March 4, 2016 ▸ People, Religion

Episode 70: Scientology: We’re Going Clear

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This episode is a close look at Scientology and the world of L. Ron Hubbard.

Last year, a documentary called Going Clear aired on HBO (directed by Alex Gibney), and we talk about the claims made my Gibney in this film. We start with a look at the life of L. Ron Hubbard and his evolution from naval captain to science fiction writer to creator of Dianetics and founder of Scientology. He create what he calls a religion (though many do not) in the 1950’s, and it has grown to a multi-billion dollar enterprise with millions of converts.

Scientology uses people called Auditors to help talk to people using an E-Meter (a galvanic response device that accounts for 1/3 of the technology in a lie detector). Auditors try to remove Engrams from people to make them Clear of the traumas of this life and past lives. Sounds pretty straight forward. But when combined with the creation myth of the Scientologists, it gets a little bit hard to follow. We discuss Hubbard, Scientology and their belief in the galactic overlord Xenu and the war humanity eternally battles with the ghost like Thatans and psychologists (which are actually aliens here to enslave humanity). Oh, and Earth is really a planet called Teegeeack, which is a prison world for Thatans. We also explore Operation Snow White in which Scientologists infiltrated the US government with spies. Brad really freaks out on this one, and his reactions are priceless as Dave recounts details from the documentary to him for the first time.

If you liked this episode, check out The Siege at Waco episode as well.