The first blog post on mikerindersblog.org was on 5 November 2009. It's been 10 years but it sure doesn't seem that long! It's been a lot of fun along the way. I have met many wonderful people here (and quite a number subsequently IRL which has been especially gratifying). Hopefully I have opened a window to discovering the truth about scientology for many. This blog would not have been possible without the support of many who have helped. While it is a labor of love (or perhaps passion) it IS labor and first my thanks to the many contributors who have provided content and … [Read more...]
How to Talk to Friends and Family about Scientology
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 … [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 … [Read more...]
Infinity and Beyond!
Terra Cognita is back with some more thought provoking words. Infinity and Beyond! Scientology isn’t surviving. It won’t survive. It can’t survive. For the time being, the only thing keeping it afloat is getting members to pay for the next this-is-gonna-change-everything, planet-busting project. Over the last few decades, the church has launched one after another. Rest assured, once every org goes “ideal,” church leader, David Miscavige, has something else up his sleeve that will change the world and clear the planet once and for all. Often, these projects involve acquiring new … [Read more...]
Central Files and the Ability to Confront
Our old friend Terra Cognita is back again this week... Central Files and the Ability to Confront Little is more important to a Scientologist than his ability to confront. According to founder, L. Ron Hubbard, all our problems since the Big Bang stem from our inability to confront. From the physical to the spiritual, seeing any problem as it really is can be vanquished by just looking at the damn thing—like really, really looking at it. In layman’s terms: confronting the shit out of a problem makes it go away. Scientologists pride themselves on their ability to confront. So when I saw a … [Read more...]
Scientology Still on My Mind
Our old friend Terra Cognita is back with more insight. Sadly, I imagine many readers here can relate to these observations. I stopped writing regularly about Scientology after I’d said everything I thought I needed to say. I’d climbed out of the rabbit hole. Exorcised my demons. Laughed at the hypocrisy. And finally capped my pen when I felt it was time to move on. And yet, I still think about Scientology. Not as frequently as during the first couple of years after I’d left, but I still have occasional conversations in my mind with those I left behind—with those still trapped inside the … [Read more...]
Scientology Celeb Tag Team – Friendship in Scientology
Our old friend Terra Cognita has returned with another thought-provoking commentary. Scientology Celeb Tag Team – Friendship in Scientology Our good friends the Johnson’s (not their real names) show me an example I’ll never forget of more bright ideas in the church. Many years ago Lallie Johnson went to Flag. She said to me before she went, she was afraid that her tiny inheritance from her mom would vaporize. She was worried and looking to me to buck her up. I wondered how to help her and not get written up. I told her, “you’re not required to tell them that you got an … [Read more...]
Tis the Season
Our old friend Terra has some timely thoughts to share... Tis the Season L. Ron Hubbard hating giving anything away for free and insisted on charging a hefty price for most all things connected with Scientology. He preached that people didn’t value goods and services that were given freely. Anything worth having was worth paying for. Paying for something meant it was valuable. Given freely, it was not. This philosophy has hardened the hearts of countless Scientologists, driving many toward the level of “No Sympathy” on his infamous Tone Scale. The typical church member has little … [Read more...]
Do You Swear to Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth?
Terra is back once again... Do You Swear to Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth? Scientology has a reputation of attacking anyone they perceive as a threat. They bully. They coerce. They intimidate. Hire private investigators. Apply pressure. And last but not least, they threaten legal action via a cadre of soulless lawyers. That said, when is the last time the church actually sued someone? And won? Not this century, anyway. Appearing in Court? Oh, No! The problem for Scientology with regards to lawsuits is the potential of having to appear in court and back up … [Read more...]
Squirrels and Change
Squirrels and Change L. Ron Hubbard defined “squirrel” as, 1. a squirrel is doing something entirely different. He doesn’t understand any of the principles so he makes up a bunch of them to fulfill his ignorance, foists them off on a pc and gets no place. (SH Spec 77, 611C08). 2. Those who engage in actions altering Scn, and offbeat practices. (ISE, p. 40). –v. change and invent processes. (HCOB 15 Jan 70 II).” In HCO PL 14 Feb 65, he defined “squirreling” as, “altering Scientology, offbeat practices. It is a bad thing.” Comparing anyone who would try something different to a rodent is a … [Read more...]