Mark Bunker had a link to this amazing new site. It's not critical of Scientology as a system of belief. It seems to exist exclusively to take down David Miscavige as totalitarian dictator. Now the three people who have actually read my blog over time will know that I am no fan of L. Ron Hubbard. I believe he was a charlatan, conman and megalomaniac of the first order. His "tech" is a masterpiece of unintended hilarity, that is it would be funny if it hadn't fucked up so many lives.
This new site seems mostly very well written and designed. Apparently there was some considerable money behind this (or a lot of sweat equity from those already used to slave labor), and they make it clear that they want Scientology to continue in it's "pure" form. Sadly, they still still view us critics as bent on the destruction of Scientology. Well, this critic has never held that agenda. Personally, I don't care what you believe about Xenu or KSW or ARC or beingness or whatever Hubbard cooked up to seperate you from your money. What I do care about stopping are same abuses they want to stop. Violence. Greed. Extortion. Lies.
I'm assuming the ex Scienotlogists behind this site are Rathbun, Lesevere, Rinder and maybe Ethier. They all might want to consider the possibility that Anonymous and the two previous generations of critics have always been fighting for Scientologists, not against them.
So, do I want to see Scientology banned, destroyed and all Hubbard's books burned? No. Not even close. I'll be happy to sit down, have a beer and argue doctrine vs. reality with any Scientologist (or Catholic or Muslim). They also need to know, that I'll be the first to fight for their rights to hold any worldview they'd like, as long as nobody gets hurt.
So, as far as Hubbard is concerned, we're definitely not going to agree, but when it comes to Li'l Davy and his Fake Navy, the crew at http://www.scientology-cult.com/ has an ally in All MEST Up.
3 comments:
I was, at one time, a Scientologist. I didn't get too far, got frustrated with the high cost and harassment for money and i left.
That said, I did get some gain from the material (which you will no doubt find hard to believe.) While I understand the frustration towards the current church of scientology - I really don't get all the angst.
I hear "it's killed people and destroyed lives" yet I could point to any other therapy, any other medical system any other spiritual system and say the same thing. Hell i could point to any political party and say the same thing.
I could list out thousands of people who commited suicide while being treated for depression by therapists... thousands who died while undergoing surgery... thousands who died or were harmed by the Catholic Church.
Truth is - everything has failed and everything has some success. Not only did I get gain, I've known public scientologists who had some pretty amazing gain. I've looked back adn thought "how did they do it?" was it just the so called "tech?" In part perhaps, but a large degree was based on the fact that you're surrounded by extremely positive people who keep you on track to goals. If i got 20 people who were always positive, told me i can do anything and keep me on track to my goals... i'd achieve a lot. Scientology missions do just this. Which is why people at first get so much interset. Sure maybe it's hell up the bridge... i can only speak for where i was (off bridge) and i got a lot of gain in Dianetics. Even control over my asthma. But could i have done that with any other belief system? maybe. and that's my point.
Belief is a large part to do with this. But consider if you want people to get "off Scientology" there should be a similar alternative. There isn't. People go to Scientology because they're fed up with Orthadox religion or Dr's who don't give a s***.
While I don't agree with the CoS stand against psychiatry (I think they go way too far) i have been treated for depression prior to Scientology by a pyschiatrist and therapist. neither one ever helped... all they did was throw me on the latest marketed pharm drugs. think it's crazy? My urologist does the same damn thing. I've watched drug companies show up while i'm waiting for my urologist and litterally hand him promotional drugs he can hand out, equipment, and other incentives to push their drugs. In one case he was pushing a drug that i took that caused me to have fainting attacks (flomax) and loose consciousness. turns out it's a common side effect. The safe alternative (uroxodol) he didn't push because that company wasn't showing up giving him gifts. This s*** goes on in the meidcal industry all over the place. People get fed up with it... they want an alternative... maybe Reiki, maybe acupuncture... who knows. But Scientology becomes the alternative for some.
You and others say "it's a cult, get out" but give them no alternatives. Frankly, the lives of the scientology attackers is usually paranoid, fearful, angry, frustratred and pissed off... it's not the type of person that inspires me to say "gosh i wish i was like him!"
So yes I agree that there were things in Scientology that will tap your income... but you guys aren't much better. while you dn't take income from people, you just lower people to states of rage, anger, mockery and derision. That's not life, IMO.
I wish you guys actually offered alternatives... anything from metaphysical societies to philosophical organizations or something. instead of just going "BOOOOO this is bad, you're dumb for following it... let's laugh at hubbard."
