If you're a Scientologist, you should act now!
Andreas Heldal-Lund
Do you believe there are good things in Dianetics and/or
Scientology? You don't have to be afraid to admit it, it's your
freedom of opinion and you should not be ashamed and nobody should
feel the need to hide their opinions.
If critics scare you, it's most likely because you agree with what
they say more than you like to admit.
Forget for a moment the debate about Hubbard being mad or not,
forget Xenu and all the incredible lies. Forget the horrible
testimonies from former members. You may have the opinion that your
experience with CoS was good for you, or at least not a bad one.
You probably also have experienced that most of the Scientologists
you met were nice people. I surely don't argue with you on that.
Try looking at what is actually happening with Scientology.
Anybody having an opinion about Scientology can't ignore the fact
that more people than ever before are being made aware of its darker
sides. You may agree with some of those accusations or not, it
doesn't matter. What matters for Scientology is that most people who
hear about CoS and listen to the representatives of it do get
alarmed and worried.
It's not the critics fault there is something to criticise.
Scientology's real enemy isn't the critics, all we can do is raise
awareness in peoples minds. If the criticism is unfair or wrong, I
trust most people will see the truth in the end. Truth always prevail
if all are given equal chances to give their opinion. Most religions
manage to live very well alongside their critics, and that's how it
is supposed to be in our democratic and free society. If Scientology
is good, having critics should not be a threat to it.
On the contrary.
The biggest threat to your religion is the upper management in CoS.
What if it's true that David Miscavige would dump you or any other
good Scientologist just to secure his power? Are you willing to
gamble on a management that is in a position where only your religion
is at risk and not them? Is it fair to you and to what you believe
in?
I think not.
If you care at all about the future of Scientology, you should
considered the following issues:
- MAKE THE "TECHNOLOGY" PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
Look at other religions today, their problem is not that people
have access to the teaching. Long time ago many priests argued
that the Bible should not be translated to the native languages,
they felt threatened by the thought that ordinary people could
read and make their own opinions. All religions based on the
Bible still have clergy, so the threat wasn't realistic.
- REMOVE THE POSSIBILITY OF BIG INCOME
That's the best your best guarantee against fraud. Money and
assets now held by the CoS gives Miscavige and others incredible
power. And power corrupts. It is very possible that they will
sacrifice the good members and any good side of Scientology, in
order for them to hold that power. Take control of CoS and make
accounts public so that also members can assure that your shared
money and assets are used in accordance to the true wish of all.
- REMOVE THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP
CoS is going downhill and taking anything possibly good in
Scientology with them. The posthumous reputation of Scientology
will be all the negative issues. If you let this happen. Take
control of your belief and show us Scientologists are good and
have the will to assure those concerned that you will do
everything possible to make sure nobody in the organisation are
hurting others.
- OPEN THE ORGANISATION
Show your good will by making information about its activities
etc public. Show that you are willing to change, and that it
means a lot to you that others trust you. Even people outside
CoS, since you also have to find a way to live in good relations
with them.
- START FRESH
Make a public apology to everybody ever hurt in the name of CoS.
It doesn't matter who's fault it was, if people feel they have
been hurt then you should act. Take a stand on the different
issues addressed by the critics of CoS. Also address the more
problematic practises of CoS and directives from Hubbard. Admit
to the errors of the past, even those in the files which still
isn't know.
- END ALL ONGOING LEGAL BATTLES WITH CRITICS
Allow people who have been forced to keep their silence to again
speak their mind.
- SECURE THE FUTURE
Make a plan for how Scientology can exist in society and work in
CoS, without it being a threat to anybody. What will be done to
assure that errors will not be repeated?
- ANALYZE THE PAST
Try to explain what went so wrong, and how it was possible.
You have the freedom to believe in what ever you want. You must find
your happiness. If that is Scientology, you should fight for it. Not
support the ones who corrupt and destroy it. It may sound weird now,
but in the fight for your religion, the critics of the same could be
your best ally.
Take care.
Best wishes, Andreas Heldal-Lund
Operation Clambake: www.xenu.net SP4 & Adm. TOXE CXI
_______________________________________________________________
"If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in
thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which
never yet hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion
and ignorance which does harm." -- Marcus Aurelius
Zinj
An absolutely excellent post Andreas and here's my 'Me Too' for it.
Zinj
In article <35999117....@193.212.213.145>, hel...@online.no says...
--
I don't believe in the tech; think it's rubbish; think Hubbard was a
megalomaniac who in the end was eaten by the demons he released.
