The Church of Scientology are continuing to recruit children to work for the organisation, despite claiming the practice was discontinued.
Recent propaganda published by the church’s UK headquarters in East Grinstead, Sussex shows children holding signs stating “I’m joining the Sea Org!” – Scientology’s paramilitary order of workers who sign one billion year contracts dedicating their lives to working for the church.
Sea Org members are provided communal berthing, food and a weekly stipend of just £50 per week in return for a lifetime of service. According to former members, workers are required to work long hours, seven days a week with no time off and those underperforming are punished through Scientology’s harsh ‘Ethics’ system – including being put on hard manual labour.
Saint Hill have also been promoting a ‘World Tour’, with visits scheduled in cities ranging from Cambridge to Quebec. These events often comprise of Sea Org recruiters and salespeople speaking to Scientologists in the area to get them signed up for services or staff contracts.
A “guest speaker from Flag” has also been announced for an event at Saint Hill on 8th March. Flag is Scientology’s mega-complex in Clearwater, Florida.
And last week, it was announced a grand total of four Scientologists have started their OT levels at Saint Hill. These are the confidential levels on Scientology’s ‘Bridge to Total Freedom’ which cost thousands of pounds. For ‘the fastest growing religion on planet Earth’, we expected a bigger number than just 4…
And finally we have the latest Birthday Game standings, giving us an idea of how Orgs are doing around the world. According to Scientology lore, somebody once asked L. Ron Hubbard what he wanted for his birthday and he responded ‘expansion’.. and since then, churches around the world have competed in an annual game that concludes on the anniversary of his birthday – March 13th.
Points are awarded for gross income, well done auditing hours, book sales and other delivery statistics with the winners being crowned at an international event hosted by reclusive leader David Miscavige.
Only four people start their OT levels and the CofS doesn't distract from that failure – they boast of it.
I know they have to publicise 'graduations' and suchlike, but it's like advertising for a McDonalds that state they sold 50 burgers this week – they would be telling the world they were in deep trouble.
You don't do that…
Interesting how the "country" of Denmark beats out the "cities" elsewhere, for points.
I’ve always been perplexed at how Scientology delineates countries, cities and continents. As the only org in Denmark, Copenhagen is referred to as Scientology DK.. and the UK is its own continent.
Make it make sense..!
You would think the title "The British Isles" would have given Ron a clue.
Also, the UK 'continent' includes the Republic of Ireland, which is an independent nation.
The Sea Org’s “billion-year contract” may be described as symbolic, but for minors it can have very real psychological weight. Children and teenagers take commitments seriously and often literally. Asking them to pledge lifelong loyalty and obedience can create fear of leaving and guilt for even having doubts.
The fundamental problem is that minors are being asked to make an absolute, lifelong commitment at an age when they are neither legally nor psychologically capable of fully understanding or freely consenting to it.
Exactly! Well said.