I've always been fond of Linkin' Park, even if I never was an active fan that followed them online or checked out all their releases. Hearing about Chester's death was a sad moment, the world lost...
I've always been fond of Linkin' Park, even if I never was an active fan that followed them online or checked out all their releases.
Hearing about Chester's death was a sad moment, the world lost an amazing artist who is dearly missed, and I thought Linkin' Park would disband forever.
Then the news about Emily (the new vocalist) came out. I was skeptical because she could never replace Chester, and I was a little worried that the band will always live in the shadows of their past.
But I've been pleasantly surprised so far, she's clearly talented, and both Heavy is the Crown and The Emptiness Machine have that Linkin' Park vibe that I was scared would be lost. The old LP may not exist anymore, but its spirit is here 100%.
From Zero hit streaming services yesterday, and I have to say it sounds awesome and I'm genuinely excited to see what they do next. I'll be replaying it for the next few days before I give my full opinion on it.
Emily Armstrong is a Scientologist. Her alleged support of Danny Masterson during his rape trial may have been blown out of proportion, it's hard to say, but they are still linked as both being...
Emily Armstrong is a Scientologist. Her alleged support of Danny Masterson during his rape trial may have been blown out of proportion, it's hard to say, but they are still linked as both being members of the Church. Armstrong has not, as far as I can tell, commented on her membership in the Church since joining LP.
Big mistake. I love Linkin Park, but affiliating with Scientology is a hard pass from me.
I feel like there's too little information out there so I just decided to ignore it. If something new comes up I'll reconsider but for now I'll just keep supporting the band.
I feel like there's too little information out there so I just decided to ignore it. If something new comes up I'll reconsider but for now I'll just keep supporting the band.
You need there to be significant amounts of public information regarding the exact degree she's connected with a notoriously private organization before you won't ignore her affiliation? That...
You need there to be significant amounts of public information regarding the exact degree she's connected with a notoriously private organization before you won't ignore her affiliation?
That seems like a requirement that makes it easy for you to not think about it and just enjoy this band you have a lot of appreciation for.
If OP would say, "I know she's a Scientologist and I don't care," we could move on lol. But to claim that there's "too little information out there" is so strange.
If OP would say, "I know she's a Scientologist and I don't care," we could move on lol. But to claim that there's "too little information out there" is so strange.
From the article you linked, I mostly gathered that her mom is a hardcore Scientologist and she was just indoctrinated into it as a kid. It doesn't really prove that she's engaging in it nowadays,...
From the article you linked, I mostly gathered that her mom is a hardcore Scientologist and she was just indoctrinated into it as a kid.
It doesn't really prove that she's engaging in it nowadays, which is why I don't wanna pass judgement right away.
It would be helpful if she put out a statement saying yes or no clearly, but that might not be happening for a myriad of reasons (some stated in the article, maybe she fears retaliation).
She is a member of the Church, has been her entire life, and has not made any statements to the contrary or any acknowledgements that it's even a topic of discussion, even in her statement about...
She is a member of the Church, has been her entire life, and has not made any statements to the contrary or any acknowledgements that it's even a topic of discussion, even in her statement about Masterson, who is also a member. What information is lacking?
This article doesn't really answer anyone's questions about Armstrong's current ties to Scientology. It does share more about her past when she was young. But she was born into it and never given...
This article doesn't really answer anyone's questions about Armstrong's current ties to Scientology. It does share more about her past when she was young. But she was born into it and never given a choice. The end of the article mostly shares my sentiment:
It is unclear if Armstrong remains a member of the church.
Linkin Park’s management and record label both failed to respond to requests for comment on whether Armstrong remains a Scientologist, and on her past in the church. The Church of Scientology declined to state whether she is a member, citing privacy concerns.
Former members noted Scientology’s practice of “disconnection”—dissociating family and friends from former members—as a key lever that keeps members silent, in line, or loyal. The church has both denied the practice exists and previously justified it on its official website.
Longtime observers of the organization suggested that Armstrong may stay quiet about her ties because of its treatment of members who have earned the ire of David Miscavige, the Church’s mercurial leader.
“She could be the target of retaliation,” Tony Ortega, a journalist who has covered Scientology for two decades, said. “She knows that if she were to speak out she’d never see her mother again, so that’s a big threat.”
She's also doing some things that suggest she doesn't subscribe to Scientology practices. From Wikipedia:
According to the BBC, "Armstrong has never publicly commented on her relationship with the church, but several of Dead Sara's lyrics suggest criticism and rejection of Scientology's teachings."
And
In 2016, Armstrong was in a relationship with model Kate Harrison. She identifies as queer.
That goes against Scientology.
All kinds of bad things could happen if she directly speaks against it. And I don't even think that would calm the wave of internet rage against her.
Her refusal to publicly distance herself from the Church under possible threat of disconnection, etc, is all the more reason to loudly reject her membership in the band tbh. By supporting LP...
