This week, it’s a detailed look at how the Truth Rundown works, an even deeper look at QAnon and Trump supporters, what if Bezos or Musk wanted to do Scientology and a lot more. Enjoy!
(1) I wonder if you could tell us more about the pointy end of the Truth Rundown. I seem to remember you saying that you’ve both delivered and received it. I want to try and understand what happens when someone actually recants a true fact they’ve previously expressed. How are they persuaded to profess a new belief that contradicts what they know to be true? Is it all for show and everybody knows that the CoS is just trying to quell public criticism or opposition, or are they deadly serious and trying to change the solid foundation of what a person believes? And are there irreparable consequences or do people simply revert to the truth in their mind when there is no longer the same pressure to conform? I find the whole business insidious and very troubling.
(2) On November 2, 2021, hundreds of QAnon supporters of one particularly fringy variety gathered in Dallas, at the location where President Kennedy was fatally shot, to see his son, JFK Jr. (who in real word has been dead since 1999), reveal himself as alive, well, and planning to be the Republican vice-presidential candidate for 2024. At 12:30 PM, the time of President Kennedy’s shooting, the crowd began to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Why? Who knows…) When nothing happened, the crowd slowly began to dissipate, with some people saying that JFK Jr. would appear at the Rolling Stones concert later in the day. What do you think the chances are that a few months down the road we’ll hear “eyewitness claims” that JFK Jr. actually appeared to the crowd that day, possibly “in spirit” (whatever that means)? Any other thoughts or comments?
(3) Let’s say Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk decided they wanted to be OT 8 and they told David Miscavige they will drop $1 billion to get there in 6 months or as fast as possible. How would Scientology accommodate that request? What is the fastest they could get there given unlimited funds?
(4) Given that Hubbard isn’t regarded as a prophet but rather someone who developed the tech using scientific research, would it be possible for anyone to continue his research? If it is considered to be science surely it could be further advanced? If either Miscavige or someone else was to announce that he had done a load of independent research into Scientology tech and made a load of new advances, how would Scientologists react? As I understand it all changes so far have been done with the justification that they are just what Hubbard intended but could the Church instead alter things by simply saying they had continued to further advance the tech?
(5) It takes years to finish OT 7. You do this by yourself with no real involvement on a daily basis by Scientology. Therefore why does it take this long and why can’t you finish in two months? Who is to say you finished it as we all know it’s all a bunch of nonsense except for those who are doing it but why can’t you say after two months, “Right, I’m finished. Bring on OT8!” You pay all this money and then do everything yourself. I mean, if that isn’t pulling the wool over one’s eyes so to speak and I don’t know what is!
(6) Is it true that the federal government required Scientology to put disclaimers on E-meters? Are the disclaimers still attached, what do they say, and what do Scientologists think of the disclaimers, if anything?
(7) Do you have any recommendations for unintentionally hiliarious/completely insane Hubbard lectures?
(8) When Tom Cruise was awarded the Freedom Medal of Valor, when Miscavige called him “the most dedicated Scientologist I know,” do you think he really thought that? I’ve always thought that he knew it would piss off the Sea Org members and he took some sinister delight in it. From what I’ve heard of COB he really seems to enjoy being cruel and mocking others. What was yours and those that you knew reactions and what are your thoughts on his motivation?
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