Can a Person Practice Dianetics and Not be a Scientologist?
May 16, 2013 3:54 AM Subscribe
Here's what I'm wondering. I recently discovered that an old respected friend is studying to become a Dianetics Auditor. My friend had a rough patch a few years ago and ended up feeling happier after undergoing Dianetcs Auditing. Good for her, I say. All I know of the church makes it seem like a nonsensical cult-like place that takes your money, but she's happy.
She is clear that she is not a Scientologist; she does not attend their church/organization or donate in any way. She had the "therapy," and now is studying to become an Auditor. She has paid $3k for this course, and once she is finished she will be allowed to practice as a Dianetics Auditor.
And to be clear, I am not looking for exposes on the church...I'm really just trying to understand what Dianetics really is, how it works, if it can work without becoming a Scientologist. (Obviously, I wonder intellectually how my smart friend can believe in what seems in ridiculous pseudo-science-quackery and "being clear," but that's not my question. But yes, I do wonder how on Earth she thinks they "cured" her.)
She may be getting hustled, but that's not my question. I hope she won't be pressured into becoming a Scientologist because from what I've read of the church, it's nothing other than a really nutty cult.
She is 100% adamant that a person can believe in and practice Dianetics and have nothing to do with the church, but can't show me any resources that prove her point. Everything I read about Dianetics is very heavy on the Scientology beliefs that I find very difficult to believe.
Can the hivemind find some info?
Is it actually possible to become an Auditor and have nothing else to do with Scientology?
She is clear that she is not a Scientologist; she does not attend their church/organization or donate in any way. She had the "therapy," and now is studying to become an Auditor. She has paid $3k for this course, and once she is finished she will be allowed to practice as a Dianetics Auditor.
And to be clear, I am not looking for exposes on the church...I'm really just trying to understand what Dianetics really is, how it works, if it can work without becoming a Scientologist. (Obviously, I wonder intellectually how my smart friend can believe in what seems in ridiculous pseudo-science-quackery and "being clear," but that's not my question. But yes, I do wonder how on Earth she thinks they "cured" her.)
She may be getting hustled, but that's not my question. I hope she won't be pressured into becoming a Scientologist because from what I've read of the church, it's nothing other than a really nutty cult.
She is 100% adamant that a person can believe in and practice Dianetics and have nothing to do with the church, but can't show me any resources that prove her point. Everything I read about Dianetics is very heavy on the Scientology beliefs that I find very difficult to believe.
Can the hivemind find some info?
Is it actually possible to become an Auditor and have nothing else to do with Scientology?
Best answer: Dianetics is Scientology, and she is paying the Church to train her to be a scientologist and fleece people from their money. She's at best not being honest with herself, and at worst, not being honest with you.
posted by empath at 4:00 AM on May 16, 2013 [19 favorites]
posted by empath at 4:00 AM on May 16, 2013 [19 favorites]
Here's all the information you ever wanted to know about how scientology works.
posted by empath at 4:02 AM on May 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by empath at 4:02 AM on May 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: she does not donate in any way...she has paid $3k for this course
posted by ryanrs at 4:03 AM on May 16, 2013 [36 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 4:03 AM on May 16, 2013 [36 favorites]
Best answer: Particularly, the costs of 'training'
This is what the practice of scientology is. You start at the bottom, and work your way all the way up to Tom Cruise level.
posted by empath at 4:06 AM on May 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
This is what the practice of scientology is. You start at the bottom, and work your way all the way up to Tom Cruise level.
posted by empath at 4:06 AM on May 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
There do exist people who have broken with Scientology, but who still practice or teach or promote Dianetics. I think the CoS calls them "squirrels" but I am not sure of that.
Is it possible that your friend is involved with someone like that?
posted by thelonius at 4:07 AM on May 16, 2013
Is it possible that your friend is involved with someone like that?
posted by thelonius at 4:07 AM on May 16, 2013
There are independent Dianetics groups. From what you've written, it does not sound like what's going on here, but it is possible to practice Dianetics/Scientology without actively being involved in the Church of Scientology.
posted by asciident at 4:18 AM on May 16, 2013
posted by asciident at 4:18 AM on May 16, 2013
Response by poster: Empath, that's the same stuff I read and went, "Oh shit. She's getting hustled."
