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Post by SockMonkey on Mar 30, 2015 22:30:23 GMT
I read Lawrence Wright's New Yorker article and his book of the same title, and it was fascinating. This HBO documentary is based on Wright's book and is equally damning of Scientology.
Did anyone else watch? Thoughts?
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Post by padresfan619 on Mar 30, 2015 22:50:15 GMT
I just started it! I'll come back when I finish.
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Mar 30, 2015 22:52:02 GMT
I got rid of my movie channels.  Hopefully it shows ip on Amazon Fire TV soon. |
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Post by magentapea on Mar 30, 2015 23:01:19 GMT
I just heard about it. I was thinking of reading the book versus watching the documentary. If you only chose one (reading vs. watching), which would you suggest?
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Deleted
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May 4, 2024 9:24:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 23:02:18 GMT
I didn't realize there was a documentary on it too. I've read the New Yorker article and am part way through the book (but admittedly sidelined it for Five Days at Memorial, which I can't put down). I will definitely be checking out the film.
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IAmUnoriginal
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
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Post by IAmUnoriginal on Mar 30, 2015 23:11:29 GMT
It's on the DVR to watch later tonight.
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Post by SockMonkey on Mar 30, 2015 23:18:08 GMT
I just heard about it. I was thinking of reading the book versus watching the documentary. If you only chose one (reading vs. watching), which would you suggest? The book is outstanding. This is one I could not put down. The documentary included everything in the book (including SUPER CREEPY footage of David Miscavige and Tom Cruise), but is not as detailed, for obvious reasons. I would say book first and then watch the documentary. Do not miss the book, though. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Mar 30, 2015 23:18:54 GMT
We tried to see that at Sundance, but were unable to get tickets. Is it showing on HBO now? I'd like to see it if it is. It's on HBO now, yes. Should be on OnDemand/HBO Go. It debuted last night. |
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Deleted
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May 4, 2024 9:24:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 23:21:36 GMT
It's on the DVR to watch later tonight.  Although, I don't know if it'll be tonight. |
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IAmUnoriginal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,894
Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
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Post by IAmUnoriginal on Mar 30, 2015 23:38:34 GMT
Poorly worded. I recorded it last night to watch it tonight. It's sitting on my DVR is what I meant.
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Post by knit.pea on Mar 30, 2015 23:56:02 GMT
I watched. It was about what I expected it to be, given all the discussions
we had on Peas.
All the behind-the-scenes footage (sailor outfits, recruitment films,
the rah-rah events) was fascinating.
But the bizarre premise, the manipulation (emotional, auditing records logged and
used against people, the shunning, the tax status change), the secrecy of the briefcase
contents at Level VII or VIII (I actually did laugh at the reactions to it!) ... it degraded
into ridiculousness.
How did he get all that power??? (And honestly, his bottom teeth just turned my stomach.)
It turned Hitler creepy, with the salutes.
I don't see it changing, though, unless John or Tom get out AND talk. But they have a lot
to lose so that probably won't happen. The "church" knows wayyy too much about them.
I can't believe it has been around for so many years.
Did the book go into more detail about his first wife and child?
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Deleted
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May 4, 2024 9:24:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 23:56:04 GMT
Poorly worded. I recorded it last night to watch it tonight. It's sitting on my DVR is what I meant. Oops.  Mine seems to be the poorly worded one. I knew exactly what you meant and was dittoing you, But saying I just don't know if I'll get to it tonight.  |
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valleyview
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 27, 2014 18:41:26 GMT
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Post by valleyview on Mar 31, 2015 0:03:15 GMT
I watched last night. I have not read the book, but had read articles.
It was fascinating, but did not have too much new in it. I agree that the pictures with sailor suits and the convention videos were creepy - not to mention the wives who had identical answers.
Did anybody else think that plastic surgery was causing some of them to look alike?
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Post by knit.pea on Mar 31, 2015 0:09:14 GMT
I will add that I think David is far, far, far scarier than L R H.
I missed some of the ex-wives part, but I did catch the one who snarked
at Anderson. I need to re-watch that.
