Critical Q&A #149

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left in the comment sections of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) On a recent video you did with with Jon Atack, he mentioned that Hubbard didn’t actually write most of his books regarding Scientology. I think he said Hubbard only really wrote Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Can you provide any further elaboration on this? Are Scientologists generally aware of this? Who, besides David Mayo, actually wrote all that gibberish? What about all the policy letters and the other near constant utterances issued before Hubbard’s death?

(2) How does a person overcome the anxiety that comes with not being dogmatic? For instance, given your intimate experiences with the subject of Scientology, you can easily and in good faith respond to the two most common retorts of “that’s not real Scientology” or “it would work this time if we just changed X.” However with other religions, economic systems, ideologies, etc. given their diversity and complexity, it just doesn’t seem feasible to be able to answer those same two questions with a good degree of certainty especially given how broad those subjects are and how big their consequences are if true.

It is definitely true that critical thinking is useful and easy to apply when it comes to small questions but when it comes to these big ones it seems like each person has to choose between action (based on big assumptions and patchy information) or impotence (forever studying).

(3) Since it’s pretty obvious you’re a science fiction fan and you’re a former member of the Sea Org, I would like to know in what way people on staff and in the Sea Org are monitored and restricted when it comes to leisure or cultural activities. By that I mean, were you allowed to read comic books and watch sci-fi movies and series? Was there some sort of blacklist of certain movies, literature, ballets, operas, museums, etc. that were somehow perceived as “perverted” by Scientology and that people in the Sea Org weren’t allowed to watch or take interest in?

(4) I have a theory about how David Miscavige might go about keeping the church going in spite of what appears to be its impending demise that I would like your opinion about. My theory is that David will produce a carefully selected individual (possibly born just after the death of L Ron Hubbard) and claim that this is none other than a new manifestation of Ron himself (his main Thetan perhaps?) returning to bring the church back to its full glory. He could then make the claim that all of the projects such as the ideal org project and the large empty buildings have all been about preparing for his return (a return which he could then claim he knew was coming all along). In doing this, he can then pass the entire mantle of the church (including all of its assets) to this well chosen and well trained individual. What are your thoughts about this theory?

(5) If Scientology doesn’t believe its techniques will work on criminals, what is the point of Criminon? Is it just publicity and money? Seems like a dichotomy.

(6) Hi Chris! Could you share what you know about the policy of Kha Khan as mentioned by Lean Remini in a recent interview with Joe Rogan?

(7) Do you think teenage/mid-twenties Scientologists are more likely to play along by Scientology’s rules or more likely to break them — based on the rebellious nature of being young?

(8) What goes on in the minds of ex-Scientologists that submit themselves to A through E? I think I understand how it’s possible to be trapped in a cult. I also think I have a concept of the decompression process. But I cannot understand why someone would ever RETURN. Are people actually returning, or is this typically just giving in to the harassment, repenting in order to appease the bully and make him stop?