Scientology and Me on BBC Panorama, Mon 14th May, 8:30pm

[Meltingpot]

Shouldn't have lost his temper,let the bad guys do that, the Scientologists will only use it to smear the BBC.

They're very good at provocation, what you need to realise is that these people practise for hours on end the things you'll see them do in that clip. It's part of their training for the posts they hold in the organisation.

They live in a totally black and white world. Anyone who isn't on their side - and Ron Hubbard said the media never are - is an enemy to be destroyed.

 

[selamlar]

I have wondered though, what they'd have wanted with a 17 year old girl?

Erm?

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

I'm finding it a bit ridiculous the way that almost every week recently, the lead item at the start of the week on bbc news, both tv and radio, has funnily enough been about the topic of that week's Panorama show. It happened with Bob Woolmer, it happened with some undercover thang that escapes my mind now, and now it's the Scientology special that is apparently this week's big news story. Isn't there a journalist creed about not becoming the story - has that gone out the window now?

 

[Idaho]

I printed out a load of leaflets from that xenu site to hand out next time the scientologists are in town (they do 'campaign' in Exeter under their anti-psychologist banner from time to time).

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I printed out a load of leaflets from that xenu site to hand out next time the scientologists are in town (they do 'campaign' in Exeter under their anti-psychologist banner from time to time).

I once spent a very enjoyable afternoon on New St in brum handing out copies of the "high level" stuff they are meant to pay millions for to the guys pestering people. They freaked out, it was very funny

 

[Meltingpot]

I once spent a very enjoyable afternoon on New St in brum handing out copies of the "high level" stuff they are meant to pay millions for to the guys pestering people. They freaked out, it was very funny

How did you get hold of it? That stuff's under lock and key, IIRC even Scientology staff who haven't themselves done that "high level" aren't allowed to see it.

 

[Crispy]

It's all available on the internet.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

How did you get hold of it? That stuff's under lock and key, IIRC even Scientology staff who haven't themselves done that "high level" aren't allowed to see it.

The internet is a wonderful thing

 

[Gingerman]

Wow after watching that you cant really blame him for losing it.I bet the fuckers planted the piece with him going apeshit in various media outlets over the weekend just to discredit Panorama.

 

[Crispy]

That's absolutely what they did. They are experts at media manipulation and legal threats.

 

[Brockway]

Wow after watching that you cant really blame him for losing it.I bet the fuckers planted the piece with him going apeshit in various media outlets over the weekend just to discredit Panorama.

But this is what I found really interesting about the prog. People are taking it as read that Panorama are the good guys and that their morality is beyond question. But all documentaries are to some extent a construct with a chosen narrative. And haven't there been plenty of set-up docs in the past? Panorama are offering their "truth". Normally the "bad guys" don't get a chance to present their "truth". That's why I liked the tactic of doing a documentary on the documentary makers. It goes without saying that Scientologists can only do this because they are incredibly wealthy.

Is this the rival Scientology thread?

 

[Crispy]

I could merge them...

 

[Brockway]

I could merge them...

You have that power? Are you a Thetan...

 

[editor]

People are taking it as read that Panorama are the good guys and that their morality is beyond question. But all documentaries are to some extent a construct with a chosen narrative.

Oh come on. Scientologists are famous for their litigious bullying, and you've only got to see how they tried to rip off this site and then lie about it to know that they're a bunch of Grade A cunts.

 

[8ball]

It's interesting that they have such a problem being called a 'cult'.

I knew a girl at Uni who was a Baha'i and she never seemed to mind people calling it a cult.

 

[ivebeenhigh]

Answer each question as to how you feel RIGHT NOW. The accuracy depends upon the truthfulness of your answers.

This is a free public service and there is no obligation. This is done with the idea that people can know and improve themselves.

Each question may be answered one of three ways by marking one of the boxes next to each column:

