Today I decided to run form my apartment to my parent's house ... besides it being a much longer run than i had originally planned, I got to have a chat with some anti-church of scientology guys. I was running and stopped to ask them some questions.
They wore mask much like in the movie V for Vendetta. I asked if they had personally been hurt by the Church of Scientology and they said no but they had many friends who had been. I asked if they had any religious affiliation and one of the guys, a Senior at Foothill, said he was Mormon most of the time. The other gentleman was a freshman at Chapman University said he had grown up Christian but had beliefs of his own. Other than that I asked if they had ever gotten in trouble with the church and they said only once the cops have been called on them.
The guys remained masked while they talked to me and seemed not super energetic. But here they were, about 18 years old on a Friday night holding signs on the corner of Redhill and Irvine protesting this church. I'm impressed that they would have such strong convictions and would spend their time actually doing something about it. But I think if i saw them again I would like to ask them some more questions about their solution to the Church of Scientology or what these people should do if they leave this church.... maybe they should join "Mormon most of the time" or "tailored Christian beliefs". I would also ask what they tell Scientologists in order to make them leave. Just some thoughts.
I'm glad I stopped. Maybe it doesn't matter really matter what "it" is except that your standing up for something.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
In answer to your questions, I think you really underestimate the cultic mindset of a Scientologist.
Every religion has cultic fringe elements, but in Scientology they are inherent. Almost all rank-and-file members go into debt for the cult and will push other members to cut ties with critical family members. Every member has an almost unshakeable belief that Scientology will save the world and that they must be the only member who doesn't get the supernatural powers that have been promised. Where in fact, Scientology is an Orwellian society with systematic abuses such as child labor, slave labor and forced abortions and no-one in Scientology has superpowers.
Even though most realise deep down something is very wrong with the cult, they cannot and will not propose reform as it is the highest crime possible in the cult. They will be kicked out, loose friends and family in the cult and their chance for eternal salvation.
For the same reason, you cannot convice a cult member to leave. Logic reasoning only leads to them clamming up. If you do try, good subjects are the fact that scriptures are constantly changed by management(which is actually a very serious crime), high prices with lack of transperancy and bad treatment of staff.
Although they will always keep up appearances, you may have initiated some doubt.
Perhaps after a few such events, they will go to the internet to look at the forbidden sites with the critical information. Soon enough, they will find out that abuses are very serious and that there is a vast network of ex-members to fall back on. It is them that eventually will convince the cult member to step out.
Sincerely,
A member of Anonymous
I'm glad you stopped to talk to them. It's cool to see people care enough to take action. I also agree with your implication that maybe they hadn't fully thought through what they disagreed with or how they could be most affective. Interesting though.
Post a Comment