What is Digg?768 Comments
- Ostizzle, on 01/25/2008, -12/+919Summarized Experiences From Within the Cult Scientology
1. Not allowed to see my mom but once a day when I was six. Was only permitted to see her at dinner for one hour.
2. My mom was made to work 12 hour days and was only paid $50.00 a week and given room and board.
3. I was made to live in a dorm at the age of six, separate from my mom or dad, with three other girls my age.
4. I was made to believe from a very early age that Scientologist were the better than other people, and if you were not in it, you were not good enough.
5. I was told to only tell my grandparents good things about myself when I visited, to not let on if I was behind in school, but just make them think I am a great student.
6. Scientologists constantly refers to people outside of their 'religion" as "Wogs". A derogatory term used commonly by members in it.
7. I was made to join staff when I was 14. I had to sign a billion year contract because of their beliefs in reincarnation.
8. I had to stop attending school when I was 14, to join staff. I could only attend school one day a week on Sunday for about 10 hours.
9. I was made to live in a two room apartment with seven other women when I was 14. Overcrowding is commonplace. I live like that for most of my seven years on staff.
10. I had 30 minute lunches, breakfasts and dinners. If I was late back to work I would get in trouble.
11. I was working 10 hour days, six days a week, from the age of 16. I was not getting paid overtime. I was only making $50.00 a week.
12. The only time I would have off, was every other week, if my production was good enough. Sometimes I would go a month without even one day off.
13. When I joined, I would not see my mom for days at a time. She lived in a different dorm than I did, and had a different eating schedule than me.
14. At the age of 15 I was made to stay up until 12 pm every Thursday and Friday to attend Scientology meetings and clean their facilities with all the other staff.
15. After Scientology events we were all assigned a number of books or tapes we were suppose to sell to the public. We had to make our quotas before we were allowed to go home. I started selling books when I was 15. Sometimes we had to call from lists we were given to make our quotas. Most of these lists were to Scientologist who were out of the state or out of the country.
16. The staff was not aloud to eat the nice food put out for public after events. It was only for the public, we would get in trouble if we were caught eating it.
17. The staff was not allowed to socialize with the public after events, only to sell books, we could not join them on the dance floor, or in the auditorium.
18. The Hacienda (apartment complex where the staff live) is set up so that staff can not just get up and leave when they want to. The Premises is surrounded by a large gate and bushes so that people cannot see in easily. There are several cameras around the complex to keep an eye on the staff. There is a security guard at the front gate at all times to let people in and out. Staff may not leave without first explaining where they are going and what they are doing to the security guard.
19. Sea Org staff are not allowed to own televisions, mine was confiscated when I was 14 or 15. Staff are not aloud to watch TV ever. Movies are only allowed on the weekend if you get approval to have time off. Movies are not allowed on weekdays.
20. Most staff do not have cars or cell phones because it costs to much money to own them. If you have a car, you have to check with the security guard if you want to leave, if he is suspicious he will not let you leave.
21. The only days staff are allowed to celebrate and dance together is the Christmas party and Beer and Cheese party. Twice a year. Don't ask, neither of these celebrations make much sense.
22. I was forced to cut all ties with my dad when I was 15. He was declared a Suppressive Person by Scientology, and that meant I could no longer talk or associate myself with him at all.
23. My mom died of cancer when I was 16. She was still on staff at the time, and she wrote in her will she wanted my brother and I assigned the guardians of Rusty and Linda Hilton, both on staff at Flag.
24. Once I joined staff I could no longer visit my relatives or grandparents for even a weekend without prior approval. At times my once a year request was denied for whatever reason, or no one had the time to look at it.
25. I was not allowed to socialize with anyone outside of the staff. If I did I was reported on and pulled in for questioning.
