Critical Q&A

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comment sections of my Q&A videos or sent to me at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) If I understand correctly, the Sea Org is a paramilitary organization loosely modeled after the U.S. Navy as Hubbard knew it during World War II. Most military forces have policies on haircuts and facial hair. The U.S. Navy, in particular, has a long on-again-off-again relationship with beards; over the years, they have been repeatedly allowed and then banned again (the ban presently in force was instituted in 1984). Also, unlike the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, the Navy doesn’t allow moustaches. Anyway, my question: what, if any, is the Sea Org policy on haircuts and facial hair?

(2) Are you concerned with Jada Pinket’s Red Table Talk. It appears to be a new way to sell Scientology without saying the word. Check out her discussion on raising kids as adults.

(3) Did you grieve when LRH died? If you were too young do you recall your parent’s reaction? Did you feel like you missed the grand old days of LRH’s command coming to the Sea Org after his time?

(4) First, I would like to say that the more I learn from your experiences and from the experiences of your contemporaries (such as Mike Rinder, and Aaron Smith-Levin for example) it hits me that there is a common denominator amongst you all. It’s the fact that all of you guys have started your journey into Scientology, more specifically the Sea Org, with a sincere desire to help your fellow human beings. Despite all of the sacrifices that you guys knew were sure to follow by joining the Sea Org, you guys took a literal “leap of faith”. You all went into that organization knowing full well that the road ahead would not be one that would be easy or filled with the comfortable things that most people in this day and age, especially in this country, are used to having. One must realize (when they see the whole picture) that these actions show what kind of good hearted people you guys must be to even entertain, yet accept such circumstances.

However, you have described in great detail that, Scientology, the vessel you guys had taken to try and help mankind was one that was nothing less than awful and horrible. I understand now (when one sees things in this light) that when you guys had come to the realization that the route you guys had chosen to help so many in this life was rotten to the core, that it must have been a deeply traumatic experience. My question is this: if Scientology wasn’t the corrupt and vile institution it is, would you guys have continued your work in helping mankind? Do you think the sacrifices you guys had been making would have eventually become too much to bear as you all had gotten older?

(5) I watched your video on how not to be “culty” and it was really interesting, but it raises a question that I’ve had for a few years and you might have the answer (I hope). I’ve read about Scientology and other cults for years now. I watched some documentaries and Leah Remini’s series. However, even if you all talk about the “common goal” of saving the world, I don’t find any information on how Scientology was trying to save the world. Did they tell you how you would do it, how to serve the “cause”, which actions they/you were taking? I tried to search the Internet but couldn’t find any information about Scientology’s activities “to save the world.” I know they won’t, but I’m curious to know how they communicate and act about it.

(6) I just read your book Scientology: From A to Xenu. Thank you! In the book you say that the galactic overlord’s real name was Xemu, not Xenu. Why then did you call the book Scientology: From A to Xenu?

(7) Have you ever heard of the video game series “Fallout”? The reason I ask is because even as far back as 1998, they parodied Scientology with an in-game commune called the Hubolgists. They were again referenced in the latest Fallout game and seemed as wacky as ever. The reason I ask is that, in 1998, wasn’t Scientology a lot more legitimate? Have you heard of the Fallout Hubolgists?

(8) Do Scientologists succeed in convincing themselves that the album Space Jazz is good music? Would that be like my (technically) fellow Jews convincing themselves that kosher wine is potable, i.e. because they have to believe this?