A small point in the overall scheme of things, but something that struck home with me a few days ago.
Jack is now attending pre-school. His school is part of a local Methodist church. They are located in the church facilities and are part of the church’s programs.
There was a parent-teacher-church meeting to begin the year that Christie and I attended. After talking with Jack’s teachers we went into the church proper with all the other parents (there are a dozen different classrooms for children of different pre-school ages) and sat in the pews.
The minister Opened the gathering with a short prayer, spoke briefly and then turned it over to the headmistress of the school. Various briefings and introductions took place and then she introduced two women to talk about the school’s “mission.” I didn’t understand what this meant at first.
These two women are parents of children at the school and they organize charitable activities to help a local homeless shelter. They provided 30,000 meals to homeless people last year and are expanding this and also building shower and toilet facilities for them as there are at least 2,000 children that are part of the problem. This is in the county next to us, Pasco County (which is of course the adjacent county to the FSO too).
What struck me was how genuine these women were. There were not used to speaking on stage. They had no slick presentation. There was no video. No promise of status. No talking about themselves in self-congratulatory terms. No regges hanging around to get money. Not even any slides of the women or the volunteers who help them showing them “at work” with the homeless. Just them explaining that they are continuing this program again this year in coordination with another local church and charitable organization and that they welcomed the support of other parents in any way they could.
And I know that when I go to visit this program, I am going to find these people actually DOING something, and there won’t be a video crew in sight.
The contrast with the IAS and scientology could not be more stark.
It made me sick to my stomach to think about the IAS “humanitarian” efforts – where if there is no PR opportunity for scientology there is no effort. No photo no do should be the IAS motto.
But filled with admiration for these women who ask for no recognition and don’t even ask for money other than mentioning anyone who can assist will be appreciated.
THIS is why religious organizations are supposed to have tax exempt status.
Its a point and distinction well worth making, My experiences having left the cult afforded me similar observations. But here’s the thing. Someone like Heber (back in the day) might respond by making the point “that the Church of Scientology is in a unique position to help an individual – really any individual if he so chose to do so- avail himself of an opportunity to discover aspects himself that no other religious organization can provide. And that other churches are doing what they can, along the lines of their traditions. And the Church of Scientology does reach out to help those who need help communicating to their husband, wives, children better.” “That the C of S helps get people off drugs, etc etc etc. “You see, we are a different kind of church” and those churches who feed the homeless are part of an overall effort to help man that we are also involved in.”…. “The Church of Scientology helps people become more stable in life so that they never become homeless in the first place”…… I can easily imagine Heber making this kinds of statements. And in a way, it makes sense. But, it makes much more sense to me if they just changed their name to “The Organizations of Scientology, Inc” and let their RESULTS and the reasons why people LEAVE provide a basis for comparisons with other churches, (real churches) and just unplug the PR machinery.
Church members lie to each other about themselves and acknowledge it with a “Thank you for your donation” with no real truth there to understand. A person falls in to that trap by not knowing it is waiting for them at the church in the first place like most innocent public people do searching for answers after let’s say reading a Dianetics book for the first time in forever. The other half of the church (David Misaviges’s INT team) fight to make sure the sources of their income don’t spring the traps. It is a nasty business. Not a religion. Not an example to be followed. People on their OT levels may be doing some good for the universe but it pales in comparison to how that good is attempted to be used again once put there. Dianetics and Scientology are not becoming unpopular. The Church of Scientology is unpopular, just like smoking tobacco has become unwelcome anywhere indoors that is public in New York City and elsewhere. So in essence, the Church of Scientology has about as much influence on the world as a pack of cigarettes. Just my 2 cents! 🙂
This Summer there were devastating fires that wiped out whole communites in Northern California. The areas have been declared disaster areas which will make federal funds available, but the immediate needs are being met by local organizations donating food, clothing, vet services and animal care, physical labor, and, always needed, money. The local Scientology org participated in collecting donatios of clothing, but also chose to ask their membership to donate the cost of Scientology books to include with the donations. Nothing is done or contributed, unless it results in a statistic for these people.
Mike Rinder, you bring up an interesting point regarding Jack
My daughter Danielle was kind of born in the Sea Org, that is a story in itself. When she was 5 I still being a fake Sea Org Member at Orange County Org and my wife who was not- we took the bait and enrolled her into the Ability Pus School. At the time(1993 or so) this was operated by ABLE INT. Fast forward when my daughter was 11 or so was done with Ability Plus School, we enrolled her in a Christian Middle School. I did this because I was now out out of the Sea Org but still behaving. This was accepted, But then when my daughter was ready for Public High School, fellow Kool Aid parents were not OK with this, and my daughter began to get shunned. Keep in mind we were not declared yet.
Mreppen, if I may, I would like to tell you that a similar thing happened to my daughter when she went to university. Not all, but the very fundamentalist Scientology friends of hers shunned her and went beyond that to slander her as well. They rumored that she was promiscuous, even though she had one steady boyfriend throughout college. They also said that she was drunk texting them, which she never did because she wasn’t even speaking to them. They made it a point that she was “wasting her parent’s money” even though she graduated with good grades, and is in the work force today in a job that she’s happy with.
The shunning and even slandering of kids who leave the Scientology path can and does happen.
Let’s also not forget all the individuals without any
affiliation to a church or organization who just help
others. Case in point (love that Sherman speak) a
friend of mine last thanksgiving loaded up his SUV
with food and clothes and drove up into the Appalachian
mountains, found a little ramshackle village and un-
loaded his car to some families who were very grateful.
I bet the majority of ex-scientologists are not involved
with any church or religion (at least not like they used
to be when in Scientology). As we distance ourselves
from the ideas of wogs, SP’s, degraded beings etc etc
I think we are getting back to a bit more of a native state
and our affinities for people and things are blossoming
again (at least that is what I see in all these comments).
To help unselfishly is a wonderful thing.
Mike, I’ve been away from the blog the last few days, just watched your video on Tony’s site – thank you so much, the comments you made there and make here every day help countless people. Thank you for having the courage to speak up and for encouraging others to do the same. The fact that you can post something (as your subject today) that speaks to people across all religions and helps better mankind in general says a lot about you and says a lot about the organization that let you go (forced you out). You are amazing and the work that you do does not go unnoticed here in the wog world… Thank you!
I just finished working as an “Urban Missionary” in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 7 years. I was in the Sea Org for 4 years and Scientology for a total of 9 years. All but 1 year in staff.