26. I was put on the e-meter once a week, along with all the other staff, to see if I had a clean or dirty needle. Clean meant I was OK, dirty meant I was hiding something. If it was dirty I was pulled in for questioning, and made to write up stuff I thought I was hiding
27. After each live success story we were suppose to stand up, clap, and say hip hip hooray three times to LRHs picture. This was daily. After each course completion in Scientology we had to tell everyone in our class our successes, once we were done we had to clap and say hip hooray to LRHs picture. His pictures are everywhere in their buildings. It was not optional you had to do it.
28. I had to get a divorce while I was in Scientology because my husband wanted out, and I did not. I was actually not told he was leaving until the day he left. He didn't even tell me, I was told by someone who knew him. It is against their rules to speak or mention to anyone in Scientology you are leaving staff. If you do, you can get kicked out and never be able to talk to your friends in it again.
29. When I finally decided I wanted to leave because I missed my ex husband too much, I was not allowed to just go. They made me work in the galley scrubbing pots and pans. They said I could not mention to anyone I wanted to leave, but everyone pretty much knew what I was doing. It took me three months of being separated from the group, all my friends, being put on the e-meter (lie detector) for two weeks straight and asked if I intend to contact my dad when I leave. I finally was aloud to leave, but was told I was moving to New Mexico to work for a Scientology school. I was told I could not return to Clearwater at all.
30. They made me sign a 10,000.00 waiver, promising that I would never talk out about my experiences with Scientology. I had to sign it before they would let me leave.
31. I was assigned handlers when I wanted to leave. I could not leave any of the buildings or walk outside without one of them. There are security guards assigned to each building, video cameras at each building entrance and exit, so if I wanted to leave without my handler, they would know.
32. I returned to Clearwater about a year after they sent me away. I was approached by one of their security guards and asked what I was doing here. I was on a public street on my lunch break. I just ignored him and walked away. They still thought they could control me, even though I was no longer on staff.
33. When my brother found out I was talking to my dad again, he refused to talk to me anymore. Now that I have associate myself with my dad, I am also declared, which means my brother can't talk to me.
34. Once I left, my "legal guardians' have never contacted me or spoke to me, even before I was declared.
35. I do not have one single friend I knew before I left Scientology (2002). They have all chosen to write me off because I no longer am a Sceintologist. Once I was declared, I was deleted from about 15 peoples myspace page. I did not delete them , they deleted me.
36. I am not allowed to talk to my Scientology school or teachers. They will also no longer talk to me. Once I left staff, they no longer thought it necessary to associate themselves with me.
37. I did not have a High School diploma when I left in 2002. I was 20 years old. Once I was married, they said I was now considered an adult and I no longer needed to attend school. I was only 17 when I married.
38. I never learned to drive, I now have a car, but driving was something they did not think was necessary. - inactive, on 01/25/2008, -10/+317YOU’RE ALL DOING IT WRONG.
The Scientologists on Digg (many of whom have said things like “It’s no different than any other religion”, “I’m sick of all these Scientology stories”, etc.) are trolling because they hope to create disorder to get off topic. They WANT people to fight over two things to derail the actual topic at hand:
1. Whether Scientology is a cult/comparable to other religions, and
2. There’s sooo many stories on MY front page about this, waaaah.
Don’t take the bait, guys. These points have been argued extensively in other topics, and we’ve come to the conclusion that the COS’s actions are what’s despicable, not necessarily its beliefs. Let’s look past our differences and unite. This is a worthy cause. - evadanielle, on 01/25/2008, -2/+263"I had to sign a billion year contract"
It never ceases to amaze me just how plain silly Scientology is. - Ubernero, on 01/25/2008, -4/+252That is just ***** up.
- TheDiceMan, on 01/25/2008, -6/+166Billion year contract?! Buahahahhaha
- radink360, on 01/25/2008, -6/+162Go Anonymous!
- truspect0r, on 01/25/2008, -7/+158The best cure for scientologist?
A copy of The Truman Show and Orwell's novel, 1984. - geekevolved, on 01/25/2008, -6/+155Dugg for great justice!
