Terra is back with another thought-provoking essay... How to Talk to Friends and Family about Scientology A friend passed along a promo piece about an event entitled “How to Talk to Friends and Family about Scientology.” Back in the day, I would have attended without thinking twice. Communicating with family and friends about Scientology was valuable, both as a way of explaining what I was doing without them flipping-out, and as a way to bring new people into the fold. I’m a lot smarter now. Now, I look at what lies beneath the seemingly innocuous promot … [Read more...]
How many scientologists are there?
Well, here is some pretty simple math. 1,000,000 divided by 52 = 19,230. One can assume that those 19,230 people consist of: The real people "in the Scientologist page" -- these are the people that are at least supportive of scientology, even if not active. It does not include EVERY scientologist -- social media just doesn't capture everyone (especially when the age demographic of scientologists continues to march toward "ancient" -- just look at the fundraising promos) It would include all staff who are active on social media in some way -- but this excludes almost all Sea Org … [Read more...]
Scientology and Status
An article by long term commenter Mike Westen Scientologists love hierarchy. Participation in the Church of Scientology involves climbing several ladders of scientological status: The most important ladder is The Bridge to Total Freedom – Hubbard’s spiritual hierarchy denoting auditor class, therapeutic achievement and godhood. [1] The loyal scientologist will be expected to donate to various projects such as the “Ideal Org strategy” (the relocation of existing churches into new premises) and the IAS (PR frippery and legal defence). Constantly hounded to “move up in … [Read more...]
Books Make BOOMS
"Books Make Booms" is an old adage from L. Ron Hubbard covered in numerous policy letters. Of course, because Hubbard said it, this is absolute fact in the minds of true believers. Never mind we are in the digital age. Never mind they forget all about this when proclaiming the virtues of ScientologyTV as the most magnificent dissemination tool ever. When they are reminded Hubbard said this about books, they jump to attention, mind salute and roll out the Tone 40 intention to hit the streets and sell copies of Dianetics to the uninformed. They held a massive, international … [Read more...]
The Sad Delusion Scientology Breeds
This "success story" is not unusual, but it highlights the utter delusion that is fostered in scientology. It either attracts or creates people who have truly lost touch with reality. It is like Trekkies or Star Wars fanatics who live in a world of make-believe, except rather than thinking Captain Kirk is a hero or Darth Vader is a bad guy, scientologists are certain L. Ron Hubbard is the savior of earth, "the psychs" are trying to kill them and that by handing over more money to scientology it will make them "responsible" for the world and give them an elite status as a … [Read more...]
Cognitive Dissonance
Our old friend Terra is back with some food for thought... Cognitive Dissonance Everyone who’s ever lived on Earth has experienced cognitive dissonance. Anybody who’s ever been affiliated with a religion has experienced cognitive dissonance in spades. Cult members face this phenomenon on a daily basis. High Water Cognitive dissonance was a concept first proposed by Leon Festinger in the 1950’s. He theorized that people needed their beliefs to be consistent and correct with those they encountered throughout their lives. When faced with data that contradicted what they’d bee … [Read more...]
The Scientology Mindset
I have written some posts about the delusion that pervades the scientology bubble. Anything possibly negative about scientology is to be avoided at all costs -- of course it is not true anyway as scientology is the "only game where everyone wins" according to L. Ron Hubbard. And that means if you don't "win" it is on you. Because scientology has never done ANYTHING wrong. This Facebook posting typifies the bubble-think perfectly: The "SP's" are of course anyone who does not follow in lockstep with scientology dicta. Primary on this list are those who speak about the abuses they … [Read more...]
The Illiterates of Scientology
Scientology routinely claims it has the ONLY workable method of teaching someone how to learn. They proclaim they bring literacy to millions around the world -- here are just a few excerpts from the scientology.org website. These are not even the hype statements they dish up at "international events": But their own promotional pieces put these claims to the sword. Their promotional pieces routinely contain so many grammatical errors, spelling errors and typos that it boggles the mind. Especially in this age of spellcheckers on every computer. One might be able to brush … [Read more...]
Correlation Without Causation
Scientology loves to claim they are responsible for "Clearing the planet" and “bettering society” -- proclaiming they are "slaying the four modern horsemen of the apocalypse, drugs, illiteracy, criminality and immorality." They routinely take credit for all sorts of things: reducing crime in Colombia by 50%, increasing literacy rates in third world countries, eradicating gang violence etc. They find a statistic and then claim “we handed out 74,000 copies of WTH and the number of divorces in Denmark is lowest in a decade. ” It is clear (in their minds) that this is incontrovertible evidence th … [Read more...]
Stolen Valor: Ron the War Hero
Tonight, at the Fort Harrison Hotel, scientology will once again try to cash in on the claimed "fact" that their founder was an accomplished War Hero and recipient of a "Purple Heart With Palm." Anyone unfortunate enough to be hoodwinked into this event with the offer of a free dinner, valet parking and some insincere flattery (insincere because scientologists believe all "wogs" are unfortunately ignorant) should take a few minutes to find out just what it is they are supporting. If anyone DOES show up, you can bet there will be photos taken and their names and likenesses will be used … [Read more...]