Christin R. (raksha38) reviewed Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief on + 203 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This crap is bananas! The Scientology theology alone (starting with evil galactic overlord Xenu and his genocidal psychologist minions and going downhill from there) is bonkers and I don't understand how anyone could believe it, but that's not necessarily a problem. I don't need to understand how someone could believe something to accept that they *do* believe it and find some kind of meaning for their lives in those beliefs.
My problem is the vicious abuse and violations of human rights and criminal laws that are perpetuated by the Church, which are extensive documented in this book. I don't understand why someone doesn't put a stop to this insanity.
This book is definitely worth a read. The author has researched and interviewed extensively, and does a good job giving not just Scientology critics, but also its supporters space to express their views (although, frankly, it does little to help their case, just because of the nature of their claims). Very well done.
My problem is the vicious abuse and violations of human rights and criminal laws that are perpetuated by the Church, which are extensive documented in this book. I don't understand why someone doesn't put a stop to this insanity.
This book is definitely worth a read. The author has researched and interviewed extensively, and does a good job giving not just Scientology critics, but also its supporters space to express their views (although, frankly, it does little to help their case, just because of the nature of their claims). Very well done.
Kelli R. (kellilee) reviewed Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief on + 66 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Lawrence Wright's epilogue to Going Clear sums up my feelings about this book quite succinctly. No matter how shocked or horrified or disgusted or scared or baffled you are with the underpinnings of Scientology and the ongoing behaviors of its believers, just study any other religion and you will uncover religious principles, stories and directives lacking in any fact basis; human rights abuses; disgruntled former believers who now feel duped and disillusioned; and lots of financial resources sheltered from government taxation. What makes Scientology especially disturbing to me, though, is the emphasis on self-centeredness, narcissism, and individual gain at the exclusion of all others. Wright's book focuses on the celebrity Scientologists just like the religion itself focuses on the celebrity Scientologists. There are definitely the haves and the have-nots within this church. Out of curiousity, I tried to find the nearest Scientology center to me in Birmingham, Alabama, and was not so surprised to find that there is a Scientology Celebrity Centre in Nashville, Tennessee. There apparently are not enough celebrities in Alabama to warrant any other presence by the church. That is OK with me. This book got me thinking and talking - definitely worth a read.