But she swears that there are Dianetics practitioners who are separate from the org, and it's not the "Free Zone" group because they also believe in Scientology.
Thelonius, I think you've got it. So we're getting closer to an answer. How can I find out about these squirrels?
What I'm starting to realize is that I can't find this information because it doesn't exist.
posted by kinetic at 4:22 AM on May 16, 2013
But she swears that there are Dianetics practitioners who are separate from the org, and it's not the "Free Zone" group because they also believe in Scientology.
Thelonius, I think you've got it. So we're getting closer to an answer. How can I find out about these squirrels?
What I'm starting to realize is that I can't find this information because it doesn't exist.
posted by kinetic at 4:22 AM on May 16, 2013
Thelonius makes an interesting point, but it's still worth noting that in more and more of their promotional materials, CoS is steering clear of the word "Scientology" and talking almost exclusively about the "Science of Dianetics." It's ingrained in their marketing, and it's a good strategy, considering the PR beating the church has taken over the years.
If I had to put odds on it, I'd say chances are...99.5% that your friend is (1) a Scientologist, and (2) a good marketer for the church.
posted by duffell at 4:35 AM on May 16, 2013 [9 favorites]
If I had to put odds on it, I'd say chances are...99.5% that your friend is (1) a Scientologist, and (2) a good marketer for the church.
posted by duffell at 4:35 AM on May 16, 2013 [9 favorites]
Free Zone(rs?) are the squirrels, or the independent Dianetic practitioners, e.g. California Association of Dianetic Auditors who claim to predate the CoS.
posted by asciident at 4:40 AM on May 16, 2013
posted by asciident at 4:40 AM on May 16, 2013
If L.Ron Hubbard had anything to do with it, it's a scam, no matter what label she slaps on it.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:40 AM on May 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:40 AM on May 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: I wonder if my question next week will be along the lines of, "My friend doesn't know she's being fleeced by a cult. What do I do?"
posted by kinetic at 4:42 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by kinetic at 4:42 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
$3000 speaks for itself if you ask me...
posted by oceanjesse at 4:43 AM on May 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by oceanjesse at 4:43 AM on May 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
Dianetics is Scientology
As you'll probably already know from reading Going Clear, Dianetics predated Scientology by some years, and wasn't identical to it – indeed, one of the big problems with it, from Hubbard's point of view, seems to have been that it was too easy for people to go away and practice it, alone or in independent groups, without him remaining in control of their activities (and making money).
None of which means it's not BS, or that any non-Scientology practitioners of it today aren't equally worth avoiding, of course.
posted by oliverburkeman at 4:44 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
As you'll probably already know from reading Going Clear, Dianetics predated Scientology by some years, and wasn't identical to it – indeed, one of the big problems with it, from Hubbard's point of view, seems to have been that it was too easy for people to go away and practice it, alone or in independent groups, without him remaining in control of their activities (and making money).
None of which means it's not BS, or that any non-Scientology practitioners of it today aren't equally worth avoiding, of course.
posted by oliverburkeman at 4:44 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Selling her the Dianetics course but not calling it Scientology sounds like its just another way for them to suck her into their so-called 'church'. It's like reeling in a fish: inch by inch.
And yes: she has now donated $3K to the Church of Scientology.
posted by easily confused at 4:44 AM on May 16, 2013 [15 favorites]
And yes: she has now donated $3K to the Church of Scientology.
posted by easily confused at 4:44 AM on May 16, 2013 [15 favorites]
Best answer: Your question could be paraphrased as, "My friend insists that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one true saviour, and he died on the cross for our sins, but she is not Christian, and she says that there are people who believe this and are not Christian..."
Sometimes dude, the duck is a duck. She believes in the mumbo jumbo, she's paid thousands of dollars for the courses - what more could the Scientology want from her and in what ways is she functionally different from a Scientologist?
