Putting Scientology in Perspective

I recently had an exchange with  someone online and realized that critics of Scientology can at times as they experience the "pranks"  of the Scientology cult feel it is all powerful and unstoppable . I mean things like being driven to suicide or insanity and having loved ones murdered or disconnected from or SP declared or worked as slaves in the Sea Org and RPF etc. etc.

Yeah, getting buried in emotionally wrenching heartbreaking accounts of the cult can make it seem all consuming . For those hurt by Scientology it dominates their lives often .The world has a lot more than Scientology in it and fighting the cult is certainly a needed and beneficial, even kind and for some of us morally required act but it should be kept in perspective relative to its place in life .Upon realizing this personally I have found myself experiencing a tremendous relief from anxiety . I hope many exes achieve this, if they need to.

I understand how many exes are quite cynical about human nature after learning about the con , lack of benefit or honesty from Hubbard and his technology and abuses and crimes by the cult . This can be grossly compounded by seeing the endless parade of damning unambiguous publicly available evidence against the cult that meets deafening silence and apparent indifference from governments .

We need to accept our relative limitations and realize the public awareness may need to reach a much higher level to effectively urge or demand action .If you see the size of the current movements to raise the minimum wage or end US support for Israel or hold Wall Street accountable or address police brutality and the glacial pace our government even acknowledges these groups or their ideas at and the tiny issue Scientology is to most people then it puts this in perspective.

To most people Scientology is small potatoes .Taking it on is a long term job . It can help you to meet a lot of great people , but don't let it discourage you about the world at large . They don't know what you do if you are a seasoned ex Scientologist or well informed critic in all likelihood.

The cult's propaganda can subtly influence people's opinions even after they nleace or if they have never even been members .   I thought Scientology was good at controlling people but I found that people who study statistics for cults found a different story .They have found almost no one buys a second or third book or service . Lots of people buy DMSMH or another basic book then find it boring and do not finish it or ever buy anything else .


I read a bit about a study on cults and member retention a while ago. I recall being pleasantly surprised that Scientology has grossly exaggerated its ability to draw in and retain people . I might not have every exact detail verbatim but I think I got the overall themes right . The study I remember said most people leave Scientology in the first two months . And of those left most leave in under two years .

The folks who make it over five years tended to stay .But think about it - less than 1% of people ever buy anything , then most of them do not buy or want anything else , then of those who are persuaded to come back most leave in two months , then of the few left most leave in two years .

When you are in or deep in it can seem like everybody you know is in for life , but that is a carefully maintained illusion .

For people like me we stuck around for decades , but less than 1% of 1% of those who get a book or first service do this . So , food for thought .

I am trying to recall the numbers from memory and may be off , but I feel the point that most people leave in less than two years is right and less than 1% of 1% of people both buy something and stick with Scientology out of the entire population. And that those who stick around over five years often stay and have the hardest time recovering.

So , do not let Scientology overwhelm you and make you feel like it controls the world or someday could . Too few follow it and too many have exposed it and it has never been successful at attracting a large percent of the population and retaining them .

I know it is a tremendous source of heartbreak , loss and suffering if it is your life unfortunately quite often . It is routinely the worst thing that a person encounters if the cult gets a grip on them or their loved ones or targets them for attack .

That cannot be overstated : it ruins lives by the tens of thousands and a strong and continuous effort to expose the cult's crimes and help members recover should be continued . But do not let the darkness of this tiny cancer on mankind block out all of the rest of life . There is some beauty there undamaged by this insidious cult .