There for awhile, people kept asking each other, "When will the Church of Scientology collapse?" I kept saying, it's happening now, but because the church puts up a good façade, it wasn't so obvious.
Well, now it's obvious that we are seeing the inevitable collapse of the Church of Scientology.
Let me show you the signs and my predictions for the future.
Already we saw churches closing, excused as "combining" with nearby churches, but now we are seeing churches actually disappearing, closing their doors.
Already we were seeing the membership numbers drastically dropping, and every day, newly out ex-Scientologists are telling their stories, getting in touch with old friends.
Already we were seeing the "formidable" attack machinery of the church falling apart, failing. But, today, they have so few trusted staff that they can no longer fight more than one battle at a time -- and they have so many more than one battle today.
Major news outlets have written exposés on the church, but that's just the bare start. More news reports on the Church of Scientology's criminal activities are being prepared at this moment.
Already we have seen the church's deepest, darkest secrets exposed -- not just their "confidential OT Levels" but the pervasive abuse, criminal actions and blatant lying at the very highest levels of the church. Strong legal actions against the church are in progress, official investigations are in progress. Things are not looking good.
The church's ship, the Freewinds, is floating around nearly empty. The big cash cow has become a big cash drain. As you may know, the ship was kicked out of Curaçao for all their bad behavior and is now home-ported in Colombia.
Flag, the biggest church in Scientology, has collapsed. To try to stem the collapse they forbade all field auditors within 90 miles from delivering any services, but that didn't help. Now they are trying to steal all public from every other church, promoting that all those services are now available at Flag. They are desperate and in big trouble.
The other churches are mostly empty and struggling to pay their bills -- often many months late and getting later. Staff simply aren't getting paid.
The church's so-called "missions" are disappearing but it's hard to tell. Most missions are out of someone's home and only open a few hours a week. The difference between an "open" and "closed" mission isn't very much.
The Church of Scientology claims there are thousands of "Scientology Groups" but none of them can be found. It appears all their groups have closed.
It is a catastrophe, and just getting worse.
Here's what's coming up.
First, you will see David Miscavige spending a lot of time on the Freewinds. (I'll give you a hint on why: There is no extradition from Colombia. As long as he is "at sea" or in Colombia, he can hide from the law.)
Second, there will be many more church closings. Those that aren't closed will become empty, most lights turned off, most rooms unused. They may retain a receptionist who will "show movies" to anyone foolish enough to come in. A few services will be available, and only at limited times. If they own the building outright, and as long as they don't have to pay taxes, they will be able to keep these dark, empty buildings "open" for a long time.
Scientology will implode into Clearwater, meaning that the major center, major focus and remaining activities will happen there. Scientologists who remain True Believers will be forced to move to Clearwater as local churches close and services become difficult to obtain.
At some point, the advanced churches at the Los Angeles "Big Blue" center will "expand" to Clearwater as well.
The much-vaunted "new buildings" that the church owns will become a liability, since they are all now worth much less than what was originally paid for them. Some, like "Big Blue" are so old and poorly maintained that they can only be torn down.
We will see fewer and fewer Scientologists as all this goes down. The Freezone will expand a bit with the influx of those who still believe in Hubbard's technology, but even that group will eventually suffer from the fact that all Hubbard's secrets have been exposed, all his lies have been documented.
For those who wanted to see the Church of Scientology collapse, keep your eyes open because that's what's happening right now.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The "Science" in Scientology
If you've read anything from the Church of Scientology or talked with a Scientologist, you've heard the claims, "Scientology is based on science."
Typical claims from the Church of Scientology:
It is interesting to me how Scientologists can spout this line and never, ever think about what it means. One might assume that Scientologists understand the concept of "science", "scientific research" and the "scientific method", many Scientologists are quite well-educated. Why, then, do they believe that Scientology is scientifically based?
Let's take a look at what is involved in science and scientific research and how this compares with Hubbard's work.
Now, I don't want to get into a long, dry dissertation on the scientific method. That's boring and a bit off the subject. Let's just take a high level view.
What is the primary activity of scientists? Research. The fundamental aspect of all science is research. Careful, accurate, honest, well-documented, repeatable research.
To be accepted as valid science, any research must be transparent. That is, any legitimate, interested person should be able to read the research documentation, duplicate the research work and validate or disprove the original findings.
So where is Hubbard's original research? Hubbard claimed to have done lots and lots of research before developing his technology and writing Dianetics. Where is his research?
Now, you must understand the Hubbard was a pack-rat. It is doubtful that he ever threw anything away. If you've visited the L. Ron Hubbard Museum in Hollywood, you would see how much he saved. He saved toys, diaries, tools, merit badges, everything. Some of it is displayed in the museum, but there was too much to display all of it.
So, where is his research?
No one has ever found any research papers, documentation, notes -- nothing. And, believe me, they looked. Are we to believe that Hubbard saved his scout merit badges and threw away his Dianetic research?
No research papers. None. So, of course, no one has ever vetted his "research" or his findings.
Even today, there is no proper research or documentation on any of Hubbard's findings. In fact, David Miscavige vehemently rejects any attempts to validate any of the claims of Scientology or Dianetics. You want to get attacked by the Church of Scientology? Tell them you are testing their claims.
This is not science. When you have a "technology" with no research, no documentation of research, no validation of findings, that is simply not science. That is belief.
I have no problem with people believing anything they want. But, until the Church of Scientology allows independent validation of their claims, it isn't science and it will never be science.
So, Scientologists: Look up the word "science". Look up "scientific method". And then stop trying to claim Scientology has anything to do with science. You have a long, long way to go and a lot of major changes before you could earn that title.
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Typical claims from the Church of Scientology:
"Dianetics technology works and is an effective science of mental health"
Hubbard applied "modern science to accomplish the goal of religion throughout history. "
"Scientology, drawing on the same advances in knowledge that led to the understanding of nuclear physics, provides modern answers to these questions."And look at the titles of L. Ron Hubbard's early works:
- Dianetics: Evolution of a Science
- Dianetics, the Modern Science of Mental Health
- Science of Survival
It is interesting to me how Scientologists can spout this line and never, ever think about what it means. One might assume that Scientologists understand the concept of "science", "scientific research" and the "scientific method", many Scientologists are quite well-educated. Why, then, do they believe that Scientology is scientifically based?
Let's take a look at what is involved in science and scientific research and how this compares with Hubbard's work.
Now, I don't want to get into a long, dry dissertation on the scientific method. That's boring and a bit off the subject. Let's just take a high level view.
What is the primary activity of scientists? Research. The fundamental aspect of all science is research. Careful, accurate, honest, well-documented, repeatable research.
To be accepted as valid science, any research must be transparent. That is, any legitimate, interested person should be able to read the research documentation, duplicate the research work and validate or disprove the original findings.
