Critical Q&A

The weekly show where I answer questions from viewers left in the comments section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email to AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) Hi Chris, is there a singular moment that stands out in your COS time that has become particularly difficult and/or haunting to you after your exit where as it was not clear to you when you were ensconced in full COS practices? Keep up the good work & stay strong!

(2) I have a question coming from Leah Remini’s show that you’ve also touched on in past videos. In the most recent episode someone brought up the freeloader bill. Of course I understand the concept of it, but as she said she signed when she was 16, why would she be worried that it would hold up as a legitimate contract and that she could be forced to pay it once she was outside Scientology. Surely that contract wouldn’t hold up in any outside court to force her.

(3) I’ve learned many of Scientology acronyms and stupid words that they use. One thing I don’t understand is what is the Birthday Game?

(4) You mention Hubbard having two wives at the same time as an example of him having problems. These days a lot of people, myself included, make a clear distinction between cheating and polyamory. Yet, this distinction is about relationships rather than marriages. Polygamy is not legal. Could you tell us a bit more about how this whole thing with “two wives” worked? I mean socially as well as legally. Were they married in a legal sense somehow? Did the wives know about it in advance and consented to it, or was it something that Hubbard either kept secret from them or forced upon them?

(5) In episode 3 of Leah’s show, she mentioned that, in addition to buying $cientology books for herself, she was asked to buy and donate books to libraries who needed them. I immediately checked the Public Library Catalogue of my province of New Brunswick, Canada. We have a population of just over 750,000. That catalog gives a list of all books accessible throughout the province.

There are 61 entries for LRH as an author (69 in all, the others being books like Barefaced Messiah), each for a different book, CD set or sound recordings. For example, there are 4 copies of Scientology 0-8 : The Book of Basics and 6 copies of The Way to Happiness. There also some of his Sci-Fi work.

I was expecting to see his Sci Fi work, but I was astounded at the number of Scientology books available through the public library system. This doesn’t make any sense, as the closest “church” (a mission, actually) is in the neighbouring province of Nova Scotia. People here may have heard about Scientology because of Tom Cruise and John Travolta, but know very little about the religion and aren’t interested. It made me wonder if these are church sponsored donations.

There are probably many other libraries around Canada, the US and around the world that have Scientology books. Maybe others are also interested in having them removed. I want these books gone! My main question is, “Is this worth it?” Would my time be better spent on something else? When someone is down and vulnerable, coming across a book that claims to have the answers to all your problems can be as damaging as someone asking you if you’re interested in a free stress test. Leah’s series stirred up my activism. I want to do something about this even though I was never in.

(6) I recall that in the video in 1986 after L. Ron Hubbard died, David Miscavige called the year AD 36 and I know that AD is suppose to mean “After Dianetics” but I’m wondering if Scientologists openly use this term in the organization? I have known Scientologists and I don’t remember them ever saying that they believe in this alternate calendar or them using it. When you were in Scientology did you or your friends use this calendar?

(7) I’d like to know, and maybe youve covered this in a past show, if Child Protective Services, have ever taken steps to get children removed from these facilities? I understand that parents have rights to live the way THEY choose, but a child has no say so. Have any children who have ever escaped notified CPS?

(8) Is there anything which gives legitimate status to a public member of Scientology in the eyes of the church staff and Sea Org workers? I can think of wealth, fame and how far up the bridge they are as contributing factors, but is there anything else?

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