I visited the Scientology Center of BR

...and lived to write about it

By Kelley Cox

Pulling up to the Church of Scientology – Baton Rouge Mission, I felt very afraid. I was intimidated not only by my own preconceived notions about Scientology, but also by the sign in front of the building with “Dianetics” written in red and an erupting volcano pictured on it.

Granted, I had absolutely no reason to be scared. The director of public affairs, Craig Gehrig, called to invite me to the center and was nothing but polite and friendly. I also watched many of the informational videos he recommended on the Church of Scientology’s official Web site (www.Scientology.org) and realized that practically everything I had heard about Scientology was untrue.

Scientology is probably the most misunderstood religion around. It’s probably also the most ridiculed religion around. Gehrig remembered the poorly researched, offensive articles that both Tiger Weekly and The Daily Reveille have published in the past two years.

Scientology actually isn’t that outlandish – it’s shockingly sane and reasonable.

“All Scientology is, is knowledge,” explained Gehrig. “There’s no faith in Scientology. You don’t believe it, you KNOW it.”

So, how did this whole thing get started? How did Scientology become the fastest-growing religion on Earth?

The short answer is just as unbelievable as the history lesson.

Gehrig explained that L. Ron Hubbard, “a pulp fiction writer,” wrote a manuscript that would later become his best-selling book, Dianetics. Gehrig handed his manuscript out to his friends and family, who copied it and passed it out, too. The cycle continued until Hubbard began to receive truckloads of letters each day inquiring about the methods and theories behind Dianetics.

Gehrig said that Hubbard allowed the book to be published “so he wouldn’t have to answer anymore letters.” Gehrig also claimed that “Hubbard didn’t make a cent off of Scientology” because all the money he made went right back into Scientology. Gehrig said that “Hubbard was already a millionaire before Scientology,” having profited from his career as a pulp fiction writer.

Gehrig said that once Dianetics was published in 1950, people really related to it and yearned to apply the teachings of Dianetics to their own lives. Gehrig said that “Dianetics can solve stress, anxiety, fear,” and almost anything else. Scientology evolved from Dianetics in 1952.

Ever since, Scientology has not stopped gaining momentum. With the endorsements of celebrities like Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley and John Travolta, Scientology is not hurting for publicity.

Gehrig said that the Baton Rouge Mission of the Church of Scientology “doesn’t have any recruiting. It’s all word of mouth and books” that attracts people to the Church of Scientology.

Gehrig welcomed any questions I may have had, so I had to put my pen where my mouth is, so to speak. What about all the alien stuff? Do Scientologists really think aliens came to Earth 75 million years ago in airplanes? And why can’t you take Tylenol if you have a headache?

“Scientologists aren’t vitamin junkies,” Gehrig explained before letting out a small laugh. “We take medicine when we’re sick. That’s OK. We have members that are doctors. We are firm critics of psychiatry.”

Basically, Gehrig said Scientologists don’t frown upon taking antihistamines or cold medicine. Any medication that helps cure or reduce symptoms of scientifically proven diseases and disorders is legit; it’s the mental health disorders that don’t fly with Scientologists.

Gehrig said that a person can’t actually prove the existence of any “chemical imbalance” or what the correct chemical balance should be, so why prescribe medication in the name of fixing it?

He also attributed some of the negativity toward Scientology to the drug industry.

“Think about it. The drug industry is a 78-million-dollar-a-day industry. They don’t want Tom Cruise asking people to think twice before medicating their children.”

And the Xenu story about the alien dictator flying billions of his people to Earth on DC-8-like aircrafts, stacking them around volcanoes, and blowing them up causing their souls to spiritually harm Earth’s current inhabitants? Gehrig said “it’s all a myth.”

How disappointing.

Instead of Xenu, Gehrig said that “Scientologists believe in helping people.” This can be seen by the Church of Scientology’s humanitarian efforts in New York after 9/11 and in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.

The only thing that really stood out as fishy is the “auditing” concept of Scientology. Auditing is very similar to a therapy or counseling session. The auditor asks questions to direct the individual to understand what is causing him or her trouble, anxiety, etc. in his or her life.

The individual being audited holds two tin-can-like objects connected to an Electropsychometer (E-meter) by wires. The E-meter has a needle on its screen that reads your E, not to be confused with “chee.”

Your E, Gehrig said, is the electrical impulses going through your body. Thinking about certain experiences causes these impulses to act a certain way readable by the needle on the E-meter, which the auditor interprets.

Gehrig said that it costs thousands of dollars to undergo the training needed to become an auditor.

Another shady aspect of auditing is the lack of legal confidentiality between the auditor and individual being audited. Gehrig said that auditors would never disclose the information received during a session, but the question remains: What’s stopping him?

Gehrig held that Scientologists are “extremely ethical people.” He also said that “anyone that knows Scientology, knows it’s cool.”

Send your comments to editor@tigerweekly.com

Originally Published: Issue 605 - April 23, 2008

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Comments

“All Scientology is, is knowledge,” explained Gehrig. “There’s no faith in Scientology. You don’t believe it, you KNOW it.”

I’ve tried to take an objective approach to understanding scientology. But I have yet to see one peer reviewed or any other scientific paper about any of their practices. And if it’s not faith then why are they a tax exempt religion?

To me these people are horribly confused and dangerous.

observer | 2008-04-23 - 12:44:41 PM (CDT)
Kelley, a bit too credulous. There is so much documentation available of the Scientology cult/corporations crimes and abuses. Just Google "Operation Snow White," and "Operation Freakout." Go to Xenu.net. Go to www.youfoundthecard.com. Scientology is by no means "the fastest growing religion." It has around 50,000 members (and shrinking), not the millions they claim. The Xenu story is not a "myth," but you have to pay thousands of dollars and reach the "OT III" level before they tell you about it. Their "humanitarian work" after 9/11 was nothing less tjhan a cynical recruitment drive. Scientology is not compatible with Christianity or other real religions --- Hubbard had all kinds of weird and nasty things to say about Jesus Christ. One of Hubbard’s best friends was Aleister Crowley, the famous devil-worshipper. Scientology is just plain evil and there are no two ways about it. Please, everyone, get informed with TRUE and ACCURATE information about Scientology. Go to Xenu.net, go to youfoundthecard.com, and get the real story on the Scientology cult. Don’t touch that thing with a 10 foot pole. It is dangerous and will suck the life out of you.

Janey | 2008-04-23 - 12:50:00 PM (CDT)
Poorly researched to say the least. You were talking to someone who has not done OT III. Xenu lives there. If you use drugs, you cannot be audited for six weeks, ask them. Hubbard did profit from Scientology--his wait staff, boats, homes, cars, buses, meals etc... were gifts, eh? The E-meter measures electrical resistance, not E!? You could have had an interesting article if you would have pushed the psychiatry issue. Nice try. EPIC FAIL

Bob Robins | 2008-04-23 - 12:53:08 PM (CDT)
What a worrying article; Cox writes the entire piece without giving any sort of opposing viewpoint, other than the Xenu nonsense and her own vague suspicion. (The Scientologist, on the other hand, gets to freewheel to his heart’s content.)

This is especially concerning: "I also watched many of the informational videos he recommended on the Church of Scientology’s official Web site (www.Scientology.org) and realized that practically everything I had heard about Scientology was untrue."

Any critical thinker should know to not just go to the font of a supposed propaganda-fuelled cult -- also interview the ex-Scientologists and long-time activists, or do some reading on Xenu.net. Of course the Scientology director isn’t going to freely admit to policies such as "fair game", disconnection, or the RPF (the gulag for Staff members). Nor is that stuff going to be included in one of those shiny "informational videos".

It’s nice that Cox tried to look into a serious topic; it’s a shame she did so by essentially rocking up to the cult and chirping "Want to dispel this crazy rumour? Great! Hey, I hear you have celebrities!"

Grace | 2008-04-23 - 12:55:07 PM (CDT)
I dont find this article fair or objective at all - rather it poses as a PR piece for the CO$ - and a weak one at that.

Nothing the supposed church has qualified is based in real world science - but rather through innuendo and sweeping misconceptions and redirection of general observations.

To call this a religion is a injustice of the highest kind. Historically speaking - paying for grace was equally the downfall of the Catholic church through the dark ages - why should anyone need to pay for salvation, let alone have to purchase copywrited material for the pleasure of doing so?

I call BullSh*t.

thetruthonlineisreal | 2008-04-23 - 12:59:52 PM (CDT)
For a journalist, you really are quite easily fooled. Many of the statements relayed to you were either half truths or an outright lie. As for the Xenu story, why dont you head over to wikileaks and check out their doctirine on the Operating Thetan levels. These papers were produced by LRH himself. Skim on over to OTIII and read where Hubbard went through the "Wall of Fire". He explains the Xenu Story. By the time you reach that level and have invested enough money, you are brainwashed to believe anything they tell you. You dont want to feel like a fool and that you’ve ben conned, so at this point you will listen to everything they tell you and believe it. Otherwise, you will be disconnected from freinds and family still within the cults grasp. You will be declared an SP.

Please try researching your story some more when you have all the facts, not just the "facts" scientology will tell you.

AnonyMAX | 2008-04-23 - 12:59:56 PM (CDT)
Hey Kelley.

Take a look at the interview with Jason Beghe, who was a scientologist for a long time. He talks about the Xenu story - you were lied to. It’s part of their morals - they’re allowed to lie to you.... nice, eh??

Thomas | 2008-04-23 - 01:03:30 PM (CDT)
Great article. Nice to finally get some objectivity!

