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Scientology’s Dark Shadow Over Danny Masterson’s Rape Trial

BBG News

In the Noughties, brothers Christopher and Danny Masterson dominated the TV scene.

Danny, age 49, gained popularity through his character portrayal of Steven Hyde in That ’70s Show, whereas Christopher became known for playing Francis in Malcolm in the Middle. Interestingly, both shows are set to return for a revival after a hiatus of twenty years from their initial screen presence.

Although they were widely recognized figures in their field, the brothers ultimately chose a less public life. They shifted gears, pursuing careers as disc jockeys and dedicating themselves to family life by raising children.

As their older siblings retreated from the limelight, Alanna and Jordan, their half-siblings, started gaining recognition in the movie industry. They secured parts in “The Walking Dead” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” respectively.

2020 found me, an ardent fan, witnessing a shocking resurgence of the Masterson brothers in the public eye. Yet, this time around, it wasn’t for their acting prowess that grabbed headlines, but rather the harrowing allegations against Danny. Allegedly, he stood accused of abhorrent acts of sexual assault by three women, at his Hollywood Hills residence, spanning the years 2001 to 2003.

The Mastersons grew up adhering to Scientology, and this religious belief significantly influenced the court case.

The individuals who accused Danny had previously been members of Scientology and were additionally engaged in lawsuits against the Church of Scientology, alleging persistent harassment and intimidation following their reports about Danny to the authorities.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, I found myself facing a 30-year prison sentence for two horrific instances of forced rape, where the threat of physical harm was ever-present. It’s a chilling reality that still haunts me to this day.

Following his conviction in 2023, Danny was ousted from the Church of Scientology and labeled as a ‘person suppressive,’ often abbreviated as an ‘SP.’ In the church’s terminology, an SP is someone whose actions aim to hinder the spiritual growth of those within their circle.

As a devoted follower, I’d like to clarify that despite being expelled, I firmly believe in Danny’s innocence regarding all allegations, as per what confidants have shared with me.

Growing up, the Church of Scientology played a significant role in shaping my life and that of my siblings. Even up until now, it continues to be a constant presence.

In the early ’80s, their mother Carole parted ways with Peter, who was their father. Later in 1984, she got married to Joe Reaiche, another follower of Scientology.

The couple then took the joint decision to join the church’s clergy or Sea Org.

When Danny was nine and Christopher was five, the family relocated to the main headquarters of the Sea Org in Clearwater, Florida, which is associated with the church. They agreed to binding contracts promising loyalty to the church for an incredibly long period, namely a billion years.

Within a year Carole had given birth to their first born, Jordan.

After Joe asserted that he had seen RPF, the Rehabilitation Project Force, disciplining some of its members, they chose to depart from their main base not long afterward.

In 2015, Joe shared with DailyMail.com that working as part of the Sea Org was equivalent to performing “forced labor,” given that he and Carole often worked 60 to 70 hours per week for just $30 weekly wages.

He remarked, “In essence, you are agreeing to a significant commitment,” he said. “Things only seem to get more challenging from there,” he added.

In 1986, the pair departed and joined the local community as non-clerical members. They then moved to California, a place where their children started trying out for acting roles.

They later moved to New York for Joe’s work and in 1988, Alanna was born.

Year after year, I found myself diligently enrolling in one Scientology course after another, as I was convinced by both Carole and Joe that it was indispensable. And let me tell you, the financial toll was steep – we were parting ways with tens of thousands of dollars annually.

It became a strain on Joe’s relationship with the church and on the marriage. 

A business endeavor that didn’t succeed and resulted in significant financial losses only intensified the stress in their relationship. Consequently, in 1995, Carole and Joe parted ways following a divorce.

Later on, Joe confessed that he felt completely disillusioned with Scientology. In his own words, “I began to lose my belief in it and realized I was essentially purchasing the notion of being a divine entity, but that wasn’t what I was promised.

To maintain a harmonious relationship with his former wife and kids, Joe intentionally steered clear of any disagreements regarding the church.

However, from the perspective of the church, Joe was seen as criticizing or attacking Hubbard’s teachings and technological advancements. Moreover, it was Joe’s ex-wife, Carole, who informed the church about this alleged misconduct by Joe.

Last October found me engaged in professional commitments in Atlanta. As a result, I regrettably missed the summons I received. Fast forward to January 2005, and I found myself standing before the Court of Ethics in Clearwater, Florida, a circumstance that had unfolded due to my prior unavoidable absence.

