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Anonym - warum wir Scientology kämpfen
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1. Was ist Scientology?
Um zu verstehen anonymes - was es ist und warum es besteht - es ist notwendig die Kirche von Scientology zu verstehen und warum es die Aufmerksamkeit erregt hat es hat über dem letzten Hälftejahrhundert oder so.
Scientology wurde durch L Ron Hubbard, ein amerikanischer Zukunftsromanverfasser verursacht. 1950 veröffentlichte er das Buch Dianetics: Die moderne Wissenschaft der Geistesgesundheit. In it, Hubbard claimed that problems facing human beings were the result of engrams, negative experiences stored in an area of the brain called the reactive mind. Through Dianetics techniques – in particular a form of counselling known as auditing – these engrams could be cleansed from the body, freeing the mind and leaving the person with the status of Clear.
At the time Hubbard’s theories were discredited and dismissed by most critics, on psychological, medical and scientific grounds. Undeterred, Hubbard continued his work, moving from Dianetics as a theory of the mind to Scientology as a religious philosophy. Critics have drawn much attention to this, due both to the fact that Scientology did not begin as a religion, and Hubbard’s oft-circulated quote that “if a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.”
As Scientology and Dianetics grew, a number of aspects were added. In particular, a form of recinarnation, in which a person’s soul (or Thetan) passed from one body to the next on death, is described in Hubbard’s book Have You Lived Before This Life? Engrams were thus described as resulting not only from experiences in the subject’s current existence but also from past lives, some lived on alien worlds over a history spanning trillions of years (a figure disputed by scientists as longer than the known age of the universe.) These engrams, much as those incurred during this lifetime, could be cleared through Scientology practices – for a “nominal fee,” of course.
Beyond the status of Clear lie “hidden” levels known as Operating Thetan. An Operating Thetan is a person who, having cast off those forces holding them back, is able to function as a Thetan – a spiritual being. There are a number of Operating Thetan levels (fifteen in total, of which eight have been used so far), each of which reveals another portion of the Church’s teachings, again for a “nominal fee”, the cumulative total for OT8 (that is, Operating Thetan Level Eight) being approximated as nearly three hundred thousand US dollars.
The Church of Scientology now has centres worldwide and the endorsement of celebrities such as Beck, John Travolta, and – perhaps most prominently – Tom Cruise. As the Church has grown, however, so has concern over allegations of authoritarian control of its members, harassment and intimidation of its critics, excessive fees for membership, and cult-like behaviour.
2. Fair Game.
One policy of the Church of Scientology to gain the most criticism is known as Fair Game. L Ron Hubbard, in an internal policy document, described Fair Game as follows:
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ENEMY — SP Order. Fair game. May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.
***
SP in the above refers to Suppressive Person, the Church’s term for its critics.
Perhaps the most infamous application of the Fair Game policy was its use against journalist Paulette Cooper. Cooper wrote an article in 1970 criticising the Church, which was later expanded into a book, the Scandal of Scientology. In it she condemned several activities of the Church, including its financial exploitation of its members, its authoritarian, cultish structure, and abuse within the Church’s elite sector known as the Sea Org.
In response, the Church launched an attempt to drive Cooper to a mental institution or jail through escalating harassment. Methods included obscene phone calls, death threats, blackmail, and the staging of two bomb threats in Cooper’s name against the Church. Attempts were made on her life. This was to be followed by Operation Freakout, in which fraudulent threats supposed to be from Cooper would be made to foreign consulates and the President and Secretary of State.
3. Operation Snow White and the FBI
This, however, was not to be. Another Church “Operation”, dubbed Snow White, had Church agents carrying out infiltrations of and theft from offices of the US government and other entities, in order to purge documents which were unflattering towards the Church in general and Hubbard in particular. This has been described as the largest single infiltration of the US government in history.
During the government investigation into Operation Snow White, the FBI conducted a series of raids on Scientology offices. These raids resulted in the seizure of documents related to other issues, including the plot against Paulette Cooper described above. Another Church project uncovered as a result of the raids was codenamed Project Normandy, the Church’s plan to take over the town of Clearwater, Florida. After purchasing the Fort Harrison Hotel under an assumed name the Church has gradually extended its influence throughout the town, hiring police officers as private security and infiltrating local media.
Operation Snow White was carried out by the Guardian’s Office, an organisation with a mandate to oversee the Church. Following the FBI raids and subsequent jailing of key members of the GO, the Office was shut down, to be replaced by the Office of Special Affairs which continues today.
4. The Sea Organisation
The Sea Organisation (or Sea Org) was founded by Hubbard in 1966 and based on a number of ships located in the Mediterranean Sea. Hubbard, a former member of the US Navy, pronounced himself Commodore and structured the Sea Org along naval lines, a practice which continues today although the majority of Sea Org bases are now on land (with the exception of its ship, the Freewinds). Sea Org staff are required to sign one billion year contracts, pledging to return to work at the Sea Org when their Thetan returns to take control of a body.
Workers for the Sea Org who fail to live up to Scientology standards may be referred to the Rehabilitation Project Force, a series of work camps run by the Org to “rehabilitate” troublesome members. In addition to studying Scientology, residents of the RPF are required to perform gruelling manual labour and live in appalling accomodation. While the Church compares them to the Boy Scouts or US Marine Boot Camps as projects combining labour with ethical instruction, critics see them as more reminiscent of the gulags of the Soviet Union. One former Scientologist described the RPF as follows:
***
It was essentially a prison to which crew who were considered nonproducers, security risks, or just wanted to leave the Sea Org, were assigned. Hubbard’s RPF policies established the conditions.
