This reminds me of an early experience I had many years ago.
I was just out of the US Navy, and early into Scientology, likely HQS. A couple of SO recruiters met with me and my then girlfriend at a neutral location, a small one-off coffee shop.
Having, in recent years, put in two tours of Vietnam, I knew with complete certainty that I was never going to get on another ship to fight a war, real or imagined, on someone else's determinism. They bragged about how when Hubbard gives an order or makes a request you just do it. You make things go right. Right? Like them running out of money, unable to buy gas, they got the dribbles out of pumps along the way to accumulate enough gas to get to their appointment. And this is OT? At the time I thought it was simply theft and abject poverty. OT? Really? How about being OT enough to plan ahead and buy some gas?
Comparing Scn to the Navy, I knew for damned certain that I would not get on any ship where the command was from a single individual, a potential tyrant. At least the military is restrained by the clearly defined Uniformed Code of Military Justice, and not by individual whim or decree that would violate this Code or impose individual will. Geezus. I wasn't going back in the US Navy. I am sure as hell not joining an underfunded, pretend navy for little to no pay.
My girl's response was simply, "I just started this 2D. So I'm with him." Had she said otherwise, that would have ended the relationship because my decisions on the matter of me joining the SO were firm.
The recruiters asked over and over, "Why?" My response offered no detail, and it was simply, "Because I say so," or, "Because I do not want to."
I did not know it at the time but, this is a power processing EP. (For me if not anyone else.) I held my position. The conversation ended with the two muttering between themselves that they would have to report these results up-line. My attitude, "Do what you have to do. No affect on me."
We were invited to take a ride on their boat which was tied up to a pier in San Diego. We arrived, and were given a look-over of their pride, then a limp around the bay. If there was ever any chance (there was none) that I would join the SO, this look at the boat they were so proud of, ended it. This POS would never pass inspection where I came from. It ran on one engine. In berthing there was dirty clothes strewn all over. The bunks were unmade still at mid-day. Stench of BO. Rust. I could go on…
Done!
Here's my point: Do not play the game of reasons why. Just say, "No." Give no information, nothing to "handle." Retain or gather back your power.