“1967 … Ron penetrated the Wall of Fire and then taped a safe path through for all mankind to follow. He formed the Sea Organization after his discovery that OTs do better with Ots, and with the Sea Org, he set up safe bases where all could travel safely through the Wall of Fire. Today these safe bases are the Advanced Organizations, entrusted since 1967 by Ron to deliver the OT levels to you … Read on and find out what the Wall of Fire has to do with you, your future, and the future of all mankind.”
When people first enter this exciting world of the totally free, they rarely realize just how expensive it is going to be … In addition to the price of the courses, there are many other expenses. A Scientologist must buy many of Hubbard’s books, and often attend special lectures or Congresses, which usually run tapes of Hubbard, or speeches by top Scientologists.
The actual financial cost of the Scientology experience is relatively minor when compared to the impact it has on the totality of one’s life … as former member, Chris Shelton shared on Quora seven years ago…
How much is your life worth to you? That’s how much they will take from you before they are done with you and kick you to the curb. Like Cameron here said, it costs you everything. Not just money. It costs you your friends, your family, your business associates, your entire life. It may sound melodramatic, but it’s not. I cannot be any more real or down-to-earth in answering this.
It’s easy to see that reaching the level of Scientology which reveals the “Space Opera” tale of the Galactic Lord Xenu involves much more than money … there is also a considerable “investment” of one’s time and emotional energy. During this time a cognitive dissonance is developed that serves as a defense mechanism for people who may be threatened by information that threatens their beliefs. Upon reaching OT III, you are basically “all in.”
In Scottish journalist Charles Mackay’s 1841 work, “Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds,” he writes,
However much we flatter ourselves about our individual rationality, a good story, no matter how analytically deficient, lingers in the mind, resonates emotionally, and persuades more than the most dispositive facts or data.
This recruitment ad demonstrates the route you must take to move up in the world of Scientology.
Like the fools who followed Bernie Madoff’s investment ponzi scheme, the Scientology adherents have all given in to the delusion and are surrounded by people who have all made the same commitment … and are all fully intent on maintaining the lie. Most people don’t reach OT Level III, but those who do to whom the Galactic dictator Lord Xenu’s tale from 75,000,000 years ago is revealed, are hardly phased to think it’s fiction.
Scientology’s advanced Operating Thetan (OT) levels are shrouded in secrecy, yet they command a high price, often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. These levels promise extraordinary abilities, but no evidence of such superhuman powers has surfaced despite the substantial investments made by members. Some have dedicated fifteen to twenty years pursuing these upper levels.
The most closely guarded secret lies within OT 3, known as the Wall of Fire, where Hubbard’s “secrets of the universe” are supposedly revealed. This level explains the limitations of human abilities and offers a solution. The root cause of suffering and insanity, according to Hubbard, is linked to the OT 3 incident – the “Fourth Dynamic Engram.” This concept is fundamental to Scientology’s belief system.
Scientology’s alien cosmology remains confidential, and members are gradually exposed to it through a series of costly steps. Premature knowledge of this cosmology is portrayed as potentially life-threatening, with warnings of pneumonia and even death. The financial incentive for this gradual disclosure is evident, as it ensures a continuous flow of revenue from members seeking to unlock these hidden teachings.
Chris Shelton reveals one of the reasons for this mindset in another Quora post, “What is the deal with Xenu in Scientology?” His full summary of the Xenu story is worth checking out … but here is the relevant quote:
Xenu is one part of the back story of OT Level 3, known in the Church as the “Wall of Fire.” This level was “discovered” and released by Hubbard in late 1967. Hubbard claimed the information he had discovered was so powerful and of such momentous importance that it was carefully booby trapped in our minds so that if anyone were to learn of its secrets before they were spiritually prepared, they would literally die.
Let’s bring this Galactic Overlord into the 21st Century … Xenu, meet your Artificial Intelligence Interviewer
We had a conversation with Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT about L. Ron Hubbard and the stories he created for his so-called religion … you be the judge.
AI’s ability to quickly and accurately generate written content is pretty amazing. It can take mere seconds to write a reasonable college course syllabus, generate class assignments, and even lecture notes with remarkable accuracy.
Although there are obvious flaws in this “electronic inquiry,” the result of asking Google’s Gemini AI and ChatGPT to answer some questions about L. Ron Hubbard’s Xenu story is fascinating and enjoyable.
Q: Write a complete paraphrase of the Scientology story about Xenu.
A:In Scientology’s secretive teachings, there’s a tale of an alien overlord named Xenu who ruled a galactic confederation 75 million years ago. He faced overpopulation on his planets, so he devised a brutal solution.
Xenu rounded up billions of his people, brought them to Earth (then called Teegeeack), and stacked them around volcanoes. Then, he detonated hydrogen bombs, killing them all.
Their spirits, called thetans in Scientology, were captured and implanted with false ideas about life, existence, and God. These confused thetans were then dispersed across the planet.
Scientologists believe that these traumatized thetans still cling to humans today, causing spiritual harm and various life problems. The goal of Scientology auditing is to help individuals identify and remove these thetans, achieving a state of spiritual clarity and freedom known as “Clear.”
It’s important to note that this story is part of Scientology’s advanced teachings and is not usually shared with new members. The Church of Scientology considers it a confidential doctrine.
Q: Is it possible that L. Ron Hubbard, the creator of Scientology, made up the story of Xenu purely from his experience of being a science fiction writer?
