Scientology and Me

Scientology and Me

8.62
12345678910
Ratings: 8.62/10 from 86 users.

Scientology And MeScientology and Me was a television documentary broadcast 14 May 2007 as part of the BBC's Panorama series. Reporter John Sweeney visited the United States to investigate whether the Church of Scientology was becoming more mainstream.

The programme gained particular controversy before and during filming due to unresolved differences on content and approach between Sweeney's production team and Scientology members, who did not want detractors or perceived enemies of the church to be interviewed or included in the documentary.

John Sweeney investigates the Church of Scientology, endorsed by some major Hollywood celebrities, but which continues to face the criticism that it is less of a religion and more of a cult.

Some former members claim the Church uses a mind control technique to put opponents at a psychological disadvantage. During the course of his investigation, Sweeney is shouted at, spied on, visited in his hotel at midnight and chased around the streets of LA by strangers in hire cars.

More great documentaries

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

84 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Erik JC
Erik JC
5 years ago

Scientology is Satanism

Myathewolfeh
Myathewolfeh
8 years ago

This "religion" has a more sinister pyramid scheme than any company I've ever heard about. The whole thing's like one big soliciting/advertising campaign. Their only ideology revolves around how to get the most money from their members. They should change their name to $cientology. I also like how all the reporter has to do is stand back and wait for the members he is interviewing to make themselves look completely batshit crazy. XD

ennasus
ennasus
9 years ago

Anyone controlling another is wrong and abusive!

ennasus
ennasus
9 years ago

The question is DO they leave people free?

Erin
Erin
10 years ago

The XENU DOGMA IS told to those in OT III as verified by ex-CO$ members! I SO respect Mr. Sweeney for putting up with Tommy Davis' abuse. Tommy now is blown as well??? He's in Texas working as a managing director at a branch of Colony Capital!!! His wife, Jessica Feshbach, is now a realtor! What did they do to get on DAVID MISCAVIGE's bad side? It also amuses me that as spokespeople for CO$, Tommy & Jessica were the best at public speaking, which is such a 'discipline' for CO$! Most what you hear & read online are from those who even after spent thousands of $$ on 'courses' on communication...CAN'T!

Bridgette Coleman
Bridgette Coleman
11 years ago

I would just like to point out, that when he's talking at 5:40 (part 3) regarding the inter-galatic warlord. That isn't true, Hubbard wrote Science fiction novels and dedicated some of his work to the church of Scientology. As an individual who is fascinated by religion, this reporter has totally discredited himself by presenting such a biased view.

Lydia Glassman
Lydia Glassman
11 years ago

this made me giggle.

lol_what_am_i_saying
lol_what_am_i_saying
11 years ago

interesting. sure they r a cult and have a huge screw loose, but ppl r just extremely insicure, afraid of being left out, addicts to some sort of safety net and will blindly accept anything that gives them closure.
I find it interesting how this couple who lost their family to the church, seems to blame the church for the imprisoning of the rest of their family.
no one in their right state of mind signs up for scientoligy in the first place. what's wrong with the human race

Warren
Warren
12 years ago

This is brilliant....no doubt a cult!

DaveJay
DaveJay
12 years ago

Pre-suppositions are important in any belief. It is they whch allow the belief to continue. Space men!!!!! Enough said. And that scientoligist guy D is a s***!

Justin_Funski
Justin_Funski
12 years ago

Scientology is not just a cult but the King of Cults. Being a "religion" is important to them only for tax breaks. It's all about the money and how much they can get out of any individual.

Vic Demise
Vic Demise
12 years ago

I find it funny that the reporter only starts yelling after being interrupted repeatedly by a man who himself was yelling and refuses to actually converse like a same human.

Myra McQueen
Myra McQueen
12 years ago

L. Ron Hubbard was able to brainwash even future generations into thinking they could cure their problems by going back into some past life, and there is no proof there ever was a past life, and how would any human know how to find it, if there was? But it made $millions for this dead guru while he lived. Unfortunately, he had to leave it for other merchandizers who are just as mercenary.

Will Willy Dyer
Will Willy Dyer
12 years ago

wow...... enough said

mark1667
mark1667
12 years ago

Juliette Lewis!? Say it isn't so!

