This week, it’s answers about how Scientologists think when reconciling Scientology information, my thoughts about cancelling TV shows like Cops, a pretty good survey of Hubbard’s cosmology and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) Much of what LRH said and wrote is gibberish, but do Scientologists understand it? If you were to look up the misunderstood words, would it make sense within a Scientology context, or do Scientologists pretend they get it?

(2) I recently came across this Sea Org recruitment flyer (see attachment) which briefly explains the Sea Org logo. The star above a laurel wreath, according to this flyer, is supposed to represent the galactic confederation, of which earth was once part, along with the number of stars belonging to said galactic confederation. What would a preclear even know about the galactic confederation narrative? Isn’t this a part of the OT 3 materials?

(3) I’m wondering what you think about the show Cops and Live:PD being cancelled and I’ve heard of a kid show being cancelled. I’m just curious about what your opinions are?

(4) A few years ago, I had the opportunity to live in San Diego for a while and my work place was near Scientology’s downtown office. My bus dropped me exactly in front of their doorstep. I remember watching staff members walking into the building or waiting outside if they arrived early. They looked exhausted and drained. Knowing what I know, I so badly wanted to help wake those people up but I also knew they have to be ready to listen/leave. They need to be willing, be open and ready to change. Throwing Xenu at them won’t help either. I was also scared that they might chase me down and harass me. I can’t imagine how painful it must be for people who escaped Scientology to watch the ones still inside, trapped by their prison of belief. Even an ordinary person like me felt awful watching them. What are your current feelings about the staff and Sea Org members? Do you have ways to hear how they are doing inside? Are they alright during the lockdown?

(5) I know you didn’t really experience indoctrination as a child, but I’m curious as to if you feel like there are some ideas you learned in Scientology that still stick with you today. There may be some things that you intellectually understand are incorrect, but are there some things that have just stayed with you.

(6) What percentage of active Scientologists today would fall under the PIMO or “physically in, mentally out” category? 

(7) If, as you believe, Miscavige no longer believes in Scientology, then what’s stopping him from simply inventing new OT levels?

(8) When you were in the Sea Org, if you had been ordered by a superior to kill an enemy of the CoS, would you have done it?

This week, it’s answers about Scientology membership, hypnagogia, Pat Broeker, celebrity Scientologists and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I’ve been following Scientology for a couple of dozen years now, ever since I read and enjoyed LRH’s book Battlefield Earth in the mid-80s. I’ve read many articles over the years about how Scientology is imploding and shrinking. For the last few years now though, the stories about Scientologists blowing and the numbers going down seem to have dried up. It seems like they have maintained their numbers at between 20K to 25K worldwide for years. My question is, do you think it is possible for Scientology to maintain its Ideal Orgs and other real estate holdings indefinitely with these small numbers of devotees to sell? Do you think it will take another major event like Debbie Cook’s email or the Anonymous protests to cause another sizable exodus?

(2) Why is it that some people can’t just recognize hypnagogia for what it is instead of believing they’ve been visited by ghosts, abducted by aliens or had some sort of vision/premonition? Does it have something to do with people’s family history or their culture or is it more of a psychological issue? Also how prevalent are alien abduction or visitation stories in Scientology?

(3) When Pat Broeker was doing his speech during Hubbard’s memorial event, he talked about a process that Hubbard came up with to prepare for dropping the current body. He did not give very much detail about it, but said that it would be coming. Do you have any knowledge of this process or do you know of anybody that does? My guess is that there are no substantial levels beyond OT8, including this preparing for death process. I would love to see Pat Broeker come forward like Mike Rinder has, if Pat was honest I think he would have some very interesting information about Hubbard’s final years. Do you think he will ever talk? I am guessing he never will.

(4) Do you think that in this day and age that Scientology helps or hinders a celebrity’s ability to find work? I cannot think of anything that celebrities such as Kirstie Alley or Anne Archer have done in the past decade, at least nothing notable. This includes the likes of Marisol Nichols, Giovanni Ribisi, etc. Danny Masterson has been notable as of late, but it’s certainly not for his roles or talent.

