Dangerous Cult Leaders

According to Indie Scientologists, David Miscavige is the one who has “ruined” the religion, driving it far from what Hubbard intended. They believe that the tech created by LRH is still viable, workable and good, but they disagree with the direction in which Miscavige is leading Scientology.

For these Indie Scientologists there is a clear difference between Hubbard and Miscavige; the Founder being someone worth following while the current COB is out of control.

The problem with this line of thinking is that it is yet one more example of blind loyalty by conditioned cult members who have still not managed to break the chains of manipulated mind control.

As hypocritical as Edward Parkin claiming support for the Jewish Community while his cult is awarding members of the NOI, so too the idea that Hubbard was someone worth respecting.

Both Hubbard and Miscavige, like multiple other cult leaders, share many of the same psychological traits that ultimately make them dangerous.

In an August 2012 article by FBI veteran Joe Navarro for Psychology Today he describes the personality characteristics shared by cult leaders including but not limited to David Koresh, Jim Jones, Warren Jeffs and Charles Manson.

“They all have or had an over-abundant belief that they were special, that they and they alone had the answers to problems, and that they had to be revered. They demanded perfect loyalty from followers, they overvalued themselves and devalued those around them, they were intolerant of criticism, and above all they did not like being questioned or challenged. “

Certainly, all these things can be attributed to both Hubbard and Miscavige in equal measure.

Every grandiose lie told by Hubbard as he created a fictional life filled with action, adventure and wild tales of daring-do was to highlight how incredibly superior he was compared to the mere mortals surrounding him. This belief that he knew better than everyone else led to problems during his military career, with his superiors firmly stating that Hubbard could not follow orders and needed supervision.

Once aboard his flagship Apollo he was completely autonomous and beyond control and it was there that the other behaviors became more apparent.

In the same way Miscavige has no one to speak against him or question his actions.

Both men have clear examples of violent behavior, of demanding perfect loyalty and of intolerance of criticism.

Hubbard had his victims consigned to a filthy, dangerous chain locker while Miscavige has The Hole.

In his excellent book Dangerous Personalities Navarro lists particular traits of pathological cult leaders warning “If you know of a cult leader who has many of these traits there is a high probability that they are hurting those around them emotionally, psychologically, physically, spiritually, or financially. And of course this does not take into account the hurt that their loved ones will also experience.”

The entire list can be seen in the article but some of the notable behaviors include:

“He has a grandiose idea of who he is and what he can achieve.

Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or brilliance.

Demands blind, unquestioned obedience.

Requires excessive admiration from followers and outsiders.

Has a sense of entitlement—expecting to be treated as special at all times.

Is exploitative of others by asking for their money or that of relatives, putting others at financial risk.

Is arrogant and haughty in his behavior or attitude.

Has an exaggerated sense of power (entitlement) that allows him to bend rules and break laws.

Publicly devalues others as being inferior, incapable, or not worthy.

Makes members confess their sins or faults, publicly subjecting them to ridicule or humiliation while revealing exploitable weaknesses of the penitent.

Has ignored the needs of others, including: biological, physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Is frequently boastful of accomplishments.

Has insisted on always having the best of anything (house, car, jewelry, clothes) even when others are relegated to lesser facilities, amenities, or clothing”.

(Another excellent article by Navarro can be found here.)

L. Ron Hubbard was more overt in his grandiose ideas about himself, but Miscavige is no less guilty. All one need do is listen to his over the top speeches given at Scientology events as he announces the monumental and epic achievements COS has attained under his leadership to experience this.

Scientology is a dangerous, abusive cult created by a dangerous, abusive man.  Its current leader is no less pathological and narcissistic, the only real difference is that Hubbard was better at manipulating his followers into loyalty.

Miscavige beats it into them.

As for the claim that there is anything positive or helpful about the tech created by LRH; this too is a sadly flawed assertion.

Scientology uses a subtle, slow progression to draw their members in, the beginning is designed to produce what the victim believes are gains and positive changes. This creates the positive reinforcement needed to induce one to move forward into the chaos.

Auditing, training routines, rundowns and all the other nonsense that makes up Scientology tech are, in reality, nothing more than tools created by Hubbard to induce compliance, obedience and continuation in his money mill.

Nothing that hinders free thinking, individuality or the ability to question and challenge is a healthy or positive gain. Ultimately this is the desired outcome of Scientology’s therapies; blind, unquestioning loyalty. The same behaviors Hubbard always demanded from all those in his sphere of control.

Sadly, for those still grasping Dianetics and Scientology tech it is ultimately still a trap. There is no freedom in mind control, no health in repression of emotion or numbing one to trauma. Hubbard himself stated that casting Scientology in the guise of a religion was purely a financial decision, this does not lend credibility to the vaunted claims of his virtuous altruism.

David Miscavige and L. Ron Hubbard are two men from the same mold. Both have the same ultimate goals, and both practice the same toxic, twisted narcissism.

With or without their leadership, the tech is what created them even as they create and recreate the tech. Choosing to continue the Scientological legacy even away from Miscavige’s current leadership, is simply choosing the lesser of two evils and in the end it is still a cult.

Why bring this issue up at all?

Because for Never Ins it is always important to understand that Scientology is an invasive weed with vines of toxicity and darkness running in many directions. There is no form of this cult that is OK.

The multiple subgroups, the so-called humanitarian organizations like the Volunteer Ministers and Criminon, schools, businesses and yes, even the Indie sector are all branches from the same poisonous tree. All need to be exposed for what they are rather than what the members want them to be.

Joe Navarro said it well in Dangerous  Personalities, “Poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox presciently warned us ‘to sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men.’ Those who can victimize you are out there, and they are counting on most people to remain quiet, to look the other way, to remain indifferent. We have a solemn responsibility as citizens to protect ourselves and each other from dangerous personalities…”

We need to speak out.

We need to fight.