Scientology And Totalism

Posted to newsgroup a.r.s. December 1, 1994 by dennis.1.erlich@support.com Author anonymou

When scientologists or their apologists hear the charge made that scientology is a cult, let alone a destructive cult, the response is often one of sharp denial. The religious bona fides of scientology are proffered. The bona fides primarily consist of legal recognition by a court that states that the beliefs of scientology are religious beliefs and that the organization that incorporates these beliefs must then be a religion. I recognize that several courts have made this statement.

The defenders of scientology say that all religions started off as cults. They also point out, as have others, the only difference between a cult and a recognized religion is one of the size of the organization. What the defenders want us to believe is stating that scientology is a cult is misleading and furthermore this type of language is an dishonest attempt to cast as negative a light as possible on scientology. In other words, the only thing wrong with being a cult is its size. They seem to imply that if scientology were a larger or more important organization, the word cult would not even be used.

This defense against the charge of being a cult is in fact, off the mark and misleading in its own right. The success of this defense lies in the definition of cult. Let us define what we mean by cult and then you will see what we mean when we say that scientology is a cult.

First off, we are not referring to scientology as just "a cult". It is a Totalistic Cult. Totalism is a term that has really only been defined in this century and that came from the studies of the brainwashing phenomena that were practiced by the Chinese Communists. These practices, especially with their own citizens, were attempts to enforce an absolute belief system, or Totalism.

In Robert J. Lifton's book, "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism", he derived the essential elements of a totalistic belief system:

1. Milieu Control 2. Mystic Manipulation 3. Need for Purity 4. Confession 5. Sacred Science 6. Loading the Language 7. Doctrine over Persons 8. Dispensing of Existence

The Chinese Communists used most of these elements to completely control their political state. We assert that scientology uses virtually these same techniques to achieve an unquestioning and often times fanatical devotion to "the group". We hasten to point out scientology is not alone in its application of these elements to control its adherent's behavior. The reader may also be aware of other groups who practice some or all of these elements.

There are several things I would like to mention before we dive into this analysis of scientology as a Totalistic Cult. I include in most of the analysis an example of a communist use of the same technique. This is done to show the use of control techniques in a non-religious Totalistic state. Mao's China was one such state. But so was Hitler's Germany and so was Stalin's Soviet Union. In other analyses, the parallels between Hitler's Germany and Hubbard's Scientology are equally striking. I do not necessarily wish to say the fruits of Nazi political psychoses equal the fruits of scientology. It is quite possible that nascent tendencies within scientology could lead in that direction. But that is another article. This article is about how scientologists are controlled.

A Model Totalistic State

In the days before the recent loosening of conditions in Red China, outside travelers were forbidden to travel to anyplace that was not explicitly allowed by the government. The citizens, from the time they were old enough to go to school and then throughout their lives, were subject to indoctrination as a regular and large part of their education.

The Red Chinese had a captive citizenry. They used force whenever necessary to enforce the dictates of the state. Those that dared confront the state were given prison terms or if the challenge to the state was big enough they were executed.

This Marxist education gave them a language with which to analyze their environment. It guaranteed that the Marxist state would always be right and needed to be obeyed. They were told that Marxism was "Scientific Socialism" (when nothing could be farther from the truth). They became used to sacrificing for the common good.

The citizens were subject to being informed upon and so voluntarily gave up transgressions, real or imagined, before the state was informed of the transgressions. This process was called self-criticism.

When troubles occurred, purges of officials took place and often they were branded as "counter-revolutionaries".

Yet, the leaders of Red China would point to accomplishments in literacy, health care, crime and other social benefits of the state. And there would be people from the western democracies who would defend the system of government in China based on these claims of social advancement. We do not know as of yet how many were murdered in accomplishing this dream. The toll is probably in the millions.

MILIEU CONTROL

Scientologists are directed to not talk about their mental state (or "case") with anyone other than specially appointed personnel. Since scientology purports to improve the mental state of individuals, this is a very important control.

Scientologists are not supposed to talk to anyone who expresses a disagreement with scientology. The exception is there are individuals are appointed and trained to do so for public relations reasons.

Scientologists are furthermore taught if someone expresses a disagreement with scientology, that person must have been affected, directly or indirectly, by a person suffering severe psychological problems. Hubbard referred to these people with severe psychological problems as "The Anti-Social Personality". He gave them the nickname of "Suppressive Person", shortened to "SP". These "SPs" are blamed for the problems that mankind suffers. Hubbard taught that the "SP's" primary impulse is to destroy. (See the section on Loading the Language).

The equation of: "SP" = Opposition to Scientology leads to the result of branding anyone who has been excommunicated from scientology as an "SP". It is part of the excommunication process. In other words, if you remain opposed to scientology you must be an anti-social personality. This is no different than the practice of psychiatry within Communist countries, or at least what the communist countries used to practice. If you were opposed to the communist government, you were insane. By definition. If you are opposed to scientology, you are insane. By definition.

Scientologists who have been found out to have "anti- social" behavioral characteristics are sent for rehabilitation in a environment little different than the type used by the communist governments to correct their citizens who disagree with their state. Manual labor, lack of sleep, forced physical exertion, absolute devotion to leaders are hallmarks of this behavior modification. Communist regimes called their environment Re- education camps. Scientology calls their environment the Rehabilitation Project Force.

There are many tools given to the scientologist for working with, analyzing and improving environment. There are charts of human emotional evaluation, types of thought processes etc. The scientologist is told that these tools are derived from the laws of the universe.

There is a catch-22 in the application of these tools. If the use of the tools does not bring the desired results, then, the scientologist is taught that the tool was used incorrectly. If need be, the scientologist restudies and reapplies the techniques until the tool works. Therefore, since the tools always work, it is pointed out that scientology always works when applied properly.

Needless to say, none of these tools have ever been tested in a scientific manner. If Hubbard said it was true, that is enough. Hubbard's word is never, never questioned.

MYSTICAL MANIPULATION

In communist countries (at least until fairly recently) the citizens were taught that communism was going to free the worker from his chains and give control of his life to him. He would control the means of production. Without communism, they are taught that the worker has no chance to achieve this end so it is necessary to tolerate no deviation from communist doctrine.

Scientologists are taught that they possess the only technology which can free this planet from its chains of psychological aberration. The goal of scientology is to implement their technology on a planet-wide basis. Towards this end of implementing scientology throughout the whole world, Hubbard coined the phrase "To Clear the Planet". This means literally that scientology plans on having everyone that lives on planet earth a practicing scientologist. This is not just a practicing scientologist but also everyone is to have completed the step of processing called "Clearing". Hubbard taught scientology has to win now or die in the attempt. The conclusion of a conscientious scientologist is obvious; unswerving and unquestioning loyalty to Hubbard and Scientology.