What did you think of the BBC Panorama show "Scientology and Me"?

Question

What did you think of scientology? I'm one of these people who never form an opinion unless I know the facts.
I've read some scientology material and didn't agree with what it said, but everyone should be free to believe what they want.

However, the actions of the scientologists in the Panorama programme went way beyond normal behaviour. I dont care what they believe in... it's the whole recruiting vunerable people that I have an issue with. I also didn't like how they constantly invaded the BBCs space - the toilet scene was unbelievable.
They certainly didn't help their cause with their way over the top actions.

I'm loathed to see any movies with these scientology celebs as my money will end up in cults like this.

Answer 1

I think Scientology is a dangerous, scamming cult. If you want to know about their abhorrent behavior, well, I've got some information you'll want to see:

• Operation Snow White – Under this official program, Scientology operatives committed infiltration, wiretapping, & theft of documents in government offices. This program constituted the single largest infiltration of the United States government in history. Among the 11 prominent Scientologists convicted of this conspiracy was Mary Sue Hubbard, the wife of Scientology’s “prophet”.
http://lisatrust.freewinds.cx/scientology/snow-white/index.html
http://en.allexperts.com/e/o/op/operation_snow_white.htm

• Operation Freakout - Their campaign of sabotage & violence against Paulette Cooper, the writer who published her research & findings on several cults, including Scientology. Scientology’s official plan: to frame Paulette, ruin her career & reputation & get her either incarcerated or locked up in psychiatric confinement.
The official plan: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Krasel/cooper/frk1.html
Her book: http://holysmoke.org/cos/books/scandal-of-scientology-cooper.pdf

• Fair Game - the Scientology policy detailing how the organization may confront & handle critics & perceived enemies. Here is a direct quote: "Enemies may be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.”
http://www.xenu.net/archive/disk/fairgame.htm
http://www.planetkc.com/sloth/sci/Fair_game_ord.html

• Physical & psychological punishment: Scientologists who "break the rules" while members of the "Sea Org" must subject themselves to the Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF), which includes regimes of harsh physical punishment, forced self-confessions, social isolation, hard labor and intensive ideological indoctrination.
http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/rpf.html
http://www.lermanet2.com/scientology/gulags/BrainwashinginScientology'sRehabilitationProjectForce.htm
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/cos/rpf/escape_2.htm

• Brainwashing & mind control: Scientology exerts control over its members by means of typical cult tactics, including but not limited to controlling information about internal doctrine & criticism of the organization, severely restricting social contact outside the cult, creating an “us against them” mentality by villainizing a specific out-group (for Scientology, it’s psychiatrists), & claiming all those outside the cult are unenlightened.
http://www.factnet.org/Books/SocialControl/scs.html#toc http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/s/scientology/pignotti/
http://www.cultinformation.org.uk/faq.html#cult

• Violent Kidnapping - Lisa McPherson was a Scientologist, was involved in a car accident & resultantly became mentally unstable. She was kidnapped from the hospital by agents of Scientology, held against her will, refused proper psychiatric treatment & allowed to STARVE TO DEATH.
Video: http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/
Website: http://www.lisamcpherson.org/

• Tragic Murder - A CBS “48 Hours” special on Jeremy Perkins, the mentally disturbed son of Scientologist parents who, because of the Scientology doctrine of opposing psychiatry, refused to put him on the anti-psychotic drugs that would have stabilized him & prevented him from killing his own mother.
Video: http://www.scientomogy.com/jeremy_perkins.php
CBS article: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/25/48hours/main2124568.shtml

Answer 2

That was absolutely horrific to watch and I have nothing but the greatest sympathy for Sweeney. That spokesperson who kept following him was baiting him the entire time, being extremely manipulative and unfortuantely got just what he wanted, Sweeney lost control. Now they're trying to use this one minute segment to 'ruin' Sweeney's reputation, it's absolutely pathetic. However, the jokes on them, as the BBC has plenty of great footage of being spied upon. Creepy man showing up all the time was disturbing as anything, showing up just to try and discredit the 'male prostitute'. All in all, I thought the BBC gave a fair impression, or atleast tried to. Any negativity comes through the heads of scientology refusing to comment which is a rather childish thing to do. I can't wait until someone digs up real big dirt on them and they go down. Also, loved the first post and shall be checking out some of the sites reccomended.

Answer 3

I felt very uneasy that people would allow themselves to be recruited (this seems the most apt descriptor) into any organisation with such a poor sense of accountability. Cults are something I have never understood - in order to be drawn into such I can only imagine one must have a shaky sense of self / self-esteem and actors walk such a narrow path between reality and the ephemeral fame experience that perhaps they are more susceptible than many...

The organisation certainly would want to hold on to them in terms of their capital value / investment potential.

A well known actor who was mentioned (not Tom) stayed at a posh hotel near here and insisted that hotel staff did not make eye contact with him or any of his family.....which is quite pathetic. If this is what this so-called religion teaches then I do not believe their sense of morality is worth a button.

Answer 4

They showed their true colours. The aggression exhibited by it's leader was way over the top. He should sign up for one of his de stress programmes. You are right they have done nothing for their image unless they wished to be portrayed as bullies. What have they got to hide?

Answer 5

The US military uses the same recruiting techniques. Think on that a moment.

Answer 6

those guys in that programme were just creepy , i think they even mentioned that in it lol
I didnt know much about scientology , but the little I do know and after watching that
I will keep clear of them in future

Answer 7

I don't get BBC, but can't wait to see the program!

Funny, but very educational information about $cientology:
http://www.zipperfish.com/free/yaafm11.php

Answer 8

Dangerous group, I agree with ZERO COOL.

There have been cases of abuse - as with any religion - but these folks have institutionalized abuse in various forms. The attached link is a good one in my view.

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Or better yet, just go back to ZERO COOLS answer and follow those links.

Answer 9

Recruiting vulnerable people? Isn't that what all religions do?

Answer 10

Paranoid weirdos! They obviously have something to hide.