Tuesday 5 May 2015

Week 4 (04-10.05.2015) How are your thetans?


http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02460/Scientology_2460585b.jpg

As I mentioned before, in my last article (http://konwersatorium3.blogspot.com/2015/01/week-6-all-about-mormons.html), I obligated myself to write about Scientology. It’s common knowledge that celebrities like Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Nicolle Kidman or  K. Preston  are part of this church, but do you actually know what Scientology is all about?
I must admit that preparing this presentation wasn’t as easy as I used to think, because Scientology is a very enigmatic religion - the higher rank you have as a member, the more knowledge you gain, so the only info I was able to get was from public statements of former members.

How did it start?

The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954, based on the teachings of an American author named L. Ron Hubbard. "Lafayette" Ronald Hubbard was born in 1911, in Tilden, Nebraska. After years of being a soldier and voyager (it’s believed that his biography was slightly improved), he decided to become a writer and became one of the most famous authors of the 1930s. He wrote well over 200 novels and short stories in the genres of science fiction, western, mystery and adventure. His biggest work was a book published in 1950 called ‘Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health’ which was sold in over 17 million copies and became an essential text of Scientology.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/26/article-2268887-172FA19D000005DC-151_634x489.jpg
Who made us sad? Lord Xenu!

What you are going to read in a moment might feel like a joke, but this is more or less how Scentiology defines the reason why we need their help.

Around 75 million years ago, a space baron Xenu, faced a problem of overpopulation. He decided to trick many beings, drug them and send to Earth, known by aliens as Teegeeack. He placed their bodies near volcanoes and mined those areas. Then an evil lord detonated explosives, which not only killed aliens, but freed “thetans” as well. (“Thetans” can be defined as souls). By advanced technology Xenu trapped those souls, brainwashed and prisoned them on Earth. They  got weaker, which forced them to group and infest human bodies – this event is called “Incident II”

So, according to Scientology, our bodies are habitats of thetans, BUT those souls do not live in us, they are us – in other words: You are a group of brainwashed, confused beings, which control/possess your body, thoughts, everything. It is said that it takes around 20 years for thetans to find another host body, after one’s death. If you made bad decisions – you (as a group of those souls) might not find a new flesh, but if you study scientology and follow the guidance of church, you may be free of all confusion, brainwash etc.

Or I can provide you with a shorten version of that story:

It sounds like pure science-fiction and for sure you can ask yourself – “How the heck people believe this?”, but every religion has unusual mythology. Is Satan changing into a snake to tempt Eve, Jesus walking on water, Buddha sitting under the tree for years or Joseph Smith translating God’s message from pure gold plates that more “believable” than this?

Here is a blog, where the author tries to explain why Scientologist believe in Xenu story: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/07/scientology_xenu_whole_track.php

How does the Church work?

The path to a state of “Clear”(final stage in Scientology), when one has freed oneself from the "reactive mind" is called “The Bridge” and is represented by this table:
http://www.najbjerg.info/scientologi/form37-enggradechart.pdf
But how does it start? How can one become a member?
You can get a brochure or be invited to fill an Oxford Captivity Test (nothing to do with the city or University). This test contains 200 simple questions, which you answer ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘maybe’ more or less like those presented here:
http://southpark.cc.com/clips/104271/free-personality-test#source=ff4daa77-43e0-4601-8fd6-21ea1daf9c19&position=1731&sort=airdate
Then results are presented to you and you are being offered a way to free your soul and improve yourself by private consolations called “auditions” – they listen to your confessions and talk with you about them (and very often record those sessions). While doing that, they often to use E-meter:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Scientology_e_meter_blue.jpg
Which is described as "a religious artifact used to measure the state of electrical characteristics of the 'static field' surrounding the body".

Want to learn more?


When you get higher and higher in Scientology structures, there are different stages: “Auditing”, “Purification Rundown” etc. Later on you can become an auditor, join Sea Org (paramilitary organisation), NARCONON (organisation which promotes substance abuse treatment and addiction) or many other organisations. The downside is that you are progressively forced to abandon your old life, family (if they’re not part of the church), friends so on, so on. Many people claim that they’re happy, but you can find a dozen of testimonials that tell “the truth” about Scientology. I watched 4, while preparing this article and if you had to see only one – I would recommend this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL_K9yBOWwA.

32 comments:

  1. Over 1.5 hour of watching... I tried... but only for 10 minutes... sorry for that.
    As I mentioned last time I'm not interested in Scientology but I read your presentation and I must say... I like your style. Only topic is not my cup of tea ;)

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    1. This one and a half hour documentary shows the whole story - how they contact you, how their meetings look like etc. In my presentation I tried to sum up everything I learned about Scientology, but It was shocking for me that everything shown in this South Park episode was quite accurate and true.

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    2. I have similar conclusion as @Przemek. Your article is very nice but definitely that topic isn’t interesting for me. Also to be honest I have to say that I even haven't tried to watch this documentary movie about Scientology. 1.5 hour, well I’m out ;) However, I saw the film with south park and it was OK :)

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    3. I'm not forcing anyone to watch this documentary. I added this link as additional source of information. The key of this presentation is Scientology itself. I was obligated to prepare a presentation and I wanted to broaden my knowledge (and hopefully yours as well), while doing it, but I'm aware that you might not be interested in this topic and I respect that.

