The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left in the comment section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week, the questions I answer are:
(1) I have family still in Scientology, which is very frustrating for me at times. I can’t wait until they are out, but their arrogance, certainty, stubbornness, and inability to listen make me think they may never get out. Even after 20 years, the alternate route to Clear, Super Power processing and large donations, my dad is not “Clear”. What could be the reason for this? Also, I asked him if he got to the top of the bridge and didn’t have super powers and all the things promised, would he then look at the other side? His response was,”I’ve gotten enough out of it already to still be worth it.” Obviously it is life changing for some people, so what is it that actually works? I know you say that you can find the parts that work elsewhere in the world. I’m wondering if you intend to sort through the mix of truth and lies within Scientology technology and share with us in the form of a book/books? Also, I know for me it wasn’t really the processing that made me feel any better, but just the thought that I had the right path and future access to powerful truth that would change me and the world for the better. How much of the improvement in people is due to processing, and how much do you think is just the high from believing you have the answer to life and are working on getting to ultimate freedom, etc?
(2) I have read a few different versions of a story claiming that back when Hubbard was a pulp science fiction author he told his fellow writers that he was going to found a religion because “that’s where the money is,” or that he made a bet with Robert Heinlein that he could successfully found a religion. There are also stories that some of the other authors helped him brainstorm ideas that ended up in Scientology, thinking that they were all just playing around and not realizing that Hubbard would actually use their ideas to found a cult. Harlan Ellison also told a story about this. Do you think this story is true or at least possibly true?
(3) Chris, did you ever use one of the Clearsound listening systems? Like this. I would love to see a sound test and a disassembly of the clearsound amplifier. I’m guessing it’s a cheap amplifier with a Scientology logo and an inflated price tag.
(4) I was wondering about the children that grow up within Scientology. How are they legally able to avoid going to regular, non-Scientology schools, and have time to be in the Cadet org or whatever the “pre-Sea Org” for young children is?
(5) Theism verses theism…competition among sects of religions for members, money and power…why are some more successful than others at this?
(6) Why is Big Blue…blue?
(7) Dear Chris, You explained how the Co$ losing its tax exempt status would only be the first step in its down fall. I noticed when you mentioned how other countries handle $cientology on whether or not they have tax exempt status or are even recognized as a religious organization, you seemed very serious when you mentioned Germany. Was there a particular reason for this?
(8) Thanks for another great video. Does Co$ reg Sea Org members? Say a Sea Org member gets an inheritance out of the blue and chooses to dump it back into the church. Do they obtain some kind of status at least among other members? Could someone who is rich buy their way up into the hierarchy of the Sea Org?
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Chris, your critical Q&A was so good I have only one word….Covfefe !!!
Thanks Chris for another wonderful video. I was wondering about question #4, though – I think you might have answered part of it but not the whole thing, Specifically, how are they legally able to avoid going to regular, non-Scientology schools? Is it the same way that home-schooling parents avoid it? Never having home-schooled a child, I’m really curious about how this is done. Wouldn’t the parents or someone in the church have to prove to the school authorities that the child was getting an education that met some kind of standard?
Thanks Carol. I thought I addressed this when talking about the fact that the Sea Org set up schooling for the cadets. A Sea Org member acts as teacher and gives kids schooling and they get a GED when they are done.
I see, OK thanks.
Hi Chris, Patricia here–long time member–happily out six years now. Shew. I love you stuff, but have twp issues with your characterization of Joel Osteen. 1. I have listened to a sermon of his every night for years and have not heard him ask for money. In all those years, I think I sent him $10 for a CD. 2. As for his message, it is more than positive psychology. It’s about growing up, taking responsibility for your life, about believing in yourself, about not hanging out with toxic people. In addition, he preaches that God loves you and wants the best for you. One of his best lectures/sermons is “I Am”, which you can access through YouTube. I recommend it. BTW, he isn’t particularly handsome. He is funny and shares a lot about his struggles, particularly with his wife. Not to go on and on about him, but his message of empathy, compassion and self-love was a life line for me and a terrific antidote to the thousand of hours of lectures I had heard by Hubbard most of which were BS
Thanks Patricia. I’m not a Joel Osteen fan, obviously, but I’m happy that you got something out of his work. I’m happy that he is not as shameless as many other Christian pastors who beg for money or ask for “seed money” and that sort of thing but his palatial estates do bother me considering he pretends to be a man of God who is just trying to help people. I’d be a lot more impressed if he donated more of that money to charities or did some actual philanthropy. I am honestly not trying to take anything away from any benefits you or anyone else get from his work.
I hear ya. His palatial mansion bothers me too. His defense is that his life style is supported by proceeds from his books and that he does not even take a salary from the church. That said, lavish life styles rub me the wrong way, whether by a preacher or industrialist, when there is still so much suffering in the world. On that point, we agree. That said, his messages have made me a better person.
Yo Chris,
Everybody knows Lron “borrowed” (stole) religious doctrine from other churches. He really “missed the boat” by not incorporating the policy of RUMSPRINGA! The thought of those young sea org girls bouncing off the freewinds, in some exotic port, armed with only their string bikinis…..Now that would make a great recruitment tool!
Txs Chris for keep pointing out first objective money money money. There is lots of ideas philosophies and say help help help could be the thing with right intentions. Get right leader in and could rebound. Keep going!!! Good fun work on your part and your work really developing nicely cheers rw