I think that this board also "solidifies" peoples' decision to get out and makes them immune to "recovery" efforts.
When I came here I was afraid to answer the phone because I was afraid that person would say the "right" thing and talk me into going back. When the caller ID had a Scientology number, I would get nervous, sick and scared. At that time I knew there was "something wrong" but still thought it was current management or something and that if things changed the glorious bridge would be there to save this sector of the universe.
By reading and posting here I've been able to take advantage of the experiences of others and their knowledge to gain a broad perspective and realization that I really am not a Scientologist. There is no way in hell anyone will be able to talk me into "repair auditing" or another PTS/SP course or buying another tape set. I am gone for good. This board has made me invulnerable to any kind of "handling".
So it's not just good for getting people out, but for keeping them out. I think that any future attempts on their part to "handle the ARC broken field" will fail. Nobody could read the stories here and want that for themselves or their families.
So add that to the equation. ESMB has greatly reduced "second chances" for the CofS. Once people blow, they really are gone now.
-TL
These are great points. While in the Church you are not allowed to discuss anything that is at all questioning, unsure, or even approaching criticism. The effective Scientology ban on talking freely and negatively about anything having to do with Hubbard or the Church acts to isolate each person. The illusion is that "we are a group", but the truth is that due to the self-inflicted acceptance of control in many forms, each member is really quite isolated, since he or she can ONLY express pro-group sentiments.
But, I have no doubt that many Church members do think about negative aspects that they notice. These discussion boards finally give the very isolated member a chance to, pretty much for the first time, actually FREELY TALK ABOUT these things he or she has noticed - but has been unable to communicate about previously.
The "no verbal data" rule, and the "all criticism is bad and indicates overts and withholds" axiom, act to stifle any free communication within the Scientology environment. The ONLY place any Church member can voice disagreement or discomfort with some aspect of Scientology is in session with an auditor, to a word clearer, or in Qual. And, in each of those cases you will be
handled to no longer have those divergent views. If you do mention anything even slightly critical,
regardless of how true and correct your sttatement might be (truth is irrelevant in the Church environment), you will quickly end up in ethics, often getting screamed at. Fellow members have been thoroughly indoctrinated to write KRs on other Church members who dispaly ANY undesirable behavior. Critical views are quickly caught through the very well designed "member monitoring system" inherent in organized Scientology. Out-of-sync ideas don't go long undetected within the rigid official Scientology environment.
For me, as I am sure with so many other members, when I was still involved with the Church of Scientology I simply learned to shut my mouth, to not make waves, and to "play the game as I understood the rules". But, for me, I always disliked that a "path to truth" should involve SO MUCH of a requirement for inner silencing, hiding of the truth, and a complete block on the free expression of undesirable observations and views.
These discussion boards, for the first time, allow any Church member or ex-member, to finally vent and let out what he or she saw, but was unable to previously express. THAT can often feel VERY GOOD!
The ability to communicate these things also builds up ones strength to resist their future shenanignas. You can fully come to realize, as stated above by Tiger Lily, that you really do NOT any longer
fully align with what is called a "Scientologist". Yes, you may like some aspects of Hubbard's data, but you are finally free to look with care and discretion at BOTH sides. You were never allowed to admit there could even BE AN OTHER SIDE while active in the Church of Scientology.