RPF members were segregated and not allowed to communicate to anyone else. They had their own spaces and were not allowed in normal crew areas of the ship. They ate after normal crew had eaten, and only whatever was left over from the crew meal. Their berthing was the worst on board, in a roach-infested, filthy and unventilated cargo hold. They wore black boilersuits, even in the hottest weather. They were required to run everywhere. Discipline was harsh and bizarre, with running laps of the ship assigned for the slightest infraction like failing to address a senior with “Sir.”
***
Testimony from other ex-members indicates that conditions on land bases are little better. RPF members, as well as working on Sea Org bases, may be deployed to other Scientology sites, allegedly including a number of the “Celebrity Centres” run for the cult’s elite members.
Those who are deemed to have failed to meet the RPF’s standards may be sent to the RPF’s RPF, an even more brutal regime.
5. Lisa McPherson
It is difficult to research Scientology without encountering the tragic story of Lisa McPherson. Lisa, a 36 year old Scientologist, was involved in a car accident in Clearwater, Florida, in 1995. While physically relatively unharmed, her behaviour led hospital staff to believe her to be mentally unstable, and to request that she remain in the hospital for observation. Due to Scientology’s opposition to psychiatry, she, with the help of other Scientologists, checked herself out of the hospital and was placed under the care of the Church.
This care, in line with Scientology teaching, included regular doses of vitamins, protein supplements, and natural remedies. As her physical and mental condition continued to deteriorate, the Church eventually consulted a Scientologist doctor who advised that she be taken to the nearest hospital, an option refused by the Church due to fears that she would be placed under psychiatric care. Instead, she was taken to the doctor in question’s hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The original coroner’s report on her death concluded that it was the result of an embolism triggered by dehydration, and estimated that she had been without fluids for five to ten days. It was also estimated that she had been unconscious for up to 48 hours before being admitted to hospital. A number of marks on her body were identified as consistent with cockroach bites, triggering concerns about the unsanitary conditions in which she was held prior to her death.
6. The Internet
The Church’s relationship with the internet has been a strained one. In 1991, a newsgroup was created named alt.religion.scientology for the purposes of discussion of Scientology and the Church. The group would quickly become a source of heated debate between Scientologists, former Scientologists, critics and agents of the Office of Special Affairs.
In 1994, internal Church documents were leaked to the newsgroup detailing the “secret” Operating Thetan levels. Among these was the aspect of Scientology most known to the public: the story of Xenu, which forms part of Operating Thetan Level 3 (OT3). This story runs as follows:
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75 million years ago, the dictator Xenu was ruler of the Galactic Confederacy, an alliance of planets including Earth (then known as Teegeeack.) Xenu, with the aid of psychiatrists, herded people from these worlds onto space ships (which were exact replicas of Douglas DC-8 aeroplanes, but with the ability to fly through space) under the pretext of a tax inspection, and took them to Teegeeack, where they were arranged around the outside of volcanoes. Xenu then detonated hydrogen bombs inside these volcanoes, killing them all.
The souls (Thetans) of the murdered aliens were then captured and brainwashed (“implanted”) with misleading information including all other world religions and a number of other concepts. These Thetans clustered together in their thousands to form Body Thetans, which attached themselves to then-primitive human beings and continue to this day to cause us problems from depression to sickness to war.
***
As the writers of South Park put it in their episode satirising Scientology, THIS IS WHAT SCIENTOLOGISTS ACTUALLY BELIEVE.
The posting of these documents led to legal action on the part of the Church, who claimed the Xenu story to be copyright and a trade secret – while simultaneously denying its existence. The Church also attempted to have the alt.religion.scientology newsgroup removed, a move attacked by advocates of free expression.
Other actions taken by the Church with regard to the Internet include:
* A lawsuit against Arnaldo Lerma, ex-Scientologist and critic, for republishing the story of Xenu.
* Use of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to force AT&T Worldnet, an internet service provider, to reveal the identity of one of its subscribers who had been posting anonymously to alt.religion.scientology
* Legal action against Google, again using the DMCA, to remove Operation Clambake (a popular anti-Scientology website) from its search results. While Google initially complied, the decision was reversed following mass complaints.
A number of other websites, such as Slashdot.org and YTMND.com, have been the targets of cease-and-desist orders from the Church of Scientology for republishing excerpts of the original Xenu materials.
In 2008 an internal video featuring Tom Cruise was leaked onto the website gawker.com and quickly gained attention due to Cruise’s behaviour, described by many as erratic, bizarre and fanatical. The video was in turn placed on a number of other websites. The Church issued cease and desist orders against websites, including YouTube and Gawker, hosting the video, demanding it be removed.
7. We Are Anonymous
Now we come full circle. As the Church attempted to have the video removed, another video, titled simply “Message to Scientology”, was distributed online. This video, a declaration of war against the Church, coincided with Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks which succeeded in disabling a number of key Scientology websites. This – later described as an opening salvo to grab the attention of the public and the media – quickly evolved into a movement pushing for global demonstrations against the Church on the 10th of February 2008. Demonstrators wore masks resembling those from the film and comic V for Vendetta, to protect their identities from later reprisals from the Church’s Office of Special Affairs, as a symbolic statement against tyranny, and to reinforce the concept of Anonymous: that it is everywhere and nowhere, everyone and no-one.
