Critical Q&A

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions from the comments section of my Q&A videos or which are sent to me by email at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com.

Link to the OCA Test video is here.

This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) In about 1984 I was wandering around Vancouver with a high school friend and we came across the free personality test at the local Scientology building. We both went in and took the test. Naturally, I had lots of issues and was signed up on the spot for a self-help course. Interestingly, my friend (who was always an oddball in our group of small-town high school friends) was told he tested “high functioning” and never heard from the Scientologists again. Is it possible that that Oxford Capacity Test can weed out the oddballs, or is it that he somehow failed the interview during the test? If so, how?

(2) In reading about the Dalai Lama, before he dies he usually gives his Buddhist Monks an idea of where and when he will incarnate so they can look for him. Then they have specific but simple tests they use to ensure the young child is in fact the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. Afterwards and with parental agreement, the monks take and raise the child as the young Dalai Lama.

My understanding is that within Scientology people believe Hubbard will return. How would they know if he did? I mean if a young man or woman showed up one day at Big Blue and said they were LRH, how would they know? In all of his writing did LRH give his “Scientology Monks” an idea of when and where he would incarnate, much like the Dalai Lama?

(3) You always hear stories that when people blow, someone from Scientology always tries to track them down. So if I were a Scientologist and I wanted to quit the Sea Org immediately, would they eventually let me leave if I announce it or will they hold me against my will? If they do let people leave then why chase after them when they blow? If I worked at Int Base would it be different from other bases if I were to decide I was done?

(4) Jesse Prince has claimed that once David Miscavige and Pat Broeker had become Hubbard’s gatekeepers in his final years, they would occasionally skim some money out of the suitcases of cash that LRH would have delivered to him in hiding. Once in a while they’d visit Las Vegas and stay in luxury suites or they’d buy expensive clothing or jewelry (including a notorious rumour of a diamond encrusted cigarette lighter). My question is how credible you think the story is? As much as Jesse Prince is awesome, do you think it is realistic that the pair were actually plundering Hubbard’s suitcases or did they have enough power within Scientology that they could essentially get church funds for any “mission” they pleased and as long as Hubbard’s suitcases were full he didn’t have to know about it?

(5) I have a personal question about you that speaks to the mind control/thought processes of cult members. I realize this issue has come up again and again, but never-ins like me still have difficulty truly understanding. When you left Scientology, did you try to talk to your then fiancée about it? If so, did she straight up turn away and refuse to listen? It seems that with such a close relationship, each person would at least give serious attention to such an important matter. Did your immense distress and ultimate conviction have any impact on her? If anyone could get through to another person, it would probably be someone in a spousal type relationship. Thanks for all you’ve done and continue to do to alert the world about destructive cults and critical thinking.

(6) Do you have an idea on the size or scope of Free Zone groups?

(7) You said in a previous video that Scientologists are crazy about Star Wars. Hypothetically, if an outspoken critic of the church was cast in a Star Wars movie, would they not be able to watch it then or do they separate the character from the person?

(8) You mention how the orgs have so few staff, but when I go past the Melbourne (Australia) headquarters, the carpark is perpetually full. What is going on there?

(9) Did you ever meet any Masons or Shriners at the Shrine Auditorium? Did they have an opinion on Scientology?

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