Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology - Blown for Good

Good read but the chapters do not flow like I would have expected - could have done with better editing in parts, often things were explained again although the topic was introduced and explained earlier, just broke the experience. Well worth it though - I am a little OCD.

The author is so detailed that it makes reading the book almost boring.
His experience is startling and depressing. It always blows my mind how a spiritual endeavor well intended can end up so badly.
In trying to seek true spiritual nature, it seems people get crazier instead of being more at peace and loving and kind.
It's pathetic that genuine love and compassion for another human being is lacking in these kinds of situations.
I don't really recommend the book because it is depressing and unless there is a way it can be fixed, why get upset? There is enough bad news on the TV and computer without buying a book and reading about some crazy organization.

This book follows the daily lives of Scientology brainwashed people who participate in a lifestyle just short of a concentration camp. This book doesn't really give me a sense of WHY people would be drawn to this lifestyle, I don't see any benefit for them unless they would have been losers anyway. I really do not "get" why this would be a lifestyle choice for the rich and famous like Tom Cruise, Kiersty Alley, or John Travolta. So, maybe another book would explain Scientology in a way that shows any benefits.

I am about 1/5 of the way through this book, and it reads like something that has been self-published. There are errors in grammar, punctuation, and/or sentence structure on every page. These are errors my sixth grader could spot. He describes his day-to-day life in Scientology's Sea Org like a person who has overheard people talking about Scientology. He is vague about almost everything, and he glosses over so many of the aspects that illustrate the abuse of power that happens in Sea Org on a daily basis. Perhaps it will get better; if so, I will gladly change my review. I will have to get a whole lot better. If you want to read a book that explains Scientology clearly and in horrific detail, then get Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill.

This book is missing two key things: (1) an editor or ghost writer and (2) the "WHY." First, the story Marc has to tell is fascinating (if it's all true), but his lackluster Scientology education is evident in his writing. It is monotonous, bogged down with mundane details irrelevant to the story, and consistently grammatically inaccurate. The tone is that of a petulant fifth grader. I skipped a LOT of the unnecessary details in this book (like pages and pages and pages of information on tape dubbing machines) because it was so painful to muddle through.

Second, while this book as a lot of shocking information about the alleged horrors of being a Scientologist at the international base, it completely lacks WHY he (or anyone else) put up with all of these things for so long. I understand that at first he was essentially a homeless child and needed a place to stay, but at that point he also wasn't be asked to dig up dried raw sewage with is bare hands either. The story never fills that information gap for the reader. There is no context for that these people get out of Scientology that they are willing to deal with this mental, emotional and physical abuse for so long. It's hard to empathize with him or others in the book when you have no idea why he is putting up with it. As the reader, you just keep thinking, "Wow, that is horrible. Why didn't you f-ing pack up your wife and leave?" There is no explanation of why he doesn't go to the police and try to build a life for himself outside of Scientology. I'm sorry, but sleeping on the floor after being forced to run aimlessly for hours (without eating) doesn't sound worse that being homeless or living in a shelter while you try to get back on your feet. Some explanation of the motivating factors behind staying in this "church" would provide essential missing context to the reader.

I would not recommend this book unless you just want to read a litany of horrors intermixed with the mundane details of a person's life, written in the most painful, stunted prose imaginable.

With Marc having such an eye opening perspective of what it was really like being in the heart of the scientology machine, his story was poorly conveyed and difficult to follow. This could have easily been fixed with a decent editor. With that being said, if you are looking for a read that inspires and shows the human capacity to overcome then you will most likely enjoy this read.

Also, after having read an investigated much of what has happened with scientology over the past 30 years, I have come to believe that much of what LRH originally intended was genuinely good intentioned and for the betterment of mankind. It has been the narcissistic psychopath David Miscavige who has devastated the church today.

Stayed up into the night finishing Marc Headley's Blown for Good. I was blown away by how good this book was. I could not put it down - and I'm glad I didn't.

I finished Nancy Many's Billion Year Contract a couple of days ago. That was a good book, It is distinct among the recent Scientology survivor books in how it gives an inside view on how mental illness and Scientology don't mix. Maybe too much of an "inside" view. The book was grueling for sure but I would recommend it. But that book didn't capture me quite so much as Blown for Good.

The day after I finished Nancy Many's book, I got Blown for Good in the mail. There is so much about this book to like. There is a charm to it. I realized half way through the book that all the chapter titles were taken from Depeche Mode songs and like the music of Depeche Mode, the book takes you some place dark where strength and vulnerability walk hand in hand. It also occurred to me that is book begs to be made into a movie, not only because the picture Marc paints is so clear, but also because we already have a sound track.

Marc's sarcastic, smart ass comments are great comic relief and not just funny to laugh at, but almost necessary as he takes you into the world of Scientology's "Secret" Base, the domain of the sociopathic, sadistic "leader" Dave Miscavige. More than any other book to date (I think I've read them all) this book paints a portrait of Miscavige. It is not a pretty picture. Miscavige comes off sometimes as a cartoonish super villain, laughing maniacally at his hapless minions who he makes to suffer, but Marc keeps up anecdote after anecdote, with quotes and details to remind you that this is a real person he is talking about. These surreal outrages against the trust that was placed in this sick man really did happen (and are still happening).

There is a good deal of insider information about Tom Cruise, Lisa McPherson and many other people of interest to the critics of Scientology as well as the general public. I kept thinking to myself while reading this book that Marc just happened to be in the right place at the right time to tell me everything that I was curious about.

Much of what I found so interesting about the book stems from my own curiosity as an ex-Sea Org member who didn't last quite as long as he did. While I never went to the "Secret" Int Base, I experienced the veil of mystique that surrounded the Int Base and had been in awe of it. Turning the pages of this book, Marc tells me the only thing to be in awe of at the Int Base was the incompetence, abuse and lack of dignity. I saw enough outrageous stuff during my time in the Sea Org to make me sneak out of the Sea Org's LA base in the middle of the the night, but I had no idea how bad it really was at the upper echelons. In recent years I've read about Miscavige hitting people and the sleep deprivation and the rest, but when Marc's book hit me with it page after page, I got worn down - more and more outraged. The only thing that sustained me was the knowledge that it would end for Marc.

It is haunting to know that for many Sea Org members it hasn't ended and is still going on, especially when I remind myself how many of these Sea Org members joined out of a selfless desire to help others.

