This week we did our Critical Q&A show live and had a lot of fun answering a wide-ranging series of topics from Scientology to NXIVM to the election and a lot more. Enjoy!

This week, it’s answers about revisions to Hubbard’s work, the occult origins of Scientology, a breakdown of how Scientology management is done and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) If everything that Hubbard wrote was unchangeable how come David Miscavage has on multiple occasions issued revisions to what Hubbard wrote? How is that possible if his writings were sacrosanct? The cynical side of me has what I believe to be clearly the answer and that is another way to scam more money from the public so is that the answer because it sure looks like it?

(2) In Jesse Prince’s book, Expert Witness, he talks about David Miscavige and others piloting the first OT 8 on the Freewinds and it being a major flap. When Jesse Prince took a look at the materials, it said everything before that point was what the person made up, to stop making it up, and that Hubbard claimed to be Satan and that Scientology is de-identified Satanic ritualistic practices. One couple left the ship in search of an exorcist. Another woman on the ship thought she was a World War 2 Japanese Kamikaze plane and was making airplane noises as she repeatedly crashed her head into the ship.

Similar comments were made by Jamie DeWolf at a Flag Down Event in Clearwater (2014) where he read aloud a manuscript from his grandfather talking extensively about the Satanic origins of Scientology.

All the TV shows, various YouTube Channels, and websites describing the abuses of Scientology, seem to be describing characteristics or experiences of the outcomes of Scientology; while these two items hint that Hubbard thought it to be a foundational church doctrine.

Could you expand on this topic?

(3) Does Scientology have any measures to evaluate the success of previous efforts? How do they study their own history?

(4) I heard this saying as a Sea Org member and Scientologist for years, concerning inadequacies of Clears: “I’m only Clear on the First Dynamic, you know!” It’s interesting, it had been the go-to excuse for any “human” behavior that betrays the definitions of Clear and pre-OTs. It drew a lot of cognitive dissonance and unease for me as I was born to two Clear parents, and that was used to justify anything suboptimal with their behavior. It’s only in my 30s when I decided to leave Scientology and decompress, I heard the line again and I had an internal brain explosion: WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? I don’t even know where it’s from and if it is from Hubbard.

(5) I was re-watching the interview you did with your mom, and I am wondering if your family knew when you were sent to the RPF, and what did they think about your situation?  Given how it seems like your mom had quietly left the church and the conditions of the RPF, it makes me wonder if they knew you had been sent there and if they did, were they upset and worried about both your physical and mental safety while you were there?

(6) Do you think there are any high-level people who have died on Scientology property and have not been reported, such as Heber Jentzsch?

(7) What would a Sea Org reality show be like? 

(8) What would happen if I were to give the “clear cognition” in one of my first auditing sessions? Could I start the OT levels and skip doing The Bridge?

This week, it’s answers about what Scientology auditing feels like, some thoughts about Halloween, how we felt about rich Scientologists in the Sea Org and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I was wondering how people really feel while being audited. From what I’ve heard about the “repetitive” processes, it sounds kind of awful to me, so do people get bored? Feel trapped? Feel like they’re going crazy? I’ve heard they can go into a “trance state,” so do you sort of “lose consciousness” a LOT? Do you feel like it basically turns you into kind of a robot or a slave, mentally? Or, is it possible to come out of HOURS of auditing with your “real self” still basically intact? I’m just curious about the psychological state it creates. 

(2) First off I know you are a little bit more of a Star Wars fan versus Star Trek. That being said, who is your favorite recurring Stark Trek character?  Mine would have to be any played by Maj Barrett. 

Secondly with Halloween coming up I’d like to know if you and Melissa get into it as far as costumes or decorations. I personally do not decorate or anything like that any more but as far as the supernatural side of the holiday goes I am absolutely infatuated with it.  Like you however I set the bar very high when it comes to evidence regarding supernatural claims. In fact my favorite expert when it comes to these subjects is Joe Nickell with James Randi coming in at a very close second.  I think I’ve read just about every book these two gentlemen have written so far. 

(3) In Scientology, staffers and Sea Org members get paid a pittance, yet some of them (for example, salespeople selling high-level services or the management types) see large amounts of money floating right past them. Have you ever experienced or witnessed any resentment over this? As in, “the church isn’t broke, so why am I?” If not, why not? Are people simply conditioned to believe that all the money is going toward “saving the planet” or is it something else?

(4) Hi Chris. I’ve recently noticed a bunch of booklets in my local newsagents. They’re paperback yellow booklets on how to wash your hands and other basic hygiene tips. Only on the back cover does it say that these have been produced by Scientology. My question is why do this? It won’t make them any money, in fact surely the opposite. 

Also, what suppressive  act could they believe anyone has committed in order for us all to “pull in” the ongoing pandemic?

(5) Does Scientology distinguish between short-term and long-term measurements? Do they view “crunch time” or deferative maintenance as impacting both short-term and long-term objectives or do they rely on the idea of thetan powers reshaping reality as sufficient to ignore the longer-term effects observed in outside society?

(6) 1. Do they 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? 

2. Are Scientologists allowed to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes/cigars? I’m sure it sounds like a stupid question but I have read that they do not believe in mind altering drugs. Coffee and alcohol are mind altering so I’m wondering if the pick and choose to fit their needs. I can’t find these answers ANYWHERE.

This week, it’s answers about OT 8s in Scientology, whether the WWE is a destructive cult, can Scientology be something constructive and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) How do OT 8s practice Scientology? What are they supposed to do when they reach the top of The Bridge and there are no more courses to take? Just keep auditing for the rest of their lives?

(2) I’m genuinely interested in your opinion on whether the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) could be considered cult like (yes, really). If you look into it, there are a number of issues which I believe show they fit this mould. 

a. Their wrestlers are classed as “independent contractors”  as opposed to staff. This way, they avoid proper pay scales, health insurance and a host of other rights. This reminds me of the Sea Org being classed as religious staff.

b. Loaded language. There are numerous written directions leaked online where staff have been told that they are subject to punishment if they use certain words, e.g. the championship belt is called a title, not a belt. The fans are called the “WWE Universe” and not the fans. People who break this enforced language rule will be held accountable. 

c. Wrestlers are not allowed to have a third party app presence which makes money such as Twitch and Cameo. They are being told by the company that the company owns the rights to the wrestlers’ real names even though they’re “independent contractors”. This, despite being contractually forbidden to wrestle anywhere else. 

d. Staff are paid a tiny portion of revenue. As in well well below all other sporting organisations. The bulk of the income goes directly into the pocket of Vince McMahon and his family. Just like Hubbard.

e. Many die young due to the extreme toll this life takes on their bodies. They’re constantly travelling to shows (all at their own expense) and are often only home for a day or two per week. Despite all this, they are frequently told they should be grateful for the opportunity.

f. Disconnection. If you leave the company and speak negatively of them, Vince McMahon will not allow current wrestlers to speak of the people gone. They will essentially erase them from company history too, by omitting them from video packages or refusing to acknowledge their participation in historical moments. 

There are many more examples, but I was curious about your thoughts. 

(3) Do you think LRH was on to something that maybe, if it were created now, could be something legitimate? Could this cult or his following actually make this religion work? 

(4) In the early 2000s I worked for a chiropractor who decided to grow his practice by hiring a practice management firm.  Is there any way to find out which practice management firms are (or were) actually Scientology-based?  

(5) Did you hear about the cancelled Australian channel 7 documentary series “Scientology black ops” whose parts have been leaked on the internet? Do you have any information on why it was axed and if the Church had anything to do with it? One of the leaked “Scientology black ops” episodes suggested that the rape and sexual assult charges against Paul Haggis might be a scheme made by the church to disgrace him. How likely do you think it would be for the church to organize something as risky as fake rape charges?

(6) When looking for you online, I found you have two separate websites that share the same information. Mncriticalthinking.com and Sensiblyspeaking.com. Why do you have two websites? Wouldn’t it be better to merge them into one, or you just haven’t gotten around to doing that?

(7) What’s one thing you miss and one thing you don’t during your time in the Sea Org?

