Status
Available
Genres
Publication
New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2013.
Description
"Based on more than two hundred personal interviews with both current and former Scientologists--both famous and less well known--and years of archival research, Lawrence Wright uses his extraordinary investigative skills to uncover for us the inner workings of the Church of Scientology: its origins in the imagination of science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard; its struggles to find acceptance as a legitimate (and legally acknowledged) religion; its vast, secret campaign to infiltrate the U.S. government; its vindictive treatment of critics; its phenomenal wealth; and its dramatic efforts to grow and prevail after the death of Hubbard"--From publisher description.
Media reviews
That crunching sound you hear is Lawrence Wright bending over backward to be fair to Scientology. Every deceptive comparison with Mormonism and other religions is given a respectful hearing. Every ludicrous bit of church dogma is served up deadpan. This makes the book’s indictment that much more
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powerful. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member TheAmpersand
It's easy to make fun of Scientology. There's its celebrity following and the thing about the demon space god Xenu and its relentlessly upbeat commercials and its creepy melding of corporate and spiritual diction and the heaps of money it asks its adherents to pay in order to receive spiritual
"Going Clear" also deserves praise for providing a singular -- and singularly disturbing -- portrait of Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Wright describes him as an absolutely enormous personality, a sadistic, mendacious, mercurial, greedy, overbearing, delusional and overwhelmingly egotistical figure who seemed to wreck every life he touched. I almost came away relieved that all he'd done was found a moderately successful money-sucking faux-religion. Scientology's done more than its share of damage, but I fear that if he had chosen to go into electoral politics, the consequences for humanity might have been far graver. Wright, to his credit, has done his homework on Hubbard and doesn't reduce him to a cartoon: he consistently acknowledges Hubbard's talent as a writer, his charisma, his talents as an organizer, and even, on occasion, his inventiveness. David Miscavige, the church's current leader, also comes off as a forcefully malignant personality: Wright depicts him as an undersized tyrant given to violent rages and sadistic punishments. There are plenty on the market already, but "Going Clear" might be most useful as a portrait in shamelessly empowered evil. Here's hoping that the book can someday be called a nail in its coffin.
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coursework. Wright's book -- whose very existence is remarkable, given the church's litigious tendencies -- achieves two things: it exposes a fantastically corrupt and ruthless organization for what it is while contexualizing Scientology in American life and religious practice. That doesn't mean, of course, that there aren't a lot of jaw-dropping passages in "Going Clear:" both its leaders' patently insane rantings and the book's accounts of Scientologists' sixties-era seaborne adventures must be read in full to be believed. This stuff is, perhaps unsurprisingly, thrillingly readable, and those searching for the flat-out surreal will find plenty of what they're looking for. But, as the books somewhat overlong title suggests, Wright doesn't just indend to condemn the church for its numerous crimes, he also wants to figure out why so many people, many of them talented and wealthy, find this set of beliefs so attractive. The author, successfully, in my opinion, ties the church's belief system to elements in the American character that value fame, wealth, self-control and unlimited self-determination. Scientology is, in other words, the sort of religion that could have only emerged from California in the second half of the twentieth century. It is, in some ways, a pure product of America. "Going Clear" also deserves praise for providing a singular -- and singularly disturbing -- portrait of Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Wright describes him as an absolutely enormous personality, a sadistic, mendacious, mercurial, greedy, overbearing, delusional and overwhelmingly egotistical figure who seemed to wreck every life he touched. I almost came away relieved that all he'd done was found a moderately successful money-sucking faux-religion. Scientology's done more than its share of damage, but I fear that if he had chosen to go into electoral politics, the consequences for humanity might have been far graver. Wright, to his credit, has done his homework on Hubbard and doesn't reduce him to a cartoon: he consistently acknowledges Hubbard's talent as a writer, his charisma, his talents as an organizer, and even, on occasion, his inventiveness. David Miscavige, the church's current leader, also comes off as a forcefully malignant personality: Wright depicts him as an undersized tyrant given to violent rages and sadistic punishments. There are plenty on the market already, but "Going Clear" might be most useful as a portrait in shamelessly empowered evil. Here's hoping that the book can someday be called a nail in its coffin.
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LibraryThing member stevesmits
This is a thought provoking book. While it is highly, and rightly, critical of Scientology (more on that below) it prompts one to consider the nature of all religions and why people are drawn to any of them. What are the defining characteristics and functions of a messianic leader? What are the
The book's principal themes focus on L. Ron Hubbard as a personality and creator of an elaborate belief system, on the cult-like nature of Scientology, on its repressive control of its members, on its tactics to pursue its opponents, and on its use of celebrities to advance its aims.
Certainly it can be agreed that Hubbard was an amazing character. His imagination was astoundingly fecund, his works generated prolifically, and his personality extraordinarily charismatic. But, Wright portrays an arguably delusional and paranoid mentally ill person with an autocratic despotic nature toward his circle. Hubbard was a chronic liar and a philanderer, but was he a fraud?
The doctrine of the religion he created has many features common to established religions (e.g.s a soul as our essence, the impending return of the messiah, a prescribed path to immortality, etc.), but it also veers into science fiction based nonsense involving ancient alien races and titanic inter-galactic struggles that have determined the nature and problems of humankind today. It's really far-out stuff, but when you think about the doctrines of traditional religions (virgin birth, resurrection, receiving golden tablets from an angel in an upstate NY field, being rewarded for killing/martyrdom with 72 virgins in paradise, etc.) are these on their face any less fantastic? It calls itself a science because it is supposedly based on scientifically sound natural laws, but that's completely off base; it's a faith-based belief system that requires faith in received (concocted) doctrine.
