Video: BBC reporter loses it in Scientology’s exhibit on psychiatry
posted at 8:36 am on May 14, 2007 by Allahpundit
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A funny clip in a serious context. The reporter is John Sweeney, whose expose about the church, “Scientology and Me,” debuts tonight on the BBC. He claims he was followed by at least 13 people while in Los Angeles to investigate the church and that the harassment kept up afterwards:
While making our BBC Panorama film “Scientology and Me” I have been shouted at, spied on, had my hotel invaded at midnight, denounced as a “bigot” by star Scientologists, brain-washed – that is how it felt to me – in a mock up of a Nazi-style torture chamber and chased round the streets of Los Angeles by sinister strangers.
Back in Britain strangers have called on my neighbours, my mother-in-law’s house and someone spied on my wedding and fled the moment he was challenged.
The meltdown, according to Sweeney, came after he’d already spent a week being “goaded” by CoS honcho Tommy Davis, while the two were touring the “mind control” section of the group’s “Psychiatry: Industry of Death” exhibit in L.A. Says Sweeney, oh so embarrasingly, “I felt as though I was being brain-washed – and that if I did not fight it, they would have taken over my mind.”
My favorite part is where he lowers his voice to say, “Do you understand now?” — and then jumps right back into craziness.
Update: One more clip, this one from the Beeb itself. It includes the comments from Davis that precipitated Sweeney’s outburst, followed by another interesting clip a minute or so later.
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Scientology is a freaky pseudo-religion; exposes on the subject are probably a good thing, but making the scientologists appear level-headed or reasonable by way of contrast is, conversely, a bad thing.
morganfrost on May 14, 2007 at 8:47 AM
They had a “Dianetics” kiosk at the local mall for a while.
It’s now been replaced by “Perusso”-a company that sells edgy Christian t-shirts and pins.
Heh.
annoyinglittletwerp on May 14, 2007 at 8:57 AM
They were once at a mall here in VA, I wanted to go take their e-meter test and screw with them but my wife wouldn’t let me.
I think they’re a criminal organization personally. Their use of strong arm intimidation tactics on people is on par with the mafia…although I guess CoS hasn’t killed anyone.
bentman78 on May 14, 2007 at 9:10 AM
That Scientologist guy on the tape is a creepy little wanker, isn’t he.I got waylaid but this crowd in Sweden, I was a 20 year old American and they wanted to do a “personality test” . I went with them and started taking the test but within 2 minutes, ran out the back down. Not til then did I figure out it was Scientology.
What cracks me up is that Scientology had a “Celebrity Center”. If a Christian Church set itself up as a celebrity center,it would recieve no end of grief from other churches..what with God being no respecter of persons and all.
debi118 on May 14, 2007 at 9:39 AM
If Scientology is a real religion, then I’m a reform Jedi.
stonemeister on May 14, 2007 at 9:45 AM
Okay, first, I am so scared…not. Second, this guy looks like a wanna be Tom Cruise. They’re pod people! Good Lord. It’s hard for me to imagine people actually buying into this. Somewhere, L. Ron has to be having the last laugh.
Glynn on May 14, 2007 at 9:57 AM
What do you expect from a bunch of brain dead fools who have turned a child molesting Sci-Fi writer into a god! To top it off Hubbard told another Sci-Fi writer that he made this Scientology crap to see how many jack asses he could pull with out a rope…Well it looks like he is pulling very many, and doing in from the grave!
Confederate on May 14, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Back in the day I had some business dealings with these people at their Clearwater, Fl. Headquarters.
At that time it was fairly obvious that the rank and file were a mix of societal outcasts and losers who were being manipulated by a cadre of elitists. These Scientology Leaders were taking advantage of both their followers and the tax exempt status afforded to “religions” to make a potful of money.
They now own most of the real estate in downtown Clearwater.
there it is on May 14, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Here is what Scientologists actually believe.
Several thousand dollars will buy you the same information from them.
Valiant on May 14, 2007 at 10:06 AM
“Tommy” is creepy. These guys remind me of the “Others” on “Lost.”
Where’s Locke when you need him!
Malpaso on May 14, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Well it looks like he may be dead, although I’m pretty sure that explanation is way too simple.
Once when I was living in Denmark I was cornered and ended up taking the scientologists little e-meter test and they tried to get me to open up to them about what was causing stress and anxiety in my life. After 20 minutes of explaining that I was having the time of my life in Denmark, drinking great beer and meeting beautiful girls, didn’t have a care in the world and was completely stress- free they basically told me there was nothing they could do for me. From then on I realized they prey on the downtrodden and worried to spread their propaganda.
JaHerer22 on May 14, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Yeah – the last part of that last video – wow. Sounds an awful lot to me like another religion that cannot handle the least bit of criticism, either of its current practices, or its founder. Did that guy really say, “If you say that word again I cannot be held responsible for what I do…”?
Scientology – learning from and adopting the tactics of CAIR, a little more each day.
nailinmyeye on May 14, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Thank you Southpark, for alerting me to how this cult recruits people!
