Lots of people contact me at XENU TV and some share their stories. With the person's permission, I thought I'd share this one. I have stripped it of identifying info:

Hello. Thank-you for your site. Back in 1986 I had a brush with Scientology in __________. I was, and am still, under treatment for clinical depression. A friend of mine whom I met at the half way house I was living in at the time asked me if I'd like to go check out Scientology. She claimed that it had helped her and that she had corresponded with L. Ron Hubbard, whom she said was a kind and good man.

I went with her to the Scientology center in the ______. There we watched an introductory movie hosted by a movie star. (I cannot recall who it was now, but it was someone famous.)

After the film, I was taken to a table where I was given a sales pitch by one of their 'staff', as I recall. I was told that, to begin my studies would cost around $500.00. I wrote a check and was told to report back the next evening. (It was around 8:00 P.M. by this time, and we had to get back to the half way house.)

I was given a raft of books, including 'Dianetics', and told that I would be assigned an auditor. (My memories are somewhat vague as to the particulars after all these years.)

I attended two sessions, four hours each. I became convinced that what I had been through was just a bunch of meaningless jargon designed to draw people in, so I decided to quit.

I returned on the third day with all my books and asked for a refund. I was told to wait while they consulted with their higher ups. I was escorted upstairs to a small office where a man attempted to change my mind. He didn't seem willing to give me a refund, and kept demanding 'who I had been talking to' and 'who had been influencing me'.

I stuck to my guns, and told him that I was returning all the books and materials I had been provided, and expected a full refund in keeping with common business practices. He replied that Scientology was not a business, but a church.

I answered that even churches must adhere to business practices. Churches have accountants, lawyers, and are liable to the laws of the land as are all non-profit organizations.

He finally said that I would receive a refund and that they would keep my books safe, should I change my mind.

As I left his office, I turned and asked if he really wanted to know who I'd spoken to. He said he did. I said that I'd spoken to him and left.

(I subsequently put a stop-payment on the check I'd written to them, just in case they tried to cash it. Later I closed the account the check was drawn against and opened another one, just for safety's sake.)

Just thinking of this minor encounter with Scientology chills my blood even to this day. All the best to everyone at Xenu TV.

Sincerely, XXXXXXXX ___________

And in a followup:

Btw, the mental health program I was a member of also had a very strange experience with Scientology. In _______, some programs with the Department of Mental Health use what are called T.E.P.s, Temporary Employment Positions, to assist people with mental illness, to return to the workforce. These are jobs in the private sector that program staff solicit for members to have for up to six months with trained staff support and supervision.

One staff member made the mistake of asking the Scientology office in _______ about placing a member there as a T.E.P.. While there, the people at Scientology seemed far more interested in proselitizing the T.E.P. member than in paying her. The placement was dropped in a few months.

I have downloaded and watched the heart breaking story of Maria Pia's experience with Scientology. What they did to her is nothing less than criminal.

When I first heard of Scientology, I was somewhat bewildered as to why it called itself a religion. It seemed to have no deity to speak of. Now, after my experience and my readings online, I now see that Scientology has two deities; the 'Self', and cold, hard cash.

I can see why the egos of Hollywood stars might be drawn to a cult that proclaims them to be immortal and god-like. The real powers of the organization seem to worship the more tangible power. My heart goes out to anyone drawn in by Scientology, or any other cult.

I hope that you and your's have a good Summer!

Sincerely, XXXXXXX

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