Described by the church as Nazi-Communist hate criminals in the pay of the German government (which has refused to grant the Church tax-exempt religious status) and the psychiatric establishment, and by the media as “hackers on steroids”, Anonymous is chaotic, disorganised, organic, viral, confusing, amusing and growing. It is in this structureless, leaderless, anarchic environment that many find strength when put against an organisation which is based on, and can only understand, the most rigid forms of authority.
8. Conclusions
As I write this, preparations are already underway for the 15th of March, the next round of global demonstrations, timed to take place close to the birthday of L Ron Hubbard. Critics have come forward to voice their support, ex-members have been given the courage to speak out, and people worldwide are becoming aware that the kooky sect with some strange ideas is the home of a rotten and destructive core. Only time will tell what effect this will have in the long term, and whether the Church can adapt to face its new challenge, but one thing is clear: the Church is under threat.
We are Anonymous.
Expect us.
Comment on 'Anonymous - Why we fight Scientology' :
38 Responses to “Anonymous - Why we fight Scientology”
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Ben
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm | Link to this
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AnonaBlue
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 5:18 pm | Link to this
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Kilia
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 5:23 pm | Link to this
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P>L>
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 5:35 pm | Link to this
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GrnApl
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 5:41 pm | Link to this
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Dental Plan
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 6:20 pm | Link to this
ReplyShows how much you know, in video games, reality is 18 percent relevant.
So there.
Also, I think I’ve seen GrnApl about, lurking with Terryeo, Bgodley, Curioser, James Lightfield, Notanon, and the like.
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elly
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 6:24 pm | Link to this
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The Next Step
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 6:29 pm | Link to this
ReplyCONTACT LIST FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES
The only way that our government can know that you
have been hurt is for you to say “ouch”. Contact
these agencies today. Scientology will no doubt
react with a campaign of their own.
EDUCATION IS NOT A HATE CRIME
In preparation for the March 15, 2008, peaceful protest at Scientology facilities around the world
This is a resource page to aid you in reporting your experience with
the Church of Scientology to U.S. government agencies. Any attempt to silence, intimidate, harass, or prevent you from contacting these agencies should be reported to the FBI or local law enforcement (police or sheriff).The Hon. Henry Waxman, Chairman
U. S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
2157 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Congressman’s phone: 202-225-3976
Oversight Committee Phone: 202-225-5051
Email: go to the Web page at http://oversight.house.gov then click on “contact’
Fax: 202-225-8185This committee should receive copies of all communications made to other governmental agencies
The committee has the power to subpoena witnesses should an investigation ever take place regarding the issuing of a tax-exempt status given to the Church of Scientology in 1993, countermanding a 1989 decision of the U. S. Supreme Court in Hernandez vs. IRS.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Hon. Howard Berman, Chairman
U. S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs
2170 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Congressman’s phone: 202-255-4695
Committee phone: 202-225-5021
Fax: 202-225-2035
E-mail: howard.berman@mail.house.gov
Web: http://foreignaffairs.house.govPersons living outside of the United States can report on the impact that the U.S. acceptance of the Church of Scientology as a tax exempt organization has had in those countries.
* * * * * * * * * *
Michael Cromartie, Chairman
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
800 N. Capital Street, N.W., Suite 790
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: 202-523-3240
Fax: 202-523-5020
E-mail: communications@uscirf.gov
Web: www.uscirf.govThis is one of the most powerful Commissions which form public policy. It makes non-binding policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress in matters involving international religious freedom. This Commission can be informed of the many allegations of Scientology’s violations of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Right which states “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief….”.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Hon. John Hanford, III
Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
The Office of International Religious Freedom
U.S. Department of State
Room 4829a Harry Truman Bldg.
2201 C St. NW
Washington, DC 20520
Phone: 202-647-0463 (Director of the office, Stephen Liston)This office produces the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom which has criticized Germany for its continued surveillance of the Church of Scientology. It works in cooperation with the U. S. Commission of Religious Freedom, established by Congress. It must be encouraged to examine the behavior of Scientology as reported in the German study and which is at the basis of the German action.
* * * * * * * * * *
Mr. John Hein, Director
The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiative
The White House
Washington, DC 20502
Phone: 202-456-6708
Fax: 202-456-7019
www.fbci.govThis office deals with issues involving support of faith-based organizations and their connection to aid programs financed by the Federal Government
* * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Eric Treene Special Counsel for Religious Discrimination
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20530
Phone: 202-353-8622
E-mail: eric.treene@usdoj.gov
FAX: 202-305-2572This new office, established in 2007, deals with the protection of religious liberty but also deals with complaints regarding religious freedom issues. Report attempts by the Church of Scientology to retain members by threats, harassment, forced separation from family members, demands for payments for courses taken in the past in violation of Article 18 of the U. N. Declaration of Human Rights.
* * * * * * * * * *
Commissioner Alcee Hastings, Chairman
Commission of Security and Cooperation in Europe
U.S. Helsinki Commission
234 Ford House Office Bldg
3rd and D St. SW
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-1901
Fax: 202-226-4199
E-mail: info@csce.gov
Web page: www.csce.govThis Commission monitors acts by member nations which reflects compliance or violations of the First Act of the Conference. Violations of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be brought to their attention. In the case of the Church of Scientology, it would apply to the many alleged ways in which they attempt to retain members. (See Department of Justice above.)
