The Day A Scientologist Knocked On My Door In South Korea
Today I had something really weird happen. This afternoon there was a knock at the door my wife answered the door where she began to engage in a conversation with a middle aged Korean woman. They began to argue and I asked my wife what they were arguing about. I came to find out that the woman on our door was a Scientology recruiter trying to enlist my wife. My wife is a die hard Christian so she was getting worked up by the Scientology sales pitch.
The recruiter was happy to see me though because she must of realized she wasn’t getting anywhere with my wife and tried to convince me about the wonders of Scientology. One of her claims were that Scientologists were some of the first people on the scene in Taegu after the subway fire a few years back and they rescued many lives. I checked out her claim on the internet and she is slightly correct:
In the same month Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers went to the aid of the Sakhalin victims, they also served in the aftermath of the huge explosion that rocked Taegu, a large city in southern South Korea. A construction site gas main had blown up, killing and injuring scores of people, including children.
One Scientologist and a student from the university where he teaches English were among the Volunteer Ministers who hurried to the scene of the accident to give assists. Dozens of children who were distraught at the start told the professor and his student after the assists that they were calmer, relieved and no longer afraid.
She also claimed that Scientologists were aiding with the tsunami disaster. Which I also found to be true. However, when I asked her if the Scientologists were just aiding the disaster victims to gain more members, she just commented that if people in the region wanted to join after their aid efforts that is perfectly acceptable. I personally find it reprehensible that any religion would use the tsunami relief effort as a method to recruit more members to their religion.
So what exactly is Scientology? If you are interested you can clikck here to find out more about it, but it appears just to be nothing more than a cult based around the teachings from the books by L. Ron Hubbard. I found a Fox News report about Scientology that claims that the Scientology is a cult and brings up the names of many of the movie stars that practice Scientology such as Goldie Hawn, John Travolta, and Tom Cruise. Allegedly Scientology is what broke up his marriage to Nicole Kidman.
I was curious about Scientology in Korea and I asked the woman how many Koreans practice Scientology and she just told me many are joining every day. I take that to mean not many. So I checked it out on the internet and found on a Scientology website that there is in fact 443 Scientologists in Korea. 401 of them are based out of Seoul.
During my research also found out that Hubbard had a connection to Korea. He was a military policeman here in 1946 and was discharged from the Navy following his tour here. While here in Korea he preached his Scientology philosophy and worked to create converts. It looks like they are still trying to create converts here; it just isn’t going to be me.
No rant about Scientology can be complete without a link to the best website out there bashing it: Operation Clambake http://www.xenu.net
There are many fun hours of reading to be found there, including the "upper level" "secrets" that people like Tom Cruise spent tens of thousands of dollars to learn.
Interesting cult-ural subject… aggressive sales tactics, high enthusiasm, celebrity members… just another proletysing, brain-washing, money stealing C.U.L.T.
Just so people don't get things mixed up, Scientology is different from the Christian Science.
Let's give the Devil (or L. Ron) his due: you can't exactly blame Scientology for breaking up Travolta's marriage if there's anything to this:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/2961… http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,3424,00.htm…
[…] Brendon there are scientologists in Korea. I actually had one knocking on my door three years ago. […]
[…] professor and his student after the assists that they were calmer, relieved and no longer afraid. http://rokdrop.com/2005/05/09/scientology-in-korea/ The’re […]
Just a curious bit of info: Not sure if you've realized, but "freedommag.org" is a Magazine that is managed by Scientology organization and is published for Scientology promotional purposes.
They also tend to over-inflate numbers to seem more impressive in almost every possible situation (it is actually part of what they learn to do in Scientology to achieve more sales – the holy grail of Scientology), so its always a good idea to cross any facts taken from a Scientology owned website with a neutral one to make sure that these numbers and facts are indeed based in reality.