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Post by SockMonkey on Mar 31, 2015 0:59:35 GMT
The book went into much more detail about LRH's life and relationships.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Mar 31, 2015 1:40:52 GMT
I watched. I didn't read the book, and now I'm wondering if I need to. I am not that interested in knowing more about LRH, but I am in knowing more about their crazy tactics.
I knew Scientology was a cult of crackpot craziness, but I didn't really know how far it went. "The Hole" was horrifying. The fact that so many high level members have left and are speaking out, in spite of the repercussions, is pretty impressive.
BTW--when I googled "going clear hbo" yesterday to find out what time it was on, the very first site in the search result was a web site set up by the CoS to discredit every single person who appeared in the doc. I'm not seeing it today in the search results.
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Post by anxiousmom on Mar 31, 2015 1:46:54 GMT
I currently don't have any of the movie channels, but HBO is having a free preview weekend in about two weeks, so I hope that it will still be on demand then. I saw an interview with the author and the interview, in and of itself, was fascinating. He said that the Church of Scientology spent something like $20 million dollars trying to sue him and follow him and generally trying to discredit him.
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Post by chaosisapony on Mar 31, 2015 3:48:50 GMT
Watching it on On Demand now.
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Post by bothmykidsrbrats on Mar 31, 2015 4:36:43 GMT
I am on the fence about watching it. I don't know much about "the church", other than the celebrity stuff you hear on TV. DH new company president it a loud and proud member. He has a picture of L. Ron Hubbard on his office wall, and and picture of him and Tom Cruise on his desk. No pictures of his wife or kids. I haven't met him yet. I'm not sure I want to watch the documentary, and then try and hide my WTF face, when I meet him at the company picnic next month.
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Post by Katie on Mar 31, 2015 11:23:55 GMT
I watched. I didn't read the book, and now I'm wondering if I need to. I am not that interested in knowing more about LRH, but I am in knowing more about their crazy tactics. I knew Scientology was a cult of crackpot craziness, but I didn't really know how far it went. "The Hole" was horrifying. The fact that so many high level members have left and are speaking out, in spite of the repercussions, is pretty impressive. BTW--when I googled "going clear hbo" yesterday to find out what time it was on, the very first site in the search result was a web site set up by the CoS to discredit every single person who appeared in the doc. I'm not seeing it today in the search results. I'd heard this on the radio that they paid a TON of money to have all google searches redirect to that site. Crazy! |
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Post by corinne11 on Mar 31, 2015 12:21:25 GMT
I heard about this tonight on one of our current affairs shows. I am hoping it will be available to view here soon. When I was 21 I was stopped on the street to answer 3 questions, then persuaded inside their building to answer about 100 questions. I kept saying I had to go ( I really was on a lunchbreak) but they kept pressuring me to come back to undergo "clearing" that was going to cost around $300.
I was naïve enough to have given them my real address and although I never went back or ever spent any money with them, they continued to send mail to me for over 20 years. A lot of it consisted of glossy booklets and pamphlets, certainly not cheap! My mother sent back tons of it marked return to sender but it never stopped them.
Corinne |
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Post by peano on Mar 31, 2015 12:36:51 GMT
I watched. I thought the first hour was interesting; I fell asleep the second hour. I don't think I learned much that I hadn't read/seen previously other places. Didn't read the book. Read an interesting article last night about 8 or 10 other instances of COS weirdness that weren't mentioned in the doc, e.g. how Katie Holmes escaped, etc.
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Post by pierkiss on Mar 31, 2015 13:35:59 GMT
We watched it last night. I thought it was fascinating! I had heard a lot of the info before, but thought the personal stories on what prompted each person to finally leave were compelling. I find cults and the mentality that goes along with them, to be so interesting. I am curious about how that lawsuit from the wife of a former member will play out. The level of harassment members go to when someone leaves is disgusting.
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Deleted
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May 4, 2024 9:24:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2015 14:01:27 GMT
I have it DVR'd. I live in Scientology land so I see them all the time. I try to be open and understanding about other religions but I can't in this one. It's dangerous. They are slowly taking over the city I live in too by buying up real estate.
