Scientology, and especially the Church of Scientology, is a closed system. Think of it as a steel bubble. The "bubble" is, essentially, everything that L. Ron Hubbard said, wrote or demonstrated. Everything that Hubbard "created" is included in that bubble, but nothing from the outside world is permitted in. It is very much a closed system.
And there is no allowed procedure or method for correcting Scientology. In fact, "correction" of the actual technology of Scientology is strictly forbidden. Since it is postulated to be "perfect", any alteration is considered a corruption.
As covered in Using Scientology to Solve Scientology's Problems, all of the "solutions" to problems in Scientology are directed at "handling" the Scientologist. As the technology is asserted to be "perfect", all problems must be with the Scientologist. All doubts are wrong. All questions are answered within Scientology. All solutions are Scientological.
There is no procedure, method or formula for correcting Scientology itself. There is no way to correct Scientology leadership. There is no method of detecting when the actual technology of Scientology has failed. And there is no monitoring to locate when Scientology leadership has failed.
Because perfection is assumed, because Hubbard declared himself and his technology so, there is not and can never be any assumption of error.
But the technology has failed. Even Scientologists can see this, though they don't necessarily recognize the cause and effect: Fewer and fewer Scientologists are making progress "up the Bridge". More and more are stuck somewhere. More and more are in trouble. And those that do "make progress" find that nothing happened!
The "releases" end up without the promised "new abilities". "Clears" end up without any of Hubbard's promised abilities. The "OTs" look, feel and act just as they did before any of this stuff.
The technology has failed.
And the church's leadership has failed. Again, even Scientologists can see this, even if they don't admit it. Scientology groups are disappearing, churches are closing, recruitment of new members has dried up. Attacks, protests, legal problems, lawsuits, bad press, leaked documents, laughter are increasing. Scientologists are leaving.
Big projects are announced. Big expansion plans are presented. Big "wins" are shown. But months and years pass and nothing happens. Again and again, the big projects are quietly abandoned. Again and again, plans are silently scrapped. New Scientology buildings stand as empty monuments to those failed plans and programs.
Scientology leadership has failed.
But, since there is no method for detecting or correcting the failures of Scientology's technology and there is no method for detecting or correcting Scientology's leadership, the situation can never be fixed.
Even if Scientologists did want to correct the technology, they will never be permitted to do so. It would be considered "squirrelling" (altering the tech). No matter how much the technology fails, it must never be altered.
Even if Scientologists did want to correct or replace Scientology's leadership, they would never be permitted to do so. It would be considered an "enemy action" and they would be stopped. They would be expelled.
And, of course, no one from outside the Scientology bubble would be permitted to affect any changes. That would be completely impossible.
And so, for these reasons, the Church of Scientology cannot ever be corrected.
But it can get worse.
David Miscavige keeps on "improving" the Scientology technology, Scientology's books and Scientology's administration. Each change makes things worse: More Scientologists stuck or in trouble, more failures, more collapse.
Like any completely closed system, it can and will only get worse. While it remains completely closed, its problems, and its corruption will increase. And increase. One can see that this has been, and will continue to be, a geometric progression -- not only will the problems continue to increase, but the rate of increase will accelerate.
As bad as it is now for the church, it will only get worse.
Is there a solution? Is there a way out for Scientology? Not the way it is constituted. Because the bubble-factor and the assertion of "perfection" is built into the very foundation of Scientology, correction of the church is, and will always be, impossible.
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Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Using Scientology to Solve Scientology's Problems
In several recent discussions, I've seen the seemingly odd suggestion from Scientologists, that Scientologists should apply the Doubt Formula as regards the Church of Scientology.
And you have to be asking, WTF? Why would a Scientologist suggest that other Scientologists apply the Doubt Formula? Wouldn't that result in the Scientologist leaving?
And this leads to related questions on the basic idea of using Scientology "solutions" to solve problems with the Church of Scientology.
Things like writing reports about problems and sending them "up lines" to Scientology management.
Things like seeing the Ethics Officer, or applying conditions.
Each of these Scientology "solutions" is perfectly acceptable to the Church of Scientology and its representatives (and trolls).
The answer as to why these are acceptable should be obvious, but if I left it at that, I'd leave this article a bit short.
The church thinks these are acceptable "solutions" because they are part of the mechanisms that keep Scientologists in line and well-behaved. They are not actual solutions.
It doesn't take long to figure that out, but this fact is mostly hidden from Scientologists.
Let's take a look at a few of these "solutions".
Report any problems "up lines" to management!
And...
