Veronica Schmidt
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American TV actor and former Scientologist Jason Beghe has labelled the controversial religion “destructive” and a “rip-off” in a video interview posted on YouTube, writes Veronica Schmidt.
The 48-year-old is the first celebrity to speak out against the religion, telling how his 12 years with the church have damaged him.
“My experience personally, and what I’ve observed for myself, is that Scientology is destructive and a rip-off,” said Beghe, who has acted on Cane, CSI and Veronica Mars.
"It’s very, very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological and mental, emotional health and evolution. I think it stunts your evolution.”
The actor, who estimates he gave the church $1 million (£500,000) over 12 years, has also given an interview to New York publication The Village Voice, explaining the church’s relationship with Hollywood heavyweights.
Beghe claims Scientology’s fascination with celebrities is not just a PR exercise but that the late founder L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer, had made it clear he wanted celebrities recruited to the church.
If a member could recruit a celebrity, Beghe said, they were rewarded by having the contents of their “ethics file” – the record of misdeeds admitted during “auditing” or spiritual counselling – cleared.
The church, which has dedicated Scientology Celebrity Centres, counts Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kelly Preston and Kirstie Alley among its members.
Beghe has also revealed how he became frustrated with the religion after requirements for training continually shifted and an increasing amount of money was required to continue in the church.
The interview is the latest in a series of blows for the American-based church. In January, an embarrassing video clip of Cruise discussing Scientology was leaked onto YouTube.
The clip was followed by a further video in March of Cruise celebrating his birthday with members of the church.
The church insists it brings its members “spiritual enlightenment” and it has helped the world progress towards “the eradication of its ills”, including drugs, crime, violence and intolerance.
The three-minute-long video, posted by the prolific Scientology critic Mark Bunker for XenuTV on Monday, is to be followed by a longer interview this weekend.
Beghe insists he does not have an axe to grind and has spoken out to help others who have become involved in a religion he now believes to be at best unhelpful and at worst damaging.
“I don’t have an agenda. Right now I’m trying to help,” he said.
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It just goes to show that anyone can be sucked into a false religion. The problem people within these religions have is that there is always "some" truth in it, therefore, they justify the things they are bothered by. They continue supressing their conscience keeping them from the TRUTH- Jesus!
Amy, Tulsa, USA
As a Scientologist for 34 years I can speak directly to the other side of this story. I've continued studying and applying Scientology because it works. It is a very difficult path that requires significant self-discipline and commitment. The results in bettering one's life and the lives' of others.
Merrill, San Jose, CA
There is a half century history of mis-deeds this cult has been involved with. Operation Snow White, Operation Freakout, disconnection from family members, enslavement in the RPF, fair-gaming detractors, lawsuits to harass (not win), an extremely dubious tax exemption from the IRS to name only a few.
Now is the time for the truth to finally be known. This is not just some wacky, innocuous bunch of left-coasters.
William Buddusky, Los Angeles, California
A proper refund would be for ALL the courses he is not satisfied with Terryeo, all he got was the money for courses not taken.
Now Scientologist's hasty rush to "up their stats" for "staturday" have made waste and angered the internet worse than before by taking down WBM's youtube account right before the interview was to be released. The interview WILL get out and there is NOTHING you can do to stop the truth from coming out. Now there are even more angry people than before and have managed to call even MORE attention to the interview. THANKS!
Scientology having a bad week?
Not as bad as what Kaja's family is going through because of your "Church!"
Markay Bayan, UK,
Has Scientology sued this video off of youtube, too? Where did the video go?
Mina Desuade, San Francisco, CA
This is ridiculous, Youtube are shutting down anything anti-scientology without giving any reasons for their actions, just how long is the crooked arm of this dreadful organisation?
Steve, York,
A friend of mine recently said regarding this, "live and let live". So many people are unaware of the scam and dangers of Scientology. This publicity can only be a good thing. It is such a shame about scientology complaining about the you tube video, they certainly don't learn from their complaints. The demand for the video now that it is unaccessible has gone through the roof and logically more publicity about this will follow. They've shot themselves in the foot, again.
Julian Young, Edinburgh, Scotland
The 'church' of scientology has been refused charitable status and is not a recognised religion in the UK - so why has it been granted VAT exemption?