Don't forget - Last Rat off the Ship Goes to Jail
Starshadow
--
Bright Blessings,
Starshadow SP4, Granny Dyke
Podkayne
In article <35999117....@193.212.213.145>, hel...@online.no (Andreas
Heldal-Lund) wrote:
[An excellent post, much better than my post to AOL-ACLU Scn
(Scientology--The Unvarnished Truth. I reposted it there, here's mine:]
Sorry bout the formatting, the originals used <spit> html.
===Selene:
First let me state that Scientology is not my religion . I have studied the
technology since 1973 . I apply it moment to moment in my life . I have
never felt it a religion , only good life solving concepts that work for me
, so I use them religiously .. I am grateful to have been led to the Org at
a young age.
I don't go near the orgs now because I don't like much of the way they
bother people. They are becoming as bad as Jehova Witness's and Born Agains
in my eyes . I do thinkthe knowledge is excellent.
===Poddy:
One major complaint I have with the CoS is that the're dogmatic
fundamentalists - the analogy to similar Xtian groups is a good one.
They're highly resistant to change and highly critical of anyone who
suggests that it's less than perfect.
I'd really be curious how many long-time Scns are aware of how the CoS is
run now, and if they are, how they think it compares. Some of the other
board members have been Scns for 20-30 years.
So I have a question for Selene (and any other long-time members):
What do you not like about the orgs today?
What do you think would happen if you complained about those things?
If you expect them to seriously consider your complaint, and instead they
accused you of having the problem, what would you think of that?
===Selene:
I have two major complaints with the org that keep me from attending group
activities. One...They are too pushy . I wasn't pushed into it . I was led
, by myself into it . I quietly walked into a building in Canada , with an
interesting symbol on the door and found home.
The writing did it for me. I use the concepts verbatim daily. I love the
stuff .
Second.... The cost is in appropriate for those just looking...You can
always get scholarships or could but I don't think they make people aware of
that. i have paid for other people's courses , such as my Mom and Son and
best friend . There are little courses in life management you can take in an
afternoon that really add skills to creating the reality we want instead of
the one we fear.
I have been put down much around the AOL boards for my postings. Oh well ..
I am the only one here it seems that has kept up practice in their TR'S ..
TR #2..confront.. kindergarten stuff...
Have to run...building a Healing Arts Center...
Lron...@aol.com
Here's another me too post. Bravo Andreas excellant post!
Lronlied http://members.aol.com/ggt711/
-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
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Just Wog
Andreas, I also agree with you. Well scn, your response or what changes? Bob
Andreas Heldal-Lund
Got this mail as a reply (sender removed), this
is my reply:
-------------------------------------------------------------
At 06:46 PM 6/28/98 -0400, you wrote:
>
>Nice piece. But I fear that attempting logical, constructive dialogue with
>the hardened $cientologist is useless. You _may_ be able to reach the
>person who's not too far along in the T/R's, or one who has been getting
>steady negative feedback already (from family and friends), but dialogue
>with a hardcore $cieno?
>
>Good luck.
There is none, have never been or will ever be one
ultimate answer to any problem or challenge. Things
take time and a lot of hard work from different
angles. That's what makes results, all those small
good "seeds" plantet carefully by as many as possible.
So, I'm aware of the challenges, I don't need to be
reminded that it will be difficult. I'm looking for
support and a pat on the back telling me to keep going.
I need people to set examples for me. I don't need
people telling me "that is impossible" or "you should
rather do it that way". I need people who dare to act
even if it isn't the ultimate solution they have. I
need people to be good examples to me, who can
inspire me when I'm down and tired, and when things
doesn't go very well. I admire people who does not
give up even if they make errors and aren't perfect.
Looking at the different things I've done, I hope the
letter to Scientologists fits in as a good "seed"
along side the rest. Maybe it will have absolutely no
effect on Scientologists, but it still was good for
me writing it. Or else I would not have done so.
If we stopped trying just because it wasn't 100%, we
would never even get 0.1%.
Take care.
(PS: also posted to ARS without your name on it)
Best wishes, Andreas Heldal-Lund
Operation Clambake: www.xenu.net SP4 & Adm. TOXE CXI
_______________________________________________________________
"Throughout history it has been the inaction of those who could
have acted, the indifference of those who should have known
better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered
most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph."
- Haile Selassie
CLKates
Andreas, thank you for an excellent post. Scientologists, the public ones
especially, tend to believe what OSA tells them, that they are hated here; that
critics are religious bigots. I know I believed it. And a post like this will
be controversial to Scns, but the ones I know would sit and take a long hard
look at what they are doing in this organization. I firmly believe, for
example, that the Freezone has incredible potential as a way out and a way
forward.
