The weekly show where I answer question from viewers left in the comments section of my Q&A videos or sent by email to AskChrisShelton@gmail.com.
Rachel Bernstein contact info:
Website: http://rachelbernsteintherapy.com
Email: rbpsychology@gmail.com
Phone: 818-907-0036
Checklist of Cult Characteristics: http://goo.gl/tS0Jcb
(1) I was wondering if you might be able to compare and contrast destructive cults such as Scientology with groups such as the Marine Corps, fraternities, or the police force. I can see that there are some big differences – for example, there is no enforced disconnection if you choose to leave these groups. However, I think that there are a lot of similarities, too. I’ve been really interested lately in the way that mind control tactics are used to build group loyalty in settings outside of what we might consider “traditional” cults. Would love to hear your insights into this.
(2) I know Scientology has anywhere from 20-50,000 members currently based on what numbers you believe for current membership, but what was Scientology’s absolute peak membership and what year was that? I can’t find that anywhere. I think it’s an important question because it would reveal how much undue influence this cult had at its peak. Thanks for you answer, even if it’s just an educated guess or citing someone else.
(3) Thank you again for all the good work. Have you seen the movie with Harvey Keitel called Holy Smoke? He plays a «cult deprogrammer». What do you make of such practice ethically and morally? Also, are you familliar with the reality tunnel concept and with R. A. Wilson?
(4) I know Scientologists aren’t supposed to discuss their own cases, so what do they talk to one another about? Is it as jargon heavy as I imagine it would be and is there an element of snobbery among public based on their place on the Bridge or IAS status? Are there any policies or guiding principles as to when the “love bombing” stops and the berating of public begins?
(5) Chris, I’d love to hear you talk a little bit about how you dodged the “foul mouth” bullet. Watching Tim DeWall talk in the interview you did with so many expletives and bad attitudes reminds me how that really was the culture and so few people didn’t talk like that. You never seem to talk like that. Did you when you were in? Is it a conscious choice not to, now?
(6) What I would like to know is how do they answer census questions, in particular here in Australia where the last census put their membership at just over 2500 and Jedi at over 65,000? I can’t understand how they can explain this as to me they would want their members to proudly announce they were Scientologists. Seems to me if I were a Scientologist I would be asking how can this be?
(7) When Sea Org members get married (most very young), is it legal, as in do they go and get a marriage license? Do they have ceremonies? And when there is forced disconnection or someone leaves, are there legal divorce processes?
(8) If the goal of Scientology is to “clear the planet” it would seem to me that they would be happy to provide their literature and auditing at no charge. The majority of residents of the planet Earth could never afford their fees, so, by definition, the mission and spiritual goals of Scientology can never be realized.
(9) Who came up with the design aesthetic that seems to be so prevalent in Scientology? Taste is clearly subjective but the pillars, ivy and near ubiquitous gold electroplate are almost baroque in their excess.
Hi Chris,
You are right “Holy Smoke” is formulaic Hollywood crap. I was in a cult for 28 years and I can honestly say that “Ticket to Heaven” — a 1981 movie about the Moonies — is much more accurate and chilling. This is what my cult was like and this is how I could imagine deprogramming session. You can give it a look here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoavV7D74BU
I just finished your book “Scientology: A to Xemu” and liked it, particularly Chapter 11, “Why Scientologist believe they are saving the world.” Quite informative. It helped me to finally figure out what Tom Cruise meant in that infamous video when he said, “We are the only ones who can help at the scene of an accident.”
I think that LRH was a troubled soul and invented Dianetics and Scientology to cure himself, so I don’t think he bought into his own con, I think he was delusional and believed it all along. So let’s agree to disagree on that one.
You tried to cover all bases in your book and I supposed you had to to appeal to a wider audience. I would like your second book to be on the promise of SUPERPOWERS because I think this promise is the carrot that keeps the Scientology show moving forward. Once people know that there are no superpowers to be had that will be the end of the Church. I laughed out loud at a video when you said that Los Angeles has more OT8s than any other city in the world and not one of them could get it together to win the billion dollar Powerball Lottery.
You said in an earlier video that they don’t push superpowers any more but, honestly, who is going to pay $500,000 for a pleasing personality. After all, the Flag Building in Clearwater is called “Superpower Building” not the “I’m Feeling Okay about Myself Building.” Homo Nice-guy doesn’t have quite the same caché as Homo Novus.
Oh yeah, one last thing, an entire paragraph in italics is difficult to read. I recommending indenting next time. Keep up the good work.
— Dave