gene Audioholics Master Chief Administrator Jul 1, 2002 10,224 0 120 52 Florida www.audioholics.com May 27, 2026 #1 At first glance, this new EVO Entertainment complex sounds impressive — giant premium screens, Dolby Vision and Atmos, bowling, restaurants, arcades, luxury seating, the whole “experience economy” pitch. But once you start digging into who is behind the downtown Clearwater redevelopment push, things start feeling a bit unsettling. Scientology has been quietly buying up downtown Clearwater for decades, and many locals already feel like the area has become a strange corporate-religious bubble with empty storefronts, propaganda centers, and very little authentic community life left. Now there’s a flashy entertainment Megaplex tied to the same redevelopment ecosystem, which raises an obvious question: is this really about revitalizing Clearwater for residents, or creating an even bigger Scientology-controlled destination? Curious what everyone thinks. Is this a good thing for the city, or does the Scientology connection completely change the conversation? Read: Scientology Tied To EVO Entertainment’s Dolby Vision & Atmos EVX Theaters? Reactions: shadyJ
At first glance, this new EVO Entertainment complex sounds impressive — giant premium screens, Dolby Vision and Atmos, bowling, restaurants, arcades, luxury seating, the whole “experience economy” pitch. But once you start digging into who is behind the downtown Clearwater redevelopment push, things start feeling a bit unsettling. Scientology has been quietly buying up downtown Clearwater for decades, and many locals already feel like the area has become a strange corporate-religious bubble with empty storefronts, propaganda centers, and very little authentic community life left. Now there’s a flashy entertainment Megaplex tied to the same redevelopment ecosystem, which raises an obvious question: is this really about revitalizing Clearwater for residents, or creating an even bigger Scientology-controlled destination? Curious what everyone thinks. Is this a good thing for the city, or does the Scientology connection completely change the conversation? Read: Scientology Tied To EVO Entertainment’s Dolby Vision & Atmos EVX Theaters?
BoredSysAdmin Audioholic Slumlord Aug 21, 2007 15,615 0 113 New Joisey May 27, 2026 #2 I've been in Clearwater before and after the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. This so-called "church" of scientology, or as it should be called, the cult of scientology, is apparently rapidly expanding in the area. It's a shame that such a nice area has been destroyed by not one, but two manmade disasters.
I've been in Clearwater before and after the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. This so-called "church" of scientology, or as it should be called, the cult of scientology, is apparently rapidly expanding in the area. It's a shame that such a nice area has been destroyed by not one, but two manmade disasters.
H highfigh Seriously, I have no life. Sep 14, 2008 24,207 0 113 May 27, 2026 #3 BoredSysAdmin said: I've been in Clearwater before and after the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. This so-called "church" of scientology, or as it should be called, the cult of scientology, is apparently rapidly expanding in the area. It's a shame that such a nice area has been destroyed by not one, but two manmade disasters. Click to expand... I have to wonder why people would be attracted to this kind of organization (can't call it 'religion') just because so many 'stars' are involved.
BoredSysAdmin said: I've been in Clearwater before and after the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. This so-called "church" of scientology, or as it should be called, the cult of scientology, is apparently rapidly expanding in the area. It's a shame that such a nice area has been destroyed by not one, but two manmade disasters. Click to expand... I have to wonder why people would be attracted to this kind of organization (can't call it 'religion') just because so many 'stars' are involved.
BoredSysAdmin Audioholic Slumlord Aug 21, 2007 15,615 0 113 New Joisey May 27, 2026 #4 highfigh said: I have to wonder why people would be attracted to this kind of organization (can't call it 'religion') just because so many 'stars' are involved. Click to expand... Why do people join any cults? same reasons here
highfigh said: I have to wonder why people would be attracted to this kind of organization (can't call it 'religion') just because so many 'stars' are involved. Click to expand... Why do people join any cults? same reasons here
Eppie Audioholic Ninja Jan 22, 2021 4,082 0 36 The Great White North May 27, 2026 #5 The U.S. government failed big time when they caved in and gave Scientology religious status. That never should have happened. It's nothing more than a tax haven disguised as a religion. Plenty of good documentaries out there showing the true nature of the organization. Unfortunately it's grown too big and powerful to ever loose its religious designation. Sad to hear that Clearwater is being affected in that way. Reactions: mtrycrafts, gene and BoredSysAdmin
The U.S. government failed big time when they caved in and gave Scientology religious status. That never should have happened. It's nothing more than a tax haven disguised as a religion. Plenty of good documentaries out there showing the true nature of the organization. Unfortunately it's grown too big and powerful to ever loose its religious designation. Sad to hear that Clearwater is being affected in that way.
