Local ex-Scientologist speaks out

‘Originally, Scientology worked’

By Kelley Cox

There is a national media storm surrounding the Church of Scientology. Celebrity members have said Scientology saved their lives. Celebrity ex-member Jason Beghe spoke out against Scientology in a series of YouTube videos. There has been widespread criticism and debate among Scientology proponents and adversaries.

Tiger Weekly’s own Web site was submerged in one such debate in response to an article published April 23, “I visited the Scientology Center of Baton Rouge … and lived to write about it.”

Local ex-Scientologist Rhett Westerman recently shared his opinions and experiences with Scientology with Tiger Weekly. Westerman said he grew up in the Church of Scientology.

“My parents were involved [with Scientology] when I was little,” he said.

Westerman added that he was a Scientologist his “whole life, up until a few years ago.”

Westerman said he became a Class 8 Auditor while involved in the Church of Scientology. He said he has spent between $400,000 and $500,000 on the Church of Scientology during the course of a decade.

Westerman does not think all Scientologists are evil people, merely ignorant to the corruption within the Church.

“I think the people that work in [the Baton Rouge Mission] are all good people; there’s nothing wrong with them. They really, truly believe they’re doing the right thing. I think they don’t really understand what’s going on behind the scenes. I bet if they did know what went on behind the scenes, they’d be out in a heartbeat.”

Westerman decided to leave Scientology when “I saw all the corruption that was going on and I didn’t want to be a part of it.”

Westerman claimed there is widespread corruption in Scientology, even in the smaller branches, including the Baton Rouge Mission. Westerman said he found out about the “behind the scenes” corruption firsthand when he became “one of only a few people to reach the highest public training levels in Scientology” while residing in California.

Westerman acknowledged that he “got a lot out of Scientology,” until a different group of people gained control of the church in the early ‘80s. He said Scientology “is not the same anymore.”

Westerman said this new group, “including [Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center] David Miscavige and his cronies,” implemented new rules and policies when they took control of Scientology.

When Westerman saw the corruption within Scientology, he said he decided to leave the Church but consequently lost contact with members of his own family.

“What happens in Scientology is if you decide you don’t want to have anything to do with it and say that to anybody, they declare you what’s called a ‘suppressive person’; they basically kick you out.”

Once declared a “suppressive person,” an individual is not allowed to have contact with anyone still involved with Scientology, including family members. Westerman said he has not spoken to his own father in years.

“I have family here that won’t communicate with me,” Westerman said. He said his stepmother threatened his father with divorce if he kept contact with Rhett, for fear of being kicked out of the Church of Scientology if found out.

Westerman said his father and stepmother “don’t want anyone to know they refuse to speak to my sister and I because of Scientology. They don’t want people to know that they don’t talk to their grandchildren: my kids or my sister’s kids.”

Westerman said that he has an 11-year-old son that his parents haven’t seen in years “because of Scientology.”

Although accounts and information discrediting Scientology exist on the Internet, Westerman said that “Scientologists aren’t allowed to read that. If [the Church of Scientology] finds out that you’re reading that, they kick you out.”

The ultimate goal of Scientology is going “clear.” Westerman said going clear “absolutely made a big difference. But you can’t get that today in Scientology; that was years ago. Now, if you spent $400,000 on it, you would walk out $400,000 later without that end product [being clear].”

Westerman said that being “clear” is a continual state of mind and that he is still clear. When an individual is “clear,” he has control of the portion of his mind responsible for mental anguish and illness.

Westerman said that the Xenu story exists in Scientology, “but it’s not what you read in newspapers and on the Internet. You’d have to look at a more detailed “account of the story in order to understand it. He said the Xenu story made sense and he believed it while studying Scientology.

Westerman said The Church of Scientology “has tons and tons of money and a huge legal machine. Anybody that ever speaks up against them is attacked pretty viciously.” He said he has been attacked, but doesn’t “really care.”

According to Westerman, Scientologists called his friends to tell them lies about him and things they say he’s done.

“They’ve done it on numerous occasions. They tried to slander me so people would think I was just some scumbag,” and disregard what he says about the Church of Scientology.

“They would take you [as a member] no matter how much money you made – but you would never be able to pay for the services to go clear,” which is the end goal of Scientology, Westerman said. In pursuing becoming clear, Scientologists undergo extensive auditing sessions – Scientology’s form of counseling or therapy.

Westerman claimed that that auditing sessions “are all on video and audio tapes that [the Church of Scientology] keeps as a record. When people leave Scientology, they use what was said in confidence against them later, to get back at them” and deter people from leaving or speaking out against Scientology.

“I think Scientology is going to go away before too long. It’s kind of sad, because, originally, Scientology worked, but now everything’s going to be gone. What they have now is definitely not working.”

“I think the momentum’s building and a lot of people are leaving,” Westerman said.