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Post by SockMonkey on Mar 31, 2015 14:08:24 GMT
I am on the fence about watching it. I don't know much about "the church", other than the celebrity stuff you hear on TV. DH new company president it a loud and proud member. He has a picture of L. Ron Hubbard on his office wall, and and picture of him and Tom Cruise on his desk. No pictures of his wife or kids. I haven't met him yet. I'm not sure I want to watch the documentary, and then try and hide my WTF face, when I meet him at the company picnic next month. I think you should watch it, just so you know what's up. What if this guy tries to recruit your husband? |
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Post by SockMonkey on Mar 31, 2015 14:11:07 GMT
We watched it last night. I thought it was fascinating! I had heard a lot of the info before, but thought the personal stories on what prompted each person to finally leave were compelling. I find cults and the mentality that goes along with them, to be so interesting. I am curious about how that lawsuit from the wife of a former member will play out. The level of harassment members go to when someone leaves is disgusting. That whole section with the "Squirrel Hunters" videoing the wife of the former member? That was CUH-RAY-ZEE. They rented the house across the street just to film them! I mean... WOW. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2015 14:20:11 GMT
I started to watch it but I needed something a little faster moving at the time so I put it off. I'll give it another shot tonight. I've read several books about Scientology and find it fascinating (in a WTH way, not in a "oh, this might work for me" way.) A girl I grew up with is in the movie industry and she was a Scientologist for a period of time and what another Pea said about continuing to get mail for years and years is spot on. Mega mail. Forever. It's like they have a billion year contract to send mail.
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Post by mandolyn9909 on Mar 31, 2015 14:24:38 GMT
I watched the documentary and thought it was really well done. Looking forward to reading the book now, I read Beyond Belief which I thought was good as well. I also try to be really open minded about religions but also find this one to be a cult and scarier than jonestown...or at least far more reaching and equally as mind controlling.
The level they go to harassing ex members is terrifying and I really hope the wife of the ex member wins her lawsuit.
I wish the movie would have went into more details about Katie holmes and Tom Cruises split which I am sure was a result of this religion, Also would have been great if they could have gotten Nicole Kidman for an interview.
Between going clear and the Robert Durst documentary HBO has been hitting it out of the park!
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Post by SockMonkey on Mar 31, 2015 14:25:34 GMT
I started to watch it but I needed something a little faster moving at the time so I put it off. I'll give it another shot tonight. I've read several books about Scientology and find it fascinating (in a WTH way, not in a "oh, this might work for me" way.) A girl I grew up with is in the movie industry and she was a Scientologist for a period of time and what another Pea said about continuing to get mail for years and years is spot on. Mega mail. Forever. It's like they have a billion year contract to send mail. It's funny you should mention a billion year contract. People who sign up for SeaOrg, one of Scientology's subgroups, literally sign a billion year contract. Not even kidding. From the source itself: www.scientology.org/faq/church-management/is-it-true-that-people-in-the-sea-org-sign-a-billion-year-contract.html |
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Post by SockMonkey on Mar 31, 2015 14:27:00 GMT
I watched the documentary and thought it was really well done. Looking forward to reading the book now, I read Beyond Belief which I thought it was good as well. I also try to be really open about religions but also find this one to be a cult and scarier that jonestown...or at least far more reaching and equally as mind controlling. The level they go to harassing ex members is terrifying and I really hope the wife of the ex member wins her lawsuit. I wish the movie would have went into more details about Katie holmes and Tom Cruises split which I am sure was a result of this religion, Also would have been great if they could have gotten Nicole Kidman for an interview. Between going clear and the Robert Durst documentary HBO has been hitting it out of the park! I think Katie and Nicole want as little to do with any of this as possible. They're harassed enough by paparazzi. You saw what they were doing to the wife of that ex-member! |
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Hopefully it shows ip on Amazon Fire TV soon. 
Although, I don't know if it'll be tonight.
Refupea #39
Mine seems to be the poorly worded one. 