So where is Hubbard's original research? Hubbard claimed to have done lots and lots of research before developing his technology and writing Dianetics. Where is his research?
Now, you must understand the Hubbard was a pack-rat. It is doubtful that he ever threw anything away. If you've visited the L. Ron Hubbard Museum in Hollywood, you would see how much he saved. He saved toys, diaries, tools, merit badges, everything. Some of it is displayed in the museum, but there was too much to display all of it.
So, where is his research?
No one has ever found any research papers, documentation, notes -- nothing. And, believe me, they looked. Are we to believe that Hubbard saved his scout merit badges and threw away his Dianetic research?
No research papers. None. So, of course, no one has ever vetted his "research" or his findings.
Even today, there is no proper research or documentation on any of Hubbard's findings. In fact, David Miscavige vehemently rejects any attempts to validate any of the claims of Scientology or Dianetics. You want to get attacked by the Church of Scientology? Tell them you are testing their claims.
This is not science. When you have a "technology" with no research, no documentation of research, no validation of findings, that is simply not science. That is belief.
I have no problem with people believing anything they want. But, until the Church of Scientology allows independent validation of their claims, it isn't science and it will never be science.
So, Scientologists: Look up the word "science". Look up "scientific method". And then stop trying to claim Scientology has anything to do with science. You have a long, long way to go and a lot of major changes before you could earn that title.
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Sunday, July 19, 2009
Scientology Attacks!
OK, so that really isn't news. The Church of Scientology always attacks, has always attacked and, for as long as they can, will always attack. Since this is mandated by L. Ron Hubbard, they just have to do it.
So what?
Well, things are changing.
First, the attacks are much more narrow. David Miscavige has directed that the broad attacks cease and that his henchmen focus on major media and those individuals who have the greatest potential for damaging the church. Why? Because he is running out of money and, more importantly, personnel. He can no longer support the broad attacks of the past.
While this means the general critic community is seeing fewer attacks, it, unfortunately, means that a few major figures are seeing more.
Second, the attacks are becoming more vicious. It did appear that Miscavige had realized how his ill-conceived and poorly executed attacks were more damaging to the church than to his "enemies" -- and had started easing up on his criminal attacks. However, recent times have proven that, once again, Miscavige didn't learn at all.
And, once again, his attacks are, indeed, seriously damaging the church.
Attacking the media
As is standard Hubbard policy, Scientology has continued to attack any news outlet that dares report the truth about the Church of Scientology.
But things are different now. The news media isn't backing down out of fear anymore. They are reporting the attacks. And the attacks by Scientology are causing the news outlets to expand their exposés, dig deeper and report even more about the lies, crimes and threats by the Church of Scientology.
Only Scientology would think that viciously attacking news media outlets would result in positive articles.
Attacking big names
There are people who are no longer in Scientology who were very big names in the church, and who have never spoken out against Scientology -- but who are being viciously attacked by the church.
They are being attacked because, if they ever did speak out about what they know, the results would be devastating to Miscavige's church.
These big names do not wish to speak out and criticize anyone. They have many friends who are still in and do not wish to harm them. If left alone to get on with their lives, they would remain silent. But the Church of Scientology continues to viciously attack them, and continues to work very hard to control and destroy their lives.
Don't look for logic here, neither Scientology nor Miscavige are capable of thinking logically.
Only Miscavige would think that viciously attacking these people, who have done nothing, is the right thing to do. Eventually and inevitably Miscavige's attacks will result in exactly what he fears most.
(Private message to big names: While I respect your desire to not hurt your friends, you do have all the power, Miscavige has none. Please, write up everything you know, give it to a lawyer and then demand Miscavige stop all attacks against you and your family -- or you will release it. You have the power, please use it.)
Attacking critics.
While the broad attacks by Scientology have abated, the focused attacks against prominent critics have increased.
But the reaction is different now.
The church's illegal activities, hacking, lies and attacks are being carefully documented. They are being reported. They are being investigated.
Before, police, government agencies and corporations couldn't believe that a church would do such things. But now they know it is true. They now know that the Church of Scientology does lie, does commit crimes, and these organizations are more than willing to investigate and report. We hope that, soon, there will be more criminal prosecutions.
Times have changed. And it is the Church of Scientology itself, that has caused these changes. By continuing, robotically, to attack and attack and attack "by any means possible", they have created a world-wide backlash and a broad awareness of how vicious and criminal they really are.
They have no one to blame but themselves.
-
So what?
Well, things are changing.
First, the attacks are much more narrow. David Miscavige has directed that the broad attacks cease and that his henchmen focus on major media and those individuals who have the greatest potential for damaging the church. Why? Because he is running out of money and, more importantly, personnel. He can no longer support the broad attacks of the past.
While this means the general critic community is seeing fewer attacks, it, unfortunately, means that a few major figures are seeing more.
Second, the attacks are becoming more vicious. It did appear that Miscavige had realized how his ill-conceived and poorly executed attacks were more damaging to the church than to his "enemies" -- and had started easing up on his criminal attacks. However, recent times have proven that, once again, Miscavige didn't learn at all.
And, once again, his attacks are, indeed, seriously damaging the church.
Attacking the media
As is standard Hubbard policy, Scientology has continued to attack any news outlet that dares report the truth about the Church of Scientology.
But things are different now. The news media isn't backing down out of fear anymore. They are reporting the attacks. And the attacks by Scientology are causing the news outlets to expand their exposés, dig deeper and report even more about the lies, crimes and threats by the Church of Scientology.
Only Scientology would think that viciously attacking news media outlets would result in positive articles.
Attacking big names
There are people who are no longer in Scientology who were very big names in the church, and who have never spoken out against Scientology -- but who are being viciously attacked by the church.
They are being attacked because, if they ever did speak out about what they know, the results would be devastating to Miscavige's church.
These big names do not wish to speak out and criticize anyone. They have many friends who are still in and do not wish to harm them. If left alone to get on with their lives, they would remain silent. But the Church of Scientology continues to viciously attack them, and continues to work very hard to control and destroy their lives.
Don't look for logic here, neither Scientology nor Miscavige are capable of thinking logically.
Only Miscavige would think that viciously attacking these people, who have done nothing, is the right thing to do. Eventually and inevitably Miscavige's attacks will result in exactly what he fears most.
(Private message to big names: While I respect your desire to not hurt your friends, you do have all the power, Miscavige has none. Please, write up everything you know, give it to a lawyer and then demand Miscavige stop all attacks against you and your family -- or you will release it. You have the power, please use it.)
Attacking critics.
While the broad attacks by Scientology have abated, the focused attacks against prominent critics have increased.
But the reaction is different now.
The church's illegal activities, hacking, lies and attacks are being carefully documented. They are being reported. They are being investigated.
Before, police, government agencies and corporations couldn't believe that a church would do such things. But now they know it is true. They now know that the Church of Scientology does lie, does commit crimes, and these organizations are more than willing to investigate and report. We hope that, soon, there will be more criminal prosecutions.