To say that Marc names names in this book is an under statement. There are some that he leaves out, but the important ones are in. The mood, the incompetence and internal politics of the the Sea Org are painstakingly detailed with a long string of events related by Marc, most of which he witnessed first hand. These are details that I wondered about for a long time - how did the mighty Sea Org operate at the highest levels? Marc's answer is fear, back stabbing and (for some reason I'm using his word a lot in this review) incompetence.

The plot of the book works well as a story. The good guy is Marc the author and the bad guy is, ultimately, David Miscavige. All the other bad guys are just idiots who haven't figured out that Miscavige will throw them to the wolves once he drains them dry. The only thing suspicious about the book is that Marc seems to come off as a overly reasonable person who at the same time happens to be just as brainwashed as everyone around him - never giving in to the back stabbing, in fighting and desperate, immoral measures which surrounds him more so than the razor wire and guards.

I'll say it again to anyone listening. This book begs to be made into a movie. Not only does it read like a screen play with sarcasm, but is a story that needs to be taken to the public. I wouldn't say this is the beginning of the end for Scientology. The "end" is well underway. This is the middle of the end - it's a good time for a movie.

First, it is a page turner and and would make a blockbuster movie.
Second, Marc Headley wrote and published this book while still being harrassed and harrangued by Scientology's "intelligence arm".

One of many rapid-fire expose's, they all expose one startling fact: Our government agencies have been ignoring the crimes and abuses of this cult for decades. Every American should now ask your Senator and Congressman to see to it that these horrendous crimes finally come to an end, and that U.S. Citizens be protected. And don't forget to ask the current IRS Commissioner why the error of religious status given to this group hasn't not been corrected.

When you read what really goes on it will seem too incredulous. Just when you've finished one chapter, thinking it couldn't possibly get worse, you turn the page. Somehow Marc has kept and inserted his sense of humour amidst the horror. Kudos to your courage as well, Marc. Will our elected officials now stand up as well?

The book is interesting and the writing adequate. However, it would have helped if the author had explained what he got out of being in the cult. Reading the long litany of abuses, one wonders what would make anyone give up freedom for this horror. Again, if the author had explained or made us understand what he initially got out of it (perhaps a sense of meaning or purpose, a love of discipline, spiritual nourishment, etc.) we would understand his sticking around for 15 years.

I'm sorry, I really wanted to read this "stunning made-for-movie" book and like it, as I have the other blown ex-Scientologists. But reading how Marc Headley spent months running around like a mad man and sleeping on the ground, and the other stunningly stupid deeds, I just couldn't get over how foolish he was. I laughed at the ego on Mr. Quality Control confiscating video tapes! I felt sad and compassionate for the other former members, but Mr. Headley ... not so much.

I did NOT have it THIS INTENSE, but...some of the abuses that are particular to Scientology (working 80+ hrs a week, little-to-no-pay, Stockholm Syndrome, etc...) happens to those who work as 'Staff Members' of Scientology organizations around the world, as well.

I know. I was a Staff Member for a few years and my husband and I also had to escape in the middle of the night! (Without the benefit of a police escort though).

As a matter of fact, even the PUBLIC who receive Scientology courses and counseling are ALSO abused..for they are extorted and blackmailed of large amounts of money ($300,000.00+ US) for services that do NOT deliver what is promised.

I am almost finished reading Marc's book,and it is one incredible, gripping and I believe, ACCURATE account of what goes on behind the closed doors of Scientology!

It is just SICKENING to find out that this cruel abuse by David Miscavige was occurring at the top levels of the Sea Org while we as Staff (in our case) were also working our lives away, and being shown glossy, FAKE PR Videos of successful Sea Org!

I applaud Marc and his wife for escaping and having the courage to write this book! May it help MANY!

I'm buying this book for friends. And anyone who knows anyone involved in Scientology, buy them this book! They'll thank you later!

This book was nearly impossible to read. As many others have mentioned, it reads as if written by a middle/high school kid. The subject matter was of interest to me, but I simply couldn't get through most of the material without cringing/banging my head against a wall.

Very interesting and disturbing at the same time. I had no idea how off the rails Scientology is and hope it will be eliminated from the earth and suffer a quick death as soon as possible. The damage it must cause for it's members must be as devastating as any PTSD I have ever seen. Marc and his wife Clair deserve everything they have earned and deserve our thanks for speaking out at the risk of being hounded to death by these misguided people who have no idea how evil they have let themselves become. Thank you for writing it.

If you think reading is great...take a listen on this one. This story is close and personal...really shapes the daily life of a sea org person. Some of it was humorous due to the authors descriptions. But believe it, it made me very uncomfortable because it is actually true. The people were treated horribly. It makes me grateful to not have encountered situations like this and the fact that I always insisted on flying solo with my spirituality. However, I also know that given the circumstances, anyone can fall into this, which is WHY everyone needs to read or listen to this.

This guy is smarter than hell! I was so impressed he got through a book on engineering without even finishing high school. He also has a great sense of humor. For all the Nazi-camp evilness, he still manages to write about Scientology in such a funny manner. This is such a good sarcastic read. I loved it. Bravo to Marc for standing up to these criminals.

A few senior people, one in particular, cause a lot of grief for a lot of people, in and out of the “Church”, but especially to those next to him in the upper echelons. Everything in their lives is controlled - insufficient food, sleep, hygiene and forbidden to procreate.

Most would say - well, why not leave? But that doesn’t sound possible. People trying to leave are chased by members in the “Church”. Some are dragged back or disappear, never to be heard from again. Of course, if a Scientologist gets out of this mess, they are going to want to disappear, as it would be safer to do so! Perhaps someone should set up a safe house near the Helmet, California Walmart where Scientologists shop? Maybe that would help. However, in doing a quick check on Helmet, this looks like a hell hole, what with high drought and crime issues.

People are probably wondering why Scientology manages to keep going. I think it has to do with an underlying issue. The Federal Government is too scared to handle a prior “religious” sect -the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - the breakaway branch of Mormons that still practice polygamy. Since 1890, they have carried on with multiple wives, marrying off young girls to older men, and kicking out most of the teen boys because they are deemed a threat to the old men. The Federal Governments of both the US and Canada have wrung their hands, because they don’t want to interfere with “religious freedom.” But just who has “religious freedom” in this sect? The duped women? The uneducated young girls and boys? No, just a few dirty old men hiding behind “religious freedom” for their own pleasure. Yes, one of the top fellows is behind bars in the States, and another in Canada got kicked in the slats for taxes, but the FLDS still carry on. Read “The 19th Wife” by David Ebershoff for historical information.

