This week, it’s answers about punishment in Scientology, tracking David Miscavige, the Biderman framework of coercive control and much more. Enjoy!
(1) I hear many ex-members use the expression “I was in trouble.” What does this being “in trouble” mean exactly? Do you already know the consequence or could the punishment differ depending on the situation?
(2) What would David Miscavige do if people hired private investigators to sit outside of Flag and follow him around 24/7 legally?
(3) When looking through the court filing by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation in Valerie Haney’s case, my attention was drawn to page 4 where they have a coercive control framework which is used to back up Haney’s story. I went down the rabbit hole to find out where and when this chart originated. It turns out to be by Alfred Biderman way back in 1957 (predating Robert Lifton’s book), yet Biderman doesn’t even have a wikipedia entry.
Had you heard of Biderman’s work before this filing? Should we see it more in academic works about Scientology? How do you feel about Valerie’s chances of avoiding Scientology’s “arbitration” with the support she’s getting from REAL human rights activists?
(4) Do Scientologists not believe the space station is possible? I heard there are many Scientologists who are conspiracy theorists that believe the moon landing was faked and that the Earth is flat. Is it true that this is because it contradicts their origin story of Xenu having done something to keep people on Earth and the only way to leave is to do the steps of Scientology’s Bridge to Total Freedom?
(5) What’s the difference between a new religious movement and a cult?
(6) This week you said that in order to get auditing, you need a MEST body. But what about on OT 7 when you are auditing thetans that are in the general vicinity, not just inside your body?
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