pollywog
Patron with Honors
Hello to all. Firstof all, I am not a scientologist, or an ex-scientologist. Frankly, I’ve been a “lurker” and“researcher” of Scientology for a while – well, for 5 or 6 years, anyway. And, though I have always been interested in joining the conversation, I was never (and am still not) sure of ex-members’ tolerance for contributions by those who have never experienced Scientology in any way.
Me, I consider myself a spiritual person, though not a religious one. And I aim to be tolerant of the beliefs of others, but I admit I am less tolerant of any religious “institution.” I think your “spirit” (just a word) or your “soul” (just another word) or “little “g” god” (just a concept) is innately personal and the journey to find it is equally personal. Search. Don’t join a group. Search. (Words are very limiting, aren’t they?)
Okay, so I stumbled across a copy of “Dianetics” at a garage sale when I was in my teens. I bought it. I read a page and a half (voracious reader still to this day!), and said, “phew - nuff.” End of my personal brush with Scientology (wait, I might have been baited to take a personality test at the California State Fair once, and might have done it, or started to, but balked at the 200 or so questions – more interested in cotton candy, I’m sure).
The reason for my post: I find that many ex-scientologists still use the rather self-limiting scientology vernacular in your conversations with one another. Wait – before you get upset with me – let me explain. I know this message board is for “EX-SCIENTOLOGISTS.” So I get it that you are discussing your experiences in the terms specific to the cult. And perhaps there are no “real” equivalent terms (odd and rather telling, that, yes?). And I certainly understand that those newly out of the cult can perhaps only speak in that language and of a necessity have to parse their experiences in terms they understand.
I find myself trying to find a similar in my life. Where is it that I use “jargon” or “…ese”with others “similarly situated.” I cannot. Closest I can come is in my work (legal) where we FOR SURE use random terms of art and abbreviations when discussing or writing about things legal. Is that the same? Maybe. But I digress.
However, may I humbly say that some of your best allies may be those of us who have never been involved in the cult and who can see the psychiatric (yeah, I know), financial, spiritual, familial and myriad other harm caused by this organization’s policies and practices – both overt and covert.
Is there a “wog” board where things are discussed in a less esoteric fashion? Really, some of us would like to help.
I know some of you still adhere to, in your terms, the “tech.” Is it possible that, without the distinct language, you might see that it is either strikingly similar to many other (words failing me now) “methods” for spiritual or personal growth – or just utter bullshit? Please allow yourselves to think in non-cult language.
Thanks – I’ve gone on long enough. In short, I really am not trying to criticize. I would like to help. I would like to get to know some of you. But, I admit – as a “wog,” I feel a little excluded by your “exclusivity.”
Best regards and intentions, Pollywog
Me, I consider myself a spiritual person, though not a religious one. And I aim to be tolerant of the beliefs of others, but I admit I am less tolerant of any religious “institution.” I think your “spirit” (just a word) or your “soul” (just another word) or “little “g” god” (just a concept) is innately personal and the journey to find it is equally personal. Search. Don’t join a group. Search. (Words are very limiting, aren’t they?)
Okay, so I stumbled across a copy of “Dianetics” at a garage sale when I was in my teens. I bought it. I read a page and a half (voracious reader still to this day!), and said, “phew - nuff.” End of my personal brush with Scientology (wait, I might have been baited to take a personality test at the California State Fair once, and might have done it, or started to, but balked at the 200 or so questions – more interested in cotton candy, I’m sure).
The reason for my post: I find that many ex-scientologists still use the rather self-limiting scientology vernacular in your conversations with one another. Wait – before you get upset with me – let me explain. I know this message board is for “EX-SCIENTOLOGISTS.” So I get it that you are discussing your experiences in the terms specific to the cult. And perhaps there are no “real” equivalent terms (odd and rather telling, that, yes?). And I certainly understand that those newly out of the cult can perhaps only speak in that language and of a necessity have to parse their experiences in terms they understand.
I find myself trying to find a similar in my life. Where is it that I use “jargon” or “…ese”with others “similarly situated.” I cannot. Closest I can come is in my work (legal) where we FOR SURE use random terms of art and abbreviations when discussing or writing about things legal. Is that the same? Maybe. But I digress.
However, may I humbly say that some of your best allies may be those of us who have never been involved in the cult and who can see the psychiatric (yeah, I know), financial, spiritual, familial and myriad other harm caused by this organization’s policies and practices – both overt and covert.
Is there a “wog” board where things are discussed in a less esoteric fashion? Really, some of us would like to help.
I know some of you still adhere to, in your terms, the “tech.” Is it possible that, without the distinct language, you might see that it is either strikingly similar to many other (words failing me now) “methods” for spiritual or personal growth – or just utter bullshit? Please allow yourselves to think in non-cult language.
Thanks – I’ve gone on long enough. In short, I really am not trying to criticize. I would like to help. I would like to get to know some of you. But, I admit – as a “wog,” I feel a little excluded by your “exclusivity.”
Best regards and intentions, Pollywog
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Very funny analogy, Reuben.
