Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse

[SecularMotion]

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Raised as Scientologists, Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, were recruited as teenagers to work for the elite corps of staff members who keep the Church of Scientology running, known as the Sea Organization, or Sea Org.

They signed a contract for a billion years — in keeping with the church’s belief that Scientologists are immortal. They worked seven days a week, often on little sleep, for sporadic paychecks of $50 a week, at most.

But after 13 years and growing disillusionment, the Collbrans decided to leave the Sea Org, setting off on a Kafkaesque journey that they said required them to sign false confessions about their personal lives and their work, pay the church thousands of dollars it said they owed for courses and counseling, and accept the consequences as their parents, siblings and friends who are church members cut off all communication with them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/us/07scientology.html?hp

[elocs]

1. Yes, I read that here earlier this morning:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7861491

[Kber]

2. And the difference between this and a cult is?

[laconicsax]

4. Same as with any other religion. n/t

[CanonRay]

3. Another religion that is a fraud?

Yawn. Aren't they all?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. In everything, there are differences of degree. Religious fanaticism is no exception. -nt

[ZombieHorde]

6. Messed up. The Church of Scientology is giving the RCC a run for its money. nt