A: It’s quite possible that L. Ron Hubbard drew inspiration from his background as a science fiction writer when creating the story of Xenu. His prior experience with crafting imaginative narratives and exploring extraterrestrial themes could have easily influenced the development of this central Scientology myth.
Several factors support this idea:
Thematic similarities: The Xenu story shares elements with science fiction tropes such as galactic empires, alien overlords, advanced technology, and interplanetary conflict. Hubbard’s writing style: Some scholars have noted that the style and language used to describe the Xenu story resemble Hubbard’s science fiction writing. Lack of evidence: There is no independent evidence to support the events described in the Xenu story. It relies entirely on Hubbard’s claims and the internal teachings of Scientology.
Additionally, there is no historical or archaeological evidence to support the claim that Xenu brought beings from different planets to Earth, froze them in volcanoes, and implanted them with false beliefs and negative emotions. This story is not supported by any mainstream scientific, historical, or archaeological research, and is not recognized as a valid explanation for the origin of humanity or the state of the human mind by any reputable academic institution.
While some believers in Scientology may accept the story of Xenu as true based on their faith in L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings, there is no objective evidence to support its validity. The story of Xenu remains a controversial and unproven aspect of Scientology doctrine, and is widely considered by critics to be a fictional creation designed to manipulate and control its followers.
Q: Is it rational and logical by every standard of factual data, information, and evidence to believe that L. Ron Hubbard created Scientology for any reason other than profit, influence, or other personal gains?
A: Given the available evidence and information, it is reasonable to question whether L. Ron Hubbard’s motivations for creating Scientology were solely altruistic. Several factors contribute to this skepticism:
Financial Gain: Scientology has a complex and costly system of courses, auditing sessions, and materials that members must purchase to progress within the organization. This generates substantial revenue for the Church of Scientology.
Power and Control: Hubbard established a hierarchical structure within Scientology, with himself at the top, granting him significant power and control over members’ lives and beliefs.
Hubbard’s Statements: Some of Hubbard’s own statements, such as his infamous quote about starting a religion to make money, raise doubts about his pure intentions.
Lack of Empirical Evidence: Scientology’s claims about the effectiveness of its practices and the existence of thetans lack scientific evidence and are not supported by mainstream psychological or psychiatric research.
Controversial Practices: Scientology has been accused of various unethical practices, including harassment of critics, disconnection from family members who leave the organization, and abusive treatment of members.
While it is possible that Hubbard may have had other, more altruistic motivations for creating Scientology, the available evidence suggests that his primary goal was to establish a new religious organization that would serve his own interests and desires.
Q: What is the most logical conclusion based on comparing L. Ron Hubbard to some of the charlatans of history that his writings are purely fiction like most of his previous science fiction works?
A: While it is difficult to definitively conclude whether or not L. Ron Hubbard’s writings are purely fiction, there are some similarities between his approach to creating and promoting Scientology and the tactics used by other historical charlatans.
Many charlatans throughout history have used deception, manipulation, and emotional manipulation to attract followers and establish their own power and influence. They often create elaborate and fantastical stories or belief systems that are not supported by any empirical evidence or objective facts, but that are designed to appeal to people’s emotions and desires.
Hubbard’s creation and promotion of Scientology shares some similarities with these tactics, as he created a complex belief system that was not based on any objective facts or empirical evidence, but that was designed to appeal to people’s desire for spiritual fulfillment and personal growth. He also used persuasive speaking and charismatic leadership to inspire loyalty and devotion among his followers.
Based on these similarities, it is reasonable to conclude that there may be some elements of fiction or deception in Hubbard’s writings and teachings. However, it is important to note that the true nature and intent of Hubbard’s writings may never be definitively proven, and that the debate over the validity of Scientology and its teachings is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Ex-Scientologist Aaron Smith-Levin explains Xenu to Lex Fridman…
Tony Ortega, an American journalist and editor who is best known for his coverage of the Church of Scientology and his blog The Underground Bunker provides much more focus on why the discovery of Xenu has such little negative impact on Scientologists who reach OT III. Here are excerpts from a piece he wrote while at The Village Voice in 2012, Why Do Scientologists Accept the Xenu Story?
I asked an AI image generator to create this Xenu headshot.
Why don’t Scientologists, when they’ve been in the organization long enough to reach the legendary material in “Operating Thetan Level Three” — the stuff about Xenu the galactic overlord which made for a great 2005 episode of South Park — bust out laughing and walk away?
When I’ve been asked that question, I had a ready answer that I’d put together after talking to many ex-Scientologists who told me their own experiences.
But now, I realize that the answer I was giving was wrong. The reason why Scientologists accept the story about Xenu and disembodied alien beings infesting this Earth is actually much simpler, and much more mindblowing, than I ever realized.
The reason Scientologists accept Hubbard’s bizarre story about Xenu is that by the time they reach OT 3, they have been “remembering” their own outlandish space opera “whole track” stories during auditing, perhaps for several years.
Why question Hubbard’s tale about mass alien genocide 75 million years ago, when you’ve been “seeing” yourself as some kind of Buck Rogers fighting enemies and bedding beauties from one end of the galaxy to the other?
I’ll conclude this post by offering the story of Xenu in L. Ron Hubbard’s own voice. But be warned … you will never get the following 4 minutes back from the “Time Track” of your mortal existence.