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    4. Yes @Jakub, I have got the most important part of this presentation. Also definitely I have broadened my knowledge about Scientology and as I said before your presentation(style, multimedia stuff etc.) is very nice! In conclusion, that was a pleasure for me to read your presentation, even if then that topic wasn’t interesting for me.

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  2. I'm not really a religious man but I'm interested in history so I've checked history of Catholic Church and once I've read something about Scientology and didn't get so much information as you and I appreciate what you have presented. As I remember, to be higher in the hierarchy and know more about Scientology members are obligated to pay/donate the church. Is that true? I'm also wondering where is the seat of the Scientology Church? Which city? Why are you interested in Scientology at all? :)

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    1. To answer your questions:
      1. You don't have to pay/donate, but you can "level up" quicker if you do. You can spend some time by working as an auditor and this way you'll be higher in church's structure.
      2. Their most recognisable facility is Church of Scientology located in Los Angeles(building shown at the beginning of this presentation).
      3. It's not only about Scientology, I wrote about Buddhism and Mormons as well. Each time I have to read a lot before writing a presentation, learn about rituals, core and holy books of each belief and I must admit that I like it. But to be honest scientology was the hardest by far, because I had to watch many movies and testimonials of former members, because as you wrote - many secrets are revealed only to those who are higher in hierarchy.

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  3. I have heard about Scientology only that it exists and ... Tom Cruise belong to them. But don't know anything more about them. So thanks for the presentation. I associate parody of the Scientology in GTA V. Check this out: http://www.grandtheftwiki.com/Epsilon_Program

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    1. I haven't played Grand Theft Auto V yet (too much work with The Witcher), but for sure I will make up for lost time. The typography of the logo is similar to this used by Scientologist, but while reading the "Religious beliefs" I see that they took a lot from many religions.

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  4. Scientological mythology indeed sounds ridiculous, but as you have mentioned, it woud not be untrue to say the same about other religious systems. It is very intereseting that so many people get trapped in this belief system - or probably I should say structures. It's horrifying, that people do not notice they are being used for their money only.

    As from what I've heard lately in a radio discussion regarding the movie 'Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4257858/), John Travolta is really struggling with leaving the Scientology church. It is made impossible for him though, he is being threatened, they have maligning materials for blackmailing him, again a church that seems to behave like a criminal organization...

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    1. This is the movie I was looking for, because it's a HBO production and it's said to be very well done. Unfortunately it was only shown on festivals, when I was writing this presentation and on illegal streams it has been available for 1 month. It's true that while "auditing process" you are forced to reveal all your secrets and they're recording your statements and when you're trying to leave church they're blackmailing members.

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  5. Scientology is probably one of the most absurd and scariest religion in the world. I really don't get this "e-meter thing" and methods of "auditions". I think it's dangerous and it's brainwashing. Especially that people are forced to abandon their families, be only for a community and pay a loads of money for a church.
    You mentioned that other religions have unusual mythology, it's true, but I have to say that this one is completely insane!
    But overall i really enjoyed this article. I've seen the movie before. I couldn't believe how people can be so eager to join to the scientologists.

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    1. I posted a link to the article: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/07/scientology_xenu_whole_track.php, in which author tries to explain why Scientologist believe in this Xenu story, but to be clear - they're not forcing anyone, they're suggesting that it will be better for you to do so - many people are happy that they belong to this church.

      And as for mythology: if you think about all the stories from Old Testament, do you really think that they make any sense? http://listverse.com/2008/01/31/top-10-bizarre-biblical-tales/

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  6. By the end of the day, every religion, apart from giving hope and sense of affiliation is just a money making tool and a very convenient way to control masses of people. Nonetheless, I find it interesting to learn about different beliefs and scientology is certainly one of the craziest religions out there.

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    1. I was searching for a new one (religion), for the next term presentation and I can assure you, that besides Scientology's "strange" believes, it's church is quite normal compared to the really freaky one I have already found.

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  7. I always thought that scientology is more of a sect than actual religion :) great article which made scientology more familiar to me. Well not exactly "familiar" but you've shown clearly why it is so much alien to me. It reminds me of reptilian empire legends more so than rational/explainable fundamentals of a religion.

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    1. They have rituals, holidays, solid structure, so they're something "bigger" than common cult or urban legend. I'm glad that you found some valuable information from my article. Cheers!

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  8. hello guys,
    I'm not a big fan o sc-fi films. For me that's only a director's imagination, so it is not so valuable like for example documentary films. The next thing that I noticed is volience in such a films. To me sc-fi films shows creepy and werid world. I thing watching sc-fi films is charmful especially for children.
    In my opinion scientology is fake story meded by people for gain profits form people.

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    1. I don't really know how to respond to this comment, because (apart from the last sentence) I simply don't get it. I wrote about Scientology and you're writing about sci-fi movies. Where is connection between those two?