(5) How can one recognize an active Scientologist but who does not want to be recognized at, let’s say, a wedding where people meet new people. I belive they can be deceiving when necessary in their optics.

(6) Does the Church of Scientology offer the OT Levels to members of the Nation of Islam? If so, have you heard how members of the NOI react to the Xenu story since the NOI has a similar story surrounding the Yakub character?

(7) Does it bother you to talk about the Church Of Scientology after spending so many years as a member?

(8) The Church of Scientology is not considered a religion in Canada but I do believe they are a registered non-profit. Other than an occasional article about them not paying property taxes, not much makes the media here. How deep are Scientology’s roots in Canada? Have they tried coups here similar to Operation Snow White?

This week I talk a bit about the current troubles in the US, the subject of sadness in our culture, some detailed talk about OT III and Xenu and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) During your last call-in show, there was a lot of good talk about finding ways to constructively express oneself in a time of isolation and uncertainty. I recently needed to express a sadness over the loss of life to COVID-19, so I turned the feeling into music. I think sadness is the right response to what’s happening sometimes, especially if it spurs one to do something, to create. Do you feel that our culture stigmatizes sadness? 

(2) I finally delved into the OT III materials with commentary. Besides the bizarre space opera crap, I stumbled over Incident I and Incident II and that it leads to R6. They read like bad storyboards for an even worse sci-fi flick, with cherubs and trumpets, waves of light, chariots and then terrific winds and thetans and so on. What was the purpose of Incidents I and II in the Scientology narrative? Do they relate to auditing, or are they just an explanation of what was supposed to have happened 75 billion years ago? And what is R6 all about?

(3) I sometimes wonder if one reason a lot of people seem to find cult leaders charismatic is that they are able to put words to a feeling the potential follower has that the follower isn’t articulate enough to describe on their own. The articulation of rage or fear or disgust is coupled with a confident explanation that promises to be understandable instead of the ineffable complexity of the real world. The follower feels a sense of trust that the situation is being handled. Is the issue of cults using a separate vocabulary a matter of twisting existing concepts in followers or is it often a case of being the first introduction to many of the words that are being twisted?

(4) Regarding Sensibly Speaking Podcast #246, do you or Hari think being an apostate (and subsequent violence) could be experienced within a broad religious category, such as Christianity, if a person changes their denomination, changes their theology or opinion on a matter, or even acknowledges their sexual preference (if it is not strictly heterosexual)?

(5) I find the RPF morbidly fascinating. My question is exactly where is the RPF? There must be more than one building where these people are housed. How many of these facilities are there and are they just in LA and Clearwater? Are they nondescript buildings or are they identified with the Scientology logo?  I assume that celebrities are treated differently when they are in the RPF than the rank and file. What kind of things do celebrities have to do in the RPF?

(6) Is there anything in Scientology ideology that would make it impossible for a woman to succeed David Miscavige when he inevitably discards his body?

(7) What did you think of the new images of the Pattinson Batsuit? I like it but not a fan of the collar and cowel

(8) Which cult has the sexiest men and women?  I say Mormonism.

This week I am joined by my wonderful wife Melissa to answer questions from viewers live. We discuss topics ranging from the Scientology mindset and indoctrination to free speech to Batman. Enjoy!

This week it’s a little real talk about my channel and answers on exteriorization in Scientology, the 5G controversy, cult leaders, some advice on helping a Jehovah’s Witness and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) Do you think cult leaders are all fundamentally woven from the same cloth? I just finished watching the “Waco” miniseries on Netflix and it got me wondering if perhaps David Koresh might have joined Scientology if he were introduced to that instead of the Branch Davidian offshoot of the 7th Day Adventist Church. And if so, would he have been a radical member, or worked his way up to higher positions of power? Then, I wondered, Jim Jones. He didn’t seem to much like being under authority (preferring to have the authority) so he might have been prone to pull a Miscavige and systematically take over. OSHO may well have delighted in the systems, brainwashing himself and eventually working up higher to gain control or influence. Koresh, Jones, OSHO, Applewhite, etc, what do you think (as a thought experiment) about how these people would have responded to Scientology rather than their initial cults or religions?

