This week, a deep look at “love bombing,” a summary of how the E-meter works, the cognitive dissonance of being a Scientology Clear and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I was briefly involved with the Landmark Forum (I call it Scientology-lite: previously EST and lots stolen from LRH). When you start into the cult there’s a lot of love bombing and encouragement, but the more I got into it the more I saw the man behind the curtain and after volunteering for a Forum, I had a “lightbulb” moment and realized that it was all a sham. My critical thinking had finally kicked in and I started to question it all.

I’m curious about your thoughts on how “love bombing” can disengage a person’s critical thinking skills, especially when they’re enticed by a cult or coercive relationship. 

(2) Does the person being audited ever see the E-meter move or is it only the auditor who sees it? And do they actually see movement or are they making it up? What do you think is going on with the hand contact on the ‘cans’ and any movement of an E-meter needle?

(3) Given the many times you had read Dianetics, how did you handle the dissonance between you being acknowledged as reaching the state of Clear while not having the powers or attributes of a Clear like perfect recall?

(4) Leah was at least the third biggest celebrity in the cult. Do you know if there was more to the situation than simply asking where Shelley was? Do you know any other celebrities that were treated as harshly? What did the organization hope to gain by pursuing this course of action with someone who had given so much money?

(5) We have heard of many examples of “Fair Game” by the CoS against former members, public officials, journalists and critics. The stories tell of a church that is intend on “destroying” people. In extreme cases it seems like the Church is intent on going so far as to induce their targets to commit suicide, and that the death of such SPs would be almost be celebrated in the church. However you have mentioned that, as far as you know, Scientology has never had anyone killed or inflicted serious physical violence upon someone. I believe you talked about even when you were in the Sea Org you would have not considered doing that to another person, SP or not. We know that violence can be part of Scientology, from the stories of LRH throwing people overboard in the 70s to Miscavige assaulting people on the Int Base. But these seem more acts of anger in the moment against people who wouldn’t fight back, as opposed to a campaign of terror against external enemies. I remember a discussion you had with Aaron Smith-Levin saying you wouldn’t even hurt a pet of an SP. I believe it was in discussion about a critic of the church who was being targeted by PIs  found their dog had died. While there may have been speculation that the Church did it, you both agreed it was unlikely. So my question is, where does Scientology draw the line with how they go after their perceived enemies? Life destroying harassment is ok but direct violence is out? Is this a moral/ethical distinction or more about what they feel they can get away with? 

(6) After the release of the Batman trailer, how excited for the release are you and Mel on a scale of 1-10? 10 meaning you’re very excited, 1-9 Meaning you’re wrong!

(7) What is worse, The Power of Source, the jazz album Hubbard made on the Apollo, or Hubbard’s training films? (It is really hard to describe what makes a truly terrible movie a bad one, but it just kills me that these films have not been leaked.)

(8) If Hubbard was able to navigate the universe, go back and forward in time, how come he didn’t see the Internet coming?

This week, it’s a deeper discussion about extremism and where people cross the line to it, a discussion on scientism, the ethics of Facebook and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) As we know, Scientologists are all-in on their belief about Scientology no matter what they hear to the contrary. Nothing seems to be able to change that point of view. At what point do Scientologists cross that line into this state of mind?

(2) Do you have any good stories about someone getting busted for Joking and Degrading?

(3) I recently came across Scientology as I am interested in finding out life’s truths, which (unfortunately) may involve sometimes learning about people who believe in a fantasy. 

As a young scientist, objective worldly questions are heavily on my mind. I thought it might be interesting to discuss the concept of “scientism”, the ways in which it’s comparable to Scientology, and when this belief can actually become a bad thing. 

(4) I heard you are leaving Facebook in response to Zuckerberg’s craven quest for world domination. Out of curiosity, have you looked into how much your Facebook presence directs traffic to your site and videos/podcasts?

