The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comment sections of my Q&A videos or sent by email at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week, the questions I answer are:
(1) I was finally able to watch that announcement David Miscavige made to Scientologists in 1986 (I believe that was the correct year). While he announced the passing of L. Ron Hubbard, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through David Miscavige’s head as he was making that speech. Do you think he was already planning to take over Scientology at that early stage? Also, is it indicative of all destructive cults to NOT have a succession plan in place once the guru dies or drops his or her body to move onto new and uncharted levels of enlightenment?
(2) I’ve noticed that more questions you get on these Q & As are less Scientology related and more politics, etc related questions. I’m not opposed to discussing or hearing about topics other than Scientology, but do you feel there has been any concerted effort to ask you questions unrelated to Scientology for obvious reasons? I remember a video Tory Magoo posted where she said that was a tactic used by OSA back in the day.
(3) I was wondering about the role of shame. Apart from fear of disconnecting with your friends and family, I think that shame plays a vital role, while it’s getting also difficult to leave the cult. You have told them in auditing all your (embarrassing) secrets and while on the ride, you probably have done all kind of things you are not proud of, especially looking back. When you are still a vulnerable and traumatized person I think the shame is over-proportionally represented and that could also be a reason not to leave. Fear of thinking not being able to own it when outside… What do you think?
(4) You said the earlier courses in Scientology “helped” you. What do you mean exactly by that? How did it help you? I remember you said it gave you a little more confidence to talk to girls etc when you were a teen but that is surely not enough motivation to join the Sea Org. So what big thing or big benefit did you get from Scientology in the first place that made you think, yeah this works, I’m going to devote EVERYTHING to it. Quite literally your entire life in fact. Something prior to you making a decision like that must have happened to convince you the nonsense actually worked or had some merit.
(5) You and others have gotten the word out about the abuses of cults and specifically Scientology – that means to the main stream media also, not just YouTube watchers. So why isn’t Tom Cruise ever questioned by the “the media” about his participation in Scientology-related abuses that he engages in for his own benefit and by exploiting less powerful, more committed Scientology members? You talk, Leah Remini talks, the writers of Going Clear all talk about his exploitations so why hasn’t anyone walked up to him and asked him how he justifies his actions – – TMZ style? Would like to see his abuse stopped for the sake of those affected. Maybe he could be shamed into stopping.
(6) Will you be coming to the U.K at some point to talk more about Scientology?
(7) Is you cat named Seven because it’s a Cylon? A blond Cylon.
(8) Chris, a good number of people who get into Scientology were raised in mainstream churches. My question is do you know what the % is if any that go back to the religion they were raised in?