Hello! Finally coming out to the ex cult community.

[The Oracle]

I was in Scientology for several years. Never on staff or Sea Org. Only a Public paying fool. I have been lurking on the internet for a while now and on this board for a few months so I wanted to say hello. I don't have any family in or friends. I was a closet Scientologist. I actually was too embarrassed to tell anyone I was in the cult. Innately, I knew there was something up about Scientology (and it was not good) but the curiosity of chasing the carrot to see what levels of awareness I could obtain lured me to do more and more Scientology. I am still too embarrassed to ever go public.

I did get some gains out of Scientology. I did not see any abuse nor did I experience any financial ruin due to Scientology. I could and did say NO to staff, registrars and Sea Org - a lot! I did not care if they like me or not. Most staff and Sea Org hated me because I loved my MEST and I was not afraid to tell them that to their face. I never volunteered, went to a few events to eat the free food and then would blow out the door when I got sick of hearing David Miscavige brag on how Scientology was expanding but I never saw it. I never sat through an entire event and would not answer the phone when the Org called. I was successful at getting off the mailing list when I moved in with my girlfriend and never changed my address with Scientology or the post office. A little tip - you can let everyone you know your new address. Don't change it with the Scientology Org's or the Post Office. Tell only those you want to have it.


I am proud of myself that I never gave money to the IAS (other than the standard upfront cost), Ideal Org properties or any other front groups for Scientology. I never did any book selling, VMing or passing out the Way to Happiness booklets at various venues. I did some courses and auditing up through Grade II. I never wanted to go any further. I had never met any "clears" or "ot's" that impressed me so I had no interest in going clear or OT. I used Scientology when I needed a little discipline and self help. I did not leave much money on account - maybe a few hundred bucks so I could easily walk away. It also helped that I felt free to look when I wanted to see what was really going on in Scientology. I had nothing to lose. No friends or family would disconnect, no money on account the cult keeps. I maintained my own, independent freedom and would not allow the organization to bind me up. I was not interested in joining a church. I don't know how I knew not to get friendly with staff and Sea Org - but I knew.

I was a dilettante through and through. I focused what Scientology could do for me. I never brought anyone to any events ever. I never tried to get my girlfriend in. I never told my family or friends I did Scientology. Thank God I did it that way. I am so blown away as to the damage Scientology does to relationships and people's lives.

I have been reading all of the books written by ex members, watching the shows and docuseries on A&E by Leah Remini - 'Scientology; the Aftermath'. I go to Mike Rinder's blog every morning (like my New York Times daily dose of Scientology news. I read every post and comment.

I watched 'Going Clear' and read the book three times. I read 'Inside Scientology' by Janet Reitman and listened to the audio book about 20 times. The data on Tom Cruise really freaked me out. Wow!! He will be pissed if he ever finds out what Scientology really was doing to him behind his back the entire time. I wonder if he would kill himself over the truth? That would be way too much for him to confront and I would not be surprised if he had that type of reaction. To get single handedly spied on and tricked by David Miscavige - that will be the bomb. I hope he gets out.

I listened to a lot of Chris Shelton's podcasts until he politically stopped using his critical thinking skills much like Steve Hassan. I read Steve's book when I first got out. I also read Tony Ortega's Blog daily and like the work he does. I also have been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding mind control, hypnosis and cults. I have reached the ep of my research. I got duped. We all got duped. Fuck!

 

[Chuck J.]

Welcome to the forum.

You did good!
Don't let them EVER pull you back in.

 

[He-man]

Manny welcomings!

Are you the same Oracle that posted on the old ESMB?

 

[The Oracle]

Manny welcomings!

Are you the same Oracle that posted on the old ESMB?

No, I am new. I like the name "the Oracle".

 

[HelluvaHoax!]

I was in Scientology for several years. Never on staff or Sea Org. Only a Public paying fool. I have been lurking on the internet for a while now and on this board for a few months so I wanted to say hello. I don't have any family in or friends. I was a closet Scientologist. I actually was too embarrassed to tell anyone I was in the cult. Innately, I knew there was something up about Scientology (and it was not good) but the curiosity of chasing the carrot to see what levels of awareness I could obtain lured me to do more and more Scientology. I am still too embarrassed to ever go public.

I did get some gains out of Scientology. I did not see any abuse nor did I experience any financial ruin due to Scientology. I could and did say NO to staff, registrars and Sea Org - a lot! I did not care if they like me or not. Most staff and Sea Org hated me because I loved my MEST and I was not afraid to tell them that to their face. I never volunteered, went to a few events to eat the free food and then would blow out the door when I got sick of hearing David Miscavige brag on how Scientology was expanding but I never saw it. I never sat through an entire event and would not answer the phone when the Org called. I was successful at getting off the mailing list when I moved in with my girlfriend and never changed my address with Scientology or the post office. A little tip - you can let everyone you know your new address. Don't change it with the Scientology Org's or the Post Office. Tell only those you want to have it.


I am proud of myself that I never gave money to the IAS (other than the standard upfront cost), Ideal Org properties or any other front groups for Scientology. I never did any book selling, VMing or passing out the Way to Happiness booklets at various venues. I did some courses and auditing up through Grade II. I never wanted to go any further. I had never met any "clears" or "ot's" that impressed me so I had no interest in going clear or OT. I used Scientology when I needed a little discipline and self help. I did not leave much money on account - maybe a few hundred bucks so I could easily walk away. It also helped that I felt free to look when I wanted to see what was really going on in Scientology. I had nothing to lose. No friends or family would disconnect, no money on account the cult keeps. I maintained my own, independent freedom and would not allow the organization to bind me up. I was not interested in joining a church. I don't know how I knew not to get friendly with staff and Sea Org - but I knew.

