Scientology

[missbrooke06]

Leah left the organization in 2013. Sofia was born in 2004. Ergo, it's quite possible that she was "audited." However, Leah had been questioning the church since 2006, so it's quite likely that she never exposed Sofia to it.

In her book, I recall her saying that she had not brought Sophia into any official part of it.

I'm really curious about those that were featured. Many of them were raised in the church and talked about lack of formal schooling or jobs outside Scientology or Scientology adjacent businesses. They all seem to be doing well now - nice homes in nice neighborhoods. How did they get money and employment options? I'm not questioning anyone - I'm curious because it seems to be a barrier to leaving Scientoloy for many.

 

[Hikergirl]

I believe that everyone has a right to thier own belief system. If someone chooses to be a Scientologist then go ahead.

My personal belief however is that any organization that encourages families to separate or disavowal loved ones is not respectable or on the up and up. A religion that costs for your membership is a business not a church. It's total bull.

I however blame the followers more than the organization for a lot of the abuse and shady practices. The organization my be screwed up but it's followers allow it.

The fact that Tom Cruise allowed his 'religion' to step in between his children and their mother (Nicole Kidman) and then cut ties from his daughter (w/Katie Holmes) tells me everything I need to know about Tom as a man and a human being.

Does Scientology count as a religious discussion? If so then I expect this to close soon.

I think it counts as Science Fiction.

 

[CdnCarrie]

In her book, I recall her saying that she had not brought Sophia into any official part of it.

I'm really curious about those that were featured. Many of them were raised in the church and talked about lack of formal schooling or jobs outside Scientology or Scientology adjacent businesses. They all seem to be doing well now - nice homes in nice neighborhoods. How did they get money and employment options? I'm not questioning anyone - I'm curious because it seems to be a barrier to leaving Scientoloy for many.

I wondered that too.

Never thought of this as a religious discussion.
This documentary is getting a lot of attention and with the biographies I'm reading I think this may be a big story over the next few years.

 

[robinb]

Scientology has been a recognized religion for tax purposes in the United States since 1993.

 

[Poohlove]

Scientology has been a recognized religion for tax purposes in the United States since 1993.

I did see on the show that was on the other night that they celebrated when the IRS recognized them as a church therefore making them tax exempt.

 

[CdnCarrie]

So we can't discuss a episode of 20/20 or some biographies we read?

 

[bcla]

I believe that everyone has a right to thier own belief system. If someone chooses to be a Scientologist then go ahead.

My personal belief however is that any organization that encourages families to separate or disavowal loved ones is not respectable or on the up and up.

There are a few cultures where one can leave and is effectively disavowed. The Amish call it shunning.

 

[bookgirl]

There are a few cultures where one can leave and is effectively disavowed. The Amish call it shunning.

I am aware of many cultures and religions that practice the same. Not a fan.

Religion is supposed to build bonds and hold people together. If it instead supports destroying bonds and separating families then it's a fail.

 

[macraven]

So we can't discuss a episode of 20/20 or some biographies we read?

When I started reading this thread it seemed more like a discussion of a tv show

I read in the paper when 20/20 was going to show it and decided to watch it

I'm finding it very interesting and amazed how some have escaped from that group

 

[Geoff_M]

I would think that as long as we don't veer into talking about the "beliefs" of Scientology, as Remini had said is not the subject of her series, then it would not be talking about "religion."

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I too find this whole topic fascinating. I watched the 20/20 show and have also read Leah's book as well as Ron's book "Ruthless". I cannot understand how this cult can be called a religion. IMO, it exists because of systematic brainwashing that is being literally "sold" as clearing your reactive mind to reach enlightenment and save the world. If nothing else, I am surprised it cannot be be stopped due to laws that protect the consumer against false claims of industry or bait -and -switch.

 

[barkley]

I too find this whole topic fascinating. I watched the 20/20 show and have also read Leah's book as well as Ron's book "Ruthless". I cannot understand how this cult can be called a religion. IMO, it exists because of systematic brainwashing that is being literally "sold" as clearing your reactive mind to reach enlightenment and save the world. If nothing else, I am surprised it cannot be be stopped due to laws that protect the consumer against false claims of industry or bait -and -switch.

if you haven't seen it yet-watch the documentary 'going clear'. VERY detailed into the hows and whys they garnered their current tax status in the united states.

