The ABC News program Nightline reports on the experiences of Jenna Miscavige Hill (niece of Scientology's leader) and Astra Woodcraft, two women who grew up inside Scientology. They describe being separated from family members due to Scientology's disconnection policy, being subjected to repeated interrogation sessions including the use of a crude lie detector, and being used as child labor. Astra Woodraft explains her personal experience of the Scientology Sea Organization (Sea Org) Policy prohibiting Sea Org members from having children - with the options being abortion or expulsion from the Sea Org.
Part 1
Part 2
Read more at
ABC News - Nightline - Ex-Scientology Kids Share Their Stories
Ex-Scientology Kids
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Rest In Peace, Kaja.
I was deeply saddened to read the news from Norway.
"The daughter of a member of Norway's parliament committed suicide hours after she received what her family claims were "devastating" results from a personality test administered by the Church of Scientology. Police in France, where the young woman was studying, are investigating."
Read more at:
Police Probe Suicide Linked to Scientologists
An investigation is underway so we must wait to learn the full story.
This tragedy reminds me of another story, that of the Queen St Massacre.
"In the Queen Street massacre case, the Gunmen, Frank Vitkovic, had been tested by the Church of Scientology two months before he shot a number of people in the Queen St Massacre. [27]. [28] "Vitkovic took a personality test carried out by a Church of Scientology volunteer. The results of the test, the Scientology volunteer believed, made her suspect that he might have hit rock bottom. The voluntary worker, Ms Eleanor Simpson, who had no formal training in psychology, believed Vitkovic was extremely depressed. She could recall only one other personality test having a worse result. She did not refer Vitkovic to a psychiatrist but suggested he enrol in the Ups and Downs in Life course run by the Church."[29]. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Alan Bartholemew presented evidence at the trial concerning Scientology's testing of gunman Frank Vitkovic. Bartholemew indicated that the Scientologist's testing of gunman Frank Vitkovic, though revealing that Vitkovic was suffering a serious mental condition, was not treated effectively. Bartholomew also stated that the test itself may have contributed to Vitkovic's mental state before he shot 8 people". [30]
Source: Wikipedia
You may have seen Scientologists offering "Free Personality Tests" or "Stress Tests"
Former Scientologists explain that the tests are used as a recruitment tool. The standard procedure is for test subjects to be told they have various flaws that only Scientology can fix. High pressure sales tactics are employed to make people pay for Scientology books and courses. Psychologists consider the test to be invalid and potentially dangerous.
Read more about the test:
The Scientology Personality Test
Chris Owen's analysis of the test
click image for full size
"She laughed when I asked her to take a stress test. She cried when I found her ruin."
This disturbing image from a Scientology website reveals the manipulative and cruel sales tactics used to sell Scientology books.
Original Source: www.lrh-books.com/mailings/080415_Bookathon_email/img/DN.GIRL.BPI%20lorez.jpg
Scientologists are trained to "cave in" potential customers to make them feel like Scientology is their only hope. They are instructed to find and exploit a person's "ruin."
Before anyone submits themselves to Scientology's procedures, they should do some research into it and read both sides of the story.
In my opinion, Scientology's practices can be extremely dangerous, particularly for anyone suffering from depression or other mental illnesses.
Rest in Peace
Kaja Bordevich Ballo
1988-2008
"The daughter of a member of Norway's parliament committed suicide hours after she received what her family claims were "devastating" results from a personality test administered by the Church of Scientology. Police in France, where the young woman was studying, are investigating."
Read more at:
Police Probe Suicide Linked to Scientologists
An investigation is underway so we must wait to learn the full story.
This tragedy reminds me of another story, that of the Queen St Massacre.
"In the Queen Street massacre case, the Gunmen, Frank Vitkovic, had been tested by the Church of Scientology two months before he shot a number of people in the Queen St Massacre. [27]. [28] "Vitkovic took a personality test carried out by a Church of Scientology volunteer. The results of the test, the Scientology volunteer believed, made her suspect that he might have hit rock bottom. The voluntary worker, Ms Eleanor Simpson, who had no formal training in psychology, believed Vitkovic was extremely depressed. She could recall only one other personality test having a worse result. She did not refer Vitkovic to a psychiatrist but suggested he enrol in the Ups and Downs in Life course run by the Church."[29]. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Alan Bartholemew presented evidence at the trial concerning Scientology's testing of gunman Frank Vitkovic. Bartholemew indicated that the Scientologist's testing of gunman Frank Vitkovic, though revealing that Vitkovic was suffering a serious mental condition, was not treated effectively. Bartholomew also stated that the test itself may have contributed to Vitkovic's mental state before he shot 8 people". [30]
Source: Wikipedia
You may have seen Scientologists offering "Free Personality Tests" or "Stress Tests"
Former Scientologists explain that the tests are used as a recruitment tool. The standard procedure is for test subjects to be told they have various flaws that only Scientology can fix. High pressure sales tactics are employed to make people pay for Scientology books and courses. Psychologists consider the test to be invalid and potentially dangerous.
