Scientology follow-up

Last week Mark wrote an interesting item in the newsletter around Scientologists using deceptive means to lure people in to their “courses”. We got some feedback from a reader in the US - we love getting feedback! - so I thought I'd share it. Ray from Philadelphia writes:

I live in Philadelphia. Many years ago in the early 1980's, I was on a business trip to Boston. In the evening I had little to do and while wandering about the city I went by an old church that had a small sign outside advertising a personal communications course the next two nights for the sum of $25. I had never heard of Scientology before that time, so why not attend? It was something constructive to do.

So, the next evening I was there, paid the $25, and gave my name and address. Then it started. I am not sure exactly what "it" was. There was a very short introduction by a young "minister" after which people were instructed to face each other in pairs and stare into eyes and not to squirm. That went on for a while and then the small group in attendance was introduced to the E-meter. And that was about it. The e-meter revealed that I had personality problems. It was a crazy one hour adventure.

I did not go back for night 2.

Not long thereafter, perhaps a week, I began getting mail at home discussing my course attendance, my personality disorder, and how I might correct it. There was a mountain of propaganda pushing very expensive courses and books, tapes, etc. And the mail kept coming for the next 20 years. Finally I wrote to them requesting removal from the list. That worked mainly, but I still get occasional propaganda mail.

Scientology is as tenacious as it is crazy.