10,000 Scientologists Got This E-Mail Today About "Disconnection," ... and a Mysterious Death

The Village Voice ^ | 7/9/12 | Tony Ortega

[tinamina]

In 1969 I was in dire straits in San Francisco and was walking on Powell Street. I was approached by some people offering a “free personality test”. It was raining and I needed to kill some time so I went in. Worse decision I ever made. I think I got a demon that day. The Scientologists said that I was 90% cold and withdrawn and they could “help” me. While I was waiting for “help” in another room I met a man who told me that he was told he was “perfect”. I was a naive young girl and I allowed this man into my life. As I said, worst mistake I ever made. He was a demon. And he persued me with everything he had. And I allowed him in. I must tell you that I have had to hide from him for many years and wish that I had never been seduced by the “free personality test”.

[yldstrk]

why not null and void? It is a crime to falsely imprison someone

[null and void]

It is a crime to falsely imprison someone

Yes. But for the most part the imprisonment is in the mind.

One can't fight an idea with force.

[null and void]

Damn. There’s no shortage of horror stories to go around, are there?

I hope he’s gone-gone.

[bimboeruption]

Greta Van Susteren is a member of this cult. I wonder if she’s been disconnected?

[yldstrk]

you mean the guy could leave the hole if he wanted?

[null and void]

No doubt she’s alienated most of her old friends and family. It would be remarkable if she didn’t have at least one loved one who she was told to disconnect from.

[null and void]

you mean the guy could leave the hole if he wanted?

Most cases. Not necessarily all cases.

As to Heber? Dunno. I've met him, I've talked with him. He is one stubborn dude. He might be hoping to simply out survive the current mal-adminstration and reestablish his primacy in a reborn church.

Good luck with that.

The difficulty a police force would have would be insurmountable.

In the first place scientology would not go quietly. I don't mean it would be a physical blood-bath, but the political and legal consequences would be tremendous, potentially up to and including the fall of whatever government tried it.

Certainly few politicians or LEOs have a clean enough life to withstand the levels of scrutiny and publicity the church is willing to give any personal peccadillo.

More to the point, scientology is an idea. Force will only make the holders of the idea more determined to propagate it.

It can only be defeated with truth.

[tinamina]

I’m actually afraid to try and find out if he’s gone. Really gone. He would be about 68 YO by now...but when I last saw him about 12 years ago he was still smoking cigs. So maybe he’s gone or sick. I’ve looked on the internet and found no clues.

I was “set up” to be in his presence 12 years ago. If I had been told he would be there by his son and mine..............I never would have shown up, of course. Our son thought he could still manipulate us into being parents who loved each other. I had to stop all communications with my only child for this betrayal.
I understand why Katie Holmes wants to protect her only daughter. I hope she can.

[yldstrk]

If they are that good, they ought to have checked out Obama. Maybe Scientology can get to the bottom of the facade.

[mdmathis6]

“It occurs to me that if the Italian Mafia had just called itself a religion and hid behind lawyers they could get away with their criminal activities.”

With the exposure of financial ties between the Italian Mafia and the Vatican bank, one could argue just that!

[Elsie]

...utterly destroyed our 2nd dynamic.

I'll bet!!

[Elsie]

What IS it with these ‘churches’ that are so DAMNED secret??

[Elsie]

Clearly Scientology and Romney must be connected -- if nothing yet, it just means people aren't trying hard enough. ;')

I think yer on to something!!!

[PapaBear3625]

At a minimum, given the OT-VIII's are told that LRH was 'christ' and that Our Lord Jesus Christ was actually the Devil...

StAnDeliver's got it backwards. In the original OT VIII materials, Hubbard reveals that he is the anti-Christ: OT VIII STUDENT BRIEFING

[Elsie]

It’s like reading an episode of Outer Limits.

Yup! Almost!!!

[Elsie]

There ya go!!

[Elsie]

Good friends trying to lure me into it.
Something felt very, very wrong about the people.

We're just so HAPPY; Ma'am!

[Elsie]

We're just so HAPPY; Ma'am!

After all: who WOULDN'T be??

