Critical Q&A

This is the audio version of Chris Shelton's weekly Critical Question and Answer show on his YouTube channel. In this show, Chris answers questions posed by viewers in the comments section of his Q&A videos or sent by email to AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. Questions cover a wide range of topics but tend to focus on Scientology and critical thinking, as well as Chris' personal experiences with and in the Church of Scientology.

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Critical Q&A #325


This week, it’s answers about the staff attitude in Scientology, why cults might be a bit more prominent than some people seem to think, the straight scoop on Leah Remini being stalked by PIs and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) We all know that Scientology is toxic and I cannot believe that Scientology staff members are delivering positive news every week. Surely they must get together and discuss the fact that they cannot get new members. Do you think it ever occurs to them now that their ability to attract new public is not going to get better? How do they reconcile their dismal results, week after week?

(2) Why is it that despite their excellent skills/tools of manipulation and control, why have cults and similar high control groups managed to remain fairly insignificant? It sometimes feels like these groups should have no problem taking over countries, and yet they always seem to cap out early.

(3) Jon Atack said on his podcast that Tony Ortega reported that two private investigators were arrested for a rape but their primary mission was to assassinate Leah Remini. He really didn’t elaborate on it other than what I just told you. I’d really like to hear your take on this one. I don’t know how Miscavage could be that stupid. If anything happened to her he would be the first person they would look at. I don’t really know the details but I’d like to hear them from you. 

(4) Suppose somebody were to take their first steps into Scientology today. At what point would they be introduced to the concept of ‘implants’? This seems to crop up all over the place, without ever being treated as a discrete subject in itself.  Even when all the engrams have been cleared away, and all the body thetans exorcised away, they are somehow still there, lurking in the background. They seem to fall into three categories: 

a) Current, ‘this world’ abuses of power (psych-ops and so forth);

b) ‘False ideas’ installed in us by the various extra-terrestrial forces of old;

c)  It’s further implied that there will be a ‘re-implanting’ of such ideas in the period after we die.  Is there any explanation offered for how this is done?  Who or what does the implanting?  Where is it done, how is the thetan taken there, and what is the purpose of it?

(5) Hello, I vaguely remember you saying in one of your podcasts that if any Scientologist is convicted of a felony, or misdemeanor that hurts their PR (in a real court of law, that is), then they are kicked out/declared. I was actually surprised to hear this because I know of a few who have been convicted of crimes, (not going to name any names) and sentenced to prison time, (some who were somewhat prominent people and/or had celebrity status) and they are still widely accepted in the church. Which brings me to my question, how does Scientology deal with people, and in particular, public figures/those of celebrity status within the church who are accused and convicted of crimes that substantially tarnish their image, and as a result could make bad PR for the church?

(6) I know in that court case with Danny Masterson there is a religious arbitration excuse Scientology is using because of something the alleged victims signed. Do I need to call Scientology and cancel some kind of contract to make sure that excuse doesn’t get used on me ever?

(7) Every year I go to Dragon-Con, a multi-fandom convention in Atlanta, Georgia.  Every year I see a booth dealing exclusively in Hubbard’s science fiction publications in the dealer’s hall.  It’s pretty obvious that this is a Scientology outreach effort, and in your most recent Q&A you mentioned that Scientology did in fact use sci-fi as a “gateway” to credulous people.

So, my question is this: what kinds of people do they have staffing these booths?  Are they hardcore Scientologists who may be looking for possible recruits, or public Scientologists who are more plugged into the con scene, or something else?  I recognize that you left Scientology some years back and are not likely to have the most current info on minutia like this, but I’d be interested in what you think is likely.

(8) Do you think that it’s appropriate to have a functioning disco ball installed in a daycare?


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 August 1, 2021  48m