esrosedotblog

OLD MOTHER HUBBARD

Scientology has always interested me. Not in the "I wanna be in it" sense but, rather, from total surprise that this kind of thing can flourish and gain adherents.

Today, the NYTimes weighs in.

Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse

Oddly, not a lot is new except that the defectors keep defecting. And the twist that they are "battling" for a return to the true Scientology. Schism.

I suppose that it is hard to write something like this without raking up all the history. It is so improbable that you have to keep saying it to remember that people are deeply into this stuff.

It is just very interesting to see how cults work.

A side issue in all this is the attraction of some celebrities to Scientology. I don't much want to go there. It is a distraction really. Celebrity is often not an indication of either good mental balance or even moderate intelligence. So a few conversions to odd "religions" here and there does not surprise.

Abuse of members is not new. Nor is the basic terms of membership which can look like imprisonment. Turning over your passport and all. The money pledges.

Ron Hubbard was probably crazy. Or one of the more successful con men in the long history of religious scams.

One must admit to his innovative prowess. Thetans. Eternity. Long shots in the odds against getting people to follow you. A good way to sell books which, as it happens, that was what L. Ron was up to at the time.

There is not a lot to say about it. I was surprised to see that, despite claims to the contrary, the church membership is shrinking.

They have always claimed millions. Or "hinted" at it as the internal goings on are "secret". Not so, says a recent survey. More like tens of thousands in the US.

So there it is. Interesting. Not too worrying. Mostly a case of people doing shit to themselves. Signing up to be misled.

Except for the kids. Born to it. Which some of these defectors are. Children of devout Scientologists. Brought up in the church. But it seems that some of them are beginning to take care of themselves. Nice. Good luck.

Labels: religion