------------------------------------------------------------------- F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. (Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network, Incorporated) a non-profit computer bulletin board and electronic library 601 16th St. #C-217 Golden, Colorado 80401 USA BBS 303 530-1942 FAX 303 530-2950 Office 303 473-0111 This document is part of an electronic lending library and preservational electronic archive. F.A.C.T.Net does not sell documents, it only lends them according to the terms of your library cardholder agreement with F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Feb 22, 1993 Dear [kids' mother and stepfather] The only real point of contention between us appears to be Scientology, so it might be better for us to speak to the issue as a last-ditch effort before asking the court to intervene -- which otherwise I see as inevitable. Scientology is not harmless, it is not helpful, it is not beneficial. I am not talking about religious beliefs, but about group practices vis-a-vis individual participants. The group tricks which make it possible and necessary to go on believing you have experienced "case gain" are terribly damaging to a person's actual ability and mental health. I find it odd that nearly anyone who has reason to be concerned knows more about Scientology than its own members. The thought control (mostly via group-learned self-censorship) is that effective. I remember it well. It is very difficult to admit that you have been defrauded and have missed so much of life. I would not disturb the status quo in so painful a way except for the kids. The situation jeopardizes them, and that's where I must draw a line. I have seen [friend of the kids living with Scientologist mother in Florida]. This is child abuse -- not physical abuse or neglect, but abuse of the person. Scientology is lies. From the lies about Hubbard's exploits as a young man to the lies about "research" to the lies about psychology to the lies about what Scientology actually accomplishes... During my own recovery period, I adopted the rule of thumb that if Scientology said something, then the opposite was the truth. As I learned more, I found that rule had worked pretty well. How one comes to believe the lies so deeply makes a very interesting story. It's no mystery, just a very interesting story. It can be understood. The best analogy I know is the fanatical loyalty of a battered woman to her abuser. I understand that from "within the bubble" this all appears totally wrongheaded. In nearly two decades I never found a way to communicate through that bubble except on neutral topics unrelated to Scientology. Remember the study tapes, and all those words about observing for yourself instead of relying on public opinion or Authority? Can you understand that in two decades I have never found a graduate of "Study Tech" who knew anything BUT the lies about Hubbard's time in the Navy? How can this be? Doesn't this tell you anything? The truth is the opposite of what Scientology says. The "shore story" is on the Study Tapes. It makes great PR, it brings in the "raw meat," it's what we want to hear. But the actual result is quite different. You've learned Study Tech. What actually was Hubbard's relationship with Aleister Crowley, and where did "affirmations" fit in the scheme of things that became Scientology? What resistances to finding out can you observe within yourself? How, when and where did you learn to define the ambiguous subjective states which predictably result from hypnotic exercises like TRs or auditing (or chanting, fasting, etc...) as meaning that you were "more in present time" or had heightened awareness or perception, or were perceiving "past-life events?" What is actually known about the ambiguous subjective states which cults produce and covertly define for their own purposes? How is "certainty" produced? But it is not my place to try and convince you of anything. I do agree that your beliefs are your business, and freely so. The consequences of actions which affect the kids are another matter. I had some trouble in the mediation grasping what your proposed solution was. It seemed like you had nothing concrete to propose, beyond me just not being who I am, or that I somehow magically hide from these kids who know me so well. Then I realized that you were proposing that I do exactly what I have been doing for the past four years. I have been avoiding discussion of Scientology or matters that might be connected to Scientology. I have been keeping all printed or other materials relevant to the topic as out of sight as possible in a small house. Above all, we have not discussed the actual issues. The kids are growing up. They are starting to raise the issues and ask questions. The days of polite silence are over whether you or I like it or not. In other words, I intend to stop withholding myself from the kids, not do it more. A very wonderful lady who I much respect, Dr. Margaret Singer, has more than 40 years experience working with cult survivors. She argues that persons affected by cults are often the best and brightest (not "nuts"), and traditional psychotherapy is not what they need when they get out. They need INFORMATION. How did this thing happen to me? Is there something wrong with me? etc. etc. Experience shows that when people understand how they were trapped and what really was going on (manipulated loyalties, etc.) they can sort it out just fine on their own and regain the neglected path of their own personal growth. Part of the problem in the first place is deception (Hubbard's war record, for example, or the assertion that Church money wasn't going to him personally, or the ignorant assertion that niacin and exercise remove toxins from the body...). Your proposal at the mediation suggests that I should stand by and knowingly let the kids walk blindly down this primrose path. I will not. If this requires that the court modify custody as regards religious training and medical attention, then so be it. I will get a selection of dates for a second mediation session at which we can determine our next move and whether legal proceedings will be required. My intention is to get the kids started with a qualified therapist as quickly as I can legally do so, for help in handling some of the issues to which you refer, and others. I do not intend to "deprogram" or otherwise force our issues onto the kids, but when asked, I will no longer hold back in answering their questions, but will do so truthfully and completely with the best information available to me. As to the extent and nature of the harm done by cult participation, I encourage you to do your own homework and find out for yourself. ================================================================= If this is a copyrighted work, you are acknowledging by receipt of this document from FACTNet that on the basis of reasonable investigation, you have not been to obtain a copy elsewhere at a fair price, and that you are and will abide by the following copyright warning. WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photo copies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. 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FACTNet reserves the right to refuse to accept an order for copying or other duplication, or delivery of copied or duplicated material if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- DOS FILENAME OF TEXT FILE: CUST1A.TXT DOS FILENAME OF IMAGE FILES: none ADMINISTRATIVE CODE: SECURITY CODE: DISTRIBUTION CODE: NAME FOR BBS: Modification of Custody, before court SORT TO: general - legal CONTRIBUTOR: Winfax LOC. OF ORIG: Winfax NOTES: (by the author) This is an example of a futile gesture -- an example of what does NOT work. After the issues were clear but before the legal fireworks began I tried this communication with the Scientologists involved. There was no response and further events indicated that there was no effect. Earlier, there had been more diplomatic, less confrontational attempts with no better result. In Scientology, `communication' means `compliance.' For example, if you fail to follow orders it is because you have not understood them (because of your own misunderstood words). It is known that you understand when you comply. Communication from a non-compliant viewpoint is futile. The defenses appear impenetrable. The person to talk to is a lawyer, not the Scientologist. The bottom line in a custody issue is to take care of the kids. For additional verification see image files contained in the file with same name and .ZIP extension. UPDATED ON: 3/14/94 UPDATED BY: bp =================================================================