All that said, at a fundamental and important level, Scientology must do some good for some people, as all religions can, or it wouldn't succeed. The question is does its potential for harm outweigh the good it does? Like other cults it is a vitally important consideration and I would agree with the author that this is on balance a dangerous cult. One example is the church's well-known opposition to psychiatry and psychotropic medicines. While psychiatry, like other branches of medicine, is not without troubles in its history, pressing people to forswear proven medical interventions is a harmful thing. Another feature of Scientology is its system of extracting money from its adherents. To progress to higher levels one must pay large sums to "audit" the teachings. Again, although different in magnitude, not unknown in other religions.
Another aspect of Scientology that is common to other cults is its requirment for complete loyalty and the rejection of family and friends who don't share one's beliefs. This is similar to shunning seen in other religions. Even more coercive and vicious is Scientology's pursuit of apostates and others who criticize the church. It is clear that this church will go to any lengths to hound and persecute its perceived opponents with legal and illegal tactics.
The book covers extensively Scientology's cultivation of Hollywood celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta to gain publicity and support. This is a key strategy for the church and one seems quite successful. A major figure in exposing the dark side of Scientology is Paul Haggis, a well-known screen writer and director.
The church is oppressive to the point of gross abuse of its staff, utilizing various punishments in the guise of "rehab" when it perceives shortcomings or waivering. It pays its staff next to nothing and expects a lifetime commitment. Such tactics are appalling, but, again, when you think about the historical or even current behaviors of established religions (e.g. inquisitions, fatwas, etc.) Scientology doesn't seem unique and unprededented.
Is Scientology a religion or a fraud? Governments around the world have attempted to address this question. Some have restricted or banned it; others (including the US) have granted it status as a religion. In the end, I would have to conclude that Scientology is indeed a bona fide religion; it has all the aspects that one associates with religion. But, like many other sects, it is on balance a dangerous one; certainly, it has done some good for people, but also puts them in harm's way. ]
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elements of faith-based beliefs? When can it be said that a construct of spiritualty is legitimate and necessary and when and how is it misguided and harmful? Are there many wrong "ways", but just one right "way"? My sense is that if you answer these questions about Scientology you need to ask them of all other religions as well.The book's principal themes focus on L. Ron Hubbard as a personality and creator of an elaborate belief system, on the cult-like nature of Scientology, on its repressive control of its members, on its tactics to pursue its opponents, and on its use of celebrities to advance its aims.
Certainly it can be agreed that Hubbard was an amazing character. His imagination was astoundingly fecund, his works generated prolifically, and his personality extraordinarily charismatic. But, Wright portrays an arguably delusional and paranoid mentally ill person with an autocratic despotic nature toward his circle. Hubbard was a chronic liar and a philanderer, but was he a fraud?
The doctrine of the religion he created has many features common to established religions (e.g.s a soul as our essence, the impending return of the messiah, a prescribed path to immortality, etc.), but it also veers into science fiction based nonsense involving ancient alien races and titanic inter-galactic struggles that have determined the nature and problems of humankind today. It's really far-out stuff, but when you think about the doctrines of traditional religions (virgin birth, resurrection, receiving golden tablets from an angel in an upstate NY field, being rewarded for killing/martyrdom with 72 virgins in paradise, etc.) are these on their face any less fantastic? It calls itself a science because it is supposedly based on scientifically sound natural laws, but that's completely off base; it's a faith-based belief system that requires faith in received (concocted) doctrine.
All that said, at a fundamental and important level, Scientology must do some good for some people, as all religions can, or it wouldn't succeed. The question is does its potential for harm outweigh the good it does? Like other cults it is a vitally important consideration and I would agree with the author that this is on balance a dangerous cult. One example is the church's well-known opposition to psychiatry and psychotropic medicines. While psychiatry, like other branches of medicine, is not without troubles in its history, pressing people to forswear proven medical interventions is a harmful thing. Another feature of Scientology is its system of extracting money from its adherents. To progress to higher levels one must pay large sums to "audit" the teachings. Again, although different in magnitude, not unknown in other religions.
Another aspect of Scientology that is common to other cults is its requirment for complete loyalty and the rejection of family and friends who don't share one's beliefs. This is similar to shunning seen in other religions. Even more coercive and vicious is Scientology's pursuit of apostates and others who criticize the church. It is clear that this church will go to any lengths to hound and persecute its perceived opponents with legal and illegal tactics.
The book covers extensively Scientology's cultivation of Hollywood celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta to gain publicity and support. This is a key strategy for the church and one seems quite successful. A major figure in exposing the dark side of Scientology is Paul Haggis, a well-known screen writer and director.
The church is oppressive to the point of gross abuse of its staff, utilizing various punishments in the guise of "rehab" when it perceives shortcomings or waivering. It pays its staff next to nothing and expects a lifetime commitment. Such tactics are appalling, but, again, when you think about the historical or even current behaviors of established religions (e.g. inquisitions, fatwas, etc.) Scientology doesn't seem unique and unprededented.