I've taken several courses and all I can say is that every course is spectacular and benefit from it every day. Scientology has the tools to effectively handle problems in all aspects of life. If you want to improve IQ, or be more self determined, this is the place to come. They charge for their classes, but worth every penny. There are lot of free seminars and films too. It's great place to meet great energetic people and they are open to giving free tours. Also for those critics trashing Scientology on the WEB almost every negative linke I've seen is bogus and opposite from what I've experienced Scientology. I suggest critics walk into a Scienology center, take a tour or course to see that this stuff works and can help almost anyone. Be wary what you read on the WEB like the link that fools you with the bogus "you can microwave popcorn with your cell phone", you will only find out the truth by checking it out for yourself.
Get Scientology out of Korea!
personally was curious about this religion or cult
cause every famous influential human on earth(or just US) are part of it…but heard this cult take every penny from you if you try to leave…
and I did some research and the religion/cult has no sense(no offense)what do they believe!?!?!…that human being are immoral and we forgot our true nature???and we reincarnate???sorry but this thing mixes up every religion and has no sense…the auditing thing…I tried it and kinda works like a brainwash…it was horrible(telling you cause I got a master's in clinical psychology)…just could think if they got license to try to brainwash people…
and that helps boost your IQ…a total lie…it confuses you…
and to make the matter worse I had to "donate" for it…
I got no religion and I almost tried every religion just cause I'm curious and I'm telling those guys are a bunch hypocrites greensuckers…no offense
KOREA is my homeland…sorry but I want them OUT of my homeland!!!
Hi Lucy,
It is good that you found out about Scientology for yourself. Yes, Scientologists are hypocrites. They don't like psychiatry and psychology. They don't believe in serious mental conditions like schizophrenia and autism. They think that mentally ill people can be cured with massive doses of vitamins and long hours in steam rooms. John Travolta's son had autism and he was denied the medication that he really needed and now he is dead.
Scientologists also don't accept that there are certain medical conditions and will deny people the medication that they need. But then, when L. Ron Hubbard (the founder of Scientology) died they found a lot of drugs in his bloodstream. He was crazy. He was a pervert and a con artist. Anybody who thinks Scientology will make a person 'clear' and improve the IQ is very mistaken.
I'm not happy about Scientology in Korea. It seems to be a well-kept secret. I think Scientology wants it to be kept a secret so they can exploit the Korean people and take their money.
Right now, there are many people in the West who want to see the end of Scientology. Most of the information is in English, unfortunately. It would be good if some of the literature was translated into Korean. Please tell your friends and family and people in authority about Scientology.
Many people in the West have joined together to protest about Scientology. Maybe Korean people will have to do the same. The protests are working in the West. People are leaving the Church of Scientology and not so many people are joining.
But that is why I am concerned about Scientology in Korea. Scientology will fight back in a crazy way. I fear they will try to increase the number of Scientologists in Korea. They have to be stopped…not just in the West but eveywhere in the world.
Lucy,
If your modus operandi is to find everything wrong with Scientology you will never find out its benefit. Scientology works, and helps people every day, hundreds of thousands people can attest to its workability.
One will have to be a complete skeptic not to see workability. I and thousands of others have used it and know of its workability, its only fair that others be given the opportunity to see apply and receive the benefits too.
Those bashing Scientology either have vested interests (Psychologists, etc.) or individuals who are reading a bunch of altered crap on the WEB, and somehow feed on each others lies where it is altered so much, it becomes laughable to any Scientologist. Scientology works and works extremely well; Critics need to buy some books, take a tour of a Scientology center, get questions answered, and you will be surprised how good and workable this stuff is. If you want a real understanding of how the minds works, read the book, "Dianetics Modern Science of Mental Health". Translations are available in Korean; you really need to check it out for your self, you'll be amazed how easily it can change your life for the better.
You know, Albert, it's interesting that there have been so many top-level ex-Scientologists (also known as Suppressive Persons) coming out and telling what it was like to work under Miscavige. You can find information about it here http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2009/reports/pro… But have you become so brainwashed that you wont be able to read these articles?
There are also notable Suppressive Persons on You Tube. One of them being Tory Magoo http://www.youtube.com/user/ToryMagoo44 But I guess whatever she says you will dispute because she's a Suppressive Person and you aren't supposed to have anything to do with SPs.