(2) I have this friend who I have known for nearly 20 years. Since she is around my mom’s age, I consider her my auntie. She’s a wonderful human being and a wise soul. I love and care about her very much. The only glitch in our friendship is that she’s a devoted Jehovah Witness. Since day 1 she tried to convert me and uses very subtle methods. It doesn’t matter to her that I am Catholic. When she notices I’m down/weak/depressed, she never misses the opportunity to slide the “have a bible study with me” line (meaning “Come and join Jehovah Witness”). Before I met my husband, she would even tell me that I should marry a Jehovah Witness because they are the most ethical men (really? like the Sea Org?). I learned over the years how to ignore her efforts but I must admit it’s still awfully creepy.

Watching your channel gave me great insight in understanding people in cults. I do believe my “auntie” doesn’t mean harm. Jehovah Witness helped her, so she thinks they will help/save me. Your videos also confirmed what I always suspected of cults, specifically the goal of isolating and stealing money. My “auntie” is twice divorced (her first husband took custody of the children back in her homeland and she came to the US to marry her second husband) and her whole social life evolves around the Jehovah Witness. She used to have a successful business but now she has retired and lives in a low level retirement home. Watching her financial decline was shocking to me and I’m pretty sure it’s because every penny she got was donated to the church. It’s also sad that her biological families seems distant towards her (even her 2 children) as I’m sure her endless converting efforts worn them down.

My question is this… if my “auntie” is happy in her religion, should she be left alone and there’s no need to intervene to open her eyes? Is our relationship a true friendship, if in fact she has hidden agendas of converting me? Do you have any suggestion for dealing with having a friend in a cult, wanting to maintain the friendship yet needing to tell him/her to stop in their converting efforts?

(3) How do you feel about picking your battles now that you are out of Scientology? How can we find a balance, in your opinion? I still struggle with it to this day!

(4) It is no secret that Tom Cruise is the most famous public Scientologist worldwide and the COB is always trying to use him to promote the church as much as possible. He was even given that award and made the video about how dedicated he is to clearing the planet. With all that being said I’m sure Cruise has given millions of dollars to the Church, but with a simple google search he is still the 2nd richest actor in the world. As much as the church loves its money and how dedicated Tom Cruise is wouldn’t it be expected of him to donate most if not all of that to the church? How can he sit on that nest egg and expect to clear the planet?

(5) What are your thoughts on the 5G controversy? I think there could be some concerns for our long-term health somewhat like asbestos which we can’t predict. However, I also see some quite alarming behaviour, apocalyptic predictions and a denial of science because that’s just what (insert Big Pharma, George Soros etc ) want you to think & is currently being linked to the Coronavirus outbreak. Largely spread online, could you see this as a rising decentralised cult as people chose their news and close off outside voices?

(6) Why is exteriorization such a big deal in Scientology?  Did you ever exteriorize and what was it like?  Does science explain this as simply a hallucination?  If so, why do so many Scientologists have the same hallucination – everyone seems to talk about exteriorizing – or is that a myth?  Jason Beghe stated that he experienced doing TR-0 very early on, and it was a major inducement.  At what point(s) do Scientologists experience exteriorization and is it universal?

This week, I address a recent controversy in the ex-Scn community, why people are grasping at straws for answers on COVID-19, the purpose of my channel in regards destructive cults and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) First of all, thank you so much for your videos! I find them very educational and your open minded approach to various topics/people is inspiring to watch.

I recently came across Steven Mango’s YouTube channel and found some disturbing information. My past experience with Steven Mango’s content always ended with me having mix feelings about him. He comes across as someone who was truly victimized by Co$ but also who takes his past experience in building a YouTube celebrity status. Do you agree?

In his last video, he called out Karen de la Carriere as a scam artist who uses independent scientologists, providing them with services and stealing money. I have been a fan of hers, so this news comes as a shock to me. I don’t know who to believe in! Your name immediately popped into my mind, because I know you will give an honest analysis of the situation (despite your friendship with Karen).

I have heard that there is in-fighting among ex-Scientologist and perhaps this might be one of them? What is your thoughts on Steven Mango? Has he been infiltrated by the Co$? Is it true what he says about Karen?