Is Scientology a religion or a fraud? Governments around the world have attempted to address this question. Some have restricted or banned it; others (including the US) have granted it status as a religion. In the end, I would have to conclude that Scientology is indeed a bona fide religion; it has all the aspects that one associates with religion. But, like many other sects, it is on balance a dangerous one; certainly, it has done some good for people, but also puts them in harm's way. ]
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LibraryThing member EricKibler
What a terrible and scurrilous attack on a noble and helpful religion! What a libel against its honest and self-effacing founder and prophet, L. Ron Hubbard! And upon its current and not at all insane leader, David Miscavige, who is by no means a sadistic tyrant! And upon Tom Cruise, who is not at
Psst...is everyone gone? Is it safe? Okay, I really liked this book. It's a hard hitting exposé of Scientology that has to be read to be believed. That first paragraph above was just a feeble attempt on my part to ward off retribution and harassment by the Church of Scientology for expressing a negative opinion.
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all a megalomaniacal weirdo!Psst...is everyone gone? Is it safe? Okay, I really liked this book. It's a hard hitting exposé of Scientology that has to be read to be believed. That first paragraph above was just a feeble attempt on my part to ward off retribution and harassment by the Church of Scientology for expressing a negative opinion.
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LibraryThing member Y2Ash
Honestly, I never really heard of Scientology before Tom Cruise bit Mat Lauer's head off regarding the effectiveness and validity of psychiatry and antidepressants. Then, all of those rumors came out: the auditing process, how they treat children, how they treated defectors. Before I read Going
That is not the case at all.
Everything that was said was true.
I am still in awe.
The title refers to the process a Scientologist must go through in order to move up the levels to reach their version of enlightenment. A lot of money is involved as the auditing process, required literature, and devices cost an astronomical amount. The subtitle are the three parts the book is divided into.
In Scientology, Wright writes about the history of Scientology. It shows ow Paul Haggis, a renowned screenwriter and former scientologist after 35 years, first got involved the religion. It is also a biography on L. Ron Hubbard, a former science fiction author and de-facto founder of Scientology. In Hollywood, Hubbard realizes the financial cash cows celebrities are and goes hunting. His death is also explored as a new leader in David Miscavige and cash cow in Tom Cruise.
In the Prison of Belief, the shortest chapter, goes full circle showing the aftermath of Haggis' leaving of Scientology, along with other defectors. An in-depth profile of Anne Archer's son, Tommy Davis, former head of the celebrity centre of Scientology in California.
I absolutely loved this book. I was worried that this book would be biased in some way and I didn't want to read something like that. I was quite surprised on how crisp, concise, and impartial Wright's voice was. He had the ability to explain the good along with the bad about Scientology. It was such an through profile on Scientology, I feel very much informed. I now have an opinion on Scientology. It isn't good but I can understand it.
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Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, I thought the rumors were gross exaggerations. Sometimes, you need to embellish the truth to sell newspapers.That is not the case at all.
Everything that was said was true.
I am still in awe.
The title refers to the process a Scientologist must go through in order to move up the levels to reach their version of enlightenment. A lot of money is involved as the auditing process, required literature, and devices cost an astronomical amount. The subtitle are the three parts the book is divided into.
In Scientology, Wright writes about the history of Scientology. It shows ow Paul Haggis, a renowned screenwriter and former scientologist after 35 years, first got involved the religion. It is also a biography on L. Ron Hubbard, a former science fiction author and de-facto founder of Scientology. In Hollywood, Hubbard realizes the financial cash cows celebrities are and goes hunting. His death is also explored as a new leader in David Miscavige and cash cow in Tom Cruise.
In the Prison of Belief, the shortest chapter, goes full circle showing the aftermath of Haggis' leaving of Scientology, along with other defectors. An in-depth profile of Anne Archer's son, Tommy Davis, former head of the celebrity centre of Scientology in California.
I absolutely loved this book. I was worried that this book would be biased in some way and I didn't want to read something like that. I was quite surprised on how crisp, concise, and impartial Wright's voice was. He had the ability to explain the good along with the bad about Scientology. It was such an through profile on Scientology, I feel very much informed. I now have an opinion on Scientology. It isn't good but I can understand it.
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LibraryThing member SocProf9740
If you think you know about scientology, as I did, this book will still surprise and shock you. It is very well written and sourced. It is absolutely appalling that this abusive organization is allowed to persist without accountability.
A must-read.
A must-read.
LibraryThing member The_Hibernator
Summary: Wright’s book covers the history of Scientology from the youth of L. Ron Hubbard, to Scientology’s founding, to the current scandals.
My Thoughts: Going Clear is meant to be impartial, though I found it to lean heavily in the anti-Scientology direction. For instance, it provides pages
It is, however, clearly well researched. I had some knowledge of L. Ron Hubbard previous to reading this book – my grandpa knew him for a short time while he was still an aspiring writer, and so my dad has stories about that. I had no clue that he was so cruel, dishonest, and mentally ill. (Other than having a clear problem with believing in his own invented stories.) The only other book I’ve read on Scientology was Beyond Belief, by David Miscavige’s niece Jenna Miscavige Hill. My view of David Miscavige was colored by Ms. Hill’s rendition of him, which was much kinder than that in Going Clear. She did briefly mention that there was rumor of his violence, but not anything that would make me suspect the violence that Wright reports. I found this book to be believable, well-researched, and eye-opening. Definitely worth reading if you’re interested in learning about Scientology from the non-Scientologist’s view. It gets four stars (loses half a star due to claims of impartiality).