Her refusal to publicly distance herself from the Church under possible threat of disconnection, etc, is all the more reason to loudly reject her membership in the band tbh. By supporting LP despite her connections to the Church of Scientology, we are only enabling the cult's abusive behavior of her and all of their members. I don't want to listen to music made by a member of an abusive cult that kidnaps, detains, and murders people. We don't need yet another celebrity sanewashing Scientology.
I would really consider trying to imagine yourself in her shoes. It's hard to leave a cult, no matter how much you want to, and with these guys it can be as dangerous as it gets. I agree that the...
I would really consider trying to imagine yourself in her shoes. It's hard to leave a cult, no matter how much you want to, and with these guys it can be as dangerous as it gets.
I agree that the situation is not ideal, I wish she said out loud "yes, I'm still a Scientologist" or "no, I am not", and I'm definitely not 100% comfortable with supporting her, but on the other hand, I think it's worthwhile to try and believe in her, even for a moment.
Otherwise we'd have to shun every person that was indoctrinated into that cult by their parents, and that is heartbreaking - going through such a terrible childhood only to be judged as an adult for your parents' sins. Let her make her own sins first, and then we'll throw our stones.
I've always been fond of Linkin' Park, even if I never was an active fan that followed them online or checked out all their releases.
Hearing about Chester's death was a sad moment, the world lost an amazing artist who is dearly missed, and I thought Linkin' Park would disband forever.
Then the news about Emily (the new vocalist) came out. I was skeptical because she could never replace Chester, and I was a little worried that the band will always live in the shadows of their past.
But I've been pleasantly surprised so far, she's clearly talented, and both Heavy is the Crown and The Emptiness Machine have that Linkin' Park vibe that I was scared would be lost. The old LP may not exist anymore, but its spirit is here 100%.
From Zero hit streaming services yesterday, and I have to say it sounds awesome and I'm genuinely excited to see what they do next. I'll be replaying it for the next few days before I give my full opinion on it.
What do you guys think?
Emily Armstrong is a Scientologist. Her alleged support of Danny Masterson during his rape trial may have been blown out of proportion, it's hard to say, but they are still linked as both being members of the Church. Armstrong has not, as far as I can tell, commented on her membership in the Church since joining LP.
Big mistake. I love Linkin Park, but affiliating with Scientology is a hard pass from me.
I feel like there's too little information out there so I just decided to ignore it. If something new comes up I'll reconsider but for now I'll just keep supporting the band.
Too little information about what?
About how deeply affiliated she is with Scientology.
You need there to be significant amounts of public information regarding the exact degree she's connected with a notoriously private organization before you won't ignore her affiliation?
That seems like a requirement that makes it easy for you to not think about it and just enjoy this band you have a lot of appreciation for.
If OP would say, "I know she's a Scientologist and I don't care," we could move on lol. But to claim that there's "too little information out there" is so strange.
From the article you linked, I mostly gathered that her mom is a hardcore Scientologist and she was just indoctrinated into it as a kid.
It doesn't really prove that she's engaging in it nowadays, which is why I don't wanna pass judgement right away.
It would be helpful if she put out a statement saying yes or no clearly, but that might not be happening for a myriad of reasons (some stated in the article, maybe she fears retaliation).
Maybe I'm just too hopeful, dunno.
I completely agree with you and posted a comment with my thoughts.
She is a member of the Church, has been her entire life, and has not made any statements to the contrary or any acknowledgements that it's even a topic of discussion, even in her statement about Masterson, who is also a member. What information is lacking?
By the way, here's "something new" that was published just yesterday, as luck would have it: https://www.thedailybeast.com/emily-armstrong-new-linkin-park-singers-secret-years-at-the-heart-of-the-church-of-scientology-revealed/
This article doesn't really answer anyone's questions about Armstrong's current ties to Scientology. It does share more about her past when she was young. But she was born into it and never given a choice. The end of the article mostly shares my sentiment:
She's also doing some things that suggest she doesn't subscribe to Scientology practices. From Wikipedia:
And
That goes against Scientology.
All kinds of bad things could happen if she directly speaks against it. And I don't even think that would calm the wave of internet rage against her.
Her refusal to publicly distance herself from the Church under possible threat of disconnection, etc, is all the more reason to loudly reject her membership in the band tbh. By supporting LP despite her connections to the Church of Scientology, we are only enabling the cult's abusive behavior of her and all of their members. I don't want to listen to music made by a member of an abusive cult that kidnaps, detains, and murders people. We don't need yet another celebrity sanewashing Scientology.
I would really consider trying to imagine yourself in her shoes. It's hard to leave a cult, no matter how much you want to, and with these guys it can be as dangerous as it gets.
I agree that the situation is not ideal, I wish she said out loud "yes, I'm still a Scientologist" or "no, I am not", and I'm definitely not 100% comfortable with supporting her, but on the other hand, I think it's worthwhile to try and believe in her, even for a moment.
Otherwise we'd have to shun every person that was indoctrinated into that cult by their parents, and that is heartbreaking - going through such a terrible childhood only to be judged as an adult for your parents' sins. Let her make her own sins first, and then we'll throw our stones.
Yeah I've really enjoyed the singles, yet to listen to the full album yet but feels a bit like 2000 all over again.