* * * * * * * * * *
The Hon. Joseph Biden, Chairman
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
201 Senate Russell Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-244-5042
Fax: 202-244-0139The criticisms which some have regarding the German government’s refusal to recognize the Church of Scientology as other than a profit making organization could be investigated by this committee. A study of the German government’s documents would shed light on the decision Germany made.
* * * * * * * * * *
Commissioner Andrew C. Von Eschenback, MD
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
www.fda.govIssues regarding claims made by the Church of Scientology regarding health issues and programs and instruments used to deal with health issues could be brought to the attention of the FDA. Persons who have experienced adverse effects from acting upon the medical recommendations of Scientology should document their personal experiences.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Hon. Henry Paulson, Jr.
Secretary of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20220
Phone: 202-622-1100
Fax: 202-622-0000
Web: www.ustreas.govThe Secretary of the Treasury has responsibility for the Internal Revenue Service. Persons with knowledge of issues involved in the granting of a tax-exempt status to the Church of Scientology in 1993 or other information regarding the financial activity of the organization or any of its front groups could direct their concerns directly to his office with a copy to
Acting Director Linda Stiff
Internal Revenue Service
1111Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20224
Phone: 202-622-9511
Email: irs.commissioner@irs.govand
IRS EO Classification
Mail Code 4910DAL
1100 Commerce St.
Dallas, TX 75242
Fax: 214-413-5415
Email: eoclass@irs.gov* * * * * * * * * *
The Hon. John Conyers, Chairman
House Judiciary Committee
Room 2138 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C., 20515
Phone: 202-225-3951
Fax: 202-225-7680
Web: www.judiciary.house.gov
Email: john.conyers@mail.house.gov/conyersThis committee should be made aware of the abuse of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act which is used by the Church of Scientology to silence critics.
* * * * * * * * * *
To find contact information for your local Senator
or Congressman go to:
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grnApl
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 6:38 pm | Link to this
ReplyGrnApl’s comment above is trying to copy my internet presence. I’m the real grnApl here to tell you that Anonymous is a bunch of evil, baby-eating, cyber-terrorists controlled by the German government, Psychiatrists worldwide - all under the control of malevolent space-aliens. How dare this individual pretend to be me and not use the phrase “religious bigots”!!! Or compare Anonymous to the Nazi’s and KKK - it’s obviously not actually grnApl ranting there!
grnApl - Scientology’s internet spokesman!
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Fredricf L. Rice
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 8:17 pm | Link to this
ReplyGo Anonymous! Go Operation Reconnect!
Anonymous has been around long before this latest flap with the Scientology crime syndicate. This is the first time that Anonymous has actually addressed an effort of such overwhelming benefit, however.
I approved! Anonymous will help eliminate Scientology’s crimes and abuses once and for all.
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sWARm>
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 8:30 pm | Link to this
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Lake
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 9:03 pm | Link to this
ReplyWhile I well expect this username (Lake) to be trashed (as has been done with GrnApl’s username above), I will respond anyway.
The allegation that Hubbard said “start a religion to make a million” has been largely debunked here:
http://www.scientologymyths.info/l-ron-hubbard/did-hubbard-say-the-way-to-make-a-million-dollars-is-to-start-a-religion.phpThe claims regarding “Fair Game” are debunked here:
http://www.scientologymyths.info/fair-game/what-is-fair-game.phpThe description of “SP” is corrected here:
http://faq.scientology.org/page39.htmOperation Snow White and the FBI are addressed here:
http://www.scientologymyths.info/guardians-office/The claims against the Sea Org and RPF are debunked here:
http://www.cesnur.org/2002/scient_rpf_01.htmThe rest of the story about Lisa McPherson (left out in the article above) can be found here:
http://www.scientologymyths.info/lisa-mcpherson/what-happened-to-lisa-mcpherson.phpAnd finally … the issues around the Internet and Xenu can be found at the following two links:
http://www.scientologymyths.info/internet/why-does-scientology-try-to-get-sites-taken-down.php
http://www.scientologymyths.info/aliens/Almost all myths and accusations about Scientology have been taken up and debunked at the ScientlogyMyths website. I encourage anyone who is interested to take a look.
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Gwen
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 10:38 pm | Link to this
ReplyLake, can’t you just ONCE provide a non-scientology site that people can trust as a source of accurate, unbiased information?
Scientology myths is a site made by scientologists, for scientologists.
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Scientology Cult
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 10:40 pm | Link to this
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Pink Floyd
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 11:01 pm | Link to this
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AnonStL
Posted: Feb 28th, 2008 at 11:13 pm | Link to this
ReplyDear Mr.(or Ms.) Lake;
I see you have decided to stray from your Churches tried and true tactics of “Always attack, never defend!”
I would like to congratulate you on your independent thinking! Seriously, very good work. Maybe it will be possible for you to engage in alttile more of this newfound talent of yours, and see your way to leaving the Pyramid Scheme you have unfortuantly been ensnared in. Of course, whetehr you leave the church or not is none of my business-feel free to make up your own mind, of course.
Now, in response to your list of websites, I would merely like to point out that websites funded by Scientology are plainly not the best place to seek information about it. And furthermore, the tenants of your faith, its practices, and Gestapo tactics have long since been revealed; by former members of your faith, by journalists, by internal documents that have leaked into the mainstream. Denying anything at this point is a waste of time. But still, that you have taken the time to provide a reasoned response to Anonymous truth puts you in a good light. I cannot understand why a seemingly reasonable person like yourself is in this Church, but as I said before you mind is your own. I would merely ask that you go to the Freezone(I know you are trained to believe this to be a treasonous act, but since have shown your ability to reason, I would guess you would be willing to at least look at it.), talk to the good people there, learn that your faith does need to come at the expense of your livelihood, or any expense at all for that matter, and than make up your own mind. -
Lake
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 7:31 am | Link to this
ReplyDon’t worry Gwen and AnonStl. The links I provided were not for you and others who have already made up their minds.
