From: horne@swift.rand.org (Paul Horne) Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology Subject: Bad CoS Experience Date: 12 Feb 1994 03:08:04 GMT Well, I can't believe it--my exploration of Scientology was a nightmare and I'm glad it's over. I wanted to post my experience, because a few weeks ago (before I knew about the church) I was defending it all over the place on this newsgroup. First of all, I went into Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood to find out more about it. I read about 5 books, and was still intrigued. I found some of the people there to be rather nervous and inauthentic, which surprised me given what I thought was the nature of the tech--to be self-expressed, effective, and happy. I paid $200 for Introductory Auditing, and had to put it off for several weeks due to scheduling conflicts. A few weeks ago I called in and requested a refund, as I had just taken on several projects which would not allow me any time to do the Auditing with any consistency. The registrar said I would have to physically come in and fill out some paperwork. A hassle, but I went. The paperwork entailed the Chaplain pulling out a blank piece of paper, writing my name and address on it, next to the refund amount. She told me it would take a week, and to call her if I hadn't received anything within a week. A week later I called and left a message that I hadn't received anything yet. She did not return my call. I called again the next day and requested her to please return my call. She did not. 2 days later I called again, and was greeted by a man who said he was taking over the Chaplain's position. He said he thought he recognized my name, and that he would look into it and definitely call me back with 24 hours. He did not. I called again, and left a message that I was extremely disappointed with the lack of integrity in the Chaplains office, and requested that he keep his promise and call me back. He did not. I called the NEXT day and left a message saying I would be coming in that evening to either pick up my check or speak to the Director. He left a message saying he would see me that night. I went to the Center, but he was not there. So I wrote a letter and left it with the Director spelling out what was happening. I explained that it was baffling to me that such ineffectiveness could exist in an institution which supposedly taught people how to communicate and be more effective. I requested that he handle this upset immediately. I also pointed out that I did not want to make them wrong, and I requested that in resolving this issue, everyone involved have a breakthrough in what it takes to deliver a refund. My intention was that the Church deliver in its commitment to serve the community. The next day the Director left me a message saying I could pick up my check the following evening, and I would need to fill out some more paperwork. I went in, and was brought into a room and handed a paper to sign. It was an Official Expulsion from the Church. I was shocked and here's the conversation: ME: What is this? CCI: What do you mean? ME: I mean, what does this mean? Why am I being expulsed? CCI: It means you will no longer be able to receive any services from the Church. ME: I got that, but why? Because I'm getting a refund? CCI: We are committed to a world free from insanity, crime, and drugs, and since you're not in agreement with us then you can't receive services from the Church. ME: I don't understand--I want all of that as well. And I don't even know what the Church is really about yet. Are you saying that because I am getting a refund on a course I am against the Church? CC: If you are getting a refund then you are obviously unhappy with the course. If you were interested in what we're doing here then you would continue auditing or find another course that's more suitable for you. ME: So because I want a refund now, it means I'm not in agreement with the aims of the Church? CCI: Yes. (She actually looked my right in the eye and said YES) ME: (Shrugging and immediately losing all interest in this pointless conversation) OK fine. So I signed it and left with my check in hand feeling absolutely like shit. I was disappointed, because I really do agree with the aims of the church, and I wanted a place where I could feel that sense of community. I certainly did not get that sense of community at CCI, and I still don't feel complete with it. The first woman I talked to there was really sweet, smart, and "normal". I was totally turned on to who she was being, which is why I was so interested in auditing. So I think to complete I need to go back and tell her what happened. Anyway, I'm not strictly venting here, but now that I am an official "EXPULSION" of an organization I don't know much about, I would like to warn people who are exploring Scientology to really look at the people you deal with at the center, and see if they are consistent with who YOU want to be. They certainly may be, and I don't think my experience is necessarily indicative of how they treat their "customers". But I was certainly disappointed and really was hoping it would be something great. Good luck to all who are in search of a better life!!! I commend you for the search.