Two former Church of Scientology members who grew up in the church but in different eras, Aaron Smith-Levin and former church spokesman Mike Rinder, are back with more from their recent conversation which Aaron recorded as part of his series, “Growing Up in Scientology.”
Here’s what Aaron says was discussed in this episode…
In this interview Mike and I take turns discussing what we were taught while growing up in Scientology. We answer the following questions:
— What were you taught about the value of family, parents, or having kids?
Advertisement— What kinds of things did people say, or were you told to minimize the importance of or allegiance to one’s family?
— The reasons why you could not, should want to, or did not need to go to family holidays or gatherings.
— The reasons why having kids was not important, or not as important as being on staff or in the SO.
— The reasons why it was OK to disconnect from family members.
— The reasons why parent-child relationships were not actually “real.”
— What were you taught to think about other religions & God?
— Does god exist?
— Do other religions have value?
— Are other religions read or valid?
— Can a Scientologist really also be a Christian or a Jew, etc. and practice these religions?
— Why does the Church claim that this is the case?We also discuss Alfreddie Johnson, Louis Farrakhan, and the Nation of Islam.
In addition, we discuss the claim that L. Ron Hubbard left behind OT levels above OT 8. Learning that Hubbard did not leave behind any further OT Levels beyond OT 8 was an important factor in my coming to terms with the fact that Scientology is, at its core, a lie. This fact might be very obvious to those who have been watching Scientology from the outside, but to those still in, they have never been exposed to this information from sources they consider credible. So one of the things I’ve been trying to do is document this fact from people in a position to know.
Jump to 43:25 to hear Mike discuss what personal experiences with David Miscavige, Pat Broeker and Ray Mithoff led him to be certain that Hubbard did not leave behind any further OT levels, despite what Scientologists have been told for more than 30 years.
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Bonus photos from our tipsters
Here’s today’s lost gem from XENU TV, and this is what Mark Bunker has to say about it: “Filmed on July 24th, 1999, I joined Barb and Zinjifar as they passed out fliers at the San Diego Gay Pride Parade with info on Scientology’s view of homosexuality. We met a man who had joined the Sea Org for a year at L.A.’s Celebrity Center and he shared his experiences.”
Harlem is hot! But the org is still only coming “soon.” Sheesh.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 1, 2016 at 07:00
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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…
BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts
Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield
