Look Who's Reading

[Bea Kiddo]

See, cults have to apply information control on their members.

Those who control the information control the person. In a mind control cult any information from outside the cult is considered evil, especially if it is opposing the cult. Members are told not to read it or believe it. Only information supplied by the cult is true. One cult labels any information against it as "persecution" or "spiritual pornography", another cult calls it "apostate literature" and will expel you from the group if you are caught with it. Cults train their members to instantly destroy any critical information given to them, and to not even entertain the thought that the information could be true.

Common sense tells us that a person who does not consider all information may make an unbalanced decision. Filtering the information available or trying to discredit it not on the basis of how true it is, but rather on the basis of how it supports the party line, is a common control method used throughout history.

It has nothing to do with Clearing the Planet.

See more here

That reminds me eerily of the communism forming in Venezuela when I was there, which continues forming to this day.

 

[Tanstaafl]

I'm halfway through Steve Hassan's book and I have already come to the conclusion that COS is run as a cult. I had previously considered that it was just fubar, but as LRH points out about staff members - "they are always doing something".

 

[Alanzo]

I'm halfway through Steve Hassan's book and I have already come to the conclusion that COS is run as a cult. I had previously considered that it was just fubar, but as LRH points out about staff members - "they are always doing something".

Which one are you reading?

"Combatting Cult Mind Control"

or

"Releasing the Bonds"?

 

[Tanstaafl]

Which one are you reading?

"Combatting Cult Mind Control"

or

"Releasing the Bonds"?

Sorry, didn't realise there was more than one: Combatting Cult Mind Control.

 

[Alanzo]

Sorry, didn't realise there was more than one: Combatting Cult Mind Control.

What are some interesting points you've found in the book?

 

[Krysti]

Does anyone know a Dermot (I can't remember his last name) from the Dublin Org. Just curious because he used to post on Topix and then left after he libelled someone who had previously sued the church. I'm thinking he must have gotten in huge trouble by the CofS. I think his brother is a lawyer.

Anyway, just wondering. Some of us at Topix have been concerned about what happened to him.

Thanks,

Krysti

 

[Tanstaafl]

What are some interesting points you've found in the book?

The points of commonality with other cults, such as restriction of access to outside information, the demonisation of critics, the emphasis that you are following "the one true way", control of your communication lines, lack of any democratic process in decision-making despite the organisation being a fellowship, excessive work demands and low pay, etc.

What I most like about the book is that the author is not a fanatic for getting people out of cults. He has a patient and well-reasoned approach.

 

[Zinjifar]

The points of commonality with other cults, such as restriction of access to outside information, the demonisation of critics, the emphasis that you are following "the one true way", control of your communication lines, lack of any democratic process in decision-making despite the organisation being a fellowship, excessive work demands and low pay, etc.

What I most like about the book is that the author is not a fanatic for getting people out of cults. He has a patient and well-reasoned approach.

Gee. that's not what 'Religious Freedom Watch' says

Zinj

 

[Tanstaafl]

Gee. that's not what 'Religious Freedom Watch' says

I can only go from the impression I get from reading the book. I'd have to see the guy in action to make a valid assessment. Overall, I like the tone of the book - it's not into make-wrong or invalidative of cult members.

From 'Religious Freedom Watch':
"Hassan falsely presents himself as an “expert” on religions, basing his theories on the work of psychologist Margaret Singer whose theories have been rejected as unscientific by the American Psychological Association."

Nice to see CoS drawing on the APA for validation of their viewpoint.
Jesus, you can't have it both ways!

 

[Vinaire]

Well, those key points do make sense.

The above key point makes the Christian Churches the predator cults.

.

 

[Björkist]

Well, those key points do make sense.

The about key point makes the Christian Churches the predator cults.

.

Seriously! But as long as they are murdering homos and pagans, I'm cool with it.

 

[Emma]

Does anyone know a Dermot (I can't remember his last name) from the Dublin Org. Just curious because he used to post on Topix and then left after he libelled someone who had previously sued the church. I'm thinking he must have gotten in huge trouble by the CofS. I think his brother is a lawyer.

Anyway, just wondering. Some of us at Topix have been concerned about what happened to him.

Thanks,

Krysti

I have a feeling that Dermot guy was one of the "crew" that kept on getting critical MySpace profiles deleted, along with "coil" and a few others.

I'm not sure what happened to him. He was a nasty piece of work.

 

[Terril park]

I can only go from the impression I get from reading the book. I'd have to see the guy in action to make a valid assessment. Overall, I like the tone of the book - it's not into make-wrong or invalidative of cult members.