One of our core policies was relationships trump programs. To flesh this out, after a staff meeting one day, a student was in the hallway. My boss, said hello to the student and walked to his desk. A few minutes later, I looked over to ask my boss a question and he was gone. Here’s what happened. After he said hello to the young man who was about 15 years old, he thought to himself, “why is this young man here during the day?” He got up and took the young man to lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with him. The young man then spent the night at his home as he was sleeping on the street. He then was able to get him in touch with his family and get him back in the home.
My boss ran several different programs and is very busy but relationship trumped programs.
I can’t tell you how many times this happened with several of us over my tenure there.
One last thing. When I gave my notice, 2 months notice, they through me a party, I was able to turn my duties over to some else and to top it off besides getting lots of going away gifts, they decided that they wanted to give me a 2 month severance to help me through the next couple of months as I began training in a new adventure.
Thank you for sharing this. I loved reading about your life and the kind people in it.
You’re a remarkable good person Chad! I remember you when I was on the RPF, the RPF “Mill” in the lobby of today’s LRH Exhibition hall of the HGB where you and the other “free” workmen crew were, you were a remarkably good person then, from my RPFer view of the workmen we RPFers worked adjacent to.
You left the music on the radio on for us, you got us pizza, and Bitty Miscavige, she too, even the “top” Sea Org boss lady who oversaw the whole HGB renos, and you guys were under her, she allowed a whole lot of normalcy to our RPF dreary ruled lives.
thanks Chad! And thanks for going doing good stuff that you did since leaving Scientology.
– PAC RPFer 1989 just before the HGB opened
Hi Chad,
The story about your boss reminded me of the movie ‘The Blind Side’ with Sandra Bullock. Based on a true story, a mom sees a teen aged boy out in the street in the rain and wonders why he’s out that time of night alone, and in the rain. She takes him home and eventually he is adopted into the family, goes to college and gets drafted in the NFL. A very inspiring and uplifting story. Thank you, and good luck with your future endeavors.
Thank you so much for this post.
It reminded me of being at party back a little while ago when we were rebuilding our social life after the declare. I watched in wonder my husband looking at people and listening to them, good people involved in life , helping each other, caring for their family.
And he was happy , no recruiters , no pretending , no looking over your shoulder in case a reg was lurking. Just good people and freedom. No status happy members trying to outdo each other.
I always felt a little sad for the staff members working their asses off for little or no money,but the public and staff were having fun and getting gains in the early seventies. Sure I realized that the staff had to sell services to stay viable. The Sea Org was another animal, Nazi like, stat punishment, buy your own clothes, four hours a week off to do laundry usually some extra bullshit stuff to do on your own time, arbitrary hill tens, lousy food (early eighties ), one poor bastard had to almost single handedly run the whole chow hall at CW unless some one was working off conditions by working there.I could go on but I will say this:If upper management had a scintilla of compassion or decency for their people they would not punish them with a diet of beans and rice and little or no sleep because of a stat push or some other real or imagined arbitrary infraction.These are or were the actual producers that work with the public. In the long run regular hours and a day off a week and some extra money would probably do wonders for morale. The public notices this kind of stuff and it scares them off.
I had a friend who was (is) a devout Mormon. He fell on hard times and his church paid a few bills for him and supplied him with food. For years before this he had paid his tithe (10% of earnings) and when he needed it, it came back to him. This is what churches are all about.
A group of people where I live in Utah were building a Church, not a Mormon one. Lutheran. They ran out of money 1/3 the way through construction. The Mormon Church here picked up the tab and paid out to them the rest of the money they needed to complete building their Church. It was a straight donation.
Wow The Oracle, that’s amazing. The Mormons are often spoken of as good people, I can see why. Of course there are good people in every religion, along with not-so-good. This was a nice story to read, thanks.
Thanks, Mike. This is my experience with Christian churches as well. As it is with organizations like the Salvation Army. I’ve seen programs such as this, hospitals, schools and orphanages built. I’ve also seen personal help to people just out of prison or detoxing and confused. Occasionally, I’ve seen an earnest job seeker getting their rent paid for them along with a cheerful “Are you sure you have enough for utilities?” And no one outside a little one on one meeting such as this would ever be the wiser. No photos, fanfares, or follow up fundraisers. None of those churches had billions in the bank.
I’ve also seen VM’s at a disaster site standing around with their thumbs up their you-know-where until the cameras rolled and there were politicos to schmooze with.
Just one reason why Scientology likes to compare itself to real churches–take credit for the good those churches do!
there are literally thousands of groups like the women in your son’s preschool and thousands more of just people who help people if they can, whether it’s money, food or just spending an afternoon weeding an elderly neighbors garden (which my equally elderly mother does for her “elderly neighbor” – they are only about 5 years apart in age). and I agree that almost every former scientologist went into the church with the altruistic belief that they were going to help people, or the planet. these groups of people or churches/synagogues/mosques or true non-profits would absolutely drool at the amount of money that DM spends on meals in a week…that I believe Lawrence Wright quoted Claire Headley as between $5,000 and $20,000 in Going Clear.! I work at a small Nature Museum, a non-profit, and I drool at the thought of what that money could provide us in educational materials and animal care supplies. I am always staggered by the amount of money that people have to spend on “going up the bridge” that if actually applied to a cause that went out to help a homeless shelter or domestic violence housing project or even in reality to stop human trafficking rather than practicing it, would help an enormous amount and would give people the boost that comes with knowing they made a difference in someone’s life. No videos, no pictures, no medals, just the reality of seeing the service you provided to someone who actually needed it.
In a perfect world, when the COS finally falls apart, the billions of dollars would be dispersed first to the people who have suffered at the hands of DM and the remainder then donated to true non profits. and all the Idle Orgs would be turned into low cost apartments or animal shelters or something worthwhile.
In reading these posts some reflections come to mind but the most glaring thing is the further separation out of people aware of what they doing to others. Scientology as a group is incredibly self-centred and self serving. It operates completely on how good it will all be at some distant point in time, be it you getting up the Bridge or when your building get complete or purchased, or mankind needs your help NOW though our efforts – it’s been like that for decades and fails to arrive anywhere. It’s promises by time alone are exposed as lies, it’s only a matter of time before the Cof$’s conspiracies come into effect.
