This week, it’s answers on ex-Scientologists making “attack” videos, how Scientology chooses how to go about attacking a critic, mixing activism with science and a lot more. Enjoy!
(1) I have observed a distinct pattern of behaviour among ex-destructive cult members but particularly among former Scientologists, that is, a predisposition or tendency to produce attack videos. These videos are typically published on YouTube, and are directed at an individual or individuals who the ex-cult member feels wronged by or objects to in some way.
Do you think that this practice of creating and distributing attack videos of this nature owes to lingering psychological effects of cultic influence? You have said that any person who has been under a cultic influence and way of thinking, particularly if raised as a child in a destructive cult, will continue to think and behave in a certain way for some time after having left the cult.
Please note that this question is not looking to explore personality drama.
(2) How much thought do Scientologists put into accusations that a critic is a “bigot”? Is it based on a definition within Scientology, a sense that the criticism is unjustifiable or just a vague sense that bigotry is an incorrect negative view? What criteria do they use?
(3) What are your thoughts on people mixing activism with science when it comes to gender identity? For what it’s worth I am fully on board with trans rights and equal rights for everyone in the LGBTQ community. However these days it seems that activists have thrown science to the side of the road. If you do not check each and every box the same way they do they will try to cancel the hell out of you. Especially if you are anywhere close to the level of a public figure. I realize this is a touchy subject but I would appreciate hearing your thoughts.
(4) I have a question for you. Are Scientologists taught to avoid “generalities?” I’ve seen several Freezone comments that seem to put down general-type statements, but the most blatant example is David Miscavige’s rants (via text message) to Mike Rinder and Tommy Davis about talking in generalities. He really flies off the handle about generalities in his typical unhinged way.
However, the Scientology “wins” are all generalities. They talk about greater “beingness” and “at cause” and “knowing myself more than ever before.” There’s a huge disconnect between what they seem to be taught, and how they describe themselves. Have you noticed this?
(5) I love your videos and enjoy hearing your insight and experience with Scientology. You recently posted a Critical Clips video discussing the idea of past life Clears and past life OTs. I’ve always wondered what would happen if someone said they were a past life SP or had been declared suppressive in a past life. Is there protocol for this or has it ever happened before? Would they be turned away and does the SP status hold over multiple lifetimes (once an SP, always an SP)? Or, according to their beliefs, would they see it as a good thing you returned to clear it up in your next life and work with you?
(6) I’ve seen numerous videos of Sea Org members with mobile phones. It’s easy for Scientology to block ‘entheta’ on their computers and on their internal WiFi, but it seems like the mobile phones are a giant hole. There’s no real way to block someone using mobile data from looking up anything they want. Do they simply rely on SO staff not to look? Do they regularly sec check them to ask if they’ve looked? It’s really hard for me to imagine that they don’t wonder why they’re not supposed to look. I know it would kill me. I’m continually astonished at the extreme level of brainwashing within Scientology. It’s amazing you made it out.
(7) What was the most interesting part of the world you had ever visited and did you enjoy it or was it simply to be a vessel to promote Scientology?
(8) Do Scientologists tend to donate organs after they “drop their (meat) bodies”? Organ donation might go against LRH’s goal “to make the able more able” since those needing organ donations aren’t typically very able to work & be on course every day. He just didn’t seem the type to care about others, let alone those he never even met!