What? This informs management and David Miscavige that the reporting party is a troublemaker. No, really. If the problems of Scientology are systemic, and they are, it is obvious that the source of the problems is at the top. Otherwise the problems would be localized -- and eventually handled.
Woe betide the person who reports something about how Miscavige's training now violates Hubbard's policies -- they will get declared. Woe betide the person who reports that the emphasis on money-money-money is ruining the church. You really don't want to do that.
At best, someone will acknowledge they "received your report". And that is it. Guess what? There is no one "up lines" posted to handle such reports! That post is empty. The only person posted is someone to do the "acknowledgements", part-time. The International Base used to have over 1000 staff. Now there are around 300, with quite a few of those "off post, doing conditions".
Will the problem get resolved? Magic 8 Ball says: "Don't hold your breath".
Talk to the Ethics Officer about it.
The Scientology Ethics Officer is the person in charge of handling the local troublemakers to get them back into the fold.
What do you think will happen? The person "with the problem" will be "handled". That's the deal. The squeaky wheel gets, um, "handled".
Most likely the Scientologist will be assigned a lower condition, and supervised to ensure that they comply and, ultimately, stop complaining and start doing good Scientology things, like giving more money.
The "condition formulas" are designed to force the person back into agreement and compliance with Scientology. The "problem" the formulas are designed to handle is wayward Scientologists. More on this below.
But will the Ethics Officer solve the original problem? Nope. Not her job. Per Hubbard policy, reports get filed. Yep, that's it, filed.
The Ethics Officer's job is to handle the complainer, the troublemaker, so that the environment becomes "peaceful" again.
Talk to the Chaplain.
This is an especially delightful "solution". The post of Chaplain in a Church of Scientology is never posted. Isn't that the funniest thing? The one post in every Church of Scientology in the world that you can guarantee is never posted is Chaplain!
However, someone will "hold it from above" so the Scientologist can find someone to talk to.
And the power of the Chaplain to do anything? Zero. Another delightful irony, the post is one of the lowest in the entire organization. No power. So what is going to happen? Yes, nothing.
Apply the Doubt Formula.
We get back to this one. The Church of Scientology actually wants people who are wavering or have questions to apply this formula. Scientology trolls have said it should be done. They are all very, very certain that this "formula" will bring the wavering Scientologist back into obedience.
Why are they so sure?
Because the whole thing is designed to work that way. Let me explain. Yes, I've done this before, but, since I got such nice arguments from trolls, I figured it deserved more attention.
To recap, the Doubt Formula looks like this. L. Ron Hubbard wrote, in part:
Now, combine this with several pieces of very important information.
One is that the real, complete and raw statistics of the Church of Scientology are completely hidden and will not be shown to anyone. Ever.
Another is that the real activities, intentions and objective of the Church of Scientology are hidden and, again, will not be available to a Scientologist.
A third factor is that Scientologists, especially those applying this Doubt Formula, are forbidden to access any source of information that is at all negative about Scientology. Their only source is, and must always be, the Church of Scientology.
The last factor is that, in many, many writings and lectures, Hubbard says that the Church of Scientology is the only group working for good in the entire universe! And that they are opposed by a vast, evil, conspiracy!
Now, Scientologist, go and apply your Doubt Formula, OK?
Get it?
It's completely booby-trapped. If the Scientologist is still "following all the rules", they cannot apply the formula. If they are still "following all the rules" they must come to the conclusion that all doubts are evil, all opposition to the church is evil. And they must come to the conclusion that they have been evil to have had any doubts.
And, ta dah! They are back in the fold.
It's designed that way. This is not accidental, it is deliberate. And, yes, this is thought control
The real solution.
The basic concept here, which is so very important, is: If the problem is with Scientology, then using those "solutions" is pretty much guaranteed to be part of the problem.
You need to step outside the problem to see the truth, and see the solution.
And it is simple.
I trust people. I trust that people will recognize truth when they see it -- if they are willing to see it. And I trust that people, when they have the truth, will do the right thing, whatever that is.
All you need to solve the problem is enough data. Step outside your preconceptions, step outside the control of those who are causing the problem, and look for the information you are missing.
And the information is abundant. I suggest they check out Recovering from Scientology -- the sub-section titled Get more information has links to a lot of great sources for more information.
Scientologists don't need the "Doubt Formula" or Ethics Officers or Chaplains. To solve their problems in Scientology, they just need the truth.
-
And you have to be asking, WTF? Why would a Scientologist suggest that other Scientologists apply the Doubt Formula? Wouldn't that result in the Scientologist leaving?