gene Audioholics Master Chief Administrator Jul 1, 2002 10,224 0 120 52 Florida www.audioholics.com May 27, 2026 #6 Eppie said: The U.S. government failed big time when they caved in and gave Scientology religious status. That never should have happened. It's nothing more than a tax haven disguised as a religion. Plenty of good documentaries out there showing the true nature of the organization. Unfortunately it's grown too big and powerful to ever loose its religious designation. Sad to hear that Clearwater is being affected in that way. Click to expand... Agreed. It's completely ridiculous. Reactions: BGLeduc
Eppie said: The U.S. government failed big time when they caved in and gave Scientology religious status. That never should have happened. It's nothing more than a tax haven disguised as a religion. Plenty of good documentaries out there showing the true nature of the organization. Unfortunately it's grown too big and powerful to ever loose its religious designation. Sad to hear that Clearwater is being affected in that way. Click to expand... Agreed. It's completely ridiculous.
lovinthehd Audioholic Jedi Sep 11, 2012 44,861 0 113 Oakridge, OR May 27, 2026 #7 As far as religions go, it's just newer. Well-monied, though and tax free status certainly doesn't hurt. Never cared for that bunch of loons, tho. OTOH, it is Florida.
As far as religions go, it's just newer. Well-monied, though and tax free status certainly doesn't hurt. Never cared for that bunch of loons, tho. OTOH, it is Florida.
T TankTop5 Audioholic Samurai Jan 25, 2019 2,293 0 48 49 Jun 5, 2026 #8 Wild religion where wealth equals good. I was in auto sales for many years and many dealer groups use Grant Cardone (the church’s hatchet man) sales training. Some went so far as to record phone calls and grade people on how well they follow the phone scripts. If you weren’t following the phone script at all, you were not allowed to answer the phones.
Wild religion where wealth equals good. I was in auto sales for many years and many dealer groups use Grant Cardone (the church’s hatchet man) sales training. Some went so far as to record phone calls and grade people on how well they follow the phone scripts. If you weren’t following the phone script at all, you were not allowed to answer the phones.
S Sal1950 Junior Audioholic Feb 6, 2016 64 0 8 76 Jun 5, 2026 #9 Scientology BLAH, I refuse to have anything to do with the CULT of Scientology and any business they own or are affiliated with. They brainwash potential members and children, destroy family's. Reactions: TankTop5
Scientology BLAH, I refuse to have anything to do with the CULT of Scientology and any business they own or are affiliated with. They brainwash potential members and children, destroy family's.
T TankTop5 Audioholic Samurai Jan 25, 2019 2,293 0 48 49 Jun 5, 2026 #10 Sal1950 said: Scientology BLAH, I refuse to have anything to do with the CULT of Scientology and any business they own or are affiliated with. They brainwash potential members and children, destroy family's. Click to expand... What, you don’t want to take a cruise on the Freewinds for your Theron Level VIII reading, you monster!!! You’ll never become an immortal Thetan, probably be reincarnated as a Bose loving audiofool.
Sal1950 said: Scientology BLAH, I refuse to have anything to do with the CULT of Scientology and any business they own or are affiliated with. They brainwash potential members and children, destroy family's. Click to expand... What, you don’t want to take a cruise on the Freewinds for your Theron Level VIII reading, you monster!!! You’ll never become an immortal Thetan, probably be reincarnated as a Bose loving audiofool.
mtrycrafts Seriously, I have no life. Aug 19, 2004 23,546 0 113 Jun 6, 2026 #11 "a full-time workforce of Church members who sign billion-year contracts and work for next to nothing. Some former Scientologists who have defected from the Church claim they were paid less than $50 a week, and were expected to work around the clock. You mean no one complained to the government about such labor practice? Billion-year contract? ps. they should be taxed like other businesses, they are not a church. Last edited: Jun 6, 2026
"a full-time workforce of Church members who sign billion-year contracts and work for next to nothing. Some former Scientologists who have defected from the Church claim they were paid less than $50 a week, and were expected to work around the clock. You mean no one complained to the government about such labor practice? Billion-year contract? ps. they should be taxed like other businesses, they are not a church.