But when you put human caring into a religious equation, a whole different aspect of human interaction takes place. Sure there is lots of corruption about in life but there are activities where it is not. That warm and friendly aspect of human interaction often seen through charities and church groups is what underpins true faith and devotion to life itself. There is no greater warm and fuzzy feeling than to see, experience or feel the hand of true compassion. Be it from a religion,organised group or a stranger in the street.
It’s good for this little group to look someplace else for a change.
Only if those idiots in scientology would ever realise the greater majority of humans on this planet wish them well as people and are not opposed to them.
I noticed in the 2006 New Year’s event linked yesterday on the Underground Bunker, that some officials seemed pleased genuinely of the VM stuff done.
How to make all of Scientology act normal and genuine would require them dropping all manner of Hubbard’s self hype that Hubbard’s works still instill in them, it’s a constant contradictory battle for anyone reading Hubbard’s self congratulatory stuff to NOT get into Hubbard’s superior mindset.
The doctrines of Scientology by Hubbard just push the readers into a predicament of adopting Hubbard’s very extreme self congratulatory mindset.
Being a Scientologist in full is a major predicament because you get bombarded with Hubbard’s layers of self hype about how superior you are with Hubbard’s “tech” and acting the role of a Scientologist means adopting Hubbard’s false superiority.
A superb example and comparison Mike.
This is my take:
When you have an organization and/or an individual plagued by unrecognized and unhandled insecurities and fears you get an organization and/or an individual which obsessively and compulsively seeks an anchor or anchors of high value to be attached to so as to feel secure and valuable.
The goal is never to help but to satisfy the self interests those insecurities and fears create, which are directing and demanding the organization and/or the individual viewpoints and actions and inactions so as to desperately accomplish their absence and the presence of feeling important and valuable.
It is all a pretense and a constant experiencing of pain because, no matter what, they always know it isn’t genuine and they are not valuable.
I know, I have been there.
Regards,
Luis
Bravo, Mike.
Organized or random, acts of kindness can be found all around us, thankfully, whether through religion, altruism, or simply the part of our DNA that helps us survive as a species.
The obverse is scientology. Its stated directive, noting that “it is not a religion” per hubbard, is to “Make money. Make more money.”
Hubbard, everything he ever did, everything he ever wrote, dianetics and scientology – all of it – can at best only serve as a bad example of humanity preying on itself. Thankfully, it is so minuscule an aberration as to be statistically insignificant, except to its willing victims.
Very well stated. Look at the Pope, also very genuine and attempting to really improve conditions in the world. A simple, modest, very intelligent man who, by the way, never talks about himself.
There is no comparison of criminality like that of Miscavige and IAS with honest truths from honest men. That is why we decided to support the latter.
Word!!
A beautiful post, Mike. I’m delighted for you that your life has taken this very lovely turn and you’re paving that way for others.
Me too.
I think most folks get into Scientology because they want to help. Scientology actually “teaches” that out of you. One example; Before, if you saw a homeless person, the natural tendency of most decent folks would be to help out a bit. Maybe some food or a couple of bucks. But after Scientology, the attitude is “well, the guy’s a downstat, can’t reward downstats, he’s a DB, an SP, and is highly PTS. Stay away!
Just one example. Scientologists are actually taught not to help, unless it’s regging them to Narconon, intro courses or a Purif. Anything else would be mixing practices too. Yep, you can go from a person who has empathy for his fellow man, to someone who only wants to “win or die in the attempt”. I was very guilty of that. For many years, I was a real ass. (I still am one, just not quite as much).
Imagine what those two women could do with some back up from Gold to video their good works, and with CMU turning out some glossy promo pieces for them and with WDC ABLE to direct their good works. I am sure that DM reads this blog religiously and am certain he is scheming right now how to tie Flag into their work.
Maybe he’ll change and actually become a good guy. I mean if the whistleblowers hadn’t started blowing, he never would have stopped hitting people. Maybe he’ll read this and think, “…actually do go works and help people out…hmmm.”
Somewhere along the line maybe he’ll become actually become good, kind, caring and selfless. Nice idea.
Dreamer! Sadly, I think the guy is totally nuts and the idea of *actually* helping someone is beyond his capacities. I wonder if we’ll ever find out anything about his childhood. His insanity had to begin somewhere!
Ron Senior’s book comes out next year. That should tell us lots of things about his childhood.
What Real religions do for Humanity is so far
from what Scientology has evolved into that
a day and night comparison falls short.
You still think Hubbard wanted to help people mike? I never met the man so it’s hard for me to form a judgement but its not consistent with how he seemed later in life from the evidence. He seemed very selfish and money obsessed. I’m tempted to think that he was always a selfish a-hole but I respect your opinion. Perhaps his moral character declined with his health and legal circumstances?
He was obviously very capable in his prime but it’s hard for me to see him as anything other than a complete so and so.
did you ever see him act in a altruistic way? On what basis do you think he cared about anyone else. I’d be curious to know and have an open mind.
Um, Hubbard invented Scientology specifically to make himself rich.* That’s why all the money flows upwards. David Miscavage obviously realized this so when Hubbard died, he could move in and take his place on the throne.
jmsr
*(well, and to win a bet with Frank Herbert, author of Dune over who could make more money. Frank wrote a science fiction story in the biblical style whereas Hubbard started Scientology. Ron won.)
But Herbert out-wrote Hubbard by a wide margin.
I’m betting Herbert’s work will still sell when Hubbard’s weird cult experiment, the only reason most people ever heard of the guy in the first place, will have become a tiny footnote in history.
The same with humanist groups, they actually help people without it having to be some public relations propaganda designed to swindle money out of people and without trying to do it to pretend they’re legitimate. Real rights groups, real churches, real people helping real people are a stark difference from these god damned Scientology criminals who play pretend solely to swindle money out of gullible people.
This brings to mind another quote from Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians, 13:2) :
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (also translated as “love”), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
This is not a “small point”, no, it is major. And any social
being can see this as a major out point with Scientology.
Makes you wonder what happened to this cherch parishioners’
deductive abilities or are they processing themselves to some
sort of antisocial person.
Marty once wrote about this, how processing (and training)
reverses a person’s outlook on life into the negative.
Scientologist fail to see their staff members and sea organization needs to clean up their act stop the abuses get a living wage before they pretend to help anyone else for the cameras
In Mexico there is a plague of street beggars. Native looking, with a sleeping child, asking for money.
Some of them do rent the child, and if they want, with or without sleeping pill.