Originally Published: Issue 607 - May 6, 2008

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Comments

So I read most of the article waiting for a description of the corruption and found none. The closest comment was that some people who were mis behaving and dissing the church were asked to leave. Wow how can corruption like that be tolerated?

grnapl | 2008-05-07 - 12:22:56 PM (CDT)
This wicked criminal racket has no regard whatsoever for the well-being of its members, or anyone else in the world, no matter what transparent and deceitful claims of altruism it might make. The Freewinds, Scientology’s flagship, where all the top levels of "religion" are bought and paid for, is filled to the brim with blue asbestos. Scientology has known of it since the very beginning, and has done nothing to warn its members, quietly sitting back and letting them suffer a horrible death.

This cult needs to be brought to its knees.

whyweprotest.net

Anne | 2008-05-07 - 12:31:02 PM (CDT)
Thanks, Kelley, good job. To commenter "grnapl," you should read entire articles before commenting. Had you done so, you might have noticed that the person interviewed was discussing Scientology’s "disconnection" policy, which breaks up families and friendships. This is only one of Scientology’s many crimes and human rights abuses. Rank-and-file Scientologists are not to blame; it is the higher-ups who are responsible for enforcing compliance. The ordinary members are told "Don’t read that," "Don’t believe anything you see on the internet," "Those critics are Nazis," "The critics are terrorists, bigots, in the pay of the pharmaceutical companies" etc. etc. etc. For true and accurate information about Scientology, please see http:www.xenu.net or http://www.youfoundthecard.com . Scientology is not really a religion. That is just a charade.

Jane Catnarok | 2008-05-07 - 12:32:54 PM (CDT)
Fantastic, Kelley. Thanks for this, it\’s a very good counter to the original article. Sad for Rhett -- Rhett, Anon is with you, come to a protest!

(And good work TW on the new, improved commenting system!)

Anonynony | 2008-05-07 - 12:51:16 PM (CDT)
Mr. Westerman needs to realize that the Church of Scientology is corrupt because it is driven/operated according to the *Scientology scriptures and policies.*

The Church of Scientology was no less corrupt before David Miscavige took over as the leader of Scientology. L. Ron Hubbard was the leader when his organization engaged in systematic attempts to remove all critical materials, and to eliminate all people critical of his church. See Operation Snow White, Operation Freakout, Operation Funnybone, etc. etc.

**L. Ron Hubbard** wrote that people critical of Scientology are criminals, who must be utterly destroyed. L. Ron Hubbard created an organization who acts according to his malevolent policies/scriptures. "Suppressive person," "diconnection," "fair game," these are all from Hubbard, and all designed to protect his "gross income," the real object of worship by the Church of Scientology corporation.

There is even documentation out there that shows that Hubbard ordered the murdering of people he declared "suppressives." So, Mr. Westerman is mistaken when he implies that the Church of Scientology was less corrupt before David Miscavige took over.

In the Church of Scientology, the ruthless who assign little to no value to his human fellows rise to the top, hence David Miscavige and his cronies, it’s purely natural selection driven by Scientology scriptures/policies.

And as for the Xenu story, it is important to understand the "body thetans" belief. At these higher levels, members are suddenly told that "engrams" are not the real problem finally (after having paid lots of money,) but that their problem now is that they are infested by entities that attach to their body, and which have to be exorcised (at a steep cost of course.) There is ample evidence that members are told that whatever illnesses they have are caused by these "body thetans," and thus are not seeking proper treatment.

Raymond Hill | 2008-05-07 - 01:33:23 PM (CDT)
I am also an "X" and I left before Hubbard died. I see the cult a little differently than Rhett does.

It was completely corrupt before David Miscavige took over. In fact, it was rotten to the core. Many Scientologist think that there was some sort of golden era when the infinitely wise L.Ron Hubbard was running the show. I only wish it had been that way.

How is it corrupt, asks grnapl? Well, for starters it tells the "raw meat" that s/he will become clear in about 200 hours of intensive therapy then after that s/he will become an OT, with "power knowingly and at will over matter, energy, space, time, life and thought." This can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and in the case of celebrity Jason Beghe about a million dollars. The problem is no one has ever been able to demonstrate the state of clear let alone OT. There’s a lot more to their corruption but I don’t think anyone should join the cult to get their fair share of abuse. Instead just go to their website then go to some critical websites and decide.

The big question is not "How are they corrupt?" It is "What is wrong with the society that has allowed these parasites to exist for 55 years?"

Congoleeza Wheat | 2008-05-07 - 03:26:31 PM (CDT)
Thanks Kelley for viewing the other side of the coin, the two articles as a whole now are more of a fair picture of the whole scheme.

