The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comment sections of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at [email protected]. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) I don’t quite understand OT 7. If you’re auditing yourself, how do pass to the next level? Can someone just say “Ok, I’m ready – I passed OT 7”? Who tells them that they are ready or not?

(2) I often ask myself what do the top Scientology executives do in The Hole on a daily basis? Back in the day, they were the top people within Scientology and now they are reduced to what? I don’t know but it would seem that they have been totally relegated to nobodies, so at what point do you believe that they feel on a daily basis that they are still saving the planet? Surely they can’t really believe they are fighting the good fight when they look back at what happened to them? Please let me know what these people do each day and how they can reconcile that lives with saving the planet.  Or are they just waiting for LRH to return so they can tell him what an awful person David Miscavage is? The entire thing sounds totally nuts to me anyway but as always I am fascinated to hear your take on this topic.

(3) What happens if one goes into a Church of Scientology and wants to buy a book? I assume they try to get your information but what if you choose not to give it to them? Or do they have any way to verify that you aren’t giving them a cold number or email address? I can understand requiring information to take a class, but just to buy a book?

(4) I have a question about the order of Scientology’s “lower conditions.” Maybe you have no idea, but why did Hubbard make them the order he did least to worst:

1) Liability 2) Treason 3) Doubt 4) Enemy

It seems to me it should be Doubt then Treason. Treason sounds much worse than Doubt. With Doubt you are still questioning someone’s intentions or actions but haven’t solidified a conclusion. With Treason you are certain someone has committed a betraying act. Why did LRH consider Doubt worse that Treason?

(5) Masturbation: how serious a crime is that in Scientology? Does it affect a Scientologist’s progress up the Bridge?

(6) I was watching Elisabeth Moss on the View, and when they didn’t mention a word about Scientology, I had a question: When celebrity Scientologist goes on TV, do they come with a contract saying what the interviewer can and cannot talk about?

(7) I would like to ask if recruiters are trained to recognise and only approach people who look ‘well off.’  I don’t suppose they would be interested in ordinary Joe Bloggs off the street. What would happen if somebody recruited a person receiving state benefits?  Whats happens to the person recruited and the recruiter?

(8) Something happened today that has NEVER happened before, but today I got mail from the church. This is the first time in a decade of living within a few miles of the Portland Ideal Org that I have EVER received anything in the mail from them. So my question to you is: How often does the church send mailers to non-Scientologists (basically any and everyone who hasn’t ‘reached for the tech’)? And secondly: don’t they realize this silly pamphlet is a year late?

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comments section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at [email protected]. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) Do Scientologists believe that their Scientology training (communications and other) helps them develop the power of persuasion? If so, are they encouraged to use this power on non-Scientologists? If so, what are some telltale signs that someone is trying to work the Scientology magic in a conversation? Also, assuming all of the above actually occurs, is there a Kryptonite to this superpower? Meaning, is there anything a non-Scientologist can do to signal to a Scientologist that the use of magic has been detected and is therefore futile?

(2) As we have come to know, outside many of the Scientology Orgs they have these body routers that are trying to entice you inside the building so you can take their personality test. Now that you have left Scientology and are incredibly knowledgeable about all of the schemes, would it be possible to answer those questions so that at the end when you are finished and they are about to ask that question they have no other recourse than to say well I guess there’s nothing that we can help you with? Would it be possible to answer it in such a way that leaves them no recourse than to admit defeat?

(3) I was listening to your podcast on the subject of conspiracy theories. I myself was in a cult for 9 years and I know that I am vulnerable along these lines of thinking. What is your opinion of David Icke? I have been somewhat confused by the guy who “connects the dots.” It’s been 24 years since I’ve left the “Brethren,” and I am just now working on my own cult experience story. I am so glad I found your podcasts. They are very helpful!

(4) I was wondering if you think Steven Hassan’s BITE model can be applied to political affiliations. Say hard core Republicans or hard core Democrats. The people who always vote party line and blindly follow presidents or members of congress based on party alone.

(5) Do Sea Org members need to be at a certain level on the Bridge to become a member? Are all staff members and Sea Org members at the level of Clear? Staff vs. sea org, what are the differences in benefits? As a staff member did you get room and board?

(6) I know that there is a kind of hierarchy inside Scientology that goes kind of like Muggles < Public < Staff < Sea Org where each commitment level kind of looks down on on the level(s) below them.  My question is, where do Celebrities fall in this strata? They’re officially Public, but I assume they aren’t looked down on as much. Right?

