I was looking at the original post, specifically about the NY org, recalling my time there in the late 70's-mid-80's, when I was HGC lead auditor, NY foundation. What I always wonder about are the staff who are still there, remarkably, in the face of how the believed-in expansion never ever happened, 40 years later, still not generating enough income to receive a living wage, still unable to sustain keeping up with basic operating costs. The WDAH's are in the range of what I produced by myself, and even in my day, the bathrooms would frequently be without toilet paper. (I remember having a conversation with the estates manager about that, in which he explained to me that his concern was that if he spent the meager funds available to supply the stalls, people would use the toilet paper up drying their hands after washing, because there were no paper towels). The building is like a palace now, or an ornate museum, and not the no-frills barebones building it was in my day, and yet the staff can't afford food and/or rent on whatever staff pay they are given. Imagine all the reinforced self-delusion it must take to stay in that life situation. Ideas like they are being incredibly noble soldiers for the good of the world, that Scientology is "winning and expanding like never before, despite the SP's", etc. "Prison of Belief", indeed. I feel for my former friends and coworkers, no doubt suppressing deep internal suffering and cognitive dissonance, rather than leaving and liberating themselves to have a full like, as I and so many others have. I guess in their minds there is no acceptable or workable way out for them. What a contrast, between the luxurious trappings of the org, and their actual states of living and existence. They must all feel like phonies taking part in the outward presentation of success and wealth for all the better-off public, few as they are, passing through the hallways. Sad.