I totally get how you feel. I am reminded though of what I once heard a doctor say on NPR in response to a caller who mentioned that she saw a glitch in the vaccination system and should she use it to jump the line. The doctor’s response shocked me: “your job is to take care of you and your family. It is someone else’s job to design the system. Look out for number one.” Her point is that her use of the glitch isn’t going to move the needle. 

As a critical thinker, have you weighed the positive value your work does within the Facebook system against the impact of your action? I’m no Facebook shrill but was curious how you came to your conclusion. 

(5) Just watched your latest Q&A and the question about flunking in bull-baiting suddenly brought up a personal memory from Pro TRs. Since blinking always means a flunk is there a certain acceptable rate at which one is allowed to blink or when does it become too much? Since birth I’ve had dry eyes that cause me to blink a lot more often than people normally do unless I use moisturizing eye drops. This really got me into trouble while doing the TRs and at one time the AO Pro TRs course supervisor started yelling at me with the whole course room full to “STOP FUCKING BLINKING ALREADY” and he wasn’t the one doing the TRs with me so it wasn’t part of any bull-bait. Then he would just angrily stare at me for hours from the side so I was basically confronting 2 people at the same time. Is this “normal” course supervising or what would you have done with a case like mine in the past?

(6) Hey Chris. In today’s clip you mentioned that Xenu was imprisoned in a mountain but after that the Marcab Confederation turned into a desert. Why? If the bad guy was gone, why did society decline? Why weren’t the officers able to rebuild? 

(7) Which Star Trek Klingon character is your favorite? Also, using the same criteria, which character is your favorite recurring antagonist? My favorites both come from DS9. General Martok is my favorite Klingon. When It comes to antagonists I am fond of all of the characters that Jeffrey Combs played but Weyoun is my favorite.

(8) Would a bench press contest in the Sea Org og over well?

This week, it’s answers about Hubbard’s post-apocalyptic plans for Scientology, vetting of past-life claims, infiltrating Scientology and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) You described a film Hubbard made showing a young boy traveling to a different planet bringing Scientology to a new civilization there and it got me thinking. I’m interested to know if Hubbard laid out a game plan for exactly how Scientology was to be delivered in the event of a nuclear holocaust for example. As I’m sure you agree it’s hard not to write this without a big smile on my face as I know it sounds completely crazy but I’m interested to know if he broached this very important topic. After all, if the amount of detail he spent in explaining how to clean a window, one would think the details involved in how to restart Scientology after a nuclear holocaust should be very detailed, should they not?

(2) I was curious when someone said they were a past life Sea Org member if there is any vetting done? Or like you said they just see this person as an easy target for recruitment and just let the person say whatever they want? Once a Scientologist dies, what happens to all their auditing paperwork? Is it kept forever or tossed in the circular file? Seems like if they keep those kind of records, it would be easy to check up on someone’s past life story.

(3) I was wondering if it would be possible for someone to infiltrate Scientology, work their way up the ranks, and expose or bring down those within, up to or including DM? I’m thinking of Undercover Detectives, Spies, or even Actors who can truly convince people that they are legitimate. Thoughts?

(4) Does joining and belonging to destructive cults possibly provide the member with a form of self medication, which eventually becomes unhealthy? Does it possibly cause the member to “numb out” inner pain and strife, not unlike an alcoholic drinking a beer, a gambling addict placing a bet on a baseball game or a relationship/love addict jumping from partner to partner?

(5) I have a friend who is an avid Scientologist and who recently went Clear. It got me thinking about how people really feel or ‘expect’ they should feel after going Clear. Does their relationship with others change much or do they feel they should be able to ‘read’ others’ tone levels, have the ability to fix flawed relationships, or that life in general is completely different from the moment they attest? It’s hard for me to believe that the euphoria they feel initially really lasts, and if that’s the case, do they feel a sense of let-down, or do they just ignore it and shrug it off, explaining it away to something else? Also, somewhere in my delving into Scientology a few years back, I remember reading in one of LRH’s books about it being ideal that both parents are Clear before having children, because of it setting them up in the right environment from the moment they are born, and I wondered if you’d heard anything about this or if it is a ‘thing’ that Scientologists couples think about and take seriously enough that they hold off having kids until both are clear? 

