not to discount cynicism and malice, but i think that there is probably a significant element of true belief at work. things like this remind me of what catholic clergy call 'miracles of faith', parishioners believing in phenomenon like weeping statues and healing of cripples at shrines, that priests and those above them know probably aren't true but justify as helping those in the flock who find such things comforting or even uplifting, and reinforcing their faith in the truth of the existence of an invisible god who the church hierarchy does more or less believe in.
and remember, those who believe LRH is going to come back -- and some apparently do, including at least early on DM, and supposedly later on if not even now Shelly -- must expect that will be the solution to problems, if only they do whatever it takes to hold things together, including telling 'acceptable truths' just as the old man directed....
do you tell very young kids not to believe in Santa Claus?
(and yes, those in the upper levels of the SO should just have done the right thing and tell the truth -- which it seems to me might be expected given scn's stated premises such as communication being the universal solvent, and it being far superior to traditional religion)
A very nice and humane post.....
But now this is getting into the realm of more and more Religiosity.....whether that be like Christianity, Hinduism or Islam.....or any other religion.
Dianetics and Scientology did not start out as a "religion."
Scientology then veering into the lane of religion was it's first bamboozle....or falsification....its first hood winking.....
As you wrote....keeping the faith... But the trouble with that is that was one of the first selling points of Scientology and still is...
There is no "faith" in Scientology....
The real "faith" in Scientology is the Registrar telling you that the next Level "will handle that..." as one pulls out their Credit Card...
Not to say that I didn't have some wonderful things change in Scientology, for myself.....that is not the point....
The Scientology shift from "science" to "religion" whether valid or not.....makes a lot of sense monetarily....
Basically....the Cult could keep a lot more money for itself as a Religion....rather than as a science.
Anyway Scientology "as a science" would never in a million years have been accepted in the the realm of Academic "science" as it exists...
Lots to say on this....but will leave it at that.
Yes....I think there is a Cabal behind the facade of Scientology.....but "within " Scientology and other practices....but that is another topic...