Andrew Moore
Patron
Hello!
The name is Andrew Moore. I was Cope Off at St. Louis Org for 2 1/2 years at the end of the 90s, moved out to LA with my lovely wife at contract end, and worked for "Elite" FSM Joyce Wallace for a couple of years. After some pretty rotten experiences at Celebrity Centre, the wife and I began drifting offlines. We've been "out" essentially for the past five years.
Here's our story in a nutshell, as written on my blog:
We were determined to keep a low-profile, until we read Jeff Hawkins' story. We both figured if he could go through all that he went through, make the sacrifices he made, and generally triumph over the shittiest of situations, what the hell is our problem? We never really gelled with the West Coast Scientology crowd (we've never made the kind of money that would put us on a line-up), and the only family member we had in the church now lives a few hundred miles from the nearest org. Really, what's keeping us from speaking out?
If there are any St. Louis people, former Joyce Wallace selectees, or former students of Lynette McNeill lurking on this board -- and I'm sure there are -- please email me. I'd love to catch up, and nothing feels better than finding someone you can talk to about all this stuff. Pamela and I are lucky, because we have each other.
The name is Andrew Moore. I was Cope Off at St. Louis Org for 2 1/2 years at the end of the 90s, moved out to LA with my lovely wife at contract end, and worked for "Elite" FSM Joyce Wallace for a couple of years. After some pretty rotten experiences at Celebrity Centre, the wife and I began drifting offlines. We've been "out" essentially for the past five years.
Here's our story in a nutshell, as written on my blog:
Well over a decade ago, my wife and I stepped over the thresh hold of the Church of Scientology of St. Louis. We both signed two and a half year contracts, and had the pleasure of working with some of the most forthright and honorable people we've ever met. Still, there was a significant disconnect between the stated aims of the Church, and the corporate climate we found ourselves in.
Although we never experienced the kind of abuse that is coming to light now, we certainly experienced the collateral effects of that abuse. Hateful, screaming phone calls from "up lines" in Los Angeles; insane, micro-managing programs sent down from on high; and the incessant interference from stridently zealous Sea Org missionaires revealed an organization not run on high affinity, communication and reality, but rather a brutal, top-down, command and control tyranny.
There is a lot of good in the study of Scientology, a lot of useful tools -- particularly at the lower end of the Bridge. There are many good people who genuinely want to help others and make this a better world.
Unfortunately, that technology and those people are beholden to a leader and a culture completely inconsistent with the stated aims. As such, we cannot in good conscience continue to align ourselves, even tacitly, with such an organization.
I would apologize to any of our friends currently in the church, but I'm not sorry for the impact this may have on you. I hope it upsets you enough that you decide to look for yourself, and apply your own personal integrity to the existing scene. Outpoints abound and you're not the only one who sees them. Look, don't listen.
For more information, I highly recommend both of Jeff Hawkins' blogs: His personal memoirs of thirty-five years in the sea org at Counterfeit Dreams, and his current commentary at Leaving Scientology. His story is compelling and very well written. If you're in the church and sensitive to such things, be advised that he does touch on the confidential materials.
And of course, you can always contact me if you have any questions: andrewmoore_[insert at sign here]hotmail.com.
Although we never experienced the kind of abuse that is coming to light now, we certainly experienced the collateral effects of that abuse. Hateful, screaming phone calls from "up lines" in Los Angeles; insane, micro-managing programs sent down from on high; and the incessant interference from stridently zealous Sea Org missionaires revealed an organization not run on high affinity, communication and reality, but rather a brutal, top-down, command and control tyranny.
There is a lot of good in the study of Scientology, a lot of useful tools -- particularly at the lower end of the Bridge. There are many good people who genuinely want to help others and make this a better world.
Unfortunately, that technology and those people are beholden to a leader and a culture completely inconsistent with the stated aims. As such, we cannot in good conscience continue to align ourselves, even tacitly, with such an organization.
I would apologize to any of our friends currently in the church, but I'm not sorry for the impact this may have on you. I hope it upsets you enough that you decide to look for yourself, and apply your own personal integrity to the existing scene. Outpoints abound and you're not the only one who sees them. Look, don't listen.
For more information, I highly recommend both of Jeff Hawkins' blogs: His personal memoirs of thirty-five years in the sea org at Counterfeit Dreams, and his current commentary at Leaving Scientology. His story is compelling and very well written. If you're in the church and sensitive to such things, be advised that he does touch on the confidential materials.
And of course, you can always contact me if you have any questions: andrewmoore_[insert at sign here]hotmail.com.
We were determined to keep a low-profile, until we read Jeff Hawkins' story. We both figured if he could go through all that he went through, make the sacrifices he made, and generally triumph over the shittiest of situations, what the hell is our problem? We never really gelled with the West Coast Scientology crowd (we've never made the kind of money that would put us on a line-up), and the only family member we had in the church now lives a few hundred miles from the nearest org. Really, what's keeping us from speaking out?
If there are any St. Louis people, former Joyce Wallace selectees, or former students of Lynette McNeill lurking on this board -- and I'm sure there are -- please email me. I'd love to catch up, and nothing feels better than finding someone you can talk to about all this stuff. Pamela and I are lucky, because we have each other.
to ESMB and I hope you find some of your friends on this board.