---

The Rules

1. Learn and obey all missionary rules.
2. Keep your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with the gospel message.
3. Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.
4. Don't debate or argue.
5. Center your mind on your mission.
6. Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. Sisters: conservative colors and skirts that cover your knees. No floor-length skirts or dresses.
7. Cut your hair regularly.
8. Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style.
9. Be neat and clean.
10. Bathe frequently.
11. Use deodorant.
12. Polish your shoes.
13. Iron your shirt and business suit.
14. Arise at 6:30 A.M.
15. Study for 2 hours every morning.
16. Proselytize for 10 hours between 9:30 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.
17. Turn off your lights at 10:30 P.M.
18. Exercise regularly.
19. Write in your journal regularly.
20. Follow the "Missionary Gospel Study Program" (31157) for your personal study.
21. Regularly study the Missionary Guide and the Discussions.
22. Attend Sunday priesthood or Relief Society meetings, Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
23. Attend the general session of Stake Conference.
24. Attend general conference broadcasts if available.
25. Avoid all other church meetings unless you have a special assignment or are brining an investigator.
26. Proselytize as much as possible on weekends and holidays because this is when you'll find people home.
27. End your preparation day at 6:00 P.M. and proselytize from 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
28. Wear your missionary uniform in public on preparation day while not engaged in recreational activities.
29. Arise at 6:30 on preparation day and study for 2 hours from the approved books.
30. Take care of your physical preparation for the week on preparation day: wash your clothes, clean your apartment, wash your car, get your haircut, and shop for groceries.
31. Write to your parents every week on preparation day.
32. Write less frequently to your siblings, friends, and acquaintances.
33. Don't communicate with any friends or acquaintances that are within or close to your mission boundaries, except as a part of official mission business.
34. Plan safe, wholesome, and uplifting activities for preparation day.
35. Stay with your companion during all activities.
36. Do not go on road trips.
37. Do not leave your assigned area without permission
38. Do not watch television.
39. Do not view unauthorized videocassettes.
40. Do not listen to the radio.
41. Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CD’s.
42. Do not participate in musical groups.
43. Do not participate in athletic teams.
44. Do not sponsor athletic teams.
45. Do not engage in contact sports.
46. Do not engage in water sports.
47. Do not engage in winter sports.
48. Do not engage in motorcycling.
49. Do not engage in horseback riding.
50. Do not engage in mountain climbing.
51. Do not embark on a private boat.
52. Do not embark in a private airplane.
53. Do not handle firearms.
54. Do not handle explosives.
55. Do not swim.
56. Do not play full court basketball.
57. Do not play basketball in leagues.
58. Do not play basketball in tournaments.
59. You may play half-court basketball.
60. Never be alone.
61. Seek advice from your mission president if your companion is "having difficulties".
62. Be loyal to your companion.
63. Ask your mission president for help if your companion doesn’t obey the rules.
64. Pray with your companion every day.
65. Study with your companion every day.
66. Plan your work with your companion every day.
67. Take time at least once a week for companionship inventory.
68. Seek to be one in spirit and purpose and help each other succeed.
69. Always address your companion as Elder or Sister.
70. Sleep in the same bedroom as your companion.
71. Do not sleep in the same bed as your companion.
72. Do not arise before your companion.
73. Do not retire after your companion. (apparently, being together is more important than getting the correct amount of sleep that your unique body requires.)
74. Frequently study with your companion the Missionary Guide section on companions.
75. Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.
76. Never associate inappropriately with anyone of the opposite sex (conversely, they don't mention whether or not it is against the rules to associate inappropriately with anyone of the same sex).
77. Do not flirt.
78. Do not date.
79. Do not communicate via phone or letter with anyone of the opposite sex living within or near mission boundaries.
80. Do not visit a single or divorced person of the opposite sex unless accompanied by a couple or another adult member of your sex.
81. Try to teach single investigators in a member’s home or have missionaries of the same sex teach them.
82. Always follow the above rules, even if the situation seems harmless.
83. Use the commitment pattern to get referrals from members.