Times have changed. And it is the Church of Scientology itself, that has caused these changes. By continuing, robotically, to attack and attack and attack "by any means possible", they have created a world-wide backlash and a broad awareness of how vicious and criminal they really are.
They have no one to blame but themselves.
-
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Scientology's Demise
There have been a number of debates about what will happen next for the Church of Scientology and for the belief system of Scientology itself.
Some contend that, after David Miscavige has gone (in whatever manner that happens), someone or some group can take over and reform the church, getting rid of its abusive, criminal and fraudulent policies. Some merely hope for a reversion to "pure L. Ron Hubbard" Scientology. Some declare they will not rest until the Church of Scientology has ceased to exist.
But all these debates miss one very vital piece of information: Scientology has been destroyed -- not the organization, the belief system.
Let me explain why, in my opinion, this is so.
When L. Ron Hubbard created Scientology, he used two very powerful, and related, mechanisms to create and sell it: Secrecy and mystery.
Secrecy was important, because truth was an enemy to Hubbard's goals. Hubbard told many lies about his life, about his accomplishments and about his actual work. It was important that the truth about his life and work remain secret. In this way, he could pass himself off as "master of all knowledge and disciplines". Later, his location and the actual location of church management had to be secret. The church's statistics, and just about everything else, are secret.
Of course, this culture of secrecy allowed tremendous abuses to take place that are only now being revealed.
More importantly, mystery was very key to selling Scientology. As time went on, more and more of Scientology needed to be "kept confidential". The Power Processes, the Clearing Course, the OT Levels, the Ls, and more.
Most non-Scientologists believe these levels were kept confidential because they were actually bogus, which isn't entirely true. Certainly these levels are bogus, no one actually gets the results promised, but the primary reason so much of Scientology is confidential is because "mystery sells". Hubbard was very well aware of this, he actually said so many times. Mystery sells. If you refuse to tell people exactly what you are selling, but drop various hints about how "absolutely amazing" it is, you can sell anything.
True Believers of Scientology firmly believe that, somewhere within these mysterious Upper Levels of Scientology, amazing and wonderful things will happen. They have bought the mystery. Because all details are hidden, because those who have, supposedly, reached these upper levels are pledged to secrecy, because the vague promises are so amazing, they believe. Mystery is very, very attractive.
Secrecy and mystery -- the two primary tools to ensure Scientology's success.
But no more. The only people who are still in the dark are the True Believers. Everyone else knows the full facts about Hubbard's life, his real accomplishments, and all his failures. Everyone else knows exactly what is on all the Upper Levels, and they know the real results and failures of Scientology.
How can you sell people on the concept of Hubbard being "master of all knowledge and disciplines" when they know what a consistent failure he was?
How can you sell people on the mysterious OT III "Wall of Fire" when they all know how absurd, illogical and stupid that "dangerous" story really is?
How can you sell people on how powerful the OT information is -- that it will kill you if you're not properly prepared -- when anybody can read the damn stuff without even a sniffle?
How can you sell people on the amazing "abilities gained" from Scientology, when everybody can see, quite clearly, that no Scientologist has ever demonstrated those promised gains, no matter what level they've attained?
How can you sell people on the wonderful solutions and results from Scientology when they can all see the actual failures, and only failures, from these "solutions"?
The Internet, the critics and Anonymous have ripped the curtain away from Scientology's "Great and Powerful Oz", revealing fraud, scam, failure and lies.
The curtain cannot be repaired. There is no more secrecy. There is no more mystery. And Scientology simply cannot sell itself without those things.
Scientology: Stick a fork in it, it is done.
-
Some contend that, after David Miscavige has gone (in whatever manner that happens), someone or some group can take over and reform the church, getting rid of its abusive, criminal and fraudulent policies. Some merely hope for a reversion to "pure L. Ron Hubbard" Scientology. Some declare they will not rest until the Church of Scientology has ceased to exist.
But all these debates miss one very vital piece of information: Scientology has been destroyed -- not the organization, the belief system.
Let me explain why, in my opinion, this is so.
When L. Ron Hubbard created Scientology, he used two very powerful, and related, mechanisms to create and sell it: Secrecy and mystery.
Secrecy was important, because truth was an enemy to Hubbard's goals. Hubbard told many lies about his life, about his accomplishments and about his actual work. It was important that the truth about his life and work remain secret. In this way, he could pass himself off as "master of all knowledge and disciplines". Later, his location and the actual location of church management had to be secret. The church's statistics, and just about everything else, are secret.
Of course, this culture of secrecy allowed tremendous abuses to take place that are only now being revealed.
More importantly, mystery was very key to selling Scientology. As time went on, more and more of Scientology needed to be "kept confidential". The Power Processes, the Clearing Course, the OT Levels, the Ls, and more.
Most non-Scientologists believe these levels were kept confidential because they were actually bogus, which isn't entirely true. Certainly these levels are bogus, no one actually gets the results promised, but the primary reason so much of Scientology is confidential is because "mystery sells". Hubbard was very well aware of this, he actually said so many times. Mystery sells. If you refuse to tell people exactly what you are selling, but drop various hints about how "absolutely amazing" it is, you can sell anything.
True Believers of Scientology firmly believe that, somewhere within these mysterious Upper Levels of Scientology, amazing and wonderful things will happen. They have bought the mystery. Because all details are hidden, because those who have, supposedly, reached these upper levels are pledged to secrecy, because the vague promises are so amazing, they believe. Mystery is very, very attractive.
Secrecy and mystery -- the two primary tools to ensure Scientology's success.
But no more. The only people who are still in the dark are the True Believers. Everyone else knows the full facts about Hubbard's life, his real accomplishments, and all his failures. Everyone else knows exactly what is on all the Upper Levels, and they know the real results and failures of Scientology.
How can you sell people on the concept of Hubbard being "master of all knowledge and disciplines" when they know what a consistent failure he was?
How can you sell people on the mysterious OT III "Wall of Fire" when they all know how absurd, illogical and stupid that "dangerous" story really is?
How can you sell people on how powerful the OT information is -- that it will kill you if you're not properly prepared -- when anybody can read the damn stuff without even a sniffle?
How can you sell people on the amazing "abilities gained" from Scientology, when everybody can see, quite clearly, that no Scientologist has ever demonstrated those promised gains, no matter what level they've attained?
How can you sell people on the wonderful solutions and results from Scientology when they can all see the actual failures, and only failures, from these "solutions"?
The Internet, the critics and Anonymous have ripped the curtain away from Scientology's "Great and Powerful Oz", revealing fraud, scam, failure and lies.
The curtain cannot be repaired. There is no more secrecy. There is no more mystery. And Scientology simply cannot sell itself without those things.
Scientology: Stick a fork in it, it is done.