My Thoughts: Going Clear is meant to be impartial, though I found it to lean heavily in the anti-Scientology direction. For instance, it provides pages
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and pages of stories that make the reader cringe, followed by a short statement saying that the Church of Scientology does not verify those claims. If it were impartial, it would spend the same amount of time presenting the Church’s side as the opposing side.It is, however, clearly well researched. I had some knowledge of L. Ron Hubbard previous to reading this book – my grandpa knew him for a short time while he was still an aspiring writer, and so my dad has stories about that. I had no clue that he was so cruel, dishonest, and mentally ill. (Other than having a clear problem with believing in his own invented stories.) The only other book I’ve read on Scientology was Beyond Belief, by David Miscavige’s niece Jenna Miscavige Hill. My view of David Miscavige was colored by Ms. Hill’s rendition of him, which was much kinder than that in Going Clear. She did briefly mention that there was rumor of his violence, but not anything that would make me suspect the violence that Wright reports. I found this book to be believable, well-researched, and eye-opening. Definitely worth reading if you’re interested in learning about Scientology from the non-Scientologist’s view. It gets four stars (loses half a star due to claims of impartiality).
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LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
At first blush, L. Ron Hubbard seems quite disturbed. He is described as an accomplished liar. Even his memories of his military career cannot be documented as he wrote it. Most of the information in his background, that he provided, is unsubstantiated and false. He seems like a philanderer,
His main interest seemed to be to accumulate wealth and power. His doctrine was based on the simple premise that you can decide what is good and bad for yourself. If you think something is good, than it simply is, regardless of what others think. His followers were largely wealthy entertainers, actors who played roles in life and perhaps lost touch with what was in the real world. Writers of science fiction, like Hubbard, followed him and supported him financially, as well. If nothing else, they all had creative imaginations.
Many of those who associated with him also created wild, untrue narratives about their lives and experiences. Perhaps in writing science fiction, they too lost touch with the real world.
Hubbard’s fame is mind-boggling to me. How could rational people pay any attention to him, how could they dismiss his lies? Yet, this is a charade that many fell prey to, and many still do. This is a man who was sued often but nothing ever stuck. There was never enough proof. Scientology, designated as a religion, is exempt from many things ordinary people and business are subject to, and therefore, Scientology can get away with a great deal in the interest of religious freedom.
The bulk of the book is a very detailed and precise exploration of the founding of Scientology and its practices and progression to the current day, but the author also delves into other unusual religions at the end of the book. He talks about the Branch Davidians, the followers of Jim Jones and their mass murder/suicide, the Amish, and the Mormons, among others. However, most of the book is about Scientology and it followers.
The religion would appear to be ruled with an iron hand by a harsh master. Severe punishment is meted out to those who commit infractions, though they may not even understand what they have done; they are virtually kept prisoners and find it difficult to leave or escape. After years of living with and following the guidelines of Scientology and mixing only with Scientologists, it is difficult for the follower to adjust to the outside world and interact with others. It is almost like they are brainwashed. The whole was more important than the individual and, as a result, the individual often was unable to act independently. In addition, secret files were kept on the followers to blackmail them should they desire to leave.
Although I did not love listening to the book because there was sometimes too much detail, I have to admire the amount of research that went into it. It was such a thorough examination of this “cult-like” religion. It was so deftly done that the reader will come away with an understanding of the complexity of the religion and its followers, in so far as the author understands it. I think it will be impossible for the reader to drawer any other conclusion, other than the one that Wright puts forth and seems to prove.
Hubbard seemed insane as does David Miscavige who stepped into Hubbard’s shoes. He is a cruel taskmaster, was odd as a child and is even odder as an adult. Many famous names are associated with Scientology. Tom Cruise, Sonny Bono, John Travolta, Nicole Kidman, Paul Haggis, Kirsty Allee, among many others who were at one time or another associated with Scientology, and many of them still are. They donate millions to keep it alive and well. It is beyond me that they can look beyond the punishments meted out, the demands made of the followers, the hierarchy and its inequity and still believe in, follow, and support its doctrines. They don’t seem to practice what they preach. Hypocrites, they live in rarefied air, and they either don’t care about others, or they simply want the rest of the followers to smell foul air. How can they not see the insanity in the leader, the inequity in the approach of the religion and the greed of the Church itself? It owns real estate, businesses and it would seem to own people as well. Followers are afraid to leave for they might find themselves exiled to a place where no one will ever find them. Even L. Ron Hubbard was in exile, apparently, for the last half-dozen years of his life, kept that way by Miscavige.
Dianetics, the most famous book written by Hubbard, was probably written by a Sociopath, by a very disturbed man, and yet, people read it and follow its path and still respect the man named L. Ron Hubbard. They believe the practice of Scientology helps them. It is Hubbard’s cure for all the ills of the world. Actually, he claimed he could cure almost everything, blindness, diabetes, cancer, etc.! How can sane, intelligent people believe the ravings of someone who was sometimes a madman? Wright made it seem like Scientology was a corrupt, deceptive religion, existing only to make the “Church” and the higher-ups wealthier and more powerful.
Has Hubbard pulled a fast one, has he pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes, eventually creating a monster, the monster of unintended consequences? Was he really only writing science fiction which attracted a fan club? In his own madness, did he then believe his own imaginings? Reader, read on and draw your own conclusions!
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without values. He cheated on his wife, was a bigamist and an abuser. He was a prolific writer, however, and his books sold and still sell millions of copies.His main interest seemed to be to accumulate wealth and power. His doctrine was based on the simple premise that you can decide what is good and bad for yourself. If you think something is good, than it simply is, regardless of what others think. His followers were largely wealthy entertainers, actors who played roles in life and perhaps lost touch with what was in the real world. Writers of science fiction, like Hubbard, followed him and supported him financially, as well. If nothing else, they all had creative imaginations.
Many of those who associated with him also created wild, untrue narratives about their lives and experiences. Perhaps in writing science fiction, they too lost touch with the real world.