There are a number of petitions regarding this and other concerns about this organisation on the Downing Street website.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/-Scientology/
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk:80/CoSVAT/
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/anti-scientology/
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ScientologyNMW/#detail
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/StopNarconon/
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/scientologyno/
Joe, uk,
All religions are cults, all believers are illogical.
Religion does not compute.
Danny, Leeds, UK
The biggest fish to fry is the CEO of Exxon/Mobile.
Exxon made $61 billion in net income, a record.
And they're blaming the Middle East crisis?
This is a treacherous, anti-American company.
Strong American, Boston, MA
Scientology was an invention of a science fiction writer. Need I say any more? Well, some people can't tell the difference between fact and fiction now can they?
Russ, Pasco, Wa.
When I consider the great harm caused by paedophile priests in the Catholic Church, this cult does not seem so bad.
Des, Edinburgh,
The Church of Scientology, which apparently purchases adsense ads on youtube had Mark Bunker's youtube account suspended because they don't want the video that this article is linked to, seen. It's the reason when you click on the above video, you see "this video is no longer available".
Scientology is a dangerous cult that is seeking to use it's tremendous wealth to censor free speech. True religions do not act in this way. It's a cult and needs to be exposed for what it is.
Jenny, Grand Rapids, MI, US
You'll note the embedded video is already broken.
In anticipation of the posting of the video Scientology has apparently managed to get Mark Bunker's YouTube account suspended within days of getting another Scientology critic, Tory Magoo's account suspended. Tory's account, ToryMagoo44, was reinstated fairly quickly, but Mark Bunker's account, XenuTV1, is still suspended. Meanwhile, a sick fake account that reposts Tory's videos with idiotic test pasted over them, ToryMagoo69, remains active.
This is how the Cult of $cientology operates, folks!
Sean, Silicon Valley, CA
I am not going to deny that auditing, taking the courses, and moving up the bridge does not cost a petty penny or that devout Scientologists are not pushy. However, the life skills and teachings of Scientology has healed myself, my husband, my brother, a few of my friends, and countless others from alcoholism and drug addiction. Scientology is a very interesting and you can be other religions and be a scientologist. What I and alot of people do is just take the good stuff that you learn and use it the rest of your life and leave the other stuff to those that chose to be hard core. It's just like any other religion and it is NOT brainwashing! The teachings of Scientology saved my life through a fabulous program through the Narconon Drug Rehab and I will always be greatful for that.
Sabrina , Goodyear, Az.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
YouTube has, without giving any warning or reason, suspended the account of Mark Bunker (Youtube user: xenutv1) the interviewer, producer and host of the Jason Beghe video.
You can watch the above clip in the article on an alternative link here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVuTapNuB74
Mark Bunker reports on the situation, also with an update on the next installment of his Jason Beghe interview exclusive which will still premier on Fox:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d35LMptcbqs
This gets creepier every day. Stay Tuned. I may have more later.
MartinWelbourne, UK, London
A proper refund would be for ALL the courses he is not satisfied with, Terryeo, all he got was his back money for courses not taken.
Now Scientologist's hasty rush to "up their stats" for "staturday" have made waste and angered the internet worse than before by taking down WBM's youtube account right before the interview was to be released. The interview WILL get out and there is NOTHING you can do to stop the truth from coming out. Now there are even more angry people than before and have managed to call even MORE attention to the interview. THANKS!
Scientology having a bad week? Not as bad as what Kaja's family is going through because of your "Church."
Markay Bayan, some city, UK
I see YouTube have removed the video......
Whata, Leeds,
Despite scientologist call themselves the church in reality this is a Masonic organization only. Being a sort of business it to pay for some actors but not for all of them.
It is nothing to write home about.
Alexey, Moscow,
Yep, that's how it works. You demand a refund, you get a refund. You want to walk out the door, you walk out the door. Yep, that's how it works. You got an opinion, I got an opinion and our constitution allows that.
Terryeo, San Francisco, California
thank you for mentioning this as very recently i got caught up in a demo in london outside their branch in the west end las saturday br a very large number of young people and this bears uot the evidence.
a proper christian church does not do this to their fellow human beings they give people a choice this country does not need any more brain washers we have enough of them already running the show.
william, pinner middx, UK