(7) When you were in the Sea Org and David Miscavige came by the one time you mentioned and reviewed you, how much warning did you have that he would appear? What was the reaction of your fellow crew when he left? Did he speak with Tone 40 intention?

(8) Was Hubbard down on LSD because of how hallucinogenics have been known to bring about perspective changes, and obviously this wouldn’t be conducive to creating indoctrinated followers? or was it just his 50s conservative worldview that informed this position?

This week, my wife and I did a live stream episode with a lot of questions answered from those who joined us during the live video. The questions answered are read out aloud during the episode but weren’t prepped in advance so are not listed here but we discussed many things including Tom Cruise, independent Scientology, David Miscavige and much more. Enjoy!

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comment sections of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at [email protected]. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) One book which I have found to be a great resource is ‘The New Believers’ (subtitled ‘Sects, ‘cults’ and alternative religions) by David V. Barrett. I wonder if you are familiar with it? He strives to be painstakingly fair-minded with all the organisations he writes about. Even so, the more wacky and dangerous ideas & practices of, for example, the Flying Saucer Cults, the Nation of Islam and, of course, Scientology, come across loud and clear. Having learned so much from you about what really goes on though, I do wonder about his use of a quote from Lorraine Bulger, who he says has reached OT 8. Have you heard of her? He seems to suggest that, because Hubbard’s ‘History of Man’ does not have to be taken literally, then a more ‘metaphorical’ approach to the OT materials (notably OT 3) would also be perfectly acceptable. The quote from Bulger reads,”Many religions have legends and scriptures which, taken out of context, can appear strange and misrepresentative….” This puzzles me. I have detected no hint whatsoever of a move towards a move liberal reading of the core texts. In fact, top-level Scientologists aren’t supposed to hint at their contents at all, right?  Has the author perhaps got a little sidetracked here and managed to find some relatively easygoing Independent Scientologists as sources? Maybe he is being a little too fair-minded?! Your thoughts?

(2) My question is about the Communications Course as I have heard many ex-Scientologists saying that it is a great course and they are still grateful for it. So, what is the Communications Course about? And is it highlighting an emotional vulnerability that makes people fall for Scientology?
AND
I have been reading about people who say the one thing they got something out of from Scientology is the Communication Course. It seems to be the course most people try out first. I found myself drawn to it for personal reasons but I would not venture in to a Scientology church to take the course. However I found that they offer the course online for free so I signed up with an e-mail address I only use if I expect someone to send me junk mail. I had a problem right away with the first page and that is what my question is about. The online course is in my own language so I hope I translate the terms correctly. It is about “duplication.” According to the text it is a vital part of communication. The definition is to make an exact copy of something. This sounds like their idea of the Communication Course is basically about how to get others to duplicate or copy what you tell them. Is this a first step in to the indoctrination from their part to get people to accept duplicating or copying what they are told? Also I object to lots of stuff they say about communication like that it is a particle to move from one place to an other. Surely I can not be the only one objecting to stuff they are told so how are people that object to things said handled in courses? Are they just told to be quiet and accept what is being said? Is it open for discussion or are people in general just accepting things said in course?

(3) I am a retired military intelligence officer so thank goodness, Scientology won’t be asking me to join – whew! However, I am working in Stuttgart, Germany, for the US military and the local base newspaper has been running large ads from Scientology saying all the common things they say – come let us help you be a better person, free counseling, testing, etc.  They provide the Stuttgart Scientology office contact info and address.

It appears to me that there may have been a change in philosophy in Scientology and they appear to be targeting US military and family members.  The Scientology organization is structured on the military model and it may be appealing to some military members who have no knowledge of their practices, especially young enlisted personnel. This is a little frightening. If they are successful in recruiting someone senior, either enlisted or officer, there is a distinct possibility of coercion by that individual to have people under him or her join Scientology. I experienced this first hand as a young LT. I was a reservist at the time and my Commanding Officer was a Commander. I was invited to his house for a dinner, which turned into high pressure event, complete with other sales persons, for Amway at the time – many, many years ago. That was a difficult and awkward situation and extracting myself without saying yes was not easy, but I did it. This could happen with Scientology and the senior/junior scenario. It would be completely illegal and if reported would have dire consequences for the senior, but if your goal is to clear the planet at all cost and you are that senior, it might be something you would try. I have seen other Scientology HQ in Germany, Berlin, Munich and there is a van promoting Scientology that is parked in our neighborhood from time to time as advertising I believe. Just wondered what you thought.