(6) What was your most effective way of getting people to flunk TR-0 Bullbaiting sessions?

(7) I recently came across a product called CalMag that is for plant health. I’ve also seen some supplements called Cal-Mag that support bone health. I couldn’t help but wonder what do ex-Scientologists think of the Calmag drink that is so popular when one is in Scientology (such as during the Purif)? When you were in, did you drink it regularly (despite the horrid taste) and believe that it was super important for your health? Do you or any ex-Scientologists still take Calmag supplements or drink it? Just curious.

(8) Regarding the Pacific Area Command base, it’s a pretty big place. My curiosity centers around the main Big Blue building, which I believe is about 8 stories tall, not counting the basement. It’s a big building; what’s actually taking up all that space? Are there abandoned rooms, or is the whole thing being used. Finally, are the berthing spaces up to the same standards as the public facing spaces? 

This week, it’s answers about clay table processing in Scientology, another hidden technique of Hubbard’s manipulation, some frank talk about Independent Scientologists, and more. Enjoy!

(1) Scientologists use clay in training and in auditing to demonstrate problems by freshening the clay into whatever it is they’re trying to convey. Could you tell me how, for example, you use clay to discuss jealousy or anger or some other complex emotional state using Play-Doh. Sounds really difficult if not impossible to me.

(2) What is comm lag? From what little I know, it seems to me to be a clever piece of thought reform, in which uncertainty and reflection are framed as ” abberations” to be trained out of the Scientologist.

(3) Why is it when I see Sea Org or staff recruitment posters, its always an individual (by name or phone number) who is listed as the point of contact? Why don’t they have a central careers portal like most government or corporate recruitment websites? Are they more interested in individual stats, or is there some type of commission structure for recruiters?

(4) Why do you think Independent Scientology  groups have been so relatively unsuccessful? Have their attempts to remove some of the methods of undue influence and manipulation actually contributed to this lack of success?

(5) I grew up a second-generation Scientologist (in Europe) and I remember hearing that there where processes to make people who wear specticals see perfectly well again. My mother told me there was even a barrel in an Scientology Org in the US that had hundreds of specticals in it to show how many Scientologists were cured from that procedure. Do you know any more about that and if that is still being said in recent years?

(6) What do Scientologists make of deja vu?

(7) When were the RPF and The Hole established? 

(8) Have you seen Bo Burnham’s Netflix comedy special “Inside”? If so, what are your thoughts on it? If not, I think you’d like it.

This week, just have come home from a week-long vacation, I did a live show to answer your questions and I thought we had a good one here. Enjoy!

This week, it’s answers about the Golden Age of Cults, the Cult Wars in academia, the big difference between L. Ron Hubbard and Donald Trump and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I think there is a widespread perception of the Seventies as being the Golden Age of Cults, at least in the United States and Western Europe. The danger of this perception is that the public (and even experts who should know better) can have trouble identifying new destructive cults that superficially don’t resemble Scientology, the Moonies, Children of God, etc. Setting that very real problem aside, do you think there is any truth to the idea that the Seventies were a time in which destructive cults thrived?

(2) I’ve been pondering a certain point from your latest show with Ciprian that there are some academics/sociologists who seem rather dismissive of the concept of cults. I find this disgusting, but truly fascinating. I think the field of sociology is important and valid but I also think it might be somewhat limited, and possibly flawed. 

One simple analogy is this:  At its worst, sociology is like studying schools of fish without sufficient focus on what an individual fish actually is. Another thing is there’s arguably more than one renowned sociologist out there who seems to use a touch of coercive persuasion in their best selling books. As you say, context is everything, and I admit to having a rather extreme personal aversion to being controlled but might there be something in the field of (applied) sociology which makes it susceptible to things such as double binds? Like, if you want to apply sociological knowledge to changing society, certain tactics might seem…necessary?