To everyone else, please enjoy! (You will be pleased to find that the cited sources at the site are largely from independent locations.)
And feel free to join the followup Q&A conversations in the blog.
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Richard
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 1:38 pm | Link to this
ReplyLake,
a very quick look demonstrated to me that your links contain falsehoods.
I looked at the link on fair game and it is inconsistent with the documented evidence of Hubbard’s own PLs.
First, Fair game and the treatment of ex-scientologists and ENEMYS states: “SP Order. Fair game. May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.” - This is not an order that restricts one to legal practices, although as with all such policies they allow scientology some leway to disavow such acts if they are caught.
Second, the PL that rescinded the fair game declaration policy states:
“The practice of declaring people FAIR GAME will cease.
FAIR GAME may not appear on any Ethics Order. It causes bad public relations.
This P/L does not cancel any policy on the treatment or handling of an SP.”
This last line clearly states that while FAIR GAME is no longer to appear on any ethics order this does not change the way SPs should be handled.
That was PL 21 October 1968, mis-leading entitled “Cancellation of Fair Game”.
I could go on but suffice to say lies are transparent to people outside the church.
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Question For Lake
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 3:50 pm | Link to this
ReplyI got a question For Lake. If Scientology has put all of L Rons works into indestructable precious metal records in the Trementia vault… What happens when your Thetan returns to find the records are different from the scriptures/writtings being taught? What’s a thetan to do? Follow the original records made when Hubbard was alive or the books that have been altered or changed recently? Seriously, any thetan that returns today will have 2 sets of scriptures and instructions. How will your Thetan be able to choose? Is your thetan a purist or a modern day reformist?
BTW: I”m a bystander in all this. I am not affiliated with any anti or pro scientology group, the nation of germany, any branch of the US government, KKK or invading space fleet. Please answer the question as best you can.
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Lake
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 4:13 pm | Link to this
ReplyRichard wrote:
“a very quick look demonstrated to me that your links contain falsehoods.”I think the problem here is with your “very quick look”. Next time, I would suggest taking a deep breath, brushing aside the bias and rumor and taking a look in a calm “beginner’s mind” (Einstein) or “Not know” (Buddha) way.
Richard: “This last line clearly states that while FAIR GAME is no longer to appear on any ethics order this does not change the way SPs should be handled.”
And had you calmly looked a little further, you would have read the following in a legal affidavit made by Hubbard in 1976, when this exact point was being challenged in a court of law:
“6. There was never any attempt or intent on my part by the writing of these policies (or any others for that fact), to authorize illegal or harassment type acts against anyone.
“7. As soon as it became apparent to me that the concept of ‘Fair Game’ as described above was being misinterpreted by the uninformed, to mean the granting of a license to Scientologists for acts in violation of the law and/or other standards of decency, these policies were cancelled.
” The handling of a Suppressive person with regards to the fact that he is not accepted within the Church and may not avail himself of Chaplain’s Courts and other services of the Church due to the fact that he causes trouble and does not make personal gains, remains a stringent Church policy.” - L. Ron Hubbard, 22-March-1976
http://www.scientologymyths.info/fair-game/docs/fair-game-affidavit.htm -
Lake
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pm | Link to this
ReplyQuestion for Lake wrote: “What happens when your Thetan returns to find the records are different from the scriptures/writtings being taught? What’s a thetan to do?”
I love your “What’s a thetan to do part?” That was cute.
Question for Lake: “Follow the original records made when Hubbard was alive or the books that have been altered or changed recently?”
Well, since most of the changes are minor and editorial in nature, it’s really a moot question. But for the fun of it, I’ll play along.
The books have continually been improved and changed to be closer to their original source(s) and in line with the author’s (Ron’s) requests, since they were first transcribed 50 or so years ago, from dictated recordings. For example, the books published in 1988 (after Ron’s death) are in some ways different from their early 1960s and 1970s counterparts, to correct typos, other errors and include changes that Ron had requested prior to his death.
And in the same vein, the 1970s versions were different (due to the same reasons above), from their 1960s versions.
In these newer 2007 versions, the original recordings of these books (not just the transciptions, as had been used earlier) were used to update these books, as some transcription errors had been discovered.
I give one example in a similar answer here:
http://scientologymyths.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/open-questions/#comment-764With regard to “what version is in the vaults?”, I would say that clearly these original book dictations (in audio form and corrected transcription) should be in the vaults. If they are not there already, then I’m sure that the RTC and Church management are making plans to do so.
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ruby wednesday
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 4:46 pm | Link to this
ReplyThe democratic right of Scientologists to do Scientology should be equalled by the democratic right of any Scientologist to discontinue being a Scientologist without pressure from Scientology.
Scientologists hate losing any part of their market & label those who leave either an enemy, or treacherous or confused.
