Thank you for your replies! I have so many more questions regarding the spectrum of ex-scientologists’ beliefs. I think I may ask the questions on Leah’s reddit page, however. It seems more appropriate, rather than mucking up this post. 🙂

do former/”on the fence” scientologists, including yourself, think that what Miscavige has done to Scientology is what makes scientology an abusive,fabricated, scam of a religion OR do formers, including yourself, believe that even Hubbard’s Scientology texts and practices were also an abusive,fabricated, scam?

People are all over the spectrum from “It’s all Miscavige’s perversions” to “It’s all Hubbard’s insanity.” Most sit somewhere in between.

AD 36 stands for “After Dianetics” — a Hubbard conceit that he began using to date things in scientology. He claimed he was not a Messiah. He just acted like one….

Thank you for your reply. I also just finished reading your welcome message for this blog and realized that you did explain that this blog is for former/current Scientologists. Because of my past experiences within a cult myself, I am drawn to trying to understand them; and they all have the same backbone of brainwashing: stroke ego, offer solution, save your soul/make “clear”, legitimize your enlightenment, then control and threaten you to ensure your enlightenment and safe soul. But I am very curious to know this, about former scientologists specifically, – do former/”on the fence” scientologists, including yourself, think that what Miscavige has done to Scientology is what makes scientology an abusive,fabricated, scam of a religion OR do formers, including yourself, believe that even Hubbard’s Scientology texts and practices were also an abusive,fabricated, scam?

I do not believe in Scientology at all, but I definitely believe in some of the universal theories that Hubbard touched on, such as past lives, healing traumas of past lives or even from your childhood, etc. BUT like every other cult, pyramid scheme, and other scams, Hubbard used universal truths to sell lies. I think that’s the part that some may hold on to and remain thinking that Hubbard was some guru because he did say things that were true, but he distorted them incredibly.
I learned invaluable lessons of life when I was inside my Christian cult, because much of what they taught was true – when it came to character and discipline of self.
That is really the trickiest part of cults – there is a lot of truth but they claim those truths as their own original thought that they need to sell to you along with lies and bs.

Another question: In that popular video clip of Miscavige announcing Hubbard’s death, why did Miscagivge refer to the year 1986 as 36 A.D.? I think I know….because Hubbard was like Christ? But why?

You assume correctly.

Often I don’t have time to think through how to explain everything to those who have never been involved in scientology. But on the other hand, if everything is explained for a “never-in” it makes very tedious reading for those who have been in. And that is the biggest audience for this blog. I try to strike some sort of balance. But I admit this one is not suited at all to those who are unfamiliar with scientology.

Here, let me summarize it for you.

Hubbard created a hierarchy to run scientology.
Miscavige has dismantled it and “disappeared” those who should be running things because he considered them threats.
Scientologists should be worried about this because it is “not what Ron [Hubbard] said to do” and also because it is clearly a failing strategy.

Yes, I figured that out about a month ago.

It’s about Queens , the geographic location or burrough or suburb or city in NY

Amen Aqua….the belief system like in some other religions is so deeply ingrained in the mindset it’s nearly impossible to “shake off”. In some religions the very threat of “Hellfire and brimstone & eternal damnation” for leaving the cause (that religion) strikes such fear in their hearts they’d rather commit suicide then LEAVE ‘the religion”.

You can talk til you are blue in the face and some people will never “get it”, no matter what has been done to them, their immediate family or extended family and friends. The “Svengali” of COS has such a hold on some families with the disconnection policy etc….they are in for life & that is all too sad.

Yes, its Advance Mag-worthy, don’t you think? Better even than finding my car keys last month..

That is absolutely right, Aquamarine.