RatherRep | 2008-04-23 - 01:16:44 PM (CDT)
Dear Tiger Editor
RE:I visited the Scientology Center of BR...and lived to write about it by Kelley Cox

Im not sure what kind of playground you’re running
but I would hope that you;should limit the participation of the interns to fetching coffee or
retrieving drycleaning rather than allow them the grace of posing as writers or investigative journalists
let alone for the purpose of exposing a cult.

The piece you published today by Kelley Cox was an abhorrent, poorly written piece posing as an article of investigative journalism.
I doubt that she was capable or cunning enough to ask the hard and pressing questions that would lead to some sort of informative article that would shed some light on the practices of the Church of Scientology; rather its apparent she was able to be manipulated and redirected to doing the bidding of those she sought to expose - and published those opinions without any comparison or independent verification therof.

If she represents the caliber and quality of strong willed journalistic talent you have on staff, I will be sure to not click on your site in the future and advise others not to do the same.

thetruthonlineisreal | 2008-04-23 - 01:20:13 PM (CDT)
"Gehrig said that a person can’t actually prove the existence of any “chemical imbalance”.."

If you’re going to print Scientology’s line on psychiatry, you should at least bother to read the medical papers and research journals that claim otherwise, and offer proof.

Scientology is nothing but a sham - a money-making venture masking itself in religious clothing to avoid prosecution, and doing quite well at it, I might add, thanks to their secret deal with the IRS that gives them preferential treatment over any other religion in the US.

Perhaps instead of taking Scientology’s word for everything you could do some research and make up your own mind.

Lucy | 2008-04-23 - 01:21:52 PM (CDT)
Kelley,

An E-meter is basically a lie detector -- it senses perspiration on your palms. You lie, you sweat.

The alarming thing is that this simple fact (E-meter = lie detector) is available all over the place -- in fact, most people who know about Xenu know it. So why not mention that fact?

As for the drugs stuff, they’re lying to you again. Check out Tory Christman, who was told to drop drugs for epileptic seizures. Guess what? Seizures didn’t go away. But Tory did eventually -- and would be happy to talk to you as an ex-Scientologist, I’d wager.

Anonynony | 2008-04-23 - 01:22:06 PM (CDT)
Wow, this site is getting a lot of free publicity.

haha | 2008-04-23 - 01:24:11 PM (CDT)
About Scientology’s tax-exempt "religion" status: Does your church own a full-sized luxury ocean cruise liner, based at a Caribbean island, in which you and your family can go on a nice cruise, and then write off the whole thing in your taxes, as a "donation" do your church? I didn’t think so. Scientology is a scam from start to finish, and all the shiny happy stories they tell you are either lies or gross distortions of half-truths. Check out sites like www.xenu.net and www.factnet.org/Scientology/dianetics.html

Bottom line: Scientology is not just phoney nonsense. It’s also a major criminal racket.

Laura | 2008-04-23 - 01:26:09 PM (CDT)
Oh no Scientology is great. It changed my life. I am from Turkey. I am thankful to Scientology (:

umut | 2008-04-23 - 01:37:58 PM (CDT)
Umut, if you’re sincere about liking Scientology, look up Free Zoners. All the things you like about Scientology (tech, lingo, books) with none of the things you fear about the Church of Scientology (RPF, intimidation, disconnection).

Either way, glad to see you’re on the web and looking at all sides of the story.

Grace | 2008-04-23 - 01:47:55 PM (CDT)
Nice article and not jumping into the bandwagon of the people who really don’t know much about Scientology but just are opposed to it. It is a religion and people are free to join or not, read books or not, study or not. It is up to an individual and all the hoopla currently going around about a few people who don’t like it is not representative of the real Church.

Yvonne | 2008-04-23 - 01:48:45 PM (CDT)
Scientology is far worse than you think. One needs to research all sides, then step away and research other things before deciding to join what I experienced and describe as an insidious cult. It is a wolf in sheeps clothing, deception at its finest and grandest. Google Scientology. Check out www.xenu.net ... educate yourself!

patty23 | 2008-04-23 - 01:52:31 PM (CDT)
"oh, but he told me that wasn’t true, so i was all, ’cool,’ and then i came home to totally write this article."

www.exscientologykids.com

from people who obviously know better.

manuel | 2008-04-23 - 01:53:17 PM (CDT)
This article goes to show anyone... and I mean ANYONE can can call themselves a JOURNALIST and post a ’press release’ on behalf of a cult.

The writer & editor should be embarrassed and the credibility of this internet rag is on par with $cientology itself. The fact that you are aiding in spreading this propaganda really is criminal and if only one person falls prey to their brainwashing from reading it, you should be held fully accountable.

That being said, The fact that this ’media’ source is merely one click away from ’Brazilian Fart Porn’ really speaks for itself.

Way to go Kelley! Time to change majors.

KELLYisCLEARLYaSCIENTOLOGIST | 2008-04-23 - 01:56:45 PM (CDT)
unbelievable that someone who claims to be a journalist could be duped so completely. im baffled, and disappointed. better luck next time.

ew | 2008-04-23 - 01:57:43 PM (CDT)
"It is a religion and people are free to join or not, read books or not, study or not."

That’s actually precisely the issue people have with CoS. People are NOT free to read books -- they have to pay insane amounts for the pleasure of accessing the "tech". Jason Beghe estimates he spent a million dollars on his bridge.

And you’re right, people are free to join... But they’re not as free to leave. And that’s not even getting into the Disconnection policy, where Scientologists sever ties with family and friends who are critical of the faith. We’re talking mothers who haven’t seen their children in years, here. It’s wrong to isolate people from their friends and family as a matter of "religion".

All of it put together, this is a cult that can’t bear up under scrutiny or critical thought. That’s why their religious texts are copyrighted, that’s why they sue and harass their critics individually, and that’s why people are finally standing up to the organization.

Be a Scientologist, if you really want to, that’s fine. But the Church of Scientology is a business masquerading as a religion, and it’s about time a little light was let in.

Anonynony | 2008-04-23 - 01:58:40 PM (CDT)
This is a great article - balanced...with all the negativity about Scientology, one is left wondering what the other side of the story. This article really answers that question and lets the reader make up his own mind.

With all of the posts on this site in so little time since this article came up, one would be led to believe that the internet Scientology bashers are at it again. Last time an article on Scientology was published in BR, it was the same thing...TONS of posts on the site. I would be surprised if any of them has picked up tigerweekly, is a reader of your paper, or even lives in Louisiana. More than likely this site is just linked on a Scientology hate-site. So don’t let them put you down about your journalism! It’s obvious they have their own agenda.

Rob | 2008-04-23 - 02:00:01 PM (CDT)
Dear Tiger Editor
RE:I visited the Scientology Center of BR...and lived to write about it by Kelley Cox

Im not sure what kind of playground you’re running
but I would hope that you;should limit the participation of the interns to fetching coffee or
retrieving drycleaning rather than allow them the grace of posing as writers or investigative journalists
let alone for the purpose of exposing a cult.

The piece you published today by Kelley Cox was an abhorrent, poorly written piece posing as an article of investigative journalism.
I doubt that she was capable or cunning enough to ask the hard and pressing questions that would lead to some sort of informative article that would shed some light on the practices of the Church of Scientology; rather its apparent she was able to be manipulated and redirected to doing the bidding of those she sought to expose - and published those opinions without any comparison or independent verification therof.

If she represents the caliber and quality of strong willed journalistic talent you have on staff, I will be sure to not click on your site in the future and advise others not to do the same.

^^
Ditto!

AJ Nelson | 2008-04-23 - 02:06:12 PM (CDT)
Some of us are actually trained journalists, Rob. The critiques of this article are largely accurate -- it’s got an alarming amount of editorializing, with a notable lack of sources for the "other side" of the argument. That balance you’re claiming truly isn’t present in the article, if you were to run it by an editor with a red pen.

And no need to be paranoid about "Scientology hate sites" (sigh) -- I found my way here via Google news.

Anonynony | 2008-04-23 - 02:11:15 PM (CDT)
google \"operation snow white\", \"operation freakout\" and now, look for the interview with jason beghe, longtime scientologist and OT V to learn the truth about this \"religion\".

well | 2008-04-23 - 02:15:16 PM (CDT)
i just want to say that for all of you pointing out the baby gloves reasearch ( prolly written by a scientologist ) your comments are well thought out and very well explained thank you for speaking the truth

ohbuddy | 2008-04-23 - 02:19:25 PM (CDT)
This article should have been titled, "What Church of Scientology staff member Craig Gehrig says about Scientology".

What do you expect a Church of Scientology staff member to say about Scientology? That’s it’s controversial? That 11 scientologists were convicted in the largest case of infiltration of the U.S. government? That it has ’scriptures’ that mandate lying? That it has ’scriptures’ that mandate destroying utterly people speaking out and opposing the systematic abuses of human rights by the organization?

Would you expect a Church of Scientology staff member, whose most important purpose is to sell you books and courses, to be impolite and rude?

What statement on Xenu would you expect from a Church of Scientology staff member, who is forbidden by his faith to disclose the secret teachings on Xenu?

That’s not reporting, it’s an ad. To the detriment of the "journalist," most will see through this poorly researched article, as these infomercials don’t work anymore in an era where anybody with access to the internet can easily type "Scientology" in a search engine.

R. Hill | 2008-04-23 - 02:23:18 PM (CDT)
Dear Anonynony,

Who is us (as in "some of US are actually trained journalists")?

I thought you found your way here on your own little lonesome?

I guess since you’re anonynony we’ll never know...

I’m outta here before you peeps start calling ME a Scientologist, too.

We should be gearing up for jazzfest and talking about the interviews over there instead of beating up some poor girl who tried to write a balanced article instead of floating with journalistic tide.

