Alanzo
Bardo Tulpa
You're the only one who can answer this for yourself, honey.
We each have to discover our own answer and tolerance level for evaluating and incorporating honest criticism about our selves and our choices, no matter from whence it comes.
If one were raised with a lot of unfair or overly harsh criticism (or flat out verbal/emotional abuse, as many people are), one might be overly sensitive or rejecting of any and all criticism, even when it was meant for one's good.
One might have sought out a highly structured lifestyle where praise and criticism was seemingly set forth according to clear guidelines and a fairly ridge system of rules or "ethics". Such a system might feel safe, and "meaningful" to such a person. For them, it might take more courage and be more painful to hear free-flowing criticism (natter and entheta) and put it in it's perspective in their life. Playing with others who mostly care about you might help to make this adjustment slightly easier.
Do you think perhaps this is what Marty might be doing, in part, with his blog, and with controlling to the extreme who can post what on it? (A little editing for clarity and decency is common sense, when you are in charge.) It seems dysfunctional to me, to consistently screen out those who mightily disagree with you or your viewpoints.
Or even what Ron and the early pioneers of Dianetics and Scientology might have been doing in co-creating such a systematized lifestyle, with so little actual freedom in it, while promoting it as "the way to Total Freedom"?
Was it dysfunctional of you Alanzo, back in the day, to routinely disregard those friends who had warnings and criticisms for you regarding Scientology and your level of involvement with it, the extent to which you allowed it to pervade and take over your life?
Do you think those COS loyalists who are disregarding the truth about the history and current scene of their religion because it is "critical" or comes from those that have been labeled "Critics" is functional (sane and healthy) behavior?
Each of us has our own internal compass that points us toward "meaningful", it is whatever it means to us as individuals. For some, it may be more painful to follow this independently, and easier to follow someone else's map. This is how I understand that many become trapped by other's "systems" with rigid ideologies and rules, whether cults, religions, political parties, multi-level marketing schemes, business models, whatever.
Humans are herd, or pack animals, after all. We are hard-wired to both lead, and follow. I see this so clearly, this is why I don't blame anyone for getting or staying involved with Scientology...up to the point where it clearly becomes ABUSIVE and DESTRUCTIVE to your life and to others. Reality check!
Belonging to a group one admires (however falsely), and being part of a purpose greater than self, which gives life greater meaning, is a powerful hook. As Good Twin has said, it can be like an addiction.
I am living a meaningful life, and very grateful to be doing so! .
I have never needed Scientology to help me with this, and I frankly don't feel that anyone else does either. That's the honest truth, as I see it.
Jeez, for a rhetorical question you sure did give a good answer!