This week it’s answers about where all the Scientology money goes, what kind of life Miscavige leads, some thoughts on Scientology recovery and a lot more. Enjoy!
(1) Where on Earth does all the money go? Scientologists worldwide spend vast fortunes to move up the Bridge, donate to the International Association of Scientologists, and support supposed humanitarian efforts. These so-called donations, often made under duress, leave some people in financial ruin. Where does it go? Where did it go when Hubbard was alive? It has been claimed that Hubbard donated most of his money upon passing (er, going exterior) and although Miscavige does appear to be living the high life, there must be more money out there. Something doesn’t add up. Who benefits?
My question today is something I’ve wondered about for quite some time regarding Miscavige. It seems he has lived most of his life inside the “walls” of the group, and I’m curious of your thoughts regarding how in-touch or out-of-town he really is with the real world. Is his world view so limited and narrow it impacts his ability to function in normal society? Does he ever truly have interactions in the outside world? Any friends or associates outside the bubble (other than attorneys & investigators essentially under his employ)? Could his extremely narrow world view and limited education so limit his vision he has become, well, just plain nuts? Thanks in advance for your insights. Perhaps others with inside knowledge could chime in via comments.
(2) We know that agencies such as the FBI have infiltrated organizations in the past and my question isn’t if the FBI should, but if the FBI could. Do you think any law enforcement organization (who had the financial means which would be substantial) could infiltrate Scientology to obtain the necessary evidence to prove some of the criminal accusations that have been made? And if they could, what would be the best place to get in?
(3) Without getting into any stories, I know what it is like to get out of situations and suddenly feel the freedom to think what I want, to form my own opinions, to not walk on egg shells, to not be afraid of reaction to my actions or lack thereof, and to be able to literally breathe without fear of any kind on any level. The freedom of being micromanaged & the feeling of other literally breathing down my neck.
A lot of stories people have shared on your show, Leah’s show, etc., have talked of not having outside contact or the freedom to just do what they want, when they want, or in some cases, what they can or cannot wear and eat.
My question to you is, did you feel that sudden weight lifted and that freedom too when you left? I’ve been curious about some of your guests and Leah’s former guests too.
How did you feel once you didn’t have to recruit, work, and all things Scientology? Did you feel like you could breathe for the first time? Did you have to “unlearn”, “deprogram”, “detox” in your own way or through professional assistance? To me it’s a level of PTSD that everyone experiences. I’m always curious about how people coped after leaving or escaping their situations.
(4) At some level in Scientology, there must be a person (or group of people) responsible for declaring people as SPs, sending out men with cameras to harass people, etc. How many people in this group are fully aware that Scientology is a complete scam? There must be a few “masterminds” behind all of the shady stuff. What does the church do to stop dissent among this group, and those that work under them? Surely, the direct underlings can’t be made aware of the true reasoning for what they are doing, right?
(5) Learning how the cult operates and its beliefs help to understand the state of mind the people in it are in. Is there a chance of an overthrow of the current leadership? Or the chance that a former paying member is attempting to start a revival of the old Scientology? A new branch of Scientology so to speak, bigger and more affective than the Freezone groups?
(6) You talked about steak dinner as a “wish” while on the SO. What was the first thing you treated yourself to after you left? I would imagine that would stick in your mind.
(7) L. Ron Hubbard said there is an implant station on Mercury and Venus. Mercury and and Venus are too hot to sustain any life. Do Scientologists know that these planets can’t possibly have inhabitants on them?
(8) Today’s headlines show Tom Cruise and the Mission Impossible 7 team leaving Italy over coronavirus fears and concerns. Given Scientology “teachings” discuss immunity and mind over matter when it comes to disease, why is Tom Cruise, who is such a control freak, letting this interfere with his filming? Does he think people are so entheta and he can’t muster enough theta to offset all the sickness?