I watched an interesting show on Netflix last night — the episode of the “Explained” series entitled “Cults.”
Each of these shows addresses a different topic and tries to give an objective view to explain it to people who are curious or just don’t know.
It’s only 25 minutes, and it is by no means comprehensive. It does not mention scientology and includes cult apologist Reza Aslan (among others) but nevertheless, anyone who has been involved with scientology will find plenty here that parallels our experiences. And it gives some perspective that there are lots of cults and they each have characteristics in common. Scientology fits the model perfectly.
When you are in scientology (especially when you have grown up in it) you believe it is something entirely new and different — advanced over anything else that has ever existed. It is a dawning realization for many after they get out that this is not the case… in fact it is just a new take on a pretty universal scam.
Kelsey says
February 5, 2020 at 1:42 amPlease investigate the World Mission Society Church of God. They are a Korean cult that has widely expanded to the US and other parts of the world. They have multiple pending lawsuits against them. They tear apart families, instill fear in members so they won’t leave, requires over 40 hours a week in participation, and trash former members. I was in the church for 10 years. I am working with other members who have since left and we are currently using YouTube as a platform to get our word out. I read that Leah is starting a new show to investigate other cults. Please please consider this cult to investigate. This church believes that a Korean man and woman are god and has been accused of breaking tax laws. They preach the end of the world is very soon and tell members that they need to be prepared to see their loved ones die in front of them. They coerced several abortions and digitally stalk former members through hacking attempts.
ISNOINews says
February 4, 2020 at 6:34 pmThis is wildly off-topic (or is it?), but I thought some people here might be interested. The Independent Reformed Church of Scientology (IRCS) has relaunched under new management. I just double checked, and the Independent Reformed Church of Scientology is still a California corporation in active status, and it still has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as a religion in the United States.
https://scientologyreformed.org
/
Mike Rinder says
February 4, 2020 at 6:43 pmWho is the “new management”?
Who was the “old” management?
ISNOINews says
February 4, 2020 at 7:16 pmThe old management was Lana Mitchell and Mike Eldredge.
To my knowledge, the new management has not been officially disclosed. However, I just checked the WHOIS information for the scientologyreformed.org website, which shows the website is now registered to Tom Martiniano.
Tom Martiniano also responded to Lana Mitchell on the new IRCS blog and he is listed as a “Mod.” See:
https://scientologyreformed.org/blog/f/ir-c-of-s-is-back
The blog post linked above says, “We are a team of trained and dedicated Scientologists who have more than 100 years experience in running orgs and running successful businesses. ” I haven’t been able to discover who the other members of the team are.
ISNOINews says
February 4, 2020 at 7:58 pmA bit of background. Lana announced the then upcoming change in a post on 12/7/19:
https://milestonetwo.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/life-events/
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
Both myself and Mike Eldredge have handed over the Independent Reformed Church of Scientology to some dedicated Scientologists who have a little more time than we do at current. Both Mike and I are still auditing (and Mike is still C/Sing) and we welcome preclears and pre-OTs that need services.
You will hear more on this shortly on the IRCS website and FB page.
I wish all of you the best with your own life events, as they are experienced.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
[NOTE: The Independent Reformed Church of Scientology website used to embed the Milestone Two blog. Thus, the link above.]
I’ve been waiting for the new team and announcement since 12/7/19.
Cult Free says
February 5, 2020 at 8:23 amSuccessfully running orgs? That has NEVER happened. Ever! Scientology, organized or reorganized, it does not work. Someone tell them to go all the way down the rabbit hole. They are still in a cult, creating a new cult. DEPROGRAMMING is a real word that has value.
Jane Doe 2 says
February 5, 2020 at 12:31 pmI thought Merrill Vannier was one of the founders of that. He has been working on opening a C of S and doing all the legal ruds to use the LRH material and etc. He operated a website and may still do so.
Wynski says
February 5, 2020 at 4:04 pmYes Jane. The disbarred atty Merrill (disbarred for criminal activity) was behind that. He was incredibly stupid and by asserting wrongly copyright law got the US Gov to rule against him. The attempt to open a 2nd CoS. That failed though and has gone no further than setting a up an amateur website a few years ago. True to form the first thing the new “CoS” tried to assert was the need for all ex-CoS members to submit an amnesty application to them to join the new criminal lead CoS with a grade chart that was not per El Con Hubtard.
RoseMarie says
February 4, 2020 at 6:20 pmI will watch this. I found the same thing. That all cults have such common traits it’s astounding! Good information!!!
jere Lull (39 years recovering) says
February 4, 2020 at 6:05 pm“in fact it is just a new take on a pretty universal scam.”
That fact about scientology bears MUCH repetition.Can’t be broadcast too widly.
BKmole says
February 4, 2020 at 12:18 pmAnyone watching the episode would then see Scientology as a cult, hands down even with the Reza Aslan BS. It’s worth watching.
Ammo Alamo says
February 4, 2020 at 11:54 amReading through Janis Gilham Grady’s volume two of her Messenger books, I can see exactly that “special” feeling she and her fellow crew felt riding the high seas with Hubbard on the Apollo. He was there every day, adjusting, correcting, nullifying, and writing new procedures and back stories to solidify his hold on the universe he was creating. The crew was gradually absorbing the ever-changing rules of their new universe, yet even as Hubbard insisted the crew maintain adherence to original writings he was modifying the rules he made for the world around him, and expecting the world to change to fit his story rather than the other way around. The crew’s gradual intoxication of cognitive dissonance was beginning.
They were rapt and astonished as Hubbard told tall tales of pirates and galley slaves, hidden caverns, and ancient cannon found but left behind. Still in the future was the worst of the abuses, but even on the Apollo the abusive nature was creeping from the top down as people were re-assigned and demoted when they somehow did not meet the expectations Hubbard held. Some of that abuse came from Mary Sue, but most was Hubbard creating and defining his control over the small confined group of followers.
With Scientology in the US changing to an insular model, trying to protect what little it has rather than expanding to bring in more members, it seems to be not much different from those early crew on the Apollo. The leader and the ‘fun’ are totally different, but the remaining Scientologists seem to have about as much belief as any group of Scientologists ever had. Exposure to episodes of the Reckless Ben Youtube vids show the type of true believers that remain in Scientology on the lower levels – willing to trust in past and future lives, and certain about the many conspiracies that exist to bring down the world. They remain sure that only Scientology, properly practiced, can prevent the many catastrophes awaiting us all.
Alan D Naldrett says
February 4, 2020 at 11:31 amVery good show! Thanks for the recommendation!
SILVIA says
February 4, 2020 at 9:45 amThank you Mike, we will watch the documental.
Steven Hassan’s Book on Cult is also very informative about the subject, I recommend it.