I make no apology for what I am about to say here nor for any potential offence, I have personal experience of Scientology and believe me, this is no church, it is as the French legal system hopes to prove, a cult, sect, call it what you will but despite it's high profile 'converts', most notably John Travolta and Tom Cruise, the one thing it certainly isn't, is a church and there is absolutely nothing to recommend it!
Make no mistake, this is an organisation (details in the link above) who's sole motivation is control and financial gain only, it's as simple as that. The late and very un-great science fiction author (that should be a clue if ever there was one) and founder of the 'church' of Scientology, Ron L. Hubbard may spin a good yarn in the opinion of some but in reality his 'bible' is nothing more than a dangerous tool designed for nothing more than manipulation.....and if you have ever had the misfortune to read it you will know just how much so!So, my involvement. Just like is illustrated in the current French case, I was lured in off a street in central Manchester by a very personable young woman offering me a 'personality test'. The premises into which she led me looked very respectable, effectively a well kept shop on a very main and expensive street and of course, there was nothing whatsoever visible to suggest that this was anything even remotely related to Scientology.
The 'personality test' was in fact a protracted and highly detailed questionnaire which I was asked to complete with the assistance of an 'advisor' who of course told me that the more detailed the information I provided, the better test results I could expect.
Even at this point my 'there's something not right here' antenna were buzzing but young and naive I continued. I might add here I was in my work lunch break and by this time I was already a half hour late but for some inexplicable reason I felt unable to remove myself from the situation.
To cut a long (and much of the same) story short, I was eventually led into an ante-room, for the by now long awaited results of my test...and that's where the situation began to take on a much more sinister tone, this was all getting pretty scary.
The room was dimly lit, small and smelt strongly of something very strange, I never did find out what, the guy that greeted me and was to tell me the hidden revelations about my personality was at best peculiar and at worst a complete nutjob, who's apparent level of residing on the same planet as the rest of us, was sadly lacking...but still I felt unable to leave, despite my flight or fight response, by now screaming at me to get the hell out.
What followed was not remotely to be recommended. My 'mentor' began systematically to annihilate my personality in a very manipulative and convincing manner, concentrating on insecurites and giving rise instantly, to all manner of self doubt, this guy was good, he knew his stuff, within minutes I was effectively embroiled in what I can only describe as a well honed brainwashing scenario and worse still I suddenly became aware that felt extremely odd. Struggling for a moment to gather my thoughts it suddenly dawned on me I was being hypnotised subliminally by that old chestnut, the reducing timed beat trick.
Ok...enough, I'm not afraid to say that at this point I was really scared, flight or fight kicked in full force and I shot out of the place like greased lightening back into the sunlight and some degree of normality.... still clutching the Scientology
There was more to come....these guys harassed me by phone, by mail and by personal call through my next three addresses and for over seven years, the very fact that they could consider keeping track of me in that manner and for that length of time did nothing to endear them too me but thank fully eventually they stopped and it became history.
Believe me, Scientology is no church, there is nothing good about it whatsoever (ok I know some might say that of traditional church but you get my drift), this is a highly organised, well trained and extremely dangerous cult who's sole purpose is control and financial gain and who in my opinion should be severely dealt with by our law courts.
So, if you ever get offered a personality test in the name of dianetics...don't do it, just don't go there, even out of curiosity!!