I think it is the same with Scientology. A few top people have freedom and the rest are slaving drones. Scientology has hid behind the banner of religion for decades, but verbal abuse, physical abuse, harassment, and kidnapping are not “religious” - they are appalling illegal acts that should net the perpetrators jail time.

Public Scientologists cannot be totally unaware of what is going on. Surely some have enough nerve to read anti-Scientology websites and books. Why turn a blind eye to the suffering Sea Org members? If you are going to hang out in this “Church”, at least get yourself a black belt in a martial art. You may need it!

In closing, I think there will have to be a revolution from within to stop the abuse. The Scientologists near the top of the pyramid are just going to have to rise up against the few in control because it doesn’t look like anyone from the outside is going to come to their direct rescue anytime soon.

It is not often that one gets a look inside a secretive organization like the Church of Scientology. Mark Headley spent years working at Golden Era Studios, shoulder to shoulder with top management and Scientology celebrities.
This book reveals the inner workings of the Sea Organization, and the machinations of cult leader David Miscavige and his acolyte Tom Cruise. Headley writes with credibility and humor. This is a must read for any current or ex-scientologist, or anyone with an interest in this subject. The faithful should have no problem with it, as one of the early abilities they lay claim to is the ability to talk to anyone on any subject, and the focus on truth.
The book includes a forward by Marty Rathbun, a former high level church leader during the time Mark was there.

An absolute knockout of an expose. Marc Headley must be David Miscavige's worst nightmare. Marc is the ultimate person to write such a book, having seen up close and personal all the inner workings and evil behind-the-scenes hell that is the true upper echelon of Scientology.

My wife and I thought we would dedicate our lives to helping our fellow humans in distress by becoming Scientology auditors. I became a Class VIII, she a Class VI (very high up the ladder for those of you not indoctrinated into the cult). Our lives became hell after joining the Sea Org at the Advanced Organization in Los Angeles and we literally had to sneak out the back door with our kids and try to pick of the pieces of our lives and start over.

I am happy to say that we are among the lucky ones who have created new lives and done well after leaving Scientology.

Read this book if you are contemplating having anything to do with Scientology, or give it to someone you know who is. It will save you or someone you know (perhaps a loved one) from wasting years going down a dead end street and into a state of oblivion and degradation, when all you or they wanted was to do some good in this world. There are plenty of great avenues out there for you to try and make this Earth a better place. Scientology is most definitely not one of them.

I knew many of the people that Marc talked about in this book, some even more personally that Marc himself. His accounts of the people I knew are consistent with my own recollections. His description of the events are accurate. To have been there and experienced what is documented here is to have lived through a nightmarish Hell that few outsiders would ever fully believe. The author may not have much experience with writing, or editing, but overlooking editing flaws and "craft" problems to understand what is being told is more than worth the price of admission.
One can understand from the beginning that the author did not seek out this organization because he was searching for the truth, in a process of evaluating philosophies and religions, as an effort to find meaning in life. Marc was a victim of circumstance, an unlucky lottery winner of a front row seat in an insane asylum. He was very nearly born into it. It took the author 15 years to finally walk away. It took me 10 years before I walked away, but it took me nearly 20 years to talk and write about it. I congratulate the author for his courage and persistence. There are very difficult lessons to learn from his experience. More of a history lesson than what appears on the surface, the misadventure of a lifetime.

I didn't know much about Scientology before reading this book. My first thought was, If this is true, why aren't people in jail for the abuses?

The I did searches on the internet and soon realized that either there is a massive conspiracy by thousands of ex-Scientologists to derail Scientology or what Mark Headley says in this book is true.

It is hard to imagine a conspiracy so big that all the people on the Internet would make their stories match so perfectly. It seems like the only conclusion one can draw from this book is that Scientology, at least the Sea Organization, is rampant with abuse of 'employees'. I am not sure about the religion itself, it may have a lot of value--I have no way of judging that. But the leaders who make bad policy and ruin people's lives need to change their ways, or, if this book is accurate, be held accountable for their crimes.

One thing is for sure--the book convinced me that if I were ever interested in going into a Scientology church before, I would not do it now.

I am accustomed to reading carefully-proofread, polished books. So Marc Headley's _Blown for Good_ took me aback: it is a very /un/polished, raw, deeply personal, and incrementally more and more horrific account of his experiences in Scientology. It took me only half a day to read because I literally could not put it down. I was hooked after the first, absolutely frightening chapter.

Readers who are unfamiliar with Scientology's unique language & lingo might find the book difficult to follow. Mr. Headley provides a glossary in the back that is extremely helpful, though it does not cover everything. I found it fascinating--and a bit disturbing--that "Scientology speak" informs Mr. Headley's writing right down to its very core. For example, instead of writing "This person was in charge of this office", he writes "This person was over this office". Mr. Headley was involved in Scientology by his parents at a very young age, to the point of attending schools based on Scientology principles, and this has left its stamp way, way, way down deep on him--to the point that it is immediately apparent, in reading his words, that his education was fundamentally nonstandard.

Mind you, "nonstandard" does not necessarily equal "deficient"; in many cases, nonstandard education can really be beneficial (depending, on course, what "standard education" actually involves). In this case, however, it is absolutely clear that an editor versed in standard American English would have a lot of work to do with Mr. Headley's Scientology-infected prose. It is for this reason that I am very happy that the author published this work on his own; an editor at one of the mainstream publishing houses would probably have normalized his writing and removed this deep stamp of "otherness" from Mr. Headley's writing. This "otherness" is carefully designed and cultivated by Scientology to distance its personnel from the rest of society and it screams through loud and clear in the book.

As an active duty service member in the United States Navy*, I was particularly disquieted by Mr. Headley's account of Scientology's "Sea Organization", which L. Ron Hubbard conceived as a naval arm of Scientology (and which was informed by Hubbard's own short-term experience in the US Navy). But the "Sea Org", as Mr. Headley recounts, is a reflection of the Navy as seen through a shattered mirror. It apes the outer form of Naval service, but misses essentially core ideas, such as the fact that every sailor has a right to fundamental human dignity and the right to seek the redress of wrongs, that seniors are responsible for the personal and professional cultivation of their juniors (which includes assigning challenging, but achievable, goals), and that seniors are accountable for their behavior to their juniors as well as the other way around. The Sea Org, as Mr. Headley describes it so clearly in _Blown for Good_, sacrifices human dignity on the altar of "upstatistics" (always-increasing productivity) and the satisfaction of the often ill-conceived and contradictory requirements of its upper management (or their need for personal power). It uses intimidation, blackmail, poverty, overwork, degrading and dangerous punishment, sleep and food deprivation, restriction of movement, and the threat of being forever separated from loved ones involved in Scientology, to force its personnel to produce. Many of the activities described in _Blown for Good_ would result in an actual Naval commander's and upper chain of command's firing and courts-martial and, if found guilty of felonious activity, a stint in an actual prison. But it would never result in such degrading and dangerous punishment as--as described in _Blown for Good_--manually cleaning dried and crumbling raw sewage out of the bottom of an aeration pond without personal protective equipment such as facemasks, gloves, etc. Nor would it result in an order to members of the persons' family still in the Navy to refuse all contact with them. I am absolutely and utterly appalled, and deeply ashamed, that the Navy which I serve could be the inspiration for a situation that seems to have been pulled directly from _Lord of the Flies_.

