Scientology Leader's Dad Calls Him 'Ruthless'
The estranged father of the Church of Scientology’s leader has said his son used to be “a loveable kid”, as he promotes a tell-all memoir.
Ron Miscavige told ABC News that David Miscavige was nine when he first introduced him to Scientology.
The former Marine, who left the organisation in 2012 after four decades, said the boy suffered from severe asthma attacks growing up in Willingboro, New Jersey.
But Ron Miscavige says when he took his son in 1969 to a Scientology counselling session known as “auditing” he came out “smiling bright”.
He said the boy’s asthma attacks lessened afterwards and David went on to become a prodigy in the organisation.
“He really decided at a very young age to make it his career and his mission,” Ron Miscavige said.
He is expected to reveal the inner workings of the alleged cult in his new memoir, Ruthless: Scientology, My Son David Miscavige, And Me.
Scientology lawyers have threatened defamation lawsuits if the book is published in the US and UK, as scheduled, next week.
The organisation denies it is a cult and describes itself as “a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature”.
Ron Miscavige said his son - who former Scientologists say rules the organisation with an iron fist - was not always “ruthless”.
But he said he did notice the young David liked complaining about other people and fist-fighting.
“I’m sure he instigated it,” he told ABC News. “He’s a tough kid. I mean, for his size, he’s like a stick of dynamite.”
David Miscavige took over as Scientology leader, aged just 26, following the 1986 death of its founder, L Ron Hubbard.
Ron Miscavige admits he used to beat his wife, David’s mother, but a Church of Scientology lawyer said the domestic abuse was more serious than he admits.
The attorney, Monique Yingling, also told ABC News: “The title of the book, Ruthless, I mean, it couldn’t be a falser description of David Miscavige.
"He’s a very compassionate, kind person.”
In July 2013 a private detective who was arrested for stalking Ron Miscavige told police he and a colleague had been hired for $10,000 a week by David Miscavige.
The Los Angeles Times reported the surveillance had been going on for 18 months, but the Church of Scientology denied any involvement.