- ooby, on 01/25/2008, -10/+140Being defriended on myspace: the ultimate punishment.
- KentAllard, on 01/25/2008, -1/+128so thats what happens when you grow up inside the Sea Org, yikes
- ethanpack, on 01/25/2008, -3/+97That is such an extremely cruel, inhuman, and unjust way to have to live ones life.
- Morthy, on 01/25/2008, -4/+97Reading that honestly does make me feel sick.
- mescad, on 01/25/2008, -1/+68Honestly, the last two sentences of #35 sound like a pretty good idea.
- getbusyliving, on 01/25/2008, -2/+69I was raised in the Jehovah's Witnesses and it is scary how similar these orgaizations really are. She was raised in that reality, it was not her choice. She's a victim.
- Llanowar, on 01/25/2008, -0/+66We need many more ex members to tell their stories. It's just sickening to see their slavery allowed like this.
- oldhick, on 01/25/2008, -1/+64I think everyone agrees that Congress shouldn't pass a law or interfere with the exercise of religion. I certainly don't want Congress passing a law banning Scientology. Rather we simply need to enforce existing ones such as blackmail, extortion, kidnapping, tax evasion, wire fraud, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child endangerment, perjury, conspiracy, RICO violations, etc...
- Audacitor, on 01/25/2008, -2/+65That's something you need to do clinton; think. Now that this is in a comment on Digg, Digg has effectively become a mirror. Isn't that nice?
- frank2, on 01/25/2008, -0/+62Scientology sounds like a mini North Korea
- oldhick, on 01/25/2008, -4/+64Did you read her story??? She was hurt. She manipulated, controlled, and held prisoner.
She didn't join of her free will so your comment is irrelevant. - dondara, on 01/25/2008, -3/+59See? That, people, is what all of us screaming about this truly evil cult are talking about. That is what Co$ is all about. Suppression. She sounds like one of the lucky ones. The stories of sexual abuse are there as well. The moral outrage I feel reading this is sickening. I hope those of you who are on the fence about this or disturbed that even an enemies rights are being infringed will take this in consideration. Sometimes the right thing to do is wrong.
- MrSilverblood, on 01/25/2008, -6/+59Wow....just....wow....not in a good way either.
Same as geekevolved, Dugg for justice. - phr0stbyte, on 01/25/2008, -21/+73OMG! they deleted her from their myspaces! damn those scientologists are so mean!
- Robthefrog, on 01/25/2008, -0/+52If you're suppressed to the point where the only way you can make friends is through myspace, I can see it being a traumatic experience when they no longer talk to you. Humans are social beings... Myspace was just the medium it seems. Very sad.. :( Not saying myspace doesn't suck...
- inactive, on 01/25/2008, -8/+59We tackle them right after this one, then westboro united church... then we nap, then back to bush impeachment
- Ki77erB, on 01/25/2008, -7/+58We need these myspace pages. Anon, get the myspace pages of any scifags.
- TheInfamousOne, on 01/25/2008, -1/+50and the site is already down soooo.
*Looks at Ostizzle*
hip hip horay
hip hip horay
hip hip horay - jayb1rd, on 01/25/2008, -32/+78I love how everyone is getting all fired up about Scientology, when Mormons are sometimes forced to do a lot of the same things...
- Lenbot, on 01/25/2008, -4/+47To all those who hate the Scientology Topics. They may be a bit repetitive but I think it's an important topic. People are suffering out there and all we have to do is bring about awareness as much as we can that it's really really bad. It's abit repetitive agreed but it keeps you thinking about it and knowledgable!!!
- adamwho, on 01/25/2008, -0/+416 year olds don't decide anything.