+ means yes or mostly yes

? means maybe or uncertain

- means no or mostly no

1. Do you make thoughtless remarks or accusations which later you regret? + ? -

2. When others are getting rattled, do you remain fairly composed? + ? -

3. Do you browse through railway timetables, directories, or dictionaries just for pleasure? + ? -

4. When asked to make a decision, would you be swayed by your like or dislike of the personality involved? + ? -

5. Do you intend two or less children in your family even though your health and income will permit more? + ? -

6. Do you get occasional twitches of your muscles, when there is no logical reason for it? + ? -

7. Would you prefer to be in a position where you did not have the responsibilities of making decisions? + ? -

8. Are your actions considered unpredictable by other people? + ? -

9. Do you consider more money should be spent on social security? + ? -

10. Do other people interest you very much? + ? -

11. Is your voice monotonous, rather than varied in pitch? + ? -

12. Do you normally let the other person start the conversation? + ? -

13. Are you readily interested in other people's conversations? + ? -

14. Would the idea of inflicting pain on game, small animals or fish prevent you from hunting or fishing? + ? -

15. Are you often impulsive in your behavior? + ? -

16. Do you speak slowly? + ? -

17. Are you usually concerned about the need to protect your health? + ? -

18. Does an unexpected action cause your muscles to twitch? + ? -

19. Are you normally considerate in your demands on your employees, relatives, or pupils? + ? -

20. Do you consider that you could give a valid “snap judgment”? + ? -

21. Do your past failures still worry you? + ? -

22. Do you find yourself being extra-active for periods lasting several days? + ? -

23. Do you resent the efforts of others to tell you what to do? + ? -

24. Is it normally hard for you to “own up and take the blame”? + ? -

25. Do you have a small circle of close friends, rather than a large number of friends, speaking acquaintances? + ? -

26. Is your life a constant struggle for survival? + ? -

27. Do you often sing or whistle just for the fun of it? + ? -

28. Are you considered warm-hearted by your friends? + ? -

29. Would you rather give orders than take them? + ? -

30. Do you enjoy telling people the latest scandal about your associates? + ? -

31. Could you agree to “strict discipline”? + ? -

32. Would the idea of making a complete new start cause you much concern? + ? -

33. Do you make efforts to get others to laugh and smile? + ? -

34. Do you find it easy to express your emotions? + ? -

35. Do you refrain from complaining when the other person is late for an appointment? + ? -

36. Are you sometimes considered by others a “spoilsport”? + ? -

37. Do you consider there are other people who are definitely unfriendly toward you and work against you? + ? -

38. Would you admit you were wrong just to “keep the peace”? + ? -

39. Do you have only a few people of whom you are really fond? + ? -

40. Are you rarely happy, unless you have a special reason? + ? -

 

[Gingerman]

Nice bit of media manipulation on their part ,funny when you see things in context,I bet 1000s of people watched that youtube clip over the weekend and though 'what a fuckin loon',without knowing the full facts,only hope they watched tonight.

 

[8ball]

+?--?=+-?-+/+?--?=+?--?=+-//+?----+??-+-

Did I win?

 

[golightly]

But this is what I found really interesting about the prog. People are taking it as read that Panorama are the good guys and that their morality is beyond question. But all documentaries are to some extent a construct with a chosen narrative. And haven't there been plenty of set-up docs in the past? Panorama are offering their "truth". Normally the "bad guys" don't get a chance to present their "truth". That's why I liked the tactic of doing a documentary on the documentary makers. It goes without saying that Scientologists can only do this because they are incredibly wealthy.

Is this the rival Scientology thread?

I noticed that, in one shot, Sweeney said 'cult' really quickly before going on to another topic as if he expected a reaction. It felt like he was goading the Scientology guy to react. I found the whole thing just too sensationalist. I'm not a fan of Scientology at all, but I don't think this 'documentary' gave anything like a balanced view.

 

[Brockway]

Oh come on. Scientologists are famous for their litigious bullying, and you've only got to see how they tried to rip off this site and then lie about it to know that they're a bunch of Grade A cunts.

I'm sure you're right but I think - and I'm talking about the prog as a whole - it was interesting to see the subject of a negative doc turning the tables like that. And with the advent of cheap technology and ready access to a wide audience via the internet it's something we could be seeing a lot more of in future. From my perspective the fact that it was Scientologists who were the "bad guys" in this case is neither here nor there - it could have been some dodgy car salesman - but the principle is the same.

Fascinating to read about your negative experience of them though. Couldn't you have sued them for plagiarism?

 

[ivebeenhigh]

fuck me its a 200 question quiz.

no wonder people get brainwashed.

 

[Julie]

Did you see this clip?
Some shouting match that is.

Blimey.

He screams but then goes quiet and then screams again. It seems so ... awkward.

 

[editor]

Fascinating to read about your negative experience of them though. Couldn't you have sued them for plagiarism?

What and have the cunts rummaging through my bin and following me around for years after?

No thanks.

I had a lot of 'interesting' people contact me when that news story hit and I learnt rather a lot- and one of those things was that it wasn't worth the grief, even though I had a cast iron case.

 

[8ball]

In the interests of balance I think it should be pointed out that the vast majority of cults are all about innocent escapist fun and that it almost never ends in mass suicide or being murdered en masse by the FBI.

Scientology is just one of those 'bad apples' that spoils things for everyone else.

 

[Jonti]

These are the people who use the copyright laws to keep their insane doctrines secret from the new recruits.

A tad hypocritical, eh?

 

[Jonti]

In the interests of balance I think it should be pointed out that the vast majority of cults are all about innocent escapist fun and that it almost never ends in mass suicide or being murdered en masse by the FBI.

Scientology is just one of those 'bad apples' that spoils things for everyone else.

True. It's also remarkably hard to work out which ones will implode in that way (being as they are all quite barmy, secretive and deceitful). Kinda takes the fun out of things, imho.

There's no good comes out of "innocent" self delusion.

 

[Julie]

fuck me its a 200 question quiz.

no wonder people get brainwashed.

Or bored

 

[Brockway]

What and have the cunts rummaging through my bin and following me around for years after?

No thanks.

I had a lot of 'interesting' people contact me when that news story hit and I learnt rather a lot- and one of those things was that it wasn't worth the grief, even though I had a cast iron case.

They do seem to be very powerful. It's a lot easier to do background checks in the States than it is here though - as far as digging the dirt on people is concerned. The scariest part of the prog from the cult point of view was that copper saying nice things about them at that ceremony.

 

[Jonti]

Yeah, if cults continue to infiltrate and influence instiutions and the organs of the state, things are going to go very, very weird indeed.

Oh ... wait

 

[8ball]

There's no good comes out of "innocent" self delusion.

http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/