Apparently, the Church of Scientology International steals from its own most dedicated staff.

When I left the Sea Org in Summer of 2001, I still had many joint credit accounts with my now-ex-wife, who remained in the Sea Org and OSA International, at the cost of our marriage (their rule and her choice, not mine). Since Sea Org members are paid less than $50 a week, I volunteered to pay all our credit balances myself after leaving.

Some weeks back, one of these accounts was completely paid off, and because of an automatic payment plan, actually acquired a small balance in our favor -- a little over $20. However, though we were both responsible for the account, only she was the official owner. So, when it came time to issue a refund check for my overpayment on the now-closed account, the former creditor sent me the check, payable to my ex-wife, even though I told them to make it payable to me instead of her.

Since it was a small amount and I didn't want to waste time arguing with fools, I decided to just send the check to my ex-wife. Knowing the COS's hatred of apostates and their fondness for spying on their own staff, I assumed my letter would be opened before it got to its destination, if it got there at all. I had also heard of money in mail being stolen by the censors instead of being passed on to the intended recipient. Therefore, I made clear in the letter that I wanted a reply from her acknowledging that she had received the check and read my letter (which discussed nothing but the check, a little neutral material about myself and my progress in college, and my reason for insisting on a reply). I said that if I didn't get a reply from her, I would assume that her money had been stolen by other Church personnel, and I would make a public posting to that effect. This was for the benefit of any Security or other HCO or miscellaneous Church deviates who might intercept her letter and read it. They would have to decide whether the twenty bucks they'd get by ripping off their own impoverished personnel was worth the negative PR for their Church.

It has been over two months since I sent the letter, and there has been no reply. A simple "I got the check" would have satisfied me. Therefore, I'm forced to assume that larcenous COS International personnel intercepted my letter and, applying Scientology's interpretation of Robin Hood, stole from the poor to give to the rich -- and the hell with the PR, since only out-ethics knuckle-draggers read a.r.s. and Operation Clambake (www.xenu.net).

Way to go, "Church." Keep showing those true colors. Keep proving to your staff how much you care about them.

Dan Garvin Sea Org member for 25 years Scientologist for 27 Free now for a year and a half

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