(8) Has the delivery of face to face TRs been badly affected by Covid protocols? Sitting three metres apart wearing masks would surely limit their effectiveness and scary bull baiting from across a room would be hard work.

This week, it’s answers about how Scientologists experience grief, what it means to “get ethics in”, captive Sea Org members and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I was shocked at the passing of Kelly Preston and I really don’t mean to be disrespectful, but does John Travolta suffer grief like ‘normal people’, or does he genuinely think (as apparently he did with his son), that Kelly has passed onto other thetans etc?  How do Scientologists cope with bereavement in their human form?

Also: What’s your favorite Rush album?  Mine is Permanent Waves (Free Will!) but I love them all really.

(2) My question is related to the famous “Tom Cruise Black Turtleneck” video, where he exposes his true delusions to the true believers. At one point Cruise talks about ethics, and says that he “relentlessly puts ethics in on himself” and he exhorts the others to do the same. What does he mean by “putting ethics in on himself?”  Is this done during the standard auditing process, where overts and withholds are disclosed?  I thought that was just standard Scientology practice? Or is there some formal process similar to the Knowledge Report where one writes up oneself for ethics violations?  How does that work, and what are the ramifications?

(3) I know there are a number of ‘disappeared’ Scientology executives who probably are locked away at Gold Base. Do you think they are legitimately imprisoned in the sense they cannot walk out due to 24/7 security and locked quarters, or do you think it’s truly the ‘prison of belief’ and that they could leave if they so chose and really pushed it? I would think Scientology does worry about what could come down on them from the FBI if they’re truly physically imprisoning folks, but then I read about stories like those from Valerie Haney and Valeska Paris and I wonder.

(4) Do you think there’s any chance the cult drops Danny Masterson, depending on how ugly things get? I can see them throwing him and anyone else who helped cover up things under the bus as rogue members who didn’t follow church policy. When you were in, were you aware of this happening with members that they declared or scapegoated, or was that hidden from those inside? If you were aware, did you or others ever harbor any doubt as to their true intentions versus their stated reasons?

(5) What did orgs look like before the current decorating scheme?

(6) I assume Scientologists tend to be more progressive but how does the group respond to more conservative points of view?

(7) We know OT levels are made up. So why doesn’t David Miscavige come up with some other made up thing for OT 9 and 10, and just say they “found the documents” or “they have been keeping it a secret”?

(8) I know that LRH penned documents on how to do nearly everything (washing windows is the one folks usually mention). Did he ever author any on hygiene? If so, I’m guessing none related to teeth?

This week, it’s answers about “missed withholds” in Scientology, my rather direct thoughts on no-knock warrants, the “People of Praise” and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I watched your interview with Chrstian Szurko and had a question about “missed withholds”. I’ve never heard that term. What did LRH say about them in the Scientology scriptures, what are they and why are they so damaging to people?

(2) What are your thoughts on no-knock versus knock-and-announce when it comes to SWAT teams and drug raids?  I, for one, think everything should be done the knock-and-announce way. I don’t do or sell drugs but I do own firearms and I do keep one loaded and stored safely near my bed.  If someone gave the police my address either by mistake or on purpose and they busted in without announcing themselves first, I would be dead.  How are we to know it’s police knocking down the door at 3 am? It’s hard to concentrate and clear your head after being jolted out of a deep sleep so I fully understand people mistaking police for intruders. 

(3) Just recently discovered your podcast – having grown-up in a conservative Christian family here in Australia, I have been interested in your discussions. With all the chaos currently happening in the US – and the SCOTUS replacement – Amy Barrett’s membership of ‘People of Praise’ is coming under scrutiny. Has anyone closely examined this group as to whether it’s a cult or maybe just has cult-like philosophies?

(4) How varied are the experiences in the TRs? Do Scientologists openly talk about how variable the supposedly uniform concepts are?

(5) What was Hubbard’s rationale for setting this up and requiring them to always be “upstat?” It seems bizarre to me that weekly statistics would be incorporated into any sort of spiritual practice. Are upstat statistics used to create the illusion that Scientology is growing to members? Does requiring rising statistics help ensure that Sea Org and staff work hard to disseminate Scientology? Also, I’ve read that students in Scientology also have to be upstat. Does this apply to all public, or is it just for those training to be auditors? 

