I live with someone who is a staff member.  This person wants to leave but still wants to be a Scientologist. They want to do the right thing by this organisation but improve on their life as well. Yet the organisation is preventing them from leaving with BS courses to try and change their mind (we will call this delay tatics), insinuating they are following down the path of a suppressive person (lets call this threats) and not providing a routing form which is something required to find out how to leave. So far my friend has been trying for 4 months to leave.  So you all have a clear picture.  My friend is leaving because Scientology is mostly volunteer and believe it or not people need money to live in this world. As a staff member who isn't paid  you sign a contract which dosen't begin till you finish your training. But in this person case training hasn't finished even after 4 years being a staff member.  Constructive answers appreciated,not interested in people trashing Scientology
212184
Hi there,\nI can help you with this. I am a Scientologist myself and also have been a Church member of staff.\nThere is a standard routing form which your friend's organisation\nshould be providing. The fact that who ever your friend is dealing with\nhas not provided it is totally against Church policy , since if he needs or wants to leave staff, he should not be prevented from doing so, or made to feel wrong in any way.\nI suggest that your friend write an Ethics Report on who ever is responsible for this problem and make sure he sends a copy to this persons senior, or as high up the Church channels as he needs to go to get this quickly resolved.\nThe policy reference for how to write this report and correctly route it is: HCO Policy Letter 1st May 1965 " Staff Member Reports"\nYour friend should read this reference which will be found in the Basic Staff Hat  OEC Volume 0. Pick which ever  type of report applies and then write up the situation fully and route the various copies as instructed on the communication channels that should be in place in the organisation.\nIf there is still no quick resolution, and he then leaves on his own determinism. ( which is in fact his basic right anyway)\nThis report will be on file for his future defence, should he need it.\nI advise him to make an additional copy for himself and keep it, incase\nhis report does not make it into his own staff ethics file.
634977
scientology is b.s.  a cult and a sick joke.  they love to take money (ALL your money) from their 'followers'.  they have been kicked out of several countries already, including greece. \n\nread the time magazine article from 1990.\n\ncome on, it's a 'religion' started by a bad science fiction author - get a life!
575761
I've studied Scientology, and read books on both sides of the issue.  Scientology is an applied religious philosophy.  It's a field of study who's subject is you.  Scientology's hope for you is that you can achieve the state of "Clear" or a state of freedom from your traumatic memories.  Scientology helps people achieve this state through Dianetics counseling.\n\nThe aims of Scientology are a civilization without insanity without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights and man is free to rise to greater heights.\n\nScientologists believe strongly in community service, and have founded many social betterment organizations including, Narconon which helps people get off drugs, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights which works for psychiatric reform, the Applied Scholastics study tech organization, and the Way to Happiness Foundation.\n\nBUT, Scientology is very expensive.  Crossing Scientology's "Bridge to Total Freedom" can cost up to half a million dollars.  And some of the information available on Scientology makes the organization look like a bizarre cult and it's practices have encountered controversy.  Just google it, and you'll find a ton of information both pro and con.
37365
I was raised a witness and have not spoken with my still believing family members in years, its been very difficult losing my family because I choose to not follow their beliefs. It was very hard to watch and understand as a child how all the sudden no ones allowed to speak with a certain member of the congreation, how easy it was for members to just completely ignore someone theve know for years.As an adult I could certainly never be a member of this religion or any that takes this much control of ones life. Jehovahs Witnesses are considered a cult as previous poster noted.
44127
It is sad but true that the witnesses practice the act of shunning those who are no longer witnesses. While it is absolute TRUTH that God always should come first, before family, etc., no where in the Bible does it preach such nasty and wicked methods of cutting someone out of your life. Many cults use this as a way to make them fear leaving the church, because they will lose their family and friends if they do. That is why it is so hard for people to effectively break out of the chains of a cult. Jesus said that we would find freedom in Him, not bondage. Yet these folks go around spouting lies with a Bible verse cover on them every day. And they "look good" on the outside (again, due to fear) so it is attractive to those living in a lost and hurting world. Unfortunately, once they have you in their web, leaving is extremely difficult and damaging. I have worked very closely with many cult members and ex-cult members and it is scary how convincing they can be. Jesus Christ, the Holy and Divine Deity that He is, taught us to love...to forgive infinitely, and to pray for our brothers and sisters and help them in times of weakness and need. You will not find this with a cult church. You will find fear...not the proper fear of God that a Christian ought to have. But a fear of the church leaders and of being thrown out of the church. Do a little research about cult groups and you will quickly learn the red flags to look out for. \n\nBy the way, you can expect the same non-sense retorts from the resident JW crowd. I'd write verbatum what they will be saying on here, but I don't believe it is good practice to type such lies, in the even that someone might read them as truths. Blessings to you!