(3) You’ve said previously that Hubbard liked to control people whereas Trump likes to control situations. Can you go into more detail about that – how and why?

(4) I saw your Q&A about COVID vaccinations and whether people should be forced to take them. I lean towards individualism myself but I basically agree with you on the justifiability of forcibly quarantining Patient Zero. So I wanted to ask you about something in a similar vein that I’ve found disturbing for some time.

There seems to be in the West today an attitude by some people that a single individual takes priority over the entire rest of the world – and in my own experience, this seems more ascendant on parts of the Left: from people who justify no-platforming and banning speakers because someone who can’t bear the thought of that person even being in the city, to the people who routinely slander military intervention against groups like ISIL as “bombing children” and by extension seem to say (whether they will admit it or not) that mass killings by groups such as ISIL are OK compared to the stopping of such killings at the cost of some inadvertent civilian casualties.

What I think disturbed me most about this as a child was during an episode of the kid-friendly Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures. At the end of the episode, an alien is about to destabilize satellites around the earth and cause them to crash directly into nuclear power plants, effectively ending the world as we know it – but the main protagonist reaches the console that can stop it before the alien does. In response, one of her companions is held at gunpoint with the warning that they will be killed if she presses the buttons to stop the satellite crash. Despite the urging of a third companion to press it anyway, she refuses saying – and I quote – “one life is as sacred as the entire planet.” The situation is essentially resolved by Deus Ex Machina if I remember correctly. What disturbed me at the time (when I was about 13 I think) and still does today is that you literally had the titular character be prepared to see billions of people die just so she doesn’t feel responsible for one death (she wouldn’t even have been directly killing anyone). It seems clear that this view is being glorified or at least promoted, and to young children at that, or else why would the main character (who never apologises or seems to change her mind subsequently) be the mouthpiece for it?

I’m interested to know if you think there’s something to this: do you think that these kinds of views are being promoted, glorified, or are otherwise working their way into popular discourse – and if not, what do you think are the forces holding them at bay?

(5) Hey Chris I was watching an Aaron Smith-Levin video and it got me thinking who gets to audit Miscavage? Does he audit himself? If someone audited him I feel like immediately they would have to be sent away somewhere to not let out what he said. The darker implications are that if he’s going completely insane he could convince himself of anything sitting on that machine for hours at a time. How many people do you think have seen his case file? I thought Scientology doesn’t work that well if you do not have somebody guiding you through it. How is he getting around this other than just being brutal?

(6) There must have been several high ranking Scientologists who were aware of the events surrounding the death of Hubbard. Everybody that was involved in perpetuating this made-up story must have known and were aware of the real circumstances. They know Scientology could not save Ron Hubbard. I can’t believe that every single person that was involved in the inner circle believed that story so my question to you is how did they reconcile this convenient story that was perpetrated on the rank and file and who exactly were those people as they knew the truth. Who came up with that incredulous story because they must have known it was a lie and as I recall the lawyer wasn’t even a Scientologist I believe. 

(7) When Miscavige says “we are the fastest growing religion” or something similar, do you think he really believes that?  Are the people under him feeding him false stats to stay in his good graces.  (or do the lower levels bump up the numbers they give to middle management)?

(8) Knowing David Miscavige’s paranoia, do you think he has been vaccinated for COVID-19? What about Shelly?

This week, a clarification on what is meant by a “past life Clear,” my honest take on COVID-denial and anti-vaxxers (I pulled no punches), the role of governments in dealing with cults around the world and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) Apparently a pre-clear is someone who was Clear in a past life or maybe you call that a past life Clear but either way this would suggest that these people were Clear prior to the invention of Dianetics in Scientology and if that is correct how can this be because if Scientology has not yet been written how could you be part of something that did not yet exist?