I was a dilettante through and through. I focused what Scientology could do for me. I never brought anyone to any events ever. I never tried to get my girlfriend in. I never told my family or friends I did Scientology. Thank God I did it that way. I am so blown away as to the damage Scientology does to relationships and people's lives.

I have been reading all of the books written by ex members, watching the shows and docuseries on A&E by Leah Remini - 'Scientology; the Aftermath'. I go to Mike Rinder's blog every morning (like my New York Times daily dose of Scientology news. I read every post and comment.

I watched 'Going Clear' and read the book three times. I read 'Inside Scientology' by Janet Reitman and listened to the audio book about 20 times. The data on Tom Cruise really freaked me out. Wow!! He will be pissed if he ever finds out what Scientology really was doing to him behind his back the entire time. I wonder if he would kill himself over the truth? That would be way too much for him to confront and I would not be surprised if he had that type of reaction. To get single handedly spied on and tricked by David Miscavige - that will be the bomb. I hope he gets out.

I listened to a lot of Chris Shelton's podcasts until he politically stopped using his critical thinking skills much like Steve Hassan. I read Steve's book when I first got out. I also read Tony Ortega's Blog daily and like the work he does. I also have been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding mind control, hypnosis and cults. I have reached the ep of my research. I got duped. We all got duped. Fuck!

Cool story. Congrats on consistently avoiding being fatally infected by the Hubbard virus!

It must have been very frustrating for regges/recruiters that you did not succumb to their pandeterminedemic.

Instead, you practiced safe antisocial distancing. LOL

.

 

[The Oracle]

Cool story. Congrats on consistently avoiding being fatally infected by the Hubbard virus!

It must have been very frustrating for regges/recruiters that you did not succumb to their pandeterminedemic.

Instead, you practiced safe antisocial distancing. LOL

.

That was really funny. I enjoy your posts immensely.

 

[HelluvaHoax!]

That was really funny. I enjoy your posts immensely.

.
Thanks!

I had certain similar experiences to you own on the subject of events and regging. . . . . . .

1. The very first time I was asked (ever so nicely) if I had a few minutes to get a "Briefing", I was at Flag and made the mistake of walking around without body guards. A really lovely girl came up to me and smiled and said there was some really cool briefing I might like---do I have a few minutes? Well, having just gotten out of a session with nothing to do I said "Sure, okay". We went into one of the Cabana's set up with a small conference table and there where three other staff members there. I wondered what "cool" thing I was about to be "r-factored" on. Then it began, and I was briefed with all kinds of information (forget what, but probably had something to do with the end of the planet or evil beings plotting that). But, it wasn't as bad as it sounded, they informed me---if I would merely write a check or hand them a charge card. The world could be saved and me along with it! I simply rejected the idea of giving any money since I had already "donated" a bunch for the lavishly expensive auditing rundowns I was currently on. TO my great surprise, they just ignored my response and kept going! LOL. I had never seen this kind of regging before where the Scientologist mark was isolated with 4 regges who were all drilled to use "tone 40" to ignore all objections and make it go right to make someone else's money to go right (into their cash register). I parried and blew off every advance and in a short time they kind of laughed that I wasn't cracking. Very unprofessional, I would now say in retrospect. They were an early version of the newer Terminator models that would NEVER have let me slip out of that reg session so easily.​

2. Okay, now I was aware that it was stupid to get suckered into a reg event. However, one day a Scn. celebrity that i knew personally contacted me and beautifully invited me as their personal guest to a "SPECIAL VIP BRIEFING" being held in some exclusive venue. What could go wrong? LOL. I showed up and it was a plush but small auditorium with about 40 seats and a little stage. The event got rolling and it was quite pleasant. The speaker(s) were "briefing" the attendees on some 4th Dynamic whatever. Not very interesting, but possibly more fun than sitting home and watching re-runs of "The Beverly Hillbillies", right?​

​

But then there was a "call to action" and audience members were kindly asked if they could contribute to this new program that would save the planet. I thought "whattttttt?" Where is the briefing, this was not a briefing---just a plain old "The Sky Is Falling" sermon being delivered by a minister with a cash register. I watched as (quite surprisingly) someone in the audience inexplicably stood up and ever-so-proudly VOLUNTEERED to DONATE money! (again, "whattttttttttt???"). Why would they do that, I wondered. Then another person spontaneously stood up and volunteered to donate their money! Now the gimmick! The humanitarian donors were both asked to come up on stage to be recognized and applauded. So, I thought: "Okay, whatever, let's applaud and then I can leave".​

​

Not so fast! One after another person stood up and donated. And they each would take their place on stage FACING THE AUDIENCE. The feverish pitch grew as more and more audience members left their seats and stood on stage and the applause continued now almost non-stop. I looked around and there were noticably more empty seats. The EMCEES on stage were in exalted revival mode, yelling the names and amounts of the donations and commanding more applause. Everyone was rising to heights of jubilant euphoria about saving the world with charge cards! ("whattttttttt???)​

​

Well, I am super-stupid to even be in that room, but even in my cult comatose state I now realize that this has turned into a shaming gimmick where NOBODY DARES BE LEFT IN THE AUDIENCE AS A NON-DONOR!​

​

Well, I am not going to just sit there and let the entire audience be brought up on stage to applause while everyone is staring at the lone non-donating downstat DB! I thought to myself "fuck that!" LOL. So I stood up as unobtrusively as possible and politely made my way back out of the venue, walking thru the building's lobby and eventually to the outdoor parking area where the sun was shining and I felt incredibly happy to have escaped that madness.​

