Critical Q&A

This week it’s answers about Orwell’s influence on Hubbard, belief based on books or symbols, the top reasons why Scientology is imploding now and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) Given the level of control in Scientology, do you think that LRH was influenced by George Orwell (1984, Animal Farm) and Aldous Huxley (Brave New World). Those books are about controlling society and how people are allowed to behave, think and feel and fit within Steven Hassan’s BITE model. Curious about your thoughts on how those works affected the development of Scientology and other cults.

(2) In my life, I have had numerous occasions where I have discussed religion with local Christians who have attempted to add me to their fold. Being an open minded critical thinker, I have had no issue discussing the topic with them. However, one thing has always frustrated me. They will not put the Bible down when talking about their faith even when I ask them directly. Everything they say is related to or directly from the Bible. Is this common in religion? If I could somehow get them to put aside the holy book, would I be more successful in arguing my point, which is that unfortunately, there likely is no God and we die and that’s the end of it? I figure that if they are going to try to convert me, I am free to express my view as well. They initiated the conversation, not me. Anyways, thanks for answering and keep up the good work.

(3) What do you feel would be your top 5 reasons/happenings of Scientology implosion in the past 2 decades? As an example It could be Mike Rinder’s blog, the Going Clear Doc —- your channel? Looking at a two decade view. 

(4) It seems to me that tons of Scientology celebs have works on films and movies that feature people not being absolutely quiet during scenes of violence or trauma, something which, according to Dianetics, causes debilitating engrams. Unlike removing engrams, there is no money to be made in preventing engrams. But assuming that Hubbard’s theories are uncontestable scientific fact, wouldn’t society be radically healthier within a generation if we discouraged dialogue and excessive noise such a sirens after tramatic events? Shouldn’t there be a Citizens Commission for Being Quiet during Accidents, a front group that would picket movies like Jack Reacher for setting a bad example of engram-generating activity?

(5) At any point when you were a Scientologist, did it become apparent to you that there were many things that people outside of Scientology knew that Scientologists didn’t? For example, but not exclusively, OT3 and Xenu. Did you ever ponder upon how it was that non-Scientologists could know such things?

(6) I’m interested in learning more about Narconon. I’ve seen “The Group” documentary and some news reports about destructive cults that use things like the Alcoholics Anonymous curriculum and severely distort them to control people, take their money, and abuse them. Is it similar with Scientology and Narconon? Or is it just the Purification Rundown scam? Thanks for raising awareness about Scientology and other destructive groups.