That is a profession, as they make about $35 dollars per day, when the official daily minimum wage is about $4.25.
Hi Ed, my favorite thing about Mexico is the food! I love Mexican food.
Very poignant post Mike. I spent a few years in Div. 6, ‘body’ routing, doing OCA test evaluations, and ‘regging’. Then I was in the GO PR bureau for a couple of years. Learning how to tell an ‘acceptable truth’.
One of my motivations in joining staff was to help others…but this sentiment did not withstand years of indoctrination where such derogatory terms as ‘bodies’ in the shop, raw public, wogs, degraded beings, SPs, psychs, mamby-pambies, downstats and many other such “we are superior” mantras.
I was very fond of others pre-Scientology, and it took me several years to regain that appreciation after leaving Scientology.
The average Scientologist’s viewpoint on others is very shameful, and this is in even greater contrast since they wear the guise of a ‘religion’. In truth, there is not a modicum of compassion in Scientology, and where it exists at all, it is due to individual Scientologists who have managed to hang on to some degree of humanity.
Making the able more able. Yeah, how’s that working out for ya?
Unfortunately you are right, Zola, that there is not a modicum of compassion in the corporate Scns. I was born with a deformed heart valve and didn’t know it until it got so bad that I almost died and had to have a heart valve replacement. Still the A Fib would occur occasionally. One time when I had a very bad A Fib attack and should have gone to the ER with it (and didn’t, bad me), I told my kids about it thinking that if I died I wanted them to know where stuff was. It scared my kids and they told their staff MAA and others. Their handlers on staff had one of them call me up as part of his ethics handling and tell me to read one of the Basics Books (can’t remember which one now), but he said it handles Service Facsimilies, and hinted that the reason the heart acted up was because I was doing poorly and had to make myself right and get sympathy, i.e., it was nothing more than a Service Facsimile. And this is being said to someone who was born with the defect. This is how they brainwash kids into non-compassion. It’s sad to see.
I think that all comes out of the idea, promulgated by LRH, that “WE know everything…or at least, I do.” Which reminds me of a quote from Einstein said: “We don’t know one millionth part of anything.” 🙂
What a disgrace, Cindy. Possibly some day this same staff member will need medical assistance and be told to read a Basics book. You know, its not even LRH! I’ve never read anything of his that said a person should ignore a medical condition and not seek medical help for it.
How repelling, especially to send that through your kids. But when you think about it, wasn’t that person ser facing on YOU? Making you wrong for having a medical situation. Some MAA!
Thanks for sharing this, Mike. So nice to get that “other” view of what churches are doing for their communities. Joburg Org made sporadic attempts at this before going St Hill size – all for PR purposes, major photo-ops and attention getting – it was disingenuous at best. These days they do absolutely NOTHING for the community – I have heard many ordinary folk speak about “that church behind all the security” and I realised how utterly insular and unfriendly they come across to people. Fine by me – the more unapproachable they seem, the better.
I’m glad you posted this, Mike. It’s a change and quite refreshing and quieting. It’s about kindness and caring and helping out those in need.
This is what I experienced in my early years in the church of scientology. It changed and so did I. I find it very nice to get back to my sense of self and the goodness and kindness of others without the fear, paranoia or stress.
Your post is a reminder of a beauty there is in the world. It’s nice to be reminded.
🙂
One of the reasons I left the church was that I was beginning to feel cold and heartless. One day my young son made a disparaging comment about a beggar on the street (mimicking my own views) and it struck me how insensitive I had become to others around me. And that this was the Scn “way.” A street person is a downtone, degraded being and not worthy of help or even kindness, what they really needed was “tough love.” That asking people for spare change is “out-exchange.” It struck me how crazy that viewpoint really is.
I stopped my son and asked him “what if it were you?”, and gave him some money to give to the old man. That simple act made us feel better and we had a great discussion afterwards. For me it was a step in re-joining the human race, and my first step out of Scn.
I do not think this uncharitable attitude is natural. It is taught in a very methodical, “logical” way within the church. Slowly, sometimes taking years, you are encouraged to adopt a narcissistic view, until there are only two things important in life – The Church and your Bridge – in that order. All time and money should be devoted to these things. Everything else is either unimportant or expendable. What a miserable existence. This may explain why Scnists tend to only associate with other Scnists.
But, one may argue that the church does engage in charitable acts. We all know someone who experienced some tragedy (death in the family comes to mind), and the church will offer to take the person in session – no charge. Having been on staff and witnessed this first hand, the true motivation for such “kindness” is to move stats AND there will always be a reg waiting for them when they get out of session.
No, I’m sorry to say, the Church of Scientology is about as charitable as Amway.
I think you pretty much nailed it Statpush. In a Dave lead church people in need are a bunch of whole track dead beats that are where they are because they had it coming to them-They pulled it in. Poverty and tough times are the price they have to pay and doing something for them would require an outflow of resources (money) and at this point its clear Dave is only interested in an inflow. Money is a kind of admiration and of course the flow of admiration must flow to Dave.
The Anti-Social Personality
12. The antisocial personality has a bad sense of property…
The IAS and Ideal Org fundraising have brought Dave unimaginable amounts of free money but that money is his property. His group provided the free funds but groups are not going to benefit in return. The poor and needy, well they are on their own, he is not going to flow in their direction.
One night, years ago, after course I was walking to my car and was stopped behind what is now the Starbucks just down the road from the Ft. Harrison.
The man asked me if I was a Scio, and I said yes.
He explained he and his family were from out of town and were stranded due to a car breakdown. That he had gone into the Ft. H asking for help and was turned away.
For reasons I won’t go into I felt unable to help, other than to advise him to visit a nearby Christian Church.
I was ashamed of the CofS after that. I wrote to ED INT about it, never got an answer.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. – 1 Corinthians 13:13, KJV
I hate quoting the King James Heresy, but it’s appropriate for this. Scientologists keep going on about the ARC triangle. Well, here’s another triangle. Scientologists deny the first, rely too much on the second, and disregard the third with the phrase “out-exchange”. Inhuman behavior is thus explained by their own warped standards.
Of course, their warped standards are fully on display today. I’m sure that on a message board out there, someone is proclaiming the newly-minted Nobel winners for medicine (not to mention the Committee) as tools of Big Pharma. The discoveries of ivermectin and especially artemisinin have saved tens of millions of lives, but they’re drugs and therefore not as good as auditing. Let’s see who wins the Physics prize later this week. I’ll tell you this: it won’t be a special posthumous award for L. Fraud.
