Is Karen Bass a Scientologist? Viral 2010 video could cut her chances of being Biden's VP over Kamala Harris
With just a few months left for the Presidential elections, the political climate in America is heating up. Apart from the current President Donald Trump stirring up debates almost every day for his statements, his competitors aren’t far behind. One such debatable news that has emerged is California Rep. Karen Bass, who is rumored to be a leading contender in the race to be Joe Biden's VP, praised the Church of Scientology during a 2010 ribbon-cutting ceremony in Los Angeles.
In a video posted by the Daily Caller., which has gone viral, the 66-year-old Bass can be heard saying, "This day and this new Church of Scientology is an exciting moment because I know your goal and your commitment is truly to make a difference." Bass said this in front of a crowd of around 6,000 attendees at the ceremony, which was led by Scientology president David Miscavige, according to the report.
She even said that The Church of Scientology she was familiar with "has made a difference because your creed is a universal creed and one that speaks to all people everywhere." She also praised Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard, according to the report. Bass said, "The words are exciting of your founder, L Ron Hubbard, in The Creed of the Church of Scientology: that all people of whatever race, color or creed are created with equal rights."
Some Twitter users weren't sure if it was ok to blame Bass since it wasn't clear if she believes in Scientology or was just praising it. One wrote: "2010 was before Leah Remini came out and really talked about Scientology and its abuse. I'm not sure what Bass is supposed to do when asked to address constituents that are part of a controversial religious group. It feels gross to do this to her."
2010 was before Leah Remini came out and really talked about scientology and its abuse. I'm not sure what Bass is supposed to do when asked to address constituents that are part of a controversial religious group. It feels gross to do this to her.
— My Account 🏳️🌈 (@notimetobehere) July 31, 2020
Another said, "Not gonna fault her as this was before the details of abuse came out and people came aware of it. I’m guessing.. this was during the time Scientology was reaching out to the Black community and many Black celebrities like Isaac Hayes were becoming affiliated with it.."
Not gonna fault her as this was before the details of abuse came out and people came aware of it. I’m guessing.. this was during the time Scientology was reaching out to the Black community and many Black celebrities like Isaac Hayes were becoming affiliated with it..
— LA-Tiere (@LuvLaTiere) July 31, 2020
According to a 2011 report by Scientology News, she sent a message during the opening of a Scientology center in South Los Angeles. She praised the church for its "many humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs for the benefit of South Los Angeles." Over the years, Scientology has been scrutinized and debated over. According to the Daily Caller report, former Scientologists have said that their church operates like a cult and that members face pressure to disassociate themselves from non-Scientologists.
Both the church and Scientology president David Miscavige have come under scrutiny for alleged sexual abuse cases. According to a 2019 report by Huff Post, four women accused Danny Masterson of allegedly raping them and filed a lawsuit against the actor, the Church of Scientology, to which he belongs; and the church’s controversial leader, David Miscavige.
According to the report, the suit accuses Scientology, which has long been accused of alleged illegal and unethical conduct, and Masterson of engaging in stalking, physical invasion of privacy and a conspiracy to obstruct justice, among other allegations detailed in the complaint that HuffPost obtained from a source who provided a copy on the condition that they not be identified.
After the report, one user wrote on Twitter, “OK....she's DEFINITELY out! Even well before 2010, there were many investigations and criminal convictions of high ranking members, tons of reports of attack the attacker at all costs, turning on their own people, kidnapping, secrecy, spying, brainwashing, you name it."
OK....she's DEFINITELY out ! Even well before 2010 there were many investigations and criminal convictions of high ranking members, tons of reports of attack the attacker at all costs, turning on their own people, kidnapping, secrecy, spying, brainwashing, you name it.
— Carole🍷🎾🎶🍁 (@Carilann) July 31, 2020
One said, "Really? Now we have to be concerned that he's going to pick the democratic version of Sarah Palin. God I hope not."
Really? Now we have to be concerned that he's going to pick the democratic version of Sarah Palin. God I hope not.
— Dog is my Zen! (@sibesdad) August 1, 2020
A tweet read: “Scientology is a f**king cult, it's been known to be a f**king cult for 70 f**king years. The fact that Karen Bass stood at a Scientology dias and didn't call them crazy f**kers to their faces is an instant disqualification to her VP chances as far as I am F**KING concerned.”
Scientology is a fucking cult, it's been known to be a fucking cult for 70 fucking years. The fact that Karen Bass stood at a Scientology dias and didn't call them crazy fuckers to their faces is an instant disqualification to her VP chances as far as I am FUCKING concerned. https://t.co/dyIu9EHOi6
— Rep Richard Dangler (@RDangler) August 1, 2020
Some took this opportunity to back Senator Kamala Harris. One said, “Just pick Kamala and be done with it already!!!”
Just pick Kamala and be done with it already!!!😩😩😩
— Caprice A.Quagliata (@PR_Preezy22) July 31, 2020
Another user observed, "Lifelong CA resident and voter here, and let me be very clear: our state ADORES #KamalaHarris and very few in our state have even ever heard of Karen Bass."
Lifelong CA resident and voter here, and let me be very clear: our state ADORES #KamalaHarris and very few in our state have even ever heard of Karen Bass.
— Johnny Golden 💛🐝 (@johnnygolden__) July 31, 2020
One wrote: "Biden better pick Sen Kamala Harris. I'm tired of this sh*t. She needs to be the VP. Biden is going to be 78 on Nov 20th. You know what I am saying. The next VP will most likely be the next POTUS before the 2024 elections. Don't pick people who praise cults, @JoeBiden."
Biden better pick Sen Kamala Harris.
— psychedelicatessen (@MentalRiot) August 1, 2020
I'm tired of this shit.
She needs to be the VP.
Biden is going to be 78 on Nov 20th.
You know what I am saying.
The next VP will most likely be the next POTUS before the 2024 elections.
Don't pick people who praise cults, @JoeBiden .
According to our earlier report, rumors are rife about how Bass could be Joe Biden's vice-presidential pick instead of Harris. However, we cannot confirm independently if there is a connection between her views on Scientology and her chances of getting picked as a VP candidate. This is a report based on reports on the internet, MEAWW cannot independently confirm them.