As relatively normal, well-adjusted types, we often wonder why a rational, sane person (and his open wallet) would fall into Scientology. It’s also hard for understand how the cult has such a foothold when all of the crazy Xenu shit is so readily available to us online. This wasn’t always the case, and, even today, Scientologists often have limited (if any) access to the internet. On a more general level of explanation, I found a well-worded explanation at the WhyWeProtest.net forums:
When a person gets into Scientology, they do not get introduced to all the crazy stuff immediately. At the beginning, it is presented as a reasonable-sounding self-help kind of thing. It is presented as the answer to all of life’s problems.
The bizarre concepts are only introduced when people are deeper in Scientology, after investing many years of their life and thousands of dollars. By the time this occurs, a variety of psychological and social control measures are already in place to make sure people stay in the cult. It almost becomes easier to accept the crazy stories about Xenu and body thetans, or OTs with superpowers, than it would be to defy the Scientology officials and question LRH’s writings.
See also this how-to video on starting one’s very own mind control cult. Next page, natch:
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It exploits the worst parts of human nature as well, meaning the desire to be “in on a secret”, as tantalizing little hints are thrown at you couched in language that makes you go “I always figured it was something like that”, followed be stuff like “maybe I shouldn’t be saying that to you, you may not be ready”. It exploits naivete, there is no doubt; but more malicious than that it also exploits good intentions. That’s what makes exes so persistent. Fool me once – shame on you. Fool me twice – shame on me. Fool me thrice – go die in a fire.
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