Love is not boastful…
Love stores up no chronicles of past wrongs…
Excellent comment, Bob Eckert
Actually, Mike, I think it is a huge point in the scheme of things.
When I went to church as a child, it was not a circus-like atmosphere. There were no loud noises, clapping was not allowed, blaring music, all the jarring carnival activity was specifically not allowed.
It was a place where you went to reflect on things. You were not required to jump up and down and yell and scream at a fever pitch at the “preacher” on the podium. It was all quiet, sedate, thoughtful.
Those “churches” with the pulpit pounding and the yelling and screaming and people jumping up and down came along later and people laughed at them for what they were. Scam churches made for making only money. Scientology has made itself the mother of all carnival scam religions, raising money for the sake of raising money.
I am not pro religion. I do not attend church. I do not identify with any religion.
I do, however, believe in a type of spirituality and in anonymously or at least quietly helping those people who are genuinely trying to help themselves. That is the reason I got into Scientology, because I sincerely believed that was what they were trying to do.
I was so wrong.
I too, Valerie, an not a religious person, I do not attend church, I do not identify with any religion. Way, way to many churches claim they are the ONLY TRUE religion. I am unconditioned consciousness. I am that which is aware of being aware. I am forever. And…my “future eternity” has never been threatened!
Spot on, Valerie and OSD. Good on ye both!
I am that which is aware of being aware.
I am forever.
The conditioned soul forgets this.
To quote the Bhagavad Gita (a mythological story thought to be the sacred conversation between god and man. As god takes the form of the king’s chariot driver, commanding the king to the attend the final war, they converse. All the sacred words are either the voice of god or of the king, so chosen for his righteousness and therefore the closest of mankind to the eternal realm and its original Creator. Originally written in Sanscrit some 5000 years ago, it was also purported to be the representation of supreme intelligence) -if I may…
Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor the dead.
Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.
That is a stark contrast.
I’m surprised how things become so apparent when you compare them to something else. Compare an existing business to how it treats it clients and compare that with the COS calling you every night to pressure you to donate for something or other, or showing up unannounced at your doorstep and whatnot. Good Lord.
Of course we were conditioned to believe Scientology was so far above anything else that it could not be compared….
That is so true.
We were conditioned to think that what we had made us so valuable…
We were “””””””””””””” “” “””””” that leaving the church meant sacrificing our personal eternity.
We were “””””””””””””” “” “””””” that everyone outside the church was inferior, and that it was dangerous.
We were “””””””””””””” “” “””””” that there was only one source of knowledge.
Thanks Mike. Having listened to most of Pope Francis’ speeches and admonitions to his flock during his recent US trip, I found myself thinking about getting involved in activities of the local Catholic church. I have not been a practicing Catholic since I was 19, but after too many years of being involved in the drive for money in the “Church” of Scientology, I think it might be uplifting to take part in activities similar to those of your local Methodist Church. Aside from any religious beliefs, there is nothing quite like the joy of helping others. And the rare occasions when that occurs in Scientology are primarily PR efforts more than anything else.
“A small point in the overall scheme of things…” Not really Mike – a very very key point. Any Church worthy of the name does selfless actions. My local C of E church which we joined nearly six years ago does a ton of stuff for the homeless, the needy and the desperate in various parts of the world, quietly, without fanfare or fuss. My daughters also both go to church schools precisely to help them assimilate a Christian ethos (I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to call myself a Christian), and as anyone who has met them will tell you, they are considerate and thoughtful children. Had I still been drinking the KoolAid no doubt they would be at Greenfields learning how to “ruthlessly put ethics in”. Compare and contrast.
The major difference in motivation is this:
True God based doctrines serve the Infinite Spirit (God) in others. They serve the greater “Self”.
We are motivated by a higher law, a spiritual doctrine of:
“Love thy neighbor as thy self”
Scientolgists follow the words of Hubbard, a selfish man.
Lovers of God serve a broader dynamic.
A disciple asked Jesus:
“Lord, what is the most important commandment?”
He answered:
Love the Lord thy God with thy whole mind, thy whole body and whole soul.
And love thy neighbor as thy self.
Is Ron an anti Christ? He seemed to think so. The fruits bear it out.
Not sure God is the right focus here. I also think Buddhists are charitable and apply the principle of love thy neighbor as they self. The Golden Rule precedes Christianity by many centuries.
No doubt Mike re Buddists. But they serve Dharma, a law of service to others as a path in life.
I see no difference.
Whether Buddhist, humanist, Christian or whatever; true service, selfless service, supports the whole of humankind with the powerful force of love.
In a Christian church as is your example God is part of the equation by definition.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfless_service
Hi Brian, I always enjoy your posts. What you, others and Mike said reminds me very much of what I am currently reading about in Robert Thurman’s book Infinite Life. I highly recommend it.
Thanks Good People ( BTW, how many are you ! :-))
I’ll check out your book.
Have you read Autobiography of a Yogi Good People?
Dave, you should download it and check it out.
It’s more of a portal than a mere book.
I’ve never read anywhere in any text such a discription of the after life and in depth insight into the goal and purpose of human existence. Or any existence for that matter.
Of course that is just my experience of this book.
There sure is a lot of beauty floating around here today, this fine day.
In the form of humans, of all things.
I am an atheist and this is not an original thought–in fact it may have originated from a Marxist–but then Marxists are not original thinkers.
A culture is defined by what is believed to be divine. God is thought of as a reflection and embodiment of values and the way of life. God is the creator of all things and the first and foremost of thinking beings. For a rational and working person it makes perfect sense that God would come to speak to living people as a working man in the person of Jesus Christ. As a result in life we think and work to create a better world for us and our children.
But what do we see in Scientology?
Thank you so much for this post.
I know what Scientology as a church is and what the perception of what a religion is supposed to do but they are two completely different things. But what does it take for public awareness to jolt itself into a response?
I whole heartily agree in jail time for miscavige and his accomplices, their crimes are so blatant, but who in authority actually cares enough to enforce justice?
One day that house of cards will come tumbling down, one day…
Thank you for this, Mike. I am a bit tired of the boring old lazy argument that ” all churches are the same.” No, they are not.
Yes, and I get tired of hearing the church of scientology’s retort to anyone who says anything “negative” about the church that they are bigoted or anti-religion.
