Critical Q&A

This week, it’s answers about what to do about potentially dangerous cults, a very personal dive into the Scientology mindset, pets in the Sea Org and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) A few weeks ago, I asked you a question about a fringe QAnon group that had congregated in Dallas in early November to await the revelation (or is it resurrection?) of JFK Jr. Several target dates “prophesied” by the group leader, Michael Brian Protzman, aka Negative48, came and went with no JFK in sight (Junior or otherwise). The group, however, reportedly maintains cohesion (which is not unusual for high-indoctrination groups; they often persist past multiple prophetic failures). Some members joined the group together with their spouses and minor children, others left their families to join. If that was all, we’d have another regrettable waste of time. In late December, however, there were press reports about members discussing suicide as a way to some nebulous “next stage”, as well as about members ingesting toxic chemicals. This has some truly troubling points of similarity with Heaven’s Gate. Do you think we may be heading for a loss-of-life situation?

More broadly, do we have any conceivable ways of defusing this type of situation rather than just letting it devolve? What would be the best response by civil authorities, law enforcement, and the mental health profession? (I’d ask how likely we are to see such a response, but I think you and I are equally pessimistic about this…)

(2) I was listening to Leah and Mike’s show yesterday and they told a story of when Tom Cruise was in the Gold base somebody addressed him as Tom and he was immediately demoted, sent to do hard manual labor and eventually sent to the RPF. Then I realized you too were also sent to the RPF. Did you think the entire time you were there that this was good for you and you deserved this awful situation as it would make you a better Scientologist? If being sent to the RPF doesn’t give you second thoughts about your decisions in joining Scientology, I don’t know what would.

(3) Did anyone around you ever keep a pet in the Sea Org, even if it was smuggled in? I’m assuming they are against policy, but if the Base Captain wanted to have one, would it be allowed?

(4) If you were able to interview Juliette Lewis or Laura Prepon, what questions would you ask them? What do you think their responses would be?

(5) In Critical Q&A #342, you talk about the original and the revised versions of OT 8. My question is whether you have heard about this interpretation betore, whether you know/believe/guess it to be widespread among independent scientologists, and whether you find it likely to be wispered about within scientology itself. The interpretation is this:   “The religious conspiracy Hubbard was fighting against is very real, and the original OT8 is the true OT8: The revised OT8 is simply a cover-up, signifying that David Miscavige is a Suppressive Person and that the Church of Scientology has fallen so badly that it is now a part of the religious conspiracy which Hubbard was fighting against. Thus it is the duty of every true scientologist and follower of Hubbard to fight against the Church of Scientology.”   I’m asking because the revision of OT8 seems like the perfect platform for a theological shism, just like the ones that in the past torn the Christian churches apart.

(6) How will Scientology survive — since the SeaOrg has a “policy” against having children because the work of a Sea Org member is too important to also be burdened with the demands of child care?  Is this a weak link in the church’s ultimate downfall since their most devoted members are not encouraged to reproduce?