This week it’s a little real talk about my channel and answers on exteriorization in Scientology, the 5G controversy, cult leaders, some advice on helping a Jehovah’s Witness and a lot more. Enjoy!
(1) Do you think cult leaders are all fundamentally woven from the same cloth? I just finished watching the “Waco” miniseries on Netflix and it got me wondering if perhaps David Koresh might have joined Scientology if he were introduced to that instead of the Branch Davidian offshoot of the 7th Day Adventist Church. And if so, would he have been a radical member, or worked his way up to higher positions of power? Then, I wondered, Jim Jones. He didn’t seem to much like being under authority (preferring to have the authority) so he might have been prone to pull a Miscavige and systematically take over. OSHO may well have delighted in the systems, brainwashing himself and eventually working up higher to gain control or influence. Koresh, Jones, OSHO, Applewhite, etc, what do you think (as a thought experiment) about how these people would have responded to Scientology rather than their initial cults or religions?
(2) I have this friend who I have known for nearly 20 years. Since she is around my mom’s age, I consider her my auntie. She’s a wonderful human being and a wise soul. I love and care about her very much. The only glitch in our friendship is that she’s a devoted Jehovah Witness. Since day 1 she tried to convert me and uses very subtle methods. It doesn’t matter to her that I am Catholic. When she notices I’m down/weak/depressed, she never misses the opportunity to slide the “have a bible study with me” line (meaning “Come and join Jehovah Witness”). Before I met my husband, she would even tell me that I should marry a Jehovah Witness because they are the most ethical men (really? like the Sea Org?). I learned over the years how to ignore her efforts but I must admit it’s still awfully creepy.
Watching your channel gave me great insight in understanding people in cults. I do believe my “auntie” doesn’t mean harm. Jehovah Witness helped her, so she thinks they will help/save me. Your videos also confirmed what I always suspected of cults, specifically the goal of isolating and stealing money. My “auntie” is twice divorced (her first husband took custody of the children back in her homeland and she came to the US to marry her second husband) and her whole social life evolves around the Jehovah Witness. She used to have a successful business but now she has retired and lives in a low level retirement home. Watching her financial decline was shocking to me and I’m pretty sure it’s because every penny she got was donated to the church. It’s also sad that her biological families seems distant towards her (even her 2 children) as I’m sure her endless converting efforts worn them down.
My question is this… if my “auntie” is happy in her religion, should she be left alone and there’s no need to intervene to open her eyes? Is our relationship a true friendship, if in fact she has hidden agendas of converting me? Do you have any suggestion for dealing with having a friend in a cult, wanting to maintain the friendship yet needing to tell him/her to stop in their converting efforts?
(3) How do you feel about picking your battles now that you are out of Scientology? How can we find a balance, in your opinion? I still struggle with it to this day!
(4) It is no secret that Tom Cruise is the most famous public Scientologist worldwide and the COB is always trying to use him to promote the church as much as possible. He was even given that award and made the video about how dedicated he is to clearing the planet. With all that being said I’m sure Cruise has given millions of dollars to the Church, but with a simple google search he is still the 2nd richest actor in the world. As much as the church loves its money and how dedicated Tom Cruise is wouldn’t it be expected of him to donate most if not all of that to the church? How can he sit on that nest egg and expect to clear the planet?
(5) What are your thoughts on the 5G controversy? I think there could be some concerns for our long-term health somewhat like asbestos which we can’t predict. However, I also see some quite alarming behaviour, apocalyptic predictions and a denial of science because that’s just what (insert Big Pharma, George Soros etc ) want you to think & is currently being linked to the Coronavirus outbreak. Largely spread online, could you see this as a rising decentralised cult as people chose their news and close off outside voices?
(6) Why is exteriorization such a big deal in Scientology? Did you ever exteriorize and what was it like? Does science explain this as simply a hallucination? If so, why do so many Scientologists have the same hallucination – everyone seems to talk about exteriorizing – or is that a myth? Jason Beghe stated that he experienced doing TR-0 very early on, and it was a major inducement. At what point(s) do Scientologists experience exteriorization and is it universal?
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Chris, you’re just so enjoyable to watch! I love your integrity, but your willingness to be vulnerable is such a motivation. Thank you, sir. PS Love your new opening! Classy. To the point!