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    2. I 've read a little bit about Scientology former, mr Hubbard.
      I think that if L. Ron Hubbard was a sc-fi writer has a connection with popular culture like movies.
      I'm sorry, but for me Scientology thesis sounds like a sect based on human imagination.

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  9. I read it, I watched attached video, I have even checked wiki, but I think it's not my cup of tea. I agree it can broaden my knowledge, but it would be better to post something that can interest more people. It's a nice post, good links (south park :) ), different approach, but still it's about sect and I hate them. Of course people think it's a religion and I won't force them to think differently and as I have said, I tried to be objective and obtain enough knowledge to make good judgment about it, but I think I can't.
    Don't take it personally, posts about religion or politics aren't my favourite.

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    1. I get the idea that you don't like such topics, but can you name a topic that would interest you? I'm aware it's not an easy topic, but next term I will write about another religion once again, because personally I hate articles: "My new hobby…", "My trip to…" and I want to have fun while writing presentations as well. By far I only enjoyed only one presentation - about Ponglish, because I felt that author spent some time to think about his presentation, made a research while preparing it and the topic was really interesting. Compering that to the fact that I had one or two interesting presentation/s every week a year ago, makes me really sad.

      http://konwersatorium3.blogspot.com/2013/12/week7-getting-sleepy.html
      http://konwersatorium3.blogspot.com/2013/12/week-7-audio-podcasts.html
      http://konwersatorium3.blogspot.com/2013/12/week-6-from-saint-to-santa_4.html
      http://konwersatorium3.blogspot.com/2013/10/introvertsand-internet-haveyou-ever.html
      http://konwersatorium3.blogspot.com/2014/01/body-language-and-micro-expression.html

      Read those, compare to what we got this term and if you won't find those interesting... Sorry lad, I won't be able to interest you with anything I've got.

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  10. Really interesting topic, something different than other ones. If I want to be honest I need to write that I`m not with this organization. Of course everyone need to has something to believe in and it`s not wrong to go with it by when I`m looking on Scientology widely I think it’s like a sect. A lot of things from Hubbard`s books are very controversial for me… maybe i`m not a addressee for this philosophy. Overlook the matter of this presentation it`s a really reader friendly language and good made piece of work. Congrats

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    1. Thank you very much. I also do not fancy Scientology, but to be honest I'm not a very big fan of any religion. At all. Reading about them - yes, it's interesting, but having faith in them - don't count me in!

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  11. My impression - i have to keep away from a sect like this one. End of story.

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  12. Great topic. Scientology is awsome invention. It show how stupid people can be. Don't get me wrong I don't have anything to diffrent religions. But scientology ? Seriously ? The only inteligent person in this organisation is the funder. Hi created awsome business on those poor people. The funny thing that this "church" focus very diffrent people. Not only brainless persons but also very inteligent. I can't belive that this was possible. Thanks for this topic

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    1. The higher you get it the structure/hierarchy, the more a social club for wealthy it is. I read statements that influential figures, who are part of Scientology Church, help other members, but nothing big have been proven yet.

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  13. I've read only half of the article and I got a little bit bored with scientology. Can't really say much about that. What it reminds me is an article I've once read about Area 51 and it's weird accidents like UFO landing (which is Unidentified Flying Object). But it either could be alien form not from Earth, or tests of aeroplanes made for army. Not really much more to say, depends on if somebody likes conspiracy theories like MKULTRA project, CHEMTRAILS, and The Moon conspiracy theories :)

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  14. You can use thousand names, you can have million approaches, you can have hundred of races and bilions of beliefs. The GOD is ONE. HE never was, is or will be, HE IS,IS,IS. That's all I have to say about religions and any topic close to religions. We all believe in the same GOD and GOD bless you all! Scientology? A mix of science and religion. Okey, cool approach, but at the end of the day, when you cry in sadness, there is only ONE GOD who you ask for help, and no one will tell me that he prays to books or any other shit. We can wear hundred masks during the day, but... The thing is we all feel the same, every race, every skin color, every religion, we have the same set of feelings and we define the love of GOD in the same way, but we give these feelings different names :-)

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  15. ouch. Very funny.Jakub, I am sorry, but I don't get why you have chosen this topic. Really. I have no words to comment. I didn't know that religion. One thing is claer. People need religion. Some of them also need atention from others - yes I think this is only to be famous as we can see - there are some celebrities. Because I don't belive that Americans suppport that church because they believe in Lord Xenu. But I don't mind. Everyone is free to believe in that sect By the way does someone know the book "Lord of flies" by William Golding?

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  16. First, I was very surprised to find out that scientology is only 51 years old religion! Then, reading every other line I was thinking “How the heck people believe this?” After going through the whole text three conclusions came up to my mind.

    One - okay, story with snake, Eva, Adam and so on might sound weird too.
    Two - Scientology religions sound far more weird then any other main religion in the world. At least from dosage of information which consists this article.

    Three - don’t you think it can be just a marketing think? Maybe in 1954 some great Public Relation specialist came up with brilliant idea on creating a new religion? Religion accessible only by rich and famous. The curiosity of mass of people that are not able to join this mystified organization is perfect guarantee that any news in that matter is a bestseller

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