(Originally published 2010, Hardcover edition 381 pages)
Beyond an occasional news blurb, TIME magazine's May 6, 1991 article about
Scientology was the extent of my knowledge about this "religion." One thing I
took away from the highly negative TIME article was that the Scientologist
organization had a very nasty mean streak to them. After reading Ms. Reitman's
"Inside Scientology," I had to take a day off before writing this brief review
because I was so angry. There are plenty of books out there about this highly
secretive cult that I intentionally avoided because I was looking for a more
impartial, broad overview of Scientology. The very qualified and reputable
reporter's, Janet Reitman, expose was the first one that fit the
bill.
Just to get it out there, I'm agnostic. All religions usually have two things in common when recruiting new members, get 'em while their young or adults who are in deep emotional distress. The two largest religions born in this country Mormonism and Scientology are utterly silly at the core of their spiritual beliefs. Ms. Reitman didn't have an ax to grind against Scientology. She was simply curious about the secretive institution. The author spent five years investigating it and she doesn't paint a pretty picture of L. Ron Hubbard (likely a manic depressive as well as a paranoid schizophrenic) and his successor, David Miscavige. The first third of the book revolves our Hubbard, his creation and eventual death. The remainder of the report focuses on Miscavige (the little dude has a serious Napoleon complex), Scientology's recruitment efforts of celebrities especially Tom Cruise, and tragic victims of the church. The detailed story of Scientologist Lisa McPherson was especially difficult to read. Their attitudes towards psychiatry and what they deem as Suppressive Persons is not only loony but dangerous.
Scientology is plainly shown to be the worst of both worlds. It's a religious corporation/cult. Money-making is their golden idol. In this age of the Internet, any individual who doesn't do their homework about Scientology before getting involved with it are not the brightest bulbs on our planet. Their cosmic beliefs are stuff the highly charismatic and intelligent Hubbard pulled out of his backside and convinced young, impressionable people that it was cherry pie. Ms. Reitman has done the public a great service by giving a very good description of Scientology and also why the IRS gave them tax-exempt status. I can't recommend highly enough this well-written book for every independent-minded person out there.
Just to get it out there, I'm agnostic. All religions usually have two things in common when recruiting new members, get 'em while their young or adults who are in deep emotional distress. The two largest religions born in this country Mormonism and Scientology are utterly silly at the core of their spiritual beliefs. Ms. Reitman didn't have an ax to grind against Scientology. She was simply curious about the secretive institution. The author spent five years investigating it and she doesn't paint a pretty picture of L. Ron Hubbard (likely a manic depressive as well as a paranoid schizophrenic) and his successor, David Miscavige. The first third of the book revolves our Hubbard, his creation and eventual death. The remainder of the report focuses on Miscavige (the little dude has a serious Napoleon complex), Scientology's recruitment efforts of celebrities especially Tom Cruise, and tragic victims of the church. The detailed story of Scientologist Lisa McPherson was especially difficult to read. Their attitudes towards psychiatry and what they deem as Suppressive Persons is not only loony but dangerous.
Scientology is plainly shown to be the worst of both worlds. It's a religious corporation/cult. Money-making is their golden idol. In this age of the Internet, any individual who doesn't do their homework about Scientology before getting involved with it are not the brightest bulbs on our planet. Their cosmic beliefs are stuff the highly charismatic and intelligent Hubbard pulled out of his backside and convinced young, impressionable people that it was cherry pie. Ms. Reitman has done the public a great service by giving a very good description of Scientology and also why the IRS gave them tax-exempt status. I can't recommend highly enough this well-written book for every independent-minded person out there.
(Meyers - A few years ago, I
started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short
reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #343)
No comments:
Post a Comment