Three thousand dollars. Jesus.
posted by smoke at 4:53 AM on May 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
Sometimes dude, the duck is a duck. She believes in the mumbo jumbo, she's paid thousands of dollars for the courses - what more could the Scientology want from her and in what ways is she functionally different from a Scientologist?
Three thousand dollars. Jesus.
posted by smoke at 4:53 AM on May 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
"Sure, I believe that Jesus was the divine son of God and I believe that he died as an atonement for my sins and I believe that he was bodily resurrected three days later. But im not Christian or anything like that "
Your friend is a Scientologist.
posted by DWRoelands at 4:57 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
Your friend is a Scientologist.
posted by DWRoelands at 4:57 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
I wonder if my question next week will be along the lines of, "My friend doesn't know she's being fleeced by a cult. What do I do?"
Well, the hard thing here is that she's already bought into it, both literally and metaphorically, so choice-supportive bias will probably be stopping her from being as open to your questioning and reasoning as she might normally be.
I've been dealing with something a little similar lately with someone close to me, and after trying a few tacks, I feel like the best approach is to deal with it as if the person in question is sleepwalking. Ie. don't try and violently wake them, don't force them to change their path unless they're going to hurt themselves, and try to gently guide them back to a safe place, with you there to support them if/when they wake up.
posted by greenish at 5:15 AM on May 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
Well, the hard thing here is that she's already bought into it, both literally and metaphorically, so choice-supportive bias will probably be stopping her from being as open to your questioning and reasoning as she might normally be.
I've been dealing with something a little similar lately with someone close to me, and after trying a few tacks, I feel like the best approach is to deal with it as if the person in question is sleepwalking. Ie. don't try and violently wake them, don't force them to change their path unless they're going to hurt themselves, and try to gently guide them back to a safe place, with you there to support them if/when they wake up.
posted by greenish at 5:15 AM on May 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
don't force them to change their path unless they're going to hurt themselves
Deciding whether or not $3k counts as hurting themselves is left as an exercise for the OP.
posted by radwolf76 at 5:18 AM on May 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Deciding whether or not $3k counts as hurting themselves is left as an exercise for the OP.
posted by radwolf76 at 5:18 AM on May 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Paying too much money for a course is not exactly unheard of outside of scientologist circles.
You say your friend is happy. Why not focus on that instead of trying to pigeonhole them?
posted by windykites at 5:18 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
You say your friend is happy. Why not focus on that instead of trying to pigeonhole them?
posted by windykites at 5:18 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
"My friend insists that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one true saviour, and he died on the cross for our sins, but she is not Christian, and she says that there are people who believe this and are not Christian..."
This is a thing. It's called Jews for Jesus. It's believers remain Jews, despite the Jesus. Telling them that doesn't compute in your world view makes no difference at all to their beliefs.
Anyway, as asciident's link illuminates, there are indeed Dianetics practitioners who stand outside of the Crock of Scientology, and indeed often acrimoniously so. If you want clarification on your particular friend's organisation and relationship to Scientology, ask about tithing. It they are not tithing and do not expect their practitioners to tithe to Xenu, I'd be a lot more relaxed.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:23 AM on May 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
This is a thing. It's called Jews for Jesus. It's believers remain Jews, despite the Jesus. Telling them that doesn't compute in your world view makes no difference at all to their beliefs.
Anyway, as asciident's link illuminates, there are indeed Dianetics practitioners who stand outside of the Crock of Scientology, and indeed often acrimoniously so. If you want clarification on your particular friend's organisation and relationship to Scientology, ask about tithing. It they are not tithing and do not expect their practitioners to tithe to Xenu, I'd be a lot more relaxed.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:23 AM on May 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
I just finished Going Clear, which may be a good resource for both you and her, in terms of seeing the "big picture" of where Scientology came from and where it is headed.
posted by kuanes at 5:35 AM on May 16, 2013
posted by kuanes at 5:35 AM on May 16, 2013
Response by poster: It they are not tithing and do not expect their practitioners to tithe to Xenu, I'd be a lot more relaxed.
