On the radio show Coast to Coast Saturday, they had an interview with Jenna Miscavige who has just written a book about her experience. She is the niece of David Miscavige, leader of Scientology. She was raised in the sect, not leaving until she was an adult. She was part of the SeaOrg that so many people have talked about.
If anyone has a chance, it was an interesting interview with some call ins later.
She said a few things that will resonate with a great many people - one of them was adjusting to life outside the cult and realizing that people outside or as we call it 'wordly' were actually good people and not to be feared. She also said trying to find her identity on the outside was challenging. She made a comment about 'never dying'...parallel to the WTS. Shunning - being cut off from others because of bad association was another common theme. Busy work - they did physically demanding work vs door to door preaching, also similarities. Repetition to brainwash - repeating text as a method of brainwashing - also similar to the WTS.
When asked if she believs in God now - her answer also sounds familiar to that of many JW's who escape - she said that she doesn't really care for organized relgion and isn't willing to say for sure if there is or isn't a God. She feels she has had enough of religion for the time being. She also mentioned that joining in on ex-Scientology forums etc has helped her a lot because those people understand - and I think this would be a feeling mirrored her for many ex-JW's. We can't underestimate the importance of having a 'safe' place for people to come under alias to discuss the conflict they are having as they exit or try to grapple with questioning the 'truth'.
A pretty good interview and I'm sure if we just changed the name of the sect, we could link it to many of religions out there, some more fundamental and hard core than others. Good interview. sammieswife