Former/Long-Term Scientologists Speak Up!?

Question

I've been researching out of my own curiousity on the web about scientology (was reading an article about Tom Cruise). I don't have a bias per se, but I can't find any articles that aren't "scorched earth"...either scientology is manna from heaven or it's Satan's needlepoint. One common factual thread I saw was the turnover rate...it seems like the members are predominately young (16-30), then drop out. Are there any (a) former Scientologists who have an opinion about the religion (especially interested in those non-practicing but who have a positive view), and/or (b) current Scientologists who have been in the church for 15+ years. Non-Scientologists can skip posting, I only want some first-hand perspective. Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't even know where to start. A very close person to me was lost in this scientology madness. To support this person I agreed to go into the church with him to take some basic course, watch some films etc. I didn't like the fact that all the people in there were so single-minded and they'd be opposing any other thought that you may have. I just didn't like the place. I was even told once or twice by one of their staff that I should be banned from the church. What? For having my own ideas? This person I supported was saying that scientology is so good and it helped him a lot in his life and all the general bollox that they came out with so I bit my tongue and just to show my unconditional support, I was happy for him every time he reported some major 'win' or success. but at the same time I watched him getting lower and lower and more and more in debt. He became unemployed, no money, debts and just basically drinking alcohol. I think it did him a lot of damage. Before his involvement with this cult, he was a very successful businessman working all over Europe. The way I was treated in the establishment was OK at first but when I questioned certain things they started to show more hostility and it got to the point when they just wanted to ban me from the place. I didn't let them ban me, I said I did not wish to be on their list of members as I was never a member and I had no more interest in it other than the initial interst I showed in order to find out what this was all about.

Answer 2

I investigated Scientology for a while. I took a couple classes and even worked at the NYC place. I left because the more I saw and heard the more I realized it was not realistic. It makes a better science fiction story than anything else.

Answer 3

Hi,
I'm a long term Scientologist, for the past 35 years. Discovered it when I was 19. (Ooops, just gave my age away!)
I do not know who compiled this "turnover" rate you mention or how it was compiled or what it refers to specifically. Since some younger members join Church staff ... and leave staff but continue to practice, study etc Scientology as public individuals.
I do know that the current expansion rate of the Scientology religion (those becoming members) internationally is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, along with all the activities of the religion itself. I've been involved in the growth of this religion since 1972 so I do know that this is a fact and not just some PR line.

I can appreciate the impression you got from internet research on Scientology. Unfortunately unofficial collaborative websites are not always reliable or factual and can be used to "create controversy" when there isn't any, by a few with vested interests.(And nothing better to do)

This is the factual information I post when asked what Scientology is on this forum:

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. It is a very practical religion.
All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual as pasrt of his life. It does not conflict.
You can have no specific religious beliefs and still benefit from it.
And it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.
It is also not a messianic religion. This means there is no worship of messiahs in Scientology. There are no “beliefs” as such because a truth should be according to ones own observation and experience.
The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.

The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. and lifeAnd thereby his native abilities .
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.

How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. L. Ron Hubbard researched and made new discoveries about the human spirit. He developed technology from these discoveries to apply to increase spiritual awareness and ability.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable personal estate, when he died.

He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 10 million Scientologists in more than 163 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 53 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.

This is just an overview.
L. Ron Hubbard explained fully the theology and technologies of Scientology in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 2,000 tape-recorded public lectures.

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 4

Crocoduck. in case you have ever considered some one's face once you tell them you're a scientologist, you would see that there is not any selection in any respect. they have that "Ohh, it truly is too undesirable" seem. it really is like you're telling them you've polio. people have a tendency to grin after seeing a crocoduck.

Answer 5

http://www.xenu-directory.net/critics/index.html