Change the Future of This Planet Now
This is one of the more egregiously dishonest and distorted promo pieces I have seen from scientology in a while. And that is saying something. Of course, the first thing to note is that being on staff does absolutely nothing about the future of this planet. It doesn't even do anything about the future of the neighborhood these orgs are in. Not a thing changes with their presence. Though in many jurisdictions they are a drain on tax revenues that would otherwise generate from the property they occupy. But apart from that, zilch impact. But then it devolves into absurdity. Staff is … [Read more...]
Thought Reform and Scientology
On one of the recent Fair Game Podcast, Chris Shelton recommended Robert Jay Lifton's book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism . Then Mockingbird posted a comment concerning this and I thought it important to include it as a post, as he summarizes the eight criteria for Thought Reform isolated by the author. I should note, there are many excellent articles at Mockingbird's Nest blog. Here is his comment in full. I have highlighted the 8 criteria. Mike Rinder recently pointed out something that most people miss, even experts. He pointed out that the E meter is used … [Read more...]
Episode 37: Mormon Stories Host Dr. John Dehlin
This week Leah and I venture into the world of Mormonism with Dr. John Dehlin. I recently appeared on his long-running and very popular podcast, Mormon Stories, and we are now welcoming him to ours. He is not just a podcaster, he is a non-profit CEO, activist, public speaker, and religious transitions coach. He advocates for the rights of skeptics in Mormonism, LGBT rights, equality for women, and other individual views outside mainstream Mormonism. He has Master’s degree in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. We learned a great deal from John … [Read more...]
Looking for LRH Originals — Still
Surely they are joking... People often ask "what do Sea Org/staff members do all day?" Well, this. For years after Hubbard died -- nearly 40 years ago now -- Sea Org members were dispatched all over the world to find everything Hubbard had ever written or said. This was the primary function of Church of Spiritual Technology which was created to "preserve the legacy" of Hubbard's rambling for all eternity. And the first step was to ensure they had everything. This went on for many, many years. Now, 30 years later someone is trying again? Why? Maybe … [Read more...]
“Ideal Org” (In)Activity
We always say these so-called "ideal orgs" are merely empty buildings masquerading as viable scientology organizations. Perth keeps putting out "briefings" that prove this in their own words. Just think, Hubbard said the MIMINUM to be "viable" and "above the make-break point" was for an org to achieve the size of Old St Hill. Not a single Class V org has stably achieved that status. Just as an idea of what this means, it requires at least 100 auditors in training in the Academy and 1000 auditing hours a week. This would translate, conservatively, into 25 … [Read more...]
Regraded Being
Study in Scientology
Recently, some have expressed the view that Leah is incorrect in stating that a minimum of 2.5 hours per day of study is mandated of you in scientology. There have been various people who have commented on this "this is not my experience" and "there is no Hubbard writing that states this." Most of this is missing the point: whether you agree with the mandated 2.5 hours statement, scientology places enormous demands on its membership, far more than mainstream religions. It is the only organization calling itself a religion where there are services that you are expected to show up for on an … [Read more...]
ONLY on the Freewinds…
It is pretty remarkable that the "OT Ship" is now specializing as the place to go to do the Purif. The ONLY place in the world? What about the Narconons? They are advertising that they are open? But they don't count? Actually, I bet there are plenty of places you can in fact do the Purif -- New Zealand and Australia come to mind. They are conducting sporting events with capacity crowds.... In fact, there are probably places in the US where they are delivering the Purif. Maybe not in California, but Texas is ignoring recommendations on Covid protocols... Seems this is most likely a lie -- … [Read more...]
Episode 36: Critical Thinker Chris Shelton Part 2
This week's episode is a continuation from last week with Chris Shelton. We take a deep dive into the the "Truth Rundown" and Rehabilitation Project Force, but of course touch upon other things in doing so. If you want to hear more of Chris' insights, you can tune into his Sensibly Speaking Podcast. There is a wealth of material there. The "Truth Rundown" is one of the most remarkable things Hubbard developed. It is the most direct and unvarnished brainwashing technique in scientology. It is intended for use on Sea Org members, though some others have unfortunately been … [Read more...]
The Scientology Business Pirates
Could there be anything more appropriate than adopting the name "Pirates" for scientology businesses? With the recent spate of bad news about sleazy scientology businessmen being prosecuted -- from David Gentile and the GBP Capital gang to Dennis Nobbe, Jay Spina, Robert Lotter and Brent Jones — the most "ethical group on earth" has a pretty poor track record of actually BEING ethical. And of course, let’s not forget the grandaddy of them all, Reed Slatkin. I now wonder if he might end up being overshadowed by Gentile... And who knows where Grant Cardone is headed? Scientology loves to tr … [Read more...]
The Year of Target Attainment
This event today is another "milestone" -- celebrating the idea that they will attain their target of 10,000 started on Solo NOTs (not completed...) They have been postulating this for a very long time now. In fact, just this week I came across this issue, from April 2002 -- 19 years ago now: This is so long ago, that they are talking about 10,000 people ON Solo NOTs at one time, all going in session 6 times a day (they revised that target ten or more years ago to being "on or through" as they knew they would never get at the same time even if people were on the … [Read more...]
Regraded Being
Scientology vs God
When we were talking to Chris Shelton on the Fair Game podcast, we covered some ground concerning the belief in God in Scientology. And recently I saw Jim Meskimen spouting off on the STAAD League and realized it was important to lay out what L. Ron Hubbard said about the subject. Meskimen of course omits all of what is below, but plucks a single Hubbard quote about the fate of societies that do not believe in God to "prove" that scientologists really do believe in God. The quote itself proves nothing. In fact, maybe it was one of Hubbard's cruel jokes on his followers that he … [Read more...]
Australian Media Again Leading the Way
You have to hand it to the Australian media -- they are, as a whole, less cowed by scientology than in any other country. We have watched for years as Bryan Seymour and Steve Cannane have done numerous stories exposing scientology's abuses. And there have been others too. And now Ben Schneiders has joined the party, and is making a big splash. In the past week he has published an explosive report about scientology finances and follow up stories detailing how this is now ballooning into a demand from at least one member of the Australian Parliament, Andrew Leigh, for an investigation of … [Read more...]