Various sources are suggesting a huge show of force from Scientology this weekend. "Every Org, every Mission, every Field Group, every Scientologist" will be... selling books. Here's the leaked flyer*
I'm bringing it up because the total number of members of Scientology is a closely guarded secret. Sometimes 8 million is mentioned, where their critics say 80,000 or less. So presumably this weekend we might get a better picture.
As I've written up this little update, it's become more of a non-story though. I've found out the 2001 census of the uk had 1781 people declare themselves a scientologist. Which is shockingly small. So small infact that I suspect almost every member in the UK could fit in their massive headquarters in London.
Still they'll all be on the streets this weekend, no doubt in a show of strength against the protests (which I suspect have more the 1781 anonymous members over the whole of the uk) so keep an eye out!
Oh and whilst we are on the topic here's another horrible internal flyer:
"[W]hen I found her ruin?" you've got to be kidding me!
15 comments:
As a person who was at last weekends protests...I have to say...WTF!?
I don't think (my) group is planning anything this weekend.
Hi from a longtime Scientologist.
A couple of clarifications:
a) I've seen these kinds of "call to action" fliers in Scientology Churches for years. It does NOT mean that every Scientologist will necessarily get their butt off the couch, turn off the TV and volunteer.
When Katrina hit, there was a massive call for volunteers. I went. Only about 15,000 volunteers actually participated. (Not every Scientologist has the volunteerism spirit.)
Every movement has "calls to action" like this. You can check out "moveon.org" for reference. It does not mean that they succeed at rallying all the members.
b) A person's "ruin" is a Scientology term, meaning "what's ruining your life." It it a very individual thing; it could be a financial challenge, a social awkwardness, some early unresolve trauma or some relationship conflit in present time, to name but a few. Scientology provides tools (which I personally consider fairly effective) in overcoming such difficulties.
Thus, the job of a person doing interviews is to find a REAL, TANGIBLE problem or challenge in that person's life, that potentially could be improved - be it with Scientology or with whatever. Then, the job is to explain what Scientology courses or counseling could do about it.
It only sounds horrible when viewed with an eye skewed by prejudice and malice. You need to find a splinter if you mean to remove it. You need to diagnose a problem if you intend to offer a solution.
best,
Greg
Scientologist and proud of it
http://www.liveandgrow.org
Hi Greg,
Many, many thanks for replying, I really appreciate it. How did you find the site if I may ask? It's quite off the radar, especially in the states (where I assume your from due to the Katrina comment) so I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Out of politeness I should warn you that if your exploring the site you may come across mentions of OTIII materials, and according to ExScientology Kids reading those can "ruin your case" which I've no intention of doing (though I do of course believe that you should look at those materials - wikileaks has them hosted at present and this page at ExScientology Kids). Nothing I will mention is that thread will "ruin your case" though.
On a) Thanks for the clarification and I've no doubt you are right, "Every Scientologist" is clearly hyperbole to encourage attendance, something all groups do.
On Katrina and volunteer ministers, I'm glad you helped and more power to you. Though I do have concerns with the VMs here in London. I saw them in action when the tube was shut down due to the second failed bombings and they seemed to be exploiting the situation. One policeman I was in the company of was actively frustrated by one ministers 'assistance' to a very shaken woman who wanted to find out how to get home, whilst it appeared they tried to push the therapy she would need to recover from the event. Obviously this is an isolated anecdote and has no bearing on the group overall. Nevertheless I'm not convinced from my experience and from what I've heard that the motives of the VM's is in conjunction with the help needed in an emergency. I'm well aware of how unsubstantiated that opinion is however!
On b) thanks again for the clarification, that makes a lot of sense, and diminishes the strangeness of the advert no end. However again the cynic in me sees the ominous and suggestive language in use as worrying. It implies a presupposition that you have a "ruin" for instance. The tone of the advert is one that I suspect most people outside the church would find concerning. Disclosure: I base my views on this in part on a recent E-meter reading I had that I haven't had chance to write about on the site yet, but will be doing shortly.
Relatedly I think one of causes of the problems the public has with scientology is the terminology it uses. OT, SP, Squirrel and the like make it seem unfairly confusing and suspicious. As this site is primarily about bad science it reminds me of the difference between pseudo-science as compared to real science. Real science has complex ideas that it attempts to state as simply as possible, where psuedo-science has simple ideas it needs to make look more complex (and so authoritative). Though each to their own I suppose.
Finally you say:
"It only sounds horrible when viewed with an eye skewed by prejudice and malice. You need to find a splinter if you mean to remove it. You need to diagnose a problem if you intend to offer a solution."
I promise you their is no malice within me or any of my writing whatever the subject. As a scientist I try and dispose all prejudice however unfeasible that aim might be. I have no dislike or contempt for scientologists, It just seems that the majority of them are being exploited by the people at the top to generate cash. I write about scientology out of concern and compassion for it's members, and (if I may be so self aggrandising) to educate those who are considering joining. On the splinter (thetan?) comment all I can add is their needs to be a splinter in the first place for you to remove it.
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