Lie #5: Reading the secret teachings of Scientology will harm my health.
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# 5 Lies of Scientology:
That the reading of the secret teachings of Scientology could have
serious adverse effects on the health and welfare of anyone unprepared to
recieve them. Scientology therefore keeps these texts from the general
membership to protect people from harm.
The secret, or hidden, teachings of Scientology comprise what is known
as the OT (operating thetan) and NOTs (new era dianetics for operating
thetans) series. Although considered by Scientology to be a big secret
they have been freely available on the internet, either verbatim or in
summary form, for the last few years much to the discomforture of the
church who has expended considerable effort and money trying to remove
them. This resulted in some epic court battles, some of which are still
going on.
The whole idea of secret teachings makes me uncomfortable for some
obvious reasons. What if after spending large amounts of money and taking
years of classes they turn out to be foolish, trivial or imcomprehensible
ramblings? What if the enlightenment you have striven so hard to obtain
turns out to be merely the outline of some grade-B space opera? Even if
you could somehow get your money back would that make up for your wasted
time and dashed hopes. Could you admit to yourself that you had been duped
or swindled? Or would you force yourself to believe them out of sheer
desperation?
The fact that critics and others by the thousands have read these
secret doctrines without any sort of plague decending down upon our heads
would seem to belie their supposed baleful effects.
What then is the basis for the claim that evil will befall those who
peek at Hubbard's secrets? As usual in Scientology the reason is money.
Unless a person's intellect has been debauched piecemeal by prolonged
membership in Scientology few people, even fools and damn fools, would
believe in this secret and sacred rant. If people entering Scientology in
the beginning could see what awaits them at the end how many would stay?
Who would be willing to pay big bucks, or even small change, for this
drivel? And who would expect to gain great powers through their mastery?
The only danger that I know of concerning these teachings is that a
person unframiliar with Scientology might, after seeing these secret
teaching for the first time, be siezed by a fit of laughter to the extent
that emergency medical care might have to be summoned.