J F
J F
12 years ago

You can't get more incriminating evidence than top level Scientologists on camera stalking and harassing a journalist. Not to mention the money one pays to the organization, the reliance on the cult of celebrity, the targeting of desperate people like addicts and criminals, the disengagement of followers from family when they leave the "church", the huge propaganda machine, the smearing and defamation of dissenters of the organization, etc. This is a very interesting snapshot of how this organization works.

maryland71
maryland71
12 years ago

TKO down goes the tom cruise wannabe

mmhmm
mmhmm
12 years ago

Scientology: More dangerous than any cult "aka "religion" that has come before it. The evils of scientology make all the evils "in the name of religion" of the past look like childs play.
This is dangerous stuff...
Very, very dangerous.

Liken l ron hubbard to the likes of hitler.

BABS2U
BABS2U
12 years ago

ALL RELIGIONS, BY IT'S VERY DEFINITION, WORSHIP A CREATOR GOD OR GODS. CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN THE GOD OF SCIENTOLOGY TO ME? JUST WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE IN AND DO THEY EVEN HAVE A RELIGIOUSLY BASED DOCTRINE?

WHEN ANYONE USES ANY FORM OF MIND CONTROL, LIE DETECTORS OR METERS TO REGISTER THOUGHT PATTERNS TO ALTER ANOTHER HUMAN BEING'S RIGHT TO FREE WILL OR USES HYPNOSIS OR MESMERIZES THE SIMPLE MINDED WOULD BY EVERY DEFINITION DEFINITELY BE CONSIDERED A CULT. WHY DO SCIENTOLOGIST SO VEHEMENTLY REJECT BEING CALLED A CULT, EXCEPT THEY MIGHT LOOSE THEIR TAX RIGHT OFF IF THEY DIDN'T INSIST ON BEING CALLED A RELIGION.

WHAT I FOUND SO APPALLING WAS POOR SWEET KIRSTIE ALLY, SELLS HER HOME IN CALIFORNIA FOR AROUND 6 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS, BUYS LISA PRESLEY'S HOUSE IN FLORIDA FOR AROUND 1 1/2 MILLION SO SHE CAN BE CLOSE TO THE SCIENTOLOGY HEADQUARTERS AND THEN GIVES THE 5 MILLION DOLLARS PROFIT TO SCIENTOLOGY.

I HAVE HEARD MANY STORIES OVER THE YEARS ABOUT SCIENTOLOGY'S FOLLOWERS GIVING THEIR LIFE SAVINGS TO THEIR SO CALLED CHURCH AND THEN IF THEY SHOULD DECIDED TO LEAVE, THE CHURCH LETS THEM GO EMPTY HANDED AND EVEN DETACHES THEM FROM THEIR CHILDREN IF THEY CAN. NO GOD LOVING CHURCH WOULD EVER DO THAT! GOOD CHURCHES PROVIDES FOR IT'S HOMELESS AND TRIES TO UNITE FAMILIES, NOT SEPARATE THEM.

BACK IN THE 70'S, SHORTLY AFTER L. RON HUBBARD'S BOOK CAME OUT, I READ IT AND I SURE DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WORTHY OF WORSHIP IN IT AND NEITHER DID MY FRIEND WHO GAVE ME THE BOOK. ALL I CAN SAY, IS THAT I FEEL SORRY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SO SIMPLE MINDED OR THEIR LIVES ARE SO VOID OF LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE THAT THEY WOULD TURN THEIR LIVES OVER TO SCIENTOLOGY.

Zubrils Slirbuz
Zubrils Slirbuz
12 years ago

I'm afraid to make any comments that might be negative towards.. you know what and why..

Paul
Paul
13 years ago

it seems that the video is not working. Anyone else having the same problem?

John J
John J
13 years ago

Helping one's self... Note:

Quit the T.V., ignore the media, read books, wright down your thoughts and ideas, and know that, in this infinite universe we are such a tiny miniscule piece of the puzzle. Too much time and energy is wasted on hate and war, worrying about everything except what's really important ...YOU. Live and let live and get on with a personal movement of growth. YES

John J
John J
13 years ago

Reporter did a lousy job, he mumbled his responses and didn't seem too prepared on how to fight back when your wits leave you, therefore leaving himself open for the offensive spew of Mr. Davis. In my opinion the report alone reveals the facts about a group of people, with whom themselves need nothing but a beleif that they can turn their lives around without the help of any one "religion".

