The weekly show where I answer questions from comments left on my Q&A shows or sent by email to AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week, a big shoutout goes to my son, Joshua Tindall for his YouTube channel called theguywithawheel23.
(1) Was Hubbard’s weird book “Excalibur” ever printed out?
(2) In an earlier answer you gave about OT III, you said “Again, this is all within the Scientology belief system” and go on to clarify Hubbard’s unoriginal idea that the identity of a person is a spiritual thing not confined to the physical universe. Hubbard claims a “thetan” becomes “trapped” in the physical universe. So if it wasn’t “aliens” getting transported into volcanoes, per Hubbard’s imagined fantasy, what do you think it was? What did they identify with? What was in the ice cubes? A “thetan” trapped in a what, if it wasn’t an alien lifeform. I think Hubbard’s myth need exploding, but not in a cartoon like South Park. Of course, nothing was trapped in any ice cube or transported anywhere, that was Hubbard’s insanity, but it persists and the cognitive dissonance persists.
(3) I know that Hubbard and Scientologists despise gays. Did you meet/hear about any gays on staff – if so, can you tell how were they treated or their stories; and/or do you know anyone claiming to be ‘cured’ of homosexuality through scientology?”
Thank you very much.
(4) “Everything is always your fault, it always comes back to your responsibility” If this is the group mindset or culture within Scientology, how would you square it with the decline of the church vis a vis David Miscavige? At what point will he be forced to accept that the decline is happening on his watch and that he, as supreme leader, is ultimately responsible for it? Maybe another way to put it is, when Will DM realize that he has ‘pulled in’ what has been happening to Scientology over the past 6 or 8 years (exodus of top leaders, growing number of critics. decline in membership). Isn’t he ultimately responsible?
(5) Hi Chris! After listening to many people who were traumatized by Scientology and eventually came out after some pretty heartbreaking turn of events (losing everything, being physically hurt, losing family…) almost all of them have specifically said “Dont feel sorry for me!” and “it bothers me when I meet people and they tell me Im sorry” that seems to be a theme. No one wants to feel like a charity case but many people DID come through some horrible things and it WILL compel people. Why does this seem to be such running commentary?
(6) Chris, could you explain in detail and with some examples how it is that Scientologists are supposed to be “saving the world”?
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Great vid, thank you. Thank you specifically for the explanation regarding the use of Victim Tech™. I’ve seen it happen and its kinda sad. It seems coupled to another decompression phase some go through where Exes take on *all* the blame and sorta beat themselves up about their experience.
L Ron Hubbard’s Victim Tech™ is a supremely cynical method of control because Scientologists will, when necessary, become a victim, or at least mock one up. The tactic was explained to me . . .
. . . I know you do not have the time to explain everything about everything which comes up in the questions you address. Hope you don’t mind me leaving a parallel consideration
Chris,
David Miscavage is now over 50 and at some point he will pass away (drop his body), or become too ill to rule. He doesn’t seem to have a succession plan. What do you think will happen to the cult when he is no longer able to be in charge? One option is they will simply dissolve and scatter to the wind. However, with the massive fortune held (in both real estate and more liquid assets) do you think there will be a new leader arising from the group, or even a power struggle. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in the cult waiting in the wings. Your thoughts would be interesting.