Mark A. Baker
Sponsor
... I agree, promoting the idiocy of the details of the OT III materials can help warn people away from the general dangers of Scientology. That is true. I say go for it. But, in a purely technical sense, it just isn't that integral to the whole scam.
That is my opinion. You are entitled to yours. ...
I find it is typically sufficient to point out the following ....
1. The Co$ is a dangerous and abusive cult with an ample history of abusing members & non-members alike.
2. L. Ron Hubbard was a tremendously conflicted and troubled individual who intentionally inter-mixed self-serving doctrines among the materials of scientology for his direct personal benefit.
3. Whereas scientology auditing practices themselves have much to offer, the promises seemingly made by hubbard and the church are marketing hype and can not be taken as literally true.
4. Any benefits which may derive from an individual's practice of scientology result from the application of the principles laid out on the "lower bridge".
5. The "upper bridge" as delivered by the Co$ largely reflect the obsessive fixations of l. ron hubbard and his own insistence that what he believed to be true was necessarily true for all others. Not only is that prima facie absurd, it is a direct violation of scientology fundamental principles.
6. To the extent a particular individual might actually benefit from running the specific processes involved of the "upper bridge" it has nothing to do with hubbard's explanation of the levels or the "need" to do them.
These statements all have the benefit of being truthful and rationally defensible in dispute. Moreover, I've rarely had to go beyond statement #1 above in cautioning others about potential abuses. Few people will willfully choose to associate themselves with a crazy and abusive cult. Of course, there will always be some.
Mark A. Baker