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Sunday, June 28, 2009
Scientology Destroys Scientology's Image
One of the most important images that the Church of Scientology tries, desperately, to create and sell to everyone is the image of having the exact, perfect answer to everything.
L. Ron Hubbard worked very hard to have that image. He was, according to himself, the master of every skill and every discipline in the whole world, heck, the whole universe! Scientologists will say exactly that if you ask them.
Hubbard had the final word to say about everything.
Not only do you have Narconon, Hubbard Study Technology, WISE, Criminon, The Way to Happiness and all that -- touted by the Church of Scientology (without any proof) as the solutions to the world's problems, but you have, well, everything else as well.
Hubbard wrote Policy Letters about pretty much everything. Like, for instance, he wrote a huge amount about "Public Relations". Yes, he wrote the exact science of public relations. Use this exact technology, he said, and you would have the best image possible.
And then reality rears its ugly head. It has a bad habit of doing just that.
Public relations. We have witnessed the magic of Hubbard's public relations tech before, but never so clearly as David Miscavige's recent response to the St. Petersburg Times exposé on Scientology.
He refused to be interviewed, putting the newspaper off week after week, even though the newspaper first requested an interview on May 15th, either in person or by phone.
He ordered a "mission" to be "fired" to St. Petersburg, consisting of nine "OT" Sea Org members, some of whom had been reported imprisoned in his Hemet compound in California. These people were supposed to go and "handle" the reporters.
The newspaper was given conditions -- the Sea Org "missionaires" would each read a two minute pre-written speech (undoubtedly written by David Miscavige himself) and there would be no questions permitted.
And these missionaires carried out their orders from Miscavige exactly. They gave their little prepared speeches and then, even as questions were being asked, they turned on their heels and left. Somehow, they didn't realize this would appear very, very strange. Somehow, they didn't realize this would make them look cultish and quite guilty.
Next, the church paraded the ex-spouses of the Scientology critics in front of the journalists, to smear the critics. And Miscavige thought this made the church look normal? He thought this was good public relations?
Then, per standard Scientology policies, they tried to get the journalists to accept the critics' confidential confessional material. This may have been their biggest mistake -- and it was pure, exact Scientology technology in action.
When the journalists didn't seem to be responding correctly to this magic Miscavige tech, the missionaires blocked the exit and started haranguing the journalists. You can bet that went over well.
Hubbard's flawless tech in action. Miscavige's brilliance in action. Real "OTs" in action. A church striving, desperately, to appear "normal", in action.
As usual, reality proved the unmaking of Scientology's image. If Hubbard was master of every skill and discipline, how could his technology have failed? If Miscavige is brilliant in all he does, how could his handling have failed? If the OT missionaires were truly at cause over matter, energy, space, time, life and thought, how could they have failed?
Like Scientology's Narconon, Criminon, WISE, Hubbard Study Tech, The Way to Happiness, this latest action by the Church of Scientology was an utter failure. And that further destroys the image that Miscavige so desperately wants to have.
It is important to look at the Church of Scientology's "solutions" in light of their consistent failures. This is the church that brags about their "effective solutions". This is the religion that boasts that it produces "Homo Novis", far beyond normal human beings. This is the religion that wants to tell you how to live your life.
Looked at in that light, their consistent failures are even more meaningful.
Instead of having the solution to the world's problems, it becomes very clear that the Church of Scientology and Miscavige can't even solve their own problems. That's the true image.
-
L. Ron Hubbard worked very hard to have that image. He was, according to himself, the master of every skill and every discipline in the whole world, heck, the whole universe! Scientologists will say exactly that if you ask them.
Hubbard had the final word to say about everything.
Not only do you have Narconon, Hubbard Study Technology, WISE, Criminon, The Way to Happiness and all that -- touted by the Church of Scientology (without any proof) as the solutions to the world's problems, but you have, well, everything else as well.
Hubbard wrote Policy Letters about pretty much everything. Like, for instance, he wrote a huge amount about "Public Relations". Yes, he wrote the exact science of public relations. Use this exact technology, he said, and you would have the best image possible.
And then reality rears its ugly head. It has a bad habit of doing just that.
Public relations. We have witnessed the magic of Hubbard's public relations tech before, but never so clearly as David Miscavige's recent response to the St. Petersburg Times exposé on Scientology.
He refused to be interviewed, putting the newspaper off week after week, even though the newspaper first requested an interview on May 15th, either in person or by phone.
He ordered a "mission" to be "fired" to St. Petersburg, consisting of nine "OT" Sea Org members, some of whom had been reported imprisoned in his Hemet compound in California. These people were supposed to go and "handle" the reporters.
The newspaper was given conditions -- the Sea Org "missionaires" would each read a two minute pre-written speech (undoubtedly written by David Miscavige himself) and there would be no questions permitted.
And these missionaires carried out their orders from Miscavige exactly. They gave their little prepared speeches and then, even as questions were being asked, they turned on their heels and left. Somehow, they didn't realize this would appear very, very strange. Somehow, they didn't realize this would make them look cultish and quite guilty.
Next, the church paraded the ex-spouses of the Scientology critics in front of the journalists, to smear the critics. And Miscavige thought this made the church look normal? He thought this was good public relations?
Then, per standard Scientology policies, they tried to get the journalists to accept the critics' confidential confessional material. This may have been their biggest mistake -- and it was pure, exact Scientology technology in action.
When the journalists didn't seem to be responding correctly to this magic Miscavige tech, the missionaires blocked the exit and started haranguing the journalists. You can bet that went over well.
Hubbard's flawless tech in action. Miscavige's brilliance in action. Real "OTs" in action. A church striving, desperately, to appear "normal", in action.
As usual, reality proved the unmaking of Scientology's image. If Hubbard was master of every skill and discipline, how could his technology have failed? If Miscavige is brilliant in all he does, how could his handling have failed? If the OT missionaires were truly at cause over matter, energy, space, time, life and thought, how could they have failed?
Like Scientology's Narconon, Criminon, WISE, Hubbard Study Tech, The Way to Happiness, this latest action by the Church of Scientology was an utter failure. And that further destroys the image that Miscavige so desperately wants to have.
It is important to look at the Church of Scientology's "solutions" in light of their consistent failures. This is the church that brags about their "effective solutions". This is the religion that boasts that it produces "Homo Novis", far beyond normal human beings. This is the religion that wants to tell you how to live your life.
Looked at in that light, their consistent failures are even more meaningful.
Instead of having the solution to the world's problems, it becomes very clear that the Church of Scientology and Miscavige can't even solve their own problems. That's the true image.
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Sunday, June 21, 2009
Scientology Reveals Its True Self
Just today, the St. Petersburg Times started their newest series on the Church of Scientology. This looks to be a very informative series of reports and I highly recommend it.