84. Keep your dinner visits with member briefs and during the customary dinner hour in the area.
85. Remember to say thank you to those who feed you.
86. Visit members and nonmembers only at appropriate times.
87. Do not counsel or give medical treatment.
88. Do not stay in the homes of people when they are on vacation.
89. Only write letters to family members and friends at home.
90. Do not telephone parents
91. Do not telephone relatives.
92. Do not telephone friends.
93. Do not telephone girlfriends.
94. Contact your mission president in case of an emergency.
95. Take problems and questions to your mission president.
96. Do not write to the President of the Church or to other General Authorities. Letters from missionaries to General Authorities are referred back to the mission president
97. Respect the customs, traditions, and property of the people who you are trying to convert.
98. Obey all mission rules.
99. Obey the laws of the land.
100. Do not get involved in politics.
101. Do not get involved in commercial activities.
102. Do not give any information about the area.
103. Respect the customs and cultures of those who you are trying to convert to your own customs and culture.
104. Respect the beliefs, practices, and sites of other religions.
105. Do not say or write anything bad about the political and cultural circumstances where you serve.
106. Do not become involved in adoption proceedings.
107. Do not suggest or encourage emigration. (This rule is a bit ironic, given the now-defunct doctrine of gathering the believers to Zion)
108. Be courteous.
109. Provide community service.
110. Do not provide community service that isn’t approved by your mission president.
111. Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.
112. Do not provide community service during the evening, weekend or holidays—those are peek proselytizing times.
113. Your mission president must approve your housing.
114. Keep your housing unit clean.
115. Do not live with single or divorced people of the opposite sex.
116. Do not live where the spouse is frequently absent.
117. Your living unit must have a private bath and entrance.
118. You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but generally the monthly fast is sufficient.
119. Do not fast longer than 24 hours at a time.
120. Do not ask friends, relatives, and members to join in special fasts for investigators.
121. Maintain your health.
122. Eat a healthy diet.
123. Sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.
124. Follow the approved exercise program.
125. Keep your body, clothes, dishes, linens, towels and housing unit clean.
126. Dispose of your garbage properly and promptly.
127. Follow the safety rules for all of your stuff.
128. Seek medical care if you are in an accident or become sick.
129. Be immunized.
130. Spend your money only on things relating to your mission.
131. Budget your money carefully.
132. Keep a record of what you spend.
133. Do not spend more than your companion.
134. Do not loan money.
135. Do not borrow money.
136. Keep a reserve fund of $50 to $100 at all times for transfers.
137. Pay your bills before leaving an area.
138. Pay cash for all resale literature and supplies ordered from the mission office.
139. Do not waste money on souvenirs.
140. Do not waste money on unnecessary items.
141. Be a frugal photographer.
142. Do not accumulate excess baggage.
143. Obey custom laws and regulations.
144. Pay fast offerings each fast Sunday to the bishop or branch president where you serve.
145. Pay tithing on outside sources of income (i.e. interest) to your home bishop or branch president.
146. Evaluate your funds a few months before the end of your mission. If you have more than you need, ask that less be sent so that you can return home without excess money.
147. Do not drive without a license.
148. Drive only Church-owned vehicles.
149. Do not drive members’ cars.
150. Do not drive nonmembers’ cars.
151. Do not give rides to members or investigators in Church-owned cars.
152. Use cars only on approved mission business.
153. Use cars only within the assigned geographical area.
154. Be conscious of safety at all times.
155. Drive defensively.
156. Wear your seat belt.
157. Pray for the Lord’s protection while driving.
158. If your companion is driving, assist him or her.
159. Do not tamper with the vehicle’s odometer.
160. Know bicycle safety rules.
161. Use extreme caution on your bicycle.
162. Do not ride your bicycle after dark.
163. Do not ride your bicycle in heavy traffic.
164. Do not ride your bicycle in adverse weather conditions.
165. Go directly to your new area when transferred.
166. Find your new companion without delay when transferred.
167. Have a maximum of two suitcases and a briefcase.

[Elsie]

There is no requirement that you give up Christ to be in scientology, there’s even a policy letter titled “To A Roman Catholic” that says so.

True; merely give up THINKING!!