They are like a husband or wife whose spouse no longer wants to continue in the relationaship screaming foul requiring to sue or get even with who no longer wants or likes them. -
memnoc
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 6:48 pm | Link to this
ReplyIts funny how Scientology tries to show anonymous as Nazi, terrorist, 10 year old, baby eaters. Do they have any proof of this. I’ve been lurking around the tubes and not one protest has any anonymous with swastikas, old WW2 uniforms and shouting anything about white power.
There were no acts of violence during the world wide protests. The anonymous protests have been peaceful. None of the Scientology buildings or scientologists have been harmed during the protests.
Hardly the actions of terrorists.All anonymous have masks. How can you tell that their demographic or mindset is that of a teenager living in their mom’s basement. A number of the arguments made by anonymous are quite mature.
Show me a picture of any anon eating a real baby. Any evidence?
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Fever
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 9:58 pm | Link to this
ReplyTo Lake:
Can you possibly debunk any of the stories without the use of a Scientology website? Didn’t think so….
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Ahmed
Posted: Feb 29th, 2008 at 10:26 pm | Link to this
ReplyLake has been quite conscientious in responding to the questions asked of him or her. I hope that he or she can continue this work.
The following is addressed to Lake:
Sir or Madam,
My biggest concern about the Church of Scientology is that its official policies seem to disregard the benefits of peer-review. It is obvious that every prospective scientologist has the option to weigh all of the available information before becoming involved with the church, but it seems as though there exists relevant information which is not readily available.
I hope that you can answer for me why certain documents provided by the Church are only available to devout members after a certain amount of time, dedication, or resources have been pledged or rendered. The readiest example would be the higher texts of the Operating Thetan Levels, such as OTIII, which costs a significant sum of money when all of the necessary pre-requisites are factored in. This example stands in contrast to texts such as Dianetics, which is available in most bookstores, albeit at only a nominal fee. A much starker contrast occurs in light of the fact that in most major religions the scriptures that lend credence to beliefs are readily available to anyone upon request, free of charge and open to debate.
I’m especially curious of the Church’s derisive stance on psychiatry. While psychiatric studies are regularly published in respected scientific journals with the purpose of exposing such studies to criticism and disapproval, the Church seems to avoid such proven methods as peer-review. In the eyes of the general public, this policy will serve to undermine the credibility of such experiments, as it seems to discard the standard of the scientific method, which has been in widespread use since at least the 18th century.
It’s common knowledge that any theory, regardless of its source, cannot be proven correct but only disproven, and it follows logic that this can only be reliably accomplished by processes open to peer-review. It seems ironic to me that an organization whose name itself derives from the same root as “science” would systematically remove itself from such scientific things as the “scientific method”.
I hope, Lake, that you have the patience to walk me through your explanations for this. I have already read both sides of the debate on all these issues, and the Church’s stance on peer-review has not yet been explained. I’d be most pleased to read your take on these things.
Eagerly awaiting your response,
Ahmed -
Rao
Posted: Mar 1st, 2008 at 2:20 am | Link to this
ReplyI have a question for Lake. Scientology’s hatred of Psychiatrists is well known. I think Hubbard’s comments below about Psychiatrists seem rather insane. What is your position on this memo, written by Hubbard to a private investigator? What do you think is Scientology’s position? Thanks.
“A psychiatrist today has the power to (1) take a fancy to a woman (2) lead her to take wild treatment as a joke (3) drug and shock her to temporary insanity (4) incarnate [sic] her (5) use her sexually (6) sterilise her to prevent conception (7) kill her by a brain operation to prevent disclosure. And all with no fear of reprisal. Yet it is rape and murder.
We want at least one bad mark on every psychiatrist in England, a murder, an assault,or a rape or more than one. This is Project Psychiatry. We will remove them.”
- L. Ron Hubbard, Sec ED, Office of LRH, Confidential, 22 February 1966, “Project Psychiatry”
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Lake
Posted: Mar 1st, 2008 at 2:26 am | Link to this
Replyruby wednesday wrote: “Scientology should be equalled by the democratic right of any Scientologist to discontinue being a Scientologist without pressure from Scientology.”
Happens all the time ruby wednesday. You don’t hear about it because it isn’t news.
The cases you do hear about are usually embellished, or important elements are left out, putting Scientologists in the poorest light possible. It’s easy to do, since most readers are fairly unfamiliar with Scientology, Church polity, etc.
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Lake
Posted: Mar 1st, 2008 at 4:14 am | Link to this
ReplyAhmed wrote: “My biggest concern about the Church of Scientology is that its official policies seem to disregard the benefits of peer-review.”
First, I love discussing the relationship of Scientology to science and the scientific method. I took up this question yesterday at the following link. Take a look at this first, and then let’s discuss:
http://scientologymyths.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/questions-questions-questions/#comment-750I also touch on psychiatry, and how it fits in.
With regard to OT III and the alien mythos, the short answer is that OT III and Xenu are not core and fundamental ideas in Scientology. The core, fundamental and most advanced ideas in Scientology are publicly available in websites, books and lectures freely available in libraries around the world.
With all that said, the question remains: Are the results of Scientology open to traditional scientific inquiry? Yes and no. Many of them are. Some of it has been scientifically studied, some of it continues to be. For the latter, I would suggest this recent paper, which discuesses Hubbard’s “sauna detox” approach:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/
(search on “sauna therapy”)
The CIA “remote viewing” research done by Stanford Research Institute in the 70s, followed up with more research in the 80s, was initially done with Scientology OTs (two of them were among the highest scorers throughout the “remote viewing” testing). This research effectively confirmed the reality of “remote viewing” (or “exteriorization” in Scientology parlance), and provided some evidence into Scientology’s ability to help people achieve it. (Wiki or google “Pat Price”, “Ingo Swann”, “Hal Puthoff”, “remote viewing”, SRI and SAIC.)