But I want to highlight the Church of Scientology's response. Their response is exactly the same response they always present -- it's all lies, these people weren't there, they are horrible people, blah, blah, blah. And the church presents "evidence" of how horrible they are ...
Hold on, don't go past this very key and revealing point!
Catholic priests have taken a lot of heat over the years because they will not ever disclose what was said to them in confession. I'm sure that, sometimes, it has been very, very difficult for them to adhere to this principle -- but they do. Information from confessionals must be kept confidential and, against all external pressure, and maybe even against their own desires, they keep the information completely confidential.
And here we have the Church of Scientology. Time after time, when the church feels attacked, they can't wait to force a parishioner's confidential, secret and discreditable information on the press! The press doesn't want it. But the church forces it on them.
This action, repeated again and again by the Church of Scientology, under direct orders from their leader, David Miscavige, reveals the true nature of the church and the true reason the church keeps such careful written and even videoed records of all their member's "confessionals".
Blackmail.
Once you have "confessed" to a Church of Scientology "auditor" -- and they do insist that you do so, regularly and often -- you will be forever in their power.
Unlike a real religion, the Church of Scientology can and will use anything and everything you confess against you.
-
But I want to highlight the Church of Scientology's response. Their response is exactly the same response they always present -- it's all lies, these people weren't there, they are horrible people, blah, blah, blah. And the church presents "evidence" of how horrible they are ...
Hold on, don't go past this very key and revealing point!
Catholic priests have taken a lot of heat over the years because they will not ever disclose what was said to them in confession. I'm sure that, sometimes, it has been very, very difficult for them to adhere to this principle -- but they do. Information from confessionals must be kept confidential and, against all external pressure, and maybe even against their own desires, they keep the information completely confidential.
And here we have the Church of Scientology. Time after time, when the church feels attacked, they can't wait to force a parishioner's confidential, secret and discreditable information on the press! The press doesn't want it. But the church forces it on them.
This action, repeated again and again by the Church of Scientology, under direct orders from their leader, David Miscavige, reveals the true nature of the church and the true reason the church keeps such careful written and even videoed records of all their member's "confessionals".
Blackmail.
Once you have "confessed" to a Church of Scientology "auditor" -- and they do insist that you do so, regularly and often -- you will be forever in their power.
Unlike a real religion, the Church of Scientology can and will use anything and everything you confess against you.
-
Saturday, June 20, 2009
What Judges and Prosecutors Need to Know About Scientology
Anyone involved in bringing accused Scientology criminals to justice needs to know a few important things about the Church of Scientology and Scientologists.
Because of their "scripture", many Scientologists would perjure themselves, would destroy incriminating evidence, would manufacture evidence, would, in fact, do anything, including breaking the law, to protect their church. They would do so even when there is a chance that they would get caught.
Let me present a few facts so you can understand this.
First, you need to understand the Scientology view of the world. The world is separated into the Good and Bad People. The Bad People, according to L. Ron Hubbard, make up 20% of the population. Of those Bad People, exactly 2.5% of them are truly, deeply evil ("Suppressive Persons") and the other 17.5% are in agreement with and under the influence of the evil ones ("PTS" or "Potential Trouble Sources").
The remaining 80% are good, with Scientologists and the Church of Scientology being, by definition, Good. Note that, by their scripture, the Church of Scientology cannot ever be bad.
Of course, according to Scientology's scripture, attacking the Church of Scientology is a "suppressive act" and means that the attacker is a Suppressive Person and, therefore, an enemy of the church.
Consider these "High Crimes" as listed in Scientology's Introduction to Scientology Ethics by L. Ron Hubbard:
This means that prosecutors, judges and witnesses against Scientology are, according to their scripture, Evil People. They are "sitting in judgment" or worse. They are enemies of the church.
Now for the important part of Scientology's scripture in this discussion. Anyone who is an enemy of the church may be, according to L. Ron Hubbard, "deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed".
Key point: "May be tricked, sued or lied to ...".
And that is the key point that prosecutors and judges need to understand about the Church of Scientology and Scientologists. With this directive, Scientologists have full authorization (and some would even claim mandate) to destroy evidence, manufacture evidence and commit perjury in defending their church against all those suppressive prosecutors and judges.
The Church of Scientology and all Scientology True Believers are at war with the Evil People of the world -- and prosecutors, judges and witnesses against Scientology are Evil People.
Think I'm overstating this? The following is an exact quote from L. Ron Hubbard in a policy letter that all Scientologists are required to study at the beginning of every course:
Having a Scientologist swear to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God" is of little value. To a Scientology True Believer, such an oath has very little power compared to the dictates of L. Ron Hubbard and David Miscavige.
It may be hard for a religious person to understand how little God means to a Scientologist. According to Hubbard, the "Supreme Being" is only one of eight equally important "dynamics" -- God is not more important than, for instance, Groups or Self. And, according to the new interpretation by Miscavige, it is the Church of Scientology that is most important by far. Yes, far more important than God or any other dynamic.
So any oath in court, to a Scientologist, does not have the power you might hope for. Do not expect any such oath to cause Scientology True Believers to actually tell the truth.
To be fair, some Scientologists probably would tell the truth, but they would be the minority. To the rest, the Church of Scientology is absolutely senior to anything else.
I will leave you, dear prosecutors and judges, with an opinion from L. Ron Hubbard on your justice system:
Because of their "scripture", many Scientologists would perjure themselves, would destroy incriminating evidence, would manufacture evidence, would, in fact, do anything, including breaking the law, to protect their church. They would do so even when there is a chance that they would get caught.
Let me present a few facts so you can understand this.
First, you need to understand the Scientology view of the world. The world is separated into the Good and Bad People. The Bad People, according to L. Ron Hubbard, make up 20% of the population. Of those Bad People, exactly 2.5% of them are truly, deeply evil ("Suppressive Persons") and the other 17.5% are in agreement with and under the influence of the evil ones ("PTS" or "Potential Trouble Sources").
The remaining 80% are good, with Scientologists and the Church of Scientology being, by definition, Good. Note that, by their scripture, the Church of Scientology cannot ever be bad.
Of course, according to Scientology's scripture, attacking the Church of Scientology is a "suppressive act" and means that the attacker is a Suppressive Person and, therefore, an enemy of the church.
Consider these "High Crimes" as listed in Scientology's Introduction to Scientology Ethics by L. Ron Hubbard:
- Public statements against Scientology or Scientologists ...
- Testifying hostilely before state or public inquiries into Scientology to suppress it.
- Bringing civil suit against any Scientology organization or Scientologist, including the nonpayment of bills or failure to refund ...
- PTS Type C; persons who have ever threatened to sue or embarrass or attack or have publicly attacked Scientology ...
- PTS Type J; persons attempting to sit in judgment on Scientology.
This means that prosecutors, judges and witnesses against Scientology are, according to their scripture, Evil People. They are "sitting in judgment" or worse. They are enemies of the church.
