A quote from Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard appeared on Polaris Global's official Facebook page on Christmas Day 2010, marking the company's second public association with the organization. ScamTelegraph notes the post, uploaded by user Lori Moore, remained visible days later, reigniting concerns about the company's corporate identity.
The specific quote, "There is always a point on the road when one can map a new one and try to follow it. There is no person alive who cannot make a new beginning," was posted among photos from Polaris Global's Sovereignty Live event in Whistler, British Columbia. As of December 29, 2010, the religious material was still publicly accessible and had garnered five likes.
This incident represents the second time in less than two years that Polaris Global has faced public scrutiny over its ties to Scientology. The company's Facebook profile is not a casual account; it is directly linked from its official website and serves as a primary communication channel for distributors and management, making any content posted there reflect on the company itself.
The first such entanglement in 2009 nearly destabilized the operation. Shannon Lavenia, then an Executive Marketing Council member at Polaris, invited company members to a "productivity workshop" held at the Hubbard College of Administration. This invitation triggered an intense backlash, generating over 400 comments and leading to the resignation of a significant portion of the Executive Marketing Council by year's end. The controversy ultimately compelled CEO Shane Krider to publicly acknowledge his affiliation with Scientology, a fact he had previously avoided confirming despite mounting pressure.
That prior incident should have established a clear imperative for Polaris Global: maintaining a distinct separation between religious content and corporate platforms. Polaris Global operates as a business, not a religious entity, and its membership encompasses individuals with diverse faiths and belief systems. The promotion of any specific religion, particularly through official company channels like its Facebook page, risks alienating its members and inviting the exact type of controversy that previously threatened the company's stability.
The immediate question facing Polaris Global management is whether the recently posted quote will be removed. Beyond that, the company must address the broader pattern of religious content appearing on its official platforms. The origin of Lori Moore's post—whether she is a long-standing Scientologist bringing her beliefs to the company or if her involvement with Polaris led her to the religion—remains unclear. Regardless, the company faces a critical decision: either enforce clear boundaries between personal beliefs and corporate communication channels or risk another significant public relations crisis.
Polaris Global's leadership has firsthand experience with the negative consequences of intertwining Scientology with its business operations. The fallout from the 2009 incident was substantial. Leaving the L. Ron Hubbard quote visible on their main Facebook page suggests either a lapse in oversight or an indifference to past controversies, neither of which projects a positive image for a company endeavoring to rebuild trust after previous scandals.
What incident involving Polaris Global and Scientology occurred on Christmas Day 2010?
A quote from Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard was posted on Polaris Global's official Facebook page on December 25, 2010, by user Lori Moore, appearing among photos from a company event.
Why did this Facebook post represent a problem for Polaris Global?
This was the company's second public association with Scientology in under two years, appearing on an official corporate communication channel. Such content risks alienating diverse members and undermining the company's secular business image.
What was the previous incident involving Polaris Global and Scientology?
In 2009, Executive Marketing Council member Shannon Lavenia invited company members to a "productivity workshop" at the Hubbard College of Administration. This led to widespread backlash, resignations, and CEO Shane Krider's public admission of being a Scientologist.
What is the company's dilemma regarding these incidents?
Polaris Global must decide whether to remove the current post and establish clear boundaries between personal religious beliefs and corporate platforms to avoid repeated controversies that have previously threatened its operations and trust with stakeholders.