Critical Q&A #174

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

(1) While in the Sea Org did you come across other groups similar to Scientology using international waters to evade their respective government? Also would you equate Hubbard’s Sea Org to Jim Jones’ Jonestown? I guess what I’m asking is would you consider the ship used as an isolation tool?

(2) Hey there Chris, as a supporter of freedom of expression I’m a little concerned with the mass de-platforming of Alex Jones. Let me preface the following by stating that I am not a fan of Alex Jones. I do not align with his politics or his wacky theories but the manner in which he was removed from these platforms, the reason it was done and the speed it was done give me cause for concern. Of course a company has a right to refuse service (interesting that American liberals happily apply this to massive tech companies and not a tiny cake shop) but doesn’t it concern you for the precedent being established? That for vague, nebulous and often unstated reasons, one’s opinion can be deemed “wrong” and simply scrubbed from social media? You’ve talked often about how Scientology hijacks the genuine compassion of its members for self-serving purposes. I wonder if you can see how often the political Left in America also does this. I watched Bill Maher’s audience (of self-identified liberals) cheer for censorship and then watch as a room full of presumably educated adults had to be informed that free speech means the right to say something they might not like. This whole scenario saddens me, as I see the self-proclaimed “party of the people” eroding liberty and then cheering about it.

(3) I sometimes encounter people on internet forums that seem to somehow defend Scientology, or say things like “Oh it’s just like all the other religions” and other apologetic statements. Is there a way to trigger these people into revealing whether they themselves are Scientologists or not?

(4) While watching your latest Q&A, I stumbled across a YouTube channel produced by, what I believe, to be an “Independent Scientologist.” It was an attack video against you and it was hyper-critical of what this person believed was your attack against Scientology as a Religion. He was critical of the fact that you are unable to differentiate between ‘Scientology the Church’ and ‘Scientology the Religion’. I guess my question is, given the nature of the YouTube video as being angry, hateful and overly sensitive to anyone critical or anyone questioning the validity of Scientology as a “true religion,” what really is the difference between Scientology the Church as an entity and those who practice the “religion” as Independents? I personally don’t see the difference as it pertains to the general nature of anybody who is connected to the Church or the “religion” as they both seem to possess the same hateful and bigoted characteristics. Furthermore, I believe that the fact that Scientology the Church goes after Independent Scientologists as “squirrels” as vigorously as those they deem “suppressive” or enemies of the Church, proves that there is very little to no difference between the two.

(5) I was wondering how does Scientology look at mainstream moral panics like The Satanic Panic? And does the group have music, movies or other forms of media they flat out tell their followers to avoid besides those few instances of media that are just critical of Scientology? For example, some Christians try to keep those in their flock from listening to bands like Marilyn Manson or watching TV shows like Charmed.

(6) Does David Miscavige have a succession plan in case he dies?

(7) I often see you when interviewing others you are literally shocked to learn of goings on you previously had not heard of. Sometimes you burst out in laughter at the lunacy or genuinely looked utterly shocked. Which story told to you over your many interviews has left you the most surprised?

(8) What accomplishments of yours in the Sea Org are you still proud of? Are there any?