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How is it possible for Scientology to continue growing and recruiting celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Lisa Marie Presley, Tom Cruise, Kirstie Allie, and John Travolta when the truth about this cult is so widely available via the internet? Supporters of Scientology claim that it is compatible with all world religions. The published findings of numerous government inquiries, the affidavits and court testimony of former high level members, and the expert analysis of Scientology practices, however, paint a much different picture. This book is a must read for anyone considering Scientology as a viable spiritual pathway.

“This is a terrific article Mr. Staton, you covered an amazing amount of ground…based on my 12 years of trying to deconstruct how scientology conned me out of the best ten years of this life, your article is 100% dead on the money and then some…” -- Arnie Lerma www.lermanet.com

Should the Practice of Scientology Carry a Warning Label?

By Jerry Staton (www.betterdaze.us)

Evidence suggests that the practice of Scientology should indeed carry a label warning of its potential drawbacks and side-effects. Many of Scientology’s methods, if not illegal, are downright dangerous. As with any other diet or self-improvement program, information—both pro and con—should be provided to anyone considering becoming involved with Scientology in order to allow them to make a well-informed decision.

(Aug. 12, 2006) Michael Lewitz, 43, formerly of Phoenix, AZ., who now currently resides in Reynolds IN., was lured into the practice of Scientology—as many people are—by his involvement with one of the Church of Scientology’s many front groups.

Involvement with one of these front groups--which include Applied Scholastics, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, the Concerned Businessmen’s Association of America, the Cult Awareness Network, the Foundation for Religious Freedom, Narcanon/Criminon, the Way to Happiness Foundation, and the World Institution of Scientology Enterprises (WISE) among others—begins innocuously enough with a desire to address a specific issue that one is concerned with and no knowledge of a particular group’s affiliation with the Church of Scientology.

This involvement gradually progresses to the practice of Scientology as its principles are introduced to the group’s participants and they are taught and encouraged to apply these principles to the particular concern that got them involved with the group to begin with and then eventually to other areas of their lives as well.

One such principle is the Church of Scientology’s practice of “dead-agenting,” which is intended to neutralize any opposition to Scientology by slandering and libeling people who tell the truth about Scientology and Scientology Inc. “Dead-agenting” is intended to render an opposing individual ineffective by calling into question her or his honesty, thereby invalidating the factual information about Scientology and the Scientology corporation.

Another principle is the Church of Scientology’s practice of “disconnection” that encourages the practitioners of Scientology to disconnect or shun all contact with former friends and family members who don’t subscribe to Scientology’s methods and could possibly talk them out of their decision to participate in this cult group. Little known, unknown (or just simply unacknowledged) is the fact that this practice violates Intentional Tort, which includes the intentional infliction of emotional distress. Scientology’s practice of disconnection destroys marriages, partnerships, and friendships, causing untold emotional pain and suffering to all involved. Everyone has the right to choose with whom they will or will not associate with. “Disconnection,” however, is not a choice. Practicing Scientologists are told who they must “disconnect” from and are denied services until they comply.

“Auditing,” which is in fact covert authoritarian hypnosis, is the main practice of Scientology and is one of the services that are denied a member who doesn’t comply with an order to “disconnect.” The Church of Scientology’s doctrine is practically indistinguishable from the theories of hypnosis, and in fact, its claims of the various ways that the practice of Scientology can improve one’s life are identical to those of clinical hypnotherapy. All Scientologists begin as “pre-clears” who must pay for “auditing” (hypnosis) sessions to rid themselves of “engrams” (suppressed memories) that are negatively affecting their lives in order to gain control of their “reactive” (subconscious) mind. Each “success” (abreaction) advances them further across the “bridge” (from ego state therapy and hynoanalysis) to the state of being known as “clear” (dissociation).

Scientology, however, does not take into consideration that not all mental conditions respond to hypnosis and with some psychological disorders, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD); the use of hypnosis is contraindicated and can actually intensify its symptoms.

Such is the case with Michael Lewitz. Michael was predisposed to BPD because of early childhood experiences. Michael had been managing his BPD rather effectively until he was lured into Scientology sometime during the summer of 2003. Upon being “audited” as well as being put through what is known as a “purification rundown,” Michael began exhibiting all of the manifestations of borderline behavior. He eventually experienced a full-blown episode of dysphoria and on August 30, 2003, he “ran” from Phoenix, AZ to Reynolds, Indiana where he then attempted suicide in an effort to escape his “unbearable” emotional pain.

Michael Lewitz’ BPD, which was precipitated by the practice of Scientology, is considered to be a serious mental illness by medical practitioners. It is also classified as such in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition. The fact that Michael’s housemate and practicing Scientologist, Donald C. Lay, Jr. Ph.D., has capitalized on his psychological vulnerability and is exploiting him physically, mentally, and financially, in addition to denying him treatment for his disorder constitutes adult endangerment. Requests for intervention to Adult Protective Services (APS) have been ignored, and APS has refused to even conduct a reasonable investigation of the report of adult endangerment that was made.

Donald C. Lay, Jr., Ph.D. is subjecting Michael Lewitz to an ongoing program of coercive persuasion that has greatly modified his self-concept, perception of reality, and social relationships. One tactic of coercive persuasion that is being utilized is environmental control-- the limitation of many/all forms of communication with those outside the group. To accomplish this, Donald C. Lay Jr., Ph.D. obstructs Michael Lewitz’ correspondence in direct violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1702, Obstruction of Correspondence--an offense to which he admitted to during a telephone conversation that he recorded himself. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has incorrectly stated that a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1702 is a civil matter, and have refused to conduct a reasonable investigation. Such a program creates the psychological forces necessary to allow a person to exercise undue influence over its victim’s independent decision-making ability as well as reinforces the delusion that Michael has come to accept as his new reality.

The reality for many Scientologists is a life spent as an overworked and underpaid Church staff member in order to pay for their debt owed to the Church for the endless courses and auditing sessions that it requires. This is known as “peonage,” and Section 1581 of Title 18 U.S.C. makes it unlawful to hold a person in "debt servitude," or peonage. For some unknown reason the U.S. Department of Justice chooses to allow these violations of Federal law to continue.

Those former Scientologists who have been able to break free of their delusion, however, have sued the Church of Scientology and have been compensated handsomely for their injuries. Lawrence Wollersheim sued after the practice of Scientology precipitated his development of severe bipolar disorder, psychogenic amnesia, and drove him to attempt suicide (Lawrence Wollersheim v. the Church of Scientology of California). A jury awarded him a little over $30 million for his injuries and found the practices of Scientology to be…what else…dangerous.

(The author, Jerry Staton, is currently studying clinical hypnotherapy at the Atwood Institute for Education and Research in Phoenix, AZ, and is a “disconnected” friend of Michael Lewitz.)

Scientology=Death


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