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designed to convert the newcomer to Scientology so smoothly that he or
she won't even be aware of the process.
How does it work?
We'll take an imaginary person named Mary. Mary stopped by the local
Scientology center after a friend at work told her what a difference
Scientology had made in her marriage. She gave Mary a copy of the
Dianetics book, which Mary did her best to read, although she found
Hubbard's rambling writing style somewhat difficult to understand.
Mary sat through a lecture on Scientology which left her even more
confused. The lecturer says that Scientology can be used to "handle" any
problem in life, but how, Mary wonders, does it work?
After the lecture, Mary is introduced to the Scientology Registrar.
During a long and friendly interview, in which she is asked about areas
in her life she would like to see improved, Mary discloses to the
Registrar that she and her husband are having marital problems.
Now the Registrar has the vital key -- Mary's "ruin." That one area
in her life that Mary would pay almost any price to see improved, or
"handled."
"What you need," the Registrar assures Mary, "is the Communication
Course. This is what is going to help your marriage. On this course you
will learn vital communication techniques that you can use to improve
your relationship with your husband."
"Don't you agree," he asks her, "that by improving your
communication skills, you would be able to improve the quality of your
marriage?"
"Yes, I suppose so," Mary answers tentatively.
The Registrar, having been trained and drilled in hard-sell sales
techniques, begins to move toward the "close." He gives examples of
other people who have been helped in their marriages by the course. He
may even call someone over to his desk to "double-team" with him in
closing Mary for the course.
"What have you got to lose?" he reasons with her. "If at the end of
the course you're not 100% satisfied that the course has helped you,
we'll give you your money back." He smiles as he hands her a pen and the
enrollment form.
So she signs.
"Wonderful," says the Registrar. "You're going to love the course.
And I just can't wait to hear about your 'wins'."
It is not so different from buying a used car. Scientology is
probably the only church in the world in which the first meaningful
transactions are with the Registrar and the Cashier.
Mary is immediately given a "Routing Form," a list of "terminals" or
people she must see in order to get started on the course. One of the
first people she must see is the Cashier. Mary will also be interviewed
by the "Ethics Officer," the "Director of Processing," and various other
people, all of whom will assure her that she has just made one of the
best decisions of her life.
Finally, Mary arrives in the courseroom where she is introduced to
the "Course Supervisor," who in many cases will be wearing a
military-appearing uniform, similar to a naval uniform, with shoulder
epaulets, gold braid trim and a lanyard around the neck.
The Supervisor hands Mary her "course pack," a bound collection of
"bulletins," printed articles written by Hubbard to be read on the
course. At the beginning of the course pack is a checksheet, listing
every item to be completed on the course, with a space for the student
to initial that each item has been completed. Each completed item is
assigned a certain number of points.
Mary is given a seat on the course.
Feeling slightly disoriented and somewhat overwhelmed, Mary begins
to look through her course pack.
The first few bulletins in the pack are of an introductory nature,
welcoming the student to Scientology. The bulletins are printed in
different colors of ink, some in red, some in green and some in black.
There seems to be some logic behind this, but Mary isn't sure what it
is.
Mary looks around the courseroom. This is certainly different from
any class I have ever taken before, she thinks to herself. Mary is
seated at a table with several other students. There is no talking at
the table except for one student who is checking out another student on
a bulletin. Everyone else at the table is studying silently.
There is no teacher on this course. The Course Supervisor walks
quietly around the room, making notes on a clipboard, occasionally
stopping to watch a particular student or to hand a "pink-sheet" to a
student needing correction. There seems to be an almost military
atmosphere in the room. No talking except for checkouts is allowed.
In one of the first bulletins, Mary reads a set of rules for
students on the course, called Students' Guide to Acceptable
Behavior. All students must be on time for course. Breaks must be
strictly observed. No drugs or alcohol may be consumed within twenty
four hours of the course. Students are not allowed to discuss their
"case" (problems) with each other, and they are not avowed to "evaluate"
for or "invalidate" each other.
On one wall a large, smiling picture of Hubbard looks out over the
room. There is also a life-sized bronze bust of Hubbard near the