That argument has never sit right with me. Even Neil DeGrasse Tyson went there, very disappointing. While many churches, religious groups and individuals in those groups do evil things, it is naive, at best, to lump Scientology into that ilk. It plays into Scientology’s pretense of being a legitimate religion, which I wholeheartedly believe they are not. If they have religious trappings, it’s simply because it’s what they use to hide what they are really doing.
I don’t know of any legitimate religion that imprisons the bishops in the basement for displeasing the “ecclesiastical” wannabe. Not even the Catholic church has it’s own cruise ship or make believe navy. And I’ve never even heard many other religious people say “F*** you” if you don’t like my religion as both Danny masterson & Tom Cruise have said.
The comparison is indeed lazy and while it’s intended to swipe at “other religions”, it actually give Scientology a free pass.
Thanks Mike. Another great post and a good reality check into the claims of Scientology’s religious legitimacy.
” And I’ve never even heard many other religious people say “F*** you” if you don’t like my religion as both Danny masterson & Tom Cruise have said.”
…nor have their “PR person” say that something is “provable bull***t….”
Good example of the contrast. Scientology charity or help is artificial and self serving. Its a false front. I am glad you are connected to a group that has real charitable activities. Shriners Burn hospitals (Freemasons) are another good example of real help and charity. They offer free care for burn victims and you cannot use your medical insurance to pay for the care, even if you have insurance. They will not take it.
Great editorial Mike!
I bet that they don’t even have an Org Chart with a VFP that involves dissemination, planetary clearing or book sales.
Nary a book for sale anywhere. And no regges. And no pitch. No name tag or clearance from OSA to get in. No security guards. No surveillance cameras everywhere. I could have been a devil-worshipper (in fact, I know one of the women there is an avowed atheist, but likes the school for her kids as they have great teachers) or worse yet, a reporter – and nobody would have cared and they would not have treated me any different than everyone else. Most importantly, they would not have been SCARED of me. Terrified is probably a better word. The panic that would set in if I was suddenly found to be in the audience of an event in the Ft Harrison is hilarious to contemplate. Funny thing about scientology is how fearful they are – even though they have the “tech” to overcome and shatter suppression.
Wait…..what? No books for sale? No regges? No pitch? No name tag or clearance from OSA to get in? No security guards? No surveillance cameras everywhere? Gosh, Mike, I’d be lost without all of the above…..
And they call themselves a church! Ha! 🙂
And to think Mike made it to his seat with out a routing form!
And made it out the door without being crush-regged!
They obviously have no tech.
LMAO!!!!! Oracle, now that’s some funny shit! Still laughing! He made it to his seat without a routing form! Whew! Still laughing!
They’re terrified of you, Mike. You are a very, very dangerous, bad man.
It really would be fun if a bunch of us with you disguised ourselves and together crashed a major Co$ event.
Funny, I never thought I’d say I want to go to a Scn event!
But now I do, just to be able to stand up in the middle of it and denounce COB’s lies, and say some other stuff that would have everyone in the audience in ethics as soon as a DA pack was cobbled together.
I know exactly what I would say, too. It would make quite an effect on literally dozens of people, LOL. (About the number of people at events nowadays.)
With you remaining seated, each of us could rapidly, one after the other, stand up and loudly give forth a soundbite, in rapid succession.
The coup de grace would the last one delivering his/her line and then saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you – MIKE RINDER!”
All you’d need to do would be stand up and take a bow, Mike. You wouldn’t even have to utter a word.
The audience would CONGEAL. Or maybe they would just melt, the way the Wicked Witch of the West did when Dorothy threw a pail of water on her.
I’m sure the Sheeple would be made to leave immediately. The entire place would be evacuated.
God, it would be fun.
🙂 it’s this sort of comment that results in massive new security measures being implemented…. 🙂
A type of humanism or concern for the welfare of others is hallmark of axial age religions. It is an identifying trait of Christianity as Jesus taught the golden rule. However, I don’t see it as fair that all religions should have to match the altruistic aspirations of Christianity. It should be enough that an organization is non profit, addresses existential issues and does not violate the usual financial rules of religions i.e. No hoarding of money, no inurement, etc. In other words, it’s fine with me that Scientology doesn’t feed the homeless. The whole volunteer minister, touch assist program thing that they do for PR is more of an embarrassment for themselves that it is showing anyone that they are humanistic. But I don’t think they should have to concern themselves with the welfare of the poor in order to qualify for tax exempt status. That’s really more of a Christianity thing.
I dont care what sort of public benefit activities they might engage in. The point was not whether they feed the homeless. It is whether they do anything at all for anyone if it does not result in a photo opportunity or collecting money for them to KEEP.
Scientology vs [most] the rest of churches…
to me is a little like comparing dolphins to sharks.
Scn leadership and doctrine is out for themselves and itself, proven by this callous disregard for the welfare of their own and the declared enemies for the rest of mankind. Where is the good in that? Where is the heart? All I can see anymore is this bubble of deceit. Argue me wrong, and the fool soon takes the stage.
They offer the promise of salvation, just the promise, holding up imagination as meat. And then they say things like “don’t blame us for the death of Cathriona.”
And Lisa. And every other name that should be mentioned, which would be every single Scientologist that has died. Isn’t that the real promise, eternity?
“…how many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see?”
I get that point about trumpeting one’s good works, Mike. There’s something I read in the Bible about that. I can’t recall offhand who said it but its in the New Testament somewhere, about not parading one’s unselfishness and good deeds in front of others for the purpose of admiration. Those are my words but that is the concept.
Thomas Weeks, I think the Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, etc, etc, etc adherents who engage in just the kind of charitable activities, as a part of their religious devotion, that you think are confined to Christianity would have something to say if they ever come across your severely mistaken notion in these comments. As Mike R says, you’re missing the point anyway, but I just had to point out that you also don’t know what you’re talking about. That’s not to say that only religious groups provide charity, but it is a common feature with religious doctrine and practice the world over.
A very many religions have have similar versions of the “Golden Rule” (basically understood as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”) here is a quick link of comparisons:
http://www.teachingvalues.com/goldenrule.html
The Universality of the Golden Rule in the World Religions
Christianity: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:1
Confucianism: Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state.
Analects 12:2
Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
Udana-Varga 5,1
Hinduism: This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.
Mahabharata 5,1517
Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
Sunnah
Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.