I am also sad to say that this does not seem to be an isolated set of experiences; the media is increasingly replete with other people's stories involving similar patterns of events and terrible abuse. This makes Mr. Headley's recounting all the more distressing. _Blown for Good_ is an extremely important document regarding not only Scientology, but providing proof of the real proclivity for organized groups of people to become fundamentally bad when there is no accountability, oversight, or transparency. It is a fascinating, frightening, and necessary read.

*This review reflects the personal opinion of its author and does not represent the views of the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense, or the United States Government in any capacity.

In 1984 or thereabouts in NYC, out of youth and curiosity and proximity and an unusual infusion of disposable income which had come with my move, I did five hours ($50, on a COUPON) of Dianetic auditing. I'd thought it would probably be silly, and it did seem that way to me. I'd thought the person wielding the e-meter would take it very seriously, and he did seem to.

My major takeaway, though, from my visits there, was a memory of one very nervous person who actually took me aside to warn me off. He talked breathlessly about a cadre of abusive people at the top, a totalitarian structure of management called the Sea Org (Organization). I didn't quite believe him; it just sounded so outrageous (a bunch of civilians in naval dress running a pseudo-chain of command at the top of a pseudo-religion); and I sort of expected anything anyone there said to be suspect anyway. (In addition to the bad press, I worked with two Scientologists who were interesting but very odd due to very flat affect.)

It took about 20 years for me to hear of the Sea Org again. This book is all about it. It made me wish I could go back and thank (and even help) that poor, terrified young man (although he hadn't asked for any; he was strictly trying to provide fair warning) and apologize for doubting him. I expected this book to make a lot of sweeping statements about the ridiculousness of the underpinnings of Scientology; it doesn't. I expected vitriol. I didn't get it. I got a chilling, conversational account of event upon event showing how dramatically dysfunctional the workings of the organization were, and how rooted in personal power and emotional blackmail. The author's observations on the chaos and abuse he fled are refreshingly subjective and blunt. The frequent appearances of Tom Cruise in the book are almost incidental; it is interesting, though, that one of the last projects the author reports on was apparently centered on doing "screen tests" of actresses as possible mates for Mr. Cruise.

I thought it was most interesting for its anthropological and sociological content. In science fiction circles, it's an oft-repeated tale that L. Ron Hubbard said, long before he began to create Dianetics/Scientology (in the presence of certain of his fellow SF authors; L. Sprague deCamp is usually mentioned), that he could make a lot more money if he started a religion. While I did get from this book the reinforcement I expected of my conclusion that Scientology and especially the Sea Org are more about exploiting human weakness than about elevating the human condition, I was left pondering that human weakness more than anything specific to Hubbard's brainchild.

What a ride! You don't need to be an ex-Scientologist to understand insidiousness or fear or the need to escape from something or someone in whom you've invested time, love, trust, belief. The fascination, for me, is how anything so cruel and demoralizing not only survives but thrives. I started reading and couldn't put it down. It kept me awake & reading through the night. There's an irresistible underlying note of relief, or maybe exhilaration, despite the hair-raising tales. Headley allows us to experience, with him, the urge toward freedom & his unstoppable sense of self. It's exhilarating for the reader because you can feel that freedom is within reach, and when he finally reaches it, you cheer. And when you've finished, you feel like you've made a new friend; someone who's been to hell & back, & has shared an extraordinary life-changing experience.

This is a great read about one person's long nightmare in the Church and how he escaped. It is particularly compelling (and familiar) to anyone who has some experience with the subject. Yes, the church is this bad...well, actually worse. (Marc never ended up on the RPF [look it up] which resides in a lower circle of hell than even the one Marc found himself in.)

For readers unacquainted with the real "Church" of Scientology there would be many unanswered questions, and clearly some of the reviewers have such questions. You will not learn why anyone would join such an outfit, largely because Marc joined at a very early age, under pressure from family and friends. You will not understand why someone would not simply walk out and never return. Marc makes it clear that the pressures to stay and bear with the abuse were unrelenting and that an escape from them was by no means easy. But you would have to live through such an experience to understand fully how this is possible. Marc's story helps a bit in understanding that, but that won't stop the naive reader from yelling at the pages "Leave that damn place Marc and stop putting up with the crap!"

Is it well-written? It is a fast-moving narrative about Marc's experiences in a totally bizarre cult peopled by good guys, bad guys, frightened guys, and one super psychopath running the whole show. Most of the reviewers are happy enough with the writing, as was I.

Ever since I read John Duignan's fantastic book "The Complex", I have been a staunch opponent to Scientology and its torturous, dehumanizing treatment of Sea Org members, brainwashing and bullying of members, and the overall greed and deceits that make up this evil empire.

Then I found Marc Headley's "Blown For Good", and I learned even more. "Blown For Good", while taken from a different perspective than Mr. Duignan's book, is equally engrossing. Yes, a little editing might help a bit to quiet some of the critics on this website, but it was Headley's STORY that interested me, not the aesthetics. By the end of the book, I was exhausted, relieved, and angry!! I've done enough research of my own to know that these stories are not fiction. So many people say, "Why don't they just leave if they don't like it?" It's not that easy...to leave your family, your spouse, and (for those who were forced into it as children) everything you've ever been taught about life. For the members who get tricked into joining and are then cheated out of their money, for the lost souls who are just looking to give their lives meaning only to find it taken from them...loss of dignity, loss of freedom. Awful.

And no, David Miscavige and Tom Cruise do NOT have the answers to the world's problems. (On the contrary, they are instigators of quite a few themselves.) By catering to and flauting their celebrity clientelle, Scientology attempts to raise it's image to one of flash and glamour, but the truth has come out, and people aren't buying their lies anymore.