Now for the important part of Scientology's scripture in this discussion. Anyone who is an enemy of the church may be, according to L. Ron Hubbard, "deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed".
Key point: "May be tricked, sued or lied to ...".
And that is the key point that prosecutors and judges need to understand about the Church of Scientology and Scientologists. With this directive, Scientologists have full authorization (and some would even claim mandate) to destroy evidence, manufacture evidence and commit perjury in defending their church against all those suppressive prosecutors and judges.
The Church of Scientology and all Scientology True Believers are at war with the Evil People of the world -- and prosecutors, judges and witnesses against Scientology are Evil People.
Think I'm overstating this? The following is an exact quote from L. Ron Hubbard in a policy letter that all Scientologists are required to study at the beginning of every course:
We're not playing some minor game in Scientology. It isn't cute or something to do for lack of something better.That's how important Scientology and the Church of Scientology is to its True Believers. Compared with that, how important is being truthful in a court of law?
The whole agonized future of this planet, every Man, Woman and Child on it, and your own destiny for the next endless trillions of years depend on what you do here and now with and in Scientology.L. Ron HubbardHCOPL 7 FEB 1965 Keeping Scientology Working
Having a Scientologist swear to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God" is of little value. To a Scientology True Believer, such an oath has very little power compared to the dictates of L. Ron Hubbard and David Miscavige.
It may be hard for a religious person to understand how little God means to a Scientologist. According to Hubbard, the "Supreme Being" is only one of eight equally important "dynamics" -- God is not more important than, for instance, Groups or Self. And, according to the new interpretation by Miscavige, it is the Church of Scientology that is most important by far. Yes, far more important than God or any other dynamic.
So any oath in court, to a Scientologist, does not have the power you might hope for. Do not expect any such oath to cause Scientology True Believers to actually tell the truth.
To be fair, some Scientologists probably would tell the truth, but they would be the minority. To the rest, the Church of Scientology is absolutely senior to anything else.
I will leave you, dear prosecutors and judges, with an opinion from L. Ron Hubbard on your justice system:
Police and courts offer an open-armed opportunity to the vicious and corrupt to establish themselves in a position of safety while satisfying their strange appetites of perverted viciousness toward their fellow man.-
There is little thought of administering justice so that individuals can improve. There is every thought to punish and create misery.Introduction to Scientology Ethics by L. Ron Hubbard
Monday, June 15, 2009
What It Means to Become a Scientologist
To anyone who thinks they might look into Scientology, you might want to know a bit more about what you can expect.
I'm not talking about what services you might take or what you might learn, I'm talking about how your life will change when you step onto their "Bridge to Total Freedom".
When you become a Scientologist, you will be inundated with "communication" from the church.
This is the very first result of contacting the Church of Scientology. Once they have your name, your address, your phone number and your email address, you will never again be at peace.
Actually, you don't have to be a Scientologist at this point. This happens immediately, once they have your contact information.
They will hound you for money. They will pester you to come in "for service". They will badger you to buy the latest book set, lecture set or whatever. They will remind you of the next big Miscavige Event™ and "confirm you" -- at least a dozen times. If they believe you have enough money (or enough borrowing power), they will show up at your doorstep, unannounced, and won't leave without a check.
You will get their junk mail and their email spam as well. They will call you late at night, especially Wednesday night (because their week ends on Thursday and they must get their "stats" up).
You should know that getting them to stop all this is virtually impossible. You can ask, but it won't do you much good. People have changed their phone numbers and even moved to a different city, and the Church of Scientology has tracked them down and continued their deluge.
When you become a Scientologist, you will lose all your privacy.
And I do mean all.
The Church of Scientology will insist that you tell them everything: Who do you talk to? What do they say about L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige and Scientology? What do you read? Where do you go on the Internet? What do you say and think about Hubbard, Miscavige and Scientology.
The church will demand to know all about your finances. Do you have any credit cards? How much do you owe? What is your credit limit? Do you own your own home, and how much equity do you have? Exactly what do you spend your money on, and why? Do you have savings? Do you have investments? Do you have any rich relatives?
They will want to know about your job or business. They will want to know how you spend your free time.
When you get auditing (counselling/confessional), they will work very hard to uncover every "bad" thing you've ever done: Every time you hurt someone, every time you did something you'd rather never mention again, everything you wish no one would ever find out about. They keep careful notes. Often they video your sessions using carefully hidden cameras. This information about you will be kept permanently.
They will insist on knowing everything about you.
When you become a Scientologist, you will become isolated.
You should know that Scientologists are not allowed to read certain things, look at certain things, talk to certain people, and that this list of restricted items can be quite extensive.
You will learn, as a Scientologist, that the only safe people to be connected with are other Scientologists. You will learn that the only safe source for information is the Church of Scientology. You will, eventually, accept these connections as your only connections -- because they are safe and allowed.
Undoubtedly, like most Scientologists, you will eventually avoid newspapers, radio and TV news and the Internet.
Most of your non-Scientology family and friends will learn to keep quiet about what they know about Scientology. They will learn that you, as a Scientologist, get very upset when certain facts are discussed. They will learn to avoid the subject and be very polite when deflecting your attempts to get them into the church.
When you become a Scientologist, you will give up control of your life.
You will be expected to buy everything they offer for sale -- every book, every lecture set, every course, every step up The Bridge. Even after you have bought everything, you're not done. The books, lectures and courses are regularly being altered by Miscavige and, when that happens, you will be expected to buy everything all over again. The pressure to do this will be intense. There are reports of gangs of Scientologists being sent to the houses of any Scientologists who haven't bought the latest -- to ensure they do so.
You will be expected to use up all your available credit -- max out your credit cards, take out a second/third mortgage, cut all other spending -- so that you can adequately donate to the Church of Scientology's many, many "campaigns". There's the Ideal Org Campaign, the Library Donation Campaign, the various IAS (International Association of Scientologists) campaigns, the SuperPower building, CCHR (Citizens Commission on Human Rights), the Way to Happiness Campaign and who knows how many others.
You will be expected to be on course, in session or volunteering for the church at every available free moment. Goodbye hobbies. Goodbye vacations. Goodbye holidays, "hanging with friends" and quiet evenings at home. If you aren't busy every available free moment with Scientology-related activities expect intense pressure from the church until you are.
Worse, if the Church of Scientology finds out that any of your friends or family have said anything at all negative about Scientology, Hubbard or Miscavige, even if absolutely true, you will be required to disconnect from them. Yes, you will be required to disconnect from any of them, including your own children, your parents, your wife or husband! Whether you want to or not. Even if you don't find their comments upsetting at all.
The church says such disconnections are "voluntary". Well, if you don't do exactly what they demand, you will be declared an enemy of the church. There will be punishments. "Disconnection is voluntary," yeah, sure. If a "choice" comes with draconian penalties for the wrong choice, that isn't voluntary.