​

Then I heard a voice calling me from behind. A Sea Org member was running after me. A jerky mid-20s cringy cult creep who was sporting a German accent and a tone-40 attitude. I paused to see what he wanted. He came up and wanted to know why I left. I said something like "Because i did not want to be there". Well, he had drilled this before obviously so he quickly responded with an R-FACTOR: "This is not okay!" Then he began to explain to me why it wasn't okay to just walk out and how it looked bad for the other SO staff in there trying to do good things. I guess it would be fair to say that whatever words he used, the meaning was that I was breaking the "agreement" and "reality" (and magic spell) by opening disagreeing and walking out. Not okay! He was now telling me that I HAD TO RETURN TO THE EVENT RIGHT NOW! I told him I had no intention of going back in, and just to fuggedaboudit! It was starting to get real ugly real fast. Just then the celebrity that had invited me came running up (they had momentarily excused themselves from the event)​

​

They were quite concerned and upset that I had walked out but not for the reason the SO member was upset. They "r-factored" the SO enforcer that I was their personal friend and special guest. He instantly stood down and I promptly walked off, found my car and drove away.​

​

HERE IS SOMETHING I NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER UNDERSTOOD IN SCIENTOLOGY:
Why do people show up at these events? Okay, the first 1 or 2 times anyone call fall for the sleazy gimmick that it's a briefing or whatever. But after one or two of those, everyone KNOWS that it's a scam and it's a reg event. Honestly, I cannot understand why people still go to those. It's probably the ONLY thing I have never figured out about the bizarre hoax of Scientology. The only explanation I have ever been able to come up with is that a very significant factor in Scientology's success is masochism. It's not a joke, LOL. I have no other conceivable explanation.

Any other theories on why someone would WILLINGLY show up for financial torture & terrorism?

It fascinates me if anyone has any ideas. LOL

.

 

[The Oracle]

.
Thanks!

I had certain similar experiences to you own on the subject of events and regging. . . . . . .

1. The very first time I was asked (ever so nicely) if I had a few minutes to get a "Briefing", I was at Flag and made the mistake of walking around without body guards. A really lovely girl came up to me and smiled and said there was some really cool briefing I might like---do I have a few minutes? Well, having just gotten out of a session with nothing to do I said "Sure, okay". We went into one of the Cabana's set up with a small conference table and there where three other staff members there. I wondered what "cool" thing I was about to be "r-factored" on. Then it began, and I was briefed with all kinds of information (forget what, but probably had something to do with the end of the planet or evil beings plotting that). But, it wasn't as bad as it sounded, they informed me---if I would merely write a check or hand them a charge card. The world could be saved and me along with it! I simply rejected the idea of giving any money since I had already "donated" a bunch for the lavishly expensive auditing rundowns I was currently on. TO my great surprise, they just ignored my response and kept going! LOL. I had never seen this kind of regging before where the Scientologist mark was isolated with 4 regges who were all drilled to use "tone 40" to ignore all objections and make it go right to make someone else's money to go right (into their cash register). I parried and blew off every advance and in a short time they kind of laughed that I wasn't cracking. Very unprofessional, I would now say in retrospect. They were an early version of the newer Terminator models that would NEVER have let me slip out of that reg session so easily.​

2. Okay, now I was aware that it was stupid to get suckered into a reg event. However, one day a Scn. celebrity that i knew personally contacted me and beautifully invited me as their personal guest to a "SPECIAL VIP BRIEFING" being held in some exclusive venue. What could go wrong? LOL. I showed up and it was a plush but small auditorium with about 40 seats and a little stage. The event go rolling and it was quite pleasant. The speaker(s) were "briefing" the attendees on some 4th Dynamic whatever. Not very interesting, but possibly more fun than sitting home and watching re-runs of "The Beverly Hillbillies", right?​

​

But then there was a "call to action" and audience members were kindly asked if they could contribute to this new program that would save the planet. I thought "whattttttt?" Where is the briefing, this was not a briefing---just a plain old "The Sky Is Falling" sermon being delivered by a minister with a cash register. I watched as (quite surprisingly) someone in the audience inexplicably stood up and ever-so-proudly VOLUNTEERED to DONATE money! (again, "whattttttttttt???"). Why would they do that, I wondered. Then another person spontaneously stood up and volunteered to donate their money! Now the gimmick! The humanitarian donors were both asked to come up on stage to be recognized and applauded. So, I thought: "Okay, whatever, let's applaud and then I can leave".​

​

Not so fast! One after another person stood up and donated. And they each would take their place on stage FACING THE AUDIENCE. The feverish pitch grew as more and more audience members left their seats and stood on stage and the applause continued now almost non-stop. I looked around and there were noticably more empty seats. The EMCEES on stage were in exalted revival mode, yelling the names and amounts of the donations and commanding more applause. Everyone was rising to heights of jubilant euphoria about saving the world with charge cards! ("whattttttttt???)​

​

Well, I am super-stupid to even be in that room, but even in my cult comatose state I now realize that this has turned into a shaming gimmick where NOBODY DARES BE LEFT IN THE AUDIENCE AS A NON-DONOR!​

​

Well, I am not going to just sit there and let the entire audience be brought up on stage to applause while everyone is staring at the lone non-donating downstat DB! I thought to myself "fuck that!" LOL. So I stood up as unobtrusively as possible and politely made my way back out of the venue, walking thru the building's lobby and eventually to the outdoor parking area where the sun was shining and I felt incredibly happy to have escaped that madness.​