I find it interesting that Scientology is losing members in the West. Scientology seems to be trying to recruit new members in the East and other far-flung lands (South America, for example). Some of these countries are not rich either. Good fodder for the Sea Org, no doubt.
I appreciate that many Korean people here will not understand what I am writing so let me put it simply: Scientology is a cult. In order to take Scientology courses you must spend a lot of money. Don't give your money away to this cult. Stay away from it!
@Koreaforme, I think you addressed Albert well. There's no telling at what level of the organisation he is in, but one has to remember that answering these postings with venom will just hurt both the poster and postee.
I hope that this recent upsurge in activity can succesfully innoculate the vulnerable in western countries.
I'm afraid we might see a turning to developing countries by the Church of Scientology an attempt to bolster their ranks as their credibility has taken so much damage and looks to take further damage in the near future.
Anonymous! I love what you're doing. Keep it peaceful, and keep safe.
J
Religion is all about power and control.
"I'd like to start a religion. That's where the money is." – L. Ron Hubbard
At least the founder of this religion was honest and upfront about his goals.
Well Leon,
I guess they have some ways of dealing with that sort of information. I've read that quote, too. I'd like to find the source. Maybe I can find it on xenu.tv. Certainly not going to find it on CoS approved sites.
J
Opinions are free but facts are sacred. It does not matter whether you are against Scientology or not. But your opinion should be based on basic facts and logical reasoning. Tell your religeous belief first and then show the reason why you try to invalidate or validate Scientology. Otherwise,your opinion about Scientology is, regardless of its length and style,just rubbish. No more, no less.
Not sure sure who you're directing that at Paul, but most of the people above who were critical of scientology did cite facts that you can easily check out. That is unless you are a scientologist who would get in trouble for checking out critics of scientology.
konbae
Before anyone goes into a Scientology center check out this video link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9bCdHqU3s&fe…
In doing research on CoS and Anonymous, I disovered that everything official that anonymous declares about the Cos can be proven, infact they flame information about CoS that can't be proven. "Dox (documents) required"
While there is no proof as to what CoS says about Anonymous. I'm seaching the internet for a neutral unbiased view of Scientology that doesn't reek of propoganda.
At http://www.freezone.org you can be a scientologist and not have to pay all that money, I find it suspicious that CoS slams freezone and declares them "squirrels"
Scientology is like Kwanza, a made up cult/religion. Sucks people in that are looking for "meaning" in life. When the meaning is oh so clear and too damn simple.
I'm sure it took off like bowling and later golf did in Korea.
I'm going to start a Religion also. T.A. of Z.F.
Bottom line: We are all squirrels looking for nuts. And Scientology has plenty of nuts.
#2 Christian Science = Oxymoron.
"for it is by faith alone" not science.
Science is looking to prove. Faith needs not to prove.
I love the brand new born agains. They lose as soon as they try to "prove".
They haven't read the book enough to be out "witnessing". There is no proof. Only faith.
I must *look* like the most sinfull bastard. They would find me at the PX, at work and in the field.
Still haven't figured out how the T-REX wasn't mentioned in the Bible. And where did Cain go to find a wife? The Wiccans maybe.
I know one fact that will ensure scienttology won't be successful in ROK. No family has any money left to spend to climb up the ladder in the group because most of family budget is used for sending kids to hakwon.
GI Korea,
I'm surprised the visitor to your home was not Jehovahs Witness.
We had a guy in our unit at Ft Leonard Wood, MO who used to be a Scientologist before he had quit the 'religion'. This was before he had joined the Army. I didn't know he before he was in the Army but he was a total f-up. This guy was so f'd up in the head that he couldn't sweep the carpet in his room, he would sweep and dirt would still be there. He would be talking about something and would suddenly switch to other subjects. The only time I ever understood him was one day when a friend of mine and I smoked a joint and then he made some sense. I liked the guy but I guess the Scientologist got to him because he was so f'd up in the head. He finally got discharged from the Army because he got drunk one day & demolished his barracks room. He had told me before that when he had quit the cult that they stole everything from him including his clothes. When he was discharged the SFC in charge made me drive him to the gate of FLW in a jeep and we just left him there. We never heard from him again. He couldn't handle his liquor, he was half white & half Inuit(Eskimo) although he looked white.
@StillOnTheFence
It is hard to be sure about some claims. I guess you have visited whyweprotest and xenutv. Those are good. Also Tory Christman Torymagoo44 is a very good source, and is still active in trying to get the information about Scientology well known. The whole thing about Scientology is you don't find out what's going on at the low levels, and when you do you are sworn to secrecy.
Good Luck in your research.
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Has anyone heard about people recruiting high school students for Scientology
Why would they be especially interested in low income, low level learners
There is a young teacher in our school who is pulling in young men 17 and 18 yes old
Has anyone heard about people recruiting kindergarten students for Christianity?
If the Scientologists recruit 18 year-olds, I have zero problem with that. That is all I ask of any religion. If true, I must give Scientology kudos and at least a modicum of respect. While I think the 18 year-olds are making a mistake, it is their right to freely choose this path.
At around 18 we have developed some critical thinking skills and are old enough in many jurisdictions to enter a contract, join the military, vote, etc. why not be able to encumber our immortal souls? Indoctrinating 5 year-olds in Sunday “School,” Madrasas, and Jesus Camps is, on the other hand, despicable. I suspect those people lack the faith and strength in their convictions to recruit 18 year-olds, so they pick on the helpless.
27. “Why would they be especially interested in low income, low level learners.”
Isn’t it obvious (or was it a rhetorical question)?
Because religion thrives among the desperate and hopeless who can only hope to escape from their squalid, painful lives by dying. This explains why two of the big 3 Mediterranean Death Cults (namely Christianity and Islam) are thriving in places like Africa. And, they are self sustaining! By discouraging scientific learning and basic principles of things like birth control, they can reap another generation of lost souls who will in turn will enrich them and die for them.
Lucy,
Thanks for the links, and apologize for delayed response. I can speak for myself (I”m not a Scientology spokesperson), but I know beyond a doubt that Scientology has helped me from the stress and insecurities I had in my 20’s where I was extremely afraid to talk to others. Scientology courses, and some brief spiritual counseling sessions help me out of it. It allow me to become extremely self confident, and willing to take on just about any challenge in front of me.
I’m sorry to say, but my sister took the other route, saw a Psychiatrist, who put her on heavy medications leaving her incapacitated and on government subsidies for about 30 years until her early death. I never saw a cure, just more drugs, and more incapacitation until she died. My brother had a similar episode.
I was also saddened by a friend of my who on medication became stressed out and was placed at Stanford Psych Hospital. During my visits there, I couldn’t help but see patients carted out and back from what I was told are ECT treatments. My friend has been on medication for over 10-years, and I don’t expect a cure, just meds., and she’s still on government subsidies. What I’m saddened to find out is that over 100,000 ECT treatments are being performed a year in the USA.
Yes, I don’t have any faith in psychiatry; it has failed my sister, brother, and friends.
Some links exposing Psychiatry:
http://www.ectresources.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAj9W0ntUMI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0URNTpnJ0g
If someone want’s to improve their life, understand themselves, and improve confidence, I truly believe Dianetics and Scientology is their best choice. Contrary to what’s been said, I see Scientology expanding and is increasingly better organized. Costs have come down, especially with the co-audit programs available. I recommend ordering a book such as Dianetics, or watch one of their many videos to better understand the technology. You can start by going to: http://www.scientology.org.
Albert
I did wonder if Scientology had made any inroads into South Korea given that the Moonies, sorry, Unification Church, has the market sewn up for whacko cults, sorry, “new religions”.
Ben Goldacre, the British scientist and writer, wrote that just because the pharmaceutical industry is bad, doesn’t mean magic beans cure cancer.
And nor does psychiatry being flawed mean that Dianetics (as Scientology was) can cure cancer or any other ailment, as is argued in this video –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOnS1YgXm9w
Scientology reminds me of Chongryon, the pro-North Korea outfit in Japan, in the way that it isolates and brainwashes people who otherwise live normal lives, through a network of schools and businesses.
Scientologists are taught not to look at anything on Scientology in the media or on the internet; at one point they had software to censor it, but generally they’re told it’s “entheta”, short for “enturbulating theta”, “enturbulating” meaning “disturbing”.
There was a knock on my door about 10am one morning. There were two guys standing there. I asked what I could do for them. They explained they were Jehovah’s Witnesses and asked if they could come in for a few moments.
Sure, why not.
I let them in and offered them a seat. They sat there for several awkward minutes glancing back and forth at me and each other.
I asked them what they wanted to do.
One of the guys look at me nervously, “Fukk if I know. We never got this far before.”
“Scientology reminds me of Chongryon, the pro-North Korea outfit in Japan, in the way that it isolates and brainwashes people who otherwise live normal lives, through a network of schools and businesses.”
I’m with you on the brainwashing part … but not so sure about the isolation aspect …
Chongryon, or Chosen Soren as the Japanese say, is made up of an ethnic minority in a country that is very racist to toward them. In many respects, the outer Japanese society in which these people live isolates them already – which gives them a strong incentive to stick together. There are lots of reasons why people join Scientology … but racial prejudice and discrimination aren’t factors.
Thanks, I watched the link you provided showing a number of testimonials from individuals with some stating their illnesses disappeared. I’m not surprised, I personally knew several people who had ailments disappear as a side effect from stress relief after Dianetic counseling. I’ve never seen Dianetics advertise that it cures illnesses, but it is implied with some of the testimonials in the video.
No Scientology Reading Rooms?
L Ron Hubbard’s science fiction is boring and less useful than Isaac Asimov’s gormless Hegelianism, which is a deeply flawed way of looking at your fellow travelers…
Now, if you want something more modern with meat on it, try Larry Correia, Sabrina Chase, or Sarah Hoyt… If you’re stuck on stuff written before Jack Kennedy beat Richard Nixon, try John Campbell, Robert Heinlein, or Poul Anderson… Lot’s of actual talent out there…
None of my suggestions are meant for religious meditation–for that I recommend staying away from science fiction–but they do provide relaxation.
Best to get back to counting those reflective belts. Everyone has a religion. Everyone places faith in something. Don’t be delusional. Just be honest: your faith is in yourself.
I meant isolation in the sense that Chongryon, through the teaching of Juche in its schools, indoctrinates people into following a pro-Pyongyang line and shutting out other points of view regarding Korea, despite such material being readily available in Japan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE9nnp0iNC0
I agree with you about racial prejudice and discrimination, but most Zainichi or ethnic Koreans in Japan now belong to Mindan, which is pro-Seoul, or less politically and ideologically motivated.
But that’s just it … they are not able to isolate the members of Chongryon from Japanese influence – especially the younger generation. I’ve lived in Japan and have met some Chongryon members. They were born and raised in Japan (2nd and 3rd generation in many cases), work in Japanese companies, and live among the Japanese. Things have changed a lot over the years and while they readily self identity ethnically as Koreans and consider North Korea their family’s homeland – Juche doesn’t mean much to them. And if it wasn’t for the Japanese being so xenophobic – I suspect they would have given up on North Korea a long time ago.
There are lots of articles out there about this – here’s an example:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2008/12/16/issues/young-zainichi-koreans-look-beyond-chongryon-ideology/#.WDQLF33ww1A
Thanks for the link, re. success stories from Scientologists which I watched. Yes there are several Scientologists that have attested to being cured of illnesses. I never saw that Dianetics advertisement before today. But as a Dianetic auditor when I was in the US. Navy back in 1978, I know that relief of stress would often relieve illnesses. I remember one individual (won’t provide a name per auditor’s code) who had a very persistent rash on his face for several weeks, who I counseled with a simple process using an e-meter, so he could identify the person who was suppressing him. I saw him 2-days later without the rash. I didn’t comment anything to him, but in my own mind, I believe the auditing session handled his problem. Most doctors will attest that when you cannot identify a cause to an illness, it’s due to stress, and I can personally attest that Dianetics can relieve stress, not only in the case stated above, but many others that I witness changes during my stay in the US Navy.
— Albert