Anyone thinking of looking into Scientology needs to know what they are getting into. If you start believing in Scientology, your life, as you know and enjoy it today, will be gone.
-
I'm not talking about what services you might take or what you might learn, I'm talking about how your life will change when you step onto their "Bridge to Total Freedom".
When you become a Scientologist, you will be inundated with "communication" from the church.
This is the very first result of contacting the Church of Scientology. Once they have your name, your address, your phone number and your email address, you will never again be at peace.
Actually, you don't have to be a Scientologist at this point. This happens immediately, once they have your contact information.
They will hound you for money. They will pester you to come in "for service". They will badger you to buy the latest book set, lecture set or whatever. They will remind you of the next big Miscavige Event™ and "confirm you" -- at least a dozen times. If they believe you have enough money (or enough borrowing power), they will show up at your doorstep, unannounced, and won't leave without a check.
You will get their junk mail and their email spam as well. They will call you late at night, especially Wednesday night (because their week ends on Thursday and they must get their "stats" up).
You should know that getting them to stop all this is virtually impossible. You can ask, but it won't do you much good. People have changed their phone numbers and even moved to a different city, and the Church of Scientology has tracked them down and continued their deluge.
When you become a Scientologist, you will lose all your privacy.
And I do mean all.
The Church of Scientology will insist that you tell them everything: Who do you talk to? What do they say about L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige and Scientology? What do you read? Where do you go on the Internet? What do you say and think about Hubbard, Miscavige and Scientology.
The church will demand to know all about your finances. Do you have any credit cards? How much do you owe? What is your credit limit? Do you own your own home, and how much equity do you have? Exactly what do you spend your money on, and why? Do you have savings? Do you have investments? Do you have any rich relatives?
They will want to know about your job or business. They will want to know how you spend your free time.
When you get auditing (counselling/confessional), they will work very hard to uncover every "bad" thing you've ever done: Every time you hurt someone, every time you did something you'd rather never mention again, everything you wish no one would ever find out about. They keep careful notes. Often they video your sessions using carefully hidden cameras. This information about you will be kept permanently.
They will insist on knowing everything about you.
When you become a Scientologist, you will become isolated.
You should know that Scientologists are not allowed to read certain things, look at certain things, talk to certain people, and that this list of restricted items can be quite extensive.
You will learn, as a Scientologist, that the only safe people to be connected with are other Scientologists. You will learn that the only safe source for information is the Church of Scientology. You will, eventually, accept these connections as your only connections -- because they are safe and allowed.
Undoubtedly, like most Scientologists, you will eventually avoid newspapers, radio and TV news and the Internet.
Most of your non-Scientology family and friends will learn to keep quiet about what they know about Scientology. They will learn that you, as a Scientologist, get very upset when certain facts are discussed. They will learn to avoid the subject and be very polite when deflecting your attempts to get them into the church.
When you become a Scientologist, you will give up control of your life.
You will be expected to buy everything they offer for sale -- every book, every lecture set, every course, every step up The Bridge. Even after you have bought everything, you're not done. The books, lectures and courses are regularly being altered by Miscavige and, when that happens, you will be expected to buy everything all over again. The pressure to do this will be intense. There are reports of gangs of Scientologists being sent to the houses of any Scientologists who haven't bought the latest -- to ensure they do so.
You will be expected to use up all your available credit -- max out your credit cards, take out a second/third mortgage, cut all other spending -- so that you can adequately donate to the Church of Scientology's many, many "campaigns". There's the Ideal Org Campaign, the Library Donation Campaign, the various IAS (International Association of Scientologists) campaigns, the SuperPower building, CCHR (Citizens Commission on Human Rights), the Way to Happiness Campaign and who knows how many others.
You will be expected to be on course, in session or volunteering for the church at every available free moment. Goodbye hobbies. Goodbye vacations. Goodbye holidays, "hanging with friends" and quiet evenings at home. If you aren't busy every available free moment with Scientology-related activities expect intense pressure from the church until you are.
Worse, if the Church of Scientology finds out that any of your friends or family have said anything at all negative about Scientology, Hubbard or Miscavige, even if absolutely true, you will be required to disconnect from them. Yes, you will be required to disconnect from any of them, including your own children, your parents, your wife or husband! Whether you want to or not. Even if you don't find their comments upsetting at all.
The church says such disconnections are "voluntary". Well, if you don't do exactly what they demand, you will be declared an enemy of the church. There will be punishments. "Disconnection is voluntary," yeah, sure. If a "choice" comes with draconian penalties for the wrong choice, that isn't voluntary.
Anyone thinking of looking into Scientology needs to know what they are getting into. If you start believing in Scientology, your life, as you know and enjoy it today, will be gone.
-
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Church of Scientology Cries "Religious Persecution!"
Recently, we've seen a big increase in the Church of Scientology's whining about "religious persecution". They claim that the recent legal actions against the Church of Scientology are "religious persecution", "the equivalent of a heresy trial" and "a witch hunt".
Oh really?
Do they really want to go down that path?
All these things, religious persecution, heresy trial or witch hunt, are attacks against a person or group's beliefs or religious activities.
But these legal actions are criminal proceedings. These trials and lawsuits are against (alleged) criminals. Laws were broken. People were harmed. How could this have anything to do with religious beliefs or religious practices?
Yet, the Church of Scientology insists that these are attacks against Scientology's religious practices.
What do they mean? What are they saying?
The Church of Scientology insists that these legal actions are religious persecution because these crimes are, indeed, part of their religion!
While it is well known that the "sacred scripture" from L. Ron Hubbard, does, indeed, call for crimes to be committed against people and organizations, this is, I believe, the first time the church has actually admitted it.
They cannot practice Scientology as created by Hubbard, and now mismanaged by David Miscavige, without breaking the law.
But, you see, in their universe, this is OK. They are "homo novis", far above mere homo sapiens (whom they call "wogs"). They are above wog laws. Miscavige really does believe himself to be above all laws, and he ensures those who follow his orders believe Scientology is above wog laws as well.
And they are shocked when some mere wog or some mere wog government dares to challenge their actions. They are bringing about a "Scientology World" and you had just better get out of the way.
These wog laws are mere annoyances to them, not something they have to actually pay much attention to. Many Scientologists will perjure themselves quite happily to protect Miscavige and the church.
-
Oh really?
Do they really want to go down that path?
All these things, religious persecution, heresy trial or witch hunt, are attacks against a person or group's beliefs or religious activities.
But these legal actions are criminal proceedings. These trials and lawsuits are against (alleged) criminals. Laws were broken. People were harmed. How could this have anything to do with religious beliefs or religious practices?
Yet, the Church of Scientology insists that these are attacks against Scientology's religious practices.
What do they mean? What are they saying?
