Hello I am new here and just wanted to post something as an ex-Scientologist. Like gp1628 said, I also left Scientology for the invasion in my personal life, unrealistic goals and of pressure to donate for services. Most of the things you heard about Scientology are mostly not true. Hubbard did not create the religion in order to make money, it is a common rumor, nor is the religion a cult or anything terrifying. The people who spread these beliefs are either religious bigots or angry ex-members. These are the real scam artists and con men, not L. Ron Hubbard. Now as far as beliefs, Scientology is a borrowed religion, from Gnosticism, which was mentioned before, to Spiritualism, the Occult, Christian Science, Buddhism and even the Baha'i Faith plus many more. What is borrowed from the Baha'I Faith is a similar idea about a new civilization. In Scientology it is called a clear planet and in my opinion Hubbard directly borrowed exactly similar ideas of unity and peace from the Baha'i Faith. The main difference being that in Scientology, this cleared planet must happen before the Earth blows itself up and is do Scientologists imminent. The Earth is a hell and only Scientology can undue the horror and decay of society. In the Baha’I Faith and let me know if I am wrong, the Earth is growing into a mature age and that world peace is simply immanent rather then the Earth being is terror is it more optimistic, no?
I left because I am not qualified for Scientology anymore and in my opinion this kind of practice makes Scientology exclusive. One of my many disagreements was over staff, which like it was said before is not real employment and you pretty much get paid hardly anything. I was on staff for a year and the most I made was $100 in one week and that was a good week. You also end up with a 20 to 40 hour workweek or sometimes more like I did in Germany. By the way I was a staff member there in Germany for 9 months. I worked 90 hours per week for sometime between $15 to $35 US average. The reason why the Germans are prejudice against Scientology and other religions like the Baha’I Faith is simple actually. It is because most Germans, especially the Government still have not let go the Nazi mentality. Believe me, being an immigrant in Germany is a terrible thing or are looked at weird, disrespected and forced into conforming to a very xenophobic culture. Though not all Germans are like this however in Berlin, which was the capital of it all it is more prominent there plus include the history of Communism.
I also mainly Scientology left because of their views on illness. This by the way can be directly borrowed from Christian Science and in Scientology it is called PTS/SP tech. The idea is that someone is suppressing or invalidating you, called PTS or potential trouble source and you are sick because of this. Sometimes also you are sick because your body has an evil intention of not wanting to work and only Scientology can handle the illness. One thing too said before is that you do not need Scientology. I used to deliver the OCA Personality Test and if you want something to take home, there is no passing grade. Everyone's score is low; therefore the test is designed to show you that you need Scientology. It is that simple.
I am writing here because I am very interested in joining the Baha'i Faith and saw this thread. Do not hate Scientologists. Some are pretty good people and are hard workers even if what they believe something many people consider being odd. I think that there is no perfect group but I did have trouble with working staff and many other things. In the end I am looking forward not backwards.
Also too, the sci-fi teachings are not the core beliefs of Scientology, they are simply stories about past and are ways of explaining cosmology. The E-meter holds the same amount of electricity as a watch battery. I myself, have seen one being taken apart and it is not mysterious. In the end probably does not work the way the Scientologists say it does but it gives them a way to show that they are progressing towards spiritual freedom and I do not consider that a bad things.
I am interested in Baha’I and if anymore wants to know anything about my Scientology experience, just ask and I’ll give you simply my opinion but I don’t give sensationalism or victim stories so if you are looking for that then I can’t help you there.
