceremony on DVD is available for a nominal fee. For details send me an   EMAIL: email

SCIENTOLOGY DOUBLE RING CEREMONY


<>The wedding ceremony begins: The minister officiating is Alain Kartuzinski, a Class XII Snr C/S originally from Paris, France (he was later demoted and degraded by the Church for his participation in the Lisa McPherson scandal - the poor girl died while being physically detained by the Church. Criminal charges were sought by the authorities agaisnt teh Church).  <>To my right, Norman Herring a Class XII auditor from South Africa, to my wife's left: Minty Alexander, a Class XII auditor originally from New York City.
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<>"We are gathered here in the presence of these witnesses for the purpose of legally joining this man and this woman (names bride and groom). If there be any among you who know of any reason why this should not be done, let them now speak, or forever remain silent"

(The above is the opening statement for the wedding ceremony, vastly inspired from Catholic rituals)
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"Is your reality of the love you have for (bride) such as you will be constantly creating through health and sickness ; through adversity, as well as good fortune. Can you confront and grant forgiveness for shortcomings as readily as you give praise for all her many admirable quali­ties?

And have you communicated your love to (bride)?      Have you acknowledged (groom's) love?"

(repeats for bride)

(The usage of Scientology basic tenets are evident here: REALITY about love, CONFRONT and the GRANTING OF BEINGNESS (allowing someone to be who they truly are) are at the core of the Church fundamental scriptures, however distant they may be from current church practice.)



Then may I say to you both; that through your love together with your agreement upon its reality; and by your communication of these two beautiful truths, you have completed the ARC triangle, and thereby consummated the only true marriage; which is beyond the power of any indi­vidual or group of individuals to add to or detract from in the slightest manner.

(The ARC Triangle, which stands for Affinity, Reality and Communication, the sum of which gives Understanding is one of teh most basic teachings of Scientology.)

However, the law and custom of our society requires that this union shall be made a matter of public acclaim and record. It is my honor to have been selected by you to perform the ceremony.

The acceptance of an honor carries with it an obligation of comparable magnitude; and I would be remiss in that responsibility if I failed to attempt a contribution, not to what you have already created, which no one can do, but to the permanency of its continued creation on your future time track.

Time Track is the Scientologese term for "recorded existence". The time track in itself is seen as the continuous record, like a film of the entire existence, including instantts of unconsciousness. Over 55 perceptions are said to make up the time track, including not only sight, hearing, olfactory, but sensations of weight, awareness of others, muscular tension and many others.

Man has ever employed symbols to impress upon the mind, wise and important truths, that these symbols might prove an ever present reminder of the necessity of ceaseless creation of our desires. And I am certain that your one joint desire in present time is that the love you have created shall remain a reality throughout your future years.

Best Man, have you a ring ?

May I have it please ?       Thank you.

Maid of Honor, have you a ring?

May I have it please ?        Thank you.

(Holding up a ring between the thumb and forefinger of each hand:)

These rings consist of circles; and the circle has been an emblem of permanency to man since time immemorial. In fact, it represents time and space—which are without ending.

I want you to look upon these two emblems and mock up the ARC triangle in the centre of each.
Have you done it?      Thank you.

The above shows why this is called the Double Ring Ceremony. It is considered by most Scientologist the best Ceremony and is the favorite by most.

As long as these emblems remain with you, I want you to see that triangle in their centre as a reminder that the reality of their symbolism of permanency will hold true only so long as that triangle remains unbroken. 1 should like to see you make a pact between you that you will never close your eyes in sleep on a broken triangle. Heal any breach with the reality of your love through communication. If you will do this, these emblems of your greatest desire in present time will remain a reality throughout your future time track.

What precedes is a fundamental rule applicable by all and one of the secrets of a long living marriage: Never go to sleep over an upset with the other, but rtaher try to resolve it first.
 
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On the front row from left to right: Alan Stave, Rick Alexander, Hank Bourland, Carole Schwartz, Lisa Rentschler.
Second Row: Rick Sheehy, Carolyn Webb, Vic Fazio.
Third and fourth row: Richard Reiss (Flag Snr C/S), Cala reiss, Edy Lundeen. Bodil Tucker

(Groom) Will you take this ring and with these words, place it upon (bride)'s finger.
 
"With this symbol of my love,    I take thee, (bride)     As my true and lawful wedded wife"
"I pledge thee to keep this love,      Ever living, ever real"

(The same vow is repeated by the Bride)

And now, in the name of the Church of Scientology ... and by virtue of the powers vested in me by the state of Florida, I declare you (groom) and you (bride) to be truly and legally, Husband and Wife. I will ask that you seal this ceremony with your lips.

And I will ask these witnesses present to join me in blessing this ceremony with the postulate that the trust and love of the present shall become ever stronger with each passing year.

Did you do it ?

Thank you.



If you want to find out more about Scientology you can opt to check one of the few dozens Church owned propaganda sites, check one the many thousands of sites antagonistic to it (some rabidly so) or check mine, where I have tried to depict as impartially as possible what the Founder of Scientology, the Scientology Philosophy and the Church stand both in theory and in practice and how all three do not always align one with the other.

About my qualifications: my Scientology training and experience spans several decades.

The current leader of the Church (David Miscavige) is documented as having the accomplished following Scientology tarining and processing levels: Provisional Class IV auditor (basic training level),  A very partial and Incomplete Organizational Executive course. Incomplete on OT 7, yet  has been allowed to read and contribute to the creation of OT8. Has not been interned as an auditor by another more experienced or Hubbard trained Case Supervisor or auditor.

In contrast, my training is the highest available in the Church (Class XII auditor, only a handful were ever made), Full Organizational Executive Course (OEC), all volumes, Senior Data Series Evaluator Course (a course no longer offered by the Church, dealing with Quality Control - a course I did under the guidance of Suzette Hubbard) and OT 7 completion (My Solo NOTS completion certificate is #801. Completion No 800 was Alycia Danilovich), I have trained, been interned and been  graduated with the HIGHEST POSSIBLE HONORS by every leading authority (both past and present) in the Church. Among people who graded and passed my auditing with flying colors are: David Mayo, Ron Shafran, Jeff Walker, Ray Mithoff, Hansueli Stahli,  Carolyn Webb, Richard Reiss, Ann Glushakow, John Eastment, Alain Kartuzinski,  Peter Buttery, Gelda Mithoff and David Miscavige. This includes every single Class XII C/S both past and present, except for Otto Roos (he left the Church before I became an auditor)