The Church of Scientology insists that these legal actions are religious persecution because these crimes are, indeed, part of their religion!
While it is well known that the "sacred scripture" from L. Ron Hubbard, does, indeed, call for crimes to be committed against people and organizations, this is, I believe, the first time the church has actually admitted it.
They cannot practice Scientology as created by Hubbard, and now mismanaged by David Miscavige, without breaking the law.
But, you see, in their universe, this is OK. They are "homo novis", far above mere homo sapiens (whom they call "wogs"). They are above wog laws. Miscavige really does believe himself to be above all laws, and he ensures those who follow his orders believe Scientology is above wog laws as well.
And they are shocked when some mere wog or some mere wog government dares to challenge their actions. They are bringing about a "Scientology World" and you had just better get out of the way.
These wog laws are mere annoyances to them, not something they have to actually pay much attention to. Many Scientologists will perjure themselves quite happily to protect Miscavige and the church.
Somebody some day will say "this is illegal." By then be sure the orgs [Scientology churches] say what is legal or not.We can be very, very happy that the Church of Scientology is not and will never be in a position to say "what is legal or not".L. Ron Hubbard, HCOPL of 4 January 1966, "LRH Relationship to Orgs"
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Church of Scientology Recruitment
When looking at the way the Church of Scientology operates, it is important to compare it with how one would expect a normal, honest organization to operate.
We can get so lost in the Church of Scientology's justifications for each and every strange, unethical, illegal and convoluted action of theirs that we forget how very far from honest and normal the church is.
Take, for example, the way the Church of Scientology attempts to recruit new members.
What does a normal religion do? Why, they might get a listing in the local paper's Religion Section. They might put of one of those message signs in front of their church or temple, telling people when their services are. I've even occasionally seen a few mailings. That's normal.
What does the Church of Scientology do?
They pretend they have "the solution to illiteracy" and attempt to get their "Study Technology" into schools in a covert, stealth recruitment effort. They don't admit up front that this is Scientology. When their vaunted "Study Technology" is debunked by respected educators as pretty darn worthless, they ignore it and keep trying to fool schools into allowing them in -- in other words, it isn't really about improving education.
They pretend they have "the solution to drugs" and attempt to con people into going to their "Narconon Centers" in a covert, stealth recruitment effort. They don't admit up front that this is Scientology. When communities and families find out that Narconon's reported statistics are false, and their "solution" really fails most of the time, the Church of Scientology ignores it and keeps trying to fool the vulnerable and their families into coming to their Narconon Centers -- in other words, it isn't actually about handling drug problems.
They pretend they are "helping disaster victims" with their Volunteer Minister program. The church orders some Scientologists to act as Volunteer Ministers and sends them out every time there is a disaster, but without any medicine, without food, without supplies, without materials for shelter. Why do the Volunteer Ministers show up? They bring materials for dissemination and then attempt to start Scientology courses in a covert, stealth recruitment effort. When the real relief agencies expose their bogus actions the Church of Scientology ignores it and keeps showing up at disaster sites -- in other words, it isn't really about helping disaster victims.
They pretend to give "Stress Tests" at tables set up on public streets and in malls in a covert, stealth recruitment effort. They don't admit up front that they are Scientology, they have "Dianetics" signs on the tables. When these "stress tests" are exposed as meaningless sales tricks, they ignore it and keep setting up their little tables, hoping that someone will be fooled -- in other words, it isn't really about finding and handling real stress.
And so it goes.
Do you see the common thread here? All these actions are covert and stealthy actions. When debunked as worthless, these actions are always continued because they are actually recruitment efforts. The Church of Scientology is not open. It is not honest. And the church certainly is not normal.
Even before Scientology became the punchline for jokes, they operated this way. This isn't a recent phenomenon. David Miscavige has certainly made it worse, but L. Ron Hubbard specified these kinds of covert, stealthy recruitment actions in his policy letters many years ago. They have always hidden who they were and what they were really doing.
Why?
Well, back to that comparison of the Church of Scientology with what you'd expect from an honest and normal organization:
-
We can get so lost in the Church of Scientology's justifications for each and every strange, unethical, illegal and convoluted action of theirs that we forget how very far from honest and normal the church is.
Take, for example, the way the Church of Scientology attempts to recruit new members.
What does a normal religion do? Why, they might get a listing in the local paper's Religion Section. They might put of one of those message signs in front of their church or temple, telling people when their services are. I've even occasionally seen a few mailings. That's normal.
What does the Church of Scientology do?
They pretend they have "the solution to illiteracy" and attempt to get their "Study Technology" into schools in a covert, stealth recruitment effort. They don't admit up front that this is Scientology. When their vaunted "Study Technology" is debunked by respected educators as pretty darn worthless, they ignore it and keep trying to fool schools into allowing them in -- in other words, it isn't really about improving education.
They pretend they have "the solution to drugs" and attempt to con people into going to their "Narconon Centers" in a covert, stealth recruitment effort. They don't admit up front that this is Scientology. When communities and families find out that Narconon's reported statistics are false, and their "solution" really fails most of the time, the Church of Scientology ignores it and keeps trying to fool the vulnerable and their families into coming to their Narconon Centers -- in other words, it isn't actually about handling drug problems.
They pretend they are "helping disaster victims" with their Volunteer Minister program. The church orders some Scientologists to act as Volunteer Ministers and sends them out every time there is a disaster, but without any medicine, without food, without supplies, without materials for shelter. Why do the Volunteer Ministers show up? They bring materials for dissemination and then attempt to start Scientology courses in a covert, stealth recruitment effort. When the real relief agencies expose their bogus actions the Church of Scientology ignores it and keeps showing up at disaster sites -- in other words, it isn't really about helping disaster victims.
They pretend to give "Stress Tests" at tables set up on public streets and in malls in a covert, stealth recruitment effort. They don't admit up front that they are Scientology, they have "Dianetics" signs on the tables. When these "stress tests" are exposed as meaningless sales tricks, they ignore it and keep setting up their little tables, hoping that someone will be fooled -- in other words, it isn't really about finding and handling real stress.
And so it goes.
Do you see the common thread here? All these actions are covert and stealthy actions. When debunked as worthless, these actions are always continued because they are actually recruitment efforts. The Church of Scientology is not open. It is not honest. And the church certainly is not normal.
Even before Scientology became the punchline for jokes, they operated this way. This isn't a recent phenomenon. David Miscavige has certainly made it worse, but L. Ron Hubbard specified these kinds of covert, stealthy recruitment actions in his policy letters many years ago. They have always hidden who they were and what they were really doing.
Why?
Well, back to that comparison of the Church of Scientology with what you'd expect from an honest and normal organization:
If a product is good and the organization behind it is honest, you don't need to trick people into trying it.The fact that the Church of Scientology uses tricks, lies and covert, stealthy actions for recruitment says it all.
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