​

Then I heard a voice calling me from behind. A Sea Org member was running after me. A jerky mid-20s cringy cult creep who was sporting a German accent and a tone-40 attitude. I paused to see what he wanted. He came up and wanted to know why I left. I said something like "Because i did not want to be there". Well, he had drilled this before obviously so he quickly responded with an R-FACTOR: "This is not okay!" Then he began to explain to me why it wasn't okay to just walk out and how it looked bad for the other SO staff in there trying to do good things. I guess it would be fair to say that whatever words he used, the meaning was that I was breaking the "agreement" and "reality" (and magic spell) by opening disagreeing and walking out. Not okay! He was now telling me that I HAD TO RETURN TO THE EVENT RIGHT NOW! I told him I had not intention of going back in, and just to fuggedaboudit! It was starting to get real ugly real fast. Just then the celebrity that had invited me came running up (they had momentarily excused themselves from the event)​

​

They were quite concerned and upset that I had walked out but not for the reason the SO member was upset. They "r-factored" the SO enforcer that I was their personal friend and special guests. He instantly stood down and I promptly walked off, found my car and drove away.​

​

HERE IS SOMETHING I NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER UNDERSTOOD IN SCIENTOLOGY:
Why do people show up at these events? Okay, the first 1 or 2 times anyone call fall for the sleazy gimmick that it's a briefing or whatever. But after one or two of those, everyone KNOWS that it's a scam and it's a reg event. Honestly, I cannot understand why people still go to those. It's probably the ONLY thing I have never figured out about the bizarre hoax of Scientology. The only explanation I have ever been able to come up with is that a very significant factor in Scientology's success is masochism. It's not a joke, LOL. I have no other conceivable explanation.

Any other theories on why someone would WILLINGLY show up for financial torture & terrorism?

It fascinates me if anyone has any ideas. LOL

.

This is an excellent post and I am laughing out loud so hard, my stomach hurts. Unfortunately, I can't finish this post because I have to leave with the girlfriend for dinner so I could not finish this but I am going to later.
I just died laughing when you wrote:
"this was not a briefing---just a plain old "The Sky Is Falling" sermon being delivered by a minister with a cash register"

That phrase begs the question.

What is a Scientology Church Service ?

A Scientology Church Service is just a plain old "The Sky Is Falling" sermon being delivered by a minister with a cash register

 

[Type4_PTS]

Welcome The Oracle!

 

[Karen#1]

Warm welcome to you THE ORACLE !

 

[Karen#1]

.
Thanks!

I had certain similar experiences to you own on the subject of events and regging. . . . . . .

1. The very first time I was asked (ever so nicely) if I had a few minutes to get a "Briefing", I was at Flag and made the mistake of walking around without body guards. A really lovely girl came up to me and smiled and said there was some really cool briefing I might like---do I have a few minutes? Well, having just gotten out of a session with nothing to do I said "Sure, okay". We went into one of the Cabana's set up with a small conference table and there where three other staff members there. I wondered what "cool" thing I was about to be "r-factored" on. Then it began, and I was briefed with all kinds of information (forget what, but probably had something to do with the end of the planet or evil beings plotting that). But, it wasn't as bad as it sounded, they informed me---if I would merely write a check or hand them a charge card. The world could be saved and me along with it! I simply rejected the idea of giving any money since I had already "donated" a bunch for the lavishly expensive auditing rundowns I was currently on. TO my great surprise, they just ignored my response and kept going! LOL. I had never seen this kind of regging before where the Scientologist mark was isolated with 4 regges who were all drilled to use "tone 40" to ignore all objections and make it go right to make someone else's money to go right (into their cash register). I parried and blew off every advance and in a short time they kind of laughed that I wasn't cracking. Very unprofessional, I would now say in retrospect. They were an early version of the newer Terminator models that would NEVER have let me slip out of that reg session so easily.​

2. Okay, now I was aware that it was stupid to get suckered into a reg event. However, one day a Scn. celebrity that i knew personally contacted me and beautifully invited me as their personal guest to a "SPECIAL VIP BRIEFING" being held in some exclusive venue. What could go wrong? LOL. I showed up and it was a plush but small auditorium with about 40 seats and a little stage. The event got rolling and it was quite pleasant. The speaker(s) were "briefing" the attendees on some 4th Dynamic whatever. Not very interesting, but possibly more fun than sitting home and watching re-runs of "The Beverly Hillbillies", right?​

​

But then there was a "call to action" and audience members were kindly asked if they could contribute to this new program that would save the planet. I thought "whattttttt?" Where is the briefing, this was not a briefing---just a plain old "The Sky Is Falling" sermon being delivered by a minister with a cash register. I watched as (quite surprisingly) someone in the audience inexplicably stood up and ever-so-proudly VOLUNTEERED to DONATE money! (again, "whattttttttttt???"). Why would they do that, I wondered. Then another person spontaneously stood up and volunteered to donate their money! Now the gimmick! The humanitarian donors were both asked to come up on stage to be recognized and applauded. So, I thought: "Okay, whatever, let's applaud and then I can leave".​

​

Not so fast! One after another person stood up and donated. And they each would take their place on stage FACING THE AUDIENCE. The feverish pitch grew as more and more audience members left their seats and stood on stage and the applause continued now almost non-stop. I looked around and there were noticably more empty seats. The EMCEES on stage were in exalted revival mode, yelling the names and amounts of the donations and commanding more applause. Everyone was rising to heights of jubilant euphoria about saving the world with charge cards! ("whattttttttt???)​

