SCI
page 2 / 5
When someone is feeling exceedingly anxious, uncertain, hurt, lonely,
unloved, confused or guilty, that person is a prime prospect for those
who come in the guise of religion offering a way out or peace of mind.
(7)
And there are a small minority of people who are drawn to the cult
because of chronic emotional problems often as a result of growing up in
a dysfunctional home.
The lonely, the unstable, the vulnerable -- cult recruiters seem to
have the ability to spot these people in a crowd. They seem to have a
sixth sense for people who will make prime candidates for the cult.
Recruitment of the vulnerable is one element of Enroth's "seduction
syndrome." Other elements include: intense group pressure and group
activity, such as that experienced by the newcomer on the introductory
course, the Communication Course of Scientology; sensory deprivation, a
lack of proper nutrition and adequate sleep, also experienced by
Scientologists, who may be fed a diet of rice and
beans as a punishment for inadequate production; and a dramatic change
in world view -- the adopting of beliefs radically different from those
held before.
In another paradigm of brainwashing, Willa Appel describes a three
stage conversion process, which is also applicable to the Scientologist.
In the first stage of the conversion, the recruit is isolated from
his past life.
First the individual is isolated from his past life, cut off from
his former position and occupation as well as those with whom he has
emotional ties. (8)
In Scientology this is accomplished in several ways. In gradually
adopting a new language, the recruit to Scientology is subtly separated
from those in his past who no longer "speak his language." And the use
of the term "wog," a derogatory term, to refer to all those outside
Scientology, accomplishes the same end. Additionally, the student is
pressured to spend every available minute "on course," instead of on
frivolous pursuits outside Scientology which are termed "off-purpose."
In the second phase of conversion:
... the loss of name and identity is reinforced by inducing the
novice, emotionally and intellectually, to surrender his past life.
Humiliation and guilt are the basic tools in the psychological
dismembering of the former self. (9)
In Scientology this phase is accomplished in two ways. First,
through the practice of auditing, also called the "confessional," in
which the Scientologist over a period of time divulges all the secrets
of his entire lifetime. And second, through the "ethics" process of
writing up one's "O/Ws" (overts and withholds), in which the person
records every wrong deed, real or imagined, committed in this and in
previous lifetimes. The Scientologist must produce these O/Ws until the
Ethics Officer is satisfied that he is reduced to an acceptable level of
contrition and humiliation.
In the third phase of Appel's conversion, "the convert assumes a new
identity and a new world view." (10)
In Scientology, this is accomplished through a rigorous process of
indoctrination through written and tape-recorded materials. The member's
confidence in all previously trusted social institutions is ended, and
replaced with the belief that salvation can come only through
Scientology. The person's new sense of identity comes from his or her
belonging to the cult as all other allegiances are severed.
A third paradigm of mind control, or brainwashing, comes from George
Estabrooks in his writing about hypnotism, about which he was an expert.
Estabrooks noticed that many of the elements of mob psychology used by
cult leaders were very similar to techniques used by hypnotists. He
states that these techniques were used by Hitler, they were also
practiced by Hubbard.
Of these six essential points in the psychology of the mob, the
first is: "(The cult leader) will strive for a restriction of the field
of consciousness among the members of his mob (cult).... His ideas, and
his ideas only, are to be considered by the mob (cult).... His followers
hear only one line of thought, his line of thought." (11)
This will sound very familiar to a Scientologist. Scientologists are
strictly forbidden against "mixing practices," from studying any other
system of thought while in Scientology. Hubbard, as "Source," is
regarded as ultimate authority and as infallible. Any confusion or
disagreement with anything said or written by Hubbard is regarded as a
misunderstanding, or
"misunderstood word" on the part of the student.
The second point in mob psychology is that "the dictator will appeal
to the emotions.... Moreover he will appeal to the baser emotions of
fear, anger, hatred." (12)
In Scientology, there is an appeal to fear and to guilt. The
ideology in Scientology is that we are caught in a trap, and that
Scientology is the only way out of the trap. Fear is also maintained
within the group by the office of "ethics" through which any doubts,
disagreements, or failures within the group are punished. Members having
serious disagreements or difficulties are threatened with expulsion and