Nathan Rich
Nathan Rich (born February 13, 1982) is an American author, Scientology critic and content creator known for the memoir Scythe Tleppo, which outlines growing up in Scientology and his battle with homelessness and addiction.[2] He appeared on Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath alongside classmate Tara Reile about their experiences at the Scientology boarding school, the Mace-Kingsley Ranch School.[3][4]
Nathan Rich | |
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Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S. | February 13, 1982
Nationality | American |
Occupation |
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Known for | Criticism of Scientology |
Television | Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath |
Relatives | Sharon Rich (aunt) |
Early life and education
Rich is the only child of Julie Miriam Rich, a pet communicator who died from cancer in 2010.[1][5][3] He completed only two school grades, seventh and eighth grades, at Dunedin Academy. He spent four years at the Mace Kingsley Ranch when he was 8 and 14 years old. At 17, he left home and was later disowned by his family.[6][7] He spent seven years homeless while using and dealing drugs[3] before attending community college.[1] On Oct. 1, 2000 an arrest record showed his hands were tattooed with “THE” and “IN” written on his thumbs and “C I T Y” and “S L U T” across his fingers.[8]
Scientology
Mace-Kingsley Ranch
At 8 years old, Rich was sent to the Scientology boarding school, the Mace-Kingsley Ranch in Palmdale, California, and then again at age 14.[4][3] Rich alleges the Ranch was an abusive environment, with punishments including being scrubbed with a metal fence brush and paddling from the staff.[1][3][4]
Documentaries
In October 2017 Rich appeared in episode 17 of the U.S. documentary series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.[1] Afterward, the Church of Scientology released a video featuring Rich's aunt and longtime Scientologist and author Sharon Rich and several other family members. In it, they said Rich was sent to the Mace-Kingsley Ranch because "the only other option was jail." Rich was 8 years old when he was first sent to the Ranch.[9] They also produced documents showing Rich's arrest record.[10]
Personal life
His aunt Arlene works at the Scientology organization, the Mace Kingsley Family Center, in Florida,[12] while his other aunt is author Sharon Rich; both aunts appear in the Scientology attack video.[11]
Rich has been living in China since 2014.[13] Since moving to China, Rich has started a video blog with views supportive of the Chinese government, in regards to the Hong Kong protests[14], the China-United States Trade War[15] and the China's handling of the coronavirus epidemic[16].
References
- Bentley, Jean (10 October 2017). "'Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath' Investigates Church's Treatment of Children". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
Third-generation Scientologists Nathan Rich and Tara Reile both attended the New Mexico Ranch in the late '90s, and outlined some of the treatment they say they received there.
- Ortega, Tony (15 September 2018). "Sharp new memoir digs into Scientology's toxic cruelty experienced by those who grow up in it". The Underground Bunker. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- Sanders, Ash (24 June 2019). "Children of Scientology: Life After Growing Up in an Alleged Cult". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- Minnis, Glenn (11 October 2017). "Leah Remini Blasts Scientology Over Treatment Of Young Children". Inquisitr. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ""Aunt Julie" Rich 1959–2010". Passed Over Pets. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- "Scientology 3rd Gen Nathan Rich Tells His Horror Story of Surviving Scientology". Surviving Scientology Radio. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2019 – via iHeartRadio.
- Carolla, Adam (10 December 2018). "TAK 210 - Nathan Rich". The Adam Carolla Show (Podcast). Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- Everington, Keoni. "China propagandist Nathan Rich's criminal record revealed". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- Ortega, Tony (11 October 2017). "Tara and Nathan — subjects of last night's 'Leah Remini' — respond to Scientology's smears". The Underground Bunker. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- "Leah Remini's Latest "Unvetted" (Criminal) Guests". Leah Remini • Aftermath: After Money. Church of Scientology International. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
Tara Reile: Drugs, Domestic Violence Nathan Rich: Criminal Vandalism, Trespassing, Possession of Heroin and Drug Paraphernalia
- Ortega, Tony (22 September 2018). "Get a look inside Nathan Rich's unique book about his Scientology upbringing". The Underground Bunker. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- "Contact Us". Mace-Kingsley Family Center. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- Shan, Jie (27 August 2019). "Overseas social media platforms targeting pro-China content shows Western double standards on 'freedom of speech'". Global Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- Li, Jane (November 13, 2019). "China's messaging against the Hong Kong protests has found a new outlet: Pornhub". Quartz. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Erlich, Reese (August 8, 2019). "Foreign Correspondent: The U.S. Trade War with China is Not Going So Well". The Progressive. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- Initium Media (22 June 2020). "WeChat Or Chinese Journalists: Who Is Doing China's Bidding Abroad?". Worldcrunch. Retrieved 5 July 2020z.