​

Well, I am super-stupid to even be in that room, but even in my cult comatose state I now realize that this has turned into a shaming gimmick where NOBODY DARES BE LEFT IN THE AUDIENCE AS A NON-DONOR!​

​

Well, I am not going to just sit there and let the entire audience be brought up on stage to applause while everyone is staring at the lone non-donating downstat DB! I thought to myself "fuck that!" LOL. So I stood up as unobtrusively as possible and politely made my way back out of the venue, walking thru the building's lobby and eventually to the outdoor parking area where the sun was shining and I felt incredibly happy to have escaped that madness.​

​

Then I heard a voice calling me from behind. A Sea Org member was running after me. A jerky mid-20s cringy cult creep who was sporting a German accent and a tone-40 attitude. I paused to see what he wanted. He came up and wanted to know why I left. I said something like "Because i did not want to be there". Well, he had drilled this before obviously so he quickly responded with an R-FACTOR: "This is not okay!" Then he began to explain to me why it wasn't okay to just walk out and how it looked bad for the other SO staff in there trying to do good things. I guess it would be fair to say that whatever words he used, the meaning was that I was breaking the "agreement" and "reality" (and magic spell) by opening disagreeing and walking out. Not okay! He was now telling me that I HAD TO RETURN TO THE EVENT RIGHT NOW! I told him I had no intention of going back in, and just to fuggedaboudit! It was starting to get real ugly real fast. Just then the celebrity that had invited me came running up (they had momentarily excused themselves from the event)​

​

They were quite concerned and upset that I had walked out but not for the reason the SO member was upset. They "r-factored" the SO enforcer that I was their personal friend and special guest. He instantly stood down and I promptly walked off, found my car and drove away.​

​

HERE IS SOMETHING I NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER UNDERSTOOD IN SCIENTOLOGY:
Why do people show up at these events? Okay, the first 1 or 2 times anyone call fall for the sleazy gimmick that it's a briefing or whatever. But after one or two of those, everyone KNOWS that it's a scam and it's a reg event. Honestly, I cannot understand why people still go to those. It's probably the ONLY thing I have never figured out about the bizarre hoax of Scientology. The only explanation I have ever been able to come up with is that a very significant factor in Scientology's success is masochism. It's not a joke, LOL. I have no other conceivable explanation.

Any other theories on why someone would WILLINGLY show up for financial torture & terrorism?

It fascinates me if anyone has any ideas. LOL

.

Wonderfully told anecdote !

★★★★★ FIVE STARS ★★★★★

 

[The Oracle]

.
Thanks!

I had certain similar experiences to you own on the subject of events and regging. . . . . . .

1. The very first time I was asked (ever so nicely) if I had a few minutes to get a "Briefing", I was at Flag and made the mistake of walking around without body guards. A really lovely girl came up to me and smiled and said there was some really cool briefing I might like---do I have a few minutes? Well, having just gotten out of a session with nothing to do I said "Sure, okay". We went into one of the Cabana's set up with a small conference table and there where three other staff members there. I wondered what "cool" thing I was about to be "r-factored" on. Then it began, and I was briefed with all kinds of information (forget what, but probably had something to do with the end of the planet or evil beings plotting that). But, it wasn't as bad as it sounded, they informed me---if I would merely write a check or hand them a charge card. The world could be saved and me along with it! I simply rejected the idea of giving any money since I had already "donated" a bunch for the lavishly expensive auditing rundowns I was currently on. TO my great surprise, they just ignored my response and kept going! LOL. I had never seen this kind of regging before where the Scientologist mark was isolated with 4 regges who were all drilled to use "tone 40" to ignore all objections and make it go right to make someone else's money to go right (into their cash register). I parried and blew off every advance and in a short time they kind of laughed that I wasn't cracking. Very unprofessional, I would now say in retrospect. They were an early version of the newer Terminator models that would NEVER have let me slip out of that reg session so easily.​

2. Okay, now I was aware that it was stupid to get suckered into a reg event. However, one day a Scn. celebrity that i knew personally contacted me and beautifully invited me as their personal guest to a "SPECIAL VIP BRIEFING" being held in some exclusive venue. What could go wrong? LOL. I showed up and it was a plush but small auditorium with about 40 seats and a little stage. The event got rolling and it was quite pleasant. The speaker(s) were "briefing" the attendees on some 4th Dynamic whatever. Not very interesting, but possibly more fun than sitting home and watching re-runs of "The Beverly Hillbillies", right?​

​

But then there was a "call to action" and audience members were kindly asked if they could contribute to this new program that would save the planet. I thought "whattttttt?" Where is the briefing, this was not a briefing---just a plain old "The Sky Is Falling" sermon being delivered by a minister with a cash register. I watched as (quite surprisingly) someone in the audience inexplicably stood up and ever-so-proudly VOLUNTEERED to DONATE money! (again, "whattttttttttt???"). Why would they do that, I wondered. Then another person spontaneously stood up and volunteered to donate their money! Now the gimmick! The humanitarian donors were both asked to come up on stage to be recognized and applauded. So, I thought: "Okay, whatever, let's applaud and then I can leave".​

​

Not so fast! One after another person stood up and donated. And they each would take their place on stage FACING THE AUDIENCE. The feverish pitch grew as more and more audience members left their seats and stood on stage and the applause continued now almost non-stop. I looked around and there were noticably more empty seats. The EMCEES on stage were in exalted revival mode, yelling the names and amounts of the donations and commanding more applause. Everyone was rising to heights of jubilant euphoria about saving the world with charge cards! ("whattttttttt???)​

​

Well, I am super-stupid to even be in that room, but even in my cult comatose state I now realize that this has turned into a shaming gimmick where NOBODY DARES BE LEFT IN THE AUDIENCE AS A NON-DONOR!​

​

Well, I am not going to just sit there and let the entire audience be brought up on stage to applause while everyone is staring at the lone non-donating downstat DB! I thought to myself "fuck that!" LOL. So I stood up as unobtrusively as possible and politely made my way back out of the venue, walking thru the building's lobby and eventually to the outdoor parking area where the sun was shining and I felt incredibly happy to have escaped that madness.​

​

Then I heard a voice calling me from behind. A Sea Org member was running after me. A jerky mid-20s cringy cult creep who was sporting a German accent and a tone-40 attitude. I paused to see what he wanted. He came up and wanted to know why I left. I said something like "Because i did not want to be there". Well, he had drilled this before obviously so he quickly responded with an R-FACTOR: "This is not okay!" Then he began to explain to me why it wasn't okay to just walk out and how it looked bad for the other SO staff in there trying to do good things. I guess it would be fair to say that whatever words he used, the meaning was that I was breaking the "agreement" and "reality" (and magic spell) by opening disagreeing and walking out. Not okay! He was now telling me that I HAD TO RETURN TO THE EVENT RIGHT NOW! I told him I had no intention of going back in, and just to fuggedaboudit! It was starting to get real ugly real fast. Just then the celebrity that had invited me came running up (they had momentarily excused themselves from the event)​

​

They were quite concerned and upset that I had walked out but not for the reason the SO member was upset. They "r-factored" the SO enforcer that I was their personal friend and special guest. He instantly stood down and I promptly walked off, found my car and drove away.​

​

HERE IS SOMETHING I NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER UNDERSTOOD IN SCIENTOLOGY:
Why do people show up at these events? Okay, the first 1 or 2 times anyone call fall for the sleazy gimmick that it's a briefing or whatever. But after one or two of those, everyone KNOWS that it's a scam and it's a reg event. Honestly, I cannot understand why people still go to those. It's probably the ONLY thing I have never figured out about the bizarre hoax of Scientology. The only explanation I have ever been able to come up with is that a very significant factor in Scientology's success is masochism. It's not a joke, LOL. I have no other conceivable explanation.

Any other theories on why someone would WILLINGLY show up for financial torture & terrorism?

It fascinates me if anyone has any ideas. LOL

.

Damn! You are funny. I love this "A Sea Org member was running after me. A jerky mid-20s cringy cult creep who was sporting a German accent and a tone-40 attitude". I can just picture exactly who you are talking about. LOL

I figured out fairly quickly as to why people willingly show up for financial torture and terrorism at the Scientology events.
Here are the Top 10 reasons Scientologists go to events:

1. The free food.
2. They are required to attend and will be in ethics trouble if they don't go. This is mainly to the Staff. It's a HAVE TO GO.
3. They are related to the staff. The bulk of the attendees.
4. They have nothing else going on in their sad Scientological lonely lives.
5. They get manipulated like HelluvaHoax! posted earlier on this thread. "We are inviting you and only you to come see the new big shiny ball that is a secret and only the big beings are invited and it is super cool. A new release. Find out how the Psych Buster's are busting the psych's. Etc....It's the ole bait and switch.
6. OT's trying to get invited onto the level having to prove their worthiness to the higher ups.
7. Gullible - believe everything told to them by the caller who won't stop calling them.
8. Guilt trip to be a team player and feel responsible for showing up to support the team.
9. There is a celebrity at the event. IE: Stan Gershon performing his magic act, Bill Bertinol is playing his guitar, Jim Meskiman is performing or someone cool like that.
10. These people that go to every event are robots and do what they are told.

 

[The Oracle]

Welcome to the forum.

You did good!
Don't let them EVER pull you back in.

Thank you for the welcome. Do not worry. After doing all of the R&D on cults, I would never ever talk to any Scientologist ever again. I got all I could get out of Scientology and don't feel there is anything left to obtain. No super powers noticed after seeing people return from doing super powers. I think the L's fuck people up. I never have been impressed with anyone who did the L's. They seemed a little fragile when they returned from Flag. Like they could shatter. That is what I noticed. Now realizing that l Ron Hubbard was a complete nut job, there would be no way on earth I would ever give one hot dime to Scientology or go around any Scientologists. In fact, I ran into someone from the Org a few months ago and I turned and walked the other way.

 

[Chuck J.]

Thank you for the welcome. Do not worry. After doing all of the R&D on cults, I would never ever talk to any Scientologist ever again. I got all I could get out of Scientology and don't feel there is anything left to obtain. No super powers noticed after seeing people return from doing super powers. I think the L's fuck people up. I never have been impressed with anyone who did the L's. They seemed a little fragile when they returned from Flag. Like they could shatter. That is what I noticed. Now realizing that l Ron Hubbard was a complete nut job, there would be no way on earth I would ever give one hot dime to Scientology or go around any Scientologists. In fact, I ran into someone from the Org a few months ago and I turned and walked the other way.

I told you that, because I was out 25 years and they sucked me back in... at least to being a public. It didn't go well. Four months and basically they almost killed me. The so-called Asst. Chaplain of ASHO Lisa Starkey wanted me to "End Cycle" i.e. kill myself. I was making too much noise about getting my money back and..... dead men tell no tales. Yes, they will try to kill you if it serves their interests. They fucked me up royally, I was a mess. Took me about 3 to 4 years to recover. I still have not recovered financially. I'm very serious when I say NEVER let them get ahold of you again.