Grrrrr TIGER! | 2008-05-07 - 03:52:38 PM (CDT)
Nice follow-up article. Good to see the research that went into this one, Kelli. Two thumbs up. Congrats to those who have left. The world is a good place.

Anonymous | 2008-05-07 - 03:55:29 PM (CDT)
Ok, Kelley Cox, you proved me wrong. I thought you would play along propaganda lines of CoS when I read that first article. Thanks for showing another perspective on Scientology. Still I’m not sure about what he is stating with regards to the Xenu story. It has been confirmed a lot of times and there is even a hand-written version from Hubbard on the net, which truly confirmed its pretty much just like the south park episode stated it to be. There are some rather complicated details with regards to the body-thetans, but all in all it really is OT3.

I think it is really important for Westerman to state Scientologists aren’t evil people in general, because just like Jason Beghe said, most of them simply want to help mankind. It’s really a tragic betrayal of human goodwill in my opinion. I mean, people invest so much of their lives in Scientology and their energy and goodwill deserve better than this.

critical voice | 2008-05-07 - 03:59:19 PM (CDT)
As a former Scientologist I can honestly say that until the recent events and the publishing of documents on the Internet (Wikileaks for example) I had only hear rumors of corruption. It\\\\’s true that most regular scientologists have no idea how deep this rabbit hole of corruption runs. I have done a lot of reading recently and I feel so ashamed that I have \\\\\\\"donated\\\\\\\" about 500k to this cult for non existent powers.

Only by continuing to get the story out there can people like myself be saved from the evils and corruptions of this cult. If it were not for the actions of Anonymous (viewed from an upstairs window during a protest) and my secretly visiting a library and hence xenu.net, I\\\\’d still be in the cult spending my money.

As it is I have to start all over. There are no retirement plans for Scientologists, no funds, no nothing, when you get out, you get out with the shirt on your back. I\\\\’m glad I did. I can now freely embrace my family who has welcomed me back with open arms. Freedom feels great.

Thanks Anonymous!

James B. Lightfield | 2008-05-07 - 04:02:00 PM (CDT)
Kelley, I am glad to see this article as a counter-point to your last article. This was thoughtfully written and gives us a sense of who Rhett is as a person as well as a glimpse into the cost to him personally for having left.

If you are interested in learning more, please take a look at the many websites that speak to this issue. Whyweprotest.com and xenu.net are some good places to start.

Sarah Olson | 2008-05-07 - 04:03:43 PM (CDT)
I’m glad to see honest journalism. I’ve learned a lot and became an ex-scientologist a few months ago!

Terryeo | 2008-05-07 - 04:12:33 PM (CDT)
Great work, Kelley. You went through the coals and came out stronger for it.

Watch out for Fair Game, though. We’ll be having a global protest on the 10th against this insidious policy of the corrupt business that calls itself the ’Church of Scientology’.

terryeo | 2008-05-07 - 04:19:31 PM (CDT)
Visit NO’s Local org branch on the 10th, we would love to have you as an observer Ms. Cox.

Robert | 2008-05-07 - 04:29:41 PM (CDT)
Good job Kelly, looks like you understand what is really going on. Im impressed by how much you have been willing to learn, compared to your first article. I know how hard it is, I once was a true believer that Hubbard had the answers. Now I am a true believer that hypnosis and mental manipulation WORKS, scientology doesn’t.

Arnie Lerma
Lermanet.com Exposing the CON

arnie | 2008-05-07 - 04:33:49 PM (CDT)
Thank you both Kelley and Rhett for having the courage to speak the truth. As an x myself, I echo the many commentaries. Scientology has been corrupt and deceptive for a very long time. It is time for this corrupt entity to be brought to justice. Thanks!

patty | 2008-05-07 - 04:34:45 PM (CDT)
This is a much better article than your last one, good to see that you listened to your criticisms rather than totally ignoring them.

Anonymous | 2008-05-07 - 04:46:35 PM (CDT)
Excellent story. For the poster who couldn’t figure out the crimes of the Co$:

www.whyaretheydead.net
www.whyweprotest.net

Also, google search for:
"Paulette Cooper"
"Lisa McPherson"
"fair game"
"r2-45"

Anonymous | 2008-05-07 - 04:47:25 PM (CDT)
Corruption was at the root of my friend being driven deeply into debt in Baton Rouge for scientology services she couldn’t afford. Corruption was at the root of her being coerced into joining the Sea Organization and becoming an indentured servant to scientology due to the debt.

How does she get her life back?

stivbator | 2008-05-07 - 05:14:55 PM (CDT)
My only disappointment with this article is that at the end of the day, it can be brushed away as someones opinion, or a vendetta against the church. Kelley cant be blamed for this however, but her interview is valuable, being one more stone added to the pile of testimonies that will aid in the call for a full investigation and transparency of scientology as an organisation. I also think the article also hits the nail neatly on the head. A lot of scientologists are good people, trying to make a better world. The ones being betrayed most of all are them.

