Imagine that you are a corner grocery store owner in a country run by an evil dicatorial government. The Junior Patriots League has once again come by asking to put up a poster for the new Downtown Beautification Program. The poster says "I support the Downtown Beautification Program with my Pledge!" You know from experience that this is another government sham to get more money from you. You know there will be only a token effort to beautify the downtown where you are. But you also know what will happen if you say no.

So you have a choice. You can go along like you always have and everybody else does (except Zed the shoe repairman who refused and mysteriously disappeared). The choice is relative peace and comfort over standing up to the immoral and cruel government. It's just one more stupid program, nothing any more or less egregious than any other. No one would think anything bad of you if you let the Junior Patriots League put up their poster in your window. In fact, you would be quite conspicuous if you didn't have the poster up. Refusing will bring discomfort, disconnection, loss, fear, financial problems, perhaps even a prison sentence. It's only a poster. It's not like you're actually doing anything immoral yourself, right?

That last question is what it all boils down to. You ARE doing something. By putting up that poster you are supporting and extending the power and corruption of the government that is ripping off not only you but all your fellow shop owners. You are pretending to be supporting the program. You are pretending that the government is not corrupt.

Scientology is good at putting people in such a situation. Members hear the Call to Arms so many times, it just becomes routine (Tory has written about this). Ex-members know that if they speak out it will be like the grocer refusing to put up the sign. Critics know that if they become reasonably successful exposing the wrongs Scientology does, the Fair Game policy will descend on them. Pressure is applied to create compliance. Still a critic? More pressure is applied.

Silence or compliance relieves the pressure.

Certainly it makes more sense if you want to lead a quiet life to keep your mouth shut and put up the sign. But by doing so you extend the length and strength of the immoral and dangerous power. It comes down to personal comfort versus standing up to the Wrong. Standing up to the Wrong requires personal sacrifice. It's not an easy decision.

If you stand up you might not win anyway. The people under the thumb of the immoral power might not like you for your rebellion as it might cause them problems too. But you realize that if no one stands up, nothing will change. You have sleepless nights. And then you decide.

[grateful acknowledgement to Vaclav Havel in The Power of the Powerless]
--- When a Scientology staffer used a syringe to force a mixture of aspirin, Benadryl and orange juice into McPherson's throat while others held her down, it was "spiritual sustenance," the church argues.

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