By the way, SHAME ON YOU, the store.COM, for not stocking this book!!! You did the same thing with "The Complex" (suddenly, there was no stock, but hmmm...just how DID that Valkyrie advertisement end up at the top of the webpage anyway?) What are you all afraid of? That Scientology is going to track you down? Declare you all Suppressive Persons? Make you scrub floors with toothbrushes? Oh, please...by giving in to their scare tactics, you give them more power than they could ever deserve. Please support the ex-Scientologist authors who do desperately need to tell their stories. I, for one, will do my part.

Please tell me how so many defectors are all lying? Really? This cult scares me more than anything else in light of today's obsession with celebrity - who, quite frankly, think they are so much better than us commoners (come on: you star in a movie and you're somehow annointed? That's sad and scary). Bottom line: Co$ would be better served if they at least admitted SOME of the allegations! Think, people! But wow. I wish I had 1/2 million to invest in something that MIGHT make me "perfect" (or a "star" which is why so many of those young actors are getting hooked and also why there are the Co$ celebrity centers all over the world - appealing to the narcissist in so many actors (just saying)). But think about it - maybe that's why so many indoctrinates stick to the dogma. How freaking embarrassing to pay that much money for the "tech" this random group offers - which is, frankly, offered in similar (maybe better? certainly cheaper) forms (without the physical abuse) from many avenues less destructive than this - and without the Sci-Fi BS. This cult is ruining people's lives and stealing their money with impunity. Tax free. Step up! Thanks to these brave souls for putting themselves out there. Don't let them hurt you.

I am only up to Chapter 8. Am an Ex Scientologist & worked at St. Hill, UK for 5 years, also did alot of training in Scientology. I offically left the Church in 2001. Am now declared a Suppressive Person. On reading the first 8 Chapters it brought back alot of memories of how my life used to be. Marc has written a very factual account of how the Church operates, it is exactly how he tells it. The Sea Org members are treated inhumanly & this used to upset me greatly when I was on staff. The book is easy to read & he tells it as it is. Getting an insight into Int base is alarming, those people are inslaved & it should be investigated by the American Govenment. What Marc has written goes on Worldwide but is extreme at Int. David Misscabbage should be investigated. I am so glad that I left Scientology & have a good life now. This book will help people to not get involved with this criminal organisation. Well done Marc Headley.

This is the story of the biggest cult that has ever existed and it's happening right here and now. I was in Scn for 23 years and left last year. I had never been on staff. I was public. I knew something was wrong and abusive. I experienced it. I've read several of the exposes but this one brought me to tears at the end. So many people who've given their lives for a game and dare I say "religion" so completely corrupt. It sickens me. Mr. Headley has risked all to tell this and I thank him.

I am very saddened for Tom Cruise as well. Here is a talented actor who's been used and brainwashed and doesn't even know it. If he doesn't awake soon, it'll be too late. The world is catching on to the the scam of Scn and he will lose much credibility. Wake up TC! But that's just it, Scn will not allow it until someone close to him has the balls to show him what is going on behind the curtain.

LRH and DM are selfish, narcissistic and delusional people who need to be exposed - as dwell as those in top management. I don't say that those who believe in Scn should be made to pay, but certainly those who were aware this was fraud from Day 1 should be made to account for it - that means the Church of Scn. Certainly they do not deserve their status as a "religion" nor their incomprehensible tax exemptions.

This book is a must read. You will see where your money goes and will become sickened by the extravagance and waste. Not to mention the abuse of so many well intentioned people. I am so glad I had the courage and integrity to leave. I am totally free and Marc is helping others achieve this with his brave writing.

A lot of people have written that they couldn't put Marc Headley's book, "Blown for Good", down. I'm not one of them: There were times I HAD to put it down while reading it, because it brought back such a flood of painful memories from my 10 years at the International Base of Scientology.

I was there for much of what Marc discusses in the book, and I am astounded by his memory, as well as the way he often took the most horrifying of situations and injected enough humor in their retelling to keep me reading. He also enlightened me on a lot of what I suspected was going on behind the scenes in certain areas, but never knew for sure.

I have both witnessed and been a recipient of the mental and physical abuse dealt by David Miscavige, and I'm still in the process of healing. I still can't pick up a ringing phone, for fear of who might be on the other end. I still have nightmares that I'm back on the base and can't get free. I have moved on with life, but some of the wounds are still fresh.

Given all that, Marc's book was quite cathartic for me. I was able to let go of some things, and better deal with some others.

If you ever wanted to know what life is really like "Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology", read this book. The glossy, PR-driven facade this "Church" would have you believe, will fade away. Guaranteed.

This is a terrific book! There are so many details in this book, and I like it so much that I am reading it again! It is something everyone even considering trying that group needs to read! A horror story that is real.

This book is an incredible account of what Marc & Claire Headly had to endure from the church (Cult) of Scientology. Their escape is riveting.In the end, love wins! I couldn't put it down. Lovely people.

My husband and I were sharing in the reading of this book. He would read it when I was working and vice versa. Sometimes we would fight for the chance to read it as it was very difficult to put down and as soon as I cleared my schedule that's all I wanted to do - read this book. It is a gripping page turner. Marc manages to write about some very heavy stuff while still maintaining a great sense of humor.

I laughed and cried and vowed to DO SOMETHING about the horrors exposed in this touching and tremendously heart wrenching tale. Buy and read this book. You will not be disappointed.

I really liked this book. I live "over the hill" from the INT base, and have always been curious. Several things mentioned in this book, I have knowledge of. (I went to school with the mother of the daughter that was decapitated in a car crash.) I also read another book that mentioned people in this book, including Marc's wife.

It's ironic that an organization with a pathological hatred of psychiatry uses psychological torture on its own members. Marc is one of the lucky (and courageous) ones who got away. I feel so bad for the children who are forced into this horrendous organization at a young age with basically no choice in the matter. And people like Tom Cruise, who reap the benefits of what boils down to slave labor, are willfully ignorant fools. The story of his actual escape had me on the edge of my seat, and really grateful for the county sheriff deputies who helped to save his life.

I just finished reading Blown For Good and I have to say it was one of the most riveting books that I have read in a long time. I stayed up far too late last night to finish it because I couldn't put it down. It is amazing to me that in 2012 there is a "religious" organization in America that engages in human trafficking, slavery and systemic abuse with impunity. I am sure writing this book was a cathartic process for the author. The fact that the he was able to come out of the experience sane enough to write one of the best self published books that I have ever read (no lie here folks) is nothing short of a miracle. If you ever wondered what goes on in the actual Church of Scientology, then pick up this book. If you are just looking for a story with action, love, religious cultism, stories of gut wrenching abuse and violence then pick up this book. If you care about human rights and basic decency then please, read this book and have others read it too.