Rob | 2008-04-23 - 02:23:22 PM (CDT)
I visited the Scientology Center of BR
...and lived to write about it
By Kelley Cox

Anyone studying Scientology better do their homework and read L. Ron Hubbard’s staff policies.
Hubbard’s policies reveal why Scientology acts so disgracefully in hidden ways. Your readers must read Hubbard, such as the following policy written for people like the Scientology PR front people to execute:
"OFFICE OF SPECIAL AFFAIRS NETWORK ORDER # 15, 18 February 1988, Confidential, “BLACK PROPAGANDA” “..... To cease to be the effect of classification and become in our turn the cause of it, the classifier, is to win the propaganda game. Our propaganda is dirty.…” “… We do this trick by survey and attack.…” “… we become re-classified as attackers and the enemy as bad hats as they’re for the evil if they attack us…” “… We just run propaganda campaigns.…“ “…It reclassifies our attackers as evil people…” “…we (1) Seek to avoid opportunities for the enemy to classify us. (2) Contest or expose any previous classifications as false (dead agentry, etc.) (3) Engage in a series of campaigns which confuse past classification. (4) Achieve for ourselves a dominance in classifying ourselves and others."
L. RON HUBBARD, Founder (1972, reissued 1988)

Next time you meet the Scientology trained PR people, please ask them, for the record, if they have studied the OSA Network Orders as part of their training, just for the record.

As an informed ex Scientology staffer, I think it is important to look behind the PR nice fascade and understand the Hubbard doctrines that layer in the Catch 22 rules that members are forced to execute on us “public” (“wogs” in Hubbard’s condescending terminology).

Also, notable sociologist new religious movement scholar Lorne Dawson, in my opinion gets Scientology correctly when he categorized Scientology in with the Hare Krishna and the Moonies, in the category of “established cult.” From Dawon’s 1998 excellent book, Oxford Univ Press, called “Comprehending Cults.”

Scientology is a flimflam operation, because in the US we allow such wide freedoms, that flimflam operations like organized Scientology can exist.

Chuck Beatty
ex Scientology staffer (1975-2003)
412-260-1170 Pittsburgh, USA (anyone call me anytime!)
http://www.freewebs.com/chuckbeatty77/
http://tinyurl.com/295khy
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05205/542899.stm
http://tinyurl.com/38ptz8 buffalo video
http://tinyurl.com/ywhgaf buffalo poster

Chuck Beatty, 412-260-1170 Pittsburgh, USA | 2008-04-23 - 02:29:00 PM (CDT)
Rob:
Would the shoe fit?

Pretending to be joe schmoe with several fake internet accounts (many of which opened by Tory Magoo, former Scientologist) and giving positive PR and feedback is a known tactic of Scientology staff. They believe it raises their stats and thus allows them discounts on their religious courses (with those prices...who can blame them).

Although education is the key to discovering what Scientology is all about. They would like all information to come from them, but that is far from balanced and is simply control issues.

Anon1376 | 2008-04-23 - 02:30:53 PM (CDT)
Kelley,
I hope your or your parents can get a refund for obviously wasted money spent on your education. Your lack of journalistic research and clear dissemination of the facts is an unfortunate statement of amateur writers today. Please consider changing majors.

Sue | 2008-04-23 - 02:31:30 PM (CDT)
Sue,

Don’t worry...Kelly can overcome all of that with the Scientology TR Communication Courses. Sure it costs thousands of dollars, but you learn how to command an ashtray to stand up and sit down. Once you master how to tell ashtrays what to do, the world is your oyster (or clam which L Ron Hubbard preached we all evolved from).

Anonymous | 2008-04-23 - 02:35:04 PM (CDT)
Rob, "us" is "people commenting on this article". Maybe the wording was inelegant, I’ll try again:

Hi, Rob! I’m a trained journalist -- and can confidently tell you that this is an op-ed piece, but certainly not a piece of investigative journalism. It is not impartial, and would not pass muster as impartial journalism in any course or newsroom.

If Kelley Cox was just telling a first-person story of visiting the Scientology Center, then that’s one thing. But she frames the article as an intelligent investigation of Scientology; by doing so, she creates an expectation that both sides will be aired. Instead, we get direct quotes from a Scientology rep and a drive to the Scientology main site, countered by unsourced, uncredited rumour.

The funny thing is, all it would have taken was a single phone call to an ex Scientologist, or an email exchange or statement with any of the MANY websites mentioned above that are critical of Scientology. That would’ve balanced things to some extent. Instead, we’re treated to stuff Kelley might have heard one time and the Scientologist shooting the "myths" down.

True, the article’s more attention-getting because of the subject matter, but at the root of it, this is not an impartial investigation.

And I found this article by writing "Scientology" into Google, then doing a News search. On my lonesome.

As for the name -- well, seriously, read up on "Fair Game". There’s damn good reason not to flog your credentials on a Scientology-related item.

Anonynony | 2008-04-23 - 02:41:21 PM (CDT)
Try getting some perspective from some people who are far better situated to tell you what Scientology is really about.

www.exscientologykids.com

TonyMeman | 2008-04-23 - 02:45:11 PM (CDT)
Gehrig also claimed that “Hubbard didn’t make a cent off of Scientology” because all the money he made went right back into Scientology. Gehrig said that “Hubbard was already a millionaire before Scientology,” having profited from his career as a pulp fiction writer.

We all know that comment is a crock. Hubtoad said the only way to make money is to start a Religion. Not exact but certainly in that vain.

Shikse | 2008-04-23 - 03:01:29 PM (CDT)
Speaking of poorly researched articles about Scientology, did you consider interviewing someone who *isn’t* a mouthpiece for the church? If this is indicative of your education in journalism, consider applying to Fox News in a few years. There are politicians who would love to have you around so you can transcribe their opinions and present it as news.

joey | 2008-04-23 - 03:11:36 PM (CDT)
How disappointing. You went to a Church of Scientology, a known CULT and BANNED in Germany for fraud, misrepresentation, et al. and you are going to take their word for it? You wrote this to be posted online? You have the largest library a google away and this is what you write? As someone who strongly opposes the Church of Scientology’s practices, I am offended that you wouldn’t be bothered to do your homework for something as important as this.
I bet the non-journalism students know that google is your friend.

AC2 | 2008-04-23 - 03:13:09 PM (CDT)
This is an opinion article based on my experience at the Scientology Center of Baton Rouge, hence the headline "I visited the Scientology Center of BR...and lived to write about it."
Please consider reading news articles that I have written for various publications before attacking me or insulting my journalistic capabilities after reading ONE opinion article on a controversial subject.
However, I am thankful that this article has high readership. I appreciate and welcome all feedback.

Kelley Cox | 2008-04-23 - 03:17:48 PM (CDT)
Oh Kelley?
Why don’t you go to xenutv.net and watch the 2+hour interview with Jason Beghe, the celebrity who made headlines by doing an inteview that tells THE TRUTH ABOUT SCIENTOLOGY. It was released this week. Jason spent (conservatively) ONE MILLION dollars in Scientology.. He validates that Xenu story, and I think he would know.. don’t you think?
I strongly suggest you do a follow up piece to this after you have have done more research.

mpd | 2008-04-23 - 03:18:17 PM (CDT)
I am not here to attack your article, but it is important that you speak to former Scientologists before you can make your distinction. Many people leave religions for many reasons, but the horrors that have forced Scientologists away are among the most terrible.

MrBoyscout | 2008-04-23 - 03:18:57 PM (CDT)
Kelley, you must appreciate the reason for the backlash...this is not structured as an opinion piece. This is structured as a press release from the church. There are far too many instances of "Gehrig said" for this to be considered impartial or even your own opinion.

A better story would have discussed what "Gehrig said" versus the truth. Any discerning human being who has been following this story would be willing to give you a dose of that.

sigh | 2008-04-23 - 03:31:36 PM (CDT)
Hi Kelly,

I truly don’t mean to make you feel attacked, and I know that the constructive criticism canard’s a bit hard to take sometimes. Thanks for engaging.

I actually did go and read some of your other articles, which is why I found this article so maddening -- the others I found were good, with balance and a nice impartiality. By comparison, this one came off as weirdly clumsy. For instance:

What caused you to write this story? Where did you source the alien information that you present in the article as prior knowledge? Did the Scientologist call you up out of the blue and invite you? Did you ask for an interview and that’s how this happened?

On top of that, the way you phrase things is -- well, I can only say it seems like you internalised a whole load of what the Scientologist fed you. Take a step back and reread this sentence: "I also watched many of the informational videos he recommended on the Church of Scientology’s official Web site (www.Scientology.org) and realized that practically everything I had heard about Scientology was untrue." That’s got no critical thought to it, unless it was meant to be mocking. It’s accepting propaganda as fact with no counter. And for me, it set a really ominous tone for the article.

I did reread this a number of times, and what it boils down to is that I have no idea what your motivation was in approaching the CoS, I have no idea where you sourced the information the Scientologist then (apparently) utterly disproved for you, I really don’t get what happened here other than you went to a CoS Center, went in, listened to their pitch, asked a few questions and accepted the responses without a bit of further research. Which is mind-boggling to me: if you were interested enough to approach the group in the first place, then why the sudden lack of curiosity or skepticism when you’re told EVERYTHING you heard is untrue?

I absolutely encourage you to do a follow-up article that talks with people who have exited the cult; you’ve investigated the pitch the CoS uses with members of the public, so it would be interesting to find out what’s being said by those who’ve exited on the other side.

Best of luck!

