I posted this to OCMB today. Fred Durks is crowing because he is screwing around with his local org, and it just offends me. The people he's playing with aren't the enemy. They're some of the victims of this destructive cult. I have, and will again, reviled Scientology on ARS. But I have never gone to the org to screw with unwary staff thinking to sell me something. I will walk up and down outside with a picket sign, but I think most of you can see that that is a whole nother ball of worms.

I think picketing is a valuable tool, to inform people who might otherwise join, and some people, specifically ex-members, can target members who are still in.

However, I do not think that taking the personality tests and stress tests to crow about later helps our cause. These people are not toys, to be mocked. The poor things really believe in Scientology, and most of them truly think they are helping people.

When you use these "come ons" to later mock and degrade them, you aren't hurting the "church." You're hurting the critics. It's just wrong to play with them as if they were puppets. You know what will happen if you take these tests. The results will ALWAYS show that you are screwed up. And they will ALWAYS reveal that there are courses which can "help" you.

This is what they do. It's one of their terribly predictable recruiting tools, which play on your fears and unhappiness. It's a no-brainer. It's what they do, but they firmly believe in it. You aren't going to change their minds by dicking around with them and boasting about how they tried to sucker you into joining.

It's like shooting fish in a barrel. It's not clever, it isn't a positive act, and it isn't productive.

We may not agree with Scientology or its methods, but you can at least try to respect their right to exist. You won't change anyone's mind by mocking them and toying with them.

It's a good way to get attention, but I would hope that critics realize that there are plenty of other ways to j/d Scientology, without making it personal.

I have never gone in for a free test, because I feel it's just wrong. I'm talking to YOU, Durks! Pull your head out of the dark, straighten up, and fly right. Your behavior suggests that you are more interested in harassing and embarassing these poor, underpaid, true believing staff members, who are hoping to gain a few measly bucks from courses they hope to sell you.

Be a decent human being, if you can. --
--Bar Baba
Chaplain,ARSCC
xenubarb@netscape.net

"Imagine a church so dangerous, you must sign a release form before you can receive its "spiritual assistance." This assistance might involve holding you against your will for an indefinite period, isolating you from friends and family, and denying you access to appropriate medical care. You will of course be billed for this treatment - assuming you survive it. If not, the release form absolves your caretakers of all responsibility for your suffering and death.

Welcome to the Church of Scientology."

--Dr. Dave Touretzky Peter Alexander

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