Joe said it was a ‘kangaroo court’ and that he ‘knew it was going to be a hatchet job’.

Ultimately, Joe faced formal exclusion and was labeled as a ‘non-supportive individual’ due to his inquiries about specific doctrines.

He tried to make contact with his family and friends in the church but no one would answer him. 

Ever since, he has had no contact with Matterson or any other of his children or step-children.

In 2015, he shared with DailyMail.com that he deeply cherishes his children. He added, ‘Perhaps we’ll cross paths someday, and they might be taken aback. However, I would simply tell them: “I love you. May you thrive. I’ll miss you forever. I will always remain your father”.’

A representative for Scientology stated back then: “Mr. Reaiche was removed from our faith about ten years ago. He’s had plenty of chances to mend his personal issues, yet he’s opted to exploit his past connections with us for media attention instead.

The Masterson siblings declined to comment.

Although Joe hasn’t been with his children for many years, both he and The Church of Scientology significantly influenced the outcome of Danny’s rape case.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’d put it this way: When I found myself in a difficult situation, my younger siblings, Jordan and Alanna, stepped forward to plead for leniency on my behalf. They portrayed our father, Joe, as an absentee and convicted felon, highlighting my role as a supportive figure in their lives instead.

In correspondence addressed to Judge Charlaine Olmedo of the Los Angeles Superior Court, both Jordan and Alanna penned down that their father abandoned them, effectively speaking, when they were still minors, approximately 10 years old. This situation compelled Danny, who was already 16 at the time, to take on a more mature role.

In reply, Joe asserted that his kids fabricated stories to aid their sibling and firmly stood by his accusation that Scientology manipulated their minds.

Christopher has neither dispatched a letter nor made any public statements regarding his ties with Scientology, nor has he commented on Danny’s sentencing.

At Danny’s court hearing, the judge permitted an expert testimony regarding the church policies from a high-ranking former official in Scientology, now a well-known critic.

In their official response following the court decision, the church expressed that incorporating religion into the trial represented an unusual breach of the First Amendment, potentially impacting the fair trial rights of each U.S. citizen.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “I must clarify that I, personally, had no involvement in this particular matter. It’s important to note that religious aspects are generally kept outside the realm of legal proceedings, a practice upheld by Supreme Court precedents throughout history.

In the courthouse, the atmosphere was tense as present and past Scientologists clashed, and this strain seeped into the testimonies, where witnesses reported feeling threatened by certain individuals present during their statements.

The women claimed that when they informed church authorities about Danny, they were informed they hadn’t been raped, subjected to ethical training themselves, and cautioned against involving the police in reporting a person of such esteem.

In the course of his closing statement, Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller conveyed to the jury that they had been victimized (raped), punished for their suffering, and further targeted in retaliation. He emphasized that Scientology informed them they would not receive justice for their ordeal.

During the court proceedings, the church labeled the ‘accounts and explanations of Scientology teachings’ as consistently untrue.

The Church does not have a rule that forbids or dissuades its members from informing the police about any form of illegal activities, regardless if they are Scientologists or not. (This is based on the original statement)

In a 2015 interview with Paper Magazine, Danny discussed his involvement with the Church of Scientology regarding his personal relationships.

In an interview with the publication, the convicted rapist stated that Scientology doesn’t involve any religious beliefs or idol worship; instead, he described it as more like a university for the mind.

In other words, my upbringing didn’t involve going to pray to anyone. Instead, it was more about common sense, such as: “If you’re thirsty, just drink some water.

Danny mentioned that he didn’t fully commit to his involvement with the church until he reached high school. He also shared that he read “Dianetics,” a book containing concepts developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology.

Danny explained that Hubbard had devoted his entire life to exploring major religions, keeping what was effective, discarding what wasn’t, and refining what remained through rigorous questioning, scrutiny, and repetition until he found methods that consistently produced results.

Danny consistently stands firm with the much-debated church, often defending it against those expressing doubts about his religious convictions.

He shared with Paper Magazine that he balances his work, family life, and has a deep interest in spirituality, seeking to comprehend the reasons behind global events, and striving to gain knowledge to protect himself from their negative impacts.

‘So if that’s weird, then, well, you can go f*** yourself.’

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2025-04-27 19:34

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