Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

[Sawyer]

Biggest ratings for a documentary on HBO in almost a decade

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/scientology-expos-going-clear-is-785556

 

[Erzengel]

Hubbard said it in the beginning of the documentary, no money in sci fi writing, create a religion.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Ya this doc was amazing. I live in Clearwater so anytime I go to the downtown bus station I see tons of these nutjobs walking around dressed like flight attendants. They are a truly crazy bunch. I'm glad this got made and all those former high ranking members spoke out against this insanity

 

[Erzengel]

I'm wondering if MI5 will take a hit in July because of this, at least in the US.

 

[mclay18]

I'm wondering if MI5 will take a hit in July because of this, at least in the US.

I don't know, but probably not. People knew how crazy Scientology could be way back before TC's infamous Oprah appearance in 2005 -- but he constantly gets movies greenlit.

A lot of people are willing to separate TC the Scientologist from TC the movie star... unless there was something hugely explosive in "Going Clear" that taints Cruise's image irrevocably.

And to be fair to the other side, not every actor that's part of it is brainwashed or blackmailed into staying. Juliette Lewis, Jenna Elfman and her husband Bodhi seem normal and well-adjusted -- and I periodically listen to Elfmans' "Kicking and Screaming" podcast. Maybe they're not deep into it like Kirstie Alley or TC, but I digress.

 

[Pickleweasel]

HBO docs been killing it lately

 

[flickchick85]

Just watched this, and it was as fascinating and unsettling as I'd expected. I don't know why I'm able to separate RL Tom Cruise from movie star Tom Cruise, but I am. I still enjoy Movie Star TC immensely, but Real-Life TC is kinda terrifying. That whole thing with turning their kids against Nicole was just...

On the other hand, while I've always hated Paul Haggis' work (and I doubt that will change any time soon), I actually found myself liking him a lot in this. I loved his reaction upon reading the Xenu stuff, lol.

 

[Brother Jack]

After watching this I actually found L. Ron Hubbard to be more sympathetic than I anticipated he would. In the sense that he was really a very pitiful, sick man who so desperately wanted to be great that he bought into his own deception. This is a guy so deep into his own web of psychosis that he wanted to hook himself up to a suicide machine to rid his body of alien ghosts. Beyond all the terrible things he spawned that's just sad.

 

[Erzengel]

Just watched this, and it was as fascinating and unsettling as I'd expected. I don't know why I'm able to separate RL Tom Cruise from movie star Tom Cruise, but I am. I still enjoy Movie Star TC immensely, but Real-Life TC is kinda terrifying. That whole thing with turning their kids against Nicole was just...

On the other hand, while I've always hated Paul Haggis' work (and I doubt that will change any time soon), I actually found myself liking him a lot in this. I loved his reaction upon reading the Xenu stuff, lol.

Yeah, you hear speculation a lot through entertainment blogs and websites. But I've heard stuff about their kids turning away years ago. Even calling her Nicole instead of mom while he was with Katie Holmes.

I'm not sure if it's the stuff they have on Cruise like Travolta, or he enjoys the perks or he's completely indoctrinated or a combination of all 3. But that thing with the kids is just sad. And how could you let your children just turn on the only mother they've known.

I'm actually curious why Holmes and their daughter are not considered Suppressive People, but I wonder if rules are "bent" for Cruise to keep him happy.

 

[vanson]

just watched it.. pretty good documentary.

its just insane what goes on there.. its a moneypiling scam paired with black mail, underpaid labour, abuse and all protected because its a "religion"...

I loved the bit at the end where they speculate how that ship could sink and they said sth. I always thought.
If one person could bring it all down its Tom Cruise.. if he would turn it would just be epic.. I'm not sure if he would redeem himself with that but its pretty darn close.

I wonder what he would say if he watches this documentary...

 

[Frodo]

HBO docs been killing it lately

Totally. Going Clear and The Jinx are both riveting and disturbing portraits about the dark side of human nature, wealth, belief, and power. I've been pretty floored by both of them.

 

[Octoberist]

I'm reading the book, but I'm sure the doc (in which it's based on) goes over what the book and even The Master had, which was, it's a big vaudeville act. (In which was into as a kid; and hung out with cult members back in the 40's and 50's)

L. Ron claimed that he is able to perform telekinesis, send mis conscious back into time (claimed he learned things lost in time from the Romans), went to Venus to inspect a power plant, etc.