From 'Religious Freedom Watch':
"Hassan falsely presents himself as an “expert” on religions, basing his theories on the work of psychologist Margaret Singer whose theories have been rejected as unscientific by the American Psychological Association."

Nice to see CoS drawing on the APA for validation of their viewpoint.
Jesus, you can't have it both ways!

The COS have well established this precedent. Its a " religion" that sues the ass of others who practice that same religion.

Ask David mayo.

 

[Terril park]

Does anyone know a Dermot (I can't remember his last name) from the Dublin Org. Just curious because he used to post on Topix and then left after he libelled someone who had previously sued the church. I'm thinking he must have gotten in huge trouble by the CofS. I think his brother is a lawyer.

Anyway, just wondering. Some of us at Topix have been concerned about what happened to him.

Thanks,

Krysti

There was a big flap in Ireland, a lawsuit lost or something. Much bucks lost in damages as I recall. Try googling ARS in various ways for more details. Less anyone here has the info.

 

[Krysti]

I have a feeling that Dermot guy was one of the "crew" that kept on getting critical MySpace profiles deleted, along with "coil" and a few others.

I'm not sure what happened to him. He was a nasty piece of work.

Dermot Ryan, that's his name. I believe his whole family are scientologists.

Is that who you're thinking of?

 

[Zinjifar]

Dermot Ryan, that's his name. I believe his whole family are scientologists.

Is that who you're thinking of?

The story went something like this;
Dermot was 'handling' the Topix forum and got a little carried away while DA'ing some woman whom he and his brother had harassed for demanding a refund from the Dublin Org. She had picketed with Bonnie Woods and Dermott said some nasty (and libelous) things about both. If I remember right, his big brother is the DSA for Dublin; not sure about that, but, he's a 'big wheel' anyway.

So, Dermot blows it big time and libels Bonnie Woods *again* and gets pulled in on a short leash and forced to publicly apologize on Topix and then disappears. Dunno; did he come back?

Zinj

 

[Krysti]

There was a big flap in Ireland, a lawsuit lost or something. Much bucks lost in damages as I recall. Try googling ARS in various ways for more details. Less anyone here has the info.

I know there was a libel case filed by Bonnie Woods a few years ago.

It was settled with the following stipulations:

* A profuse apology was read out in open court by Scientology's counsel, officially acknowledging that hurtful statements made about Bonnie were untrue.
* Damages of 55 thousand pounds and costs of a further 100,000 pounds have been paid to Bonnie from Scientology's account. Bonnie's bankrupcy is now discharged, so she gets to keep the money.
* Scientology has accepted an injunction which prevents them from repeating the libels. If they mount another hate campaign against Bonnie, they face prison and large financial penalties.

Dermot was on Topix making libelous statements again earlier this year. Then one day, he issued the following apology on Topix and no one has heard from his since.

http://www.topix.net/forum/religion/scientology/T2DLJCGT8Q1BQ325Q

 

[Krysti]

Dunno; did he come back?
Zinj

No, he never did come back. Was just wondering if anyone over here knew anything about what happened to him after that.

 

[Terril park]

I know there was a libel case filed by Bonnie Woods a few years ago.

It was settled with the following stipulations:

* A profuse apology was read out in open court by Scientology's counsel, officially acknowledging that hurtful statements made about Bonnie were untrue.
* Damages of 55 thousand pounds and costs of a further 100,000 pounds have been paid to Bonnie from Scientology's account. Bonnie's bankrupcy is now discharged, so she gets to keep the money.
* Scientology has accepted an injunction which prevents them from repeating the libels. If they mount another hate campaign against Bonnie, they face prison and large financial penalties.

Dermot was on Topix making libelous statements again earlier this year. Then one day, he issued the following apology on Topix and no one has heard from his since.

http://www.topix.net/forum/religion/scientology/T2DLJCGT8Q1BQ325Q

Bonnie Woods was quite a while ago. This URL below should get you to information about the more recent case in Dublin. Looks like Dermot's big
brother was COS spokesman.

http://www.rickross.com/reference/scientology/scien442.html

 

[Krysti]

Bonnie Woods was quite a while ago. This URL below should get you to information about the more recent case in Dublin. Looks like Dermot's big
brother was COS spokesman.

http://www.rickross.com/reference/scientology/scien442.html

Thanks, Terril. I should have included Mary Johnston in my above post also. Dermot was talking about her too (this was around March of this year).