Blogs Jan 16, 2013 at 1:55 pm

"Is Scientology Self-Destructing?"

David Schmader
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Comments

1
Being gullible is expensive.
tiktok on January 16, 2013 at 2:10 PM Report this
2
I've just been reading about Jim Jones and the People's Temple (apropos to the Harvey Milk discussion yesterday) and the parallels are frightening. Except that Jones collected mostly poor black people, while Miscavige is in serious money. If small businessmen like this are in for a million, imagine how much Tom Cruise has put in. But I'm starting to wonder if the denouement is going to be similar. Scientology may not be as visibly gun-happy as the People's Temple was, but they're armed to the hilt.
Fnarf on January 16, 2013 at 2:13 PM Report this
3
"The 2011 British census showed a total of 2,418 Scientologists across England and Wales; about 73 times as many Brits identified themselves as "Jedi.""
Fnarf on January 16, 2013 at 2:16 PM Report this
4
Fnarf, for a good stretch of 2011, documentaries about Jonestown were Jake's and my go-to viewing. At the end of every one, I'd have to remind myself of the bloating component of fatal poisoning (and that People's Temple members weren't just chubby folks who bought too-small clothes).
David Schmader on January 16, 2013 at 2:30 PM Report this
5
I thought the bloat was because all the pictures were taken after the bodies had been decaying in the jungle heat for a week or so?
tiktok on January 16, 2013 at 2:43 PM Report this
6
I love how this guy is saying the church leadership "changed" the original teachings of Mr. Hubbard. The very same Hubbard who is on record stating "if you want to make a lot of money start your own religion."

This cult has been nothing but a way to con people out of money since it was a poorly-written, hackneyed twinkle in that Con Artist Hubbard's eye. I'm sorry this guy fell for it, but come the fuck on. It is doing EXACTLY what it was created to do.
AedanCRoberts on January 16, 2013 at 2:52 PM Report this
7
Wait, before Scientology self-destructs, could we get them to fight Mars Hill?
beef rallard on January 16, 2013 at 3:01 PM Report this
8
@7 has a great idea.
Will in Seattle on January 16, 2013 at 3:06 PM Report this
9
6: I just Googled "Jonestown bloat" and it appears you are correct. (Jungle heat was involved.)

Also, Jonestown Bloat is a good band name.
David Schmader on January 16, 2013 at 3:14 PM Report this
10
@3: that's the British lack of respect for a question on religion on the census. I put Jedi on the 2001 edition. Censuses are supposed to help the authorities decide where new roads/housing are needed, not pry into beliefs. So the Jedi thing is a protest.
originalcinner on January 16, 2013 at 3:18 PM Report this
11
Scientology works.
Hubbard left us some good ideas.
Just don't give them your money.
All the teachings and methods are freely available online.
eric_l on January 16, 2013 at 3:23 PM Report this
12
On the Information Discovery channel, 271 on Seattle Comcast, the first episode of 'Dangerous Persuasions' featuring Scientology airs at 10pm tonight (Wednesday).
Phoebe in Wallingford on January 16, 2013 at 3:48 PM Report this
13
@ David Schmader,

And here I thought my obsession with brilliant-but-cancelled teevee series from the 80s and 90s was weird.

Dear network suits--remake Otherworld asap!
Original Andrew on January 16, 2013 at 3:54 PM Report this
14

From what I can tell, the methods of Scientology have been adopted by many major organizations and the students have far outdistances themselves from the source.

Also, anyone note the "this street sponsored by Scientology" sign on 4th avenue across from the island Starbucks at Westlake?
Supreme Ruler Of The Universe on January 16, 2013 at 4:41 PM Report this
15
Bert, you're an idiot.
Simone on January 16, 2013 at 5:32 PM Report this
16
@ #15: Wow, thanks that helps!
Bert S on January 16, 2013 at 5:51 PM Report this
17
@ #15: Why thanks, that helps!
Bert S on January 16, 2013 at 5:55 PM Report this
18
The real mindfuck here is that it took him so long to realize he was in a cult.
madcap on January 16, 2013 at 6:19 PM Report this
19
Then again, Seventh Day Adventists still exist, despite the world not ending on October 22, 1844.
madcap on January 16, 2013 at 6:23 PM Report this
20
Remember when Scientology wasn't a scam?
sirkowski on January 16, 2013 at 6:49 PM Report this
21
Scientology, for all its evil, at least provides us with an entertaining sped-up version of the evolution of a religion: from egomaniacal prophet to franchising to consolidation to schism to reformation.

I have to love the whole Free Zone, convinced that the current generation of CoS leaders are straying from the true gospel but that Hubbard was legit, or that perhaps he was a conman but that his techniques still have value as mental placebos.
dirge on January 16, 2013 at 9:28 PM Report this
22
Did you read Paul Haggis's (director of Crash - not the good one) Scientology account in the New Yorker a while back? Coupled with an in depth history? It is amazing. Brutal. Detailed.
Anne18 on January 16, 2013 at 10:17 PM Report this
23
You gave money to a religion and they did things you're not happy with? Welcome to ever religion in the history of humanity.
watchout5 on January 17, 2013 at 3:11 AM Report this
24
@23: Most religions these days don't directly murder their believers, run labor/reeducation camps, and literally enslave their other workers on a diet of rice and beans.
on January 17, 2013 at 7:24 AM Report this

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