I’m proud to be Jewish and no amount of hatred will take that fact away

@gavi Nor should you. Be loud and proud.

I don't know why, but too many people (not sure the percentage) are very critical of belief systems they know little about. I have worked closely with Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Atheists. I've always treated all my associates with respect, and as a manager, made sure to create space for each employee's specific holidays and practices, even if it left us shorthanded, because it's important to respect everyone. (I may have known Hindus or Sikhs, but unsure.) The Mormons I've known were all ex-Mormons.

Granted, I have little respect for Scientology, which I think is a cult, and which may be harming some of their members, but I have never had employees or friends who were a part of that group.

@kimlockhartga @gavi scientology is a cult and does a lot of harm.

@kimlockhartga @gavi like there is no non-cult scientology, the cult is the point.

@EinsPossum@chaos.social
One of my friends fell for that cult and it was hard work to get him out.
Scientology is a destructive cult and harms their ppl and the families.

The members of Scientology are always forced to disconnect from their friends and families since this is what they call "PTS", a potential trouble source, and the only way to handle it is disconnection.

I would say, that I have a special interest in cults and destructive groups and I've experienced some and had the opportunity to talk 1on1 to ex-members of Scientology and other groups.

@kimlockhartga@beige.party @gavi@bagel.ing

@nocci @EinsPossum @gavi I'm surprised they are legally able to operate. They prey upon people.

@kimlockhartga@beige.party
In Germany they are still part of the yearly report of what we call Verfassungsschutz, a national office for homeland security.

In the US ther was a massive FBI raid 1977 after they infiltrated US offices - it was called Operation Snow White.
It was one of the biggest raids of FBI so far, as I know of.

But since they are officially a religion in the United States of America they are kind of untouchable.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White

And since they gained tax exempt status in 1993 it's more difficult to stop them.

Ex members are intimidated, black mailed and so on.

If you are interested, there was quite a good documentary series on A&E "Scientology and the Aftermath" hosted by Leah Remini and Mike Rinder.

Mike died last year and it's a great loss to the fight against that cult.

Oh... and there is a great documentary movie "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief"

@EinsPossum@chaos.social @gavi@bagel.ing

@kimlockhartga@beige.party
if the FBI would raid their different front groups and facilities today, all members will say that they are there on their own will.

That's the basis of a cult.
A us vs them thinking - the outside is evil af and inside everything is as it should be.

The cognitive dissonance is huge but the staff and the members are full in.
That makes it so hard to get someone out.

@EinsPossum@chaos.social @gavi@bagel.ing