This week I am joined by legendary Scientology critic and writer Jon Atack. We begin our conversation by discussing Jon’s time as a Scientologist from 1974-1983 where he attained OT level 5. Jon discusses his disillusionment with Scientology in the 1980’s and the process by which he left the group. Jon also speaks about the the abuse he faced after leaving and the lengths Scientology went to after he published Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky. We then move onto Jon’s book and focus on the monumental achievement that it represents in terms of laying out the true history of both L Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Jon and I explore who Hubbard truly was. I ask Jon why history has whitewashed much of Hubbard’s legacy in recent years. We discuss what motivated Hubbard to create Dianetics and form Scientology. Jon talks about Hubbard’s massive drug use and the role that played in his life throughout running the cult. Jon also touches on the theory that Hubbard suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy. We also talk about Michael Meisner’s infiltration of the IRS and Hubbard’s role in orchestrating this.
In the second hour Jon and I discuss the role of the Commodores Messengers. We talk about their power with in Scientology, and how they rose to essentially control the entire cult. I ask Jon about Janis Grady’s new book talking about her time as a Commodores Messenger alongside her brother and sister aboard The Apollo. We explore Hubbard’s use of children within the cult and also explore the allegations of child abuse by Hubbard. We finish the conversation by talking about Jon’s current work with the Open Minds Foundation. Jon talks about their mission and the work that they are doing in exposing cults, undue influence, manipulation, and brainwashing. Jon talks about how gangs, terrorists, pedophiles, sex traffickers, and many other nefarious groups all employ theses tactics in order to control those around them. We also talk about how we as individuals are under constant attack from those wishing to exert undue influence and ways to combat it.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/2k2p27tl7ei6i4x/PPR_episode_118_Lets_Sell_These_People_A_Piece_of_Blue_Sky_with_Jon_Atack.mp3
Download PPR episode 118
Show Notes:
Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky
Opening Minds: The Secret World of Manipulation, Undue Influence and Brainwashing
Open Minds Foundation
The Toronto Getting Clear Conference on Scientology Hosted by Jon Atack and Jim Beverley
“Never believe a hypnotist” – an investigation of L. Ron Hubbard’s statements about hypnosis and its relationship to his Dianetics.
The Hubbard Intelligence Agency
Scientology: the Church of Hate – An Anti-Social Religion Emerges in the Space Age
Jon Atack blog posts on Open Mind Foundation
Janis Grady’s new book on life in Scientology: Jon Atack’s take, and an excerpt
Scientology Mythbusting with historian Jon Atack
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