Talmud, Shabbat 3id
Taoism: Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.
Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
Zoroastrianism: That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself.
Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5
– – –
Wikipedia has an article on this also, as do many other sites, if anyone feels like looking up more info, it’s really fascinating to see that throughout time, many religions have had a similar teaching.
So if one studies religions, many have really good concepts and beliefs, and theoretically should be able to help people live a good life – it’s just when evil and greedy people get into power and pervert the teachings, or they emphasize that which is negative (extreme radicalism, such as ‘you must convert or destroy non-believers’, etc.) then we have a religion that is harmful to mankind instead of helpful.
I really respect people like the Dalai Lama and our current Pope, and any religious leader that teaches or preaches tolerance, kindness, compassion, and charity.
Personally, I respect every one’s right to choose a religion that they feel is right for them, or to have no religion, if that is their choice.
This is not the same as saying “I respect all religions” – it is simply saying that I respect your right to free choice. I don’t like religions that do things contrary to my own personal moral values, for instance the previously mentioned “convert or destroy” non-believers, or religions that take rights away from a segment of the population, for instance saying “women have half the rights of men”. I would have a hard time practicing religion of the Ancient Mayans, who practiced human sacrifices (or any other religion that did this throughout history) as it runs contrary to my beliefs.
I also insist that I be allowed that same freedom of choice to decide upon my own religion, or to have no religion if I so choose. (by the way, I am a life-long Quaker, raised in the faith as a child, decided it was still relevant to me as an adult, just a side note in case anyone is interested, although probably not, lol.) So I’ll end this too-long post now.
I believe and respect the idea that each one of us is the guardian of his own, adopted religion, whether it be named or labeled or not. It is a choice that truly belongs to the self, and such ownership is of the highest authority, no authority higher in all the human realm.
(posted in living curiosity, curiosity being the elixir of life, and inspired today by the voice of t.j., thank you all for being here.)
ps. Watching what DM (dumb) says and does just screws up my brain, next thing you know I’m having paranoid thoughts, stupid, like what the hell did I just write for crissakes. Not funny, really. But just now it occurred to me I always refer to the general mankind as a “his”, which might tickle the fuzz-button of gender superiority with some of the…other folks around here, and, I better ack-no the laziness, being the crazed writer I got manifesting here. Sorry, I don’t mean it that way, do, I mean, I gotta say something now…
(always me, thinking I must reveal myself to feel good about said person or, shit, throw in the towel. Peace with oneself, a football coach of notoriety once said, “Just be yourself and tell the truth, you’ll be alright” and it stuck with me.)
I am a transgender, avidly exploring my feminine facets, (too much fun otherwise), born female, about 75 billion years ago and male since 1954. People do look at me strangely, but I’m perfectly aware that that is categorically blank, (worse than stupid). Guess that sums it up, why I’m writing here. I’m lazy, but I’m not your off-the-street oxymoron, at your service.-agent mm
“I believe and respect the idea that each one of us is the guardian of his own adopted religion, whether it be named or labeled or not”.
Very well said, MM, and I could not agree more.
From The Way To Happiness;
Precept 19 “Try not to do things to others that you would not like them to do to you”
Precept 20 “Try to treat others as you would want them to treat you”
For the picture of the child above asking for help, there is precept 4 “Love and help children”
I have often wondered if the c of s has ever read any of the books that they sell.
Actually I did mention that concern for the welfare of others is a trait of axial age religions – such as Buddhism, Hinduism. That was in my first sentence. And I don’t think I missed Mike’s point. I acknowledge that the volunteer minister activity is done for the purpose of PR. To refine my view, I think that individual Scientologists are motivated by altruistic ends – most of them want to do good and do well. It would be hard to regg someone for a $50,000 IAS donation if they didn’t give a shit about the dynamics. On the other hand, CofS international tries to pass themselves off as humanitarians with hollow PR photo ops and pushing the “help” button of individual Scientologists sucking them dry for money they don’t need and won’t be used to help anyone.
Well said.
A sole concern for self is the hallmark of Scientology. It does zero for others, except look for opportunities to fleece them. Truth About Drugs, and their other front operation operate on the same premise – look for people to fleece.
Christianity does not have a corner on charity. There are plenty of secular organizations who realize being charitable is decent and humane – two philosophies you’ll NEVER see practiced or promulgated by Scientology or Scientologists.
This is just an example of what a real church does. Something that’s for the benefit of people outside of their own world, a public benefit. That’s why we have tax exemption laws for non-profit organizations. In fact, you might say that the tax exemption laws fit the tenet of “the greatest good for the greatest number of dynamics” when applied to Mike’s example, but certainly not to virtually anything that Scientology does, particularly in its current iteration. The “ideal orgs” is their loophole big enough to fly a DC-10 all the way to Teegeeack, I mean Teaneck. (Hmmm, I bet LRH saw the signs for Teaneck on the way to Bay Head….)
Thomas….out of curiosity, in your opinion, why should any organization receive tax exemption?
The reason certain religious organizations are tax exempt is because they relieve the financial burden of the state through their charity. In other words, if churches (of all faiths) did not have soup kitchens, the government would have to feed those people.
That is just one small.example why the government (IRS) allows these organizations to be exempt (because ultimately, it is a benefit to the state that someone other than the government is taking care of its citizens).
I agree with you in that the Co$ can do what it wants in terms of charity, feeding the poor, etc.
If their mission is to help people with LRH tech rather than food, shelter, etc. that is their business.
But the same rules apply to them……if they are not helping society in a tangible way (i.e. feeding the hungry) that helps alleviate the burden on the government, then they should pay taxes.
Now, they will argue that LRH tech helps people help themselves, but everyone outside of the Co$ bubble sees that as the pile of horse poop it is…..but the irony of that ‘logic’ is that the poor can’t afford their services, so there is no way the Co$ is helping the government as far as taking care of its citizens.
My point is that the government does not allow for tax exemption for altruistic purposes……the government sees it as a quid pro quo.
That is a really good way to explain it, Chee Chalker, makes sense!
Disagree. I think the purpose of tax exemption is keep the state from impinging on religion. Maybe your Christian religion requires you to feed the homeless – which would defray some cost for the government. Alternately, your religion might require you to appease the sun god Mithras with animal sacrifice – which isn’t much use to the government. Either way, you get tax exempt status because the government can’t say Christianity is valid but the Cult of Mithras is invalid. Both religions receive equal treatment under law.