She's not tithing. Her understanding is that she paid (crikey) $3k for this training and when she finishes it she'll be certified to be an independent field auditor who can advertise, take clients, and audit other people who will pay her, and there's no expectation for her to get her clients to become involved with the org.
My internet sleuthing finds no independent auditors and my reading indicates that's because the org shuts them down immediately. They're not going to let her do this.
She insists that other than taking this course, she has no involvement with the org and has no desire to have future involvement with them. She gained from their therapy, is paying to practice so she can help others (I know, I know...but whatever floats your boat), but she doesn't try to spread the word and recruit people. She just wants to practice this type of therapy.
Which brings me back to my basic question: is it possible to practice Dianetics without any other involvement in the cult of Scientology? Or is it, like it appears, that the very practice of Dianetics is being a Scientologist and she will eventually be coerced into recruiting people?
posted by kinetic at 6:08 AM on May 16, 2013
She's not tithing. Her understanding is that she paid (crikey) $3k for this training and when she finishes it she'll be certified to be an independent field auditor who can advertise, take clients, and audit other people who will pay her, and there's no expectation for her to get her clients to become involved with the org.
My internet sleuthing finds no independent auditors and my reading indicates that's because the org shuts them down immediately. They're not going to let her do this.
She insists that other than taking this course, she has no involvement with the org and has no desire to have future involvement with them. She gained from their therapy, is paying to practice so she can help others (I know, I know...but whatever floats your boat), but she doesn't try to spread the word and recruit people. She just wants to practice this type of therapy.
Which brings me back to my basic question: is it possible to practice Dianetics without any other involvement in the cult of Scientology? Or is it, like it appears, that the very practice of Dianetics is being a Scientologist and she will eventually be coerced into recruiting people?
posted by kinetic at 6:08 AM on May 16, 2013
Best answer: "when she finishes it she'll be certified " So she has not finished the course yet? When she finishes she may get the news she needs to take further courses and invest more money in them in order to stay current. Or they are shut down. This is not over yet.
posted by mermayd at 6:13 AM on May 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by mermayd at 6:13 AM on May 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
when she finishes it she'll be certified to be an independent field auditor who can advertise, take clients, and audit other people who will pay her, and there's no expectation for her to get her clients to become involved with the org.
Wait, so she's aware that the purpose of her "training" is to then fleece others like she's been fleeced? And yes, the "when she finishes" seems to suggest that there will be further funds required from her.
So whether or not they are legitimately involved with CoS, it seems that they are operating under the same business model.
posted by elizardbits at 6:15 AM on May 16, 2013
Wait, so she's aware that the purpose of her "training" is to then fleece others like she's been fleeced? And yes, the "when she finishes" seems to suggest that there will be further funds required from her.
So whether or not they are legitimately involved with CoS, it seems that they are operating under the same business model.
posted by elizardbits at 6:15 AM on May 16, 2013
Best answer: "Independent Auditors" do not openly exist outside of the Freezone. Organized Scientology shuts them down/harasses them until they stop/pay the cult.
The Freezone seems to get by partially by being a relatively large group, and in part because they know how the cult proper works.
If she is getting a "certification" of something the only group capable of recognizing that cert is Scientology itself, so she is paying them for it and is working for them.
posted by Twain Device at 6:15 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
The Freezone seems to get by partially by being a relatively large group, and in part because they know how the cult proper works.
If she is getting a "certification" of something the only group capable of recognizing that cert is Scientology itself, so she is paying them for it and is working for them.
posted by Twain Device at 6:15 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Three thousand dollars. Jesus.
$3,000 is not very much money for a certification in something that has questionable value.
I don't see how what your friend is doing is different than any other life-improvement guru stuff. The anti-Scientology reactions are unsurprising but get in the way of your question. She says the therapy or whatever helped her and she wants to help others in the same way. She says she's not buying into the cult stuff. I'd take her at her word until something changes.
posted by headnsouth at 6:20 AM on May 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
$3,000 is not very much money for a certification in something that has questionable value.