(6) Are Scientologists generally “environmentally friendly” such as recycling or being conscious of these things?

(7) Hey Chris. Is there any correlation between the Sea Org symbol and the Seal of the State of Texas? They are very similar. It’s the same seal Texas used as a republic and I was wondering if the sovereignty from the USA Texas had at one time may have inspired LRH, and since he also desired sovereignty, he adopted a similar symbol. Any thoughts?

(8) It seems like many of the former Sea Org guests you’ve had on the show have spent time on the RPF.  Is it ‘normal’ for Sea Org members to have been on the RPF?  Did you know many members that hadn’t spent time there?

Mel and I went live today and answered a number of great questions about Scientology, Batman and a ton of other stuff. Enjoy!

This week, it’s answers on social media, the new Dune movie, the Clear status in Scientology and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) Hey Chris I really enjoyed your most recent live show about social media addiction.   When it comes to oversharing on social media platforms like Facebook, if someone I know posts items to their page more than say two to three times per day they normally get unfollowed.  That or if the only thing they ever share is items related to politics.  Now, having said all of this, here is my question. Is there something in the human psyche that predisposes certain people to this type of behavior?

(2) On the topic of Sci-Fi, are you a fan of the Dune universe? If so, what are your thoughts on the upcoming Dune movie and the recent trailer? Based on the trailer, this looks to be the best adaptation so far.

(3) If previously “Clear” Scientologists are sent to redo their levels because Miscavige claims that the training was imperfect, how are “past life Clears” considered legitimate?

(4) I would like to know what you think the end game is. Most religions don’t allow abortion or birth control because they want to make more of their kind. You think Miscavige isn’t interested in gaining any more members, so what is going on? There is the real estate aspect. If COS crashed and burned what could DM actually walk away with as his own personal fortune? Do you think he is hiding funds?

(5) In August, I was helping out with an information table at a local festival being held at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. When I checked in with an organizer for our table location, one of the nearby tables was “Hubbard Dianetics.” I found it very interesting that there was no “Scientology” designation to be found (although I did observe a number of LRH books, including Dianetics). Is this something new, or did they choose NOT to use Scientology because it was a government-organized event?

(6) How much is Narconon emphasized to members or is it mainly pushed as an outside organization?

(7) Would you agree that the way governments rule directly affect the attitude and culture of the generation in which it rules?

(8) In Scientology, can a person who is not a Scientologist be declared a suppressive person?

This week, it’s answers about Scientology policies, a big breakdown on Knowledge Reports and Scientology’s snitching culture and a whole lot more. Enjoy!

(1) How does Scientology distinguish between Hubbard’s policies that seem to have been directed to a particular problem in time or place (like splitting AOLA) and those which seem to be part of a broader body of reasoning (like the lower conditions)? There seems to have been uneven change in policies and their interpretation over time but no visible methodology of interpretation other than Miscavige’s word.

(2) Hi Chris! I’m curious about knowledge reports. Are they more of a quick, informal note you scribble down or is there a standardised form? How long are they usually? Do you get into great detail? Do people ever make them up and is there an effort made to verify them? Is it seen as a good thing if you write a lot of them or does that implicate that you’re surrounding yourself with (too many) “bad” people? How is a person confronted when they get a knowledge report written on them? Is the writer involved in any way? Do they get feedback of what has been done?

and

Reading other people’s posts and comments, I’m a bit confused about the role of Scientology’s global and continental management when it comes to ethics, reports and investigations. Could you please tell us more about how this branch of Scientology functions? I remember people mentioning that Marty Rathbun as Inspector General of RTC was in some way responsible for supervising ethics globally, is that true?

(3) I briefly worked as a Private Investigator in my youth, so I can attest to shady practices being common, but I wonder what makes the PIs employed by Scientology so willing to engage in aggressive harassment of former members. Are they members of Scientology? Or are they just paid obscenely well? Or does the church just have a knack for finding PIs without a moral compass?