Might be partly the case in the US, certainly isnt the case outside the US. In many countries there is a public benefit test — which is the test scientology cannot overcome in the UK. The IRS code does contemplate public benefit, its why religious exempt organizations cannot accumulate too much money.
Funny side note: my son’s school parent-teachers association group is a tax exempt organization. They had a lot of money from fund raisers remaining at the end of the year, so they decided to send several parents to a national conference outside of our state. I objected because I said that was hard work all year holding sales, car washes, ice cream fundraisers, etc., and the money could be better spent on other things, so why don’t they hold the money over to next school year to purchase something of real value to help the teachers: learning aids, computers, books, etc., and they told me it was against the law to hold the funds over to next school year due to tax exemption. That was pretty annoying,
“My point is that the government does not allow for tax exemption for altruistic purposes……the government sees it as a quid pro quo.”
Hmmm, not sure about that Chee. The IRS doesn’t run around requiring churches to do that as far as I know. If the church is just giving sermons, is using its money to build more churches to minister to more people, etc. the IRS doesn’t pull tax exempt status.
Great comparison Mike. My local Presbyterian Church feeds the needy once a week, sells homemade soup and fried boloney sandwiches at local fairs to raise money to buy food to give to the needy at Christmas, and is always there to lend a helping hand with no thanks expected or asked for. Also every Sunday hands out an accounting of every penny received and how and where it was spent to every member.
True kindness and compassion is a status that is far far superior than any status the COS has sold.
The accounting of funds is really important. I don’t think any tax-exempt organization should be able to have a “slush-fund” like the I.A.S. that pays for private investigators to harass church members. Where the money goes should be open available for all to see, not hidden.
Kudos to your church for their good works, 🙂
Nail on the head TJ – Slush fund. Church. Words that should not ever go together.
Perfectly well crafted,Thank You.
Contrary to Scientology beliefs, and what they instill on you day in and day out, there are many many many good people in the world ACTUALLY doing good.
Precisely. All the “wogs” are not hopeless, incapable and unhappy.
So true Mike. I had been thinking that for most of the years I was on staff. I was not doing anything to help the community, we were not doing anything to help the community or for that matter mankind. We would get the hype about everything we supposedly did, etc. but all I saw were photo opportunities from Gold and Upper Mgmt whom totally fell from grace in my eyes many years ago.
The photo ops really came home when I was on staff, that a few of us were told to go down to the local restaurant as one of our staff became friends with the owners and was handing them A Way to Happiness booklet; Gold was in town so they had to have a photo of him handing over the booklet. So we sat at one of the tables (not ordering anything) they put food in front of us to show we were there eating and Gold proceeded to take photos of us Scientologists visiting the local restaurant and giving away booklets.
I saw the photo ops several times in the Orgs too which drove me crazy trying to represent the fact that our orgs are busy and full when in fact most of the people in the photos were staff or the OT committee all called in to be a part of the photo op.
I never saw the yellow shirts out at disasters never in the media for sure only by our own Gold group for the photo op. So I grew more and more suspicious about the amount of help we really did out there.
A wog along with his/her church, temple, synagogue, group or gathering, does far, far more to help those in need than any scientologists. I guess they would refer to those in need as DBs…
Agree with this. Our local church sometimes offers free meals to those less fortunate in the community, they fund this through churchgoers voluntary donations so they can only do it a couple of times a year – Christmas and other holidays.
Some years ago I recall going out with the VM tent, this could never be just to offer help to people – there was always an angle to it – sell them a book or one of the VM booklets, at the very least route people in to look at the displays and hence get them on the stats. Generally I was quite embarrassed to go on these ridiculous cavalcades as the reaction to an ‘assist’ from a non-scn is quite different to the fully indoctrinated, usually consisting of “Im going now that didn’t do anything for me” or “err yes thanks.” There was also a very short lived period a few years back when VMs were sent to the local homeless shelter to help out, I remember it being clearly stated that this was for PR, hence it didn’t last long!
So true Mike. I remember as a child taking part in activities such as this many times a year at our small church. The Chuch of scn won’t even help its own members, much less anyone else.
“The Church of scn won’t even help its own members, much less anyone else.” In that one sentence, John, you described the cult perfectly.
So true. Another example of Scientology pretending to be a church for tax reasons is its “Sunday service”. The crew were briefed that this was needed for tax reasons and this was important and some staff would have to attend. Of course no one wanted to attend as they would lose precious production time, putting at risk their never ending struggle to get their stat up and stay out of trouble. Ethics Officers would run around the org before the “Sunday service” and order and bulldog as many staff and public as they could into the make believe service. I wound up in there a few times and always felt I was doing my duty in helping to create the religious image needed for our tax exemption. It was all done in the name of Scientology’s god – MONEY.
Well said, Mike: “THIS is why religious organizations are supposed to have tax exempt status.”
And Mat — you gave me a flashback to the time when suddenly crosses* came in, some staff had to wear ministers’ collars, a book of religious “ceremonies” appeared (weddings, funerals, etc.), and those laughable Sunday services became de rigueur.
Oh, and course and auditing fees abruptly became _donations_.
Everyone was expected to be “gung ho” at the time, but I suspect I was not the only one who found it all weird and troubling. With what is known today, it was a patently obvious manipulation to seek religious tax advantage.
*PS I think most people know this by now, but the Scientology cross is a near replica of the Crowley tarot cross. The eight points can be said to refer to the eight dynamics. The Crowley-Scientology cross has also been said to be an x-ed out cross — x-ing out Christianity.
It’s the Church of the Double Cross……
and skull.
Good one, OSD!
Very well said.
Amen.
Indeed, the crime cult does only like money and power and does only want to conquer the whole universe, killing absoiklutely every enemy. “We are at war”, said LRH. Not one thin dime of difference between the dwarf and his dead master’s desires. These people became crazy because of their inability to love others, which happens when one gets too much.
Thank you so much Mike. I totally agree.
Co$ top execs need to spend a little jail time for scamming money in order to get their heads in the right (charitable) place.
Now we’re talkin Robert!
Good post Mike and perhaps a subject for a new documentary (hint, hint – Lawrence Wright and Alex Gibney)
What is Scientology and What Scientology is NOT!
Scientology will never help the needy and Scientologist’s actually look down upon them and refer to them as “degraded beings”
Scientology will always disable the able
That is what it does and does not do