I hope those willing to publicise these cases can in some way contribute to the reformation of scientology.

alber | 2008-05-07 - 05:18:37 PM (CDT)
also, it would have been nice to get some comments from the local org in reaction to the accusations. But i think thats pushing you in front of potential fair game.

while taken with your earlier article, it provides a balanced account, taken on its own this could be ranted by scientologists as an anti scientology puff piece. I tthink it would be great to strongly link the two articles together.

alber | 2008-05-07 - 05:29:57 PM (CDT)
Well, since i left Scientology, things became a lot more ’clear’ then they were inside Scientology.
Indeed, the people inside are mostly very good people, thinking they are doing the right thing. And that’s the sad part. We have to demolish what they love for them to be really free.

To anyone still inside; free yourself!

bgodley | 2008-05-07 - 05:57:12 PM (CDT)
Excellent work, Kelley. So glad you looked deeper and interviewed someone who had "been there, done that". Don’t be af4raid to ask the hard questions, people appreciate it. Put this one in your portfolio to show the interviewer, when you apply at TIME or Washington Post :-).

jeannie36832 | 2008-05-07 - 06:06:07 PM (CDT)
This is a great article, Kelley Cox. Thank you for covering Scientology’s awful behavior. Breaking families to punish "suppressive" people is truly Orwellian behavior!

Anonchalant | 2008-05-07 - 06:06:47 PM (CDT)
Well, this one is much better, and not only becouse it actually has some debate going on. Offcourse, scientology was never ’’good’’, but Anonymous will not contest that as long as the present form of the chirch gets what it deserves. Either way, i enjoyed reading it.

Tom Soier | 2008-05-07 - 06:28:38 PM (CDT)
Hi Kelley,

Thanks for presenting the "other" side of the story too. This restores the missing balance. I’m glad you’ve decided to cover both sides! Good job ;-)

David Mudkips | 2008-05-07 - 06:42:32 PM (CDT)
Dear Kelley, Thank you for a very strong follow up to your previous, sort of puff piece, article. You have shown the side of Scientology the nice man at the org didnt want you see. Digging deeper is what journalists do! Atta girl!

Spanicha | 2008-05-07 - 06:45:47 PM (CDT)
Thank you, Ms. Cox, for presenting another side of the story. You’ll make a journalist yet. Come protest with us on Saturday, there will be news and delicious cake.

2ndgenerationSP | 2008-05-07 - 06:48:44 PM (CDT)
Thank you for your articlel Ms. Cox. Mr. Westerman still seems to not understand the depth of the problem of Scientology. It’s not about the current corruption, it’s the whole scheme, and it is a scheme. This is not a religion, it’s a money making venture. David Miscavige has it right. There is no church, there is no care for the people who participate, it’s about the money -- pure and simple

Dorothy | 2008-05-07 - 07:02:32 PM (CDT)
You really did your homework this time Ms. Cox.
Thank you.

Operation Fair Game Stop is this Saturday, May 10th. There’s still that side of the story to cover!

Dave | 2008-05-07 - 07:05:38 PM (CDT)
the cult will be no more in these fair states

they will be a buisness and be taxed like a buisness

they will be brought to their knees by the collective outrage of the internet

www.whyweprotest.net

lulzmonster | 2008-05-07 - 07:11:51 PM (CDT)
Dying greedy cult must die.

This organization which runs with corruption in the background of our lives must now collapse.

For all Ex-Scientologists, discuss with other X:
http://exscientologykids.com/

Joe Citizen | 2008-05-07 - 07:29:35 PM (CDT)
Ms. Cox,
Thank you for addinf some balance to the previous
piece you did. The only thing left is to write your 3rd piece
on the experience of writing both, the reactions you got
and what you think it all means.
Then you may go directly to the head of the class ;-)

anon.penet.fi | 2008-05-07 - 07:39:22 PM (CDT)
No corruption? Blackmail, extortion, disconnection, and so much more. GB2 OSA, Scilon.

Anonymous | 2008-05-07 - 07:41:40 PM (CDT)
Kelly, thanks. Everything we do does have consequences. You have found a balance in your responsibility as someone who presents information to the public. The power of the pen is an awesome one. Good job. You are A OK in my book.

Anonymous | 2008-05-07 - 07:48:28 PM (CDT)
Great article, and like all victims of Disconnection and Fair Game, Mr. Westerman has my deepest sympathy and support. You don’t have to be afraid anymore - now there is an entire army of people standing behind you. And all of them are named David :)

Anonymous | 2008-05-07 - 08:08:22 PM (CDT)
Kelley, am delighted you followed up your original article with this one: it is much more realistic. Good luck with your journalism career- looks like you’ve learned lesson #1 (doing research) and #2 (getting a thick skin) ;)

Anonymous | 2008-05-07 - 09:06:36 PM (CDT)
Kelley, if you are thinking of following this up, consider going out to the protest on Saturday and talking to several Anonymous about why they are there. You are likely to get a variety of answers but I can tell you that they are all correct. The reason that Anonymous protests is as varied as a herd of cats. You can almost do the background from your own thread!

