Top Scientologist escapee gives insight into shady “celebrity religion”
November 4th, 2008 - 2:42 pm ICT by ANI ( 17 comments )
London, Nov 4 (ANI): With most wondering what the Scientology religion is all about, a top Scientologist escapee has come out and revealed just what goes on in the shady “celebrity religion”, in his book.
While A-list followers like Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, and John Travolta have credited their faith in the religion as the secret of their success, common man John Duignan said that it cost him everything and everyone he held dear.
Duignan, 45, who had lost everything when he became a leading figure in the church’’s British branch, revealed that he was so brainwashed that he would have killed for Scientology.
In the book, in which he reveals about his nightmare with the cult, he also penned down about how another member was driven to a suicide bid when she was “rehabilitated” after trying to leave. Duignan, who had never heard of Scientology, revealed how it all began in 1985 when he was approached in the street by a pretty girl who offered him a free personality test. “The test is a clever recruitment device because it appeals to people who are searching for something. I was unhappy and latched on to the prospect of gaining confidence. I probably needed proper psychological counselling but I got nothing of the sort. The result of my initial test was Urgent Action Required,” the Sun quoted him as saying.
“These friendly people seemed to have the answer in Scientology and I surrendered myself to it,” he said.
After he joined the religion, he was taken through a gruelling regime, during which he was grounded in the Scientology doctrine, with sleep deprivation, brainwashing and so-called counselling, as its way of teaching.
“On one occasion I sat on the floor while others shouted in my face and flicked things into my eyes,” he said.
“It went on for hours. I wasn”t allowed to react or blink. You”re suppressing your natural reactions and that helps Scientology creep in to take over your mind.
“I saw myself as a soldier for Scientology. I believed it was the only route out of oblivion for mankind.
“The doctrine teaches a human’’s body doesn”t matter because it is the Thetan, or soul, which survives.
“If I”d been told someone had to be eliminated because they were a threat to Scientology I could have justified the killing. They”d just lose their body, which isn”t needed,” he stated.
The harsh conditions Duignan endured were in stark contrast to the luxury enjoyed by stars at the glittering Scientology Celebrity Centre down the road.
It was until a chance encounter with actor Tom Cruise that Duignan started questioning the religion and his faith.
“In 2004 Tom was welcomed to the annual International Association Of Scientologists Gala Ball as the Most Dedicated follower,” he said.
“I was working in the grounds and Tom came out wearing a bad fake beard. It was pathetic.
“Scientologists look upon Tom Cruise as one of their best assets, but it was him who made me think twice about the cult.
“I was earning 15 pounds a week, doing my best to spread the word. I had no privacy or time to relax and was afraid or stressed all the time.
“Yet I wasn”t as dedicated as Cruise? It hurt,” he stated.
When he made his escape bid two years later, Duignan knew that he would be hunted by the sect’’s intelligence wing, the Office of Special Affairs (OSA).
“Members who try to leave Scientology are subjected to the Rehabilitation Project Force,” he said.
Despite the risks he still went ahead with the plan and managed to escape to Dublin, and rebuilt his life in his native Co Cork.
“I gained nothing. I still bear the scars of my time in the church,” he said.
“But I”m now studying for an arts degree, getting to know my family and putting the past behind me,” he added.
The story has been published in the book, The Complex by John Duignan (9.99 pounds, Merlin). (ANI)
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Tags: brainwashing, common man, counselling, cult, duignan, followers, free personality test, gaining confidence, initial test, john travolta, kirstie alley, man john, nightmare, pretty girl, scientologist, scientology religion, sleep deprivation, suicide bid, tom cruise, urgent action
November 4th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
This is so full of crap. I myself did the personality test and it just shows where you can improve. There are hundreds of tests on the Net you can find easily. A person can come or go. I know people who have come and gone, so what. There are many people who change religions and that’s a human right. Sitting on the floor, not being allowed to react or blink, give me a break. That’s just a practical exercise. First you just sit there to be comfortable sitting in front of someone, next same except eyes open, next they throw jibes at you and you continue till you can be comfortable no matter what they say. So what. That makes me calm under stress or under criticism or harsh communication, like from people who write articles like this. Even Jesus says if someone slaps you give them the other cheek. He’s saying, be able to withstand it. You will be all right. It’s true with Scientology too. Although we believe in the body-mind-spirit (like Buddhism and other religions) it is against our Creed and beliefs to kill or commit suicide. Duignan’s lies are gross. That he would state such blatant falsehoods either shows he is a liar or knew very little about Scientology and was no where near the “top” Scientologist he promotes himself to be. Scientologist I know help kids with drug education, get people off drugs who are using, teach literacy in the streets, help in disaster zones and all sorts of charity work. So sad people have to hold such hatred. It poisons them more than hurts the group they direct it too. I pity him.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Scientologists that are still in will never admit that there are problems within the church, and that basic human rights are being suppressed. While scientology may be a great self-help program, the upper levels of management are only concerned with their personal greed and forms of control that they have over members. Public scientology members do not see the abuses wrought on the staff, they don’t understand what the RPF is. There are more scarred (and scared) former members with the same stories than there are brainwashed members who repeat the standard line of “you’re against scientology so you MUST be lying”. The tide is turning, people are breaking through the brainwashing.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Maybe the gentleman in the first comment would like to try to “blow” (escape scientology) and see how many people come chasing after him to shut him up? Maybe he’s one of those people who need to actually see real proof of the abuses instead of just hearing about it?