(4) After reading Dianetics I am curious about how Scientologists react to injuries. Hubbard wrote that remaining completely silent around injured people is crucial to avoid giving them engrams, but is this advice strictly followed? If someone becomes injured on a Scientology base, in your experience, does everyone become hush?

(5) The way you ended your episode on the RPF was with a significant personal takeaway. What people could do to you didn’t matter anymore because you had survived the worst the Sea Org could throw at you (on paper, anyway). Do you find that feeling or perspective or attitude has carried over into the rest of your life since you’ve left Scientology?

(6) What is a Scientologist’s diet like? Are some foods off limits? 

(7) Have you ever met or encountered Tommy Davis and his mother Anne Archer during your time in Scientology? Also what are your thoughts in terms of race relations in Scientology?

(8) Are you a fan of Steven Segal? Would you attend a Steven Segal movie marathon? 

This week, it’s answers on ex-Scientologists making “attack” videos, how Scientology chooses how to go about attacking a critic, mixing activism with science and a lot more. Enjoy!

(1) I have observed a distinct pattern of behaviour among ex-destructive cult members but particularly among former Scientologists, that is, a predisposition or tendency to produce attack videos. These videos are typically published on YouTube, and are directed at an individual or individuals who the ex-cult member feels wronged by or objects to in some way. 

Do you think that this practice of creating and distributing attack videos of this nature owes to lingering psychological effects of cultic influence? You have said that any person who has been under a cultic influence and way of thinking, particularly if raised as a child in a destructive cult, will continue to think and behave in a certain way for some time after having left the cult.

Please note that this question is not looking to explore personality drama.

(2) How much thought do Scientologists put into accusations that a critic is a “bigot”? Is it based on a definition within Scientology, a sense that the criticism is unjustifiable or just a vague sense that bigotry is an incorrect negative view? What criteria do they use?

(3) What are your thoughts on people mixing activism with science when it comes to gender identity?  For what it’s worth I am fully on board with trans rights and equal rights for everyone in the LGBTQ community. However these days it seems that activists have thrown science to the side of the road. If you do not check each and every box the same way they do they will try to cancel the hell out of you.  Especially if you are anywhere close to the level of a public figure. I realize this is a touchy subject but I would appreciate hearing your thoughts.

(4) I have a question for you.  Are Scientologists taught to avoid “generalities?”  I’ve seen several Freezone comments that seem to put down general-type statements, but the most blatant example is David Miscavige’s rants (via text message) to Mike Rinder and Tommy Davis about talking in generalities.  He really flies off the handle about generalities in his typical unhinged way.

However, the Scientology “wins” are all generalities.  They talk about greater “beingness” and “at cause” and “knowing myself more than ever before.”  There’s a huge disconnect between what they seem to be taught, and how they describe themselves.  Have you noticed this?

(5) I love your videos and enjoy hearing your insight and experience with Scientology. You recently posted a Critical Clips video discussing the idea of past life Clears and past life OTs. I’ve always wondered what would happen if someone said they were a past life SP or had been declared suppressive in a past life. Is there protocol for this or has it ever happened before? Would they be turned away and does the SP status hold over multiple lifetimes (once an SP, always an SP)? Or, according to their beliefs, would they see it as a good thing you returned to clear it up in your next life and work with you? 

(6) I’ve seen numerous videos of Sea Org members with mobile phones. It’s easy for Scientology to block ‘entheta’ on their computers and on their internal WiFi, but it seems like the mobile phones are a giant hole. There’s no real way to block someone using mobile data from looking up anything they want. Do they simply rely on SO staff not to look? Do they regularly sec check them to ask if they’ve looked? It’s really hard for me to imagine that they don’t wonder why they’re not supposed to look. I know it would kill me. I’m continually astonished at the extreme level of brainwashing within Scientology. It’s amazing you made it out.

(7) What was the most interesting part of the world you had ever visited and did you enjoy it or was it simply to be a vessel to promote Scientology?

(8) Do Scientologists tend to donate organs after they “drop their (meat) bodies”? Organ donation might go against LRH’s goal “to make the able more able” since those needing organ donations aren’t typically very able to work & be on course every day. He just didn’t seem the type to care about others, let alone those he never even met!