I don't see how what your friend is doing is different than any other life-improvement guru stuff. The anti-Scientology reactions are unsurprising but get in the way of your question. She says the therapy or whatever helped her and she wants to help others in the same way. She says she's not buying into the cult stuff. I'd take her at her word until something changes.
posted by headnsouth at 6:20 AM on May 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
Does the $3K include an E-meter? If not, then she has another large expense coming up.
posted by Sophont at 6:23 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Sophont at 6:23 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
I've read - probably here on mefi - that Scientology has trademarked and copyrighted its terminology and practices and literature and so on to the nth degree, and uses those holdings as one way to shut down "independent" practitioners. Someone can maybe provide links. If your friend is really going to be independent, is she prepared to be sued for trademark/copyright violations?
posted by rtha at 6:26 AM on May 16, 2013
posted by rtha at 6:26 AM on May 16, 2013
Best answer: Also, to address this: "Obviously, I wonder intellectually how my smart friend can believe in what seems in ridiculous pseudo-science-quackery and "being clear," but that's not my question. But yes, I do wonder how on Earth she thinks they "cured" her.
People in pain will cling to anything that lessens that pain even a little bit. It's unfortunate that swindlers have latched on to that in order to take advantage of vulnerable people in their time of need, but since she's adamant that it's helping her, it will be very difficult to show her otherwise. Really the best thing you can do for her is simply continue to be her friend and be there for her when/if she finally comes to the realization that she's been had, and has been complicit in drawing other vulnerable people into the same situation.
posted by elizardbits at 6:27 AM on May 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
People in pain will cling to anything that lessens that pain even a little bit. It's unfortunate that swindlers have latched on to that in order to take advantage of vulnerable people in their time of need, but since she's adamant that it's helping her, it will be very difficult to show her otherwise. Really the best thing you can do for her is simply continue to be her friend and be there for her when/if she finally comes to the realization that she's been had, and has been complicit in drawing other vulnerable people into the same situation.
posted by elizardbits at 6:27 AM on May 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
People seem to be under the impression that this $3,000 training fee is a one-time thing. It's not. The courses and certifications don't end.
posted by ryanrs at 6:30 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 6:30 AM on May 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: She says she's not buying into the cult stuff
Belief in "auditing" and e-meters IS buying into the "cult stuff." Scientology is not a religion; Hubbard only started calling it a "religion" and a "church" when he determined he could get a tax break if he did so. The crux of scientology is the belief in auditing and in striving to be "clear" (which is a never-ending process and demands more and more of your money and your time).
OP, I'm not sure how you can help your friend other than giving her reading materials such as the ones other responders have mentioned. Eventually something might click for her. Also, you can occasionally gently say, "Please be careful." I did this recently with a co-worker who became enamored of some est-related thing called Landmark which he was trying to recruit other people into during lunch breaks.
posted by RRgal at 6:52 AM on May 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
Belief in "auditing" and e-meters IS buying into the "cult stuff." Scientology is not a religion; Hubbard only started calling it a "religion" and a "church" when he determined he could get a tax break if he did so. The crux of scientology is the belief in auditing and in striving to be "clear" (which is a never-ending process and demands more and more of your money and your time).
OP, I'm not sure how you can help your friend other than giving her reading materials such as the ones other responders have mentioned. Eventually something might click for her. Also, you can occasionally gently say, "Please be careful." I did this recently with a co-worker who became enamored of some est-related thing called Landmark which he was trying to recruit other people into during lunch breaks.
posted by RRgal at 6:52 AM on May 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Can a Person Practice Dianetics and Not be a Scientologist?
Thank you everyone. It appears the answer is no.
posted by kinetic at 7:00 AM on May 16, 2013
Thank you everyone. It appears the answer is no.
posted by kinetic at 7:00 AM on May 16, 2013
Really the best thing you can do for her is simply continue to be her friend and be there for her when/if she finally comes to the realization that she's been had, and has been complicit in drawing other vulnerable people into the same situation.
