MEDIA WATCH | CAMPBELL’S SOUP COMPANY

A&E Is For Hatred and Violence, Do Not Contribute to It

Do we need to tell you stories of distraught children disparaged at school for being Scientologists, of poison-pen letters circulating in our parishioners’ neighborhoods, of our members being harassed on the streets?

June 13, 2018

Board of Directors
Campbell’s Soup Company

Dear Sirs:

With respect, this letter is sent to you because you advertise on A&E networks, which unfortunately is currently devoted to anti-religious hate promotion. Their reported viewership is crashing, but nonetheless I have a civic duty to alert you to it.

So, who does your advertising reach?

Erin McMurtry for one. “Thank you so much for speaking up, Leah Rimini.” Ms. McMurtry had no experience with or knowledge of Scientology, but Leah Rimini’s message struck a chord in her anyway. “Leah Rimini is a true inspiration.” Ms. McMurtry was so inspired that she drove her car through the front of the Austin Scientology Church, stopping just short of the nursery. When informed by the arresting officer that nobody had been hurt, she responded “That’s too bad.”

Andre Barkanov is another person inspired by Remini. He was arrested for making repeated, lengthy telephone calls threatening to kill just about everyone in Scientology. His motive? As he told the LAPD, “That King of Queens lady.”

Brandon Reisdorf, threw a hammer through the window of our U.S. headquarters building and threatened to assassinate our Church’s leader. After his conviction for felony vandalism, Ms. Remini brought him on her show and showered him with praise.

ANY social scientist, or even casual observer of history, will tell you that vilification is always a herald for atrocity. And the cycle of vilification and atrocity has both its perpetrators and its enablers. Thus it is with Aftermath. Aftermath only exists because of its enablers. By advertising, your company becomes an enabler, like those who have been exposed for coddling Harvey Weinstein.

Our ministers and parishioners have provided relief to disaster victims around the world, helping survivors of floods, riots, bombings, tornadoes, tsunamis, brush fires, and countless other natural and man-made disasters. The simplest of our technologies have rehabilitated criminals and saved lives. There are thousands of such people, such stories, and this is what Aftermath is really attacking. With your help.

There’s a rising tide of tolerance and respect for others, represented by the #MeToo movement, by the increased respect for LGBTQs, African Americans, and others. That tide has recently submerged Roseanne Barr. Last year Aftermath lost dozens of advertisers. I ask you to recognize this and take a leadership role. Withdraw your support.

There are more ethical ways to make money.

Sincerely,

Leland Thoburn
McMinnville, Ore.