Chances are if you’re an atheist, you know what the Church of Scientology is capable of. You’ve probably seen Going Clear and you’ve read the testimonies of ex-members. You’re familiar with the church’s M.O. and you know how it recruits, sucks you in, and cuts you off from non-believers. You know it’s a cult. You know all of this, but nothing can quite prepare you for a candid conversation with a critical ex-Scientologist with no fear.
Yesterday, actor Leah Remini participated in just that with thousands of Redditors during an AMA (Ask Me Anything). People who engaged in the thread were invited to ask the outspoken star anything about Scientology and she answered with such brutal honesty, you can’t help but feel like it all sounds more like a movie plot than it does real life. Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, though.
Here are some of the highlights:
cdougyfresh: How much did you pay to the church throughout your time there?
Leah Remini: Millions.
englishscribblings: Over the past 10 years, I’ve seen my parents get deeper and deeper into Scientology. Decent reasoning, science and logic have done nothing to convince them to question the church. From someone who left, is there anything a loved one can do to help a brainwashed member see the truth, without ruining the relationship completely?
Leah Remini: If you want to get them out there is no way to do it nicely. There is no way to do it quietly. You have to challenge them by saying, “If you can think for yourself, if you have truly accomplished what Scientology says you have accomplished, you should be able to speak freely on any subject. If you have completed the “PTS/SP Course” you should be able to confront and shatter suppression.” You should ask them how is it then that you can’t watch a movie called Going Clear or look on the internet if you are the elite of the planet and handling the planet’s ills if you can’t think for yourself. I only hope that your challenge will get them to simply look.
IHateMyISP: Do you personally feel like you’re being watched/tracked/etc by the church for doing everything your doing?
Leah Remini: I am. I’m okay with it because I knew what I was getting into and I knew the policies of the “church” and what would happen by my speaking out against it.
welsh_dragon_roar: If all Scientology’s secrets were revealed tomorrow, which do you think would be most shocking?
Leah Remini: When you reach the top of The Bridge (OTP 8) you will be told that God is a lie for LRH, and there are more levels ahead, that will cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is no end to Scientology.
Orr-eo: Is it true they record your meetings and blackmail you with the recordings?
Leah Remini: Yes, every “therapy room” is equipped with cameras and listening devices, as admitted by the “Church.” Do they use it for blackmail? No, they use it to discredit you when you speak out.
It only gets weirder and more enraging from there. Leah is promoting her book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology as well as a new show on A&E about Scientology called Aftermath. You can check out here AMA on Reddit here: I am Leah Remini, ask me anything about Scientology
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