And this leads to related questions on the basic idea of using Scientology "solutions" to solve problems with the Church of Scientology.
Things like writing reports about problems and sending them "up lines" to Scientology management.
Things like seeing the Ethics Officer, or applying conditions.
Each of these Scientology "solutions" is perfectly acceptable to the Church of Scientology and its representatives (and trolls).
The answer as to why these are acceptable should be obvious, but if I left it at that, I'd leave this article a bit short.
The church thinks these are acceptable "solutions" because they are part of the mechanisms that keep Scientologists in line and well-behaved. They are not actual solutions.
It doesn't take long to figure that out, but this fact is mostly hidden from Scientologists.
Let's take a look at a few of these "solutions".
Report any problems "up lines" to management!
And...
What? This informs management and David Miscavige that the reporting party is a troublemaker. No, really. If the problems of Scientology are systemic, and they are, it is obvious that the source of the problems is at the top. Otherwise the problems would be localized -- and eventually handled.
Woe betide the person who reports something about how Miscavige's training now violates Hubbard's policies -- they will get declared. Woe betide the person who reports that the emphasis on money-money-money is ruining the church. You really don't want to do that.
At best, someone will acknowledge they "received your report". And that is it. Guess what? There is no one "up lines" posted to handle such reports! That post is empty. The only person posted is someone to do the "acknowledgements", part-time. The International Base used to have over 1000 staff. Now there are around 300, with quite a few of those "off post, doing conditions".
Will the problem get resolved? Magic 8 Ball says: "Don't hold your breath".
Talk to the Ethics Officer about it.
The Scientology Ethics Officer is the person in charge of handling the local troublemakers to get them back into the fold.
What do you think will happen? The person "with the problem" will be "handled". That's the deal. The squeaky wheel gets, um, "handled".
Most likely the Scientologist will be assigned a lower condition, and supervised to ensure that they comply and, ultimately, stop complaining and start doing good Scientology things, like giving more money.
The "condition formulas" are designed to force the person back into agreement and compliance with Scientology. The "problem" the formulas are designed to handle is wayward Scientologists. More on this below.
But will the Ethics Officer solve the original problem? Nope. Not her job. Per Hubbard policy, reports get filed. Yep, that's it, filed.
The Ethics Officer's job is to handle the complainer, the troublemaker, so that the environment becomes "peaceful" again.
Talk to the Chaplain.
This is an especially delightful "solution". The post of Chaplain in a Church of Scientology is never posted. Isn't that the funniest thing? The one post in every Church of Scientology in the world that you can guarantee is never posted is Chaplain!
However, someone will "hold it from above" so the Scientologist can find someone to talk to.
And the power of the Chaplain to do anything? Zero. Another delightful irony, the post is one of the lowest in the entire organization. No power. So what is going to happen? Yes, nothing.
Apply the Doubt Formula.
We get back to this one. The Church of Scientology actually wants people who are wavering or have questions to apply this formula. Scientology trolls have said it should be done. They are all very, very certain that this "formula" will bring the wavering Scientologist back into obedience.
Why are they so sure?
Because the whole thing is designed to work that way. Let me explain. Yes, I've done this before, but, since I got such nice arguments from trolls, I figured it deserved more attention.
To recap, the Doubt Formula looks like this. L. Ron Hubbard wrote, in part:
When one cannot make up one's mind as to an individual, a group, organization or project, a condition of Doubt exists.
Doubt Formula:
Then,
- Inform oneself honestly of the actual intentions and activities of that group, project or organization, brushing aside all prejudice and rumor.
- Examine the statistics of the individual, group, project or organization.
(The missing parts say you have to choose, and uses a bunch of Scientologese to say it.)
- Evaluate oneself or one’s own group, project or organization as to intentions and objectives.
- Evaluate one's own or one's group, project or organization's statistics.
Now, combine this with several pieces of very important information.
One is that the real, complete and raw statistics of the Church of Scientology are completely hidden and will not be shown to anyone. Ever.
Another is that the real activities, intentions and objective of the Church of Scientology are hidden and, again, will not be available to a Scientologist.
A third factor is that Scientologists, especially those applying this Doubt Formula, are forbidden to access any source of information that is at all negative about Scientology. Their only source is, and must always be, the Church of Scientology.
The last factor is that, in many, many writings and lectures, Hubbard says that the Church of Scientology is the only group working for good in the entire universe! And that they are opposed by a vast, evil, conspiracy!
Now, Scientologist, go and apply your Doubt Formula, OK?
Get it?
