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Critical Q&A #265

This week I talk a bit about the current troubles in the US, the subject of sadness in our culture, some detailed talk about OT III and Xenu and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) During your last call-in show, there was a lot of good talk about finding ways to constructively express oneself in a time of isolation and uncertainty. I recently needed to express a sadness over the loss of life to COVID-19, so I turned the feeling into music. I think sadness is the right response to what’s happening sometimes, especially if it spurs one to do something, to create. Do you feel that our culture stigmatizes sadness? 

(2) I finally delved into the OT III materials with commentary. Besides the bizarre space opera crap, I stumbled over Incident I and Incident II and that it leads to R6. They read like bad storyboards for an even worse sci-fi flick, with cherubs and trumpets, waves of light, chariots and then terrific winds and thetans and so on. What was the purpose of Incidents I and II in the Scientology narrative? Do they relate to auditing, or are they just an explanation of what was supposed to have happened 75 billion years ago? And what is R6 all about?

(3) I sometimes wonder if one reason a lot of people seem to find cult leaders charismatic is that they are able to put words to a feeling the potential follower has that the follower isn’t articulate enough to describe on their own. The articulation of rage or fear or disgust is coupled with a confident explanation that promises to be understandable instead of the ineffable complexity of the real world. The follower feels a sense of trust that the situation is being handled. Is the issue of cults using a separate vocabulary a matter of twisting existing concepts in followers or is it often a case of being the first introduction to many of the words that are being twisted?

(4) Regarding Sensibly Speaking Podcast #246, do you or Hari think being an apostate (and subsequent violence) could be experienced within a broad religious category, such as Christianity, if a person changes their denomination, changes their theology or opinion on a matter, or even acknowledges their sexual preference (if it is not strictly heterosexual)?

(5) I find the RPF morbidly fascinating. My question is exactly where is the RPF? There must be more than one building where these people are housed. How many of these facilities are there and are they just in LA and Clearwater? Are they nondescript buildings or are they identified with the Scientology logo?  I assume that celebrities are treated differently when they are in the RPF than the rank and file. What kind of things do celebrities have to do in the RPF?

(6) Is there anything in Scientology ideology that would make it impossible for a woman to succeed David Miscavige when he inevitably discards his body?

(7) What did you think of the new images of the Pattinson Batsuit? I like it but not a fan of the collar and cowel

(8) Which cult has the sexiest men and women?  I say Mormonism.

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