I have been quite active in a few Scientology-related forums lately. And the experience has been rather disturbing.

I have for years followed the FreeZone e-mail list, Marty Rathbun’s blog, the predominantly anti-Scientology forums ESMB and WWP, and since recently, several Scientologist groups on Facebook.

Wherever there are discussions on Scientology, polarity and irrationality ensues. That is well known. But my experiences over the past few weeks have uncovered another facet.

First my conclusion: Whatever Scientology touches, it tends to corrupt. A disturbingly large portion of Scientologists discussing on the Net can be characterized as overly emotional, dead serious and jumping to conclusion without supporting facts. Group-think or “group-belief” is the order of the day. I tell you, it’s crazy in the closed pro-Scientology groups. You won’t see it unless you are especially invited. So consider this my report from the front.

If you follow my blog, you know that I am relentless on my quest for truth. Fact is King, and I am not applauding emotional rants, logical fallacies or intellectual dishonesty. I discuss with people to continually mold my views. I like how others inspire me to change my mind and uncover more truth. I am happy to be proven wrong. Because that constitutes progress.

I cross-posted “Conclusion: There are no Clears” to both the main Indie group on Facebook and the FreeZone mailing list. I also asked why the OT material should be confidential. Both were met with outrage, heat and lots of rah-rah. One guy even objected effusively, on and on, to my post on Clears while admitting he didn’t actually read the post, just the heading.

Lots of name-calling and violent opposition to even neutral questions. And it’s not only opposition to my posts, it is opposition to anyone not toeing the party-line. Just like in the CoS. I have even witnessed outright witch-hunts and lynch-mobs without the group basing the outrage on facts.

All this emotional outbursts and outrage happens right in the groups that have had the most training and auditing to keep their cool in any given situation. This does not serve as a good reference for the efficacy of the Scientology technology outside of the Scientology bubble or Trueman show.

It wouldn’t be disturbing if discussions went haywire on the HPforum, Linux Kernel lists or the EFF lists. But on the groups that tout the best mental regimen on the planet that creates the most enlightened and rational people? The elite of the mind? The fact is – no other discussion groups I am involved in on the Net are this aberrated.

Challenge a Scientologist’s core belief and watch the volcanoes erupt.

I left that Indie group on Facebook. I have asked to be taken off the FreeZone mailing list. I am on a quest for more enlightenment, rationality and truth, not emotional garbage and cult think.

I am so happy to be hosting this blog and have you guys contribute here. I love diverging viewpoints. You light up my day.

But I am guilty of being too harsh in discussions on this blog. I can see how I have let my self be hardened by Scientology, and I don’t like it. I will try to soften up and be more kind. Anette is already helping me in this regard. I would be grateful if you can help me achieve this. I am a work in progress.

*Hugs*

1. This Scientology thing may be interesting. But there is a lot of bad press about this. I will give it a try.
2. Wow! This communications course really works. Scientology makes a lot of sense. The media has got this one wrong.
3. Scientology really has got the answers! Hubbard was a genius. I am a Scientologist.
4. Everything I have experienced so far is 100% right. The rest of Scientology must surely also be right
5. Scientology is the One True Path to Total Freedom, the only hope for Man.
6. The Church of Scientology is saving Mankind. David Miscavige is the most dedicated, brilliant leader there is. I follow Command Intention to the letter.
7. There is something wrong in the Church that I can’t quite put my finger on.
8. The Church is not applying Hubbard’s policy correctly. And there is out-tech. This is a local phenomenon.
9. There seem to be global issues with the Church. It is not expanding even though Miscavige says it is expanding like never before.
10. Scientology is the Only True Path, but the current management is not on that path. It has betrayed Hubbard.
11. I am a dedicated Scientologist, and I can no longer support a suppressive Church. I’m out!
12. I am an Independent Scientologist. I practice my religion outside of the confinement of the CoS.
13. There sure are lots of diverging viewpoints among independent Scientologists. But I have my own unassailable trust in Hubbard.
14. Maybe the insanities in the Church did not start with Miscavige. Maybe, just maybe some of the problems originated with Hubbard.
15. Hmm… maybe Hubbard wasn’t right about everything. Maybe there actually are other valid spiritual paths
16. Heck, Hubbard was wrong about a lot of things. Crap! My stable data are experiencing an earthquake.
17. Scientology is a tool like so many tools out there. It’s got its good and its bad. I will use whatever works.
18. I don’t really care one way or the other. I am on my own path toward my own goals.

Not exactly my journey, but close. Although some flip to the opposite and go from fanatic to anti-fanatic, I see most people go through a similar list to the above. It may serve as a useful prediction.