The emergence of Anonymous is important to understand how the internet is shaping society. The phenomenon you are seeing is in its own way unique. There is no leadership, there is no demographic, there are none of the markers that you would generally associate with this kind of a group. THAT is a story worthy of your attention.

Dig deeper. Respect the anonymity of anyone you interview. Ask questions. You will discover that the "herd of cats" has some powerful things to say.

Sarah Olson | 2008-05-07 - 09:07:09 PM (CDT)
Good Article, ex scientologists offer an insight to the grubby aspects of this cult.
most poople if they bother to look into this cult and its history would be rightly alarmed by what they learn

Mike | 2008-05-07 - 09:15:49 PM (CDT)
Well done, Kelley. I didn’t expect a follow up article so close to the end of the school year. Good luck in your journalism career. I think you’ll do fine.

mom2two | 2008-05-07 - 09:59:57 PM (CDT)
The article is great. You handled the issue well and proved that you are first class.

Begonia | 2008-05-07 - 10:05:37 PM (CDT)
More props from over here too. I truly hope you didn’t feel intimidated into doing this article after the response to the last one, because that was never the intention - only to ensure a balanced representation of the organisation. Either way, coupled with the earlier article this is a very strong piece, and like an earlier poster stated it forms an invaluable part of the ever-growing stack of evidence against (and personal accounts that attest to) the CoS’s malpractices.

If you get even the tiniest WHIFF that the Church is going to give you grief about this, head over to www.enturbulation.org - Anonymous (all 10,000 of us) are there to help

moose | 2008-05-07 - 10:37:12 PM (CDT)
You anons are bipolar as hell. You wanted to rip her throat out two weeks ago. Now you want to lick her vaj.

hweird. | 2008-05-07 - 10:48:34 PM (CDT)
Bipolar? No.

Anons are like Marines. No worst enemy. No better friend.

David Marcabson | 2008-05-07 - 11:48:15 PM (CDT)
grnapl, what he means is that the tech has been squirreled by David Miscaivage. KSW is no longer KSW if you know what I mean.

As for scientology ever working. No it didn\’t. Kelley you are still somewhat under it\’s spell, but you have come a long way. \"Clear\" is not as positive a thing as you might think. Turning off anguish is not healthy or natural. Hurt is a natural defense of the mind and one you are best to learn to live with and deal with then to simply suppress and pretend it does not exist. Scientology tries to tell you that you can just get rid of it. Drugs will do the same for you and both have the same eventual result. You undergo mental and emotional and even physical collapse.

screwtube | 2008-05-07 - 12:09:00 AM (CDT)
Thanks for releasing this article in the name of balance Kelly. Pity you didn’t go to the local org to ask for comment but perhaps its best so you don’t get fair gamed yourself - unless you go anonymously that is.

Interesting interview. Did he ever mention being part of the FreeZone (people who practice scientology outside the church). He sounds like it. Or sounds like he would benefit from it.

Overall good piece for balance when you consider the previous one.

Nice work

Jukka Minton | 2008-05-07 - 12:09:25 AM (CDT)
Excellent work, Kelley. The world needs to hear the stories of xsci\’s like Rhett\’s and the xsci posters here. I agree with the sentiment that scilons are not bad people. Scientology is a human tragedy. It takes good people and destroys them, and their families.

I am so proud of Anonymous They are doing this for you and all those you care about still imprisoned in the cult. Keep giving them the feedback that they are making a difference.

The channers from the most obscure corner of the internet, rallied by /b/ have become the vanguard of the anti-Scientology movement. It has only been four months and anons continue to growi more knowledgeable, they are countering the scilons moves on many fronts: the streets, the internet, the media, congress, the churches. I hope some anons will rally AARP around the issue of elder abuse. Anons are relentless and unstoppable.

Kelley and all you wonderful xscis, keep telling the world your stories and about what you and Anonymous.together are doing to abolish the Church of Scientology.and put an end to its crimes and abuses.

David Marcabson | 2008-05-07 - 12:43:05 AM (CDT)
Kudos to you Kelly! Excellent work on the classic muckraking journalistic pursuit for the other side of the story!

Arbalest | 2008-05-07 - 12:50:16 AM (CDT)
As for Scientology’s decline starting in the early 1980s, I partially agree. Yeah, it got worse, but it was pretty messed up by the mid-1970s when Hubbard went seriously paranoid and started spying on governments around the world.