Hubbard’s fame is mind-boggling to me. How could rational people pay any attention to him, how could they dismiss his lies? Yet, this is a charade that many fell prey to, and many still do. This is a man who was sued often but nothing ever stuck. There was never enough proof. Scientology, designated as a religion, is exempt from many things ordinary people and business are subject to, and therefore, Scientology can get away with a great deal in the interest of religious freedom.
The bulk of the book is a very detailed and precise exploration of the founding of Scientology and its practices and progression to the current day, but the author also delves into other unusual religions at the end of the book. He talks about the Branch Davidians, the followers of Jim Jones and their mass murder/suicide, the Amish, and the Mormons, among others. However, most of the book is about Scientology and it followers.
The religion would appear to be ruled with an iron hand by a harsh master. Severe punishment is meted out to those who commit infractions, though they may not even understand what they have done; they are virtually kept prisoners and find it difficult to leave or escape. After years of living with and following the guidelines of Scientology and mixing only with Scientologists, it is difficult for the follower to adjust to the outside world and interact with others. It is almost like they are brainwashed. The whole was more important than the individual and, as a result, the individual often was unable to act independently. In addition, secret files were kept on the followers to blackmail them should they desire to leave.
Although I did not love listening to the book because there was sometimes too much detail, I have to admire the amount of research that went into it. It was such a thorough examination of this “cult-like” religion. It was so deftly done that the reader will come away with an understanding of the complexity of the religion and its followers, in so far as the author understands it. I think it will be impossible for the reader to drawer any other conclusion, other than the one that Wright puts forth and seems to prove.
Hubbard seemed insane as does David Miscavige who stepped into Hubbard’s shoes. He is a cruel taskmaster, was odd as a child and is even odder as an adult. Many famous names are associated with Scientology. Tom Cruise, Sonny Bono, John Travolta, Nicole Kidman, Paul Haggis, Kirsty Allee, among many others who were at one time or another associated with Scientology, and many of them still are. They donate millions to keep it alive and well. It is beyond me that they can look beyond the punishments meted out, the demands made of the followers, the hierarchy and its inequity and still believe in, follow, and support its doctrines. They don’t seem to practice what they preach. Hypocrites, they live in rarefied air, and they either don’t care about others, or they simply want the rest of the followers to smell foul air. How can they not see the insanity in the leader, the inequity in the approach of the religion and the greed of the Church itself? It owns real estate, businesses and it would seem to own people as well. Followers are afraid to leave for they might find themselves exiled to a place where no one will ever find them. Even L. Ron Hubbard was in exile, apparently, for the last half-dozen years of his life, kept that way by Miscavige.
Dianetics, the most famous book written by Hubbard, was probably written by a Sociopath, by a very disturbed man, and yet, people read it and follow its path and still respect the man named L. Ron Hubbard. They believe the practice of Scientology helps them. It is Hubbard’s cure for all the ills of the world. Actually, he claimed he could cure almost everything, blindness, diabetes, cancer, etc.! How can sane, intelligent people believe the ravings of someone who was sometimes a madman? Wright made it seem like Scientology was a corrupt, deceptive religion, existing only to make the “Church” and the higher-ups wealthier and more powerful.
Has Hubbard pulled a fast one, has he pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes, eventually creating a monster, the monster of unintended consequences? Was he really only writing science fiction which attracted a fan club? In his own madness, did he then believe his own imaginings? Reader, read on and draw your own conclusions!
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LibraryThing member mcelhra
This book is not only a comprehensive history of Scientology but also a biography of L. Ron Hubbard. It’s amazing that Hubbard went from an author of pulp science fiction novels to the founder of a major religion/cult. I had to wonder if Hubbard was mentally ill and really believed the stories he
The aspect of Scientology that was most surprising to me is the horrific abuse that the non-celebrity members endure. They are punished for various transgressions with being made to perform horrible tasks or imprisoned in unspeakable conditions. I had to wonder how this imprisonment is legal. Why don’t the members who have escaped file charges against those in the church leadership. Partly, it’s probably because the church has so much money that they can literally destroy your life if you speak out against them in any way. I was stunned that an organization in the United States can get away with the things they get away with. Their behavior is that of a fascist dictator.
Paul Haggis (director of the movie Crash) was a Scientologist for 35 years before he finally left the church. His perspective on why a seemingly smart person would remain in the church is insightful. I wanted to read more about other celebrity Scientologists. There is a lot of information on John Travolta and Tom Cruise but not much on anyone else. I have to wonder if the celebrities in the church know about how the rest of the church works – the imprisonment, child labor, etc. Are they so brainwashed that they will make excuses for what the author has uncovered? If they choose to remain in the church, I think they have a responsibility to work to reform it and put a stop to the abuse. I’m sure if they threatened to stop the millions of dollars they donate, the leaders of the church would stand up and take notice.
This book is very well-researched, especially considering the fact the church is so close lipped about what goes on behind closed doors. Wright was able to interview several of the former church leaders who have defected over the years. If you want to know the truth about Scientology, this book is your best bet.
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told about alien overlords ruling over humans millions of years ago. Or was he intelligent and calculating and knew he could make a ton of money off of his ideas?The aspect of Scientology that was most surprising to me is the horrific abuse that the non-celebrity members endure. They are punished for various transgressions with being made to perform horrible tasks or imprisoned in unspeakable conditions. I had to wonder how this imprisonment is legal. Why don’t the members who have escaped file charges against those in the church leadership. Partly, it’s probably because the church has so much money that they can literally destroy your life if you speak out against them in any way. I was stunned that an organization in the United States can get away with the things they get away with. Their behavior is that of a fascist dictator.