Read more about the test:
The Scientology Personality Test
Chris Owen's analysis of the test
click image for full size"She laughed when I asked her to take a stress test. She cried when I found her ruin."
This disturbing image from a Scientology website reveals the manipulative and cruel sales tactics used to sell Scientology books.
Original Source: www.lrh-books.com/mailings/080415_Bookathon_email/img/DN.GIRL.BPI%20lorez.jpg
Scientologists are trained to "cave in" potential customers to make them feel like Scientology is their only hope. They are instructed to find and exploit a person's "ruin."
Before anyone submits themselves to Scientology's procedures, they should do some research into it and read both sides of the story.
In my opinion, Scientology's practices can be extremely dangerous, particularly for anyone suffering from depression or other mental illnesses.
Rest in PeaceKaja Bordevich Ballo
1988-2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Scientology's Disconnection Policy Tears Families Apart
Pat Harney, spokesperson for the Church of Scientology, claims "The Church has no policy of disconnecting members from their family"
However, Rev. Gerard Renna of the Church of Scientology in Boston has a different opinion.
BostonNOW asks:
"What can you say about Anonymous' allegations that the Church of Scientology "disconnects" its members from opposing family and friends?"
Rev. Gerard Renna of the Church of Scientology in Boston responds:
"The only reaction is, you have 1,000 church members. Or say 10,000 members. Our church has an open door policy.
"We know of 2.5 percent of these individuals who will have harmful intent to others.
"They will be asked to leave, excommunicated. There is a certain percent in any organization, any religion - even an ex-employee of BostonNOW. It's just a human way of life. It's just human nature that you're going to have people that have to be destructive. They only seek to harm and impede the forward policy of Scientology. They do not want to have the ethical codes to which religion subscribes. They just don't want to be ethical. They try to tear down ethical structure. You try to bring harmony to the group and sometimes these individuals - they actually take themselves out.
"Sometimes when you help a person a lot they ... separate themselves because of the harmful acts they do. No one looks at the fact these people who are expelled, they take themselves out. With anyone like that, you have criticism that results."
Source: Boston Now - Scientology vs Anonymous, Local Battle Heats Up
In other words, the Church of Scientology considers 2.5% of Scientologists (or any group of people) to be "suppressive persons" - people who should be ignored and abandoned.
I strongly disagree with such a callous and arbitrary policy.
Scientology is hurting families with their harmful policy of Disconnection.
However, Rev. Gerard Renna of the Church of Scientology in Boston has a different opinion.
BostonNOW asks:
"What can you say about Anonymous' allegations that the Church of Scientology "disconnects" its members from opposing family and friends?"
Rev. Gerard Renna of the Church of Scientology in Boston responds:
"The only reaction is, you have 1,000 church members. Or say 10,000 members. Our church has an open door policy.
"We know of 2.5 percent of these individuals who will have harmful intent to others.
"They will be asked to leave, excommunicated. There is a certain percent in any organization, any religion - even an ex-employee of BostonNOW. It's just a human way of life. It's just human nature that you're going to have people that have to be destructive. They only seek to harm and impede the forward policy of Scientology. They do not want to have the ethical codes to which religion subscribes. They just don't want to be ethical. They try to tear down ethical structure. You try to bring harmony to the group and sometimes these individuals - they actually take themselves out.
"Sometimes when you help a person a lot they ... separate themselves because of the harmful acts they do. No one looks at the fact these people who are expelled, they take themselves out. With anyone like that, you have criticism that results."
Source: Boston Now - Scientology vs Anonymous, Local Battle Heats Up
In other words, the Church of Scientology considers 2.5% of Scientologists (or any group of people) to be "suppressive persons" - people who should be ignored and abandoned.
I strongly disagree with such a callous and arbitrary policy.
Scientology is hurting families with their harmful policy of Disconnection.
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