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Re: Review: What is Scientology

By sjk@efn.org (Justin the Blue)
9 Jun 1995 02:15:53 -0700

In <sjoz6ba00YUq9=RkYQ@andrew.cmu.edu> William Bardwell <wbardwel+@CMU.EDU> writes:

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>Cheaply staged photos of the history of religion (enphasizing how each one
>Cheaply staged photos of the history of religion (enphasizing how each one >was missing stuff...mostly that they provided no way to reach "higher states".)
>was missing stuff...mostly that they provided no way to reach "higher states".) >(also some cracks on psychology and psychiatry...and more cliches about how
>(also some cracks on psychology and psychiatry...and more cliches about how >terrible the world is)
>terrible the world is) If you think those are cheaply staged, find yourself an older version... the one that was published in 1978. These were actually a bright spot in a book that was a whole lot dryer than the current edition, and they were laughably bad, filled with props that looked as though they were manufactured by hand only minutes before.

The 1992 WIS is actually an improvement on something...that something happens to be the 1978 WIS.

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>Next, cheezy paintings to illistrate LRH's life...
>Next, cheezy paintings to illistrate LRH's life... Again, an improvement over the ones in the earlier edition, which bear mentioning because about half of them were done by LRH's son Arthur (these are signed ARCH). Arthur was a workmanlike artist with a clear basic competency in his craft, but rather unremarkable wrt technique, IMO.

The current WIS's painitings are unsigned and uncredited. I've always wondered who did them.

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>Story about measuring Japanese and English poetry and finding that they
>Story about measuring Japanese and English poetry and finding that they > are the same...(and about how he was scorned and beyond the "phychs"
> are the same...(and about how he was scorned and beyond the "phychs" > at GWU)
> at GWU) Cherry oil of four people using a device that appears to combine a funnel, flame, and a bit of glass. They called it a "Koenig photometer". LRH is clearly picked out by his hair color, has back to the viewer, and is intently perusing a strip of paper with a wiggly line on it.

Another thing I've wondered is what a Koenig photometer is, and how it works.

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>"And Following an elaborate series of experiments of early 1938, he made a
>"And Following an elaborate series of experiments of early 1938, he made a > breakthrough of magnitude: he isolated the common denominator of
> breakthrough of magnitude: he isolated the common denominator of > existence: SURVIVE"
> existence: SURVIVE" After observing that those groups that didn't survive generally didn't get very far.

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>"surved as a commander of corvettes" (notice plural)
>"surved as a commander of corvettes" (notice plural) Plural would be correct, as corvettes, as I understand, travel in squadrons.

Not, of course, that it really happened. Information just in from the Goddess Eris suggests that LRH wouldn't be found near a 'corvette'. Those are Chevys, and LRH preferred Fords. Loved the Ranchero, as a matter of fact.

Eris said it, I believe it, that settles it.

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>At war's end did intensive research on 400 people...including disturbed
>At war's end did intensive research on 400 people...including disturbed > inmates in Savannah, Georgia...and cured himself...
> inmates in Savannah, Georgia...and cured himself... Which is all well and good, except I just got word from those 400 people. They'd like to speak with LRH. And they aren't happy.

>His "The Original Thesis" became known around the world from people passing
>His "The Original Thesis" became known around the world from people passing > around copies of it...then he published stuff...
> around copies of it...then he published stuff... Particle of truth. "The Original Thesis" was actually passed around LRH's acquaintances and under high demand. As a matter of observation, LRH's major works seem to have enjoyed immense initial acceptance, which usually fell off as people grew disillusioned with them.

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>Scientology intro, the 8 Dynamics(with pictures...), the Tone scale (with
>Scientology intro, the 8 Dynamics(with pictures...), the Tone scale (with >great pictures of a woman demo-ing each of the ones 4.0 and below, its true...
>great pictures of a woman demo-ing each of the ones 4.0 and below, its true... >4.0 Enthusiasm looks the same as 1.1 Covert Hostility
>4.0 Enthusiasm looks the same as 1.1 Covert Hostility I've always been able to tell the difference. It's just the way the picture hits you, I guess. The 4.0 photo has this sunny yellow background, and she has such a "It's a wonderful day!" expression, whereas the 1.1 photo has this sinister red color, and the way she smiles that smile...

If I was her dentist, I'd check for fangs, lets just say.

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>(P.S. am I the only one who considers the ordering
>(P.S. am I the only one who considers the ordering >and the scale bizzare???)
>and the scale bizzare???) No.

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>The Life Orientation Course
>The Life Orientation Course >Again, so hyped I can't tell what it is...
>Again, so hyped I can't tell what it is... Well, the open book with the fold-out leaf has the 21-division Org Board printed upon. Judging by the text of the chapter, I'd guess the LOC is all about applying Management Tech on a personal level. Just a guess, though.

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>what they are doing and such...and about CCHR fights...
>what they are doing and such...and about CCHR fights... The mention of the Childrens Farm Home debacle struck a chord with me... I lived in Corvallis, OR, where the Farm Home is/was located. And while the recounting of the incident was fairly straight, I note that it was worded so as to lead the reader to conclude that the CFH investigation would never have been were it not for CCHR. It was widely reported in the local news, which I read, and I don't recall anyone from CCHR stepping forward to take any credit.

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>Big supprise, 98.1% don't receive welfare...what a supprise...
>Big supprise, 98.1% don't receive welfare...what a supprise... You misspelled 'Big Suprise'. Hope this helps. B-)

>"Those who oppose Scientology"
>"Those who oppose Scientology" >Wildly paranoid stuff about the psychs suppressing them...the FDA claims Milne
>Wildly paranoid stuff about the psychs suppressing them...the FDA claims Milne >was pushing...the IRS is out to get them...
>was pushing...the IRS is out to get them... Best part of the book. Break out the violins and the sinister backup music, friends. Worth the price of admission...guaranteed three hanky. Siskel and Ebert almost gave it thumbs up, then learned where they'd have to put thier thumbs up.

>Now the really good part..."The true story of scientology" by L. Ron Hubard...
>Now the really good part..."The true story of scientology" by L. Ron Hubard... >Great stuff about "Merchants of Chaos" who appose him...wild, and nutty...
>Great stuff about "Merchants of Chaos" who appose him...wild, and nutty... My favorite part of that is "3. People find it wanks."

[Smiles to self as lots of Scnists rush to open the book to see if that's really in that way]

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>if you are wondering what scientology is, this won't answer it...
>if you are wondering what scientology is, this won't answer it... However, if you are wondering how Scn want you to see it and possibly what it really thinks about itself, you'll find the book enlightening and actually pretty interesting. If nothing else than a reference point, then, this book serves a definite need, producer notwithstanding.

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>don't pay over $4 or so...
>don't pay over $4 or so... If you really want to hold this 'remarkable hunk of paper', as someone termed it to me, it's very likely in your local public library. The Church is big on donating it's works to libraries, apparently.