There's been a lot said on this subject (yet to be explained) but, the times they *are* a changing, so, I'm going to try to open up what may be a useful discussion.
Back when I first got interested in Scientology (as an opponent) I was like most people getting into a new subject and very enthusiastic about sharing my (often unfounded) opinions.
Mostly I was curious and eager to learn, but, like most people, I had no idea of the depths the subject would lead to. So, like all 'new' people, I thought it should be possible to clarify some misconception by the adherents of an obviously insane belief system and 'free' them from their misconceptions. Heh.
Within a couple of years I learned to recognize that I was a dilettante and that my puny efforts were as naught against the 'Training' in dealing with us 'rational' and 'meatball' wogs. Scientology had *every* answer, and, worse, the mere act of asking questions would trigger a defensive wall more impermeable than 20 inches of bondo with james bondian auto-weapons.
So, I got used to *not* worrying about 'convincing' Scientologists and, instead, just listening to them, often if only to discern the often changing 'party line'.
The fact *is* that Scientologists are *not* convinced out of Scientology. They leave for their own reasons; not because someone found a 'chink' in their armor. The 'Critic' community has always had a bit of a dispute about this subject. For the most part, the saner and more experienced 'critics' recognized that Scientology Opposition was mostly about educating *non-Scientologists*; not Scientologists, who have what is, when it's functioning, a *perfect* defense against 'outside agitators'.
Naturally, there were always disputes. Newbies to the scene always think you can 'talk' and are sometimes embarassingly blind to the 'handling'. I know I was. And, some who should know better were *certain* that there had to be a 'magic word' or 'silver bullet' you could use to 'get people out'.
In my opinion, there is no such thing. The Scientology defense is *very very good*. And, I have spent years attempting to direct 'critical attention' to informing the public at large (including Scientologists) to the problems with Scientology, rather than concentrating on 'getting people out', which I considered a waste of time.
I'm starting this thread now because I think there is a paradigm shift. There is a sea change. There is a critical mass reached where the tactics *can* change.
And, the reason is that such a large percentage of *current* Scientologists *have* been informed, thanks to wog media and activism that they *have* been investigating Scientology on their own and *are* very close to 'out' themselves. And, ESMB itself is one of the very important elements of this, because, while a Scientologist *won't* listen to a wog or a renegade, there are now so many people *out* that there is a community of those people and the people only marginally 'in'.
Not saying that people should be 'trying' to 'get people out', because that instantly triggers the 'enemy' button, but, it's become a valid and effective tactic in halting the ongoing horror of Scientology.
Zinj
Back when I first got interested in Scientology (as an opponent) I was like most people getting into a new subject and very enthusiastic about sharing my (often unfounded) opinions.
Mostly I was curious and eager to learn, but, like most people, I had no idea of the depths the subject would lead to. So, like all 'new' people, I thought it should be possible to clarify some misconception by the adherents of an obviously insane belief system and 'free' them from their misconceptions. Heh.
Within a couple of years I learned to recognize that I was a dilettante and that my puny efforts were as naught against the 'Training' in dealing with us 'rational' and 'meatball' wogs. Scientology had *every* answer, and, worse, the mere act of asking questions would trigger a defensive wall more impermeable than 20 inches of bondo with james bondian auto-weapons.
So, I got used to *not* worrying about 'convincing' Scientologists and, instead, just listening to them, often if only to discern the often changing 'party line'.
The fact *is* that Scientologists are *not* convinced out of Scientology. They leave for their own reasons; not because someone found a 'chink' in their armor. The 'Critic' community has always had a bit of a dispute about this subject. For the most part, the saner and more experienced 'critics' recognized that Scientology Opposition was mostly about educating *non-Scientologists*; not Scientologists, who have what is, when it's functioning, a *perfect* defense against 'outside agitators'.
Naturally, there were always disputes. Newbies to the scene always think you can 'talk' and are sometimes embarassingly blind to the 'handling'. I know I was. And, some who should know better were *certain* that there had to be a 'magic word' or 'silver bullet' you could use to 'get people out'.
In my opinion, there is no such thing. The Scientology defense is *very very good*. And, I have spent years attempting to direct 'critical attention' to informing the public at large (including Scientologists) to the problems with Scientology, rather than concentrating on 'getting people out', which I considered a waste of time.
I'm starting this thread now because I think there is a paradigm shift. There is a sea change. There is a critical mass reached where the tactics *can* change.
And, the reason is that such a large percentage of *current* Scientologists *have* been informed, thanks to wog media and activism that they *have* been investigating Scientology on their own and *are* very close to 'out' themselves. And, ESMB itself is one of the very important elements of this, because, while a Scientologist *won't* listen to a wog or a renegade, there are now so many people *out* that there is a community of those people and the people only marginally 'in'.
Not saying that people should be 'trying' to 'get people out', because that instantly triggers the 'enemy' button, but, it's become a valid and effective tactic in halting the ongoing horror of Scientology.
Zinj