My main mistake was in, paradoxically, ignoring them completely. It's better to keep an eye on them, see what they're up to, keep up on the latest news about the cult.

I didn't and it nearly cost me my life, Not that the $cn. cult was "warm & fuzzy" back in the day, it wasn't, but I had no idea how ruthlessly criminal they had gone between 1985 and 2010. They don't try to hide it now. Or I should say only long enough to rob you blind and kick you to the curb.

 

[Dotey OT]

Damn! You are funny. I love this "A Sea Org member was running after me. A jerky mid-20s cringy cult creep who was sporting a German accent and a tone-40 attitude". I can just picture exactly who you are talking about. LOL

I figured out fairly quickly as to why people willingly show up for financial torture and terrorism at the Scientology events.
Here are the Top 10 reasons Scientologists go to events:

1. The free food.
2. They are required to attend and will be in ethics trouble if they don't go. This is mainly to the Staff. It's a HAVE TO GO.
3. They are related to the staff. The bulk of the attendees.
4. They have nothing else going on in their sad Scientological lonely lives.
5. They get manipulated like HelluvaHoax! posted earlier on this thread. "We are inviting you and only you to come see the new big shiny ball that is a secret and only the big beings are invited and it is super cool. A new release. Find out how the Psych Buster's are busting the psych's. Etc....It's the ole bait and switch.
6. OT's trying to get invited onto the level having to prove their worthiness to the higher ups.
7. Gullible - believe everything told to them by the caller who won't stop calling them.
8. Guilt trip to be a team player and feel responsible for showing up to support the team.
9. There is a celebrity at the event. IE: Stan Gershon performing his magic act, Bill Bertinol is playing his guitar, Jim Meskiman is performing or someone cool like that.
10. These people that go to every event are robots and do what they are told.

Hello and Welcome!!!!

Actually what motivated me was saving the planet. It was done by promoting scamatology to scamatologists on a continual basis to keep them CONvinced that was happening, through exaggerations, s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the truth until it snapped into lies. I felt like it was my responsibility to do something about it, and this was what I was doing to help. Or so I thought.

1. The free food. I helped supply food for many events, it wasn't quite free for me and mine. Many times it was serviceable. Other times no.
2. Yes, staff are mostly required to go. I was on staff and hated that after a while. You were definitely looked down upon if you didn't attend the many brainwashing events.
3. For public, lots of family on staff, and vice versa. It takes family to make it work, someone has to make the money. You don't on staff.
4. As a scamatologist, you didn't have much else going on. Nothing much else fit in. Between course, and other activities. I wasn't sad and lonely. I am definitely not sad and lonely now.
5. It is definitely about manipulation and lies, see my motivation above.
6. One wants always to have commends going into their ethics folders if one was planning on the OT levels.
7. Only wogs are gullible. Besides, most people can't lie that well.
8. Guilt is an effective tool. Scamatology didn't invent that.
9. Celebrities. Your list sounds like a west coast US list. But I have seen all these. Jim Meskiman can be entertaining. I don't feel sorry for him.
10. There are robots, indeed. We called them "The Usual Suspects".

At any rate, I've been out several years, and I was a damn good person while I was a scamatologist. I look at most of my old friends that are still in and don't speak with disdain for them. I mostly feel sorry, and I'm amazed at the effectiveness of the trap that was built that continues to ensnare them, but no longer ensnares me.

I am glad that it does not ensnare you as well!

 

[The Oracle]

I told you that, because I was out 25 years and they sucked me back in... at least to being a public. It didn't go well. Four months and basically they almost killed me. The so-called Asst. Chaplain of ASHO Lisa Starkey wanted me to "End Cycle" i.e. kill myself. I was making too much noise about getting my money back and..... dead men tell no tales. Yes, they will try to kill you if it serves their interests. They fucked me up royally, I was a mess. Took me about 3 to 4 years to recover. I still have not recovered financially. I'm very serious when I say NEVER let them get ahold of you again.

My main mistake was in, paradoxically, ignoring them completely. It's better to keep an eye on them, see what they're up to, keep up on the latest news about the cult.

I didn't and it nearly cost me my life, Not that the $cn. cult was "warm & fuzzy" back in the day, it wasn't, but I had no idea how ruthlessly criminal they had gone between 1985 and 2010. They don't try to hide it now. Or I should say only long enough to rob you blind and kick you to the curb.

I totally agree with you and have read the horror stories of others that went back in. I also read a story how the staff will scheme about finding the person that you like the most - and they will contact you. They will meet whatever your reality is to get you back in and then the friend will throw you under the bus. My conclusion is that Scientology is very dangerous. If you want to play Russian roulette with your mind, body and spirit - Play Scientology. The next action could be the bullet that does you in.
I feel fortunate I did have some gains and a lot of my reactive mind (that part of my mind that tells me I am approaching danger and things don't make sense so stay away) left. Gas lighting people is what Scientology excels at.

 

[The Oracle]

Hello and Welcome!!!!

Actually what motivated me was saving the planet. It was done by promoting scamatology to scamatologists on a continual basis to keep them CONvinced that was happening, through exaggerations, s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the truth until it snapped into lies. I felt like it was my responsibility to do something about it, and this was what I was doing to help. Or so I thought.

