Emma early on in the life of ESMB, Emma posted this as her hope for what ESMB would be,
This is also the hope for ESMB Redux.
What this board is:
A place where ex scientologists and interested general public can get together to discuss various experiences in Scientology.
A place where where ex's and non ex's can mingle and chat and get to know how the other half think and live.
A place to learn from each other.
A place to support each other.
A place to swap ideas and suggestions.
A place to civilly debate issues so that other viewpoints can be offered and tossed around and horizons can be broadened.
A place to be allowed to defend your position and not apologise for it, yet at the same time allow others to have their own.
A place that people feel safe to expose the abuses of this harmful cult, so the true story can be told.
A place where newly "out" Scientologists can come and be heard and learn and be supported through a really tough period in their lives.
A place to make people laugh and have some fun and to not take it all so seriously.
A place to expose the traps and pitfalls in returning to a "normal" existence, and to learn some tips and helpful suggestions in making this transition.
What this board isn't:
A vehicle to exact verbal revenge on those who have harmed us both inside and outside of Scientology. By that I mean continuing to trade insults & flame wars that are a hang over from past relationships, fueds from other messageboards, chat channels etc.
A place to blame and crucify others for what happened to you. Over time there are going to be people who find other ex members who they feel were responsible for some cruelty that was bestowed on them. Whilst this is understandable, and needs to be addressed, it needs to be understood that EVERYONE did things in Scientology of which they are not proud.
A place to ridicule "believers". People find their way out of the Scientology mindset at different speeds and to different degrees. What they need is understanding, not to be fobbed off and called a "stoopid clam" etc.
________________________________________
I believe anyone who has been exposed to Scientology for any length of time has had damage done. None of us are perfect, and I doubt any of us would be here if we were all 100% "recovered".
My hope is that this group of misfits can do some good, for ourselves and for each other.
I know there will be differing opinions. I know tempers will flare. I know people will say things they don't necessarily mean. All I ask is that you think before you type and ask yourself if what you are about to "submit" is going to cause more harm than good.
You don't need to like everybody on this board. That would be impossible. It is no different in the workplace or even in family life. But in these situations a "professional" or cordial relationship is established instead. I hope these same social rules can be adopted here.
I've been criticized for wanting to turn this into a "knitting club" or "afternoon tea party". I think that is bullshit. I don't believe that civility automatically means softness or sensorship. I believe that MORE exposure of the harms of Scientology can be achieved if the atmosphere is civil and friendly rather than one of fear. In other words, I don't want to play "momma", handling spats between people. This is not supposed to be a sandpit. If you want to play the flaming game for the mere sake of flaming, then alt.religion.scientology may be the place for you.
I don't know exactly what the stats are of people (staff & public) blowing Scientology. But I know there are 1000s and 1000s of people who will be looking for a place like this to help them. When they do start to look, I hope they will find that this board is designed for them. A friendly, civil, intelligent crowd who have had years of experience in and out of Scientology waiting to welcome them.
Thanks,
Emma
This is also the hope for ESMB Redux.
What this board is:
A place where ex scientologists and interested general public can get together to discuss various experiences in Scientology.
A place where where ex's and non ex's can mingle and chat and get to know how the other half think and live.
A place to learn from each other.
A place to support each other.
A place to swap ideas and suggestions.
A place to civilly debate issues so that other viewpoints can be offered and tossed around and horizons can be broadened.
A place to be allowed to defend your position and not apologise for it, yet at the same time allow others to have their own.
A place that people feel safe to expose the abuses of this harmful cult, so the true story can be told.
A place where newly "out" Scientologists can come and be heard and learn and be supported through a really tough period in their lives.
A place to make people laugh and have some fun and to not take it all so seriously.
A place to expose the traps and pitfalls in returning to a "normal" existence, and to learn some tips and helpful suggestions in making this transition.
What this board isn't:
A vehicle to exact verbal revenge on those who have harmed us both inside and outside of Scientology. By that I mean continuing to trade insults & flame wars that are a hang over from past relationships, fueds from other messageboards, chat channels etc.
A place to blame and crucify others for what happened to you. Over time there are going to be people who find other ex members who they feel were responsible for some cruelty that was bestowed on them. Whilst this is understandable, and needs to be addressed, it needs to be understood that EVERYONE did things in Scientology of which they are not proud.
A place to ridicule "believers". People find their way out of the Scientology mindset at different speeds and to different degrees. What they need is understanding, not to be fobbed off and called a "stoopid clam" etc.
________________________________________
I believe anyone who has been exposed to Scientology for any length of time has had damage done. None of us are perfect, and I doubt any of us would be here if we were all 100% "recovered".
My hope is that this group of misfits can do some good, for ourselves and for each other.
I know there will be differing opinions. I know tempers will flare. I know people will say things they don't necessarily mean. All I ask is that you think before you type and ask yourself if what you are about to "submit" is going to cause more harm than good.
You don't need to like everybody on this board. That would be impossible. It is no different in the workplace or even in family life. But in these situations a "professional" or cordial relationship is established instead. I hope these same social rules can be adopted here.
I've been criticized for wanting to turn this into a "knitting club" or "afternoon tea party". I think that is bullshit. I don't believe that civility automatically means softness or sensorship. I believe that MORE exposure of the harms of Scientology can be achieved if the atmosphere is civil and friendly rather than one of fear. In other words, I don't want to play "momma", handling spats between people. This is not supposed to be a sandpit. If you want to play the flaming game for the mere sake of flaming, then alt.religion.scientology may be the place for you.
I don't know exactly what the stats are of people (staff & public) blowing Scientology. But I know there are 1000s and 1000s of people who will be looking for a place like this to help them. When they do start to look, I hope they will find that this board is designed for them. A friendly, civil, intelligent crowd who have had years of experience in and out of Scientology waiting to welcome them.
Thanks,
Emma