Richard, then we didn’t overlap by much.

As I think I’ve said before, that seems to have still been a time when in many cases, people could sort of make of Scientology what they wanted. My perspective these days is that exes may not give themselves enough credit for their role in creating that experience, and still give the power to Hubbard and Scientology.

I realize that what Terra wrote must conflict with your ideals, and what you may have experienced where you were at the time you were there. But unfortunately that sort of thing was going on when you were in, if not where you were at.

I split scn before delving into Elron’s “upper level” mishmash of science fiction, occultism and theosophy and whatever else it is. Even so, when reexamining my scn experience after watching Going Clear I still had to deal with false information and notions I’d carried forward as well as some emotional baggage. I can and do sympathize with people who got ripped up and ripped off by the organization and the subject.

Hi PeaceMaker – I hit the road and was out of scn in 1982. I figure that much of the scn experience and reflection on it depends of when, for how long, and in what capacity someone participated. You mention “where” which is also a factor along with many other factors, of course.

If Terra had said new Scientologists NEED to clear so many words he wouldn’t have got my goat – haha

Richard, I was around probably around the time that you were, so I have an idea of what your’e referring to. I also probably got to see a bit more of the whole scene than you did, because of a program I was in that took me around to various cities, and had me doing training at one of the headquarters in California, where I got to look into and ask some hard questions about some of what were were being told in the field (in the days when asking just drew a harsh rebuff, not instant consignment to “ethics”). Much later, trying to make sense of my experience, I talked to a lot of old timers who had worked everywhere from missions to advanced orgs, and continue to this day to try to get as broad a perspective on things as I can.

As much as the time you were in, the experience you had depended on where you were. Sure, some missions were Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood or whatever. Others were recreations of the new regimen that the Sea Org implemented at St. Hill and other places when Hubbard brought his force back on land, or a soap opera like Peyton Place. Those sorts of variances and the underlying issues that they point to, was much of the reason that Hubbard sent Miscavige and others out to rein the missions in.

Terra could portray anything they wanted as having gone at the missions, or more far-flung orgs, and it would be impossible to say with certainty, that it couldn’t have happened – even if no such things went on where you were (that you knew of).

Richard, it didn’t necessarily have anything to do with intelligence – lots of people in Scientology got sucked into coercive and abusive situations during, before and after your time. At first it was mostly just those closest to Hubbard’s orbit, such as on his fleet of ships, though eventually the Sea Org that he trained up, and his messengers like Miscavige extended that further and further throughout Scientology.

And start chain-smoking and drinking copious amounts of VERY expensive Scotch.

In a Forward to the book it could be mentioned that while “Rick” is a newbie in scn, the descriptions of the more advanced parts are included as an aid to understanding the scn procedures. Or not even bother since most never-in readers would probably assume that anyhow.

Also, I watch a science fiction (zombie) tv show where the plot is often inconsistent, like people getting shot up and bloody in one scene and running down the street in the next scene. No big deal – it’s fiction and fantasy so I let it go.

Good questions. Thanks.

Something about the see-saw from him feeling so flat out after everything he’s gone through to trying to get involved with Roxy feels kind of forced. I can get him trying to re-create some semblance of normalcy in the midst of a day of tremendous stress. I just have a harder time with him making that fast of a switch, especially in the middle of multiple crises and a “which end is up” response.

I could see it evolving over time being stuck that close together at INT and having to repeatedly interact.

The point I’m making is that, at least in my days in scn, not everyone was trying to hook, con or force everyone else into doing things they didn’t want to do. As an auditor I was dealing with a person’s mind and life experience and I took my job seriously, as did the case supervisors who reviewed my sessions.

That also applied to other people in the organizations where I worked or took services. The registrars were pushy but not rapacious, the course supervisors were strict but not tyrants and the list goes on. Obviously a lot of things changed and there isn’t much interest in how things used to be. It’s easy to see the failings of the subject itself in hindsight.