Also, you can occasionally gently say, "Please be careful."
To this I would add something like:
"I'm glad you've found something that works for you. If I were in your position, I'd set a fixed amount, say $4000 total, and decide that that's the maximum amount I'm going to invest in the training just so I don't get carried away with it and blow my budget!"
And try to say it in as friendly a way as possible. Just something so that the next time she tells you she's forking out a bunch of cash for this thing, you can say, "wait, didn't you say you weren't going to spend more than $4000 on this?" to remind her to keep some perspective on the situation.
posted by phunniemee at 7:12 AM on May 16, 2013
Also, you can occasionally gently say, "Please be careful."
To this I would add something like:
"I'm glad you've found something that works for you. If I were in your position, I'd set a fixed amount, say $4000 total, and decide that that's the maximum amount I'm going to invest in the training just so I don't get carried away with it and blow my budget!"
And try to say it in as friendly a way as possible. Just something so that the next time she tells you she's forking out a bunch of cash for this thing, you can say, "wait, didn't you say you weren't going to spend more than $4000 on this?" to remind her to keep some perspective on the situation.
posted by phunniemee at 7:12 AM on May 16, 2013
The answer to your question is no. Your friend is a Scientologist.
The way auditing works in the early stages may explain why she feels like the "therapy" helped her. They have you go over a painful memory multiple times, basically reliving it, until it is no longer painful. It's kind of like regular talk therapy in a way in that you talk about whatever thing is painful to you, but the difference is all the other crap they wrap around it like e-meters and stuff. The early auditing doesn't involve any of that, if I recall correctly - it's mostly just talking.
Source: years ago my ex-husband got roped into taking one of their personality test things and talked me into going to a couple of Dianetics sessions. I bailed when they explained all the tiers and costs since it was immediately apparent that their system was designed to extract as much money as possible from their members.
posted by bedhead at 7:58 AM on May 16, 2013
The way auditing works in the early stages may explain why she feels like the "therapy" helped her. They have you go over a painful memory multiple times, basically reliving it, until it is no longer painful. It's kind of like regular talk therapy in a way in that you talk about whatever thing is painful to you, but the difference is all the other crap they wrap around it like e-meters and stuff. The early auditing doesn't involve any of that, if I recall correctly - it's mostly just talking.
Source: years ago my ex-husband got roped into taking one of their personality test things and talked me into going to a couple of Dianetics sessions. I bailed when they explained all the tiers and costs since it was immediately apparent that their system was designed to extract as much money as possible from their members.
posted by bedhead at 7:58 AM on May 16, 2013
Best answer: You already have your--correct--answer, but I feel I have to chime in as a person who was raised a Scientologist and is not currently practicing. (Though my parents are still deeply involved, but that's a story for another time!)
Other posters are right that this is probably just the beginning, but it depends on the level of church that she is involved with. The higher "orgs" and "upper management" tend to be more money grubbing, but you will still find lower key, well-intentioned people in the smaller groups or "missions." If your friend is involved with a mission I can imagine they would allow her to just stick with Dianetic auditing. Of course, the whole purpose of a mission is to help people with Dianetics and other basic, inexpensive classes, and then funnel them into larger churches with more expensive "services," but unless things have gone completely off the rails I think your friend could resist that.
There is an emergent and growing Independent Scientologist movement made up of people who, to greater and lesser degrees, still believe in and use "the tech" but who are not on board with the current church management, or "Corporate Scientology." If your friend is interested in using Dianetic auditing to help others this might be a good way for her to do it. She can start by looking at Mark Rathbun's blog.
For what it's worth, Dianetic auditing was the one Scientology service I can unequivocally say helped me in a very real and specific way.
