snatchbalance

Any other former scientologists out there?

SB

Eudaimonist

Not me, but I'm curious to hear about your experiences as a scientologist, and why you left.

snatchbalance

Eudaimonist,

I talk about it a little in a thread called "introspection" in the Philosophy Forum.

I guess, To summarize my thoughts on the experience, I'd have to say something like:

Standard COS rehtoric proclaims that its goal is to produce "free beings". In actuallity, its goal is to produce more Scientologists. It persues this goal very vigorously; much too vigorously for my tastes. So, I left.

Of course, from believer's standpoint, one can't be free, if one is not a Scientologist. Really not much different from the standpoint of many churchs. Of course, it has a theology(dogma) all its own.

There are many sites on the net, both pro and con, devoted to the subject.

If you have a specific question, maybe after looking at some of the sites available, I'll try to answer it.

SB

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: snatchbalance ]</p>

BibleBelted

OK, I confess. I got into Scientology a bit back in the early '70s. But only about $500 worth.

It was while I was living in Seattle, working on a construction project. The owner of the construction company was a Scientology "priest" or whatever, can't remember what they call them. I became friends with one of his proselytes, a crazy Jewish cowboy carpenter from Houston.

Why I left? Pretty much the same reason I left the xian church. Just got tired of their goofy rules and constant demands for money.

Also, moving back to Oklahoma was a factor. There are no Scientologists here, AFAIK. After being removed from their constant presence and propagandizing, holding on to any notion that their philosophy made any sense became impossible for me.

Ironically, my exposure and post-mortem analysis of Scientology's allure made it impossible for me to ever become a True Christian.

I saw the same types of mind-control and propagandizing techniques being used in my local Baptist church that I saw in Scientology; that is, they don't want you associating with non-believers, and any doubts you might have about their validity are caused by some problem with you.

My theory (which is probably not original with me) is that the more heavily invested (monetarily, time-wise or emotionally) someone gets with something, the less likely that someone is to admit that their investment is worthless.

No one likes to admit they've been suckered, so they deny it even to themselves, and keep pouring good money (and life) after bad.

Queen of Swords

Originally posted by BibleBelted:
<strong>
My theory (which is probably not original with me) is that the more heavily invested (monetarily, time-wise or emotionally) someone gets with something, the less likely that someone is to admit that their investment is worthless.

No one likes to admit they've been suckered, so they deny it even to themselves, and keep pouring good money (and life) after bad.</strong>

I learned about that phenomenon in social psychology class. That's the reason pledges might undergo humiliation and pain in hazing and still want to join a fraternity : they don't want to admit that they've gone through all that for something that isn't worth it.

Typhon

This is IMO, a good place to start, if you're interested in $cientology.

<a href="http://www.xenu.net/" target="_blank">http://www.xenu.net/</a>

I'm hesitant to call it a religion, or even a cult for that matter. It truly appears to be just one giant criminal pyramid scheme.

It's nice to see that some countries have out right banned the group, among them I believe Greece, France (?) and I think Germany. I wish they'd follow suit in America.

Every time I see some celebrity shilling for the faith, I feel physically sick.

Cheers,

.T.

BibleBelted

Me too. I think Travolta and Cruise deserve a good slapping around, same as P. Robertson.

freemonkey

I once worked for a doctor who was a scientologist. He had these organizational charts all over and during meetings he would throw out all these odd terms & want to try "communication exercises". I got the feeling he was experimenting on us. It was all very weird.

ashibaka

What, and limit our FREEDOM OF RELIGION?!? Why, you must be INSANE!

Typhon

Being an atheist, I'm more concerned with freedom from religion.

31 flavors of crap is still, well you know, crap.

.T.