1. The free food. I helped supply food for many events, it wasn't quite free for me and mine. Many times it was serviceable. Other times no.
2. Yes, staff are mostly required to go. I was on staff and hated that after a while. You were definitely looked down upon if you didn't attend the many brainwashing events.
3. For public, lots of family on staff, and vice versa. It takes family to make it work, someone has to make the money. You don't on staff.
4. As a scamatologist, you didn't have much else going on. Nothing much else fit in. Between course, and other activities. I wasn't sad and lonely. I am definitely not sad and lonely now.
5. It is definitely about manipulation and lies, see my motivation above.
6. One wants always to have commends going into their ethics folders if one was planning on the OT levels.
7. Only wogs are gullible. Besides, most people can't lie that well.
8. Guilt is an effective tool. Scamatology didn't invent that.
9. Celebrities. Your list sounds like a west coast US list. But I have seen all these. Jim Meskiman can be entertaining. I don't feel sorry for him.
10. There are robots, indeed. We called them "The Usual Suspects".

At any rate, I've been out several years, and I was a damn good person while I was a scamatologist. I look at most of my old friends that are still in and don't speak with disdain for them. I mostly feel sorry, and I'm amazed at the effectiveness of the trap that was built that continues to ensnare them, but no longer ensnares me.

I am glad that it does not ensnare you as well!

Thanks for your input. Thanks for being happy for me that I am out. I am happy for you too that you got out and figured this scam out. I like the term you use - SCAMATOLOGY. So fitting.

 

[Harden Long]

Hello and Welcome
I never attended a briefing such as Hoaxy's, only an event that turned out to be a Sea Org recruitment fiasco with a 2 piece Scientology band who's performers turned out to be Sea Org recruiters, one of which badgered me for two straight hours after the event until I signed away a billion years to join the cause. Thankfully I never activated the contract by actually showing up for the Sea Org.
But at high pressure regging briefings like Hoaxy's I wonder if the audience isn't mostly staff posing as public to create the illusion of compliance on the part of the audience?
This would have been my suspicion anyway but as I never spent any significant time on staff I'm not privy to many of their inner workings.

 

[HelluvaHoax!]

Damn! You are funny. I love this "A Sea Org member was running after me. A jerky mid-20s cringy cult creep who was sporting a German accent and a tone-40 attitude". I can just picture exactly who you are talking about. LOL

I figured out fairly quickly as to why people willingly show up for financial torture and terrorism at the Scientology events.
Here are the Top 10 reasons Scientologists go to events:

1. The free food.
2. They are required to attend and will be in ethics trouble if they don't go. This is mainly to the Staff. It's a HAVE TO GO.
3. They are related to the staff. The bulk of the attendees.
4. They have nothing else going on in their sad Scientological lonely lives.
5. They get manipulated like HelluvaHoax! posted earlier on this thread. "We are inviting you and only you to come see the new big shiny ball that is a secret and only the big beings are invited and it is super cool. A new release. Find out how the Psych Buster's are busting the psych's. Etc....It's the ole bait and switch.
6. OT's trying to get invited onto the level having to prove their worthiness to the higher ups.
7. Gullible - believe everything told to them by the caller who won't stop calling them.
8. Guilt trip to be a team player and feel responsible for showing up to support the team.
9. There is a celebrity at the event. IE: Stan Gershon performing his magic act, Bill Bertinol is playing his guitar, Jim Meskiman is performing or someone cool like that.
10. These people that go to every event are robots and do what they are told.

.
Outstanding list!

"Stan Gershon performing his magic act" LOL!

It's pretty fascinating how the bogus reg events are promoted to MISDIRECT Scientologists from the reality that ---although they are not kidnapped and tied up in the trunk of a car --- they are willingly driving themselves to a place where they will be connivingly conned, cajoled & coerced into contributing cash to a creepy cult.

I am still stunned----pondering why someone actually WANTS to go to a place where messianic money ministers will pound them into some kind of manufactured "ruin" that can only be avoided by becoming insolvent or bankrupt?

It's still quite mysterious, lol. I think I had better apply some tech to resolving this cosmic mystery! Luckily my meter is fully charged, let's go!

L&N
WHO OR WHAT WOULD WILLINGLY PARTICIPATE IN
AN EVENT WHERE THEY KNOW THEY ARE GOING
TO LEAVE IN A WORSENED, DANGEROUSLY
DEFICIENT, DAMAGED OR DEGRADED
FINANCIAL STATE?

A "spiritual" person whose "space feels calm" when they notice
a storefront with a sign reading"PSYCHIC ADVISOR".

Someone who got a great tip that there was a luxury watch
dealer selling Rolexes at a 90% discount and they still
have a couple of them left-- if one drops everything
and immediately rushes down to the street
corner in the ghetto where this
amazing deal is being
offered!

A savvy money manager who owns a substantial portfolio of
high-end investment quality art, consisting of
priceless limited edition prints of
artwork from the blockbuster
movie "Battlefield Earth".

Someone whose ruin is that they desperately need
their life to be more "IDEAL" (LFBD F/N)

Someone whose ruin is that they desperately need
their life to have more "MAGIC". (LFBD F/N)

Someone whose ruin is that they desperately need their
life to have cartoony graphics of "ROCKETS". (LFBD F/N)

- - - -

WOW! SCIENTOLOGY FINALLY DELIVERS
WHAT IT PROMISED--MAGIC & OT!

- - -

YOU MEAN IF I ATTEND, I GET BOTH
MAGIC AND IDEAL?
HELLYEAH I'M GOIN!!!

- - -

2 RUINS HANDLED FOR THE PRICE OF ONE...
I GET "IDEAL" and I GET "ROCKETS" TOO!
I AM SOOOOOO GOING!


.



​

 

[stratty]

^^^^

There's one magic trick the CofS is terrific at, and that is making your money disappear.