507471
It is a CULT. Despite what a few fanatical members may say, it IS a cult. The "church" harasses & bullies anyone who they deem an "enemy" (basically anyone who has anything negative to say about the "church"). They will RUIN YOUR LIFE if you speak out against them long enough.\n\nThe founder is L. Ron Hubbard, the science FICTION writer who once told a friend that the best way to make lots of money is to start your own religion. Though being a very outspoken critic of psychiatric drugs, it was discovered upon Hubbards death that the anti-anxiety drug hydroxyzine (Vistaril) was present in his body, which several of his assistants would later attest was only one of many psychiatric & pain medications Hubbard ingested over the years. (visit this link to read about the uses of hydoxyzine: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/v/vistaril.html )\n\nScientologists believe the evil alien ruler Xenu killed a lot of aliens (Thetans) from around the universe by bringing them to earth & blowing them up inside volcanoes. They believe the souls of these aliens (these souls are "Body Thetans") have attached themselves to us & cause many of our mental & physical ills. Members who know about Xenu will attempt to deny it or pretend like it doesn’t matter.  They are required to sign a contract binding them to silence on the matter.  Lower level members don’t know about Xenu & accordingly deny everything because they honestly don’t know.\n\nTo rid ourselves of "Body Thetans" & also “engrams” (past negative experiences stored in our unconscious mind) so that we can become “clear”, we have to go through "auditing" with a member of the “church” who uses an "e-meter" to measure our “reactive mind”...... & we have to pay lots & lots of money for “auditing” (purchased in 12.5-hour blocks, costing anywhere from $750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 & $9,000 for advanced sessions) & to take courses on Scientology to advance to higher “levels” in the “church”. The “church” has also taken a very hostile stance towards psychiatry & psychiatric drugs irrespective of the fact that some people require medication to remain adequately functional in everyday life. They deny the reality of chemical imbalance & profound mental disturbance & accordingly do NOTHING to effectively stabilize the dangerously unstable. The “church” has been known to withhold prescription pharmaceuticals from member (with deadly results).\n\nScientology is undeniably a cult. For more information on what a cult is & what their damaging effects are, please visit the link provided at the bottom of the sources. Just know that Scientology DOES qualify by meeting these 5 criteria:\n\n(1) It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate & retain its members. (2) It forms an elitist totalitarian society. (3) Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable & has charisma. (4) It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds & recruit people. (5) Its wealth does not benefit its members or society.
217238
i have a friend who went through it and (still) thinks it was great.\n\nhere's what it is: Landmark is, as far as i know, an offshoot of EST, which was big in the 70s when everyone wanted to attend an intense self-improvement seminar. i think they're basically a faster moving and (perhaps) less expensive personal development cult than Scientology. (and when i say "cult" understand that i'm not necessarily saying they're bad, just with all the trappings of "give us money and we'll give you the secrets of a fantastic life" kind of thing.)\n\nhere's a link to more information, but i caution you to realize that much of it was probably written by the Landmark folks themselves:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Education\n\nwhen my friend went, he came back all transformed and spouting all kinds of jargon. he went on to invite everyone in his circle to come to the next meeting. they all are supposed to do this. i was immediately struck by his "glow" which in my cynical estimation, smacked of "i just had a transformative experience, and i want you to join with me" complete with starry eyed but kind of creepy affect.\n\ni didn't attend the "bring your friends" seminar, because i've been through self-improvement stuff before and although i can see its value, i wasn't in the mood for spending a day getting all enthusiastic and then being asked for a ton of dough. (which is the way it works--like going to a time share event.) but those of us who did reported back that it was as i expected. intensive, and most useful for the sort who need a kick in the pants. however, just like in Scientology, there is a lot of money to be made, and you're the one who's going to pay it. \n\nthe forum itself is emotionally draining. i've heard that they don't like it if you get up to go to the bathroom. that it's really about tearing down your personality, really going for your jugular, and then building you back up, in the space of a day. some would critique that this is not something that everyone can handle, and it's not necessarily something everyone needs. it is useful, probably. but it costs lots of money (after the first time), and as far as my friend goes? he claimed at the time that everything in his life would change. he did finally go out and get a job that didn't involve smoking pot all day and sitting on his ass, but he's still the most appalling slob you've ever met, doesn't ever date, and is dangerously overweight. if he was deeply affected by this in the long term, then i sure don't see it. however, maybe if he'd been willing to spend tons of money, he would be a Landmark success.
151365
This is not a question but an answer so should not be here.  But whatever ...\n\nIf someone is worried about a relative being a Scientologist then my advice is 1) find out what it actually is.  Don't listen to opinion and rumor, go to the Scientology.org website and take a look around.  2) Talk to your relative and find out why they think it's a good thing.  Listen to what they have to say.  Understand!  3) talk to them about your concerns.  If you've heard something bad then ask them about it.  They can probably provide you with data on the subject so you will either understand or see that what you heard was false.  4) If none of that has helped you then perhaps it's time to agree to disagree.  Adults in our society have the right to think for themselves.  If you believe X and they believe Y then that's part of life, not everyone is going to think the same way, not everyone is going to believe the same things.  That's the beauty of our world - diversity.\n\nOne last thing, my father was horrified when I became a Scientologist.  I did my best to talk to him about it and I thought at times he was being unreasonable and at times he thought I was being unreasonable.  But we talked about it and resolved it.  Now 30 years later we are still very close and he has no problem with me being a Scientologist. Communication and a desire to solve the problem is all you need.
