"Getting out of a 'cult' is not something that you recover from, it is something you are strengthened by." -- Alanzo
A couple of months ago I was talking to a friend of mine, who is a forensic psychologist, and I was telling him about my path into and out of Scientology, and then into and out of Ex-Scientology. I told him that I got into Scientology and did everything I could to be a good […]
After WWII, a series of trials were held by the victors to prosecute war crimes by German soldiers. During these trials, over and over again, “I was only following orders” came up as a defense for these soldiers’ actions. This defense was roundly rejected by the prosecutors and the judges because: “The fact that a […]
Have you heard that the term “brainwashing” is a nebulous term that doesn’t describe anything, and been told that it should be beneath you to say that a “religion” brainwashes people? What exactly is a brainwashing technique? Chris Shelton describes what a brainwashing technique is, very specificly and very clearly, in his exposure of the […]
During both Seasons of Leah Remini’s Scientology and the Aftermath, Leah and Mike have sought to make anyone who criticizes them out to be a Scientologist. Because who could possibly criticize the holy work that they are doing but a Scientologist?
Reza Aslan’s episode of “Believer” on CNN regarding Independent Scientology changed my life for the better. It reminded me of an approach to belief and spiritual pursuits that is positive, constructive, and life-giving.
There is a claim made by many anti-Scientologists, such as Tony Ortega, Mike Rinder, Chris Shelton and others, that the Church of Scientology paid social scientists and other academics in the field of religion to alter their research and to write articles favorable to Scientology. Since objective scientific research is important to critical thinking about […]
A few days ago, Mike Rinder, as is his wont, asked for comments on Scientology and the Aftermath S2E2 featuring two tragic suicides by Scientologists. So I posted my thoughts on it: “Alanzo says August 23, 2017 at 12:29 pm I personally can not believe that you and Leah have gone down the road of […]
Mike Rinder’s blog has a post today about “2 Types of Exes” which is eerily reminiscent of “Two Types of People” by L Ron himself. Hubbard was wrong about this two poled thinking and so is Mike Rinder. Here’s why.
Was Barney Fife an Anti-Scientologist? He sure could have been, if you listen carefully to some of the whacked-out things that some Anti-Scientologists say about Scientology when they get themselves all worked up into a lather like Barney did. Here’s just a few recent quotes from Anti-Scientologists on the subject of Scientology: “They believe a […]
Eileen Vartan Barker OBE, (born 21 April 1938, Edinburgh, UK) is a professor in sociology, an emeritus member of the London School of Economics (LSE), and a consultant to that institution’s Centre for the Study of Human Rights. She is the chairperson and founder of the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (INFORM) and has […]
No way, right? Ex-Scientologists Aaron Smith-Levin and Chris Shelton present information Chris gathered on his recent trip to Australia about supposed new ways that SO orgs are being run – the greatest sources of abuse in Scientology by far. Chris doesn’t say where his information comes from but it’s interesting information to think about, nonetheless. […]
Gerry has an interesting viewpoint on Jon Atack and Chris Shelton’s allegiance and mutual promotional efforts of each other. ” I do not mean that Mr. Shelton’s arrogance or narcissism is a concern to him, but should be a concern to people who might look to him for guidance or tout his humility. Perhaps you […]
Despite his obvious and often unhinged bias against Scientology, Tony Ortega sometimes displays enough intellectual honesty to redeem himself as a journalist who wants to be taken seriously. I’ve been reading and re-reading his recent series of articles on the unlicensed mental care facility set up by Scientologists in the back woods of Tennessee. And […]
Here’s the text of her post: “Hi- Rachel Bernstein here. None of that is true. If you ever have questions about anyway that I practice, or what I charge, or if I take insurance, just contact me. I have been doing this work for 26 years and there is no way that I would have […]
Place any Escape stories, Capture stories, or Atrocity stories you have heard or told yourself and others about Scientology in the comments below.
“Sensibly Speaking” has apparently lost its dictionary definition with Chris Shelton. Anyone who can make it past 15 minutes of listening to these two fanatical zealots gets a prize.
There is no substitute for being willing & able to see things from someone else’s perspective when you are in a disagreement or dispute with them.
Many people have listed the parts of Scientology involvement, especially Arnie Lerma at his seminal Lermanet.com blog. This is one I developed for a project I am working on.
It happens to all of us. There is a point where you wake up from the hysteria of being an anti-Scientologist and say to yourself “Hey Wait a Minute!” The conspiracy theories of Scientology’s political tentacles that can “torpedo” FBI investigations, the superstitious belief in the POWER of the MIND CONTROL, the super-dooper RELEVANCE of […]
I believe if an Ex-cultist is to fully graduate from his former cultic thinking and keep evolving and growing in a constructive manner after the cult, he should teach himself to listen to criticism, and carefully determine if there might be something true in it.
My point is not that there is no damage that comes from having been involved with Scientology. My point is that these assumptions must be examined critically before making these generalizations about Ex-Scientologists – and especially before adopting these assumptions for yourself as an Ex.
Does Karen De La Carriere pay money to Tony Ortega and Chris Shelton to post what she wants?
Alanzo is an Ex-Scientologist who sees the same tribalism he escaped in Scientology rising up in Anti-Scientology.
Out of all the lessons he learned by escaping Scientology, he learned one lesson harder than any other: Never let your tribe do your thinking for you.
Alanzo writes from the battlefield of the war between Scientology & Anti-Scientology.