You are welcome to PM me.
posted by apricot at 8:05 AM on May 16, 2013 [7 favorites]
Other posters are right that this is probably just the beginning, but it depends on the level of church that she is involved with. The higher "orgs" and "upper management" tend to be more money grubbing, but you will still find lower key, well-intentioned people in the smaller groups or "missions." If your friend is involved with a mission I can imagine they would allow her to just stick with Dianetic auditing. Of course, the whole purpose of a mission is to help people with Dianetics and other basic, inexpensive classes, and then funnel them into larger churches with more expensive "services," but unless things have gone completely off the rails I think your friend could resist that.
There is an emergent and growing Independent Scientologist movement made up of people who, to greater and lesser degrees, still believe in and use "the tech" but who are not on board with the current church management, or "Corporate Scientology." If your friend is interested in using Dianetic auditing to help others this might be a good way for her to do it. She can start by looking at Mark Rathbun's blog.
For what it's worth, Dianetic auditing was the one Scientology service I can unequivocally say helped me in a very real and specific way.
You are welcome to PM me.
posted by apricot at 8:05 AM on May 16, 2013 [7 favorites]
A friend of mine who briefly explored Scientology said the same thing... he likened Dianetics to talk therapy, and found it pretty useful. He thought that there was a lot of helpful/reasonable material in the first few Scientology classes. But he bailed when he realized that the pressure to "advance" and pay for more classes was never-ending, and the teachings got loopier the further up you went. The same might happen for your friend.
posted by Nibbly Fang at 10:35 AM on May 16, 2013
posted by Nibbly Fang at 10:35 AM on May 16, 2013
I don't know if this is useful, but from what I understand of Dianetic auditing, it's a ritualized guided relaxation followed by systematic desensitization of upsetting past events. None of which is very Dianetics-specific; both relaxation and desensitization are pretty standard psychological techniques. If your friend at some point wanted to practice something similar outside of the scope of Dianetics proper, maybe she could find a way to repackage it.
posted by feets at 12:06 PM on May 16, 2013
posted by feets at 12:06 PM on May 16, 2013
Best answer: both relaxation and desensitization are pretty standard psychological techniques.
except none of the people doing "Dianetics auditing" are trained or licensed as psychologists. A person with psychological problems can be seriously harmed by an untrained person doing pseudo-therapy on them. And of course it is well-known that Scientology is vehemently AGAINST any kind of legitimate professional treatment.
posted by RRgal at 10:08 AM on May 17, 2013
except none of the people doing "Dianetics auditing" are trained or licensed as psychologists. A person with psychological problems can be seriously harmed by an untrained person doing pseudo-therapy on them. And of course it is well-known that Scientology is vehemently AGAINST any kind of legitimate professional treatment.
posted by RRgal at 10:08 AM on May 17, 2013
Response by poster: Wanted to pass along this update: I had a pleasant-turned-unpleasant chat with my friend who 100% adamantly stated that Dianetics has NO connection to Scientology, that Dianetics Auditing "training" completely qualifies her to analyze other people through Dianetics, and that of course the Dianetics people will allow her to practice independently anywhere, because they said so!
When I asked her where she went for her Dianetics training, she responded, "The Dianetics Center." I asked if it was at the CoS, and she said no.
But it is.
In short, she definitely appears to be brainwashed to some extent, and I don't know what to do, since she's lying about having a connection to the CoS and seems to have no idea how dangerous this is.
posted by kinetic at 4:34 PM on May 17, 2013
When I asked her where she went for her Dianetics training, she responded, "The Dianetics Center." I asked if it was at the CoS, and she said no.
But it is.
In short, she definitely appears to be brainwashed to some extent, and I don't know what to do, since she's lying about having a connection to the CoS and seems to have no idea how dangerous this is.
posted by kinetic at 4:34 PM on May 17, 2013
There's got to be some sort of 'de-programming' group out there somewhere....?
(And "qualified to analyze other people" is sounding close to "practicing medicine without a license"!)
posted by easily confused at 12:32 PM on May 19, 2013
(And "qualified to analyze other people" is sounding close to "practicing medicine without a license"!)
posted by easily confused at 12:32 PM on May 19, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by kinetic at 3:58 AM on May 16, 2013