Rhett may want to consider that the farther you go in Scientology, the crazier it gets -- because the progression of courses and processes on "the bridge" roughly parallel LRH’s descent into madness.

Eldon | 2008-05-08 - 06:27:45 AM (CDT)
@grnapl - try whyaretheydead.net for some corruption.

John Burkhart | 2008-05-08 - 09:03:42 AM (CDT)
Interesting article. I just doubt that the things were much better before the DAvid Miscavige-aera began. When a Scientologist wants to "HELP", you´re dealing with a very special kind of help. Help is one of the terms redefined by Hubbard in his Policy Letters as a part of his mind control programm (Robert Jay Lifton, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism, Chapter 22). http://www.mediafire.com/?bdnnnhmejgh

anongermany | 2008-05-08 - 09:04:36 AM (CDT)
Oh my gosh I\’m so sorry people, it turns out I need to read the internet more, Scientology IS a corrupt organization and I had no idea what I was talking about. My ignorance was unforgivable but I will atone by saying that the Church of Scientology is a dangerous cult with mafia like aspirations. I need to learn how to spell and look words up in the dictionary.

Operation Snow White: The CoS infiltrated federal agencies in the United States as well as Canada in an attempt to betray its secrets.

Operation Freakout: The CoS\’ \"Fair Game\" policy in action. A journalist named Paulette Cooper tries to exercise her 1st amendment rights in order to expose Scientology, but naturally they had a problem with that. They used terrorist tactics to try and frame her and even attempted to murder her outright.

I am so downstat right now.

grnapl | 2008-05-08 - 09:28:51 AM (CDT)
gnarpl,
The next step is to grab a mask and demonstrate with Anonymous on May 10th.
enturbulatoin.org for more info.

(You can still protest For Darfur and Tibet if you like, but you won’t need a mask)

Do What Now? | 2008-05-08 - 12:15:38 PM (CDT)
enturbulation.org/
Sorry

Do What Now? | 2008-05-08 - 12:17:14 PM (CDT)
Per Tommy Davis, spokesperson for the Church of Scientology on CNN this morning, the church has no "disconnection" policy. I hope many people will call Rhett’s father, Dr. Bob Westerman at 225-927-3442 and let him know he and his wife Peggy can contact their lovely children and grandchildren

mulkey | 2008-05-08 - 12:20:27 PM (CDT)
I have called Dr. Westerman’s office and left the message with the receptionist the good news that there is no disconnection policy in the scientology and that Dr. Westerman and his wife can rejoice with bringing their family back together. Praise the Lord!

Sarabeth | 2008-05-08 - 12:24:07 PM (CDT)
decent retort; I would say its a shame that this wasnt added to your last piece for a better all encompassing ’opinion-piece’ as you put it.
But; nonetheless bravo for doing your due dilligence and taking another kick at the can. (and not giving up despite calls to do so - I hope its made you stronger)

thtruthonlineisreal | 2008-05-08 - 12:50:36 PM (CDT)
Thank you for researching the other side of the story. Sounds like Rhett may be a candidate for the Freezoners. Anything to help collapse the corrupt organization known as the "church" of Scientology.

Commodore Biggles | 2008-05-08 - 01:04:34 PM (CDT)
This is just poorly written. No issue with the content, but the writting was terrible.

JC | 2008-05-08 - 01:28:18 PM (CDT)
The Freezoners are nothing but a front to re-start the cult. Some of the members write verbally violent threats and appear to want the same intimidation and $$$$$$$$$$ as the original. Let the buyer beware.

Tom | 2008-05-08 - 01:37:44 PM (CDT)
JC,
elaborate.

Gary Cookston | 2008-05-08 - 02:10:34 PM (CDT)
Terryeo, glad to see the change of heart, though I’m still not sure if you’re really you. I’ve been seeing some conflicting comments from you lately. Are you ex now or not?

anonymous | 2008-05-08 - 02:51:42 PM (CDT)
Not bad, you got the other side of the story, which is a very good thing. Now it might be a good thing to expand on both sides, and supplement it with research you have done. I know i must sound like a broken record but the research must always be present.

Kiddo | 2008-05-08 - 04:08:15 PM (CDT)
I’m sure she’ll write well-researched articles during finals week. Especially since the only people that seem to care about Scientology articles are random internet people and not regular Tiger Weekly readers (LSU students). Good advice, guys!

this is NOT scientology weekly | 2008-05-08 - 04:24:02 PM (CDT)
Scientology is organized crime. Their "NarCONon" fraud not only doesn’t work, it has maimed people and *(As in Madrid and France) Scientology’s "NarCONon" fraud has killed people.

Marks | 2008-05-08 - 06:07:44 PM (CDT)
I am a random internet person.

Random Internet Person | 2008-05-08 - 09:03:22 PM (CDT)
Since I joined Anonymous I have REALLY strated to learn the truth about the cult to which I previously belonged. While there were always rumore among the Sea Org I never beleived any of them till I decided to make a clean break and leave. Thank god for Anonymous and their insights to Scientology!

Luana1980 | 2008-05-08 - 11:57:18 PM (CDT)
Thank You Kelley for your wonderful article! This really adds the balance needed to the last Scientology article you wrote.

Lee Smithers | 2008-05-08 - 01:28:01 AM (CDT)
Good job, Kelley, for the other side of the story.. It is amazing what organizations people create and get involved with. It leaves me scratching my head sometimes. But no one should be victimized the way Scientology abuses its own members.

Pinky | 2008-05-08 - 01:59:10 AM (CDT)
My heart goes out to Westerman, and to his parents, who are forbidden to know their grandchildren. What a terrible thing!

But Kelley, your ability to take criticism and grow from it is (in all honesty) incredibly encouraging. Well done!

colin | 2008-05-09 - 03:08:12 AM (CDT)
Just wanted to say Kelly that it is a very good article and I am a LSU student and I also find this subject VERY interesting. Since when do we need mask to protest in our country? Good job to Anonymous for informing thr public about this evil organization.

John Ellis | 2008-05-09 - 05:10:06 AM (CDT)
I think that taken together with the previous article, it makes one really good piece. Thank you for presenting both sides.

janine | 2008-05-09 - 06:57:56 AM (CDT)
Kelley, this is the very best way you could have responded to the criticisms of the first article. Well done for letting that criticism spur you onward, rather than crush you. As others have said, the two pieces together are far better than either on their own. The trick when addressing such controversial matters in future will be to give an even-handed treatment of both sides in the one article (yes, even in an opinion piece).

@screwtube - you write, "Kelley you are still somewhat under it\’s spell, but you have come a long way. \"Clear\" is not as positive a thing as you might think." Man, Kelley was QUOTING a source, not stating her view! Sheesh!

Personally, I liked reading Rhett’s views because they are different to many exes. While I might disagree that Scientology has only been corrupted since Miscavige, I respect Rhett’s right to his view.

This article shows your character, Kelley. Well done.

Maximillian Champion | 2008-05-09 - 08:09:56 AM (CDT)
Kelley, this is the very best way you could have responded to the criticisms of the first article. Well done for letting that criticism spur you onward, rather than crush you. As others have said, the two pieces together are far better than either on their own. The trick when addressing such controversial matters in future will be to give an even-handed treatment of both sides in the one article (yes, even in an opinion piece).

@screwtube - you write, \"Kelley you are still somewhat under it\\’s spell, but you have come a long way. \\\"Clear\\\" is not as positive a thing as you might think.\" Man, Kelley was QUOTING a source, not stating her view! Sheesh!

Personally, I liked reading Rhett\’s views because they are different to many exes. While I might disagree that Scientology has only been corrupted since Miscavige, I respect Rhett\’s right to his view.

This article shows your character, Kelley. Well done.

Maximillian Champion | 2008-05-09 - 08:17:25 AM (CDT)
Hey Kelley, if it makes you feel any better after the drubbing of a couple of weeks ago, today’s drubbing goes to an op. ed. writer on... wait for it... the Washington Post!
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2008/05/germany_and_scientology.html
Currently at 455 comments and counting...

(I trust you are feeling better without needing to read that site, but thought it might be a nice footnote to your experience to know that even seasoned journalists can come a cropper if they post unresearched drivel.)

All the best for your finals!

AnonymousinAus | 2008-05-09 - 08:30:13 AM (CDT)
great article God Bless Kelly and All concerned with exposing the scientology cult for it\\’s crimes and abuses and it\\’s absurdities.

judy | 2008-05-09 - 02:46:59 PM (CDT)
Dear Kelly,

I was so very pleased to see this article. Good job on going back and addressing what is a rough subject.

No doubt you were surprised by the unfavorable reaction to your first article. Now that you\’ve looked into it more closely you have a much better idea of what\’s going on.

Of the many reasons why the internet beat its way to your door- esp us ex-members, I don\’t think anyone has mentioned this one so I will.

The \"church\" of Scientology will use your first article for its own benefit. That article validates the CofS viewpoint it wishes the general public to have.

Sadly, the article will be used as a marketing tool. It will be shown not just to current members but to entice any new people who walk in the door to join. It will also be used by upper management as evidence to its members that scienology is generally well regarded by the general public and is growing by leaps and bounds.

You may not know this but scientologists are STRONGLY discouraged from reading newspapers or watching television, and as far as scientology is concerned your new article will never see the light of day. The \"church\" of scientology will show off the first, and never mention there was a second. From personal experience, I can state members will consider it verification that even the press can recognize \"misunderstood\" scientology is a good thing.