It's all in how we treat ourselves. We as individuals have the amazing mind power to create the life we want to live. The more daily re-conditioning we do on our own, the more we are able to see more clearly the positive place we all need to be. No one said it was easy, and does anyone really have the answer? But as we are alone with are thoughts, we are the only ones to control those thoughts, good or bad.

bornin62honest
bornin62honest
13 years ago

grammer foul y,knew???

bornin62honest
bornin62honest
13 years ago

Vlatko-I love your site!

The story goes that L. Ron Hubbard was talking to a group of sci-fi authors when a man named de Camp challenged him by saying that if he wished to be really famous, he should write a religion. The group laughed, and a few years later, we have a new religion.

There is a clip on youtube that tell this story. It features Harlan Ellison, I believe.

Co-exist rationaly, brethren.

Galloway Grumblefield
Galloway Grumblefield
13 years ago

@the loler,

I agree 100% with your evaluation of this doc. That is why I say Sweeney did a good job reporting, he mostly stood back and let the Scientologists put their feet in their mouths. Nobody made them act nutsoid, they did that on their own. I think people sometimes have the wrong idea of what a journalist's obligation is. Being "fair" doesn't mean massaging the subject to give the best impression. You ask questions, then you step back and let the subject do whatever it is they do, and you report it.

the loler
the loler
13 years ago

lol, if this doc wasnt 'balanced', ie showing as much positive parts of scientology as negative, thats because they stalked the man around town, engaged in amazingly confrontational behaviour and forbid the guy showing any of the interviews with the scientologists themselves. Sweeney showed you what he came across, a bunch of very disturbed individuals. The problem is they knew he would give a balanced report, and they couldnt deal with having any negative points shown so they decided to try and derail the entire show.

I recon Scientology is like North Korea, the whole Jonestown affair etc, social experiments.

Galloway Grumblefield
Galloway Grumblefield
13 years ago

@ caduceus merc,

I see the scientologists don't allow the same level of commenting on their guerrilla web site productions (BBC Panorama Exposed) as YouTube, TopDocumentaryFilms, or even the BBC. I suppose if they did, we would only see flattering comments about them. I guess Tom "the Freak" Davis's behavior must be acceptable to them, because the web site makes no mention of his stalking behavior.

Spock
Spock
13 years ago

Sweeney did a great job. He succeeded because, in his own words, he found the crocodile, he poked it in the eye with a stick, and then he stood back and let us observe what happens next.

Caduceus Mercurius
Caduceus Mercurius
13 years ago

LOL, I would love to see this encounter as recorded and edited by the Scientology crew. :)

mia
mia
13 years ago

this is a crazy religion sooooo glad i'm not part of it...

Galloway Grumblefield
Galloway Grumblefield
13 years ago

Great journalism, John Sweeney! That Tom Davis is a f****** FREAK! What a creepy organization. Brrrrr....

The Dude
The Dude
13 years ago

@ Susan.... You won't get a fair report because the "COS" will not allow reporting to be done that does not conform to exactly what they say. The only way to see what its really like is to go get yourself audited with what appears to be an ohm meter. Let me know how that works out for you. Or better yet, please don't. lol

The Dude
The Dude
13 years ago

Alex is a Scientologist, you can tell by his post. Xenu is proud of you young padawan.

Hobgoblin
Hobgoblin
13 years ago

good work Tommy Davis - that BBC reporter is an evil prick who had NO OBJECTIVITY. People with a clean soul will see that. People with a dirty soul with side with the BBC prick. Totally biased and one sided journalism designed to aggrivate the people. But that is journalism. Since when has it been anything else or ever meant to be anything else? No scandal = no story. No scandal? Make one up. Thanks BBC. Go kill yourselves and do the world a favour.

no one
no one
13 years ago

good way to counter a cylon when they babble is to pull out an A.E. Van Vogt book, as he is a much better sciencefiction writer then hubbard and scientology tried to ruin him, just to show their incompetence.

Little Tommy Cruise
Little Tommy Cruise
13 years ago

I and my fellow alie...uh..."actors" will be monitoring your comments closely. Any derogatory comments toward our cul...uh..."religion" will be delt with severely. You have been warned Earthlings.