Scientologists, in general, are Scientologists not because of PLs, Ethics, OSA,
the Sea Org, admin tech, Int Mgmt, or anything related. Most staff members
don't revere the current leadership; a lot of them have an *excellent*
Guillaume Lesevre impression. Scientologists are Scientologists because they,
basically, like auditing. They believe it has helped them, and they believe in
the tenets of Scn. David Miscavige doesn't keep them in, the tech they love
does.
I don't love the tech, and I don't believe in the principles of Scientology
anymore. But I still know people who do, in and out of CoS. My problem with CoS
is not with its theories, or its strange beliefs, but with its exploitation of
its members and harassment of its enemies, with the mind control techniques it
employs, with the Orwellian dictatorship within, with its abuses, outrages, and
deaths, with the trail of shattered lives it has left.
Speaking for myself, and likely for most others, I don't want to end your
religion or destroy your beliefs. But I won't stand by while a vicious, greedy
organization practices mind control--not religion, but mind control. And that
is what the CoS, as such, is, as I see it.
I urge CoS members to look into their hearts. And I know that at least some,
and, IMO many, CoS members desire reform. I also know that they do not speak
publicly. As far as each knows, he is alone. And I urge CoS members, as well,
look into the Freezone. It is the difference between a dictatorial organization
which promises freedom, and a loose network which encourages freedom, and that
is all the difference in the world.
Charlotte Kates
EldonB123
Yes, Andreas, again thank you.
The Catch-22 here is that Scientology's fascist management and "ethics"
systems are set up like a centrifuge. They separate out the democratic elements
and spew those people out of the organization.
Those who question or object to mistreatment or hypocrisy are "rehabilitated"
(or brainwashed) into obedience through ethics actions.
And the real true believer fanatic robots are programmed into management,
where they tell each other fascist fantasies.
I really think some form of passive resistance may be the only answer. Get
them to stop spending money, and just do a sit-down strike. That they might do.
They will probably not attempt to take control in the active sense. They have
already been taught that an uprising would be unthinkable, and they can't think
that much anyway.
But they might just drop out for awhile and stop and wait to see what
everybody else does. That is about as much self-determinism as they have left,
sad to say. It will hurt financially. And as someone said, "follow the money."
Or, in this case, stop the money and make them spend more.
The biggest revolt actually happened in LA when Bonnie Bishop of Apple School
was declared in the early 1980s. A group of influential Scienos signed a
statement that they would NOT disconnect. That got management's knickers in a
big twist. It might be a clue as ot how this could be effected. People really
do hate disconnection. It definitely fucks up their communication lines. And
LRH did say, "When in doubt, communicate." He might have been honest about that
at least.
belad...@my-dejanews.com
Simply amazing letter. I'm there all the way.
SP 2
Andreas Heldal-Lund wrote:
> Do you believe there are good things in Dianetics and/or
> Scientology? You don't have to be afraid to admit it, it's your
> freedom of opinion and you should not be ashamed and nobody should
> feel the need to hide their opinions.
>
> If you care at all about the future of Scientology, you should
> considered the following issues:
>
> - MAKE THE "TECHNOLOGY" PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
> - REMOVE THE POSSIBILITY OF BIG INCOME
> - REMOVE THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP
> - OPEN THE ORGANISATION
> - START FRESH
> - END ALL ONGOING LEGAL BATTLES WITH CRITICS
> - SECURE THE FUTURE
> - ANALYZE THE PAST
>
Wow! That was a great post, Andreas. Here is another "Me, too!"
As I have often stated, I believe that people should be free to practise
Scientology - I have no problem with that. What I have a very real
problem with is the manner in which the Church of Scientology operates.
The Co$ does *not* allow its members to think for themselves (e.g., not
allowing members to read critical information), often takes FORCEFUL
steps to dissuade members from leaving the church (e.g., abductions,
using blackmail material from PC folders), contributing to the deaths of
some of its members (e.g., Lisa McPherson), and not allowing believers
to practise the faith away from the Co$.
Scientology can be practised without Fair Game, RPF, harassment and
slander of critics, and all of the stuff that thet Co$ does on a routine
basis. The Freezone is an example of that.
Church of Scientology - redeem and reform yourself! Of course, this
reform can happen only from within, but perhaps pressure from outside
will help.
Anyway, nicely done, Andreas. <golf clap>
--
"Commodore" SP 2