STRENGTH IN THE TRUTH

Senior Writer Central Marketing Unit '94

In 2007, three years after engineering his own escape from enslavement within the Church of Scientology, Steve Hall set out to warn the public at large of a devious cult that controls and manipulates people through human trafficking. The immediate result was this website that has to date been visited by nearly 11 million people. The reason for his action was simple, it was the right thing to do. His personal knowledge of the inner workings of the very top of the organization provided a unique capability to warn others and keep them from harm.

As senior writer at Scientology's international headquarters, Steve Hall answered to and interacted directly with the leader of the Church, David Miscavige, for more than 10 years. The post of Senior Writer was considered one of the more important responsibilities at Scientology's international headquarters since it played a major role in shaping Miscavige’s personal image, along with the voice of an entire religion. The position also represented one of the world’s most difficult marketing challenges. What other subject has a more hotly-debated identity and hostile PR climate that is simultaneously undermined from within by a psychopath who's belligerent public temperament arouses never-ending skepticism, suspicion and doubt? Suffice it to say the task demanded not only world-class marketing skill but a philosophical understanding of Scientology that went beyond the norm. Steve’s consequent attempts to reform Scientology's cult mindset put him on a violent collision course with David Miscavige.

1991, Steve portrayed Jesus in the book, "What is Scientology?"

Designed and built Flag's 1993 "Preservation of the Tech Exhibit" earning over $2 million for CST.

1993: Colwell, Steve & Peter painting 9' x 35' backdrop for the Flag Exhibit

April 2004, just 1 month after leaving staff. Looked older then from suppression.

ABUSED? Feel free to leave at any time! (Only $82,191 plus your spouse!)

“The strength of our nation lies in the wisdom of our Constitution and our precious Bill of Rights. It also depends upon the freedom of religion since no religion is free unless they’re all free. But freedom of religion does not mean criminality in the name of religion.”

Starting in 1995, Steve began to use his position as Senior Writer to overhaul Scientology marketing and make LRH products and services relevant. Ads that robotically parroted survey buttons were replaced with marketing that was more sophisticated, fresh and humorous. And readers began to notice. For Dianetics he teamed up with Caroline Mustard and wrote, “When life becomes a battleground, your mind is the best weapon.” In 1997, he coined the tag line for Scientology still in use today, “Know Yourself; Know Life.” Scientologists who were there in the 1990s may remember the shift when Scientology's marketing took on on new life.

As Steve recalls, "The ads demonstrated it was possible for Scientology to be useful and valuable in solving life problems, instead of being a cult. Steve wrote Adventure Newsletter and made the R&D Volumes a success. Many more successful slogans followed and by 1998, interest in Scientology was actually growing... until Miscavige pulled the plug on Scientology advertising and gutted the marketing division.

Erica and me in Paris, April 2007 shortly after we met. Married, May 2009.

In 2004 Steve carried though on his decision to leave staff, and as a result Miscavige had him falsely labeled “suppressive,” disconnecting him from every friend he had known for 20 years. To further crush any resistance, Steve was simultaneously served with divorce papers before even being allowed to speak with his wife of 16 years; he was slapped with a bill for $82,181 -- a violation of labor laws; and he was threatened by a lawyer that if he ever revealed any of his experiences to the outside world he would instantly owe the Church millions. All that, in addition to the prospect of starting life over at 46 with no savings, no job, no insurance, no credit, no 401K, no contacts, no place to live... nothing.

Since Leaving the Sea Org

Using Scientology Steve started life over. Since disconnecting from David Miscavige he has experienced success. Today he’s happily re-married, with new family and a network of friends that span the globe. Based in Dallas, Steve is an expert in the fields of Internet marketing, web design, copywriting and advertising. He is also provider of SEO (search engine optimization) and this very website is a prime example, since at this writing it ranks on page one of Google out of some 8.98 million search results. As Steve puts it, “Anyone who can race 8.98 million people and finish in the top 10 has some skills.”

Great Smokey Mountains National Park, North Carolina July 2009 Road Trip from Texas to Vermont

In addition, he's taking effective action to improve conditions for victims of the Church of Scientology. As he explains, “Sea Org members are indeed tough and I hope I’m a good example of that. But toughness doesn’t mean taking abuse, covering up or condoning criminality. It means doing what’s right. 

"These guys who just keep sweeping Miscavige's crimes and hostilities under the rug don't know what truth means. They don't understand what reality is. They're minions.

"Miscavige may try to discredit us. That's the same trick he played at the base so we're used to it. But the difference now is, we can speak out. And I for one am going to keep saying I saw him physically attack people, I saw him waste millions of dollars, and I saw his orders result in injury and death. We're the ones Miscavige couldn’t break.”

An avid entrepreneur since the age of 8, Steve is also co-owner of Sgt. Poopers^® a Dallas, Texas company that has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. Sgt. Poopers is a conservation company headquartered in Dallas, Texas providing pet waste removal, disinfection, deodorizing, wildlife control, and more. As Park Rangers for the American Backyard™ their maintenance and disinfection protocols are designed to safeguard human and pet health, maintain the balance of nature, and protect land and water resources. A backyard contaminated by dog waste, germs, odors, poison fungi or disease-carrying insects is no walk in the park. Their ecological services protect and conserve the most precious parkland of all — the one you call home. It's like having a park ranger for your own backyard which is why they say, "We treat your yard like a National Park!^®" Today they deliver more than 26,000 services per year. Visit their website at https://sgtpoopers.com or call them today at (214) 563-6379.

The speed limit on the Blue Ridge Parkway is 45 mph. I was okay with that, especially after being surprised several times by deer in the road.

Old Meets New: Ms. Mayberry runs the Trading Post & General Store  alone now since her husband died last year... in the family since 1892.

Now that we don't need it: the perfect winding road for TWTH cover (if you're from marketing you know exactly what I'm talking about)

Enjoying the moment: seeing my own videos for the first time in St Petersburg Times Truth Rundown "Strength in Their Numbers"

Friends for life at the First Annual Vermont Reunion... make your plans now to be there next year!

Peter & Carrie Cook, Mariette Lindstein & Dan Koon, Colwell Garth, George & Betsy Perkins, and Steve sit down for the best damn Swedish pancakes and Maple Syrup, amongst the best friends you can imagine on a day so beautiful it could only be Vermont.

Click here to watch Steve's videos!