Saturday, it must be Terra Cognita! More on Similarities, Differences, and Identities If we’re all free-willed spiritual beings—L. Ron Hubbard called us, “thetans”—with god-like powers, including cause over matter, energy, space, and time, then why are we all so similar? Relative to the immense size of the universe and the diversity that must exist, everyone here on Earth is practically identical. And not just physically. Wouldn’t you think there’d be more variety amongst the sentient beings on this planet after trillions of years? Or did we all simply “decide” to play the “being human” ga … [Read more...]
Being “On Course” in Scientology
Our Saturday dose of Terra Cognita's thought-provoking views on scientology A Few Words about Being “On Course” in Scientology Most all Scientologists have a longstanding love/hate relationship with studying Scientology. In the beginning, members are excited to learn all about L. Ron Hubbard’s revolutionary mind/spirit technology. All too soon, they hate having to “put in the time.” Which in the world of Scientology is no small commitment. LRH famously wrote, “A cleared cannibal is a cleared cannibal.” Which means you can “clear” a man of all those past traumas adversely affecting him, but … [Read more...]
Insanity in Scientology
Another provocative article from Terra Cognita Insanity in Scientology “SANITY IS THE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE DIFFERENCES, SIMILARITIES AND IDENTITIES,” wrote L. Ron Hubbard in his policy letter of 26 Apr 1970, DataSeries 1R, The Anatomy of Thought. All subsequent italicized quotes are from this reference. “This is also intelligence. Two or more facts or things that are totally unlike are DIFFERENT. They are not the same fact or same object. Two or more facts or things that have something in common with one another are SIMILAR. Two or more facts or things that have all their characteristics in … [Read more...]
PTS in Scientology: Bug or Baddie?
Another fascinating Saturday look at scientology from Terra Cognita. PTS in Scientology: Bug or Baddie? L. Ron Hubbard wrote that all sickness, accidents and injuries, pretty much all non-optimum conditions in life, were the result of a connection to a suppressive person. A person so associated was said to be a “potential trouble source,” or PTS. “A suppressive person, SP for short, is a really, really bad person. Like Hitler bad. The worst of the worst.” Terra Tech Dictionary, 28 Apr 17. PTS, “means potential trouble source which itself means a person connected to a suppressive person. … [Read more...]
The Fallacy of Exchange in Scientology
The latest in the series of Saturday morning conversation starters from Terra Cognita The Fallacy of Exchange in Scientology Ron Hubbard’s theory of exchange is not only a central component of Scientology financial policy but is a pervasive consideration in just about every aspect of a Scientologist’s life. Members are taught early-on that being “in-exchange,” is imperative. That what they give must be commensurate with what they receive. Giving more than one receives—“exchange in abundance”—is even better. Giving less than one receives—“out-exchange”—is an overt—a misdeed, a moral transgress … [Read more...]
The Illusion of Self-determinism in Scientology
Weekly Saturday feature from Terra Cognita The Illusion of Self-determinism in Scientology Self-determinism is a highly touted state of being in Scientology. Being self-determined is a goal of every Scientologist. “Other-determinedness”: not good. Deciding for oneself: good. “Self-determinism is that state of being wherein the individual can or cannot be controlled by his environment according to his own choice. In that state the individual has self-confidence in his control of the material universe and the organisms within it along every dynamic. He is confident about any and all abili … [Read more...]
Doomsday Demographics
Another in the weekly series from our old friend Terra Cognita. Doomsday Demographics With the exception of a couple of old-timers, everyone in my bustling Scientology mission back in the day was in their late teens and early twenties. Now? The demographics have completely flipped. Everyone’s grown old; most are in their sixty’s or seventy’s; a smattering of thirty-something, second-generation staff round out the ranks. From what I can tell from all the pictures of Scientologists in magazines and promo pieces, this trend has spread worldwide. Ideal orgs have done nothing to reverse this up … [Read more...]
Scientology Strip Club
The latest offering from Terra Cognita. Scientology Strip Club LRH wrote, “When a person is not functioning well on his post, on his job or in life, at the bottom of his difficulties will often be found unknown basic definitions and laws or false definitions, false data and false laws, resulting in an inability to think with the words and rules of that activity and an inability to perform the simplest required functions.” HCOB 7 August 1979, False Data Stripping. [All subsequently quoted passages refer to this bulletin.] I found the full text here LRH declared, “There is no field in all … [Read more...]
Religious Graveyard
Our weekly installment of wisdom and thought/argument provoking from Terra Cognita. The Religious Graveyard Once religions reach a tipping point, they’re hard to close down. After accumulating thousands of well-to-do followers, amassing a fortune in real estate, accruing Midas-like money, and establishing a worldwide presence, religions are damn hard to get rid of. Not only has too much been invested in the physical infrastructure, its faithful have devoted too much of their spiritual lives to let go. The written word is more resilient than we mere mortals. Organizations can be d … [Read more...]
Scientology and Reason
Another article from our old friend Terra Cognita Scientology and Reason – or Reasonableness Another big Scientology catchword is “reasonableness.” Loosely defined, reasonableness is the condition of being reasonable—which on the surface, seems like a good trait. To reason means to think logically; to form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises; to conclude or infer. According to Random House, the word reasonable means, “in accord with reason or sound judgement; logical; capable of rational behavior, decision, etc.” LRH put his own spin on the word. From the Scie … [Read more...]