STAND League is a constant source of ideas of what should be discussed about scientology. They accuse others (usually Leah Remini and me) of exactly what they are doing. They rail again anti-Semitism, it spurs me to write about scientology and the NOI. They complain about “anti-religionists” it prompts something about what Hubbard had to say about religion. Scientology is “fun” – brings on a post about disconnection and crush regging.
And now I noticed this one.
Rest assured, every one of the “experts” scientology touts is paid. Massimo Introvigne of CESNUR., Gordon Melton, Brian Wilson and many, many others. I know, I did the original program to find “religious experts” who would write “expertises” on the subject of scientology. Every single one of them was paid for their “work,” though that fact was not made public. Tony Ortega recently covered “Apologist Academics” in his list of Top 25 People Enabling Scientology.
But of course, when it comes to STAND, it not a case of sauce for the goose and sauce for the gander.
If you are paid to be a pro-scientology “expert” you are lauded and announced and invited to speak at conferences and your picture is prominently displayed. (And by the way, these experts are fed the information scientology wants them to have, they do NOT have free rein to go anywhere or talk to anyone).
Yet, here we have the STAND Leaguers railing against “experts” — starting out with their favorite target, the long since deceased psychologist, Margaret Singer.
Because they assume the trappings of religion, for the benefit of tax exemption, they loudly proclaim that a psychologist is “anti-religion” and “would deny people the opportunity for such increased spiritual awareness and fulfillment? Who would say, “Sorry, not for you,” to those reaching for a drink at the fountain of revelation? Well, believe it or not, there are such people. They are people with college degrees, who wear suits and write scholarly books. They are people who, in short, should know better. But because they get paid big bucks to testify in courts of law as “experts on religion,” while yet regarding religion and people of faith with imperious contempt, they persist on their unholy road.”
I guess Martin Landon isn’t aware that the “experts” scientology relies on fit his description above to a “T.” Scientology’s experts are all wonderful people with college degrees who wear suits and write scholarly books — but they take scientology’s side in any argument. Because they are paid by scientology.
He then targets Dr. Stephen Kent, a sociologist and particularly nice person. According to Landon he “steadfastly clings to Singer’s universally rejected work like a flea to a hound. It is, after all, his livelihood. Kent gets paid, just as Singer did before him, to trash new religions as an “expert witness.” He gets his research “data” from apostates and from hearsay, rumor, and distinctly slanted information based on exactly zero evidence.”
Obviously, Martin Landon knows nothing about Dr. Kent. Stephen’s library of information on scientology is VAST, and includes more materials of L. Ron Hubbard than anywhere on earth other than scientology itself. And he has studied a great deal of it. In fact, I would put my money on Dr. Kent in a competition with Landon or anyone else from STAAD on knowledge of the writings and words of L. Ron Hubbard.
Dr. Kent assisted us when we were doing The Aftermath. He got paid nothing. He found documents and provided information without ever asking for any compensation.
Landon prattles on: “There’s lots of money to be made, apparently, for apostates filing civil suits against their former religion, and Kent follows the money.” It’s unsurprising he has no specifics to offer?
‘The likes of Singer, Kent and other “experts” espouse promises huge dividends to those who turn on the people of good will who helped them. Unable or unwilling to experience the bliss of their brothers and sisters in faith, they opt instead for the cult of Betrayal for Profit.” I wonder if Landon is referring to the families of those who died at Narconon after accepting their “good will”? Or perhaps Laura DeCrescenzo who was forced to have abortions and driven to suicide in the Sea Org? Those people of good will? I don’t even know if Dr. Kent was called to testify in any of those cases but they are the ones I am familiar with where there was “a lot of money to be made”?
He waxes all poetic and butt-hurt in his final sentences:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves,” warns the Apostle.
In our time, the false prophets ply profits for their followers, their ravening “bliss” spawned from court orders and pieces of paper with dollar signs.
