Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief is an HBO documentary that features former members of the Church of Scientology. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about this cult. I knew a little about scientology. I knew it was created by L Ron Hubbard and that it it's members included Tom Cruise and John Travolta. But I had no idea how pervasive the brainwashing techniques are and how abusive it is to its members. It is a classic example of how religions are born and how they use psychological methods to indoctrinate and retain their members. It also shows how the "Church" uses its non-profit, tax exempt religious entity designation as a buffer to attacks from enemies and critics. If you get the chance, watch it. If you have seen it I would love to hear what you think.
http://www.vulture.com/2015/01/sundance-going-clear-is-a-jaw-dropping-expos.html (http://www.vulture.com/2015/01/sundance-going-clear-is-a-jaw-dropping-expos.html)
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/going_clear_scientology_and_the_prison_of_belief_2015/ (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/going_clear_scientology_and_the_prison_of_belief_2015/)
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/07/entertainment/john-travolta-scientology-going-clear-feat/ (http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/07/entertainment/john-travolta-scientology-going-clear-feat/)
Yeah, Scientology is a business, and a shitty, voracious one at that. A couple of friends of mine were involved 15 years ago. Both had plenty of money when they joined and didn't have a pot to piss in by the time they left.
I shall watch this. Thanks for the heads-up! :smiley:
As we speak, I'm reading the book that the documentary was based on. I just started it a day ago.
Quote from: SGOS on April 10, 2015, 06:08:12 PM
As we speak, I'm reading the book that the documentary was based on. I just started it a day ago.
You'll find the author goes out of his way not to condemn L Ron Hubbard or Scientology, which makes some the things you read all the more damning. If anything, Wright was much more respectful than I would have been in his place.
I don't have HBO, where can I find this? It sounds interesting. I'd try and find the book instead, but my to-read list has gotten out of hand lately, lol.
Quote from: Aroura33 on April 10, 2015, 10:21:46 PM
I don't have HBO, where can I find this? It sounds interesting. I'd try and find the book instead, but my to-read list has gotten out of hand lately, lol.
The book is a best seller, and was before HBO. So far it's been a good read. Lots of fun stuff that will make you roll your eyes. From early in life, while Hubbard did have talent, he was a compulsive liar. He had a list of war hero stories that are totally contradicted by his military records. Nothing he said was worth believing. He was definitely meant to start a new religion. It was in his bones. If I had HBO, I probably would not have bought the book, but I'm in a reading mood lately.
I dont have HBO either but ill try and get the book, an here's a good site for documentaries you all may or may not know about...
http://documentarystorm.com/
A couple of Scientology documentaries on here...
An ex-scientology member called Jon Atack wrote a bloody good book on the scam cult called A Piece Of Blue Sky. It used to be rarer than rocking-horse-shit due to never ending litigation by the scientologists. Not sure if that's still the case....
Hubbard spent his entire life telling fictional tales.
This is one reason I don't like psychologists or psychiatrist that think we have a mind that isn't part of the body, and just connected to it, and not as a whole. The only ones I listen to are those that are neurologists, and even then a lot of what they say is mere opinion. I was lucky to find one that showed me my brain and why I had PTSD and seizures along with panic attacks from a pituitary adenoma. I had six different psychiatrist that gave me every conceivable psychological test they had and diagnosed me with six different reasons why I was the way I was, and then gave me valiums I got hooked on, and when I quit I went into a spiral of despair. I take 5mgs of AmLODIPine after surgery for the tumor, and have no so called psychological problems what-so-ever now. It true that talking about problems can make you feel better, but there is no way in hell they cure anything. I call the Psychiatric Profession the New Inquisitors. So sue me! :butt: Solitary
Holy Shit! I'm half finished with the book. It goes from describing something as kooky into describing horrors of pain and suffering on its members.