Though the following don’t support the effectiveness of Scientology, per se, they do tend to support the Scientology theory that human consciousness does not reside in the brain.
- Research done by Dr. Ian Stevenson in the 70s provides *very* compelling evidence for the reality of past lives. To this day, there hasn’t been a convincing counter-argument to his findings, though some of the best reincarnation skeptics have tried.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Stevenson- Research done by British neurologist John Lorber demonstrated scientifically that full higher mental functioning can exist in people with “virtually no brain” (e.g. an honors math major with an IQ over 120, can have a severe case of hydrocephalus [5% normal brain mass], and still remain as smart and normal as the next guy). This brings into question many of the theories that surround the brain-source of higher mental functioning and intelligence.
http://www.flatrock.org.nz/topics/science/is_the_brain_really_necessary.htmBut take a look at the links above. I’d love to discuss.
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Lake
Posted: Mar 1st, 2008 at 5:28 am | Link to this
ReplyRao wrote: “What is your position on this memo, written by Hubbard to a private investigator? What do you think is Scientology’s position?”
Let me first give you my position on psychiatry, and then I’ll address your questions above.
I think of the psychiatric methods of psycho-active drugging, ECT and psychosurgery used over the last 50 years, the way I think of “blood letting” that was used over 200 years ago. I think it is barbaric, and I think there are better non-physically damaging methods to treat the human mind.
I realize that at least in the case of ECT and lobotomy, today, most people generally agree with this view (though ECT is still considered a “last resort” in today’s traditional psychiatric hospitals, and Brown University [and I believe Harvard] are experimenting with a new form of lobotomy/psychosurgery as a “last last resort”).
http://www.ahrp.org/infomail/03/08/06.phpAnd so, though they still exist, the use of ECT and psychosurgery has been reduced drastically since the 1970s. Scientologists and their supporters played their share in the role of bringing this reform about.
That leaves us with psycho-active drugs.
In some ways, the situation with SSRIs and other psycho-active drugs is even worse than the 1950s/1960s ECT/lobotomy mental-health world, since these earlier methods were largely contained within psych wards. ECT and lobotomy are perhaps more brutal, but their use was stemmed before they went too much further. Today, with the drugs, they are everywhere. They are being given to millions of kids and they are being given out as a first line of treatment for common changes in human behavior and brain chemistry, long before brain science really understands the nature of consciousness, emotions, happiness, etc. We have “correlatory” information, but in my view, not enough to justify throwing substances like SSRIs into the mix.
Finally, there is the argument that psychiatry is not all about drugs, ECT and lobotomies — that there is such a thing as “talk therapy” and other related non-drug therapies. While these are generally used more by psychologists than psychiatrists, the point is valid. And the truth is, if we get to the point in society where physically damaging methods are no longer being used in mental health, I think you’ll see the Scientologists backing off considerably. In fact, I already point people to sites like, when they’re looking for mental health help:
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/And in fact, so does the Scientology supported CCHR (psychiatric reform group):
http://www.cchr.org/resources/Which brings us full-circle to the original questions: what do I think of Ron’s 1966 position on psychiatry? And what do I think of Scientology’s position today on psychiatry?
In answer to Ron’s position, his statements were made in the days of a pretty brutal mental health industry (as covered above). If we were still doing “blood letting” today with what we now know in anatomy and medical science, I would hope many people would take the same position as Ron did, against what he felt was the modern equivalent of “blood letting”. Ron also wrote essays fully expecting that the field of mental health would be reformed one day, and that the fight wouldn’t go on forever.
With regard to Scientologist’s position today on psychiatry, it is generally as I described above. Psycho-active drug use is rampant, ECT is still in use (and some say growing) and lobotomies are still considered a “last last resort”. So I think Scientologists still feel that cages need to be rattled. Abuses and dangers need to be exposed. And I support that.
The playing field IS a scientific one however, and while lobbying, leaflets and all the rest can and should be used as tools by Scientologists and their supporters, statements made and facts presented do need to be backed up with logical, scientific and/or solid evidence.
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Anonymous
Posted: Mar 1st, 2008 at 5:50 am | Link to this
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Lake
Posted: Mar 1st, 2008 at 6:16 am | Link to this
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Curiouser
Posted: Mar 1st, 2008 at 6:56 am | Link to this
ReplyDon’t you think it’s curious that these attacks are practically endorsing psychiatry to take over the world instead of Scientology. But Scientology isn’t trying to take over the world. Rather corporations who worship the almighty dollar and one of their latest products is psychotropic drugs. It’s curiously convoluted that their actions are supposedly motivated by the same lies they espouse. If it’s about money then who is getting rich. L. Ron Hubbard probably ended up with less money than he started with. David MsCavidge doesn’t live in the lap of wealth either. Follow the money and if somebody is getting wealthy off of Scientologists, I’d like to know. On the other hand PsychoPharms are getting rich practically forcing psychotropic drugs on school children. Sounds like legalized drug pushing to me. The organization that is fighting this is CCHR by fighting laws sponsored by PsychoPharms to make it possible to force pyschotropics on people. At one time I was skeptical but I talked to the homeless and found out they are generally the products of psychotropics. Check out the campus shooters and you will find out they were prescribed psychotropics for a little anxiety. Many others just commit suicide It would seem people are supposed to believe they would have gotten even worse had they not taken these drugs. I’m not worried about Anonymous destroying Scientology but rather that people are being encouraged to get psychotropic prescriptions. What will these drugs do for you. If you go to a Scientology organization they will ask you if you have a history of Psychiatric treatment such Electroconvulsive therapy or psychotropics. If you say yes they will ask very specific details and most likely they will tell you that you cannot join. The reason for this is that Scientology will not be able to help you.
