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- babalonanon, on 01/06/2009, -0/+8Here is another letter in response to the article with which I completely agree!
As an American I find it interesting that the Canadian and UK presses seem to be doing a better job of exploring these issues. Americans are so taken with celebrities, (as well as concluding, incorrectly, that because this family is grieving we cannot ask hard questions) that they (we?) are not seeing the forest for the trees. The serious issue here, as I see it, is protecting children from nutty parents (and still nuttier religions). Why aren't people outraged that the family had this boy cremated so quickly? What don't they want us to know? I'm afraid this issue will be swept under the rug due to the tragic and sensitive nature of what happened. Americans (and others, I suppose) can be quite harsh in their judgments, at times, yet at times like this will say things like: "the family is in mourning; leave them alone," as well as more inexplicable things like: "if they say they love their son dearly, then they love their son dearly; who are we to question?" With powerful and popular friends like Oprah, Will Smith, etc., this will become one big love-fest, with people ostracized if or when they try to ask the tough questions. I believe these parents should be held responsible if they did not treat, with medication, their son's seizure disorder. - babalonanon, on 01/06/2009, -1/+7
And from the same article an excellent refutation point by point:
Kevin: Wow, what a great article! I hope you're ready for a cult-hired PI to start rummaging through your trash at night. :)
To the commenter matt2053: you might want to word clear "pious fraud". Let me correct your *ahem* "corrections", point-by-point:
1. You're splitting hairs.
2. From the contract Scientologists must sign before undergoing cult treatment: "I do not believe in or subscribe to psychiatric labels for individuals. It is my strongly held religious belief that all mental problems are spiritual in nature and that there is no such thing as a mentally incompetent person--only those suffering from spiritual upset of one kind or another dramatized by an individual. I reject all psychiatric labels and intend for this Contract to clearly memorialize my desire to be helped exclusively through religious, spiritual means and not through any form of psychiatric treatment, specifically including involuntary commitment based on so-called lack of competence." Again, you're splitting hairs.
3. Wow, you sure have your OSA talking points ready. Michael was kicked out for the high crime of not having any more money to pay for services. He was also gay, which Dianetics was supposed to "cure". Everyone can read his story here:
www.lermanet.com/michaelpattinson
4. I cannot comment on this, but matt2053 I'd like you to respond to this and explain how it does not apply to Jett: "A PERSON WHO IS CHRONICALLY ILL ALWAYS IS PTS." -- HCOB 20 January 1972 (PTS = Potential Trouble Source)
5. Autism is a psychiatric disorder. Please explain what Scientology's view on psychiatry is... oh wait, I did that for you.
6. This is correct. I'd hardly call this a lie in the article though. - choklitrein, on 01/07/2009, -0/+5Why would I ask an actual Scientologist? So that I can get a bunch of twisted words to make the cult seem harmless and benign? You're hiding behind your words.
I've spoken to enough Scientologists to know that your main goal is to hide the truth from curious people coming from an objective point of view.
When I once asked a Scientologist about the whole Lisa McPherson incident, he told me that all people die, regardless of their religion. He did not explain to me why she died in such a peculiar manor.
When I asked the same Scientologist why they charge so much for their material, he replied that they needed money for heating and hydro etc. He added that the Christian church collected 10% of people's incomes... Though he conveniently left out that this happened in the middle ages. He also conveniently left out that Hubbard once said something along the lines of "there is more money in religion than there is in business."
You see why I'm not going to ask a Scientologist? You're trained to give us answers that only give us half the truth, and that conveniently leave out the half that makes you look bad.
I'll take the whole truth, please and thank you. - frastolator, on 01/07/2009, -0/+5"Next time maybe the author should ask an actual Scientologist"
Are you referring to yourself? - Alael, on 01/06/2009, -9/+1Some comments by matt2053 are worth repeating here:
This article is full of lies:
1. News reports claim "seizure" is listed as the cause of death, not "seizure disorder."
2. The Church of Scientology does not "reject brain diagnoses."
3. Michael Pattinson was expelled from the Church for repeated unethical behavior. He obviously has an axe to grind. None of him claims are truthful.
4. There is absolutely no reason either of Jett's parents would be given an ethics interview. This is pure and unfounded speculation.
5. Scientology does not espouse any particular view on autism. Frankly, the medical community itself knows very little about autism. I am a Scientologist and I have an autistic relative. The Travoltas felt Jett had Kawasaki Syndrome because a doctor diagnosed him with it, not because of Scientology.
6. Two licensed and qualified pathologists performed the autopsy on Jett, the results of which have not yet been released.
Next time maybe the author should ask an actual Scientologist about Scientology, rather than someone who was kicked out of the Church a decade ago for being a trouble-maker.
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