- pitdog, on 01/25/2008, -2/+42The cult is constantly editing Scientology entry on Wikipedia. Actual cult members make sure the word "cult" is not being clearly mentioned, and that certain crucial facts are not mentioned there. It is a clear manipulation of the article so that is becomes (acually is) misleading. Often repeated words like "church", "religion" and purposeful omission (except mebbe one instance) of the word "cult" shows the manipulation. Does Jimbo Wales not give a ***** about this stuff? This cult is dangerous, how would we like if KKK or some Nazi party was being described without some basic historical facts. If Scientology is not a cult, as active Wikipedians argue stubbornly, then what is??
- fudsak, on 01/25/2008, -2/+40I think the point of the article is to help us understand them.
What understanding we gain from reading the article is enough to make us bitch about them. The reason we bitch or "fight" is because no one deserves that kind of life or treatment. It's unnatural and harmful to human development. - norman619, on 01/25/2008, -1/+38Child slavery too.
- inajeep, on 01/25/2008, -2/+37Everything in that description of life inside Scientology is the very definition of cult. In the worst possible interpretation of that word. Completely controlling the lives of people, lie detectors, categorizing behavior, getting deeply involved in family members, all of it with the exception of the legal contracts. What church uses legal contracts?
- BigManOnCampus, on 01/25/2008, -0/+34Very easy for you to say norman619, you weren't born into a cult. You didn't grow up being told absolute lies about how the world works, and given no opportunity to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to see them as lies. That amounts to slavery, no matter how you slice it.
- nospinhere, on 01/25/2008, -2/+34Actually it's quite helpful considering the site is down moron.
- rendersan, on 01/25/2008, -4/+35Well for one thing, Mormon parents encourage their children to go to church on Sundays. Also, once at church, there is usually singing and prayers. Mormon children must attend school if they live in the United States, or else the state will crack down and declare them truant. Mormon children also live in families, with either one or both parents, in houses or apartments. If the children want to go to a friend's house, their parents will usually check to see where they are going, when they will be home, and if it's cold outside they will have to wear a jacket or coat. Young Mormon children may not have any cookies because it will spoil their dinner, and they can wait until after their father gets home. When Mormons enter their mid 20s, their mothers will call them on the phone once in a while and nag them about how they should find a nice spouse to settle down with because they want to see their grandchildren before they get too old to enjoy them, about how they never call or visit anymore, and to ask how work is going.
Also, Mormons must eat a live goldfish every Tuesday. It has something to do with... the goldfish population crisis. - inactive, on 01/25/2008, -6/+36No. We should ban Scientology. Scientology is organized crime disguised as a religion. If the Mafia, the KKK, or al Qaeda (oops!) declared themselves religious organizations would they be protected under the Constitution?
- norman619, on 01/25/2008, -1/+29WOW! An actual adult kind of responce.
- gadfly22, on 01/25/2008, -2/+30A sad story, but very consistent with other accounts of former Scientology victims.
I just hope the poor soul who was abused this way gets her life in order. Too many years were stolen away. - Gerfervonbob, on 01/25/2008, -4/+31Care to give some examples jayb1rd? I grew up in a very heavy Mormon area with zealous parents, I'm now an Atheist but when I was going to church and whatnot it was not even close to what this story says about Scientology.
- jeremyduffy, on 01/25/2008, -0/+26Agreed. And you chumps that are mocking the myspace thing, how about paying attention to the important ones? Like that she was separated from her mother and never allowed to see her.
- inactive, on 01/25/2008, -0/+24Cruise Jong-il
- markab, on 01/25/2008, -9/+33
Though I do believe Mormonism is a cult, in some ways similar to Scientology, it's in no way to the level Scientology is at.
Some examples of how mormonism can be destructive to families:
- Blocking or shunning members who do not meet the required expectations from important family events, such as a family members wedding.
- The magic underwear, as weird as it sounds they have cult-like retuals that members go through to recieve this underwear. (Sold to you by the Mormon church). You can simply google "Mormon Temple Ceremony" to learn more about this.