(2) What do you think about the reaction to the Bakersfield doctors who extrapolated the infection rate from the tested population onto the general population? Most doctors are emphatic in their condemnation of the statistical distortion but they seem to have a vocal group of supporters who seem to regard concern over the statistical distortion as wrong or excessive. While I suspect the ability to distinguish the policy conclusion from the methodology is key to the divide, what do you think is going on?

(3) I know you are busy, but I would really like to hear you do a deep dive into Siddha yoga on your YouTube channel. My grandmother (now passed), mother, aunt, uncle are and have been deeply involved for many years. There is a New Yorker article from 1994 that details some pretty terrible accusations, but since then there is not much info.

Even if you don’t ever get to this, you have helped me greatly in rationalizing how cult members think and why they act the way they do. I never really believed in the tenants of Siddha yoga, but had a philosophy of, “As long as no one gets hurt, who cares?” I recognize now, because of your YouTube channel that this thought process ignores many victims and no longer feel this way

I would like to approach family members about this, but do not know how to without hostility and denial (I am sure you are familiar with this phenomenon). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

(4) What annoys you the most about conspiracy theorists? For me it’s when I’m told to do my own research, Google it, etc.

(5) This is in regards to the recent story from May 4th of the woman in Canada who was arrested for trying to attract customers to a restaurant wearing a Stormtrooper outfit and carrying a fake blaster. Two 911 calls were received by the police of a person wearing a Stormtrooper outfit and brandishing a weapon so the police showed up and ended up tackling her to the ground. Wow… where to even begin with this one.

First off, I’m aware Canada just had it’s worst mass shootings and that law enforcement there is in a heightened state… but come on. You’re a Star Wars fan, as am I, you know how ubiquitous the imagery around that work is, so you’re telling me none of these officers recognized what was going on here? She was unable to comply with their commands due to the cumbersome nature of the costume she was wearing from the imaginary universe. This is how we’re combating gun violence, by forcing a woman in a costume who immediately drops her plastic gun to the ground, actual guns drawn? What if this was an actual dangerous scenario requiring de-escalation before violence happened? I just do not understand this. I can see how this is reactionary to their recent tragedy, that might explain the initial 911 call but it still doesn’t explain the outcome. I don’t get how a western society can cultivate an attitude around firearms where a person can see another, dressed in a Stormtrooper costume on May 4th, and feel the need to call law enforcement as though it’s a threat.

(6) You’ve said in the past that when you found out about the pregnancy, you came within a hairsbreadth of moving to Australia to play an active part in raising your child, and that not playing an active part in your son’s childhood is probably your biggest regret. Let’s suppose that you had moved and had joined staff at the Perth Org. Do you think you would’ve hit a point of no return with Scientology eventually? If I recall correctly, this all happened before you joined the Sea Org. If you hadn’t been subjected to the years of abuse and exploitation in the Sea Org and been on the trips that allowed you to pierce the veil of the propaganda with what you saw on the ground (and the unfiltered internet access), do you think you could still be in the Scientology bubble? Do you think that no matter what you’d have hit a tipping point where you’d exit Scientology no matter where you’d been in it, or do you think if it wasn’t for the things you experienced and saw that you could still be comfortably sitting in the Scientology bubble out there wherever the other path had taken you?

This week it’s answers about faith, David Miscavige and his power in Scientology, London org staff on YouTube and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) In your last Q&A show, you mentioned faith as the main ingredient to religions. That makes me wonder, could faith be a misunderstood ingredient in critical thinking? Because there are many things which, like souls or spirits, we cannot see, smell, hear, taste etc, but which we absolutely count on and have faith in such as magnetic lines of flux, such as gravity, such as love. You could name many things you can’t touch which influence our lives and I think faith is just one of many. What say you?

