A Real Life View of Scientology and Sterling

From: bob@minton.org (Robert S. Minton)
Subject: A Real Life View of Scientology/Sterling
Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 16:00:08 GMT
Message-ID: <35c6de80.6932959@news.tiac.net>
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
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Mr. Bob Minton c/o Dateline NBC, NBC News,30 Rockefeller
Plaza, Room 510 New York, NY 10112
Dear Mr. Minton,
Thank you for appearing on Dateline with your crusade
against the Church of Scientology. I was totally
caught off guard as I watched Dateline. Your story
came on and it was like a prayer had been answered. I
actually sat and cried throughout the entire
interview. Now, as you can see from the letterhead, I
am a CPA and do not cry at the drop of a hat. This
whole issue with the Church of Scientology is so
emotional that it has practically torn me apart.
If you will allow me, I would like to tell you my
story. About two years ago, in May of 1996, I
received some literature from a management company by
the name of Sterling Management in Glendale,
California. Their "pitch" was to CPAs and they
promised to assist them to be more profitable by
showing them a way to operate their firms in a more
efficient manner. I sent for the "free" video and
listened to a two hour sales speech over the phone
and it sounded real good. It cost $14,000 but, by
using the technology of Scientology (of which I was
totally unaware of at that time) , they convinced me
that I had to do this or my business was in jeopardy.
I signed on for a 10 day course in Glendale.
My husband and I arrived in Glendale on Memorial Day.
Ahuda, my assigned staff person, met with us and
brought out the result of the personality tests. I didn't
know at that time that Scientology uses these tests as
"proof" that there is something wrong which only auditing
can correct. Ahuda proceeded to tell me that my test
was the worst she had ever seen and the only hope I
had was to receive immediate auditing. She told me
that if I did not do this, my business would fail, my
marriage would fail, and I would be bankrupt in no
time at all! Keep in mind that I did not know
Sterling Management was a front for Scientology. If I
had known that, I wouldn't have sent them a dime in
the first place. Anyway, Ahuda totally devastated
me. I know now that with the extensive personality
tests, she knew exactly which of my "buttons" to push and, 
because she is an OT VIII, she did it extremely well. I
couldn't believe the things she told me - that I was 
extremely negative, confrontational, and angry. Keep in 
mind that at this time I had a thriving CPA practice 
with clients who really liked me. I should have thought,
how can this be true when I am such an awful person? 
Believe me, Ahuda had an answer for everything.
You probably aren't interested in all the gory details (if
you are, I will give you any documentation or testimony
you would like) so I Ill get to the bottom line. I signed up
for introductory auditing (offered, of course, at a
reasonable cost). The church had a special unit in Orange
County which dealt only with professionals such as
doctors, lawyers, CPAs, etc. I thought this sounded fine,
not realizing that this meant they were better at getting
deep into the psyche of the professional person. I went to
Orange County in August of 1996 for a 10 day program. By
the 8th day my father was ready to fly down to rescue me
because of the fact I had asked my broker (who also
happened to be my brother, thank God) to transfer all my
money into my bank account so I could withdraw it to give
to the Church. We were talking over $60,000 and I was
working on cashing out my husband's retirement funds as
well. I had also agreed to max out all my credit cards.
Keep in mind that I am very much a fiscal conservative and
this is as far out of character as it could possibly be.
When the interviewer asked you if the people who were
unhappy with Scientology may have been mentally fragile,
you can use my case as a resounding NO! - at least not
until I had been exposed to a week of brain washing.
Anyway, bottom line, I ended up losing about $10, 000 in
cash plus about $10, 000 in credit card debt in this
fiasco (in addition to the $14,000 1 had given Sterling
Management). I am still trying to recover financially, but
the worst thing was the collapse of my 20+ year marriage.
My husband decided he could no longer trust me and I'm not
convinced that someone didn't get hold of him and fill him
with lies about me. That would be in character for the
Church. My family still looks at me like I'm possessed by
a demon and I feel like such a fool.
Thank you so much for appearing on Dateline and taking the
time to listen to my sad story. I have felt so alone and
frightened and you are a huge inspiration to me. God Bless
you.
Sincerely,
Name Deleted
Posted with permission.
Bob Minton   
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Sterling Management Systems & Scientology

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