Anonynony | 2008-04-23 - 03:32:45 PM (CDT)
Dear Kelley,

When addressing a controversial issue ("controversial" meaning there is an argument concerning it, therefore implying that there are sides), one that’s caused arrests, harassment, lawsuits, forced abortions, and deaths, it’s probably a good idea to ask BOTH SIDES about it, not just the side that is under attack.

www.xenu.net
www.enturbulation.org
www.youfoundthecard.com
www.whyweprotest.org

When she answered "Not that’s not true" to some of your more criticizing questions, a simple call/email to an ex-Scientologist or even reading a website of leaked Scientology documents would have told you that it is.

Yoni | 2008-04-23 - 03:37:27 PM (CDT)
If Xenu is a myth, why are they trying to call copyright infringement on wikileaks.org?

Anon | 2008-04-23 - 03:48:21 PM (CDT)
Oh yes, Scientologists are “extremely ethical people.” Yes, if by \"extremely ethical\" you mean a Scientologist can \"Lie, steal, cheat, destroy them utterly, with absolutely no consequences,\" speaking of Scientology\’s critics (a quote from Hubbard); or maybe you mean \"The mechanism of brainwashing which I gave you, with supercold mechanisms and so forth, is very well known, was used very extensively in the Maw Confederation of the Sixty-third Galaxy. They had a total psychiatric control of all of their officers and executives, and when they got tired of them they used this specific method of brainwashing.\" (a quote from Hubbard); or possibly you mean \"The historic Jesus was not nearly the sainted figure has been made out to be. In addition to being a lover of young boys and men, he was given to uncontrollable bursts of temper and hatred that belied the general message of love, understanding and other typical Marcab PR. You have only to look at the history his teachings inspired to see where it all inevitably leads. It is historic fact and yet man still clings to the ideal, so deep and insidious is the biologic implanting.\" (a quote from Hubbard).

Lily | 2008-04-23 - 03:59:40 PM (CDT)
Dear Tiger Editor
RE:I visited the Scientology Center of BR...and lived to write about it by Kelley Cox

This is the poorest journalism I have seen in a long time.

You should be embarrassed to have published a piece as devoid of facts as this one is.

Avery | 2008-04-23 - 04:00:12 PM (CDT)
Ok folks, you guys gotta understand what "Commentary" is in the world of Journalism.

This is an Op/Ed Piece, it’s the writers opinion based on personal experience and interview with the subject.

This isn’t supposed to be an all sides objective piece, it’s supposed to be an subjective piece on the experience of visiting the Scientology Center.

If you feel that the article is fundamentally flawed, then write a letter to the editor and ask for a follow up story.

Remember, don’t kill the messenger.

PS: I’m also a journalist researching Scientology & Anonymous, I have my opinions but I choose not to voice them here.

LordNeuf | 2008-04-23 - 04:01:07 PM (CDT)
Not a bad story. But the dedicated critics keep churning out the fear stuff anyway. Same Fear checklist, same Fear channel, Same Fear screen names. I’m going to go watch the children play in the sunshine while you Fear Freaks batter your gums. Happy Ho Ho’s.

Terryeo | 2008-04-23 - 04:04:03 PM (CDT)
"Fear stuff," you say. Hubbard calling Jesus a pedophile is "fear stuff"? No, that’s more like "scientology is satanic" stuff. Sounds horrible. I have learned a lot today from these comments and the web sites they recommend.

Hal | 2008-04-23 - 04:14:59 PM (CDT)
Terryeo, why are you so obsessed with children? What are the crimes you are trying to cover? What are your crimes?
Flunk!

Anonymous | 2008-04-23 - 04:19:51 PM (CDT)
The truth doesn’t change Terryeo, that’s why you’re always reading the same stuff.

AnonaCow | 2008-04-23 - 04:24:19 PM (CDT)
Alas, poor Scientology. I could go into what research wasn’t done where. I could go into exact points as to what’s wrong. But the other commenters have that well handled, even the ex Scientologists who’re posting here!

But let’s put this into perspective, Kelley. You’ve got a long way to go before you make it in this industry. Peddling misinformation from your source makes you look bad and will hurt your credibility. You need to be able to prove the things you say, if you’re going to establish them as facts. If you say "scientology is misunderstood," you are then left with the RESPONSABILITY as a journalist to give the avenue to which you drew this conclusion. Maybe you should look into doing PR, instead if you’re not going to be objective.

Mirrion | 2008-04-23 - 04:27:03 PM (CDT)
Anyone ever notice that Terryeo is always talking about "in the sunshine" whenever they troll comment sections? Is that some more scieno-talk like "on the bridge" or "KSW" or "PTS" or "SP" or even
"COB EOC LRH R2-45"

Creepy man, just creepy

Annie Mousey | 2008-04-23 - 04:33:09 PM (CDT)
Um... Amber Alert in progress. A cult member named Terry is watching your children! Look out for anyone administering a "free stress test," accusing aspirin makers of perpetrating the Holocaust, or sitting in place for long periods without blinking.

yikes | 2008-04-23 - 04:40:27 PM (CDT)
Kelley, thanks for clearing up that this was an opinion piece. I think most people are gracious that you’ve spoken directly with scientologists, which is hard enough to do these days. Many refuse to take the time to give an interview or in-depth discussion.

I do agree with Anonynony though in that the article seemed to be an investigative piece at first, and quickly seemed to take one side unfairly. I understand this wasn’t your intention, but it was the impression I had. I’d be interested to see a follow up piece as well, based on interview with ex-scientologists. Best of luck to you in the rest of your career.

davidsp | 2008-04-23 - 04:41:14 PM (CDT)
Wow you should quit your job, you’re a very bad journalist.

Terryeo | 2008-04-23 - 04:51:32 PM (CDT)
Terryeo - That wasn’t very nice to say about Kelley!

MomAnon | 2008-04-23 - 04:54:42 PM (CDT)
Meh. Its not that bad to be honest. She went in, she gobbled up everything she was fed, she wrote the article.

What people have to get here is, Kelly is not a moron, and she certainly is not alone in taking scientology at their word. Look at the Jason Beghe. Comes across in his interview as a very nice, very smart guy, and a critical thinker to boot. But just like kelly, he bought their pr hook line and sinker. And why not? Its not like she was being lied to. Since only 5-10 percent of scientologists max have reached OT3 where you learn about xenu, of course the staffer will say its a myth. And to her it is. Its her truth. And the easiest lie to tell is the one you believe to be the truth. And that sums up 90 percent of scientologists. When you see the videos, with their gloss and professionalism, it automatically lends a volume of credulance to them. But it shouldn\’t.

Scientology likes to throw out a line to the effect of, the only place to learn the facts is from the source, read the scientology website to get the facts. This is clearly some very faulty logic, given that they dont exactly follow their own advice. I dont see them advocating that scientologists get the facts about psychiatry from psychiatry. Or the facts on anonymous from anonymous. Or the facts on the bbc from the bbc. See, if you wants facts on those, you have to go to scientology too, and watch their \’dramatic\’ videos.

I ask you, honestly, try and be objective about this. Imagine the situation is different. Lets say, this had nothing to do with scientology. Lets say this is a piece about pre us action iraq. There is a lot of talk about rights abuses. Videos from high placed ex members in the iraq government supporting the existence of such things.

So, in this situation, your article would be, basically. I went to iraq and got out alive. You say visit the government PR offices. You watch some great videos explaining the governments positive stance on human rights and tolerance. There are even some videos about this Saddam character, who is so nice in them! You see him playing with puppies and kids and fishing. And you learn that eveything people have been saying about him is an absolute lie! He is deeply mis understood!

I hope you see where the problem lies here.

I have no problem with you going in, and watching the videos and going... Gee what a nice guy. But its when you then presume everything he said was true, when you did not question or investigate as a journalist. Hell, when you didnt go in with some honest to god hard hitting questions based on the very very fresh jason beghe interview that has begun circulation, where the posterboy of scientology for 14 years confirms everything the critics say about it, including xenu, then you failed in your journalistic responsibility.

But the fact remains. You are human. Mistakes are made. You were lied to. You fell for it. And its your responsibility to get your ass right back to that org, having watched the jason beghe interview, and do some serious journalism.

Ask why jason say these things, and why what jason says is identical to every single person who has walked out of high level scientology. This is your chance, not only to write a great piece, but to get one of the first reactions to the beghe interview content. Hell, in case the staffer has not seen it, bring it with you on a laptop.

This is your chance. It is both your right as someone who has been decieved, as well as your journalistic responsibility to do a follow up. And since you think scientology is all roses and kittens you should have nothing to worry about if they take a dislike to you, if you get fair gamed by them, because scientology says that stopped a long time ago right?

Also lord neuf, by all means voice those opinions, but if you are not willing to back those opinions up with fact, then thats all they will be.

anonymous | 2008-04-23 - 05:03:07 PM (CDT)
In before Terryeo.

Slowpoke | 2008-04-23 - 05:06:27 PM (CDT)
The author of this article is such a gullible fuckup, I almost died while reading.

Anon Y. Mouse | 2008-04-23 - 05:08:11 PM (CDT)
Kelley,

Sorry the comments veer more towards "criticism" than "constructive," but I suppose that’s the nature of putting yourself out there. I do think an opinion piece requires some justifications for its points, far more so than straight news for that matter, and especially when you’re entering into an issue that you know from the start is controversial--hence your initial trepidation, no?

Not that you have to change your opinions, as it goes without saying. But there is something constructive behind the criticism...

Best

pieter | 2008-04-23 - 05:08:33 PM (CDT)
In the words of a well-respected personality, "It’s always funny to me when the comments are more informative than the article."