Is this any way to live? Trading one’s chance at immortality for a few pieces of silver? Apparently some swear by it, and instead of whiffing the sweet fragrance of epiphany, prefer to dive head-first into a sea of mud.
There’s simply no accounting for taste.
The one thing you said that is true Martin is your last sentence. I was thinking exactly the same thing about you.
And a final thought. Has there even been anyone more deserving of the moniker “False prophet of profits” than L. Ron Hubbard?
The False Prophet of Profit – That name sticks to Lafayette R. Hubbard (lol! apparently LRH had an engram about the name Lafayette) like nothing else I can think of.
George, the real problem here is that bureaucrats are granting “religion” with very little guidance. AND DM’s tactics in the ’90s has them shaking in their boots.
The problem with “experts” is that there really are no standards for them, and most can be ‘bought’ to argue any side of a problem, similar to lawyers able to argue either side of any case; all they know is who’s paying their bills in that case.
“experts”, to be good, have to be persuasive; the ‘best” can lie through their teeth very persuasively.
It never ceases to amaze me how fast STAAD (Spiteful Twisted And Atrociously Degenerate) posters go from “love, charity, kindness and goodness” to all to being vicious, vile and thoroughly vitriolic in personal attacks within a couple of sentences.
Racial characteristics aren’t chosen and therefore irrelevant to human actions. What’s subject to choice is a person’s beliefs and the actions derived from those beliefs. Antisemitism in politics is the practical equivalent of a dead canary in a coal mine, I can’t say this often enough.
I really would like to meet this guy and slap his face with all the reports of their experts.
I just came to know that a friend of mine, a decent person, who came back from OT V at SHUK some time ago got a so called mental breakdown and just few days ago got suicided.
And he isn’t the only one. I am really damn pissed off and curious what their “experts” would say. But I know it. Just BS!
It is time to close down this cult.
It’s PAST time to close that destructive cult down. Thankfully, Dwarfenführer® is doing a bang-up job doing that and it’s not to distract your enemy while he’s making a big mistake — Napoleon, IIRC.
Jere. Thanks. Would be great to see a sudden huge collapse so less people gets damaged.
Oh Loosing – so sorry for the loss of someone you knew and cared about! Hard in any time, for any reason. But knowing his was brought on by this group who takes and takes from people until there’s nothing left, then discards them – I can’t fathom the extra pain that creates.
Hugs from here and I’m so sorry for your pain and frustration! I agree 100% that this “church” can’t be stopped soon enough!
Jenny thanks a lot. Really. We were friends in the SO and did few funny things together. It piss me off that people pay to get damaged and decide to end their life as a result. God knows what was going in his mind. Every day I find more disgusting stuff about this cult.
‘Experts’ are hired PR, promo and advertising agents.
It’s the problem with experts. Even in the so-called hard sciences, one can usually find or buy an expert to support their position in a debate or controversy. Experts in social sciences and subjective matters like religion can be all over the spectrum of opinion and belief. It all depends on personal biases and who is influencing or paying the expert to express his “expert” opinion.
SSoA, I’d only add that it only matters who’s paying the “expert” TODAY. Tomorrow’s case might require his reversing gears.
As any law enforcement officer can tell you, follow the money. $cieno ‘academics’ are just fools who can write for a paycheck. Just like every lawyer or PI who has worked for the Clampire. Just like every Reg who collected their commission for bringing in new meat.
Zee, you nailed it. Wish I could upvote your comment here.
Experts or no experts. I stand with Blavatsky. No tax exemption for any religion. The courts cannot decide what a religion really is about. No tax exemption for any religion. They all must pay. The free market will decide what is real.
I’m of the “Tax them ALL” camp as well, but respect the UK’s system of organizations having to demonstrate, with verifiable numbers, whether the group serves enough of a social good for society, thus can demonstrate they deserve a tax break. NO scn entity I’m aware of can honestly demonstrate they benefit society more than they drain from it. scn orgs are leeches or vampires, leaving all who they touch poorer in all ways.
George, the real problem here is that bureaucrats are granting “religion” with very little guidance