 

[prprincess]

I'm one of those people where, if I don't understand something, I become very interested in the topic. And to be honest with you, Scientology BOGGLES my mind, so I've watched Going Clear, have read Leah's book, and follow the show.

 

[mco65]

The documentary is very interesting.. I have also seen the HBO 'Going Clear' documentary.. fascinating.
Years ago, I actually read Dianetics. it was fascinating as well but I never contacted anyone for a screening or reading (auditing) (as they constantly advise readers to do).

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I'm one of those people where, if I don't understand something, I become very interested in the topic. And to be honest with you, Scientology BOGGLES my mind, so I've watched Going Clear, have read Leah's book, and follow the show.

I'd also recommend the book "Going Clear" as well as "Beyond Belief" by Jenna Miscavige Hill (David Miscavige's niece).

 

[CdnCarrie]

I'm part way through Beyond Belief. I cannot get over how the Sea Org kids are raised! They don't attend proper school and do heavy labour. While rarely getting to see their parents and they are either working or studying 15 hours in a day.

And I don't understand how the Sea Org members have to work 7 days a week like 16 hour days with barely any pay. Do regular labour laws not apply or is it considered volunteer work?

There does seem to be a huge gap between Sea Org and public Scientologists. I read somewhere that it was likely that celebrities in the Celebrity Center probably were not aware at the living/working conditions of the Sea Org members.

Leah has mentioned several times how as a member she was basically at the church either being audited or taking courses everyday. After the Cruise wedding fiasco she was sent to Clearwater in the summer to be audited. She talked about spending all day from morning until night in the auditing room while seeing her daughter outside swimming through the window. Once she went back to work at King of Queens from the summer hiatus all the coworkers were discussing their wonderful summer holidays and she couldn't say anything about how she was basically kept locked up all summer.

It's funny how even Ron Miscavage Sr talks about escaping. Some on the shows' participants mention how if they left the compound they had to be escorted off. I can't imagine not being able to go shopping or to a movie or even make a phone call without someone watching! But I guess maybe if you're just a public member it's not as bad.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I'm part way through Beyond Belief. I cannot get over how the Sea Org kids are raised! They don't attend proper school and do heavy labour. While rarely getting to see their parents and they are either working or studying 15 hours in a day.

And I don't understand how the Sea Org members have to work 7 days a week like 16 hour days with barely any pay. Do regular labour laws not apply or is it considered volunteer work?

There does seem to be a huge gap between Sea Org and public Scientologists. I read somewhere that it was likely that celebrities in the Celebrity Center probably were not aware at the living/working conditions of the Sea Org members.

Leah has mentioned several times how as a member she was basically at the church either being audited or taking courses everyday. After the Cruise wedding fiasco she was sent to Clearwater in the summer to be audited. She talked about spending all day from morning until night in the auditing room while seeing her daughter outside swimming through the window. Once she went back to work at King of Queens from the summer hiatus all the coworkers were discussing their wonderful summer holidays and she couldn't say anything about how she was basically kept locked up all summer.

It's funny how even Ron Miscavage Sr talks about escaping. Some on the shows' participants mention how if they left the compound they had to be escorted off. I can't imagine not being able to go shopping or to a movie or even make a phone call without someone watching! But I guess maybe if you're just a public member it's not as bad.

You're correct-regular labor laws do not apply because they are meme era of a religion and it all falls under religious freedom.

While there is a huge gap in the life of a public Scientologist compared to. Sea Org members, I personally do not buy that the celebrities and the like are completely unaware.

I do think that once people have investing so much in Scientology that they rationalize what is happening to them so they don't lose their minds.

 

[Unas]

Check out the South Park episode "Trapped in the Closet."

 

[rastahomie]

I'm really curious about those that were featured. Many of them were raised in the church and talked about lack of formal schooling or jobs outside Scientology or Scientology adjacent businesses. They all seem to be doing well now - nice homes in nice neighborhoods. How did they get money and employment options? I'm not questioning anyone - I'm curious because it seems to be a barrier to leaving Scientoloy for many.

I wondered that, too. I supposed it comes down to how badly you want to overcome your circumstances. People have been much worse off and become multimillionaires.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Jenna Miscavage Hill started a forum for ex-scientology. Interesting to read but I only understand some of the posts as so much lingo and names I don't know.

http://exscientologykids.com/

The other thing that blew my mind is about SO members and pregnancy. Females are basically forced to have abortions if they get pregnant while a SO member. They aren't allowed to have children.