I am reasonably upset that this article made it to publication in the state it is in. It is unresearched, biased, and completely not newsworthy. While I can appreciate LSU’s journalism team allowing its staff to cut their teeth on projects such as this, this will not get anyone hired on the basis of journaistic merit. My apologies for the stark criticism, but given the nature of the topic, I’d like to believe a little more effort would be put into this work.

Steve Daly | 2008-04-23 - 05:11:03 PM (CDT)
Maybe Kelley was afraid of being sued by Scientology like Time Magazine so she just acted as a transcriber instead of a journalist. I can understand journalists being afraid of Scientology.

mom2 | 2008-04-23 - 05:12:26 PM (CDT)
SORRY

but the story about xenu has been confermed by many ex-scientologist and by documents we’ve collected

the secret docs that u learn at ot3**very expenzive level in scientology, u can handle a dwarf mace then*
http://www.wikileaks.org/wiki/Wikileaks

http://www.exscientologykids.com/
kids that grew up in the cult^

www.xenu.net
has the documents and court cases about how dangerous this organization really is.

piff but hell wanna find out for cha selfs?
google
operation snow white
lisa mcpherson
operation freakout

and for anon sites that don’t lie^_^
www.goanonymous.org
http://www.whyweprotest.net/

DON’T BELIVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR
see for yourself

knowledge is free
religon is free
and no man should be censuring or putting a price on either

expect us
5/10

sargoanonymous | 2008-04-23 - 05:15:48 PM (CDT)
Ask the nice man who gave you a tour what an ’acceptable truth’ is.

Let us know when they threaten you for asking difficult questions. Do you think what happened to Paulette Cooper is acceptable? Gabe Cazares? Keith Henson?

If you don’t know who they are, then you did a very poor job of research, and your editor should be held accountable.

chia | 2008-04-23 - 05:25:43 PM (CDT)
Now, i dont NEED to say anything here- it has allready been pointed out that the article is innacurate, silly and one sided. I allmost expected that its actually just a joke, but the writer seems sensere... Wich dosent speak highly of her abilityes to see the truth. Either way, i just wanted to show my support for all the people who posted here correcting the article.

Expect us, 5/10

Anonisanon | 2008-04-23 - 05:29:56 PM (CDT)
Do Scientologists have real jobs? Obviously not since they have so much time to blast websites with tons of comments that ramble on incoherently. Give Kelly Cox a break, she is not a "journalist" she is a student and a writer. Do scientologists even attend college?

Tom Cruise | 2008-04-23 - 05:33:12 PM (CDT)
This article/opinion piece is painful to read.

"I watched their videos and everything anyone else says about scientology is wrong!" I’m sorry, it’s just painful.

’Gehrig said that “Dianetics can solve stress, anxiety, fear,” and almost anything else.’- This is a typical unsubstantiated medical claim that scientology commonly makes in order to lure more people into the pyramid cult scheme.

Regarding scientology, auditing, mental health and vitamins:

"On March 13, 2003, Jeremy Perkins, a 28 year old untreated schizophrenic, stabbed his mother Elli 77 times. She bled to death on her bedroom floor. Jeremy is currently being held at Rochester Psychiatric Center, having been found not responsible for Elli’s murder by reason of mental disease or defect.
Perkins, his mother and father, his sister, and her husband are all members of the Church of Scientology, a group that believes modern psychiatric medicine derives from an ancient alien civilization’s plot to drug and enslave humanity. Scientologists like Tom Cruise vehemently and publicly oppose the pharmacological treatment of mental illness. Unfortunately, Scientology’s own brand of therapy, called "auditing", is worthless."
*http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/JeremyPerkins/

Before Perkins murdered his mother, he was sent to a scientology center in Los Angeles, joined the scientology paramilitary group "Sea Org" and treated for his problems according to standard scientology practice-auditing and vitamins.

Perkins was not helped by scientology and neither was his mother.

Scientology continues to practice faulty medicine without a license. There is no peer review of their claims. There is no informed consent-if there were, people who approached scientology and being told that their methods can ’solve stress, anxiety,fear, "etc.. would be fully informed as to what the diagnosis, underlying causes were, what the proposed treatment was and what the goals of such treatment would be. In the case of scientology this means telling potential customers that human beings are possessed by 75 million year old disembodied alien spirits who cause mans ailments and which can be removed by paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for auditing and vitamins.

Scientology does not tell you these things until you have spent thousands of dollars or have agreed to sign a billion year contract of service to scientology.

This is not a game. This is not a joke. This is not harmless. This is deception, bait and switch, malpractice and fraud. I can’t believe that so little thought could go into writing about this topic. I’d suggest trying again. For the sake of your conscience and for the sake of the millions of children who will one day grow up and become targets of the scientology money making machine.

John Lawls | 2008-04-23 - 05:33:56 PM (CDT)
Kelley,

I do recommend watching the video about the dark side of Scientology recently published with former Scientology hero Jason Beghe. He is the voice over for a lot of their promotional materials. Also, exscientologykids.com is a fair site to research more about the workings of this cult. I say cult because it is my opinion after viewing all sides of the story, not just the pro nor the con side.

They paint a very nice picture to new people, but once you start to get into it it gets murkier. Please, spend the time and watch the interview with Jason, or read the forum of the Ex kids, all people who escaped this organization. I say escaped because that is the words they use. I never hear of someone escaping Christianity. Its a term reserved for cults.

Fine, your article is what this guy basically said about his beliefs....do yourself a favor and research the other side of the coin. This many people wouldnt have a problem with the cult, if problems did not exist to make them act so.

The internet is your friend.....use it.

Steve Daly | 2008-04-23 - 05:36:46 PM (CDT)
This is a late April fool’s joke right? This was in
The Onion, right? This junk was as unbiased as The Pope declaring his allegiance to Catholicism. But thanks just the same...I needed a good laugh today!

Jim | 2008-04-23 - 05:36:57 PM (CDT)
I used to live in Baton Rouge when I was on faculty at LSU. My next door neighbor was a young woman named Kelly (coincidence?) who was a new scientologist. The scientology group pressured her into taking lots of courses she could not afford, so they opened up a line of "credit" for her. She was driven so deeply into debt that the only way she could repay the debt was to begin working for scientology. She was forced to move to Clearwater, Florida - they wouldn’t even let her take her dog, so she adopted it out to a nice guy. She basically became an indentured servant to scientology because of this debt they pressured her into amassing. I have since found out that people in this situation are paid about $25 per week to work 18 hours per day 7 days per week. And they have to sign an insane "billion year contract" to the group.

That’s almost slavery.

randy | 2008-04-23 - 05:38:45 PM (CDT)
I would really like to see the other side of this "opinion" piece. Research required. You just proved an excellent point Kelley. You have proven with one fell swoop that by all appearances, Scientology seems like a nice, harmless church, out to save the world. That is the key isn’t it? Once you have done the research, you will find until VERY recently, this is the only kind of article a journallist would write about the CoS, for fear of being "fair gamed". Did you know that the CoS spent 10 years in litigation with TIME MAGAZINE for a piece that was written against the church? 10 million dollars of litigation, that’s pretty frightening to the average newspaper journalist. Fortunately, internet junkies like myself have found out the truth about Scientology and are now protesting against this travesty that hides itself under the guise of religion. There is a reason why, people are finally speaking out against this cult, and it is because there is less fear, because the numbers against this totalitarian "church" are far greater than the numbers for it. Don’t get duped by Scientology, it is nothing short of a con. Look behind the curtain and see what you find. Best of luck to you.

Sally Edwards | 2008-04-23 - 05:41:19 PM (CDT)
I have never been a Scientologist, but I know people who are. They never answer a question directly. In fact, I don’t think they know how to think critically. People who can’t think for themselves are the ones we should pray for. Many people are stuck in the cult because leaving would mean disconnection from their loved ones who are still in it. Thank you for opening a can of worms that Scientologists want closed.

terryeo | 2008-04-23 - 05:43:08 PM (CDT)
Most other articles only interview ex-Scientologists, self-proclaimed "cult" (hate term) experts, and those with negative opinions about Scientology, and rarely publish anything positive that current Scientologists have to say about Scientology. This article is a refreshing change and is far more balanced than any of the other slime pieces out there.

theta_2008 | 2008-04-23 - 05:47:03 PM (CDT)
Kelly... I find it even more disturbing that you say this is an opinion piece... at least before you had the excuse of saying I wrote a poorly researched article.

Now that I know your opinion is so easily swayed by clear cut manufactured lies, I feel sorry for you.

I wonder if you now regret writing this ’opinion’ piece in the first place.

Andrew | 2008-04-23 - 05:48:49 PM (CDT)
It’s ashame that Anonymous has resorted to personal attacks. They seem to have lost some objectivity. I’m afraid that scientology may be getting to them as much as they are getting to scientology. Discuss the issues. Don’t stoop to scientologist’s levels with the personal attacks. Kelly conveyed what she learned from her interview. Don’t forget that many of the lower level members are good people caught up in a bad situation. You’ll never gain the media’s or the government’s attention with poor credibility.

observer | 2008-04-23 - 05:50:50 PM (CDT)
Theta_2008,
Freedom of speech allows people to say what they want about whatever they want. Your "church" seems to spend an awful lot of time rebutting these critics, and alot less time investigating their claims. EVEN THE POPE acknowledges the failures of the Catholic Church.
Perhaps your "church" should learn that humility is the key to longevity.. not "always attack, never defend."
Theta_2008 - "Come up to present time."

Sally Edwards | 2008-04-23 - 05:52:04 PM (CDT)
As a Scientologist for a few decades, OT-V, and graduate of one of America\’s best journalism schools, I must praise Cox for wonderful candor, open-mindedness and courage in writing a multi-sided article. Those traits are missing from journalism broadly, far more so in the coverage of Scientology.