34964
Humph.. No need to feel silly. 8th person in 10 years is a really high turnover rate. Add weird things going on in the house, and, well I'd be freaked.. \n\nHave you contacted these people ?\nhttp://members.tripod.com/GhostHuntersSociety/Home.htm
193070
I think that often we gain perspective with age.  Often the people trapped by cults are younger people who are searching for something and haven't found it yet.  They are easy prey for cultists. People often leave cults of their own accord when they get older and they can, as you say, step back and consider what they are doing.
45143
The ranks of scientology are spoken of as levels. To get to the higher levels you must go to more meetings and shell out much more money. Go to the Wikipedia site posted below to see more information on it.
445514
1.  Yes, a few other denominations have nuns.  Namely, Eastern Orthodox, as well as some Anglicans and Lutherans.\n2.  In general, when a person enters a convent she first undergoes an initial period of testing the life, known as postulancy, for a period of six months to a year. If she, and the order, determine that she may have a vocation to the life, she receives the habit of the order and undertakes novitiate, a period of living the life of a nun that lasts one to two years. After, she may take her initial, temporary vows, which may last for several years.  This is the last chance to get out, if she wants to.  Finally, she will ask for permission to make her "perpetual profession," taking permanent, lifelong vows.\n3.  Yes.  The Church says that being homosexual is not a sin, only practicing (which is why I think they will eventually remove that restriction on the priesthood.).\n4.  First of all, talk to your priest.  Do some research to find out what orders you might be interested in.  Once you've decided, talk to the vocation director.  You should be able to find contact information online.\n5.  Yes, going to college is frequently helpful.  Many religious women in the past have been great theologians and scholars, so you might look towards a religion or philosophy degree.  Alternatively, (and especially if you're looking at a non-cloistered order) you might look at something with professional merit.  For instance, a degree in education, counseling, language, even pre-med.  This will help you in your minestry.  Some orders will on their own send sisters to get degrees, but this isn't always the case.\n6.  Yes, nuns in the technical sense of the word, live in contents.  Look online, and you'll find there are still orders today like this, though they are dwindling.  Sisters, on the other hand, are un-cloistered, and these orders are much more prevelant.
451375
There are Scientology schools, where most kids who were born into it go, but I have never heard of it being taught in public school.  You wouldn't attend these schools unless you were a Scientologist though, thankfully.  Scientology has kind of seeped into many aspects of society by way of a number of front groups that do various things for the community, like Narconon and the like.  These groups do not advertise that they are really Scientologists, so it is very possible that if you heard that Scientology was being taught in ____ school, it's definitely run by Scientologists.
436383
I recommend that you give the real reasons but that you try to do so without assigning blame\n\nDear Headmaster Soandso,\n  It was with the intention of helping children who deeply need the specialized attention this institution was concieved to provide that I accepted this post. (Here detail the things you had hoped to do and how excited you had been about the potential value of the programs)Over time, I have found that it is impossible to meet that goal here and so with great regret, I must give notice that effective January 1, 2007, I will be resigning.\n  Yours very truly, etc, etc.\n\nYou can cross a bridge without burning it. When you are applying for similar positions in the future, explain your departure from this school as gently as you can without lying... something like "I did not feel that there was enough opportunity there for me to really meet the needs of the children entrusted to our care"\nGood luck.
355812
This happened to me, too.  When I was a church employee, the church also had a school ministry.  I was paid half by the church and half by the school for the janitor's job.  The Treasurer was paying me the full wage from the church and adding 1/2 from the school so I was getting 1 1/2 pay.  They would take out my kids tuition for the school from my pay and I would get pay stubs that just said $0.00.  I thought it was odd that I was all paid up by the Christmas break but didn't say anything.  Then in January when the Treasurer did the end of the year report, it was discovered.  They didn't make me pay anything back as it was their error.  Tell her not to say anything (you don't have to answer for what you don't say) and to let them do all the talking.  Tell her to get anything they decide in writing, signed by both her boss and herself.  There is an old saying "Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you."  This will be dealt with, but since it was their mistake and she didn't fraudulently take this money, she should be able to work out a repayment plan, if that is necessary, that will meet both hers and her employers needs.
333048
Yep, Scientologist here,\n(It seems that "Liam" whoever he is, has anticipated me, I must have started to annoy him somehow.)\n\nHere is a very brief outline. I hope it answers your question. Let me know.\n\nScientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew or Atheist,for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.\nAnd it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.\nIt is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:\nReligion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.\n\nThe most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.\nThe whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .\nWhen you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.\n\nHow this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. The  developement of the technology is new.\nHe completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights\nto the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable estate., when he died.\n\nHe published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"\nThere are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 55 years old. \nThe true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:\n1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.\n2. People find it interesting.\n3. People find it works.\n4. People pass it along to others.\n5. It grows.
193798
Not me, maybe someone else, No, not me, not me.\nSadly this cult thing is very real. I had a nephew that got taken in and it took a lot of professional help to get him back. A year latter he died in a white water raft excision. Witness say he waved goodbye before giving up.