Total page-turner account of life in the Sea Org & especially satisfying for me as a former member who aspired to go to Gold & didn’t understand the subtle headshakes from some when I mentioned this goal. Thank you Marc & Claire!

I have read pretty much every book about Scientology. I enjoyed Blown for Good the best. It reads like an exciting Fiction story even though you know everything is true. This book besides giving you an insiders look into Scientology is riveting at times. In the end it turns into a love story.

I have now read two books by people who have left scientology. One man and one woman. I found this book to be very well written and very informative about the world of scientology and would like to read more. One thing I noticed in both books that I read is that the authors tend to be wordy.....that is they go into great detail about their experiences as captives in the brain-washed world of a non-religious scientology. Very interesting to read of their experiences.

Absolutely loved this book. I've read a lot of ex scientologists' books. A lot of them were interesting, but frankly, poorly written/edited. So happy to report that Marc's book was exciting and really well written! Definitely recommend this book!

Love Marc' s story!! I love his style of writing and how compelling his experience is. I didn't find his book until I saw him and his wife on Scientology and th Aftermath with Leah Remini. I felt drawn to Marc and Claire and their experiences. How resilient the human soul is and how they survived and thrived in"the real world" after their escapes.

I left in the 1980's because of the cult's insanity. Last year they started calling to reg (get us in for paid services) and ceased calling only when threatened with legal action. Now comes along this compelling account of just how far down they have sunk in their efforts to degrade individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Another ex-cultie sent the book to me for Christmas. He congratulated ourselves for bailing out of the cult all those long years ago, He said that this book would be an eye opener. I read it in two days! Wow, just wow!

Thanks Marc for your accounting of your tour through hell, of surviving to tell about it, of your subsequent prosperity, and your legal actions. Anyone reading this book is well warned of what they too might experience from the tiny tyrant and his evil efforts.

At times it was heartbreaking, at times it had me laughing out loud, and the ending had me tearing up a bit. It's the first edition, so there are a few typos, but that's spellcheck for you! I think the best part of this book was the insight into David Miscavige's mind, or lack thereof. I knew he was nasty, but I had no idea he was arguably clinically insane. If you are already into the anti-scientology movement and know some of the basics on why people protest, why people take issue with the church as a business, this book provides a detailed and intriguing insider's glimpse. Even if you were not already into the movement, it will get you interested. Marc really leaves no stone unturned and doesn't seem like a disgruntled person (which is what the Church always wants you to think about "apostates"). He comes across honest and likeable. GO BUY THE BOOK [...]! :)

Very interesting read about how messed up the Scientology cult really is. It still astounds me that Scientology could possibly be considered a religion. The tales of abuse and near slave camp work programs I are heartbreaking and to realize so many young and old alike are trapped in this sham of a religion.

I had already been reading Marc's blog so had read the part about his escape which was riveting.

I had been a Scientologist for nearly 30 years but had never been on staff. It is true that the paying public is shielded from all that goes on in the Sea Org. I had heard about the bunk beds and overcrowded rooms but never knew how bad it really was.

Marc lays it all out on the table and makes it as clear as day. Marc went to the same school as my son who barely escaped the same fate but chose a different path in his life. I am so glad he did! I have never read anything as voraciously as this book. Marc gets under your skin and makes you feel that you were there with him experiencing the same things as he did.

I highly recommend this book. Even though I was not on staff and did not have to escape, I had to change my phone number and avoid Scientologists banging on my door trying to get me to come back. At times I felt like Ann Frank hiding from the Nazis. But they eventually stopped coming. The mail, however, never ends.

Thank you Marc for telling your story. I hope it makes a difference.

Whatever therapeutic or spiritual good comes from Scientology auditing and the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard is not the subject of this terrifying and heartbreaking exposé of the CoS's inner workings. From the sadistic, deranged leadership of maniac-in-charge David Miscavige to the exploitation and degradation of Church staff, Blown For Good reads like a horror novel of Religion As Business gone amok. Brainwashing, public beatings, starvation, mental and physical depravations, financial waste and lies heaped upon lies, Marc Headley pulls the curtain back on Scientology and you will never forget the stories he has to tell. I couldn't put this book down. If you have wondered why the CoS always seems to get such awful press, look no further and read this book.!

All the horrors of life in a cult have been included in this book. I heard about it on Coast-to-Coast radio and immediately got a copy. It was riveting reading of the "up-all-night" variety. While the abuses are shocking, we've seen them again and again in cults of a similar nature whether it's "the Family" or Jonestown. What really interests me is how we live in a culture that is so hollow that people would look for refuge in them. Maybe that's the real issue.

Marc Headley gives us an eye opening account of life inside Scientology's Sea Organization and the bravery it takes to run for your life if you ever want to leave.

You sign a billion year contract when you join the Sea Org and Scientology is going to do everything they can to make sure that you honor that contract---at least in this lifetime.

Headley's run for his life was harrowing and will leave you wondering, "How can this be happening in the United States of America?"

Slavery was abolished when the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was adopted in December of 1865. Scientology has found every loophole needed to bypass that Amendment and every anti-slavery law ever passed. The Sea Organization must be the largest "legal" slavery ring in the United States. Thankfully, there are people who work behind the scenes as a modern day Underground Railroad to help people trying to leave the Sea Org. Sadly, it is difficult to get that information to the majority of people enslaved in the Sea Org due to the constant surveillance. Headley's run for his life is a testament to the power of the human spirit that people enslaved in the Sea Org will run for their lives and their freedom not knowing what awaits them outside the confinement of this cult.

Headley is just one of the many ex-Sea Org members and ex-Scientologists who is speaking out these days. I highly recommend Headley's book as a place to start in your search for information on Scientology and the Sea Org. Once you read it, you will go looking for more stories and then you will wonder what you can do to stop Scientology from hurting even one more person.

Excellent exposure of human rights abuses within the Church of Scientology at the highest levels. This book is shocking. I have noted before that Church of Scientology's response to recent news stories says any that criticism of the COS is all lies (Nightline, Saint Petersburg Times, etc). Ater reading the first chapter of Blown For Good, I searched online for the police report to corroborate whether the Church of Scientology goon squad did indeed run Mr. Headley off the road as he tried to escape. I found the corroborating evidence in two police reports. The police had to help Mr. Headley escape a church. A Church?? That "Church" needs to be sued into oblivion.
Thank you for your courage, Mr. and Mrs. Headley. May you have a long and happy life together.

