Grant Cardone: $18M to Scientology, Not a Cult

Donald Trump supporter Grant Cardone admitted donating $18 million to the Church of Scientology, insisting it is not a cult, as media reports. In the interview, he defended the religion, which many criticize.

When the host noted that some consider the church a cult, Cardone strongly objected. «Absolutely not a cult,» he stated. According to him, a cult is a closed group where everyone must believe the same thing, recite the same prayers, and live by one person«s beliefs. »That«s definitely not Scientology,» he noted.

Asked whether the church is based on the beliefs of founder L. Ron Hubbard, including Dianetics, Cardone answered negatively. «Dianetics and Scientology are completely different subjects,» he said. «Fundamentally different. One deals with the body, the other with the spirit.»

Later, when asked about the donation amount, Cardone said he «probably raised a couple... hundred million dollars for charity.» Specifying how much went to Scientology, he estimated «15 or 18 million» dollars but added he is not the biggest donor. «Not even close,» he joked.

Due to such investments, the interviewer inquired about his place in the church hierarchy. «I»m not in the hierarchy, dude. I don«t work for them,» Cardone replied. He explained that he is just a church member, not an employee. «I don»t work for the church,« he added. »I«m not a church employee. I»m part of the congregation. I«m still studying there. Three or four times a year, I come in and take courses.»

Cardone also explained that in the church, «you can»t advance with money.« »You can«t advance by bringing people in,» he continued. «And it»s not multi-level marketing... You cannot move up levels with money.« According to him, courses can cost from $10 or be free, including online. »You can take as many of those courses as you want, but it won«t advance you. You can dump a billion dollars on the Church of Scientology, but you won»t move up levels that are educational steps.« He noted that levels in the church are »educational achievements« and »they cannot be paid for.« »You make donations to the church. The church receives a donation—say you gave $15. They want to give you something in return.«

In another part of the conversation, Cardone returned to the topic of the cult, asserting that L. Ron Hubbard is not worshipped. «In 25 years, I have never seen L. Ron Hubbard worshipped. Never,» he assured. «I have never seen that. I haven»t even heard of it.« He also elaborated on why Scientology is not a cult. »I have never felt a cult atmosphere from attending the Church of Scientology, especially when a Baptist sits next to me studying a finance course. In front of me a Protestant is taking a parenting course. I am in a study room at the Church of Scientology. To my left two couples are taking a marriage course, right?« he stated. »One is an atheist, the other an agnostic. And they are all learning—people from different backgrounds and with different religious views. I have never seen a cult that admits all groups. Usually it«s a small secretive group of people who worship one particular person.»