It's completely booby-trapped. If the Scientologist is still "following all the rules", they cannot apply the formula. If they are still "following all the rules" they must come to the conclusion that all doubts are evil, all opposition to the church is evil. And they must come to the conclusion that they have been evil to have had any doubts.
And, ta dah! They are back in the fold.
It's designed that way. This is not accidental, it is deliberate. And, yes, this is thought control
The real solution.
The basic concept here, which is so very important, is: If the problem is with Scientology, then using those "solutions" is pretty much guaranteed to be part of the problem.
You need to step outside the problem to see the truth, and see the solution.
And it is simple.
I trust people. I trust that people will recognize truth when they see it -- if they are willing to see it. And I trust that people, when they have the truth, will do the right thing, whatever that is.
All you need to solve the problem is enough data. Step outside your preconceptions, step outside the control of those who are causing the problem, and look for the information you are missing.
And the information is abundant. I suggest they check out Recovering from Scientology -- the sub-section titled Get more information has links to a lot of great sources for more information.
Scientologists don't need the "Doubt Formula" or Ethics Officers or Chaplains. To solve their problems in Scientology, they just need the truth.
-
Friday, February 13, 2009
Scientology Thought Control - Part 4
We covered, in Scientology Thought Control - Part 1, how simple definitions can change the way people think. In that example, the Hubbardism "entheta" causes Scientologists to reject "negative" information about the church even when true, and accept "positive" information about the church even if false.
In Scientology Thought Control - Part 2, we looked into some hard-core thought control technology embodied in L. Ron Hubbard's "Keeping Scientology Working" and his "Study Technology". With these things, key "facts" are installed, which cause a Scientologist's subsequent perception and thoughts to conform to the "correct" pattern. After that, no ideas can get a foothold if they conflict with the approved L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige and Scientology "reality".
In Scientology Thought Control - Part 3, we find that the Church of Scientology is not responsible for any harm they inflict on their believers.
But what happens when, after all that, a Scientologist doesn't properly control their thoughts? What happens when a Scientologist has any doubts about something that Hubbard or Miscavige claims?
If left unsupervised, these Scientologists might just look around for more information.
As you might expect, Scientologists are not left unsupervised when they are in this precarious condition. If a Scientologist dares to question something from Hubbard or Miscavige, they become tightly controlled and are isolated from other Scientologists.
It works like this.
To give you a little background: Hubbard created a whole hierarchy of "Ethics Conditions". When you're doing well, you will "be in Normal" or perhaps "Affluence" or even "Power". But if you're not doing well, you'll get into trouble, you'll be in "lower conditions". Below "Normal" is "Emergency", then "Danger", "Non-Existence", "Liability", "Doubt", "Enemy", "Treason" and, finally "Confusion".
Each condition has its own Hubbard-created "formula" to be followed under the watchful eye of the "Ethics Officer". Each lower condition has its penalties.
You can find more on all of these things on the Internet. The details of these are, for the most part, not important to this discussion, but please note that this represents complete control over all Scientologists. No matter what they are doing, Hubbard has a specific "formula" for them to follow.
Also note that there are lots more "lower conditions" than there are "good" conditions. It's a penalty and control system more than anything else.
Sorry for the digression into Scientologese, but it is important to understand that, in Scientology, doubt is a lower condition. It's bad! It's just above "Enemy"! If you doubt, if you question, if you don't think Hubbard was right, if you don't agree completely with Miscavige, then you are in trouble. You are in "Doubt". With penalties.
And you will continue to be in trouble, with penalties, until you stop doubting, stop questioning and completely agree with Hubbard and Miscavige. The penalties will continue until you are 'happy'.
But wait, there's more!
As part of the "Doubt Formula" Hubbard wrote:
Well, you see, that's the way Hubbard thought. That's the way Miscavige thinks. If you aren't in absolute and full agreement -- then you have joined their enemies!
Is there anything in that "formula" for isolating the factors of the person's questions and discovering the truth about those specific questions? No, it's just them or us -- choose! Now, how does that answer any questions?
But wait, there's still more.
What about evaluating one's own organization "as to intentions and objectives"? What about one's own "organization's statistics"? Eh? Where are the true, accurate and complete statistics of Scientology? Where is the true, accurate and complete information about Scientology's 'intentions and objectives'"?
Sorry, they're secret. They're confidential. They're not available. Scientologists can not see this information. All they are allowed to see are the fanciful event presentations from Miscavige. Raw data? Raw statistics? Open access? Not going to happen, ever.
So, how could a Scientologist ever be able to apply this formula? There is no data to decide!