(2) I have several questions about the infamous “Hole”. Most of the major documentaries tell us the story of how David Miscavige ordered all of his rivals to power into a make shift prison in two double wide trailers inside the no longer secret “Gold Base”….But on Youtube we can see a drone video showing us the empty space where the double wides USED to be. Can we assume Miscavige got rid of those trailers in case the Base got raided he can say ” See… there is no hole”? Do we know if the prisoners in the Hole are freed or are kept somewhere else? And have I got the names right? Hebert Jentszch, who used to be the “nominal President of the Church of Scientology” Is (was?) Hebert Jentszch kept in the Hole? If so, how could a then young inexperienced David Miscavige convince the President of the Church to be his Prisoner? Sure, I understand how the leaders of Scientology can manipulate members into harsh conditions, but how could some kid boss around the PRESIDENT of the group? If someone walked into Barack Obama’s office (back when he was President) and announced “I used to work for W so I am declaring that I’m now running this show and Im ordering you into a makeshift prison until I feel like ever letting you out!” would Obama follow these orders? Or would he have his secret service agents drag the kook away? What power, (emotional, psychological or physical) could Miscavige have over the bosses of Scientology (at the beginning)? I watched your interview with Jessie Prince where in he said that Miscavige threatened him (Prince) with his (Miscaviges) knowledge of some of the allegedly shady things Hubbard made him do over the years.. So Miscavige used that to make Prince go away…. but what could Miscavige have to convince his former bosses they should go into a freezing trailer for decades?

(3) London organization staff members are, for the past two weeks, now creating long form discussion and lecture videos and posting them to YouTube. To date, they have posted about 10 of them (see the link below). This seems contrary to my understanding of how social media is used and permitted within the church. Why is it that we don’t see more of this type of thing? Any commentary on what they are posting?

(4) I want to start this off by stating that I believe (based on what you’ve said in your own work) that your opinion on gun ownership has evolved over time and that you’re not as tacitly supportive of anti-gun legislation/positions as you once were. I think we both approach this topic from a place of good faith, wanting to balance the rights of the individual with the safety of the society around them. That being said, I think we may disagree on what best contributes to that balance and that is what I’d like to discuss if you’re willing. Recently, I saw a video wherein Alyssa Milano asked Americans to stop buying guns during this pandemic. Let’s leave aside the #MeToo hypocrisy elephant-in-the-room and focus on the audacity of the message in that video. In a time where there is increased potential for lawlessness and societal breakdown, people are seeking out effective means of defending themselves from a potential threat, so why is this being spoken about as though it’s odd or illogical? I find it peculiar (kindest word I could use) that the people who publicly and vociferously claim to champion the safety of the individual are often exuberantly supportive of empowering the State (the primary medium for abusing the individual throughout all of human history). I also find it peculiar that these same individuals (who can both afford to and often do have armed security around them practically 24/7) talk a great deal about imbalances of power. My question at this point to anyone who fancies themselves “anti-gun” (a position I find rather humorous seeing as people who hold said position are clearly fine with the State owning firearms, making them not so much against gun ownership but pro gun ownership monopoly in the hands of the State, an oddly authoritarian stance for self-proclaimed people’s champions) is where are the reasonable voices amongst you? Who amongst you has a suggestion that would be effective at reducing gun violence that simultaneously respects the rights of millions of your law-abiding neighbors? I’m hoping you, as a critic of a powerful organization that would happily weaponize anything they could to move against you,can see how potentially abusable something like “red flag” laws are. They would essentially grant individuals the power to write KRs on one another and I would assume that’s not something you’d be remotely okay with. I hope you and your wife are weathering this storm alright, stay healthy and I look forward to more of your work

(5) I just watched a video of yours where you said that the majority of Sea Org members are pre-clear. This totally shocked me – I don’t know why, but I assumed Scientologists would have to be clear in order to become part of the Sea Org. So now I’m wondering, how does a Scientologist get invited to the Sea Org? What determines their eligibility, if it isn’t their status on the Bridge? Is it more about their level of dedication to the church and potential usefulness to the Sea Org? Also, I’m guessing there’s a certain demographic that’s targeted for recruitment, like younger people who don’t have an established family or career – am I right about that? So many questions!

This week, it’s answers about Scientology’s numbers, hyper-partisan politics, Scientology and the Aftermath and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) Are the Scientology numbers dwindling because of the pandemic? Do shut-in Scientologists have a look at anti-Scientology web material while under quarantine that they normally wouldn’t have time to investigate?