Interesting read. But, definitely had to be a Scientologist or know the lingo to follow it. Even though the author includes a glossary and tools to help guide the non-Scientologist along, it was still difficult and took me out of the narrative. But, if you are interested in Scientology and what goes on in the "religion" it's a compelling read.

Having known very liitle about Scientology except that Tom Cruise was a member, I found this book fascinating. What I don't understand after reading it is why David Miscavige, the leader, isn't being charged with kidnapping, assault, and possibly worse. This book followed the life of the author from his joining Scientology as a teen, his progress through the steps to becoming a member of Sea Org. (Scientology has its own language which the author explains well). Once there he was a virtual prisoner or slave. Then members can be forced to do all kinds of manual labor and are paid a pittance, not fed properly, often assaulted by Miscavige and not allowed to leave. If you want to leave, you are supposed to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars for a lifetime of room and board, which of course is impossible as you are paid less than a dollar a day and have to use that to buy clothing, etc.
The book was well written, the Scientology terms well explained, and the life inside this cult was brought to life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and wish law enforcement would read it and start pressing charges.

Revealing book about a crazy, diabolical and dangerous cult. I read this after reading Beyond Belief by the niece of Miscavige. Both books left me amazed and wondering how this so-called religion got started and am now reading Going Clear which explains the lunacy of its founder, Hubbard.

Marc Headley is a brave man for telling his horror story from inside the cult of Scientology. If I had not researched this cult prior to reading "Blown For Good" I would have thought it a work of fiction. The "Church" of Scientology needs to be investigated by as many Government organizations around the world as possible, the human rights violations that have been recorded in this book by Marc and all the other human rights violations that the hundreds of other ex-scientologists have also reported must not go ignored any longer. Enough is enough!

Incredibly interesting book by Marc Headley. My knowledge of Scientology was very limited except for knowing that it was something I never wanted to be involved in. Marc's book provides a very comprehensive and fascinating view of this bizarre organization and how it functions. At the risk of over simplifying, what a freak show! I cannot believe that garbage like this goes on and nothing is done about it. This book really expanded my mind. Thank you Marc for documenting your experiences.

Kathryn Fisher

This has been my favorite book written about Scientology. It has it's funny moments as well as horrific moments. It is a must read if you really want to find out the truth about the Church of Scientology.

Headley's experiences wth Scientology are as bizarre as anything Kafka created... except these events are real. Headley described a world so irrational, ridiculous, and cruel that it even far surpassed my already cynical views on The CoS. And David Miscavige is about as entertainingly evil a villain as any of us are ever likely to come across. The fact that he truly exists and has such power is incredibly disturbing. I highly recommend this book... it's at times funny, sad , and shocking. And if you are like me it will also make you very angry.

Marc's life and escape from the Cult of Scientology is compelling reading. He is a courageous man to share his story. I have enjoyed reading Marc's posting over the past few years and now this book! Vegas anons were able to send an evening with Marc over some pizzas and beers, it was such an honor.

It' should be on the "Best Sellers" and Oprah's "Book of the Month" lists.

This is a real insight into the largest legal cult in the United States, and possibly, the world. Marc Headley writes with a sense of humor that is endearing while giving us the horrific facts of his life in the Sea Org in the Church of Scientology. Even bought the Kindle book version so I could keep reading while I was travelling. Looking forward to more by Mr. Headley.

I worked with Marc for a number of years at this place and his account is very sharp, accurate and detailed, but very well paced to make the book hard to put down. Marc's viewpoint was completely different and was most interesting having gone through those same bizarre occurrences together. He added another dimension to those memories, painting the pictures more clearly for me.

It's amazing that some of the unusual abuses and experiences happened unbeknown to the majority of staff, but not completely unbelievable as that is the secretive nature of the organization. The theme is "need to know" and so various stories are concocted for public or non parishioners to be "acceptable truths" as part of the appropriate "Iron Curtain" aspect of the story. Great read and thanks for the truth, Marc!

I decided to read this book based on the largely positive the store reviews. Frankly, I'm a little surprised there aren't more dissenters. The book is certainly an interesting read in how it sheds light on the shady practices and maltreatment going on at a Scientology compound in California. However, the writing style is downright terrible. The author is prone to overly simplistic grammar, repetition, run-on sentences and fragments, a chronic misuse of the word "literally," and various other flaws that you might expect from a junior high school paper. Not only that, but the author frequently ignores the more vital aspects of his story in favor of long-winded descriptions of his audio/visual work and other mundane anecdotes. He should have spent more time fleshing out the people he interacted with on the base. Even his wife practically drops out of the narrative after their marriage is recounted. And finally, the fact that the author is apparently able to recreate conversations in detail dating back to his childhood without the aid of notes or records makes me question the validity of his account in the first place. I like to think the author didn't embellish his story for the sake of attracting more readers, but at times the book really does read like the foundation for a Hollywood movie rather than a true autobiography.

In short, the author could really have used a co-writer, ghost writer, or at least an editor to pound the text into something more straightforward and refined. His is a story worth telling, but it wasn't told very well here.

This book is great!! It exposes the truth about Scientology and is very well written. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to those who want to know what life is really like in Scientology.

I read Marc's book after researching and reading other books detailing the abuses that go on in this cult(It's absolutely a cult by the way). This is one of the best books on what life is like inside. Since this cult has been exposed on the internet, itwon't be long until it's gone for good.

I absolutely appreciate the courage it takes for anyone to write a book like this, and certainly memoirs of people taking a stand to live freely and away from group-think are critically important, especially nowadays. However, I had to stop reading after getting about 25 percent into the book because the writing was so bad. A good editor could have whipped this into shape and let the story through. As it is, the grammatical errors, the endless use of exclamation points (really, on at least every page), and the episodic, meandering narrative makes this book a very tedious, maddening read. So wish it were better.

Interesting narrative, but I found myself repeatedly distracted by the writing style. Poor structure makes it hard to follow. Please have a professional editor look it over (again), and then republish.