- Cult-like worship of it's leaders, not too unlike LRH. (Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, etc)
- Early day (pre 1920's) EXTREME doctrine, which people followed to the death. Inlcuding: Polygamy (See Colorado City for an example of what early mormon life was like), Women being married to multiple men. Men being asked to give their wives to church leaders for their polygamous harems. Men being sealed to other men, (Many men where sealed to both joseph smith and brigham young). Obviously the doctrine of today is very different than the doctrine then, but the doctrine of that time was pretty close to the same levels of oppression.
- Go to BYU campus wearing a beard, and walk around and see how many people approach you asking if you have a beard license.
- Spend 2-8 weeks in the MTC and don't tell me that the indoctrination features of their training program don't resemble scientology. The "Commitment Pattern" ? (Missionaries often refer to it as the "Manipulation Pattern" taught to missionaries that are sent out)
- Racial oppression. Whites being 'delightsome', blacks or dark skinned being 'cursed'.
- Occult practices, Joseph Smith used a 'peep stone' to "translate" the golden book. A jupiter Talisman was found on his body after he was savagely (and unfairly) murdered.
- The fact that the scrolls used to translate a canonized book of mormon scripture (Pearl of Great Price : Book of Abraham) have been found to be nothing more than comon first century funeral scrolls having zero to do with abraham.
I can go on and on.
the reality of it is, if cults had a meter... 1 being a clubhouse in a tree, 10 being a coolaid drinking party, mormonism is probably a 4-5 where scientology is a 8 or 9. I would say the early mormon church was at least a 8-9 as well, lucky for people in Utah the social pressure outweighed religious inspiration and the mormon church buckled and became mainstream and less extreme in it's practices and views.
Yes, I was a mormon for nearly 30 years. It's amazing how hard it is to get out with your family in tact. Nobody can convince me mormons are NOT cult-like. - edwartica, on 01/25/2008, -1/+25The server's down, so I have no problem with him quoting the article.
- ljkelley, on 01/25/2008, -4/+28This is ABOUT FREEDOM... freedom for our children, all the children of america to be FREE of brainwashing and slave labour. GO ANON!!
- heypetray, on 01/25/2008, -0/+23Neglecting your kids isn't harm? Leave your infant in the back seat of your car on a hot day and let them die... should there be no punishment for that? How about her labor conditions...
The law can be interpreted in these situations. "Harm" doesn't always mean physical. Grow a soul. - Syphon0928, on 01/25/2008, -2/+24This girl was on the radio (101.1FM) down here in Orlando, FL a few days ago. I don't know why she stayed in so long.
- FcukAllYall, on 01/25/2008, -4/+24"We shall proceed to expel you from the Internet and systematically dismantle the church of scientology in its present form. We are anonymous. We are legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us."
- ethanpack, on 01/25/2008, -3/+23"The only difference between a cult and "respected" religion is number of members it has, largely due to number of people it conquered."
Ok, so yes, most major religions have grown due to conquest and forced conversion, but let's fast-forward to 2008 now, please?
The differences between a cult and a "respected" religion are:
1. A cult generally brainwashes or otherwise deceptively coerces people to join. In a religion, recruitment is encouraged, but other than a pure exchange of ideas and debate regarding the religious tenants, there is no forceful or extremely uncomfortable recruitment strategy.
2. A cult sometimes requires financial dues to be paid in order to join and stay. With religions, other than voluntary contributions, no monetary requirement exists.
3. A cult will gain personal information to secure blackmailing capabilities against its followers. An organized religion allows its members to be - for lack of a better word - anonymous in their practice.
4. A cult member usually cannot practice their religion/cult ideals/rituals in private. A person of a religious faith can practice alone.
Ok? Those are four differences, with several more that probably could be illustrated. Figure it out. Choose to believe what you want or don't want, but understand the core issues involved please. - dondara, on 01/25/2008, -1/+21LRH was a liar, crook and a child molester but you're nice to give him the benefit of the doubt.
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