Does anybody have an experience with the Church of Scientology?

Question

Here's mine.
In 1971, after being discharged from active duty and attending night school at RCA Inst, in NYC, I was approached by a "young man" while window shopping for a camera. I had some time to kill before class, just got off of work, and had no actual funds for a camera. He asked if I heard about L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology. I said no and asked if I wanted to take a free personality test to find out if I were a happy soul. Knowing that I was, i said sure. I had a few, and nothing fazed me. I went up to their "headquarters" and saw , what seemed like smiling happy faces. A lot of them looked like something out of the Stepford Wives.....

Peace and Love

Answer 1

Gandalf, you could insult me & I wouldn't care, but I actually resent that. I always tailor my answer towards the question and rarely cut & paste my answer. Sometimes, to questions like "What is Scientology", yes I have re-used previous answers from time to time, but never as much as say ThetaAlways.

Yes I do have experiences, but I have already been threatened by a scientologist of being reported to the RTC (as well as being called a scourge of religious freedom and a religious nazi) so forgive me if I don't post my personal history. This may seem extreme but trust me it isn't. http://www.suppressiveperson.org

Here instead is a load of ex-member testimonials that say why they joined, what kept them there and why they left.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/tory/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/kathryn.html
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/cheryl_s/
http://www.whyaretheydead.net/krasel/#accounts

This is why someone might join and stay in scientology:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/funkydonny.html

Here are books from ex-members telling their account & the history of scientology, amongst others, if you feel inclined to read more:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/

These ex-members couldn't speak out telling there experience...
Why? Because they are dead.
http://www.whyaretheydead.net

This takes a look at the more well known case of Lisa McPherson.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/events/lisa_mcpherson/

I wish they could speak out.

The stepford wives looks can actually come quite early on through a drill known as the TR drills. TR drills which for example involves staring at someone without moving (even blinking) for inordinate amounts of time. This TR stare is then used throughout future audit sessions, so as members are in for longer it becomes more vacant and quite frankly scary.

Here is a good test, sit in front of a wall for several hours with no stimulation of any kind while not moving and see what 'experiences' you have.

- in respect and honour to all victims, and those who dare to stand up for them -
http://www.clambake.org

Gandalf you somewhat contradict yourself. You say you only did a comms course, yet say you stayed long enough to observe radical changes in people as well as seeing several members kicked out.

"Scientology indoctrination usually begins with the communication Course Training Routines or "TRs". These are supposed to enhance the ability to communicate, but have been called by one expert "the most overt form of hypnosis used by any destructive cult".

Example of TR-1
In the first TR, two people sit silently facing each other, with their eyes closed. In the second, they stare at each other, sometimes for hours on end, inducing hallucinations and an uncritical euphoria.
In the next stage, TR-0 Bullbait, the student has to sit motionless, while the "coach" does everything possible to disturb him or her. The student progresses to reading aloud disconnected phrases from Alice in Wonderland, and then to acknowledging statements read out at random from the same text. Then comes TR-3, where the student repeatedly asks the coach either "Do fish swim?" or "Do birds fly?". In the last "Communication Course" Training Routine, the student again asks one of these questions repeatedly, learning not to be distracted by anything the coach says or does.

Repetition is another way of inducing an altered or trance state. Following these procedures definitely makes the individual more susceptible to direction from Scientology. " http://www.clambake.org/archive/techniques/

You also allude to people's good nature, I have never disagreed with this. Scientologists are mainly very good people, yes. However, the Church that controls them is a totally other matter.

It is a destructive cult because the countless court trials, government investigations, official organisation documents & ex-member affidavits as well as cult experts all say it is. I am inclined to believe the documented facts, buts thats just me.

Answer 2

Excellent question.
Sure I have. Im in California. :)
I met alot of people that seemed above-average worth knowing. Took one of their courses (the communications course) which did me a ton of good. Couldnt get thru their study course altho it would have done me alot of good.
The cult stuff seems crap since I saw plenty of people go from stammering shuffling scarey people you wouldnt want to meet to confident smiling outgoing people. I also saw plenty leave (even get kicked out of things that other churches wouldnt blink at like drugs or a 19 yr old guy dating a 17 yr old girl).

I can see why Hollywood people like it. Courses on communications, studying, shaking peer pressure, getting past roadblocks, shaking drugs. Seems perfect for actors. :)

But dont worry about my response. Xenu will be by to cut-n-paste his answer

Answer 3

Therer is A giant one In La i Have to drive by alot and it lookas like a hotel.
Plus I have to hear about it all the time From Tom Cruise, But its just a made up cult.

Answer 4

My only experience is every time I watch a Tom Cruise, John Travolta movie.

Answer 5

Good thing you got out while you could. I wonder how many people they have to approach before they find a convert.

Answer 6

deamons!!!

Just kidding.... LOL!

Huh thats a little weird...

Answer 7

No, thank you. Hope I never do.

Answer 8

Dumb and dumber

http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/amjurist1195.html