[BB04] Was Dave Rhodes a Scientologist?

I am not a Scientologist. My questions are for those familiar with Scientology practices and policies.

A Scientologist writes:

>I first got into Scientology 7 years ago, when I was a druggie and very
>messed up. As soon as I got involved in Scientology I immediately
>stopped doing drugs when I started the Purification Rundown. This
>action had a great effect on my life. I shortly after got a job for the
>first time in my life and actually became a happy productive person.
>Since that time, I've continued to use Scientology to improved my life
>and it has done so.
Is there any connection between Dave Rhodes (author of the famous Internet chain letter) and Scientology?

I quote a portion of the Dave Rhodes letter for comparison:

"My name is D*** R*****. [Text deleted] I longed to turn my avocation into my vocation. [Text deleted] My family and I went on a ten day cruise to the tropics. [Text deleted] I bought a Lincoln Town Car for CASH [Text deleted] I am currently building a home on the West Coast of Florida, [Text deleted]."

Of particular interest are the references to a Lincoln Town Car. Lincoln also makes a model called the Mark VI. There is also, I believe, a Scientology E-Meter with the same model designation.

Also, Dave Rhodes talks about building a home on the West Coast of Florida. Is it just a coincidence that the Church of Scientology head- quarters are located in Clearwater, on the West Coast of Florida?

Dave Rhodes also talks about turning an avocation into a vocation. A vocation is commonly associated with joining a religious order such as a monastery. The Sea Org has been characterized as a monastic order.

Finally, Dave Rhodes talks about going on a cruise to the tropics. It is well known that the Sea Org and the Church of Scientology have ships and yachts for the high level training of their staff and public.

I would appreciate any information members or former members of the COS could provide that would help clear this up.

Thanks Beebo Brinker ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To find out more about the anon service, send mail to help@anon.penet.fi. If you reply to this message, your message WILL be *automatically* anonymized and you are allocated an anon id. Read the help file to prevent this. Please report any problems, inappropriate use etc. to admin@anon.penet.fi.