Artifacts

"Sure - You've Got a Choice..." Promotional Flyer (1970)

This flyer was posted as promotional material trying to recruit people to begin their training within The Church of Scientology in 1970. If this was the first time someone was hearing of Scientology, an emotional response would surely be evoked from this flyer. The wording of the message on the right side of the flyer gives the impression that horrific things will happen to society if people do not allow the practices of Scientology to save them. There is information given to start learning about Scientology immediately which makes joining seem easy and gives off a feeling of inclusivity. The title stating that people have a choice to join is clearly sarcasm. The juxtaposition between the title and all of the headlines on the left that state bad things happening in the world such as missing people, protests, gun issues, and financial deficit. Scientology is presented as a solution to these issues which is very convincing to those searching for solutions to their own problems. This helps support their argument that there really was no choice but to join Scientology if the unfortunate circumstances of the world were to be fixed.

L. Ron Hubbard Photo (1971)

L. Ron Hubbard is photographed here wearing a hat from the former Sea Organization uniforms. Members of Scientology who are in the Sea Org are recognized as the most powerful and committed to their practice. The hat, along with the rest of Sea Org uniforms at the time, closely resembles the style of naval uniforms. The uniform has a professional sense that also comes with a great deal of honor. This design choice gives the Sea Org a false sense of credibility since it is then associated with the US military in people’s minds. There are also ranks within this organization similar to the military such as captain and commodore. People thought that by joining the Sea Org and moving up the ranks in Scientology they were doing their part to better themselves and society. Creating a connection between the Sea Org and the honor of joining the military increased people’s interest in joining because they wanted to feel this sense of honor and accomplishment for themselves.

Newspaper (2010)

This more recent article reveals some of the truth about what really happens to members of the Sea Org. We specifically hear about the experience of Marc Headley who grew up a Scientologist, but has since left. He is now suing The Church of Scientology to make up for the lack of financial compensation that he received while working in the Sea Org. Not only were people overworked with very little pay, but they were physically and emotionally trapped there. There were physical gates, “billion year” contracts signed, and the mental stress of being disowned or morally incorrect to keep members in the organization. Most Scientologists are constantly working to become part of the elite class of the organization, but even when they supposedly get there they are still mistreated and taken advantage of. For example, Headley said they would work all day and only be allowed to sleep for an hour or two per night. Scientologists who go against the wishes of the highest leaders are said to be liars who are money or power hungry. This creates a situation where one really can’t win. Staying in the Sea Org means that they are condemned to intense labor and mental abuse, but leaving can also put them in a dangerous situation.

Ex-Sea Org Member Interview (2015)

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) 27:35-33:25

As a part of the Going Clear documentary, Hana Whitfield, an ex-Sea Org member, is interviewed. She was an original member of the Sea Org and left after being a Scientologist for 19 years. There was a great sense of excitement that everyone felt when they were first invited to the Sea Org and had the opportunity to work alongside L. Ron Hubbard himself. They truly believed that they had the potential to change the world with Scientology and they were ready to do whatever it took to do so. Throughout her time in the Sea Org Hana began to realize the abuse that was occurring. They were forced to do hard manual labor for hours on end. Hubbard eventually developed a punishment system that he called Ethics. If members did not follow his orders they were met with punishment, some even as serious as the threat of being thrown overboard or being expelled from the church. Hana knew that unfair and immoral punishments were given out within the Sea Org, but she did not feel that she could leave because of how much she had invested into Scientology. Hana has since left and told her story of how trapped she felt and what she witnessed within Scientology. This would strongly discourage others from joining the Sea Org and adds to the discrediability of Scitentology.

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