In the onslaught of hate from (sorry to say it) Scientology flunk-outs and hate-mongers, it takes some chutzpah to write an opinion that runs upstream to all the garbage running downstream.

CONFIDENTIALITY IS CENTRAL:
What is said during Dianetics and Scientology auditing to a Scientology minister has \"priest-penitent\" confidentiality comparable to the confidentiality that Roman Catholic parishioners receive.

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clergy-penitent_privilege

Further, Scientology\’s \"Auditor\’s Code\"--consider it a counselor\’s oath--forbids the counselor from discussing the secrets of people s/he counsels.

Since breaking that particular precept of the oath would undermine all Scientology counseling worldwide, any breach would be dealt with severely by the employing Church.

And--as a practical matter--in several decades, I\’ve never once heard of such a breach.

Medillian | 2008-04-23 - 05:52:18 PM (CDT)
Hmm. Maybe you should consider going to a real university to learn how to investigate before reporting on things like this.

F. Uckoffensen | 2008-04-23 - 05:58:06 PM (CDT)
When Lindberg visited the Nazis in the 30’s they showed him a good time and impressed him with how Germany was better off being Nazi.

Neville Chamberlain thought Hitler was a reasonable person in ’38.

Jane Fonda thought Ho Chi Min was a great leader who was doing the right things to South Vietnam.

Are you that ignorant that you’d think that by going to your nearest scientology org they would expose all that was wrong?

You are being used as a tool for their propaganda and it just shows how incapable you are of doing any real research.

My suggestion to you would be if they are so harmless is to join them immediately and quit your job to become Sea Org so you can happily sign the billion year contract and then tell us how great your life is in a year!

Pitiful journalism. You should be whole heatedly ashamed of yourself!!!!

Fred | 2008-04-23 - 06:00:41 PM (CDT)
"Scientology is probably the most misunderstood religion around."

There’s a reason for that, they’re not upfront about their beliefs.

Chris | 2008-04-23 - 06:03:15 PM (CDT)
Don’t you mean "one-sided"?

theta_2009 | 2008-04-23 - 06:06:09 PM (CDT)
Alright people. Stick to the facts. The article is painful. The author certainly knows that it is fluff. The facts about scientology do far more in the cause of truth than berating a student who wrote a sub par piece. Why are they dead . net , you found the card . com
the info there speaks louder than anything.

Whatever you choose to do in the future Kelly, good luck. I pray that it doesn’t include joining scientology.

J | 2008-04-23 - 06:06:45 PM (CDT)
Have you ever wondered how people end up in abusive relationships? The comparison has been brought up many times before and I quite agree with it. When you meet, and throughout the romance, things are great and they seem wonderful to you. They become more and more a part of your life. You come to rely on them until soon you begin to need them. Before you know it, things begin to change. They never start off abusive. Who would fall for them if they did?
So what were you expecting to see when you arrived? Did you think they would start off screaming at you or something? No, they want you to like them so they can get you to trust them.

Then they work their \"communication hypno-tech\" to sucker you in. They are the used car sales people from hell, they will sell you future lives and you will thank them for the opportunity. You will work excruciating long days for $60 dollars a week and discounts on expensive \"auditing therapy,\" and they will make you believe you\’ve never been happier. You will take out loans and mortgage your house to pay for them to dangle \"immortality\" and power just beyond your reach for the rest of your life. You will do this gladly because they will make you believe that Scientologists are the only ones who can save the world and you must do everything in your power to help them take control of it.
Have you ever been persuaded? Are you aware of all the times you\’ve acted on suggestion? Have you ever been hypnotized? Are you sure?

n/a | 2008-04-23 - 06:08:08 PM (CDT)
Kelly, good luck on the journalism thing...here are some JUDICIAL opinions that might help put some BALANCE with your story (oh, and btw, you got PLAYED, big time...but don’t be too embarrassed, the cult is really, really good at it)

Justice Anderson, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia:
"Scientology is evil; its techniques are evil; its practice is a serious threat to the community, medically, morally, and socially; and its adherents are sadly deluded and often mentally ill... (Scientology is) the world’s largest organization of unqualified persons engaged in the practice of dangerous techniques which masquerade as mental therapy."
Kenneth Robinson, British Minister of Health:
"The government is satisfied that Scientology is socially harmful. It alienates members of families from each other and attributes squalid and disgraceful motives to all who oppose it; its authoritarian principles and practice are a potential menace to the personality and well being of those so deluded as to become followers; above all, its methods can be a serious danger to the health of those who submit to them... There is no power under existing law to prohibit the practice of Scientology; but the government has concluded that it is so objectionable that it would be right to take all steps within its power to curb its growth."
Federal prosecutor’s memorandum to the judge urging stiff jail sentences for 9 top leaders of Scientology who had pleaded guilty to criminal charges:
"The crime committed by these defendants is of a breath and scope previously unheard of. No building, office, desk, or file was safe from their snooping and prying. No individual or organization was free from their despicable conspiratorial minds. The tools of their trade were miniature transmitters, lock picks, secret codes, forged credentials and any other device they found necessary to carry out their conspiratorial schemes."
Justice Latey, ruling in the High Court of London:
"Scientology is both immoral and socially obnoxious...It is corrupt sinister and dangerous. It is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit and has its real objective money and power for Mr. Hubbard... It is sinister because it indulges in infamous practices both to its adherents who do not toe the line unquestionably and to those who criticize it or oppose it. It is dangerous because it is out to capture people and to indoctrinate and brainwash them so they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living, and relationships with others."
Judge Breckenridge, Los Angeles Superior Court:
"[The court record is] replete with evidence [that Scientology] is nothing in reality but a vast enterprise to extract the maximum amount of money from its adepts by pseudo scientific theories... and to exercise a kind of blackmail against persons who do not wish to continue with their sect.... The organization clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and this bizarre combination seems to be a reflection of its founder, L.Ron Hubbard."
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Paul Breckenridge, June 1984, in the Gerry Armstrong case:
"In addition to violating and abusing its own members’ civil rights, the organization over the years with its ’fair game’ doctrine has harassed and abused those persons not in the church whom it perceives as enemies."
California appellate court, 2nd. district, 3rd. division, July 29, 1991, B025920 & B038975, Super. Ct. No. C 420153:
"In January 1980, fearing a raid by law enforcement agencies, Hubbard’s representatives ordered the shredding of all documents showing that Hubbard controlled Scientology organizations, finances, personnel, or the property at Gilman Hot Springs. In a two week period, approximately one million pages were shredded pursuant to this order."
California Supreme Court, United States v. Lee [455 U.S. 252,257,258 (1982)*/:
"When a person is subjected to coercive persuasion [as in Scientology] without his knowledge or consent ...[he may] develop serious and sometimes irreversible physical and psychiatric disorders, up to and including schizophrenia, self-mutilation, and suicide."
USDJ Judge Leonie Brinkema 4 Oct 96 Memorandum Opinion, RTC vs Lerma:
"The dispute in this case surrounds Lerma’s acquisition and publication on the Internet of texts that the Church of Scientology considers sacred and protects heavily from unauthorized disclosure. Founded by L. Ron Hubbard, the Scientology religion attempts to explain the origin of negative spiritual forces in the world and advances techniques for improving one’s own spiritual well-being. Scientologists believe that most human problems can be traced to lingering spirits of an extraterrestrial people massacred by their ruler, Xenu, over 75 million years ago. These spirits attach themselves by "clusters" to individuals in the contemporary world, causing spiritual harm and negatively influencing the lives of their hosts ".

anonymous | 2008-04-23 - 06:11:23 PM (CDT)
Kelley,

I checked out your other articles to give you the benefit of the doubt; and I can say - opinion or PR piece; I was equally disapointed by your naive sense of penmanship. You really should pick a different career path as the journalism thing you’re trying right now might not be your strong suit.

Your’e great at transcribing, and pretty much rewriting generalities, but pretty shallow on creating a compelling argument, providing clear concise truths and connecting the dots within a logical written piece to provide your reader with a sense that they’ve been privy to a thoughful piece of writing..

I think you really should consider a different career path as youre devoid of any journalistic instinct to properly cover the tenents of effective writing.

Mind you by the comments I’ve read here, your style certainly meshes well with the pro-Scientology crowd. Which may be due to the fact they’re used to believing in poorly written materials.

But if you continue down this path I would suggest perhaps obituaries and classifieds might better suit your style - or if they have in fact paid you for this drabble you can confer with your new found $cino pals which course might better inspire your inner Thetans to write more effectively.

www.enturbulation.org - for more on the real story behind the Church of Scientology

thetruthonlineisreal | 2008-04-23 - 06:23:13 PM (CDT)
Medillian:

Sorry, I’m going to have to call BS on you. Taking one side of a matter as gospel fact, forming a conclusive opinion based on their internal propaganda is NOT good journalism (which is where I will also call BS on your claim of graduating from a prestigeous school....like LRH was a nuclear physicist right? lol).

That is like doing an investigative piece on McDonalds, and the only interview was Ronald himself, and the only research was to read the box of the Happy Meal. Hardly objective journalism and far from balanced. I’m sorry Kelley, you’ve been used as a mouthpiece whether willingly or not. That is not journalism, that is Advertisment/Public Relations.

declare_shenanigans | 2008-04-23 - 06:30:13 PM (CDT)
You wrote:

".........Gehrig remembered the poorly researched, offensive articles that both Tiger Weekly and The Daily Reveille have published in the past two years........."

and the streak of poorly written material continues on.... if nothing else you’re consistant - congratulations TigerWeekly!