(2) Why do people who are obviously hyper partisan when it comes to politics claim not to be when confronted? Are they experiencing the same mindset as cult members do when you tell them they’re part of a cult?

(3) You have mentioned that Scientology Parent was invited onto the TV show Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath but declined, and Aaron Smith-Levin has talked about an undercover Scientologist who almost appeared on the show, until they discovered that he was indeed an undercover Scientologist.

My question is this: how did the admissions process work for participants on Leah Remini: Scientology and The Aftermath? If the number of potential participants far outweighed the number who ultimately appeared on the show, how did the producers decide who would appear? And, most importantly, how to verify the precise accuracy of what participants on the show would bear witness to publicly – was there something of a vetting process or informal investigation?

(4) Do you believe you have a soul? Do you think we are spiritual beings having a human experience?

(5) Dear Chris, I enjoy your talks a lot, your recent foray into gnosticism was facinating. I wanted to ask you a question re: the self-destructive nature of cult leaders. Last summer I did a pile of video research on Hubbard, Nixon, and Jim Jones, looking for common threads. One conclusion I came to was that there seemed to be a feedback loop created by the escalation of belief by followers & the escalation of self-loathing of the leader, that in Jones case led to mass deaths. It seemed like Jones own awareness that he was a fraud is what made him order the mass suicide, ie- better to kill everyone than be exposed & disappoint. But at the same time, it seemed Jones also had deep resentments toward his followers, that they were dupes for believing in him, so it was fine for him to punish them.

My question is, is there a name for this kind of syndrome? And do you think Hubbard resented his followers in a way for not seeing through him?

This week, it’s answers about Bridge publications, group processing, ranks in the Sea Org and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) According to the Church of Scientology, their in-house printing facility in Los Angeles (Bridge Publications) can churn out 280,000 books per week while their dissemination plant can do 130,000 publications per day to 190 nations (the UN says there are 195 countries in the world, so what 5 are spared?), but where does all this stuff go? Are the printing presses kept idle or does it all go to some massive pulping plant up at the secret Gold Base?

Also a sneaky quickie: group processing. Have you got a floor (repeat sixteen times), have you got a finger (repeat twenty times) what nonsense is all that?

(2) The Sea Org, if I understand correctly, has a system of ranks modeled after the U.S. Navy. In the real-world armed forces, higher rank usually carries certain privileges. For example, commissioned officers may have a separate dining room with better food; on ships, officers may be given private or semi-private cabins, while the rank-and-file bunks together. In the olden days, officer uniforms were made of better materials than those of common soldiers or sailors. Generals and admirals can have adjutants (essentially, uniformed attendants). What privileges, if any, does higher rank carry in the Sea Org?

(3) Hi Chris, I’ve got a subject that might make an interesting clip: The life of a student in the academy. It’s a subject that seems to have been forgotten. At least, I don’t remember ever hearing you mention it. I think your non-Scientologist subscribers would be interested in your discussion of this subject. The day-to-day life of a student and the craziness of studying with management by statistics. Keeping track of definitions (not just words) cleared and how many self-originated demos you do (5 points each, I believe?)

(4) I have been watching your podcast since the beginning, when you were filming in front of your apartment complex. Your podcast has changed a lot, from all Scientology to a diverse lineup with different topics, interviews, current events, psychology and cult experts etc. Can you share how you feel your growth as a person has influenced the direction of your podcasting.

(5) I just listened to part 2 of the video “recovery from Scientology and other authoritarian cults,” on Jon Atack’s channel. My question is not on the main topic, but on a rabbit trail you both went on. Given the current situation in US politics (which is ridiculous, but it is what it is), what types of practical action could average, non-wealthy people (and maybe even disabled people) engage in to effect positive change in the systems that govern the United States? How can we move the laws and systems that affect us towards kindness, science, education, etc.? It seems impossible given voter suppression, big-money lobbying, and other significant hurdles.

This week we did a live stream Q&A show, with answers to a wide variety of questions covering Scientology’s current situation with COVID-19, OT powers, Whoopi Goldberg endorsing Narconon, the “end times” scenario for Scientology and a lot more. Enjoy!