Paul Haggis (director of the movie Crash) was a Scientologist for 35 years before he finally left the church. His perspective on why a seemingly smart person would remain in the church is insightful. I wanted to read more about other celebrity Scientologists. There is a lot of information on John Travolta and Tom Cruise but not much on anyone else. I have to wonder if the celebrities in the church know about how the rest of the church works – the imprisonment, child labor, etc. Are they so brainwashed that they will make excuses for what the author has uncovered? If they choose to remain in the church, I think they have a responsibility to work to reform it and put a stop to the abuse. I’m sure if they threatened to stop the millions of dollars they donate, the leaders of the church would stand up and take notice.
This book is very well-researched, especially considering the fact the church is so close lipped about what goes on behind closed doors. Wright was able to interview several of the former church leaders who have defected over the years. If you want to know the truth about Scientology, this book is your best bet.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Interesting partially for its constant footnotes clearly put in to stave off defamation litigation by the notoriously litigious Church, Wright’s story is a complex one about a religion and a simple one about abuse. In its incoherent extremes, Scientology’s doctrine isn’t all that much weirder
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than the burning bush and drinking your savior’s blood, just younger, though the portions of the book quoting Scientologists explaining how the system was supposed to work/give them power over external events were often hard to listen to because they did resemble the statements of a person having a break from reality. As usual, it’s the people who are the problem: Wright relates convincing stories of abuse, not just by L. Ron Hubbard (who was particularly vicious to women) but by his successor, David Miscavige. He also identifies a sick institutional structure that coerces people into laboring almost as slaves—and sometimes physically barring them from escape—in terrible conditions, all the time telling them that they were the ones at fault. And many do stay because they believe it, or because they don’t think they have alternatives. An outer ring of Scientologists, including many of the celebrities who Hubbard and Miscavige courted, didn’t have much of an idea about the abuses/found it easy to close their eyes—again, an old story about abuses in the name of religion. It’s a depressing book, because the IRS gave up on going after Scientology for back taxes and it’s not clear how anyone can help many of the people involved, especially those raised in Scientology’s Sea Org who lack knowledge of the outside world and marketable skills. Show Less
LibraryThing member akblanchard
This is the book that armchair Scientology watchers have been waiting for. Lawrence Wright gives an even-handed, scrupulously fair account of the controversial group's history, from its beginnings in the fertile imagination of L. Ron Hubbard (augmented by his readings of other sources--from
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"General Semantics" to black magick) to its current status as David Miscavige's private fiefdom. Wright also relates the story of Oscar-winning screenwriter Paul Haggis's 32-year involvement in and untimate departure from Scientology as a way of anwering the recurring question: why would an intelligent, self-aware person get involved in such a group? This compelling book is recommended for anyone interested in Scientology, or in religion in general. Show Less
LibraryThing member NellieMc
Fascinating and scary book. Very well researched which, given the secretive nature of the scientology organization, must have posed numerous challenges. Scary in that it demonstrates how vulnerable supposedly intelligent people can be - and what kind of abuse they'll endure in the name of a
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religion. Especially scary in the exploitation of children and teenagers (esp. girls) it exposes. L. Ron Hubbard is exposed as a fraud, creepy, and probably criminal. Compelling read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Daniel.Estes
I've heard it said that Scientology is the 20th century's Mormonism. And for that comparison alone I'm sure Scientology will endure despite every logical reason it shouldn't.
LibraryThing member Narshkite
Wow! This book is fantastic. Terrifying and enlightening. Meticulously researched. More drama that one of LRH's pulps. I cannot recommend this more highly.
LibraryThing member mochap
Fascinating expose on LRH and Scientology--quite horrifying as well. Long, but worth the read--can't imagine how he got all that data, and was particularly interested in the few footnotes sprinkled throughout with denials, etc. from current Scientologists/lawyers.
LibraryThing member bobbieharv
A fascinating book. I kept checking the footnotes for the sourcing, and it seems amazingly well-documented. All religions are cults to some extent, and they all have weird beliefs that, if you've grown up with them, just seem to fit with your world-view. God is up there in heaven and Mary and
Wright explores all aspects of this so-called church: its founding by Hubbard, who couldn't seem to succeed at anything; Miscavige's tyrannical narcissistic personality; its celebrities (what's with these people anyway?);its successful tax evasion strategies; and its litigiousness, which keeps it insulated from criticism (I wonder what they're trying to do now to Wright).
Two things I would have liked to understand better: how exactly was Hubbard able to build such a powerful empire? and how did Miscavige get to be so powerful after Hubbard's death? More psychological analysis would have helped - but that would be all speculation, which Wright admirably avoids.
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Joseph didn't have sex to have Jesus etc. But Scientology is really really weird, and all those people treated like slaves, living in squalor on 75 cents a day while David Miscavige feasts, are even weirder. Wright explores all aspects of this so-called church: its founding by Hubbard, who couldn't seem to succeed at anything; Miscavige's tyrannical narcissistic personality; its celebrities (what's with these people anyway?);its successful tax evasion strategies; and its litigiousness, which keeps it insulated from criticism (I wonder what they're trying to do now to Wright).
Two things I would have liked to understand better: how exactly was Hubbard able to build such a powerful empire? and how did Miscavige get to be so powerful after Hubbard's death? More psychological analysis would have helped - but that would be all speculation, which Wright admirably avoids.