Anonymous | 2008-04-23 - 06:30:50 PM (CDT)
I love that $cientologists like the one above always revert to the argument that anyone who disagrees or questions their practices are either ex-members or hate-mongers...

You might as well throw in that we are all JEALOUS of you as well... it’s just as ridiculous.

Trent | 2008-04-23 - 06:32:54 PM (CDT)
Medillian. If you can label that piece multi sided, i think you need to take a refresher course at that school of yours.

Ironically your comment does more damage to the scientology argument that anyone here could through criticism. You happily label any negative voice on the churches activities as coming from haters of those who fail at scientology. But by definition, anyone who leaves scientology is considered to have failed.

Dont you as a journalist see the circular logic in that? No one who hasnt been in scientology has the facts. No one who has left scientology is telling the truth. What is your opinion of the beghe interview? He like you is an OT5 ,and there are critics who are former OT8. How could you claim to know more then them about scientology when you are at a lower level. And why would anyone ever leave scientology after becoming an OT. Even if you were stuck at level five say, by this time you should have manifested many incredible powers, perfect memory for example. Control over objects around you. Why would you quit scientology when you are living proof it is real? As an OT5, you yourself know this more than anyone .How could someone who has gone clear, and gotten to OT 5 leave. So what if you never got to OT8 in this lifetime? You would start as a pre life clear next time round right? Breeze through the levels and crack OT8 no problem. So why leave? So what if you got stuck. How would that make you turn on something which has clearly been proven to you and given you incredible powers? You cant imagine it right?

Jason beghe left because he got to OT 5 and was told his gay friend caused a car accident he was in. That was the moment the lie was exposed for him. That was the moment he could no longer accept it.

It is a moment that comes to a lot of OT scientologists. And it is how scientology has gained some of its greatest critical voices. By its own hands.

al | 2008-04-23 - 06:34:42 PM (CDT)
1.Open up dianetics
2.Read that a clear is free from disease, and has perfect memory
3.Have them show you a clear

Spartacus | 2008-04-23 - 06:34:50 PM (CDT)
To be honest, the story about Zenu and the Galactic wars and DC-8s and all that is probably the most believable part of scientology.
Everything else is just way to crazy. It is hard to believe that this sort of thing goes on in this day and age.

J | 2008-04-23 - 06:35:16 PM (CDT)
If Xenu could only escape from his eternal battery powered prison; he’d set the record straight and open a Class-A-can-o-Whoop-Ass.

Anonymous | 2008-04-23 - 06:37:02 PM (CDT)
If Scientology is perfectly "sane and reasonable" it’s because you didn’t pay enough money to hear the crazy stuff. As a former Scientologist I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for what was called The Bridge To Total Freedom, when in fact I got nothing but slavery in return.

Plus I think you are clearly already a Scientologist by your glowing language. You didn’t even mention the orientation video in which it is implied you should jump off a bridge or blow your brains out for never speaking of Scientology again. But since you were a good boy and did so you don’t have to do that.

Bgodley | 2008-04-23 - 06:39:03 PM (CDT)
I’m Terryeo and I’m completely insane. Insane for believing Scientology for years! I just read http://www.exscientologykids.org as well as http://www.taxexemptchildabuse.net and the Wikipedia entries for "Operation Snow White" and "Operation Freakout" and it’s horrible what the cult of Scientology has gotten away with! Child labor? Child sexual abuse? Check. Rape? Check. Terrorism? Check. Treason against our government as well as other governments around the world? Check. Framing a critic for crimes they didn’t comit? Check.

Let’s take away Scientology’s tax exempt status already!w

Terryeo | 2008-04-23 - 06:42:20 PM (CDT)
What Medillian fails to state in his/her diatribe on the confidentiality of auditing materials is that this confidentiality is limited to "online" scientologists in good standing. Should one have the audacity to ever leave the "church" they, as non-scientologists are no longer afforded any such protection.

Take for example this quote from Jesse Princes affadavit:

Members of Scientology are induced to confess to acts that, if not outright criminal, are embarrassing or possibly destructive to the person’s job, marriage or profession. For example, shoplifting, adultery, masturbation, homosexuality, drug abuse, or any other potentially embarrassing or illegal matters are recorded. Members are urged to write down these compromising facts in their own handwriting, under the guise that it is a "religious confessional" for the member’s good. The truth is that these "confessions" are kept to blackmail and extort members should they dare to speak out against Scientology. Members are also coerced to sign documents that are self-damaging in order to protect Scientology in case they dare to leave its control and speak the damaging truth. I know all this to be true, because I watched this done to others; I did it to others; and it was done to me."

http://www.xenu-directory.net/documents/prince19990820.html#23

Today is Wednesday. Scientology staffers need to have their stats in by tomorrow at 2:00PM and those stats need to bu "upstat" or else. No doubt we’ll be hearing more twisted "truths" from the likes of Medillian and others before then.

Oh, and Medillian, here’s something you might enjoy, it’s from your own prestigious journalism school...

http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/04/9358/anonymous-posters-appear-on-campus/

How are your stats?

downstatmedill | 2008-04-23 - 06:54:22 PM (CDT)
As someone who had a family member ’disconnected’ and has personally experienced the kind of "ethics" Scientology uses on their own members to those they view as enemies, I find this article patently offensive.

This isn’t journalism this is poorly veiled propaganda. Scientology flagrant exploitation and systematic violation human rights abuses is hitting the mainstream and there is no stopping it now. Not even propaganda pieces such as this.

Anonymous: I will march proudly with you this May to fight the crimes of this organization. Enough is enough.

Rhett | 2008-04-23 - 07:03:09 PM (CDT)
Kelly, do your homework. Look at the videos on Mark Bunker’s site: http://xenutv.com/. He is protesting the death of Lisa McPherson. Wrongful death is something suitable to protest. Anyway, so he’s out there with a camera, and these scientologists get into his face and yell at him "What are your crimes? You evade taxes, don’t you? You smoke pot, don’t you? Maybe you like little boys?" While these are paraphrases, these exact accusations were made, in public, on camera. These videos are on his site. They are brainwashed to believe that ANYONE that talks bad about Scientology has to be a Criminal, and a bad one. That’s not the way life works, and you know it. Ethical? Does that sound Ethical? Of course they put on a good song and dance for you. But how do they treat their critics?

Guy Falkes | 2008-04-23 - 07:20:53 PM (CDT)
As far as one-sided, non-investigative, non-thought-provoking pieces go, this is excellent work. I have no doubt that this should be released on a planentary scale as *the* non-example of fine jounalism.

If you had to look up "fluff" in the dictionary, this article would be the example after the definition.

inbeforelightfield | 2008-04-23 - 07:24:05 PM (CDT)
"Gehrig said that once Dianetics was published in 1950, people really related to it and yearned to apply the teachings of Dianetics to their own lives. Gehrig said that “Dianetics can solve stress, anxiety, fear,” and almost anything else. Scientology evolved from Dianetics in 1952.

Ever since, Scientology has not stopped gaining momentum."

Except for the FBI raids in the seventies one might think. Or the recent prime time TV report in Israel where they were being exposed for using hypnotic techniques on clients and maintaining folders on members.
Of course there has been growing criticism of scientology and worldwide demonstrations in recent months, but that didn’t slow down Scientology momentum AT ALL.
Never mind there was a raid on a scientology centre in belgium just this month and criminal investigations against the organization have been going on for ten years now.
It is expanding and using various front groups such as Narconon. The only problem is that while their numbers have groen into dozends of trillions their advisory board is getting smaller and smaller, the people even leave from photographs:

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Stop-Narconon/AdvisoryBoard/

The same thing happened with a photo of the Saint Hill Organisation with Hubbard on it:

http://www.xenu.net/archive/image_edit/

Some religion. Some journalism. Please do some research next time before writing an article. It’s not that difficult. www.google.com search for scientology.

critical voice | 2008-04-23 - 07:24:59 PM (CDT)
This is a joke, right?

A. Rosemont | 2008-04-23 - 07:26:50 PM (CDT)
"Gehrig held that Scientologists are “extremely ethical people.” He also said that “anyone that knows Scientology, knows it’s cool.”"

I suggest you do a bit more research - you are, after all, a journalist, and that goes with the job. Any number of simple Google searches will reveal that Scientology - at least the upper ranks - is completely morally bankrupt.

Rogbod Rogbido | 2008-04-23 - 07:31:35 PM (CDT)
Ms. Cox,

For your own good I suggest never investing in real estate.

David Miscavige | 2008-04-23 - 07:32:15 PM (CDT)
So...who will be writing the op-ed piece that responds to this blatant PR story and gives the other (read: researched) side of the story?

NarkAnon | 2008-04-23 - 07:35:17 PM (CDT)
"It turns out they’re quite the nice people and say all that is a lie!"

Hard hitting investigative journalism, right here.

Greg Barnt | 2008-04-23 - 07:35:46 PM (CDT)
"Gehrig held that Scientologists are “extremely ethical people.” He also said that “anyone that knows Scientology, knows it’s cool.”"

Lisa McPherson is no doubt pretty cool.

inbeforelightfield | 2008-04-23 - 07:43:21 PM (CDT)
There was a time when I too, could play in the sunshine. That was before Anonymous begin duplicating my screen name all over the ’net, before encyclopedia dramatica ran a piece on me, before idiots begin placing hate speeches with this editing identity. Well. Do you know the human reaction to persistent anger? - Last time I asked that, a Glosslip author considered the question to be a threat- The answer is BOREDOM - no lulz, just boredom.

