7 December 2009

Any ex-Scientologists in Canberra?

| arthwollipot
Join the conversation
21

I am a co-host of a skeptical podcast, which has recently been covering some of the mentions that the Church of Scientology has been receiving in the news. I am looking for an ex-Scientologist willing to be interviewed for a segment of the podcast. I particularly would like an insight into the practices, financial and otherwise, of the church, and a reaction to Senator Xenophon’s recent unsuccessful attempt to initiate a parliamentary inquiry.

I will happily maintain anonymity (including voice changing) if desired.

I don’t want to spam my podcast at everyone, but my email address and the website of the Nonsense Podcast are in my profile.

Join the conversation

21
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest
arthwollipot11:01 am 15 Dec 09

Thanks James. I’ve contacted you with more details on esmb.

outethicsofficer9:01 pm 12 Dec 09

Hi my name is james anderson, I post as outethicsofficer on esmb, I am happy to do an interview and I don’t care to be anonymous, I don’t post anonymously on esmb so this won’t bother me at all, I was involved with the church of Scientology since 1985 ending my involvement February 2009.

That would be good to hear.

arthwollipot11:16 am 09 Dec 09

I do try to be as unbiased as possible in my reporting – see, for example, episode 6 where I interview Neil Saavedra – host of the Jesus Christ Show in the US – about science and Christianity (and throw in a chat with Adam Savage for good measure). I also interviewed some of the Christians atop Mount Ainslie on that fun day that was reported extensively here. Where Scientology is concerned, up until now we’ve re-reported only what has also been reported in other media. I’d be interested in talking to a Scientologist too if any would care to contact me about this.

That said, and in the interests of full disclosure, it is true that our podcast adopts a skeptical attitude towards the subjects it covers. We have never attempted to conceal that. We support skeptical projects and encourage critical thinking and education. We work with the Australian Skeptics, the JREF, and other skeptical organisations. We’re not the ABC, and we are not required to maintain faux neutrality where nonsense is concerned. We try to do so wherever possible anyway.

I have contacted some people on the ex-Sci board that rebcart suggested. I promise to do everything in my power to maintain the anonymity of any interviewee.

Oh, and RandomGit? I’m a fan of Ben Goldacre. >) I’m hoping to get in a trip to the UK in a couple of years and I’d love to interview him.

Chop71 said :

Nothing like a media report with a biased view before it starts, maybe we can see you on Today Tonight or ACA in the future.

Little hard not to be biased against a religion founded by a third rate science fiction writer with a lengthy history of harassment and intimidation against those it perceives as its enemies.

Mind you, that definition almost fits every other monotheistic religion, so – whatever.

Chop71 is a scientologist?

They are ont a church, and if you don’t want to be involved with them, just tell them you have no money lol.

Chop71 said :

Nothing like a media report with a biased view before it starts, maybe we can see you on Today Tonight or ACA in the future.

What information have you used to make that assumption? There are only three types of people with opinion on Scientology, scientologists, ex-scientologists, and people who are not and never were scientologists. The last is obviously useless for an interview, and I am assuming the OP would expect a member of the “church” to follow the party line, leaving on option for information with the least bias.

Gungahlin Al7:40 pm 08 Dec 09

Gravy? Huh?

Nothing like a media report with a biased view before it starts, maybe we can see you on Today Tonight or ACA in the future.

Oh leaving Scientology is easy. Say ‘bye’ and walk away. Getting them to leave you is the hard part.

Granny said :

bd84 said :

Is there such thing as an ex-scientologist, other than the deceased kind?

Way to encourage people to come forward, bd84.

I never claimed to be on the cheer squad lol. I was more pointing out that it’s one of the “religious” organisations where they don’t let go of their followers easily and where death would be one of the few ways of leaving it.

That podcast is pure gravy.

Here arth, have a link, http://www.badscience.net/

bd84 said :

Is there such thing as an ex-scientologist, other than the deceased kind?

Way to encourage people to come forward, bd84.

arthwollipot11:14 am 08 Dec 09

rebcart said :

The link to this posting has been cross-posted to the ex-Scientologist message board.

Thanks for that, rebcart. I wasn’t aware of this board. I’ll head on over there.

arthwollipot11:13 am 08 Dec 09

Granny said :

The email address isn’t in your profile, arthwollipot.

It isn’t? Sorry. It’s my username @gmail.com.

The link to this posting has been cross-posted to the ex-Scientologist message board.

http://www.forum.exscn.net/

You may be interested in joining up and talking to the ex-Scis directly. There’s quite a few who used to be on staff in Canberra, who now live elsewhere, and could possibly give you further background info on that org in particular. You can also talk to a few of those whose letters Senator Xenophon tabled in parliament.

(The inquiry is NOT unsuccessful, by the way. The vote on it will happen in February.)

Is there such thing as an ex-scientologist, other than the deceased kind?

The email address isn’t in your profile, arthwollipot.

eyeLikeCarrots9:54 pm 07 Dec 09

Nice, looks like I have a new podacst to listen to.

Best of luck with your quest for someone who has escaped this terrible organisation.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.