(2) In a podcast with Ciprian recently, it was said “The concept of science was so badly damaged by communism that a whole lot of people fled to pseudoscience.” Do you think this statement is applicable to the anti-vax and Covid denying people in the USA? If so, could you please elaborate on that point?

(3) I was wondering if there was anything in the literature of Cultic Studies about the use of humor as a tool of exiting a cult. I’m not talking about the mistaken belief that outsiders making fun of cults will somehow cause their adherents “to wake up,” but rather the way humor can break down authoritarian indoctrination. 

(4) I used to get angry at the Church of Scientology for their illegal, immoral, and unethical behaviors.  Now, I am more angry at the American government for its inaction and enabling behavior.  Isn’t this the same type of government passivity that allowed organized crime to flourish in this country?

(5) Can you explain how and why and when the “cross” was put up on Scientology buildings? Is this just a ploy to make the public think that Scientology is a “real Christian” religion? It seems obvious to me there is nothing “religious” about this organization.

(6) For Scientologists that go to Flag for several days of auditing services,  are they required to stay at the Flag base hotel? Or can they find their own accommodations?

(7) I must admit I’m fascinated by Scientology songs like “We Stand Tall” and “Dauntless, Defiant, Resolute” by Chill EB. When listening to Dauntless, I’d almost feel like upping my status with the IAS if I didn’t know any better. It’s got such a positive tub-thumbing vibe. Like, let’s get up and make it go right, right now! How were these songs received in the Sea Org? Were they played at events? Curious for the internal take.

(8) What’s the best worst movie of the 80s in your opinion? I happen to like Aerobicide. 

This week, it’s a full breakdown of what Tone 40 is, Scientologists and evolution, tax exemption around the world and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I’m still confused as to what Tone 40 is supposed to be in Scientology. Is it a state of pure serenity or is it the tone an angry wizard might make in order to break up a traffic jam?  

(2) Do Scientologists believe in evolution?  If not, what do they say about various things like the Pyramids, cave drawings, old living sites, Nazca Lines, dinosaurs, etc? Seems to me if people have these memories going back millions of years, that they wouldn’t believe in evolution.

(3) I have some familiarity with Customer Relationship Management Systems having worked for various banks over the years. I have heard Scientology uses a computer system called Central Addresso to manage electronic customer records. Is it a good system or is it as disjointed and flawed as the rest of the Church? Did it help or hinder your work?

(4) From my understanding the CoS has tax exemption in the United States and removing it would either take the church down completely or at least knock it down a few notches. Does the church have tax exemption in any other country besides the U.S.? If so, where and when/how was it granted? If tax exemption is such a huge deal but it only applies to the United States it begs the question how important are the rest of the countries in the world as it relates to Scientology. What is the “market share” of Scientology in the US by members/GI compared to other countries and would it matter if they were a non-factor completely?

(5) I’m of the opinion that one of the benefits of OT 8 is that you will be reborn in your next life with full knowledge and perception of who you were and everything you know regarding Scientology intact. Is this correct? If not, then what’s the point if you come back and don’t remember anything? I’m of the assumption that if you do come back with full perception then presumably you don’t need to go back into Scientology and rise up the bridge again or do you?

(6) I was wondering if you have ever thought about talking about militant veganism online, or if you have heard of the documentary What The Health on Netflix. I ask because at one point I was ‘converted’ to veganism because vegan doctors such as Michael Greger, John MacDougall and T. Colin Campbell were preaching online the dangers of meat consumption, and made many promises of weight loss and improved health by cutting out all animal products. I posted my story on Abbey Sharp’s video on What The Health, but just to give an overview, I adopted a healthy vegan diet and within two months my digestive health deteriorated, I lost muscle mass and I nearly passed out at the grocery store. My doctor told me that everyone is different and that while some people do well without animal protein, others cannot. I eventually regained my health after introducing meat back into my diet, but the recovery was very slow. 

