Greetings AD,
I want to commend you on a very insightful post. I've studied cognitive psychology and have read many studies on cognitive dissonance theory, which predicts precisely this behavior. The ability of humans to rationalize seemingly irrational behavior is simply astounding.
Anyway, cognitive dissonance refers to an uncomfortable feeling or tension that results when we simultaneously hold two contradictory thoughts. For example, imagine that you bought a new Lexus for $70,000 and noticed that the seat had terrible lumbar support and poor ride comfort. You would be stuck with two competing thoughts. First, I bought an expensive luxury car, which should be comfortable. Second, this car doesn't meet my expectations for comfort. To resolve this dissonance, you might focus on the car's other attributes, such as its acceleration, safety record, leather interior, radio, navigation system, etc. It would be very hard to accept, for most people, that they spent $70,000 on a product with major defects. One could return the car, but this is much more difficult than changing their beliefs. Incidentally, CD theory predicts that individuals will typically modify their thoughts instead of their behaviors because it requires less effort. In this case, the consumer is rationalizing away his behavior by adding consonant beliefs (these are new beliefs that change the balance between the two contradictory beliefs).
So, Scientology uses high price tags in a crafty way to manipulate people into spending massive amounts of money on services. Once the dupe has taken the bait, the opportunity cost of admitting one's stupidity is incredibly high. And they have added an interesting little twist by creating the appearance of being the sole providers of spiritual freedom. Admitting one is wrong could trash one's eternity! The e-meter and sec checking are a fabulous means of increasing the social and economic costs of dissent. Additionally, new donations are linked to old donations in an insidious way. Since you've already invested so much money, to say 'enough is enough' would involve admitting one's previous donations were excessive.
Jeffrey
The more people pay the harder it is for them to speak up because they know they will look like an ass proportionately to what they have paid. It's easier to go with the flow and keep your mouth shut.
So the regging is ruthless to extort that security from the public.
What is amazing is just how much money it takes to "wake up"... as well as how much time in does it take to "wake up". It was like the more you paid the "better" you were or the longer you were in the "better" you were. Scientology's own caste system. ##%^*%@##$@!!!!!!