November 4th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
“Two-decade” Just because you say you’ve had positive experiences in $cientology does not excuse the abuse others have faced. John’s is not the only story like this we’ve heard. There are hundreds just like this and worse.
Now lets just say I were to believe you that ALL these people are really lying, what has been done to them by this organization to make them say such things about an organization that you claim does nothing but help people? Why do you think they would feel the need to speak out like this? Tell us, why should we believe YOU over THEM? Why should we believe anything from an organization who instruct their followers to lie about their beliefs? How long did your organization deny the existence of Xenu in $cientology “scripture?” How are we supposed to believe anything from an organization that is responsible for the largest infiltration of the United States government in history? How many lies were involved in that operation?
November 5th, 2008 at 2:06 am
I have been in scientology for 12 years now… and this artical acctually touches on how i feel. I see these celebrities being regarded as the best Scientology has to offer, and yet they have no where near the dedication I and my family had.
This is not right. These are not the ethics i joined up to learn. I think i see now that scientology does not work. It was only myself taking time to help myself that i noticed improvments and wins in the beginning.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Great article, I look forward to reading John Duignan’s book.
ALSO - I’ve taken the personality test on different occasions using different answers; the resulting answer is always “you are depressed and insecure”.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hi Gary, there are many others who have had similar experiences with the scientology organization. There is a website called exscientologykids.com founded by individuals who were born and raised in scientology and have since left. Many people have joined to share and discuss their experiences with scientology. Some of them were really abused by the organization and have, until recently, been too afraid to speak out. Some still practice the philosophies that work for them outside of the organization. You may even run into old friends who have left and/or disconnected. It is only one of the sites where former scientology members have come together.
Just please be careful, tensions have been running dangerously high with the scientology organization’s “upper management” lately.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I was a scientologist for 20 years.
I got out because of the internet.
20 minutes of sober internet browsing on the subject of scientology means freedom.
While inside the cult all information is controlled.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I was a Scientology staff member for ten years,in the 1970’s-1980’s. I left for 12 years. Then, my kids became teenagers. At this point,I realized that my kids really needed it. I went back and we are all very happy with it.
My daughter, recently graduated from college and the study technology was a big help. My son is handy capped and it is the best help that I know of for him.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Dan, First spell check
Second, if you left, you wouldn’t go back
third, Have you ever looked around online? Go to your local library, log on and browse without Sitter program. You will discover the abuses your so called “Religion” Has done. Psychology helps people, that is why LRH took them, he died with anti-depressants in his system, and yes this is true, the corner proved it.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Speaking of the library, I have gone there.
What did I find? I found many books written by L.Ron Hubbard.
This is what people should read to get a real idea of what Scientology is-not made up anonymous garbage on the internet.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Actually Anon you’re incorrect. Hubbard did not die with an anti-depressant in his system. He died with Vistaril® a psychiatric drug, used to calm frantic or overly anxious patients. Google Hubbard Psych Drug or click on the link in my name and you can view the coroners report on L. Ron Hubbard as well as his tox screen.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:15 am
I grew up around the Sea Org. Missed several years of regular schooling that “normal” kids would have had if it weren’t for the Sea Org.
I joined to help people and “clear” the planet. I was there for all the “right” reasons. The Sea Org itself woke me up quite a bit because of the way that group treats it’s own staff members.
Outer org staff members have it even worse in some ways. They work full time and most of them get pennies for their work. Most are lucky to get $50.00 a week and they have food and rent to pay for. While the “church” rakes in the cash. The staff suffer. Should I go on about the lack of medical care??
November 7th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Two Decade,
You said:
“…it is against our Creed and beliefs to kill or commit suicide.”
To that, I say research:
R2-45
EoC (End of Cycle)
November 10th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I had this book on pre-order from Amazon but on Friday 7th November I received an email telling me it had been pulled for “legal reasons”. The legal reasons are bound to be the self proclaimed advocates of free speech, the church of scientology, sabre rattling to get the book banned.
Of course the scientologists will claim this is because it is so full of crap it shouldn’t be published. Erm right, freedom of speech as long as what is said agrees with you.
If it is so full of crap, as scientologists claim, then why not let people read it and make up their own minds, after all the church of scientology also advocates thinking for yourselve; oh wait, that’s thinking for yourself as long as your thoughts are in agreement with the church. Remember “doubt” is a lower condition!
November 17th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I learned how to study properly using Scientology technology. It worked great. I never experienced all these other things people are talking about. I figure they must be pretty weak people to put up with the things being said. Really, does it make sense that people would just put up with all this? If they did, I think they’re the crazy ones. I’d kick anyone’s butt who tried it on me.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:46 am
$cientologists pay to learn how to study.
I never paid a dime to anyone and always got top scores in my studies. Same for most people I know.
What I gather from Dan and Bill’s infomercial-style “testimonials,” people who fall for the $cientology scam tend to be so stupid that they have to pay for courses to learn how to learn.
That doesn’t really speak very highly of the cult at all.