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LibraryThing member Sullywriter
A fascinating and quite disturbing look at L. Ron Hubbard's Church of Scientology and its astonishing entrenchment in Hollywood. I knew Scientology was weird but I had know idea of the extent of its strangeness. I fail to see how the Church of Scientology qualifies as a religion. There's no worship
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rituals of God or any other diety. It's not based upon sacred scriptures of any kind unless the collected works L. Ron Hubbard counts. Hubbard is esteemed by most Scientologists as an infallible god-like figure but he's not worshipped. There's nothing scientific about it. There are thousands of devotees who give up their lives to a kind of identured servitude (and maybe psychological and physical abuse) in service to the "church." The current leader, David Miscavige, comes off as a megalomanical kook in the vein of a non-lethal Jim Jones or David Koresh. What the Church of Scientology seems to essentially be is a self-help racket that charges people for courses in all sorts of self-improvement subjects and "auditing." What particularly impresses me about Wright is the even-handedness with which he tackles the subject. He lets the absurdity and nonsense speak for itself and it comes through quite loudly. Show Less
LibraryThing member alt229
Really enjoyed this chilling insight into the mind of a truly gifted and inquisitive, yet devious and by all accounts unscrupulous fellow who in most ways accomplished what most people on the planet strive for. To leave their mark on the world.
LibraryThing member kivarson
Wright has given us a facinating and meticulously footnoted examination of both L. Ron Hubbard and the religion he founded, Scientology.
The facts reveal that not only was L. Ron Hubbard prolific in his words and larger than life in his personality, but he was also a horrible person who physically
After reading this book, I'm pretty clear on the fact that Scientology isn't just weird--it is exploitative. Those who sign on to the billion year contract of its innermost acolytes, the Sea Org, often toil fifteen hours a day, seven days a week. Regardless of the hours worked, Sea Org members do it for a mere fifty dollars each week. If members try to leave, they are sued for the money which they would have raised for the church of Scientology. Even conforming to the rules of the organization is no protection from being punished when reality fails to conform to the wishes of church leaders--high ranking members of the church of Scientology are routinely sent to isolated camps where they are subject to sleep deprivation, physical and emotional abuse.
My hat goes off to Wright for tackling this challenging subject.
The facts reveal that not only was L. Ron Hubbard prolific in his words and larger than life in his personality, but he was also a horrible person who physically
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abused his wife and was disingenuous about his past. After reading this book, I'm pretty clear on the fact that Scientology isn't just weird--it is exploitative. Those who sign on to the billion year contract of its innermost acolytes, the Sea Org, often toil fifteen hours a day, seven days a week. Regardless of the hours worked, Sea Org members do it for a mere fifty dollars each week. If members try to leave, they are sued for the money which they would have raised for the church of Scientology. Even conforming to the rules of the organization is no protection from being punished when reality fails to conform to the wishes of church leaders--high ranking members of the church of Scientology are routinely sent to isolated camps where they are subject to sleep deprivation, physical and emotional abuse.
My hat goes off to Wright for tackling this challenging subject.
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LibraryThing member brianinbuffalo
My mild curiosity about the controversies that have swirled around Scientology for most of my life spurred me to search out this book.
Learn from my mistake. A "mild" curiosity isn't nearly enough motivation to plow through this exhaustively-researched tome. Hence, the three-star rating isn't as
That being said, "Going Clear" serves up some jaw-dropping relevations without seeming to be heavy-handed or sensationalized. Folks looking for the "Hollywood" connection that is touted in the book's title won't be disappointed, either. Tom Cruise, John Travolta and other Hollywood luminaries make more than cameo appearances in Wright's work.
Readers who are committed to discovering more about Scientology will likely find this book fascinating. Those of us with a mild curiosity about the subject should probably wait for the Reader's Digest version.
Learn from my mistake. A "mild" curiosity isn't nearly enough motivation to plow through this exhaustively-researched tome. Hence, the three-star rating isn't as
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much a reflection on the author's investigations as it is on my mindset that spurred me to say "okay, I've learned enough" about halfway through the work. That being said, "Going Clear" serves up some jaw-dropping relevations without seeming to be heavy-handed or sensationalized. Folks looking for the "Hollywood" connection that is touted in the book's title won't be disappointed, either. Tom Cruise, John Travolta and other Hollywood luminaries make more than cameo appearances in Wright's work.
Readers who are committed to discovering more about Scientology will likely find this book fascinating. Those of us with a mild curiosity about the subject should probably wait for the Reader's Digest version.
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LibraryThing member Lin-Z
There is so much to say about this book that it’s hard to know where to begin. I love reading about cults/people who survived cults/wacky religious beliefs and the rest, but this is my first read on Scientology. Up until this point, my main exposure to the subject was via South Park (I’m not
Going Clear is meticulously researched. It draws on interviews with lots of current and former Scientologists, court documents, medical records, and the writings of L. Ron Hubbard and other parties. The book is also peppered with footnotes to the tune of “[person's name]‘s attorney denies that X happened” and “The church denies that [person] ever did Y,” which makes one wonder what kinds of behavior that anyone’s attorney would admit to, but that is another matter. The title of the book, Going Clear, refers to the first step in being a Scientologist. When one becomes “clear,” one is free of malicious engrams and is able to work towards being an Operating Thetan (OT). Various people throughout the book are described by their Scientology levels; OT VIII is the highest level that anyone other than Hubbard has ever had access to (Hubbard supposedly penned several more levels, but no one has seen them). Operating Thetans are supposed to have amazing mental powers that can prevent sickness, bend others to one’s will, and basically a certain level of telekinesis. At least, OT levels are described this way. There is as yet no one on the record demonstrating these amazing powers, which of course makes one question why people keep on believing in it, but of course, we could ask such questions about any number of movements.
