David McFadzean <david@lucifer.com> wrote:
> What would you say are the bait, threat and hook of Scientology?
Well the bait is pretty obvious -- same as most religions -- a way to
explain the world, and "give it meaning" (hense the banner). It's a sheep
herder, just the others: here are the answers, now pay up.
(additionally, Scientology offers the proverbial "get well" message -- it's
better here inside, less stress, more happiness, etc.!!)
As to the threat, that sort of depends on how involved you get.
Apparently, the Celebrities involved are forced to "confess" their bad
deeds to the Church, and then the Church uses said information like
blackmail to keep them in. For the standard person, I think it operates
more like a cult -- Scientology keeps the person totally isolated from the
rest of the world, so that any break from the church is literally starting
your life anew (quit and you'll have no friends!!). There is also those
little "body thetens" too -- quit and you'll *never* get rid of them!
The page where I read about this orginization (the other link I gave last
time) tells that Scientology actually uses hyponotic technology to keep its
members. Maybe the report is bunk, but I'm sure that all of those
"auditing" sessions have *some* effect on the members!
ERiC