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Tara
Posted: Mar 1st, 2008 at 7:17 pm | Link to this
ReplyFirst, it is hopelessly naive to think that Miscavige doesn’t live in the lap of luxury. That is just laughable. Are you kidding? He lives like a king. I bet that for every person (e.g. Travolta) who says “Scientology saved my life,” I could find you 10,000 people who say that Psychiatry saved their lives. Including myself. The truth is that the overwhelming majority of people treated by psychiatrists are grateful and appreciative of the relief they get from medication. On the topic of ECT, besides the fact that it is much less common than several decades ago, there are now much stricter standards of informed consent, and it is performed with a great deal more finesse than in the past. The same is true of lobotomy, which is even less common. Yes, there is a problem with the “pushing” of pharmaceuticals, but this extends to far more than just psychiatric drugs. There are constantly new drugs pushed on TV for “restless leg syndrome” and other made-up conditions. But none of this is because of sinister plotting by Nazi Psychiatrists from the Marcab Confederacy out by the Big Dipper who Manipulate Anonymous through the German Secret Service and Who in Fact Still Rule Germany Today (as is feared by Miscavige et al). It is the pharmaceutical industry who do this. Business and marketing. The “American Dream” is responsible for this. Some doctors buy into these drug fads too much, but even then, most of their colleagues are openly skeptical of such doctors.
L. Ron Hubbard was given Vistaril (hydroxyzine) by Scientology physician Dr. Gene Denk in his final days, by intramuscular injection in the right buttocks. Vistaril is a psychiatric drug, used to calm frantic or overly anxious patients. If you put “Hubbard death certificate” (without the quotes) into Google, it’s the first link you’ll get. The toxicology report and the coroner’s report are right there.
“The total management of anxiety, tension and psychomotor agitation in conditions of emotional stress requires in most instances a combined approach of psychotherapy and chemotherapy. Hydroxyzine has been found to be particularly useful for this latter phase in its ability to render the disturbed patient more amenable to psychotherapy in long term treatment of the psychoneurotic and psychotic”
“Benzedrine often helps a case run.” - L. Ron Hubbard, “The Intensive Processing Procedure,” 1950
“I’m drinking lots of rum and popping pinks and greys.” - L. Ron Hubbard in a 1967 letter to his wife. (Bent Corydon and L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. a.k.a. Ronald DeWolf, L. RON HUBBARD: MESSIAH OR MADMAN? Random House 1989)
“This is the correct procedure: Spot who is attacking us. Start investigating them promptly for felonies or worse using our own professionals, not outside agencies. Double curve our reply by saying we welcome an investigation of them. Start feeding lurid, blood sex crime actual evidence on the attackers to the press. Don’t ever tamely submit to an investigation of us. Make it rough, rough on attackers all the way.” — L. Ron Hubbard, Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter, 25 February 1966
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Anon
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2008 at 4:42 am | Link to this
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Lake
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2008 at 10:38 am | Link to this
ReplyRE: everyone - Please disregard all of my previous comments. You were right. After some soul-searching and conversations with some Freezoners and with some family members with whom I had long ago disconnected under pressure from the Church, I have come to the conclusion that L. Ron Hubbard was wrong. I was wrong. I believe David Miscavige is Squirreling the Tech and is abusing his position of trust, using public donations to make his own life more comfortable while real Scientologists suffer needlessly. This religion has destroyed my life and my bank account, and I don’t know how to get out. Most of all, I don’t know what I can do to make it up to all of you. Please accept my sincere apologies for misleading you all and defending the Church of Scientology, whose documented history of REAL crimes and intolerable persecution of anyone who disagrees with their official doctrine is morally indefensible and inexcusable in a democratic country. All along I thought I had been defending freedom of speech, while in reality I was suppressing it. I was violating the rights of others by psychologically manipulating them into joining the Church, and now I don’t think I can convince them to get out.
I am now an SP awaiting declaration. These are my crimes. If anyone posts after this with my username claiming that this post was not written by me, it is just an OSA attempt at damage control. Ignore them.
I think they’re outside my house now.
OH SHI-
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Anonymous
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 am | Link to this
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Anonymous
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 am | Link to this
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Anonymous
Posted: Mar 2nd, 2008 at 12:48 pm | Link to this
ReplyLake, I find it interesting that the only questions you answer in any detail, are the ones that relate to psychiatry; you refer all of the substantive Scientology/Hubbard related questions back to the PR site scientologymyths.
I put it to you that the reason for this is because your only arguments of any merit, are those which relate to psychiatry; I may not agree with your position on this, but I can at least hear points that have some merit.
That’s not the case with the subject that’s presumably closest to your heart. It’s as though you know that you’re defending an indefensible position, and so don’t even attempt it.
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I do not want my children growing up in a world where a CULT like Scientology has infiltrated the governments through blackmail and bribery.
I feel nothing but pity for those inside laboring away for their overlords like rats running on a wheel.
THANK YOU Anonymous
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NEVER GIVE UP