[Trampled by Lambs]

So I'll ask again.. do Scientologists believe literally in all the stuff about Xenu, aliens, atomic bombs in volcanos etc.? I've read quite a bit about all that though I didn't retain much of it, most of it, as I recall, seemed similar to a bad Sci fi B-movie.

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.

Or perhaps I should fist ask if all that claptrap is really what Scientology is all about?

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.

I quickly moved on to Carlos Casteneda and his mushrooms...

I eventually got over that one as well...

[null and void]

So I'll ask again.. do Scientologists believe literally in all the stuff about Xenu, aliens, atomic bombs in volcanos etc.? I've read quite a bit about all that though I didn't retain much of it, most of it, as I recall, seemed similar to a bad Sci fi B-movie.

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...