(4) I’m sure when you first left the church, you had to learn how to communicate with the normal world. My question is how often nowadays do you find yourself slipping into Scientology speak?

(5) What is the earliest stage that one might encounter sec-checking? What was the earliest instance that you’re aware of and what brought it on? A somewhat related question: we have seen innumberable examples of Scientology violating priest-penitent privilege. This seems like a major legal exposure for them that could result in a cascade of  fairly easily winnable cases as all that would be required would be to prove that anyone other than the parishioner’s personal auditor(s) had access to any confidential folder. Is the sole thing holding this back the fact that Scientology cries bigotry in order to prevent the folders from being entered into evidence or is there more to it?

(6) In a recent interview, Tom Cruise said he loves sugar but he never eats it. Do you believe anything that Tom Cruise says?

(7) Do you think LRH’s sci-fi writings influenced Stephen King?  I had never considered that idea.

(8) I know that Hubbard said that the people of the “Galactic Confederacy” looked a whole lot like the people of Earth during the 1950s but did he ever describe the appearance of Xenu (or Xemu)? Did this intergalactic dictator look like a presidential JFK-type or more like the alien creature depicted in South Park?

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comment sections of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email to [email protected]. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) Did you find your Scientology training difficult and have just not chosen to mention that? As a Scientologist, I was a mediocre student and auditor, only ever at the public level, so my experience would clearly be different from yours. How was it for you as a student auditor and in supervisor training? It seems to me to be a shame that such rigorous and skilled attention is given to something that turns out to be a worthless scam! That rigor must be a part of what keeps people involved and believing that there is something worthwhile there. Your comments?

(2) Do you think the reason why Miscavige is not allowing many members to go up The Bridge is that he doesn’t want to expose them to the absurd Xenu story?

(3) If somebody spits out the “Clear Cognition” aren’t they ever suspicious that person has been on the Internet or otherwise getting confidential info? Or is it just always considered legit? Will they test or interrogate you or do they just let you attest to the state of Clear if you say the right words? As cynical as I am I might be thinking this guy is a spy or he cheated, went on the Internet & just wants to take the quick, easy (& cheap) way to Clear. Then again, true believers would have to believe you’d get pneumonia if you read confidential material before you are ready. Isn’t that right? Did I answer my own question? They figure if you aren’t dead or stricken with pneumonia then surely you came up with the cognition on your own, all your motives are pure and you couldn’t have cheated?

(4) Is there anyone currently who is David Miscavige’s “right hand man” in the same way that Miscavige was for LRH, someone who would take over if and when the demise of DM ever happens? Or, is DM too paranoid to have someone so close to him? Do you think if DM was ever arrested that current Scientologists would still consider him the leader as the FLDS do with Warren Jeffs even though he’s incarcerated? Would that make DM a “martyr” like Jeffs and elevate his standing?

(5) What is the point of the harsh conditions for Sea Org members? Is it institutional culture, like it’s always been this way so why change? Is it a cost-saving measure? A control mechanism? Sadism on the parts of LRH and DM? All of those things and more? It seems to me that they would have an easier time recruiting and keeping Sea Org members by making very minor changes. Better food, more time for people in the SO to work their way up the Bridge, better health care, a retirement home for elderly members, etc. Sure, it would cost more but they have the money and it seems like even a marginal investment to the SO budget would have significant dividends in worker production, retention, etc. Hell, that could even be a new fundraising campaign, “Fund the Sea Org Foundation”! As it is, it seems like the Sea Org and its conditions are actually creating many of the church’s most vocal detractors.

(6) Does Scientology restrict photos/videos from being taken in certain buildings or anywhere else? In other words, if photos are allowed to be taken and a Scientologist quits the organization is there a contract stating those photos can not be shared with the public?

(7) What do you know about Scientology in the Netherlands and in Amsterdam? Recently there was a huge opening of a new scientology building and I wondered how big Scientology is in the Netherlands?

(8) A Canadian friend of mine pointed out that they spelled Centre the British way (or the Canadian way), with -re. What’s up with that? Did Hubbard always prefer British spelling? Was it ever the ‘Celebrity Center’ spelled -er?

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comment section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at [email protected]. This week, the questions I take up are:

(1) At what point does the church officially consider you a Scientologist? After taking the introductory courses? Once you start processing? Etc.

(2) Chris, do you have any plans on studying to become a clinical psychologist? I believe that the best way for you to get back at the Church of Scientology is for you to become a licensed clinical psychologist.