Tim Osman
Tim Osman
13 years ago

All religions gotta start somewhere.

rink-a-fink
rink-a-fink
13 years ago

By the way, the advert on this website for 'a drug free world' is from scientologists!

Kurrrt
Kurrrt
13 years ago

I support the separation of Church and hate. Chris Angel has miracles also, is he going in the next bible? Nope. Most likely not. Neither are the Thomas Papers, or the Dead Sea Scrolls. I'm into Humanology, nothing else comes close- next to creation. The simple free of religious life means erase all the clutter out of all humanity. Help each other forgive Christian hatred that Gods evil applied into humanity.

Ien Carlson
Ien Carlson
13 years ago

Christianity is also a cult, but most people don't like to criticize it because they are already in it. Granted, Christianity is a milder form of cult, but it is far more widespread and thus more damaging as a whole. Like Scientology, it is based on fictional, supernatural beliefs, needs your money to keep going, and makes a lot of unfulfilled promises like "miracle cancer healings". I would like to see more documentaries where Christians are harassed and chased all over the country to prove they are a cult. Until then, I guess I'll have to settle for this documentary.

Lola Hernandes
Lola Hernandes
13 years ago

That dude that's argueing with him looks just like a Tom Cruise knock off. I wonder if thats the dude Tom gives penial massages to? Just my thoughts.

Lola Hernandes
Lola Hernandes
13 years ago

Hey I've got an idea,someone should lock up in room Osama and this Tommy guy,let them work on each other's ideologies and see who comes out swinging...LOL

Lola Hernandes
Lola Hernandes
13 years ago

Who gives a damn about actors...we should be really worried when high positioned politicians will start joining this cracked up cult.

Rocketman
Rocketman
13 years ago

All religions are cults, the Roman Catholic Church, broad based Christianity, Islam, Scientology, whatever - they are all cults and designed by man to control the world population.

As for the actual documentary content, I found it a very one sided affair and if John Sweeney thinks he exposed Scientology he is actually mistaken. He exposed himself instead as a very average journalist.

And yes, Scientology's anti drug program Narcanon is officially recognized by the US military as the one option for drug abuse treatment with the highest / best result of all programs available.

So, if you want to start finding fault with religions go ahead - they are all the same, full of crap.

I'll rather go and hug trees than selling my soul to any religion.

Rob Jones
Rob Jones
13 years ago

Scientology is a cult. The fact that cults can make people believe it is helping them in life is not a legitimate claim to be considered a religion, as most cults, including Charles Manson's "Family" cult of the early 70's, also had their true believers, even believing the acts of murder are in their best interest.

Most Americans, if they knew what Scientology is doing, would demand they be shut down and prevented from operating in the United States. The "Freedom of Religion" legal argument is not a legitimate argument and is patently frivolous on its face. Polygamysts are not permitted to have multiple wives, even though it was, at one time, a tennant of their "religion". People who belong to religions who practice human sacrifice would also be permitted if one had the "Freedom of Religion" legal argument to hand out. Scientology is more of a cult than it is a religion. What you saw in the video is nothing more the psychological warfare perpetrated by the cult members on the BBC crew.

Scientology is a cult. Al Capone started a soup kitchen in Chicago during the great depression. It fed hundreds if not thousands of people. It did not change the fact that Al Capone was a gangster, mob Boss, and Underworld Crime Lord.

Scientology is cult.

James Hunt
James Hunt
13 years ago

I'm gona start a cult called the church of panorama, or is it paranoid.Sorry I have to go I think somebody is watching me.

P.S I hope Travolta don't have Sandy locked up in there, I ain't seen her in a long long time. lol what a bunch of nutters

Noxxie
Noxxie
13 years ago

You know what? I would have expected this to come from something like Star Wars or Star Trek since they are more popular and since you can actually change your religion to "Jedi"

Noxxie
Noxxie
13 years ago

WoW that was disturbing.
There is such thing as freedom of religion but that there IS a CULT!!! /Shock

Scientologists are retards, like Lawyers and politician's they deserve to be treated like the dirt they are.

1 point lost in humanity.

Some Guy
Some Guy
14 years ago

Well that just clarified what i already thought of Scientology, to an extreme level. Those people are insane!