Anne TootillWhy I Left Scientology
April 13th 2008 00:54
David Graham 71 lives in NSW. He left the church almost 20 years ago but still doesn't want his location revealed, fearing harrassment
Science friction ... former high-ranking Scientologist David Graham has gone public with his concerns about the religion and what he considers a denial of human rights. Photo: Helen Nezdropa
He joined the church in Sydney in 1976 and rose through the ranks and became a full-time employee before being sent to work for the church in the United States, where he joined Sea Org, Scientology's elite inner core.
Sea Org members must sign a billion-year contract to the church (because they believe in an afterlife this condition is taken very seriously).
They live and work full-time in Scientology compounds and are responsible for running the church.
In 1990 Mr Graham became disillusioned and returned to Australia. He was declared a "Suppressive Person" - an enemy of Scientology. No member can have contact with him ever again.
In the 2006 census, 2513 Australians listed Scientology as their religion. The church believes it has 250,000 followers in Australia.
I don't understand why seemingly intelligent people turn to this whacko cult and wonder what the attraction is. L Ron Hubbard was only a Science Fiction writer for God's sake.
My other thought is why is Mr Graham so frightened of them finding out where he lives. When he was in a position of power what did HE do to the people who left?
Science friction ... former high-ranking Scientologist David Graham has gone public with his concerns about the religion and what he considers a denial of human rights. Photo: Helen Nezdropa
He joined the church in Sydney in 1976 and rose through the ranks and became a full-time employee before being sent to work for the church in the United States, where he joined Sea Org, Scientology's elite inner core.
Sea Org members must sign a billion-year contract to the church (because they believe in an afterlife this condition is taken very seriously).
They live and work full-time in Scientology compounds and are responsible for running the church.
In 1990 Mr Graham became disillusioned and returned to Australia. He was declared a "Suppressive Person" - an enemy of Scientology. No member can have contact with him ever again.
In the 2006 census, 2513 Australians listed Scientology as their religion. The church believes it has 250,000 followers in Australia.
I don't understand why seemingly intelligent people turn to this whacko cult and wonder what the attraction is. L Ron Hubbard was only a Science Fiction writer for God's sake.
My other thought is why is Mr Graham so frightened of them finding out where he lives. When he was in a position of power what did HE do to the people who left?
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Anonymous
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Anonymous.
We do not forget, we do not forgive. We are legion. Expect us.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Just a crooked business that rip people off by any means possible.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
when in second year Uni, my brother and I moved into a place in Darlinghurst.
Whoever lived there before us was obviously a member of Scientology, for 99% of our mail was addressed to this guy!
We had a stack of mail about four and a half feet high by the end of the year! It sat by the window in the loungeroom, I wanted to see how far they would go.
They didn't stop before we left two years later!
More and more of this stuff arrived. Looking at some, I saw how incredibly expensive it was to, "cross the bridge" and become "clear" and a "thetan", so I becme suspicious. Also, the cost of buying a "personally signed" book by L. Ron Hubbard, was enormously expensive and I wondered how many of these "personally signed" books existed, or still exist?
Then a Scientology questionaire arrived! It contained the usual drivel you find in such things, however, there was one question that cracked me up;
"Are you, or is any member of your family a member of ASIO?" (ASIO is one of Oz's secret service agencies)
If it was true, what agent worth his/her salt would admit it?? What simpleton wrote that? L Ron?
The Scientologists are obviously an extremely paranoid and subversive organization. I was threatened in the street by one actually. Some years later, a friend of mine and I were in the city, this dude starts up a conversation with us, he was trying to interest my friend in joining Scientology, so we both had some fun sending this guy up.
Our chat then ended quickly, as this idiot then ran away from us, yelling over his shoulder, "We'll get you! We will find out who you are and where you live!"
We doubled over laughing! Poor kid, so totally deluded, besides making illegal threats!
France refused to recognize it as a religion, we did though. France also found out the organization was trying to place its members in key government positions, which is probably why they got tough with them.
This could possibly explain why so few people registered as being a member in the Aussie census?
Scientology is bizarre, but you have to admit, it is a brilliant concept! L.Ron Hubbard may have been on the run from American Government tax officers, but, he had one hell of an idea to enrich himself and leave a continuing legacy.
cheers...and no NEDS for OTEES for me thanks!
fog
Comment by Cheryl J
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When any organisation has to stoop to a "fair game policy" to harass and destroy its critics then it opens itself up to the same. Rock on Operation Clambake! www.xenu.net
If a science fiction author who was convicted of fraud can start a religion I say we should should start one posthumously for Douglas Adams. He already knew that the secret to life, the universe and everything was 42.
Comment by Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
Seriously, how can respected media people be seen in this psycho scheme.
Sign of the times I guess....
Back to the Eighties
www.backtotheeighties.net
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
If you want to know the disturbing reality of Scientology, read the stories of those who lived it -
exscientologykids.com
Comment by Cheryl J
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Unfortunately, the reasons why Scientology has such a bad rep is very well documented. The organisation itself is rotten to the core and many of the followers are as well. The truth is they have hurt many more people than they have helped. But I'm glad that for now it is something that is helping your friend. I just hope she is one of the lucky ones that only encounters the good people like herself that are involved. It's great that anyone, regardless of their beliefs helped her find herself again.