And yet, if people asked to prove any of these things, he would say 'Oh I just don't want to show off'. Or how as he got older, his vision got worse and was a cripple. "Oh my powers to grand for this mortal body of mine."

 

[vanson]

I actually dont mind if people wanna believe in all that stuff.. i mean every religion has some ludicrous stuff in it. ( ok the scientology stuff is just bonkers compaired to others, but ok well..)

the real problem is the supressive person stuff, underpaid labour, abuse, stalking, saying that everyone is a liar whos a against the "church", blackmail, lying about the intern processes.. all that is just awful..

 

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah. The footage of those idiots in the "squirrel" shirts stalking that former church member and his wife was so creepy.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Here's a list of all the celebrities who have been connect to Scientology. Some of these shocked me. Jason Lee?!!

http://gawker.com/a-comprehensive-updated-list-of-every-celebrity-linked-1694554276

 

[Octoberist]

The ones that surprised me was Michael Pena and Elzabeth Moss.

Neil Gaiman was born into but left earlier in his life; doesn't like talking about it.

 

[myra]

Here's a list of all the celebrities who have been connect to Scientology. Some of these shocked me. Jason Lee?!!

http://gawker.com/a-comprehensive-updated-list-of-every-celebrity-linked-1694554276

Elvis, Priscilla’s ex-husband, was no fan of the church, according to the book Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations From The Memphis Mafia. “F**k those people! There’s no way I’ll ever get involved with that son-of-a-b*tchin’ group. All they want is my money,” Elvis allegedly shouted after a meeting with Scientologists in Hollywood.

I never cared for Elvis but that quote is pretty great and so on point.

 

[Aejej]

After watching this I actually found L. Ron Hubbard to be more sympathetic than I anticipated he would. In the sense that he was really a very pitiful, sick man who so desperately wanted to be great that he bought into his own deception. This is a guy so deep into his own web of psychosis that he wanted to hook himself up to a suicide machine to rid his body of alien ghosts. Beyond all the terrible things he spawned that's just sad.

Most of what was depicted in the documentary has been out there for years, in print and online. Don't waste an ounce of sympathy, not an iota of sadness on and over him. What he did, what he created, he did of his own free will. Instead, feel for all those who have suffered because of it. It disgusts me that so many celebs are connected to it and praise and endorse it.

 

[Octoberist]

L. Ron also exploited and manipulated so many people due to his obsession with heroism. Abused them, and took their money.

His claims were so dangerous, like curing diseases even though he was just making it all up as he went along.

 

[DarkKnight88]

After watching this I actually found L. Ron Hubbard to be more sympathetic than I anticipated he would. In the sense that he was really a very pitiful, sick man who so desperately wanted to be great that he bought into his own deception. This is a guy so deep into his own web of psychosis that he wanted to hook himself up to a suicide machine to rid his body of alien ghosts. Beyond all the terrible things he spawned that's just sad.

[YT]Iw54-yDc6Jg[/YT]

 

[Octoberist]

Did you think Paul Thomas Anderson was on the verge of being blackmailed or blacklisted in Hollywood by the CHURCH? (I'm not gonna even bring up Phillip Seymour Hoffman.)

Though Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix seems to be doing fine.

 

[Aejej]

L. Ron also exploited and manipulated so many people due to his obsession with heroism.

He should have been given a hero's burial, which in his case would have added up to having his ashes poured into a port-a-potty. Hell, throw the urn in, too.

 

[mclay18]

I never cared for Elvis but that quote is pretty great and so on point.

Priscilla is allegedly still part of Scientology, if only to stay in contact with her daughter Lisa-Marie, who left the church.

 

[antsman41]

This was crazy good.

I feel like all religion should be taxed, no matter how small or big/how sane or crazy. It's ******** how much many these 'businesses' make and how ****** they treat their 'employees/customers'. People harp on Wal-Mart, those guys look like saints compared to what religion organizations get away with.

 

[Aejej]

People harp on Wal-Mart, those guys look like saints compared to what religion organizations get away with.

One can walk away from Walmart without being pursued by drones scouring the freeway seeking to rope you like a runaway sheep.