Good point, I agree. People are commonly so robotic (and/or so PTS, especially in the cherch). Personnally I had got very good results from Scientology (and I mean very very good results) only in two situations:
1) when I stopped listening to scn people and start thinking and looking by myself with Scientology data (even if it did not look “good” for the “good” people in the cherch)
2) when being listened by a skilled auditor who was really caring about me (and not caring for his own stats). That happened only once and this auditor has been fired a few weeks later by a couple of angry SO (in a very suicidal-scientology style) !

Not being robotic, thinking by oneself : strangely these are parts of the definition of OT, the true goal of Scientology.

That’s a troubling part of the Sea Org. They wear uniforms that resemble military, with absolutely no real qualifications to earn them the respect and considerations shown to real members of the military, police, etc. In those organizations one must earn their ‘rank’ and people can safely assume that the person in uniform has the knowledge, skills, and experience to back up whatever status one has been given. What real skills does someone have who has been named a ‘Captain’ in the Sea Org? Want to answer that Captain Miscavige? I’ve heard stories from ex-S.O. members who were given preferential treatments: early boarding on flights, discounts on tickets normally given to military, free meals, etc. The public sees a uniform and automatically assumes that the person wearing it has accomplished things to earn them a superior position, but this isn’t true in the Sea Org.

harry, I get the same impression. I don’t think they should do that. If anyone is interested in scientology they can join, but high-pressure sales tactics to get people to give money shouldn’t be used by a church. It’s unethical.

Ohio, good advice. I think you are right.

T.J. — What “compels” one to give beyond their means or even listen to a pitch from an Scn??? I believe it’s because most of us were raised to be “nice”. ‘No Ma’am, Yes Sir’, give up your seat , etc. I think there’s a basic instinct to ‘be nice’. How many of us have tried to ‘be nice’ to the high pressured salesman , the JW that comes to the door, the telemarketer? LRH knew this and used it to his advantage.

But we all know that, to someone who is hell-bent on getting something from us or controlling us, “nice” does not work.

We have had to teach our grandchildren, that, sometimes, it’s OK not to be ‘nice’. We have told them: If someone is bullying you or someone else; trying to get you to do something wrong; or making you feel uncomfortable, it is OK NOT TO BE NICE. It is far better to listen to your heart and do the right thing.

I was only ever at mission level, so fortunately we didn’t have any great amount of money sucking, (sorry, fundraising), from the IAS there.

However, attendance at the St Hill events was virtually compulsory……

When I’d had more than I could take and was thoroughly pissed off with the cult, I used to just tell them what they wanted to hear.

Basically my mission would call anyone and everyone (many times a day) to confirm attendance at St Hill. They even had a coach hired to take everyone there!

So every time I was called to confirm, I would say “Yes, I’ll be coming”. Then I wouldn’t turn up!!

Quite a few people did this…… Frequently the 50 – 60 seater coach would have 10 people aboard.

Eventually I’d be dragged into ethics and asked why I didn’t go. I used to say “Because I didn’t want to”.

Then I’d be asked why I confirmed, so I’d say “Because you guys don’t take no for an answer”.

There then followed a lecture on the mission wasting money on a coach.

My reaction? “Here’s 20p, phone someone who gives a fuck!”.

End of session……………………………….

Sometimes just put someone in a uniform and they develop an air of superiority about themselves. It’s not that the ARE superior, it’s that they FEEL superior to an “underling” who isn’t wearing the “snappy uniform” that THEY feel deserves respect.
Respect within THIS organization should have to be EARNED no matter what age you are, ….they don’t see it that way because they believe by “moving up the bridge” they deserve respect.
All too sad for THEM, so glad you dear friend and others woke up and are making it in the REAL world. As I said before, we can ONLY save ourselves….those who don’t want to be saved or won’t save themselves….they are still in and being controlled by the “Gargoyle, his minions and belief in LRon’s fantasy scie fi hero Xenu……too sad…for THEM.

I’ve been asked lots of times what was it that got me out of scientology and my answer has always been “lots of things” because I wasn’t able to pin point an exact single cause. After reading your comment I now know what it was. It was an attitude I inherited from my dad: NOBODY TALKS TO ME THAT WAY!