Reply to Brian: Part I
Thanks for the letter. I'll try to reply to your points as best I can
I was, at one time, a Scientologist. I didn't get too far, got frustrated with the high cost and harassment for money and i left.
Then what's the problem?
That said, I did get some gain from the material (which you will no doubt find hard to believe.) While I understand the frustration towards the current church of scientology - I really don't get all the angst.
You don't get the angst, yet you left due to harassment?
I hear "it's killed people and destroyed lives" yet I could point to any other therapy, any other medical system any other spiritual system and say the same thing. Hell i could point to any political party and say the same thing.
And that makes the RPF okay?
I could list out thousands of people who commited suicide while being treated for depression by therapists... thousands who died while undergoing surgery... thousands who died or were harmed by the Catholic Church.
You could list them, but you wont.
Truth is - everything has failed and everything has some success. Not only did I get gain, I've known public scientologists who had some pretty amazing gain. I've looked back adn thought "how did they do it?" was it just the so called "tech?" In part perhaps, but a large degree was based on the fact that you're surrounded by extremely positive people who keep you on track to goals. If i got 20 people who were always positive, told me i can do anything and keep me on track to my goals... i'd achieve a lot. Scientology missions do just this. Which is why people at first get so much interset. Sure maybe it's hell up the bridge... i can only speak for where i was (off bridge) and i got a lot of gain in Dianetics. Even control over my asthma. But could i have done that with any other belief system? maybe. and that's my point.
Hubbard clearly didn't help you with your critical-thinking, spelling or grammar.
Belief is a large part to do with this. But consider if you want people to get "off Scientology" there should be a similar alternative. There isn't. People go to Scientology because they're fed up with Orthadox religion or Dr's who don't give a s***.
Why should there be a similar alternative? When I abandoned magical thinking for atheism and rationalism, it was liberating to not have to turn to yet another guru or group to follow. Critical thinking will take you far.
See part II
Reply to Brian: Part II
While I don't agree with the CoS stand against psychiatry (I think they go way too far) i have been treated for depression prior to Scientology by a pyschiatrist and therapist. neither one ever helped... all they did was throw me on the latest marketed pharm drugs. think it's crazy? My urologist does the same damn thing. I've watched drug companies show up while i'm waiting for my urologist and litterally hand him promotional drugs he can hand out, equipment, and other incentives to push their drugs. In one case he was pushing a drug that i took that caused me to have fainting attacks (flomax) and loose consciousness. turns out it's a common side effect. The safe alternative (uroxodol) he didn't push because that company wasn't showing up giving him gifts. This s*** goes on in the meidcal industry all over the place. People get fed up with it... they want an alternative... maybe Reiki, maybe acupuncture... who knows. But Scientology becomes the alternative for some.
Reiki is unscientific nonsense, it's magic and so is acupuncture evidently. I used to believe in both of them and spend tons of dough for naught. Personally, psychotherapy has totally changed my life for the better.
You and others say "it's a cult, get out" but give them no alternatives. Frankly, the lives of the scientology attackers is usually paranoid, fearful, angry, frustratred and pissed off... it's not the type of person that inspires me to say "gosh i wish i was like him!"
You know nothing about me. I'm a fairly happy person with a successful business and relationships. We're not all losers sitting in our parents basements spilling Mountain Dew on our keyboards and communicating only in leetspeak.
So yes I agree that there were things in Scientology that will tap your income... but you guys aren't much better. while you dn't take income from people, you just lower people to states of rage, anger, mockery and derision. That's not life, IMO.
Who is "you guys". I don't belong to any association, unless you mean I'm a critic of the cult. You are seemingly still hooked on Hubbard's nonsense from my point of view. I can't lower anybody's "state". I do love some mockery though. Scientologists seem to be singlularly humor impaired to me, which makes it so much more fun to mock Hubbard.
I wish you guys actually offered alternatives... anything from metaphysical societies to philosophical organizations or something. instead of just going "BOOOOO this is bad, you're dumb for following it... let's laugh at hubbard."
Pointing out how batshit crazy Hubbard was IS liberating. Ask many of the ex-scientologists who've gotten out how they got out. You really ought to make friends with Tory Christman, she's as sweet and funny as anyone I've ever known. She was in for 30 years and knew the cult in a way you never did, you only saw the outer crust, you never got to the rotten core. I was fair gamed by a Scientologist, that's how I became a critic if you want to know. If you've never been fair gamed, you're in for a real treat.
Pareidolius
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