Social scientists who study minority religions have observed that the main activity of the anti-cult movement is to create a moral panic around a targeted minority religion strong enough to make governments react.
Members of the anti-cult movement accomplished this in Waco in the 1990’s, and the resulting catastrophe woke up people in government to their responsibility to use their lethal power wisely when it came to dealing with ‘cults’. Many studies were commissioned in Europe and the US in the late 90’s, asking social scientists to weigh in with real quantitative analysis on the issues surrounding “cults” in their countries.
It became clear that the anti-cult movement (ACM) was mostly made up of Ex-members, some with real stories of abuse, some with a flipped anti-religious fervor against their former religion. The ACM was also composed of fervent believers of mainstream religions who felt that a particular ‘cult’ was immoral or violated their own mainstream religious beliefs. They found journalists in the ACM whose job was to sell newspapers and books and, unless there was something salacious to promote, their stories about ‘cults’ would never sell as news. They found psychologists in the ACM who needed to promote their psychological practices for “cult recovery”. And they found atheists who were just as fervently against the minority religions based on their atheistic beliefs as were the members of mainstream religions. All these disparate interests were working together, for their own reasons, to “raise awareness” of the abuse in the minority religion – only some of which was real.
Too often these governments found that the ACM repeated the same decades old, sometimes centuries old, atrocity stories over and over, to whomever would listen. They would characterize the targeted minority religion as evil, usually omitting the time frame and other vital info from their stories. Conversion to the minority religion was described by the ACM as “being hypnotized” or “brainwashed”, never as a conscious or self-determined decision which simply turned out to be a mistake. Social scientists who studied minority religions which were accused of using “mind control techniques” found no evidence for those accusations. Leaving the religion for a member of the ACM was always described as “escape”, even though only some of them used the term accurately.
Moreover, it was found that the anti-cult movement vigorously fought against social scientists who applied scientific discipline because, very often, this scientific discipline deflated the panic the ACM was trying to whip up.
These governments learned that depending on the anti-cult movement to get you information about abuse that was allegedly occurring in a minority religion could get you into legal trouble if you allowed them to make you too hysterical. And, as in the case of Waco, you could get people killed.
So governments learned to focus on the law. They knew that human beings are prone to prejudice and hysteria about groups and beliefs and morals that are different from their own. And so governments stick to legal issues only. When these governments act it will be safer for everyone – including the rights and lives of the members of the minority religion.
This is why Leah Remini Scientology and the Aftermath will never get her federal investigation if Season 2 continues to focus on the moral outrages committed by Scientology, and not on any illegal or criminal activity. The federal government, quite rightly, has no power to enforce morals. They have to enforce the law, and to protect the rights of minorities.
And THAT is a good thing.
Leah Remini Scientology and the Aftermath, Season 2
After observing Leah Remini lie about the beliefs of Scientologists, and blame mothers for their daughters’ suicides, it’s clear that Leah needs to be watched, and questioned, and scrutinized for every word she says. The emotional manipulation she is engaging in, in pursuit of a moral panic to get her federal investigation, is quite obvious now.
It’s one of the most disappointing things I have seen in my 18 years as a critic of Scientology. The reason to become a critic of Scientology is to tell the truth about it – never to lie, or to obfuscate, or to over-simplify in order to use your information as a weapon. But to tell the truth to ensure that real abuses get reformed and that the rights of these minorities are not violated.
Where Scientology is not breaking the law, no matter how morally repugnant to some people, they must be allowed to practice their religion without interference. In fact, the government must protect Scientology from those who would harm it simply because their morals are not the same as Scientology’s.
The anti-cult movement can become a pernicious and insidious conjurer of deep-seated tribal intolerance. And for ex-members who fall into its worldview on their former selves, that worldview can become very self-destructive. It is very important not to let this self-destruction of Ex-members become destructive to others, as well.
I want a federal investigation of Scientology for the right reasons.
But so far, Leah Remini Scientology and the Aftermath has not provided any.
“Why Leah Remini Scientology and the Aftermath Will Never Get Its Federal Investigation”
Because so far no crimes (except for “Snow White”) punishable by the law has been found after even decades of bad Press, dozens of books from apostates and anti-cult “experts”, and a “documentary” who mainly uses hearsay evidence to support their Anti-Scientology narrative.
Because the rate of suicide in Scn is no different – and could even be considered lower – than those from other religious movements. 12-15 examples in decades when compared with at least 100,000 Scientologists (back in the 80s), is not a “situation”. And even most of those cases have NOT been able to be related directly to the involvement in Scn, leaving aside hearsay and unproven conclusions.
Because, even though that I believe that there is such a thing as “coercive persuasion” and “psychological intimidation” (which EXIST in Scn), the fact of the matter is that it all boils down to individual decisions as regards to “Disconnection” and continued participation or lack thereof in Scn. And all known religions have aspects of both, “Coercive Persuasion” and “Psychological Intimidation”, to varying degrees, and some more evident than others. The concept of “Sin” and “Hell” being one of those examples.
