Notice: Fredric Rice may have removed segments of the replies given to questions if they contained copyrighted materials. After a very short while, Scientology "experts" refused to answer questions and started cut-and-pasting copyrighted cult propaganda. Additionally I removed URLs in some of the replies, and left them in others. And it's also important to note that eventually the unfortunate "Greg Churilov" cultist was ejected from askme.com for his typical Scientological behavior.

wileygyle asked this question on 5/8/2000:

It is with some disappointment that I note the absence of Desertphile's answers here, since he seemed to be one of the better informed experts here. If the board is left to nothing but Scientology bridge salesmen, won't it be like seeking answers about lung cancer from spokesmen for the Tobacco Institute?

I see a common refrain from some experts complaining not about answers, but indeed any questions which veer too much from the Q&A 'catechism' section of "What is Scientology?", the Church of Scientology's promotional book. I have to ask this, if only rhetorically: Should someone really seek answers from those who fear or despise questions?

honorarykid gave this response on 5/9/2000:

Desertphile has apparently been reinstated as an expert by the AskMe.com administrators.

I'm glad to have him back.

One of the things that I have noticed in my 5 years of political opposition to the CoS, is that the "church" is very sneaky and opportunistic when it comes to dealing with criticism. It tends to apply some of the same tactics to those involved in public debate as it does with its members.

Most notably, TR-Bullbait and TR-3 (lying) are sometimes practiced on critics.

Intentional provocations are made, and sometimes those provocations get a rise out of the critic, and he or she reacts in an emotional way. The emotional reaction then becomes, in the CoS mind's eye, all the proof that is needed to conclude the critic is violent or hostile or bigoted.

I've seen this pattern over and over. The best way to combat this strategy, is to temper your emotional reactions. Don't let intentional provocations have the desired result. Refuse to get riled up and keep your reactions and behaviors strictly proper. Continue to tell the truth in a dispassionate, sensible way.

It's not always easy or possible to restrain ones self in this way, but it really does pay dividends in the long run.

Further facts about this criminal empire may be found at Operation Clambake and FACTNet.

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