I am astounded that so many people have given this book 5 stars. I can only conclude that most of the readers are, like many of the characters in this book, poorly educated teenagers who don't know any better. It is so badly written I can barely stand it - I am only halfway through and am struggling to stay awake through the rest of it. Other than one instance so far where Marc describes David Miscavige briefly smacking an employee around, I am still waiting to read some of the more damning bits that Marc raved about during his interview on Coast to Coast Radio. Marc - did you even ASK anybody to edit this book?? I suspect not. The non-stop grammatical errors alone make it painful to read. To be sure, the whole Scientology organization comes off looking like a giant mental institution run by psychopathic nazis, but I knew that before I started reading. Based on all the reviews on this website I was excited about getting this book and anticipated a well-written, well-organized expose, infused with a bit of humour. Instead, this thing reads like a 9th grader's rendition of "What I Did on My Summer Vacation", although some 9th graders I know write far better than you'll find here. I'd really like my money back.

Sadly, I chose this book for my book club. It was so poorly written that I changed books less than 1 week after selecting it. I was very interested in learning about this cult of a religion but never got that far due to the mundane first 50 pages. Too bad it wasn't written with a "real writer." I wanted to learn the secrets and mystery behind this religion but couldn't get past the boring words.

Disappointed how juvenile the book was. As I read it I kept thinking it was a poorly written YA novel. It didn't read truth to me. The author writes as if he wrote it as a 16-years-old. Bad and boring.

i was excited to read about the inner workings of scientology. this book makes it look like a circus. if scientology really treated its members this way, i am very confused why anyone would belong. lets see, i can either leave or spend the rest of my life scrubbing floors, listening to the COB yell with no recourse, being forced to run around the base for weeks on end with less than 2 hours of sleep. did i mention that they dont really pay you, they have the power to separate you from your family for no reason, and they force groups for 6 or more adult men to share a tiny apartment? i just dont get it. the writimg is ok, but it isnt keeping me engaged. i could only get through about half the book. if you would like to learn about scientology i would look elsewhere.

After reading the first chapter, it became painfully apparent the author is not a writer. At all. Very boring....and entirely too many exclamation marks! My time will be better spent polishing my shoes or clipping my toe nails.

This is a really poorly written book - full of fatuous 4 word repetitions such as "That was so cool", "She was so hot"

but what's really disgraceful about this book - aside from sounding like it was written by a 12 year old

- is that Marc totally failed to mention that his wife was forced to have 2 abortions!

How can you possibly talk about how awful the CoS is and how much you love your wife and then leave out the shameful story of the wife's tragedies?

Every religion has apostates. Nothing new here; happened to the ancient Greeks, Buddhists, Confucians, Christians, etc.
Further, the Sea Org is a family. Read a little about the psychology of when families break up; or just observe. After every break-up, they all say it: "(S)he's a psycho from H*ll." Titillating eaves-dropping but shallow attempt to make a buck.

I gave up on this book 25% of the way through. Headley went on, in excruciating detail, about all the different places he went to, and the menial tasks he did, in Scientology. I was expecting a lot more about the beliefs of Scientology in order to understand more fully what it is. He did not go into that at all; rather, he just told about the day to day life of one who was gradually rising in Scientology. His description of his life in it leads one to believe that it is just another strange cult where people work because they're told to do it, not because there is any purpose. Nevertheless, Headley writes at a grade school level, and the descriptions of his life in Scientology were tedious and boring.

Wow. This book is unreadable. The author can't write well at all, and should have employed a ghost writer or co-author to help convey his story. The descriptions are vague, without detail, and read the way teenagers sound. Poor grammar throughout, unfocused story... just awful. (I am not a Scientologist...)

It seems I didn't read the same book as all the 5 star reviewers. It is repetetive, long winded and full of details of audio/visual processes that were unnecessary. Combined with the scientology mumbo jumbo I found this difficult to get through. I was wondering if there was an editor involved at all.

The voice of the writer is that of an adolescent rather than of a grown man which was irritating.

If you are not already fully versed in the cult's lingo, find another book on the subject.

What crap. If there was a new fellow I wanted to date the last person I would ask would be the persons spouse if they were the one that left (blown). If I wanted to know about an employer I would not ask a disgruntled (blown) ex employee.

I have been a Scientologist for 22 years. Scientology changed my life for the better from the 1st day I stepped foot through the door. It never ceases to amaze me the fascination with Scientology through a third-party. Everyone is talking about it, many are writing about it.

But the only way to know about it is to look for your self. Read a nonfiction book written by L Ron Hubbard if you want to know about Scientology. There is absolutely nothing mysterious about it. And they just came out with an incredible DVD called the Scientology Handbook -Tool for Life. In 2:13 it goes over 19 or 20 ways to improve areas of anyone's life. The Way to Happiness the movie is also phenomenal. L Ron Hubbard wrote science fiction to fund his research into Scientology and Dianetics. The results of that research are phenomenal. My only regret is I didn't find it 20 years sooner!

Oh come on......really? So another digruntled ex-member is trying to make some money by sensationalizing some perceived injustices in an organization that really does help many people get off of drugs, be happier and more ethical, sends volunteers to help the Red Cross with disaster relief..... etc., etc. It is really funny to think that an organization that is open to the public and will actually provide tours of the entire property and, oh by the way, is listed in the phone book, is considered by this author to be a secret organization??!! They have a golf course on the grounds that they allow anyone to come and use.......do you think maybe this "author" has a hidden agenda himself?
I have a feeling that this "author" was the kid in High School spreading alarming rumours about
others and ruining their reputations in the wake of his lies.
I have been a Scientologist for over 30 years. I was on staff for 20 of those years, and I have many Sea Org members who I am extremely proud to call my friends. I can say from 1st hand experience that 98% of the people involved in the Church, its staff and its management are deeply caring, wonderful individuals who truly want to make a better world and are working hard to do so! Included at the top of the list is David Miscaviage, for sure. I will say that he and everyone else are human and can of course experience stress and pressure and not be perfect at all times......frankly, I have an idea of the some of the pressures that Scientology (as well as any other Church) leadership experiences and I personally feel that most of them exhibit the patience of a saint and sacrifice a lot for the greater good.
I will also say that no one is ever forced to stay on staff......that is ridiculous in itself.....to say that Sea Org members are slaves would be akin to saying that other religious clergy are slaves as well......Many religions have clergy that work for smaller wages with their basic housing, food and clothing paid for in addition. In fact it is quite common! (Catholic nuns and priests, Buddhist Monks, etc., etc.)
I seriously could go on and on, but I will just say PLEASE do NOT be sucked into this tabloid-esque piece of "junk journalism".....go to the Church's website and get the other side of the story......I think you will be more than happy that you did! [...]