Because in the case of “Disconnection” – as much as I DISAGREE with using such a “solution” which I would NEVER recommend except when connected to a REAL asshole (“SP”) – I understand that – even “coercively persuaded” or “psychological intimidated” or not – nobody can’t be telling others to whom they should remain connected to or not. I might disagree with their choosing of that “solution” – which I DO – but I respect Free Will as the basic foundation of life.
Because Leah and Mike are dishonestly twisting the words of LRH by quoting things TOTALLY out their proper context, only to support their Anti-Scientology narrative. I mean, in episode 3 season 2, they even went so far so as to utter this nonsense in relation to a quote from the DMSMH concerning “Prenatals” TOTALLY taken out of its proper context, and even not representing the Scn culture at all :
(Leah) “So the mother is usually to blame when a child is acting out (misbehaving) because the mother is what is considered a “restimulator” of the child, so if the child is acting out, the mother is taught that it was her fault, because you activate bad memories for your child because of the things you did when your child was in your womb”.
No, Alanzo, I am not kidding you here. Leah said that at 12:10 mins of the episode :
Because instead of showing compassion for the families of the victims of suicide, they BLAME them (besides Scn) for such tragic events, and do so (which they SHOULDN’T anyway) without any REAL evidence to support this “blame” beyond a hearsay narrative and assumptions violating the rules of “Logic” and proper justice.
Because no matter how ridiculous or odd one might find Scn’s cosmology, this is no stranger than the Bible and other scriptures from other religions, and there is such a thing as Freedom of Religion and Belief protected by most constitutions of the world.
Because their intentions are not reformation, rehabilitation, mercifulness, forgiveness, and fair play, but destruction, punishment, and plain hate.
“So governments learned to focus on the law. They knew that human beings are prone to prejudice and hysteria to groups and beliefs and morals that are different from their own. And so if they stuck to legal issues only, then when these governments acted, it was safer for everyone – including the rights and lives of the members of the minority religion.,,”
And good Lord that the government learned that lesson!!! If it wouldn’t have, a witch-hunt is what we would have today. IMHO, the minorities are the ones needing more protection from the law due to marginalization and prejudice.
“After observing Leah Remini lie about the beliefs of Scientologists, and blame mothers for their daughters’ suicides, Leah Remini needs to be watched, and questioned, and scrutinized for every word she says. The emotional manipulation she is engaging in, in pursuit of a moral panic to get her federal investigation, is quite obvious now.”
She is, INDEED, creating a moral panic! And is doing it by twisting facts; stereotyping Scientologists based on the bad conduct of a few; blaming ONLY the Scientologists in each family conflict shown; conveniently twisting the narrative to make it seems that the errors in judgement from a few fanatical Scientologists are due to LRH or the “Tech”, and that those examples used and exposed represent the “general” attitude of “ALL” Scientologists; and by totally disbelieving the versions of the Scientologists in the videos from the church protesting The Aftermath.
“The reason to become a critic of Scientology is to tell the truth about it – never to lie, or to obfuscate, or to over-simplify in order to use your information as a weapon. But to tell the truth to ensure that real abuses get reformed and that the rights of these minorities are not violated.”
About the ONLY way to force any group to stop any abuse, is by exposing only the facts that can be proven beyond any reasonable doubt, and by refraining ourselves from acting uncompassionate about the members of the group that one is trying to handle. And in The Aftermath season 2, BOTH of those guidelines have been violated left and right. In episode 3 they AGAIN blamed a suicide on Scn, and exposed AGAIN a mother to the death of her child, just to “prove” their twisted narrative. But more on that tomorrow when I had already watched that episode in full.
“Where Scientology is not breaking the law, no matter how morally repugnant to some people, they must be allowed to practice their religion without interference.”
EXACTLY!! But go to Rinder’s blog, and you will see how he mock the church and its members ALL the time! Mr. Mike Rinder the “Great Humanitarian”. The one who has more skeletons on his closet that can be counted! The one who ABANDONED his kids to the SO, and now is HYPOCRITICALLY criticizing others. No wonder his own family doesn’t want anything to do with him. At least he “sort of” accept that he did, which is commendable that he does. Every human being should have his/her opportunity at redemption, forgiveness, and a fresh start. I have my own crimes which are A LOT.
But if Rinder thinks even for a minute that his family (especially his son which seems to stick his attention more) are going to come running towards him when he “had” destroyed the church, he is being delusional! I mean, they are just going to hate his guts even more, as they will feel that he took their religion away. He thinks that he is “saving” them, but he is ONLY succeeding in distancing them from him even more.
“In fact, the government must protect Scientology from those who would harm it simply because their morals are not the same as Scientology’s”
I totally agree on that!!
