I got solicited by scientology

[ComfySlippers]

Perhaps, but I believe there are more degrees of nuance than "they are just dumb asses" and "they are just victims." Many of those, especially those raised in it, are isolated from information and I can see them as victims. However, I have a hard time believing all of them are victims. Heck, some of them may have figured out the scam and decided to raise themselves in the ranks to benefit from the scheme.

^This.

I feel genuine pity for the pour souls who were born and "raised" into this cult ,(I use the term "raised"lightly. Poor bastards".)

However there are no nuances when a someone says "lots of people are joining this year" because that's a major untruth. Anyone who utters such nonsense is a dumbass.

 

[arthwollipot]

Perhaps, but I believe there are more degrees of nuance than "they are just dumb asses" and "they are just victims." Many of those, especially those raised in it, are isolated from information and I can see them as victims. However, I have a hard time believing all of them are victims. Heck, some of them may have figured out the scam and decided to raise themselves in the ranks to benefit from the scheme.

I can't disagree with this.

 

[The Greater Fool]

while I can see that people being unwilling or unable to look at negative literature whilst in a cult may appear crazy, it's not that simple.
I was raised in a uber JW family.
I would bet my bottom dollar they and scientologists are not a million miles apart in their methodology.
You are genuinely taught that nobody else can be trusted, the entire world of "worldly" people are not only destined to die but that apart from attempts conversion you are not to have any contact with them. This being prior to the net, it was almost impossible to find information, and even more relevantly, when it's all apparently apostate it's really hard for the genuine believer to take that enormous risk.
After all, leaving involves you loosing EVERY friend you have, and all your family. everyone.

I would regard those unfortunate enough to get hooked as vulnerable rather than dumb.

I could have typed this.

Slightly true.
The info about the Scientology scam has been "out there" since its conception.Its just easier to obtain now.
It's been " freely" available in many court records in several countries going back to the 60s.

Not slightly true.

The info about the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has also been "out there" since it's conception. I remember going to conventions in the 60s and every entrance had 'apostates handing out lies, do not even touch them!'. It's just much easier now.

 

[Brainster]

I got buttonholed by a very pretty young gal in London back in 1976. Did I want to take a personality test and learn a little more about myself? I agreed and was irked when I found out it had something like 250 questions. Fortunately when I finished there were no auditors available, and so I left. About 3 months later a flyer appeared in my stateside college mailbox, telling me I could come in any time to get the results.

I did buy a copy of Dianetics in a used bookstore about a decade later, but was turned off by the extravagant claims.

 

[marplots]

while I can see that people being unwilling or unable to look at negative literature whilst in a cult may appear crazy, it's not that simple.
I was raised in a uber JW family.
I would bet my bottom dollar they and scientologists are not a million miles apart in their methodology.
You are genuinely taught that nobody else can be trusted, the entire world of "worldly" people are not only destined to die but that apart from attempts conversion you are not to have any contact with them. This being prior to the net, it was almost impossible to find information, and even more relevantly, when it's all apparently apostate it's really hard for the genuine believer to take that enormous risk.
After all, leaving involves you loosing EVERY friend you have, and all your family. everyone.

I would regard those unfortunate enough to get hooked as vulnerable rather than dumb.

I had to learn that on my own.

 

[Nay_Sayer]

Got another one today.

Single large postcard advertising the 31st Anniversary of IAS [ International Association of Scientologists ] with the tag line. Power Up The Planet

I honestly never heard of this group before this, I am aware of their ****** little office in New York.

 

[mikado]

I had to learn that on my own.

funny I trust people so much more now. it takes a LONG time to loose that cult mind set.
it's both gratifying and saddening to realise so many others in the same boat..

 

[mikado]

I could have typed this.


Not slightly true.

The info about the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has also been "out there" since it's conception. I remember going to conventions in the 60s and every entrance had 'apostates handing out lies, do not even touch them!'. It's just much easier now.

I am old enough to just remember 1975, what it most interesting is the fact of just how easy it is to make people remember an alternative reality.....

 

[ComfySlippers]

I am old enough to just remember 1975, what it most interesting is the fact of just how easy it is to make people remember an alternative reality.....

I'm only sixteen billion years old and Xenu says I'm not allowed to talk about this "1975" to which you refer.

Dumbasses.

 

[dudalb]

Tom Cruise is freaking out over Leah Remini's upcoming book on her life in the COS;aparently some of the stories are pretty unflattering to Tom.
I reserve judgement,but from what I have read Remini's revealations are pretty much in line with what others..such as the book "Going Clear" have said about the COS and Cruise serving each other's goal,in often unsavory ways.