You have a good point–“In a way, Richie can not criticize the church for taking all his money away, because he used those same methods to make his money.” Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.

Cool!

I live in Paris.. The one in.. Well, not Texas…

Plymouth – the one in the UK

Now that’s more like it!

Where do you live, OB?

In a way, Richie can not criticize the church for taking all his money away, because he used those same methods to make his money. I have noticed that all Scientologists who are in sales and are donating big money to the church are basically dishonest. As you say, loose with the facts, overwhelm and speed to close sales.

Now I come to think of it, the really disturbing thing about ‘that look’ is that it was apparently not ‘assumed’ when in the company of other Scientologists, but worn in everyday life.

You expect people to act strangely during extreme religious practices (e.g. speaking in tongues) but you don’t expect them to do this on the way to work.

French (and to a lesser extent English) law and culture are far less tolerant towards a religious defence (which used to be called ‘benefit of clergy’ here). Scientology evolved in the US, and had learned how to exploit the 1st amendment perfectly. We have it relatively easy.

And don’t worry – Clearwater would be a side trip from Florida, where I would be watching a heavy-lift rocket launch…

Hmm. Richie was just a flashy salesman, lots of confidence and swagger, loose with the facts and used overwhelm and speed to close his sales. He was the perfect Scientologist. The place was run like a Scientology org–org boards, ethics conditions, stats–the whole nine yards. Some salesmen were making money hand over fists. And like any sales organization, those were the people who were lionized. Everyone who worked there were Scientologists and like all good Scientologists we, including Richie, credited Hubbard with the success Richie was having. It is so ironic that the Church was also the ruin of his business. That is the Church’s model. Once he had built it up, the Church raided it. The Church eat their young. It’s pretty sickening really. That’s really just business as usual for a Scientology company.

The Dude would LOVE it! I did enjoy it immensely !

Well, I am French, and live in France,a d I ma glad to day we are putting the hammer to the organization here (not that they haven’t been asking for it!)

The s-States are great! I hope you won’t waste too much time in Clearwater!