They should have stayed on a similar line of thought as in the first season where the focus was more directed at forcing the church to stop using forced Disconnection as a handling, and to stop using Fair Game practices on the critics and apostates. At least that season had a lot more facts than mere assumptions and half-truths, as we could see the specific Fair Game policies that the church was operating from, with specific examples (with enough evidence at hand) where those practices had been used in ex members, and journalists.
Disconnection and Fair Game are the CONSTANT with the church, and a PRESENT TIME situation. Isolated suicides (which might or might have not been directly related to Scn), child abuse in the cadet orgs, and abortions are a thing of the past. Digging up instances when any of that happened some decades ago, is not going to accomplish ANYTHING, and could in fact become, something unfair for the church if they have already dealt with those issues, which I feel they have.
The Anti-Scientology movement’s strategies are very weak, stupid and totally ineffective. They have absolutely no clue on what a correct strategy looks like.
The masturbatory fantasy of Bunkeroos about a “David Miscavige perp walk” says it all. It’s like a crowd at a public execution baying for blood. (Similar to previous fantasies about M. Rathbun losing his wife and/or kid, but now they’ve decided that Mosey is also on The Dark Side now, as far as I can tell.)
Yeah. It’s just one after another, lining up to weigh-in with whatever dark nightmare they can wish on him and his life.
The malice is so weird. And their assignment of angelic characteristics to Ray Jeffrey. He didn’t completely screw himself with a rookie mistake in the hearing – he’s playing the long game.
Well that’s why Marty fired him, obviously.
Who is “Mosey”, Alanzo?
Mosey is the nickname for Monique, Marty Rathbun’s wife.
Oh, thanks!
CofS is doing illegal things. THAT is why some people think they could be raided or otherwise affected.
You know Claire, for the last couple of years, after beginning to question so many of my anti-Scientology beliefs, I can’t think of anything they are doing that is illegal. Can you?
And by “illegal”, I mean “criminal”. Not something they can be civilly sued for – there’s plenty of that. But I mean something they can be criminally charged, prosecuted, and convicted for.
Can you think of anything specifically criminal?
It’s questions like this that lead to Tony Ortega subtweeting you as a troll, while listing a whole bunch of things done by Scientologist which may be reprehensible but are not (yet) illegal.
As I stated elsewhere, there is NO WAY The Aftermath is going to spawn a federal, state or local investigation into Scn. I am reaching for my wallet if anyone is willing to wager.
What WILL happen is, at the end of the season, the “apparency” or hope of an investigation by law enforcement (whether real or manufactured). But, that is about as real as the emotions displayed on the show. It is the cliff-hanger, their ploy to get renewed for Season 3.
Episode 3 was about as much as I could take. Will post my observations later.
For serious Scn watchers, The Aftermath (as well, the church’s responses) is just noise and distraction; muddying the waters with outrageous falsehoods and misperceptions. ANY serious investigator will see through this.
Statpush wrote:
LOL! I’ve been hanging on for 18 years waiting for a federal investigation! What a great way to ensure your series gets renewed for Season 3!
As far as the emotions displayed on the show – come on! Someone cries EVERY EPISODE!
SOMETIMES THEY ARE ALL CRYING!
The thing I’ve missed so far this season is seeing Mike Rinder cry.
What’s the house on Rinder crying this season??
I say 3 to 1 he does.
That’s way better odds than them getting a federal investigation with what they’re showing.
Hey? Will the feds raid if you make people cry enough?
“Hey? Will the feds raid if you make people cry enough?”
You know how the saying goes, Alanzo : “Number of tears shed = a fed investigation”.
I love Leah’s tears as they seems so gentle, 🙂 , and then her voice gets very soft and her beautiful eyes big a watery. She actually looks very sensual when she cries; makes me want to hold her in my arms, 🙂
Reality shows are scripted and television loves wet (tears), but I see no reason to be mean. I don’t see it as all fake.
It may not be all fake, and to the degree that it is not all fake, then yes, my making fun of their tears is mean. And I am certainly not making fun of the victims’ tears. I’m sure those are all genuine and cathartic – because they are finally getting to tell their stories to the world.
But networks are all about demographics and developing messaging and content that appeals to their shows’ demographics. For instance, A&E (which started out on cable showing ballet) is not going to let Leah and Mike go into a high-brow discussion of L Ron Hubbard’s misunderstandings of Buddhism. They simply will not allow that because their demographic – the people who tune in to their show – would die of boredom.
So what do you think their demographic is for the show?
And given that dominant demographic – do you think we are ever going to get into anything that the Feds – as yet another ostensibly desired demographic – will find interesting?
I do very much believe, because I’ve been around shows like this, that they are encouraging crying because that’s what their demographic goes for. You can encourage crying and still not have anything fake going on. If the tears are there, the tears are there. And in post-production, we’ll make sure we show them. I think they are doing it too much though, and its emphasis in editing the show is ringing false.
Especially when Mike Rinder, the head of OSA for 25 years, starts crying.
And Leah cries almost EVERY SHOW. Are you telling me that Leah Remini is this big crybaby?
Come on.