This week, it’s answers about cancel culture in the ex-Scientology community, Scientology amnesties, a discussion of A Course in Miracles and a lot more. Enjoy!
(1) My question for you is about cancel culture, especially in the ex/anti-Scientology community. I’ve never been in Scientology myself, but I’ve been involved with extremist activist groups where we were Lucky Lukes of boycotting, cancelling people and groups faster than our shadows. Your brilliant interviews in the last few months on social justice warriors and activist groups have really been eye openers for me as to what I was involved with and how it shaped my way of thinking even years later. Thanks a lot for that!
Anyway, I’ve noticed in some of the Scientology watchers groups that there are a lot of people who decide to ‘cancel’ or boycott Scientology actors, singers, etc. In a way, I do understand why – I wouldn’t want any of my money to end up in Scientology’s pocket. How effective is it, though? If the artist in question gets wind of the boycotting movement, wouldn’t it isolate them even more and reinforce their beliefs? And if the sole goal is to prevent more money getting into Scientology’s pockets, does it affect the Church in any way?
(2) Do Scientologists see a connection between the high demands for activity and the eventual amnesty initiatives when people get fatigued, lie, or systems break down? How do they explain the need for periodic amnesties?
(3) I have a friend who had been following and working for a group that is from the book A Course in Miracles. Originally I chalked it up to more of a “positive postulates” or The Secret kind of thing. Have you looked into this? Is it a destructive cult?
(4) Why is there such a heavy emphasis on taking Niacin (an important B vitamin) in Scientology? Certainly there are health benefits from Niacin but this is easily consumed through whole grains, fortified foods, fish, nuts and vegetables. Why not just put Scientologists on a healthy diet during their Purification Rundown?
I also have another question regarding vitamin B12 deficiency amongst Sea Org members. Did you know of anyone who suffered from B12 deficiency? I imagine that during the rice and bean diets, or stints in the RPF, that B12 levels may have dropped amongst some Sea Org members. For those who don’t know already, B12 is consumed in animal foods or supplements and B12 deficiency can result in permanent nerve damage.
(5) While listening to your most recent Q&A, I realized that I have no idea if, in the Scientology belief system, Body Thetans are limited to human beings, or if animals also have them. In fact, what IS the role of animals, particularly pets, in Scientology?
(6) What were your favorite pastimes while a Sea Org member? Do people normally play cards or chess or checkers? Was gambling ever prevalent?
(7) I know that some businesses use Hubbard’s WISE system, but do any businesses pay for individual employees to go up The Bridge or do Scientology courses?
(8) Let’s say you get up to OT VII and get rid of all your BTs. Then you die, and you pick up a new body. Do you then have to go through the OT procedures again to get rid of that body’s BTs as well? Or do reborn OTs somehow repel BTs? Or is this yet another of the things that Hubbard never really explained?
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