Wow, I stumbled across this site about an hour ago, and its like a weight lifted off my shoulders.
I'm not alone. I left Scientology. And I'm rebuilding my life.
I was 14 when I joined staff at a Class V org in South Africa. At the time the ED was just declared an SP.
I remember feeling sad for her. She seemed nice.
In any case, by then I had done my Student Hat, HDA, the basic Div 6 courses. And just got through doing the staff statuses.
I was on the TTC programme.
However I was 14yrs old! My family had moved back to our home town (3hours away)
I was on staff full time. Yet had to pay rent, eat, survive. And then go to the org and study full time.
My dad was worried sick, yet each time the org convinced him, I'd be taken care of.
I never went home on wknds. And rarely saw my family. In a way I downplayed what I was going thru, to my dad.
But with rarely getting paid. I had to find another place to stay. Rarely ate. I was in and out of ethics.
Each time the ethics officer accused me of displaying SP traits.
I didn't want to expand our org. I didn't want to save people. Yet I was 14! Hadn't had a home cooked meal in a year! I was at that place for 2.5 years.
and of coure they got me to re-sign my contract. Yet I had convinced myself I'd see the first contract out so that I didn't end up with a freeloader bill.
Eventually at 16. After sleeping in the library for 2 days. I just walked out.
And I didn't look back.
I called my dad and told him I was coming home.
Today, 10 years later, I have my own business. Have a beautiful daughter. And thankful that I found the strength to leave.
I've not given all the details. But even just telling you this. Is lifting an awful weight