Reflect how would you might feel- knowing what you now know- if a young person read your article, and based on its reassurance, checked out their local mission- only to get caught in the trap called scientology?

I think the moral of the story is when dealing with any contraversial subject examine both sides before putting pen to public paper.

Best wishes to you in all your endeavors.

ThetansAnonymous | 2008-05-09 - 01:21:21 AM (CDT)
na na na na
hey hey hey
good bye

Xenu’s father | 2008-05-10 - 02:28:58 AM (CDT)
Another person with a bad experience with the Church of Scientology.
Too bad....really.

As an ex-church member ( they kicked me out) I believe the origional intentions were very good. In the 50’s and 60’s and 70’s.

Then when things did not develop, grow, expand quickly enough more and more force and effort was and is being applied.

Davey has turned into a religious Zealot. This makes him dangerous and nuts to some extent.

From what I’ve read about him recently his seems quite psychotic. Dangerous really.

It will be interesting to see how he self destructs if there is not a coup within the church first.

If he really had any self respect he would resign in light of the recent bad things the church has experienced.

As head of the church HE is responsible.

In regards to the Zenu story...all of this is true and really happened.

As hard to believe as it may be.

Is this harder to believe than some guy was killed and then 3 days later rose from the dead and then walked around for 40 days with his dead body before going up into the sky with his dead body?

Any way...one thing then never tel you is how to get rid of these dead spirits atatched to you. They always leave this part out.

I have gotten rid of all the other spirits atatched to me and it is a very good thing to do.

Frank D | 2008-05-10 - 04:21:16 PM (CDT)
It really is too bad as the benefit to mankind through the understanding and use of Scientology technology would be a very good thing.

It is so powerful it could really save the planet.

Man is in a trap...He does not see this trap. But the trap is real.

When he is released he says," Wow, I was in a trap".

Yes...the trap is real and you are stuck in it even though you don’t really see it.....but if you saw it it would not be a trap now would it?

Raise your awareness and take a look at what is really going on.

Only those with a high degree of intelligence and awareness will be able to see the truth.

One more thing of note is that Scientology is expensive.

Yet those who become Scientologists make lots of money to be able to afford it.

I guess it must make people more able.

Dr. No | 2008-05-10 - 04:39:27 PM (CDT)
I think it’s good to differentiate between Scn as it was originally conceived by L. Ron Hubbard, and was it is today. Information exists on the net showing that there is a huge difference, no matter what it originally intended to do and to be.

I am thinking, in particular of what I have read from someone like Jesse Prince, who before he became one of the highest ranking staff members of Scn, sold drugs and carried guns, and after he left, went on to do the same things again.

Dr. Yes and No | 2008-05-10 - 05:28:49 PM (CDT)
the Freezone is attempting to carry on the original tech and intentions of L.Ron Hubbard. The current CoS has altered Scn to the extent it is almost unrecognizable as Hubbard\’s work. Anyone wishing to know more about what is really going on should contact a freezone message board, IFAchat, a yahoo group. Xenu.net, Clambake, and etc associated websites are just critics and only have one side of the story.

jack reno | 2008-05-10 - 01:51:25 AM (CDT)
I left the CofS after 9 years. As soon as one becomes an "ex" they are downgraded by church members. Not one person (except the OSA guy) who I once knew in CofS will speak with me today. Most scientologists, both in and out will agree that the very early processes (’40’s to early ’50’s) can get some great results. I got into scientology because I was looking for some good counseling modalities. Stayed too long, but now that I am out I have found even better counseling modalities and am taking a course in PEAT. I have finally processed out my compulsion to join cults and worship others as "Source". I am my own source and I am my own counsel. That statement would have gotten me a bad name in the CofS.

Gnosis | 2008-05-14 - 02:30:59 AM (CDT)
Any scientologist who says that scientology is the only source of great processes for spiritual development is developmentally retarded. While scientology stopped further research and became a closed system it got bypassed and there are spiritual process that undercut the whole of scientology spiritual processing. Why flog a dead horse?

Gnosis | 2008-05-14 - 02:37:12 AM (CDT)
Great article! Thank you, Rhett Westerma, for speaking up.

Mary McConnell | 2008-05-18 - 11:48:14 PM (CDT)
Very good article indeed.

After 10 years of membership in Scientology I found myself declared ’Suppressive Person’ for refusing to ’disconnect’ from my own mother.

Disconnection is a punishment and really do harm people and families. Thanks to all who speak aloud about it.

Dory Smith | 2008-05-19 - 07:30:54 AM (CDT)
“I think Scientology is going to go away before too long".
LOL! I think not. Scientology will destroy the human race before Miscaviage and company let that happen. Trust me, these guys are CEOs with deep contacts within the government.

Leishtek (aka Josh Gumbert) | 2008-06-01 - 06:06:04 PM (CDT)

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