Hi Ann, I once went to a fundraising event where a person there had a letter supposedly written by Ron. It was sealed in plastic and treated with reverence and awe. I was still quite in but I found the whole thing comical. It reminded me of another religion that displays holy relics that people kneel before and kiss and pray to. The Sea Org gang somehow worked the whole deal into getting more money from the public there. It was like Ron was supposed to be present with us through that letter and he wanted everyone to donate more money. I believe there is absolutely nothing they will not do for money.

Ms. Jamie,

I don’t know you, but your story was suggested to me and I just finished reading it on Marty’s site. I’m crying typing this. I’m so very very sorry. I too share an extra special bond with my father and can’t fathom what you went and must still be going through. I pray with all my heart that you and your father once again get to share cookies together and a long hug.

Words can’t provide anything close to what I wish I could express to you. May you continue to share your love with your soul mate and though I don’t know you, I believe in my heart that your Daddy thinks about you with deep love everyday, as you no doubt do as well.

My thoughts, as inadequate as they are, are with you both – hoping for the day when you’re together again.

BB

Thank you for responding. I’m familiar with The Goldberg story. I see the complexity more clearly now. And your explanation of what CoS offers for a person walking in off the street – also makes a poignant reality. I will continue to hope and pray for those who are subjects of
disconnection. I can’t fathom having to pick between your children. Lose/lose. But one can never abandon hope.

Much gratitude for using your talent to help expose and inform people of this horrendous practice. And Ty once again for replying and the suggested reading. I’m heading over to Marty’s site right now.

BB

Hi Regraded Being, With Dad’s Day coming up I wanted to thank you for the humbling & sad & truthful post for the week.Also your reply to Bravebloggers hit home.Especially the leverage on parishioners to keep them in line.As I have said here today yesterday I finally threw out the last of my Ron letters that I had kept all these long years because I went back & found an old post from Mike before I found him & the blog about the fact that Ron never wrote them.Someone knew very personal details about me & kept that comm going until the GOI with Bill Earls in charge of me took over.Then anything I wrote on the SO # 1 line was sent on to him.I mean it had been 40+ yrs & I just now really know & see this! How very powerful the bs was & is for those still in.Love U Ann B.

Are you kidding? Not only do they coach them, but the MAA or other church terminals are on the phone line while they talk to you, coaching them. And in the EPF, which is the boot camp for new recruits when they first join the SO, they won’t let you call home unless the MAA is there listening to your phone call. You have to CSW to phone home and the MAA must be there listening when you call. That’s how it was in 2006, and it might even be worse now. They have to listen and monitor and prevent you from saying things like, “I hate it here; come rescue me!”

All people are different in when one joined, why one joined, when one started to look / question, when and how one left, what occurred after leaving (to ones-self and loved ones) and how / when (if at all) one “stopped drinking the kool aid”. Not to mention the steps one took once outside the influence of Co$ to repair/remedy/reflect on ones thoughts, beliefs and actions when still in.

You will have compassion when the time comes because you have it already – for yourself and others. You wouldn’t be posting on boards such as this one, if you didn’t. When you feel your compassion for those still fully indoctrinated to be faltering, let it. It’s going to happen, and probably a lot. Then let your compassion rebuild as you recall how hard it was for yourself to “wake up”.

Remember that each one is different. It is up to each one to find their way. All others can do is be available when those in need reach out, as hopefully others were for you. Not to judge, not to accuse, not to punish. To listen, help and guide as needed. That is compassion – having awareness of the pain and suffering of others, and only wish to help relieve it.

That is what I have gathered from the wise words of all of you. Keep hope alive.

Hi Bravebloggers,
There’s a lot more to the story that doesn’t appear in the cartoon. There are two daughters. One is still in the church and one has left. Look up Jamie’s Adventure on Mark Rathbun’s Blog. Also read Sara Goldberg’s story on both Mike Rinder’s and Tony Ortega’s sites. If the father in our story were to decide today to leave scientology in order to re-unite with his daughter who has left the church the the other daughter would be forced to disconnect from him. That is a dilema that only a person living it could possibly describe.
The really insane part of all of this (from a cartoonist’s point of view) is that if you were to walk into a scientology church and told them you were having marital problems or difficulty in your relations with your children, they would offer to help. They would work to convince that no matter how bad things are, they can provide you with the tools to fix it. You would be told “something can be done about it.” You would leave with a feeling of hope and gratitude that someone cares. You would be brought to believe that only with scientology could you possibly have a sane, healthy relation with your family. What they won’t tell you is that the kick in the teeth won’t come until you are totally invested in that religion.
Hubbard wrote a science fiction story in which the bad guy is constantly looking for ‘leverage’ so he can control others. That’s what scientology today does. It collects leverage on it’s parishoners in order to keep them in line. The guy who thinks he owns scientology is not a brilliant or great person. He’s just a little coward who happens to have a lot of leverage on a lot of people. That, in his estimation is power.

RB,

What do you think the chances are of this father getting back to his daughter? It’s very easy for me to make the following statement as I’m a never-in, and have only read extensively and talked to former and a few current CoSers which in no way qualifies me as an expert or with a right to judge – I’m more looking for a hopeful response, but how, if he takes being a father seriously, loves his little girl so much, and dreams about being in her life again…can he let it stand? If he is of a hardy disposition why didn’t he ask his daughter about the lies (maybe he did, please keep in mind I’m a never in and have limited information about this situation)? I’m so very close to my Father. Likethisifyougetmydrift, nospacesjustlove. After losing a child to death and his fatherly obligations that he takes very seriously, and the simple yet so complex nature of love, I know there isn’t a thing in the world that could separate us.

I put myself in that strip you wrote and couldn’t imagine the pain or event ever happening, no matter what lies were told about me. I put myself in his shoes and came to the same conclusion, but of course the missing piece is never being subjected to the CoS as well as comparing it to my Daddy’s fortitude. Again, the big piece is no involvement in CoS, but knowing his love is just as strong for her now, and he has a strong will to be with her…I’m just dumbstruck.

Please tell me what you think the odds are of them reuniting? This strip has been on my mind since it was posted. I posted on the Bunker for people to come check it out. It crosses my mind so many times a day and I’ve fallen to sleep at night with it on my mind since Friday and see no end to that in the near future. Please, please give me your guess. I’m beyond heart sick about this (and others going through this too). I want all who are disconnected to be reunited, but as you seem to know a bit about these two specifically; I’m praying for a rainbow for these two and others, and won’t stop. Forgive my ignorance on the assumptions I made as a never in, and basing it on my relationship with my Dad, but please tell me what you think will be the outcome if you had to venture a guess. Thank you so very much for all you do.

Ok- I’m not religious at all, but when I read your remarks, and the remarks of other disconnected family, the words Jesus told his followers in the biblical story ‘I go to prepare a place for you..’ I hope it comforts you to know, because of your courage, your children have a safe place to land when the crazy is too much.

+1. Great post, Coop!