This week, it’s answers about how Scientology really doesn’t plan very well for the future, Miscavige’s lavish lifestyle, some thoughts about cult critics who body shame and a lot more. Enjoy!
(1) In the United States, many big-name universities raise money from alumni. Some of it comes in during the alumni’s lifetimes, but a sizable chunk is derived from universities being written into the alumni’s wills (there are sizable tax benefits to doing it this way, too). Does Scientology have a similar practice or is David Miscavige more concerned with taking money from people while they are still alive?
(2) What is your thought on why Miscavige is living such a lavish lifestyle compared to L. Ron Hubbard? Scientology expanded a lot in the 1960-80s and Hubbard had money but now with these Ideal Fraud Orgs, and the IAS whales, it seems like Miscavige is over the top. A pair of his shoes could buy pizza for all SO staff for 2 years straight. I have no doubt LRH enjoyed great meals and had the best cameras but even when on the run he had a little ranch or a trailer or stayed in cheap motels. It’s almost like LRH never wanted to be found whereas DM says ‘Here I am, look at me!’ and can do no wrong.
(3) Do you have any thoughts about the body shaming of David Miscavige over his height by some people on YouTube? I get the joke and how he’s insecure about his height but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth for me. I’ve always thought cult leaders should be shamed for their behaviours and abuses, rather than their body. It also occurs to me that DM will probably never hear such comments in his isolated bubble, but anyone watching who is also insecure about their height or whatever will. There’s a risk of becoming an abuser whilst trying to stop abuse. What do you think?
(4) Is it possible that to declare a person a “suppressive person” is a violation of their civil rights? As we all know, the 1st Amendment protects speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. By declaring someone suppressed and removing their family from them, technically, they’ve interfered in a family’s right to be…..a family! Of course the church would say that the remaining family are free to go with the SP but they know that in doing so they’re be forcing the family to choose between alienation from their own religion, beliefs and friends or stay and forever lose contact with a wife, child, or husband etc. Article 12 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states; “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”
(5) Is binging on true crime a cult behavior?
(6) In a lecture to auditors (1958) LRH mentioned something called a “bracket” which is a term I haven’t heard. What is a bracket and how does it apply to auditing?