Michael John Rinder was an Australian-American writer of memoir and non-fiction. He wrote about his years in Scientology and was known for the book A Billion Years (2022). He also worked on the documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which won an Emmy Award in 2020.
Rinder was born in Adelaide in 1955. His parents joined Scientology when he was a child, and he later spoke about that early period. In a 2006 interview, he said, “You couldn't own Scientology books … If you did, you had to hide them.” After graduating from high school, he entered the Sea Org at age 18 and served on the Apollo. He became part of the Commodore’s Messenger Organisation and then moved into senior roles. For many years, he worked in the Office of Special Affairs, handling legal and media matters for the organisation.
His work for the Office of Special Affairs lasted twenty-five years. He acted as the main spokesperson until 2005 and supervised major public matters. In later interviews, he described tasks that he carried out during that time. He said, “If the Church decided someone was an enemy … it was my job, and I did it.”
In 2007, he left the organisation after a period of punishment and internal pressure. He later explained that the moment of clarity came when he denied an allegation during a filmed exchange, only to realise the claim was true.
After leaving Scientology, Rinder moved to the United States and began to speak about his past work. He discussed internal controls, abuse and the structure of the organisation. In 2009, he gave a detailed interview to the St. Petersburg Times and said, “I don't want people to continue to be hurt and tricked and lied to.” He took part in CNN and BBC reports and appeared in Going Clear (2015). From 2016 to 2019, he co-hosted Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. The series examined accounts from former members and won an Emmy in 2020.
Rinder published A Billion Years (2022), a memoir about his early life, career, departure, and later work. The book set out his views on the practices within Scientology and his role in them. He wrote about auditing, disconnection, pressure placed on members and the impact of long years inside the Sea Org. The memoir also traced the events that led to his change in position and the effect that decision had on his family.
In his later years, Rinder spoke at public events and worked with groups that assisted former members of high-control organisations. He helped establish The Aftermath Foundation in 2018. He continued writing online until he died in 2025.
Photo credit: Mark Rathbun by CC BY-SA 3.0