The book opens with Paul Haggis, that archetypal, directionless young person of the 1970′s who finds Scientology. People like Haggis were attracted to Scientology because of its idealism, they state that they’re working toward “A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise of greater heights,” as stated by Hubbard himself. This narrative that Scientology is actively working to improve the world seems at odds with basically everything that happens to individual Scientologists in the book, and yet, they all kept stating that they were in it for this ideal; they thought they were really helping. Haggis is the bread in this Scientology sandwich. After his introduction, the reader doesn’t hear about him again until much later in the book when he begins questioning Scientology.
L. Ron Hubbard’s (the L is for Lafayette) early years, when examined from the perspective of Scientology as it is today, are quite revealing. Wright traces the development of some of the themes of Scientology back to Hubbard’s youth, which I think is one of the most interesting aspects of the book. Analyzing modern “religions” and charismatic leaders is so different from tracing the history of someone like the Prophet Muhammad because there is actually a record of what people did and one can draw conclusions about how that influenced their later work.
Read the rest at digitalmanticore.com
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proud). Going Clear spans nearly 100 years of history, beginning with L. Ron Hubbard’s birth in 1911 and ending with Paul Haggis’ (the work’s protagonist, such that it can be said to have one) departure from Scientology and the subsequent uproar in 2010-2011. This book is packed with information and there are a lot of people who were interviewed and who played parts in the narrative (it has more characters than a George R. R. Martin novel). Some of the people involved are introduced early in the book as young people involved in Scientology and show up again later as adults, which I found hard to keep track of–I didn’t know I’d have to manage all the people!–but I don’t think you need to remember exactly who everyone is (other than a few power players) to appreciate the absolute insanity of a lot of the things that happen.Going Clear is meticulously researched. It draws on interviews with lots of current and former Scientologists, court documents, medical records, and the writings of L. Ron Hubbard and other parties. The book is also peppered with footnotes to the tune of “[person's name]‘s attorney denies that X happened” and “The church denies that [person] ever did Y,” which makes one wonder what kinds of behavior that anyone’s attorney would admit to, but that is another matter. The title of the book, Going Clear, refers to the first step in being a Scientologist. When one becomes “clear,” one is free of malicious engrams and is able to work towards being an Operating Thetan (OT). Various people throughout the book are described by their Scientology levels; OT VIII is the highest level that anyone other than Hubbard has ever had access to (Hubbard supposedly penned several more levels, but no one has seen them). Operating Thetans are supposed to have amazing mental powers that can prevent sickness, bend others to one’s will, and basically a certain level of telekinesis. At least, OT levels are described this way. There is as yet no one on the record demonstrating these amazing powers, which of course makes one question why people keep on believing in it, but of course, we could ask such questions about any number of movements.
The book opens with Paul Haggis, that archetypal, directionless young person of the 1970′s who finds Scientology. People like Haggis were attracted to Scientology because of its idealism, they state that they’re working toward “A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise of greater heights,” as stated by Hubbard himself. This narrative that Scientology is actively working to improve the world seems at odds with basically everything that happens to individual Scientologists in the book, and yet, they all kept stating that they were in it for this ideal; they thought they were really helping. Haggis is the bread in this Scientology sandwich. After his introduction, the reader doesn’t hear about him again until much later in the book when he begins questioning Scientology.
L. Ron Hubbard’s (the L is for Lafayette) early years, when examined from the perspective of Scientology as it is today, are quite revealing. Wright traces the development of some of the themes of Scientology back to Hubbard’s youth, which I think is one of the most interesting aspects of the book. Analyzing modern “religions” and charismatic leaders is so different from tracing the history of someone like the Prophet Muhammad because there is actually a record of what people did and one can draw conclusions about how that influenced their later work.
Read the rest at digitalmanticore.com
Show Less
LibraryThing member captnkurt
An informative, but frustrating read in the sense that you just want to pound some sense into the people being exploited and abused within Scientology. Also, too, L. Ron Hubbard and his successor, David Miscavige were (Hubbard) and are (Miscavige) assbags of the first order.
LibraryThing member satyridae
Exhaustively researched (and full of footnotes) this chronicle of a modern religion's birth and growth reads like a horror story. I thought lot of the stuff that came out of the mouths of the founder and later the current leader of Scientology was just jaw-droppingly bonkers. Not that I don't think
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the same of lots of religions, because I do. Well-written, and given Scientology's history of persecuting their questioners, very brave. Show Less
LibraryThing member pagewright
Couldn't put it down.
LibraryThing member Vantine
A compelling version of the story of Scientology that focuses on several of the stars who have adopted the faith. Wright does one of the best jobs of explaining why people are drawn in and why they stay.
LibraryThing member St.CroixSue
This is a remarkable book detailing the entire history of Scientology with all of its strange, creepy, and horrifying dimensions. Wright does a brilliant job chronicling every aspect from its beginnings to the present. This would be a fantastic book club selection.
Awards
National Book Award (Finalist — Nonfiction — 2013)
LA Times Book Prize (Finalist — 2013)
National Book Critics Circle Award (Finalist — Nonfiction — 2013)
Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction (Longlist — Nonfiction — 2014)
IRE Awards (Winner — 2013)
Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Nonfiction — 2013)
Booklist Editor's Choice: Adult Books (Social Sciences — 2013)
Boston Globe Best Book (Nonfiction — 2013)
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year (Nonfiction — 2013)