28 Facts About Mike Rinder

Michael John Rinder was an Australian-American former senior executive of the Church of Scientology International and the Sea Organization based in the United States.

From 1982 to 2007, Mike Rinder served on the board of directors of CSI and held the post of executive director of its Office of Special Affairs, overseeing the corporate, legal and public relations matters of Scientology at the international level.

Mike Rinder was born in Adelaide, South Australia, on April 10,1955, to Ian and Barbara Mike Rinder.

Mike Rinder became an early member of the Commodore's Messenger Organization and rapidly rose in rank to head of the Office of Special Affairs.

Mike Rinder cited specific examples of this duty, saying that he personally traveled to London to prevent journalist John Sweeney, presenter of the film Scientology and Me, from attending a movie premiere and to attempt to "discredit Sweeney in any way that he could".

Mike Rinder defended Scientology leader David Miscavige, but Miscavige was unhappy that Rinder was unable to stop the documentary from being shown.

Mike Rinder claimed his moment of clarity came in a confrontation with the filmmaker, which was recorded on video.

Mike Rinder realized afterwards though that Sweeney's allegation about him was true and he was unable to rationalize why he was denying it.

Mike Rinder went to Virginia and told Scientology officials that he wanted to speak to his wife and wanted his possessions.

Mike Rinder did not speak to his wife, but was sent a FedEx package with a check for $5,000.

Mike Rinder published a memoir in September 2022 titled A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.

Mike Rinder's intimate knowledge about the organization, both as a Sea Org member for 46 years and as head of OSA for 25 years, was a revelation about the organization to the world.

Mike Rinder stated that the prophecy of Hubbard's messiah-like return after death to prevent an apocalyptic alien invasion in OT VIII garnered a similar response, prompting many high-ranking Scientologists to leave the organization as a result.

Mike Rinder later discovered the training he received during those sessions was developed from a book written by Hubbard in 1955 called Brain-Washing.

All communication with any Scientologist that "blows", or has an unauthorized departure as Mike Rinder did, is immediately ceased.

Mike Rinder stated that the policy of "routing out", or authorized departure, is a sham.

Mike Rinder stated his biggest regrets in life is having two children that were born into Scientology and having enforced the disconnection policy when he was director of OSA.

Mike Rinder stated the rise of social media in the late 2000s allowed ex-Scientologists to connect with each other and form support groups for members who have left or want to leave.

Mike Rinder credited the disconnection policy for the consistently negative media portrayal of Scientology.

Mike Rinder stated that his primary role as Director of the Office of Special Affairs was defending the church against critics by employing Scientology's Fair Game tactics, which are essentially to "intimidate, defame, harass, discredit, and effectively silence any criticism of Scientology".

Mike Rinder regretted his role in that investigation and stated he considered Minton a friend at the time of Minton's death in January 2010.

Mike Rinder's own decision to speak out against Scientology is an example of this as well because he decided to speak out against the church after being victimized by Fair Game despite not criticizing the church after leaving.

Mike Rinder said Fair Game's most significant failure came with the discovery of Operation Snow White by the FBI.

Mike Rinder stated this was effective at silencing organizations from disseminating information critical of Scientology, and kept the public relatively unaware of information seized during the FBI raid.

In 2018, Mike Rinder co-founded The Aftermath Foundation, a nonprofit which helps people escape from Scientology, and connects former Sea Org members with housing, work and other support upon leaving the church.

Mike Rinder had two children with his first wife Cathy, daughter Taryn and son Benjamin.

In June 2023, it was announced that Mike Rinder had developed advanced esophageal cancer.

Mike Rinder died from cancer at a Palm Harbor hospice facility, on January 5,2025, at the age of 69.