And this week's Friday night movie has been... Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief!
Much has already been said/mocked/condemned about Scientology, with their beliefs and the tendency to attack any questioning parties. I thought I knew a lot about them but this documentary provided a whole new trove of information. And a lot of it is terrifying to say the least.
We meet the founder L Ron Hubbard, we see the extent of the influence of Scientology, and just how weird the religion can be. We also see some of the nastier tactics utilized against those who both criticize and leave the Church.
But what i find interesting is the second part of the documentary's title, the words: 'Prison of Belief'. Considering the tactics used by the Scientologists (legal action, always attacking and never defending, strong-arming celebrity endorsement, buying up key real estate, ruthlessness towards whistle-blowers and shunning those who leave), it isn't too hard to see the same tactics being applied by other groups, both religious and non-religious. Indeed it is surprising to learn how great the need for agency in one's life can be and what it can lead to
Perhaps the most telling moment for me came in the remark that through joining a group who encourages you to think for yourself, you end up being told what to think.
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