Viewing Single Trivia
▲
1
▼
Neopets' former CEO Dough Dohring was an avid Scientologist, and used L. Ron Hubbard's "Org Board" method for running the business. Neopets founders Adam and Donna Powell were unaware of Dohring's ties to the cult when signing on to allow him to run the company, and it supposedly did not affect the inner workings of the company, though most of the employees were Scientologists and Dohring would often propose implementing Scientology education into the website. Williams would claim of the ownership in a 2014 Reddit AMA:
Dohring would leave Neopets after it was acquired by Viacom in 2005.
"Yes. Although we were not aware of it at first as we were totally naive.
Basically the first group of investors (who were the guys that had spare office space in Glendale as their automotive firm was being downsized) were scientologists.
When we realised it was a bit of a shock. Somewhat awkward moment when you realise you started the biggest entertainment site visited by millions of children and teens, but the upper management you just signed the company over to are part of some weird religion that is banned in some countries...
The company was structured like a scientology org. It didnt really change anything that I noticed apart from some odd test that interviewees had to take consisting of questions like which straight line seemed friendlier and stuff like that. We also had a lot of obscure celebrities coming round the office for tours.
At one time there was some talk about putting scientology education on the site, but we killed that idea pretty sharpish.
Adam and I made sure that it never made its way onto anything site related. Religion and politics were two big no nos for us as far as site content went. Can't say the discussions we had to keep it that way were much fun though!"
Basically the first group of investors (who were the guys that had spare office space in Glendale as their automotive firm was being downsized) were scientologists.
When we realised it was a bit of a shock. Somewhat awkward moment when you realise you started the biggest entertainment site visited by millions of children and teens, but the upper management you just signed the company over to are part of some weird religion that is banned in some countries...
The company was structured like a scientology org. It didnt really change anything that I noticed apart from some odd test that interviewees had to take consisting of questions like which straight line seemed friendlier and stuff like that. We also had a lot of obscure celebrities coming round the office for tours.
At one time there was some talk about putting scientology education on the site, but we killed that idea pretty sharpish.
Adam and I made sure that it never made its way onto anything site related. Religion and politics were two big no nos for us as far as site content went. Can't say the discussions we had to keep it that way were much fun though!"
Dohring would leave Neopets after it was acquired by Viacom in 2005.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to post comments.
Related Games
Petpet Park
Neopets: The Darkest Faerie
The Fairly OddParents: Fairies of Fury
Rocko's Modern Life: Match-Master
Super Brawl 3: Good vs. Evil
Jingle Brawl
PokéRogue
UPIXO In Action: Mission in Snowdriftland
Cartoon Cartoon Summer Resort
Pac-Man
Yume Nikki
Syobon Action
Doodle Champion Island Games
RuneScape
flOw
Project QT
Moshi Monsters
Super Ghouls'n Ghosts
Plague Inc.
Courage the Cowardly Dog: Creep TV
PAC-MAN Doodle
Poptropica
Cookie Clicker
Garfield's Scary Scavenger Hunt
Garfield's Scary Scavenger Hunt 2
Ed, Edd n Eddy: Lunchroom Rumble
Angry Birds Seasons
Gods Will Be Watching
Grimace's Birthday
Bloons TD
Pico's School
Worms Blast
New Super Chick Sisters
AdventureQuest Worlds
Dora the Explorer: 3D Driving Adventure
Recycle City
Defender
Magic Cat Academy
Crush Crush
Star Wars: Outpost
Tetris: N-Blox
Damn Dog
Minna to Biohazard Clan Master
Fruit Ninja
Stargate
Winnie the Pooh's Home Run Derby!
Pumkin: Digital English Education
Friday Night Funkin'
Super Smash Flash 2
Centipede