Someone starts questioning what they're told by Scientology and this is the formula they are told they must apply to resolve their questions. No, this formula deliberately changes the scope from "Is this true?" to "Are you with 'us good guys', or are you with 'the enemy'?"
No, this won't help Scientologists resolve questions or doubts, this is just another thought control mechanism to keep Scientologists from straying from their allowed beliefs.
This "Doubt Formula" catches any who start to question things and herds them back into "right thinking".
-
In Scientology Thought Control - Part 2, we looked into some hard-core thought control technology embodied in L. Ron Hubbard's "Keeping Scientology Working" and his "Study Technology". With these things, key "facts" are installed, which cause a Scientologist's subsequent perception and thoughts to conform to the "correct" pattern. After that, no ideas can get a foothold if they conflict with the approved L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige and Scientology "reality".
In Scientology Thought Control - Part 3, we find that the Church of Scientology is not responsible for any harm they inflict on their believers.
But what happens when, after all that, a Scientologist doesn't properly control their thoughts? What happens when a Scientologist has any doubts about something that Hubbard or Miscavige claims?
If left unsupervised, these Scientologists might just look around for more information.
As you might expect, Scientologists are not left unsupervised when they are in this precarious condition. If a Scientologist dares to question something from Hubbard or Miscavige, they become tightly controlled and are isolated from other Scientologists.
It works like this.
To give you a little background: Hubbard created a whole hierarchy of "Ethics Conditions". When you're doing well, you will "be in Normal" or perhaps "Affluence" or even "Power". But if you're not doing well, you'll get into trouble, you'll be in "lower conditions". Below "Normal" is "Emergency", then "Danger", "Non-Existence", "Liability", "Doubt", "Enemy", "Treason" and, finally "Confusion".
Each condition has its own Hubbard-created "formula" to be followed under the watchful eye of the "Ethics Officer". Each lower condition has its penalties.
You can find more on all of these things on the Internet. The details of these are, for the most part, not important to this discussion, but please note that this represents complete control over all Scientologists. No matter what they are doing, Hubbard has a specific "formula" for them to follow.
Also note that there are lots more "lower conditions" than there are "good" conditions. It's a penalty and control system more than anything else.
Sorry for the digression into Scientologese, but it is important to understand that, in Scientology, doubt is a lower condition. It's bad! It's just above "Enemy"! If you doubt, if you question, if you don't think Hubbard was right, if you don't agree completely with Miscavige, then you are in trouble. You are in "Doubt". With penalties.
And you will continue to be in trouble, with penalties, until you stop doubting, stop questioning and completely agree with Hubbard and Miscavige. The penalties will continue until you are 'happy'.
But wait, there's more!
As part of the "Doubt Formula" Hubbard wrote:
When one cannot make up one's mind as to an individual, a group, organization or project, a condition of Doubt exists.
Doubt Formula:
Then,
- Inform oneself honestly of the actual intentions and activities of that group, project or organization, brushing aside all prejudice and rumor.
- Examine the statistics of the individual, group, project or organization.
Did you get the switch? Someone is questioning what Hubbard said, or what Miscavige said and they are given this formula to follow -- and suddenly it's "them against us". Huh? How did that happen?
- Evaluate oneself or one’s own group, project or organization as to intentions and objectives.
- Evaluate one's own or one's group, project or organization's statistics.
Well, you see, that's the way Hubbard thought. That's the way Miscavige thinks. If you aren't in absolute and full agreement -- then you have joined their enemies!
Is there anything in that "formula" for isolating the factors of the person's questions and discovering the truth about those specific questions? No, it's just them or us -- choose! Now, how does that answer any questions?
But wait, there's still more.
What about evaluating one's own organization "as to intentions and objectives"? What about one's own "organization's statistics"? Eh? Where are the true, accurate and complete statistics of Scientology? Where is the true, accurate and complete information about Scientology's 'intentions and objectives'"?
Sorry, they're secret. They're confidential. They're not available. Scientologists can not see this information. All they are allowed to see are the fanciful event presentations from Miscavige. Raw data? Raw statistics? Open access? Not going to happen, ever.
So, how could a Scientologist ever be able to apply this formula? There is no data to decide!
Someone starts questioning what they're told by Scientology and this is the formula they are told they must apply to resolve their questions. No, this formula deliberately changes the scope from "Is this true?" to "Are you with 'us good guys', or are you with 'the enemy'?"
No, this won't help Scientologists resolve questions or doubts, this is just another thought control mechanism to keep Scientologists from straying from their allowed beliefs.
This "Doubt Formula" catches any who start to question things and herds them back into "right thinking".
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