Critical Q&A #98

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left in the comments section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week the questions I answer are:

(1) Did you hear about Scientology’s new anti-bullying website? It’s called STAAND (Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination).

(2) I listened to your Sensibly Speaking podcast with Pete Griffiths recently and noted that you both reflexively and emphatically denied being in an “anti-Scientology cult.”

I don’t know from Mr. Griffiths, but I have listened to more than 60 hours of your opinions and viewpoints. Considering how many times I’ve heard you tell people NOT to start looking into or to join Scientology, I think it’s logical to assume you are indeed opposed to their existance as a destructive cult.

You’ve emphasized numerous times in your videos that there’s a difference between Scientology’s beliefs and their organizational implementation. You’ve said you don’t give a fig if people want to believe in the tech, LRH, body thetans, etc. but your express purpose in creating and maintaining your online presence is to offer information and raise awareness that would ideally prevent people from joining and help those still in to make the decision to leave. Isn’t that the very definition of being anti something? If a positive result would be all members leaving, the ultimate destruction of the organization is implicit.

I know you’re constantly being taken to task over the meaning of atheist vs agnostic vs whatever and I’m sorry if this just seems like more nitpicking.

(3) When you were in the Sea Org, were you ever asked to disconnect from someone dear to you? How did you feel about that? In general, how did you feel about the disconnection policy?

(4) I’ve heard many/most ex-Scientologists claim that Scientologists are basically goodhearted, kind people who got into the cult for altruistic reasons. How exactly do those traits manifest themselves, then?

From what I’ve seen, Scientologists are neither kind nor helpful to friends and family who are ill, depressed, struggling with addiction, in financial difficulties, failing at work, etc. People in those states can negatively affect them, as does associating with anyone who is low on the Tone Scale. Besides, the person who is ill or troubled pulled it in themselves. They’re degraded beings or potential trouble sources and to be avoided.

I don’t see how that attitude could possibly result in Scientologists being kind people. That to me means being thoughtful and emotionally generous to all, not just those who agree with and abide by one’s own beliefs.

As for altruism, most practicing Scientologists don’t seem to take any direct actions, aside from auditing, to improve the world. Working at one of the front groups doesn’t count. I understand that they deeply believe that holding cans is helpful to the planet, but shouldn’t people who have now repudiated the cult and its tech be able to see that it’s not?

Are you able to give any examples of Scientologists being wonderful people who are caring towards anyone except other Scientologists in good standing? The cult’s mindset promulgates against gentleness, open-mindedness, kindness, or warmth so I’m a bit at a loss to see how they can be described as wonderful people.

(5) By all accounts the Freewinds is old, decrepit, ugly, and barely seaworthy. The Church of Scientology has more than enough money to either remodel the ship or buy a new one. Since they buy new buildings all the time to keep up appearances, why not buy a new ship to impress the whales who are expecting to get to OT 8? Is it just typical executive incompetence or is there some reason for keeping the old boat afloat?

(6) Once a Scientologist has reached the highest level of OT 8, where do they go from there? With no further levels up the Bridge, is it just constant auditing on that level or are there other things the Church of Scientology is making them do?

(7) Given the incredible stress of Sea Org life, had you ever sought out a private place to scream, cry or otherwise allow yourself a mini nervous breakdown before getting back to work?

(8) I was in Scientology for a few years in the early 90s. I even signed a 2.5 year staff contract. For the last few years Scientology has been sending me mail and calling me and my family. I do enjoy looking at the propaganda, but I just ignore the phone calls. A recent phone call got me to pickup. I got a call from a local number that I did not not know. Normally all the calls from the Orgs are from CA or FL. I answered this local call, it was someone from a Clearwater group.  It seems like the Clearwater call center forwarded the call through a local number. Have you heard of the org call centers doing this? The cult seems to be getting very desperate to recover and handle anyone that had anything to do with Scientology.