Posted on 11/14/2005 6:24:28 PM PST by null and void
As a former member of that, ummmm, organization, I have a standing open offer to answer any FReeper's qusetions about Scientology, either in open forum, or via FReepmail.
I will do my best to answer as promptly, concisely and accurately as possible, but as I left some time ago, I'm not always privy to the latest wrinkles.
Still, from what I can gather from my few remaining contacts not that much has really changed!
Haven't read them.
I met some people in Wellspring when I was in scientology. They seemed pretty 'clean' to me.
Thanks for the link. It looks pretty good!
Excellent thread, null. Thanks so much for the education.
bonfire
You're welcome.
Maybe my experiences will help others avoid my experiences...
(Did that make sense? It sounds circular!)
Makes sense. Sounds like "parenting"!
LOL! That's exactly how I parent - didn't realize it until you said so...
You have been very generous with your time and wisdom.
Thank you.
As with most cults, I believe Scientology seeks and draws those who are wandering, wondering, and have no firm foundation. No offense intended; these are usually highly intelligent people, who are always looking for more knowledge, more power, more control (usually over themselves),and well, just more.
Thanks again. You have been most helpful.
I was at a Waldenbooks bookstore in Memphis this past weekend. A fellow sets up a "free stress test" table in front of the store. The clerks inside supply him with several copies of Dianetics. I watch as he gives the tests then tries to sell the testees the book, in the thirty minutes that I watched him as I waited on my wife, he sold no books.
I was struggling in college, the thought of being able to learn more effectively, and raise my IQ was very appealing.
*snrk* I've been tempted to take the test...
Cruise, let's start a thread as to which of his movies is the worst. My nomination would be "Vanilla Sky". Weird stupid and a waste of time and money.
Nully, if you were "struggling in college", I seriously doubt that your intelligence quotient was your problem. Lack of motivation and/or funds might have been.
I quickly moved on to Carlos Casteneda and his mushrooms...
I eventually got over that one as well...
Funding was a problem, too many girlfriends was a problem. But I did have tremendous academic problems with calculus, I quite literally flunked every calculus class I ever took, took me 13 quarters to complete a 6 quarter program...
The public is carefully insulated from knowing what's on OTIII until 'they are ready for it'. It's a bit like talking to a LaRouchie, it starts off sounding normal and reasonable, then sorta segues into the twilight zone.
There seems to be two classes of people who've done OTIII, those who have built up their credulity a little at a time and swallow it hook, line, sinker, poll, and tackle box, and those who grit their teeth and endure their way through, because they think it's important, because Ron says it is.
I found it pretty annoying, thank God I didn't do it in the church! To me it seemed as real as, say, Star Wars...
I find it difficult to accept that so many seemingly otherwise normal people buy into it. Say what you want about Cruise and Travolta, I don't see them as complete idiots.
One buys in a little at a time. Once one has made a big enough investment (in time, money, and taking a public stand) it becomes very difficult to back down.
Or perhaps I should fist ask if all that claptrap is really what Scientology is all about?
It's only a part of it. For most, the mystery of what's on OTIII and the mystique surrounding it is the glue that holds them in. The reality is rather disappointing.
I read the Scientology book at a fairly young age at a time when I was searching. I don't remember too much of it as I didn't get much from it. The only impression that stuck with me was that L. Ron seemed to have a fixation on his mother and was hung up about her supposed infidelity when little L.Ron was still in the womb. According to him (IIRC) this happens so often that it's one of the main causes of mental illness because you hear all the bad stuff going on even from within the womb.
Lucky you. It really clicked for me.
I quickly moved on to Carlos Casteneda and his mushrooms...
I didn't do drugs, how I got through the 60's and 70's I'll never know! For me one of the important things was being a member of a group with a common worthy goal. From that alone I derived much of the benefits that Military service gives many.
I eventually got over that one as well...
Probably just as well...
(In chapter 27 epilogue Steve mentions "Combatting Cult Mind Control" by Steven Hassan (Park Street Press, Rochester, Vermont, 1988). Steve Hassan also works with cult survivors)
Thanks for the links. I'll have to check them out!
Hubbard was said to be a bit freaked out by this, but quickly realized these were True Believers he could use.
Hubbard picked Clearwater as the home base because of the words "Clear" and the mystical properties he attributed to "water"? Do you know what those "properties" were? And how does that played into the Sea Org thing?
Also, is it true they keep files on "enemies". Isn't it a little creepy that a religious organization outside the middle east would be so paranoid as to have "enemies"? ( OK, it's also creepy that religions in the ME have enemies...)
I have to admit I don't know the first thing about Scientology except and ex girl friend from high school was trying to recruit new members about 20 years ago.
In a couple of sentences can you describe basicially what it is about?
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