Scientology is based on a theory that human beings are actually immortal aliens called Thetans.
attempted to leave Scientology — which is either the result of his bromance with Church leader David Miscavige or a genuine belief in himself as an immortal being.
the alleged abuse of many patients including young children. What I was most disappointed and dreadfully unsurprised to find out was that the CCHR is actually primarily focused
Spokesperson and secretary for Scientology New Zealand,
on the abolition of psychiatry and mental health research
Mike Ferris refutes claims made in Going Clear by past
(Scientologists don’t believe in psychologists). Nevertheless,
members of the church who he argues look like a “club
Mike pressed about Scientology’s true gift to society which
of Scientology dissenters cashing in with celebrity name
is education. Educating individuals about their potential as
dropping and ridiculous claims.” Mike did however point out
people (or Thetans?), offering people auditing as a substitute
a serious lack of critical analysis towards the claims made by
for counselling, and furthering their philosophy — which is
ex-members in the documentary; many of whom are relying
centred around self-betterment. L Ron Hubbard’s intentions
financially on the success of the film. In my correspondence
for Scientology were, “A civilisation without insanity, without
with Ferris, many of the “silly claims” of Going Clear were
criminals and without war,” which sounds like a pretty lovely
rebutted and described as propaganda and I even got
set-up to me!
offered some counter-propaganda (Freedommag.org), but by far the most surprising information he gave me was about Scientology’s work in New Zealand.
So who do we believe? All accounts from within paint a beautiful picture of egalitarian values and wonderful fun times, but on the other hand a whole lot of people are coming
Having watched Going Clear and heard all the terrors, I
out and telling us they have been pretty much brainwashed
was pleasantly surprised to hear that the church has had
and tortured. On top of it all, Lord Xenu dropping people
volunteer ministers working in Christchurch doing relief work
into volcanoes… some of their beliefs are pretty wack, have
for those affected. I was even more surprised when I was
you seen the South Park episode?! While I certainly can’t tell
told that a Scientology-founded group called the Citizen’s
you what to make of it all, it seems to me that it’s mostly
Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) spearheaded the case
about the money and that if the organisation really cared for
against former psychiatric hospital Lake Alice (Spookers) and
people it would use some of its billions on community work.