Freeloaders: Extortion money

Tuesday, 24 August 2010 17:59

As already pointed out in earlier articles, by others and myself, Church management has recently resorted to a new tactic of “reducing” the “freeloader” bills of former SO members in an effort to coerce them back into the fold. But it is presented to people as a “special” favor to them “to help get them back on the Bridge.” While this appears to be a great gesture, I wish to point out that it is an alteration of Scientology policy and categorically is squirreling and criminal as well.

The truth is that 99% of the people who are labeled freeloaders of Scientology, are not and never were. The practice of labeling ANYONE who leaves the Sea Org as a freeloader is not only an abusive and suppressive system in vogue, but is a criminal means of extorting people to pay the church money in order for them to “be in good standing” or “to get back on the Bridge”. Considering that most people who leave staff still wish to progress with their Scientology auditing and training, then it is easy for the Church to extort “freeloader” payments from them first.

These policy excerpts below are what L. Ron Hubbard says, and if you read these, without any tainted views or “this is the way it’s always been,” you will be able to draw these conclusions, or should be able to:

1.    Freeloaders are clearly people who came on staff for a SHORT time period, got trained and then left. In other words, they freeloaded on the organization, which by definition is: “to impose upon another's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility involved.” – Webster’s dictionary “One who depends on another for support without reciprocating: syn: bloodsucker, hanger-on, leech, parasite, sponge” – ANSWERS.COM

2.    LRH never said nor did he even hint at that Sea Org members who gave years of their lives to Scientology would even vaguely classify as freeloaders if they left the SO. Obviously, if someone gives years of their lives they are not freeloading – not by any stretch of the imagination.

The great myth, or false datum which has been palmed-off on Scientologists and Sea Org members is that they are freeloaders if they leave the Sea Org, but the label is both false and suppressive because active contributing SO members could never be classified as such by the very definitions given by LRH in the policy excerpts below or as defined by other authorities above.

When one considers the THOUSANDS of people who have left the Sea Org after 5, 10, 15 or 20 or more years, who have been falsely labeled as freeloaders and extorted to pay the Church before they can be regarded as in good standing again and eligible for services, one can see that it is a criminal activity. Imagine, you volunteer your services to any other church and one day you decide to leave and they tell you that you must pay them money before you can resume membership. Hello?

The practice is called EXTORTION, a crime, and it is defined as:

1.    To obtain from another by coercion or intimidation. – ONLINE Dictionary

2. Most states define extortion as the gaining of property or money by almost any kind of force, or threat of 1) violence, 2) property damage, 3) harm to reputation, or 4) unfavorable government action. While usually viewed as a form of theft/larceny, extortion differs from robbery in that the threat in question does not pose an imminent physical danger to the victim. FINDLAW.COM

It is my recommendation that we Keep Scientology Working and not agree to the practice any longer. The policies below were written for 1% of those that in fact do come in to freeload, and that’s where they apply.

KSW means just that, KEEP Scientology Working, and as unsocial or unpopular as it may be to make a stand against this abuse, it must be done. If no one stands up to the neighborhood bully then he gets away with it. So stand up for your rights and other’s rights!

HCO PL 19 June 1958 FREELOADERS

“If a staff member does leave a TECHNICAL POST WITHOUT GOOD AND SUFFICIENT REASON in the first year of his employment, he is charged $1,000.00 for his training, providing he has not been dismissed.”

“The reason for this directive is the fact that the organization in Washington and London has been occasionally victimized by persons giving their services to the organization for the sole purpose of acquiring training. The expense of this training is such as to make these services useful only after a few months have been spent on staff.”

HCO PL 2 Dec 69R FREELOADERS

“An SO mission to orgs in the US recently uncovered undermanned orgs as a reason for low stats.

“According to this mission many people had joined staffs, signed contracts, gotten free services and then went off staff. This is nice work if one can get it. It leaves the good guys burdened with tech delivery with no proper income.

“Such contract breakers are to be designated FREELOADERS.”

Written by OUTSIDE THE BOX