(3) There is a YouTube channel called Scientology Parent. It’s a guy who has been in Scientology since he was 7 years old. He’s now in his early 40’s and said he recently achieved the state of Clear. How on earth could it take a dedicated Scientologist 35 years to become Clear? I understand that staff members usually don’t get much auditing, but he was only a staff member for 10 of those years.

(4) What do you think the chances of the training films being leaked into the wild any time soon are? Do you know if they were being converted to DVD or were they still doing the films? I hated that damned Pro TRs film from having to watch it so much but it’d be kind of trippy to see it now.

(5) What are some dreams/goals that you and Melissa have for the future together? What is/are your favorite thing(s) for you and Melissa to do together as a couple?

(6) Is there any way for a “wog” like me to find out how popular an org is? Since the new org opened in Detroit, I’m curious to know if it’s at all successful. I ask because the Detroit org is smack dab in the middle of the financial district which is mostly owned by a local businessman who demands so much from his employees that I highly doubt they have any time for COS. Just curious! Keep up the good work!

(7) What is your connection to Queen?

(8) I’m sure many have reached out for help, to escape the church, but has anyone from any other cult reached out to you?

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comments sections of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email to [email protected]. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) I’m writing to you because of what I have heard about the treatment that non-heterosexual members of Scientology receive. Debbie Cook had to endure twelve hours of standing in a garbage can with cards around her neck with the words “Lesbo”, “Homo”, etc written on them as well as being dunked with buckets of ice water. Actually, the cult seem to love to throw buckets of ice water on many members, not only the non-heterosexual ones but on children too as Jenna Miscavige described. Then there is the screaming, trying to make them admit that they are not “normal.” They should realise that if they are heterosexuals, it is because they were born that way, it is not a choice. How can John Travolta as a bisexual still be accepted and still be in the cult? Many former cult members have different and various allegations about this, but how can it be?

(2) I know the Co$ hates psychiatry, so if someone had to take narcotics for chronic pain, and an antidepressant that they’ve taken for years, would they actually have that person just stop taking them? Because we all know that they don’t know what they are talking about, but that would be extremely dangerous!

(3) I was wondering how strongly the silent birth concept and practice is taken within Scientology. Would a woman married to a celebrity such as Tom Cruise be more or less likely to be subjected to this edict? It seems very grim, even to someone who hasn’t yet had children. In fact, it sounds utterly horrific.

(4) I have a moral/ethical dilemma I hope you can help me think through. As a long time Scientology watcher and critic, I feel it’s my duty to speak out against the church and draw attention to its misdeeds, but I’m wavering in the extent to which I abstain from supporting public Scientologists’ work. It’s easy to boycott the megastar who’s personally profited from Sea Org slave labor, or the has-been sitcom actress who shrilly accuses critics of raping babies. However, I find myself making excuses for the second generation musician who keeps his membership fairly quiet, the character actor in the fun Marvel film, or the older star from a 70s sitcom and cult classic films. Am I complicit in making Scientology “look good” by buying an album or watching a movie with a famous Scientologist in it? Is it enough to make up for that consumption by supporting ex-Scientologists and sharing what I know with others? Am I overthinking this?

(5) I was surprised to hear you say that you believe that Hubbard was sincere and not a deliberate fraud.  Do you have any opinion on the various claims that he told his colleagues at Astounding that he planned to make a religion to make money, or that he and Robert Heinlein made a bet about it, or that some of the other writers helped him brainstorm Dianetics, not knowing that he was really going to try to sell it as a serious idea?  

(6) I once worked for Cancer Research UK and was shown a reference in the org at St Hill from a lecture Hubbard gave where he said that cancer is a severe aberration of the second dynamic, that it came from body cells multiplying uncontrollably and the solution was to mock up babies and throw them away. That’s as much as I could remember. A couple of years later, a very close friend was diagnosed with cancer on Dec 17th and died Feb 5th. He was a Scientologist as I was at the time and I asked about this reference and it was denied by everyone I asked. I even had the CO take me to the Qual Library. We never found it. Have you ever heard of it? It’s driving me crazy as it was basically said I was lying and there was no such thing but I couldn’t make that up. Interested to know if you know of this because of the absurdity of the cancer cure and my sanity.

(7) In your opinion, what % of “active” Scientologists stay in the religion primarily because of the disconnection program?  Whether it is a family member, friend, or business partner/employer, it appears that the threat of severing these relationships is a major reason people stay in despite the nonsense that Scientology excels in.