But there is a Lulz. Critics chant snatches of knowledge, such as "disconnection" or "religion is free". While its target spells out methods to understand what you know. Critics are saying, "I don’t understand, I don’t understand". Saying it to Scientology whose cornerstone is understanding what you know. From my point of view critics are blinded by knowledge without understanding it. Critics are verbal and loud, proclaiming abuse while refusing to understand the scope of their knowledge.

Terryeo [tm] | 2008-04-23 - 07:45:44 PM (CDT)
Kelly is either a very simple person or a cult of scientology member. Terryeo (who has posted above) a scientology OSA shill who posts all accross the internet. For the FACTS of the matter, from those who have escaped the scientology prison camps check out:

http://www.forum.exscn.net/index.php?

For the information on Terryeo:

http://www.encyclopediadramatica/Terryeo

Centurian 10 | 2008-04-23 - 07:45:49 PM (CDT)
I’m a Scientologist DONTCHAKNOW. I HAVE A WEEEESCONSIN accent YAH

Scientologist means no sex for you, is bad stay away

Pat Harney | 2008-04-23 - 07:45:59 PM (CDT)
tr0 through tr4 are brain washing techniques

ScientologyisaCult | 2008-04-23 - 07:46:25 PM (CDT)
Terryeo [tm]? Fake. The real Terryeo is [R]

Terryeo [R] | 2008-04-23 - 07:49:53 PM (CDT)
Kelley is in the right place!
The $cientologists lay in wait for airheads to enter their lair, only to pounce on them.
Watch Out!

Scientragedy | 2008-04-23 - 07:50:58 PM (CDT)
Terry, about that sunshine.... If it’s really so beneficial, why are all the windows at the larger org’s such as LA and Clearwater always shuttered closed?

Note to OSA: Open up some of the blinds already, enjoy the sun! It’s good for you.

eyeswideshut | 2008-04-23 - 07:51:33 PM (CDT)
Don’t feel too bad Kelley, Scientologists have duped a lot of people over the course of 50 years. You aren’t the first, but there are people who are trying to make sure that you are one of the last. I imagine writing a piece like this must be hard for a young journalism major. The Church of Scientology is a tough tackle, they are so very good at deception and facades. Hopefully, this particular article and the comments that follow will be a reminder to you, that you should at least know as much as your readers do. I bet you get the facts right the next time before you carelessly pat yourself on the back and think that you have been thorough in your research.
Better luck next time.

Kevin Cole | 2008-04-23 - 07:54:25 PM (CDT)
so like, they were totally cool and had crosses and stuff, and crosses are good right, so I just believed everything they said!

Kelley Cox | 2008-04-23 - 07:56:20 PM (CDT)
They had excellent Kool-Aid too.

Kelley Cox | 2008-04-23 - 07:58:23 PM (CDT)
"so like, they were totally cool and had crosses and stuff, and crosses are good right, so I just believed everything they said!
Kelley Cox | 2008-04-23 - 07:56:20 PM (CDT)"

...now you’re showing your true hand Kelley... bravo...

TJ | 2008-04-23 - 07:59:47 PM (CDT)
"They had excellent Kool-Aid too."
Kelley Cox | 2008-04-23 - 07:58:23 PM (CDT)

You should listen to the recordings of the children dying at Jonestown... they’re about as funny as your quote...

VERY classy

TJ | 2008-04-23 - 08:02:01 PM (CDT)
"we are firm critics of psychiatry" is not quite like saying we are campaigning for the "global obliteration of psychiatry". Guess that is the difference between the WOG (their term for the public) face and the "private" face of scientology. Thanks to the Internet we can now see just how two faced the cul* sorry church of scientology is and if it has to be two faced there is something very wrong.

David | 2008-04-23 - 08:04:42 PM (CDT)
Terryeo(tm) , jason beghe looked pretty informed, being an OT5. By definition to get to that point he had to understand everything that came before. How are his interview comments scraps of knowledge? He seemed pretty well informed to me. Any comment? Or will you just fail to confront it.

biggy | 2008-04-23 - 08:07:03 PM (CDT)
Obviously, those last two post aren’t Kelley, guys.

come on | 2008-04-23 - 08:07:21 PM (CDT)
""They had excellent Kool-Aid too."
Kelley Cox | 2008-04-23 - 07:58:23 PM (CDT)

You should listen to the recordings of the children dying at Jonestown... they’re about as funny as your quote...

VERY classy"

They have recordings? Well, now I know what I want for Christmas. Make it so, Santa.

Kelley Cox | 2008-04-23 - 08:09:14 PM (CDT)
Impersonating the author to make your side look better hints that your argument is weak. It’s called being a Strawman Puppet.

Stick to ethics. | 2008-04-23 - 08:10:17 PM (CDT)
The same mature individuals attacking her are now posting under the author’s name. Do you really think she is going to post on a message board that consists mostly of posts telling her she is incapable of doing her job. I doubt she wants to read insulting comments. Who would?

Josh St. Phillip | 2008-04-23 - 08:11:12 PM (CDT)
There’s more than one Kelley Cox in the world, and you’re hanging on her nuts.

Kelley Cox | 2008-04-23 - 08:11:57 PM (CDT)
Dear Terryeo [tm],

tl;dr

Dear Kelley,

I hope you will do a follow-up report, based on further research. Scientology tries really hard to "seem normal," but it is very far from normal. Do some more reading and you’ll see what I mean. Hubbard was a nutcase anti-Christian, anti-science weirdo.

Mark | 2008-04-23 - 08:16:47 PM (CDT)
An article written by a sheep.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-baaaaaaaaaaaaa

go do a little research on the Sea Org you sheep. child labor, sexual harassment, disconnection, and thats pretty much the heart of scientology.

brian | 2008-04-23 - 08:17:42 PM (CDT)
Bah, Kelley has a dream job. Why do real journalism when you can have someone else write it for you. Turn in "your" (nudge-nudge-wink-wink) copy and hit the bar.

Dupont, Dow Chemicals, the Bush administration all dream of these young-upstarts crossing their threshold.

ZOMG | 2008-04-23 - 08:20:59 PM (CDT)
"Impersonating the author to make your side look better hints that your argument is weak. It’s called being a Strawman Puppet. "

Is that why scientologists made fake Tory Christman accounts on YouTube and stole her videos? I really just thought you were hitching a ride on her popularity until now. Thanks for clearing that up!

Jess | 2008-04-23 - 08:23:04 PM (CDT)
Ms Cox,

It seems a good place to start with your piece would have been to ask why the recently released interview with OT5 Jason Beghe contradicts everything that was fed to you from your PR contact.

Ya know, that’s what journalist do. Ask questions. Not just nod their head.

Astonished | 2008-04-23 - 08:25:08 PM (CDT)
This is the most poorly researched article on Scientology that I have ever read. Who the hell hires these writers over at LSU? You’re a real university. Don’t you have libraries? The sole source for this article were the words of a "kindly old scientology spokesman." Why not ask a few objective outsiders? Why not at LEAST verify the claims that one "can’t actually prove the existence of any ’chemical imbalance’."

Tell that to the schizophrenic Scientologist kid who just KILLED his parents because he became convinced (through dianetics) that he didn’t need to take his ANTI-PSYCHOSIS meds.

This article is blatant Scilon propaganda.

BY THE WAY. The Xenu story IS a part of Scientology’s dogma, but you’re not allowed to learn this "terrible origin myth" until you pay $300,000 and reach the rank of OT III. THe guy you interviewed probably isn’t even high-ranking enough to know whether or not the Xenu story is true. The sad part is that Scientologists are told that if someone learns the Xenu story before they’re "ready" (before they pay the money/take the courses/do the auditing) it can lead to instant DEATH. What a load of crap.

anon902503 | 2008-04-23 - 08:25:45 PM (CDT)
By the way, dox yet on Kelley Cox?

anon902503 | 2008-04-23 - 08:29:41 PM (CDT)
LOL! I think Ms. Cox won’t have to do any research, she can just cut and paste the comments for the follow up. Well researched and thorough points made!

If you think the comments are bad for a poorly researched article such as this, wait! If you write anything anti-scientology in the future, you will be earmarked and harrassed for much longer than these comments will sting. The CoS are so horribly aggressive with their attacks, todays’ comments will seem like fun.
You write a TRUTHFUL piece about Scientology, and I think you will see the tone of the comments change.

Now, don’t be butthurt, just your research in the future.

stoplooklisten | 2008-04-23 - 08:34:30 PM (CDT)
Kelley,

Your purpose in writing this is pretty transparent. You see something getting tons of bad press in the media and assume there is another side, so you assume that sticking a microphone in the face of a PR guy is tantamount to uncovering it.

If you would have done research, any amount of it at all, your piece might have been a journalist here, when instead you became a PR tool.

Xenu is a myth? Ask why they are suing wikileaks for infringing on copywrites after posting the Xenu documents.

Scientology is about knowledge and not faith?Why then the tax exempt status of a religion? Is it just about the money?

Compatible with other religions? Ask about the R6 implant, that says that all other religions were part of an insidious alien program to indoctrinate humans with entheta.

They would have lied to you about all of this. They would have told you what is called ’acceptable truths’. If you had done your research you would know all about the doctrine of acceptable truth in Scientology.

Bgodley | 2008-04-23 - 08:35:01 PM (CDT)
What’s even sadder is that David Miscavige, the head of Scientology, is already squirreling tech. In Sci-speak, that means that he is re-writing everything so that members have to pay all over again for the courses that they already endured. He will, in fact, "do away" with the "myth" so that he can proudly point out that Xenu never existed in official Sci dogma. His own niece and his own brother are against Scientology. As are all of the kids that LRH ever had.

brian godley | 2008-04-23 - 08:38:01 PM (CDT)
Terrible journalism!You are going to take the word of a Scientologist for your article?M

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