What would you ask an ex-scientologist?
A former Scientologist has gone online and answered all the Internet’s questions about life as a member of the church.
And it’s produced some fascinating insights into the bizarre religion.
Under the pseudonym Corwin42, the ex-member was straight forward and honest in his responses on the Reddit forum.
“When I was fresh out of Scientology, I still thought I was better than everyone else, I thought I was elite. They really drill that feeling into you. It took a few years to shake it off,” he wrote when asked about how life differs outside the church.
“These days, people are often really interested when they find out I used to be a Scientologist. They’re surprised. They say I don’t seem like one, I guess that’s a good sign.”
Read more:Meet the family of 14 who escaped a Christian cult.
Reddit users were not withholding in their questions and were particularly interested in the most bizarre factors of the religion.
When asked how he could best define what Scientology really was, Corwin42 said it was essentially a cult.
“A cult that brainwashes you into thinking that it’s the greatest good the universe has ever seen. But really, it’s all fueled by greed and the thirst for power. Just like everything else.”
Corwin42 was born into Scientology as both his parents joined the religion in the 80s. It wasn’t until he was 19 that the Reddit user left the church, which means his was completely educated under the religions system.
“It’s been difficult. I’ve repeatedly found huge gaps in my education that most other people seem to have, he wrote.
“The subjects were similar to ordinary school, ie. Science, History, Government and Maths. But the approach was different.”
“I missed out on a lot of basics. Like: how to write a paper, what’s an atom, and why was Abe Lincoln an important president. Stuff you kind of just expect people to know. There might still be a lot of stuff I’m oblivious too, and that’s kind of upsetting to me.”
Although the ex-Scientologist is seemingly disillusioned with the church, he did say that only a small percentage of the church was based on “bullshit.”
“Part of the allure is that most of it makes sense, it kind of fools you into thinking that ALL of it makes sense. I’d say the “Ethics” and “Justice” part of Scientology is the largest lump of bullshit. It’s designed to keep you in the cult, don’t say anything bad, and generally mold you and brainwash you into thinking that Scientology is never wrong, he wrote.
“The rest of it is mostly true, or mostly useful. Plenty of it actually helps people, as far as I can tell. But that 10% poison makes it a terrible thing. You can’t pick and choose what to believe in Scientology, they make you pick all or nothing.”
Read more:One of your favourite ’90s actors has started a cult. A real-life cult.
Although Corwin42 left the church, his parents remained. He says he’s still on good terms with them though despite losing many other friends once walking away.
Top Comments
Also sound very similar to the Landmark Forum - it has turned our adult daughter into a nightmare!
Nothing like the Landmark Forum. I'm sorry that your daughter has not benefitted well from it, but it simply cannot be compared to Scientology.
Fair enough - a tad hyperbolic I agree. But we went along to a Landmark evening at her request and it felt VERY cultish indeed!
Having done the Landmark forum, and then having gone to the shared evening that you talk about I can agree with you. I LOVED the forum and gained so much that has truly given me insight to my own life. (It has nothing in that should turn anyone into a nightmare). But the evening that you take people along to? Yes that was pretty weird. I must point out the main difference though, and that Landmark is all about taking responsibility for your own life and owning your own actions. This allows you to let go of old perceived grievances and bring your loved ones back into your life regardless of differences of opinion. Scientology seems to be about disowning them if they disagree or question.
I wonder how high up Corwin42 got in the Church. I haven't read his AMA yet, so I may go and have a look to see if he addresses it. The reason I wonder is because I have heard that the higher-ups keep most of the really crazy stuff a secret from the lower-level members and by the time you get to hear it, you've likely been brainwashed long enough to actually believe it.