(8) I was reading up on L. Ron today, and stumbled across something interesting. In L. Ron’s 1940 novel Typewriter in the Sky, the protagonist has the name Mike de Wolf. I was curious, and maybe you knew if this is where the Hubbard family took the name from, or if DeWolf was in another way relevant to the Hubbard family (an old family name perhaps?)

The weekly show where I answer viewer questions left for me in the comment sections of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at [email protected]. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) Do you watch the Scientology Network at all? If so, it seems that almost every advertisement and show is narrated by David Miscavige. Do you think that it’s actually him doing it or someone hired who intentionally sounds like him? Is he that hands-on with the network and does he have that much time on his hands to narrate everything that airs on the channel?

(2) I was wondering if you have ever run across people who come to believe in a different religion after leaving Scientology. I would think one would tend to stay non-religious or even become an atheist after leaving such a high control group.

(3) As I read more stories from former Sea Org members about women in the Sea Org who end up pregnant having to get an abortion, a simple question comes to mind: If nothing is to interfere with the work of the Sea Org, not even pregnancy, then isn’t birth control pushed, and more importantly provided? This would seem to be the best solution for an organization that demands total commitment but at the same time permits its members to have sex. Or is this another case of its best if you use birth control, but you have to buy your own birth control, don’t expect Scientology to spend its own money on you?

(4) LRH was a very prolific writer, but everything I’ve read of his seems like a horrible word salad. Did he write anything worth reading?

(5) I was listening to Jeffery Augustine’s interview Bill Franks and just after the 49 minute mark, Jeff makes the observation, “Money is God in Scientology.” Given their conversation so far, it is logical to see how money would be equated with God in Hubbard’s and the Church of Scientology’s praxes, if not in its stated theology. What are your thoughts about Jeff’s statement?

(6) Long-time watcher of your channel along with other Scientology channels and I have a question that I have yet to find an answer for, which I am hoping you may be able to provide. My question relates to the level of indoctrination within Scientology. I’ve seen a few videos with audio clips from LRH lectures on YouTube talking about his so-called research. I am wondering how the Church knows that someone is indoctrinated enough into the Scientology way of thinking to be able to listen to these lectures without questioning where the results of this research is. I can’t see everyone in the church being fully indoctrinated at the same level after a certain amount of courses or OT levels, so how does the Church know when someone is able to listen to these lectures without asking any questions about the validity of the research and asking to see the results? Keep up the good work in exposing Scientology as a money making scam and all the other work you do to expose the dangers of cult behavior.

This week, Melissa and I did a live stream Q&A episode and had a blast. The questions were read out during the episode, so are not listed here. Enjoy!

The weekly show where I answer questions posted by viewers in the comment section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at [email protected]. This week, the questions I answer are:

(1) Love your channel. I have hundreds of hours into Scientology research. One of the aspects I find intriguing is the Sea Org Navy-like uniform and ribbons. I found a rank chart, so I’m good on the various ranks, but can you please explain the ribbons? What do they represent? For instance, is there a ribbon for achieving Clear? Another for OT 1, OT 2, holding a Commanding Officer position, etc?

(2) How the heck do you come out of a cult and apply yourself to make a living?

(3) It is common knowledge now that many of the Sea Org members have to endure what can only be described as slave labor under incredibly harsh conditions. They have to run everywhere, call everyone Sir and have absolutely no communication with the rest of the people at the base. In fact they are left in total isolation and treated it would seem like prisoners under a Russian or North Korea regime. Add in the fact of the appalling living conditions, terrible food and the few minutes they have to eat it and one is left wondering at what point are they saving the planet.

Surely they can’t all believe that this is done for some higher purpose and that they deserve this treatment that they brought it upon himself? Does nobody say WTF, this is crazy or do they all just accept their fate?

I’ve heard you say many times that the majority of Scientologists don’t even get into the OT levels and if that is true, what are they doing and why?
Also, I have heard it said that at the Gold Base, the stats are clearly marked up on the wall and unless they are lying, this must show a constant decrease in membership and if that is the case, can the members not see what is happening and work it out for themselves?

(4) What the hell are Scientologists thinking when they get in people’s faces who were never Scientologists and start using words like “SP” and other jargon? Don’t they realize that this literally means nothing to “normal” people? Almost nobody has ever heard of any of these idiotic terms, and they throw them around as if we’re all supposed to know exactly what they mean. As one who has never been a Scientologist, they just come across to me as completely nuts – sort of like the crazy guy on the street selling pencils from a cup, shouting about how aliens took his cat and made it into a dog, and to watch for the third coming of the great Elekizerak of Doom.