BBC Panorama: The Secrets of Scientology - Part 4

Panorama: The Secrets of Scientology - Part 4


Broadcast September 28th 2010.

Part 4 of 4.

Reporter John Sweeney's last investigation into the Church of Scientology resulted in an explosive confrontation with church officials. This time, in a Panorama Special, one of those officials has turned whistleblower to help him reveal the dark secrets of the church, which boasts Hollywood A-listers Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its devotee More..s.

Reporter: John Sweeney
Producer: Katy Stead
Producer: Sarah Mole
Executive Producer: Darren Kemp

Before 2008, you could be forgiven for associating the name 'Sweeney' with a cop show off of the 70s. After 2008, he became known as the man that screamed at Scientologists, whilst they looked on impassively.

At the time this little storm in a teacup went a bit viral on YouTube, where the scientologists released the 'highlights' and dubbed Sweeney an 'exploding tomato'.

We all thought that that would be the end of it, but here we are in 2010 and Sweeney is back for a rematch -- but this time he comes armed with former members of the 'Church' (scientology isn't a recognised religion in the UK), some of who faced him down in the original show.

I'm sure that most people tuned in to see which of these parties would explode into spittle-flecked rage first. As it happened, it was neither, which was disappointing. Sweeney had obviously been practicing talking in a very calm and slow voice, and the 'agents' sent to film the film crew remained blank faced and silent for the most part.

Dubbed the Secrets of Scientology, this promised to expose the methods that the Church employs to recruit and retain members and bully those that wish to leave. While this undoubtedly was shown happening and that the leader, David Miscavige, was implicit in many of the orders to bully and intimidate, what did we learn?

We were shown testimony from former members about deliberately trying to smear former members and others that have tried to investigate them and we were shown the use of neuron-linguistic programming techniques to get under the skins of these people. There was evidence of smear campaigns, bullying and cutting off former members from their families. We also got to see the Audit technique that the Scientologists have actually copyrighted, which basically involves the interviewee holding onto cans attached to a posh voltmeter whilst being asked some pretty personal questions, then told what is wrong, or a negative influence in their lives.

There were allegations that being a real insider, in the Sea Org, or as part of the administration, meant that you were subjected to bullying, with some even feeling forced into having an abortion in order to remain on the inside, since pregnant women are not allowed to be Sea Org members. There was also some investigation as to how Scientologists live in closed communities, so that Scientology becomes their entire life, discouraged from talking to people outside or even following the news in case something critical of the Church comes on. We even saw testimony from actors that had been in the church for years, that had only found out about the central tenets of their religion by going on the internet. Apparently, only higher level Operating Thetans are ready (i.e. have paid enough) to learn what their religion is actually about.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

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• scientology
• cult
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• sweeney
• panorama
• david
• miscavige
• tom
• cruise
• travolta
• tommy
• davis
• ot3
• xenu
• xemu
• dianetics
• anonymous
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[Miyavisgirl1540]

I hope Anonymous DESTROYS Scientology!

[frostedlambs]

@Miyavisgirl1540 i agree they need to be stopped

[Kerryhm]

I cannot think of another religion where one is not free to leave.

[ItzMeRon]

Great documentary.

[xxxxxxpimptaddyone]

scientology is a cult.....pieces of crap cult goons