I started watching your videos which have helped me think critically about diet and health in general. I hadn’t posted much in public about my brush with veganism until What The Health came out, and it angered me that the filmmakers were using graphic and grotesque imagery to illustrate their claims about the supposed dangers of meat consumption. Moreover they claim that doctors profit from the ill health of a public that consumes meat. I suppose my question to you is: would the actions of the filmmakers and plant based doctors amount to coercive persuasion and thought reform, in your opinion? Furthermore, what advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of radically changing their diet?

This week I give perhaps my longest non-Scientology answer ever about COVID/vaccine denial, the goals of the public Scientologist, my opinions on the “intellectual dark web” and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I was wondering if you could touch on the continued COVID denial and anti-vaccine sentiment that continues to plague us.  Locally it has increased in intensity as school starts and county health departments issue mask mandates for school districts in their coverage area. There have been anti-mask protests at school board meetings and people have been getting threats via voicemail and social media. In fact at two school board meetings, the people in favor of masks actually had to be escorted through the audience by Sheriff’s deputies or local police officers for their safety. It’s getting out of hand. I know you have said that it is easy to fall for misinformation and you don’t have to literally be stupid to do so, but at this point I have lost any semblance of empathy or sympathy that I may have had for these people. I just don’t get it.  

What is it that makes people distrust medical professionals and vaccines only to blindly jump on board with unproven treatments such as the wrong form of ivermectin or even chlorine dioxide for COVID peddled by people with no credentials?

(2) I understand the Sea Organization lives in a bubble but Scientology public do not, so my question is how do you feel the public Scientologists gauge their success in saving the planet? Do they think they are winning? Surely at some point they realize they might be fighting a losing battle. 

(3) I got the impression that you’re not a fan of Ben Shapiro, and was wondering how you feel about the so-called “intellectual dark web” in general (Dave Rubin, Jordan Peterson, Bari Weiss, maybe Joe Rogan, etc). I feel like, even though I don’t agree with a lot of their views, they do engage in critical thinking and an interest in serious discussion and open debate. Ben Shapiro, for example, obviously makes his living by criticizing liberals and is basically “reactionary”/reactive, but I do think he’s highly intelligent and analyzes different sides of arguments. Do you feel like a lot of these YouTube/conservative or libertarian-leaning “populist intellectuals,” as it were, are really engaging in critical thinking or do you think they’re misguided somehow?

(4) If LRH actually returned and it were proven scientifically, what impact would that have on organized religion and society at large? How quickly would David Miscavige find himself in the RPF? I realize this is VERY VERY unlikely, but figured it’s an interesting hypothetical. Thanks and good job Keeping Sensibility Working!

(5) I first developed an interest in Scientology about 15 years ago. I had a client at the time and she was telling me she had started the Purification Rundown and was going to our local Sportsplex to use the sauna. She told me about the amount of time she had to spend in the sauna and the vitamins, which I thought was crazy. She was doing the rundown with another person and explained that while they were doing the rundown, they came out of the sauna and there were strange markings on his back. It was determined that he had taken either antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication and this what these markings were. Is this something that happens? Have you ever heard of this happening before? Also, because he was no longer able to continue in Scientology, she also had to stop the rundown until they found another partner for her. Would she have to pay for the course again? 

(6) Suppose Hollywood decided to make a big budget film like The Master. It could be arty drama, a psychological thriller, or a wacky comedy, just as long as the central subject is a lightly fictionalized version of Scientology history. Which time period or incident from the history of Scientology would you choose?  Do you have any preferences for directors or actors or the soundtrack?  

(7) Let’s imagine that you had access to the Hubbard archive at Gold, but you could make only one request to pull only one file. I would have to be confident that file was there. Which folder would you ask for?

(8) Will you and Melissa be getting your 3rd COVID-19 shot (booster) when it’s available to you and it’s the recommended time from your last dose?

This week, I went live for our Q&A show, answering a ton of questions about Scientology and recovery and coercive control. Enjoy!