Application of the Tech

Question answered by honorarykid in Scientology

Ork asked this question on 10/9/2000:

When I first started lurking on Scientology forums, I was mystified by the seemingly random abuse and ridiculously ott allegations of the 'defenders' of Scientology.

Once I understood the basis of the 'tech' they were using it became laughably formulaic. Every time a Scientologist comes onto a forum like this and applies the tech he/she comes across as rabid.

From approaching the subject completely cold, the main negative impress of Scientology I gained was from the Scientologists!

It's pretty well established in public relations that behaving in a highly aggressive manner is counter-productive. Seeing picket footage is particularly damning.

I wanted to ask if any other newbies to the Scientology debate had the same experience?

Also are there any Scientologists who acknowledge that this particular piece of tech isn't working?

honorarykid gave this response on 10/10/2000:

There are some Scientologists who recognize that certain tactics are not working, of course.

But this is the insidious part about trying to correct problems with the church; they know that if they agitate for change, they will quickly be labeled as suppressive.

A Scientologist really has only two choices, and the consequences of the more ethical choice can be very dire.

If they press their church for reforms, they will be kicked out, which sometimes means their loved ones who are still members will "disconnect" from them.

The easier choice is to just force themselves to "see no evil" as it were. Avoid problems and confrontations by simply refusing to acknowlege them. In my observation, many, many Scientologists self-hypnotize to do just that. They pretend, with astonishing regularity, that everything is just fine within their group, and all problems are, by definition, created by outsiders. They create pat answers to recite to themselves and to the world when they start to feel doubts.

There was a great line from the drug-dealing high school kid in the movie "American Beauty." He said, "Never underestimate the power of denial."

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