Me and a Buddy O’Mine were in Burbank one time walking through the downtown/touristy section when we see an outdoor booth and table set up and full of people. We go to see what it’s all about when this really hot chick walks up and says “Hey guys! Wanna take a stress test?” I look over at the table and there’s that little machine just like I saw on Southpark! My buddy, who’s so nice that he’s kinda gullible, is like “Duh, ok hotgirl.” (All he really said was OK, but you know how guys act around pretty girls, “Duuuh, ok.”). I grabbed his arm and said “No! Let’s get outta here.” He’s single, so he says “Dude, whattaya doin’? That chick was HOT!” I said “Yeah, and that hot chick is one of those Scientologist freaks, they wanna recruit us.” He used to be a preacher so he says “Oh, well then we should pray for those … weirdos.” haha
Tony737 on May 14, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Scientologists deal with criticism by ‘attacking the attacker.’ Lovely…
Locke can’t be dead…we need him now more than ever!
Malpaso on May 14, 2007 at 10:48 AM
JaH22, that’s a great story! I wish I could’ve seen the look on their faces when you proved that their phoney “stress machine” doesn’t work.
“Tell us what has you so stressed out.”
“Nothin’, I’m drinkin’ beer and chasin’ skirts!”
HAHAHA! Beer and chicks. You should’ve said “Maybe you oughta try gettin’ drunk and laid sometime and relieve some of YOUR stress!”
Fruedian losers. “Tell me about your mother.” haha
Tony737 on May 14, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Heh. And I’m Princess Leia!
4shoes on May 14, 2007 at 11:07 AM
The Cult that uses Psychology to brainwash people into following (and forking over their cash) attacks Psychology. That’s funny. If you look at the bigger picture, it would make sense. If they are to get others to renounce Psychology, then they would be the only ones practicing it down the road.
CREEEEEEEEPY…but not without logical strategy.
tickleddragon on May 14, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Did anyone else find it odd that the little Tom Cruise wanna be was completely calm, then looked around to make sure his people’s cameras were on, then ‘flipped’ out and put on the “you wanted this reaction well, now you’re getting it buddy!” show…?
It seemed extremely fake and done for show.
JadeNYU on May 14, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Using an ex-clam to do a report on the clams is probably a mistake.
I’m sure they were pumping on all of the mental handles they shoved into the poor sot while he was their bitch.
Kristopher on May 14, 2007 at 11:34 AM
As an atheist pyschologist, only one group draws more of my ire than these clown-shoe Scientologists, and that’s good ol’ Mohammed’s murderous cult.
Does Scientology actually get tax-exempt status?
Roark on May 14, 2007 at 12:46 PM
The BeeB reporter claims he felt brainwashed. So he yelled.
Correct Scientology terminology is bull-baiting. They train at this from very early stages and continue the training for as long as they are Scientologists.
Try this technique at home. Engage in normal give and take conversation but just as the other party is about to speak – very casually clip him off, speak over him about anything off topic. Do it every time he is about to speak. If that person does not simply walk away but continues to play, only a matter of time until he’s upset, maybe angered. Expertly done it can cause a person to go from zero to hot under the collar in under a minute. Especially in a room where all people in the room silently unblinkingly stare at the one being bull-baited as though he had body odor problems.
Work the word crime or criminal into a conversation. Some people will flinch or react in some way as the word brings to his mind a memory of his own crime – anything from shoplifting, spouse cheating, income tax on up. A person with malice might keep at saying crime or criminal just to get a subconscious rise out of another, get him off balance.
Some folks just crack in pieces if you move your face close to their face, if you then yell – others crack, some crack from the Jack Bauer hoarse whisper.
Athletes play at this stuff all the time, so do Drill Instructors. Because it works. You can own someone else’s mind – just long enough to kick his ass by having him so busy introverting that he expends no energy on you. Domination.
And as a PR tool? Look at the headline above.
The subject of that sentence is BBC reporter.
Not to say that this will have fully countered whatever facts the BeeB may air tonight but the story is certainly undermined before it even has aired.
Scientology knows the power of PR. Is it any wonder they recruit so heavily in Hollywood?
Stephen M on May 14, 2007 at 12:51 PM
if you go on ytmnd.com you’ll find a couple of good one on Scientology. The one you want is called “the truth about scientology”. Here….
They got into a fair-use fight with ytmnd and lost.
And yes, they get tax exempt status…
liquidflorian on May 14, 2007 at 1:12 PM
After looking at all three clips, I accept Sweeney’s explanation of the events. The guy is trying to berate him with a multi-part attack question, and Sweeney wants to deal with one bit at a time. The guy raises his voice almost threateningly to get the rest of his tirade out, and Sweeney decided he wouldn’t accept that, so he showed the mutt that he’d win a shouting match if that’s what he wanted. His instant shifting from scream to normal voice proves that he hasn’t lost control, but is making the point that he won’t accept the guy’s method.
Oh, and Scientology is a fraud.
Freelancer on May 14, 2007 at 2:24 PM
Thanks for the links to CoS. I was unaware of their beliefs and I have to admit I was quite amused at the uniqueness of it and felt they must be pretty harmless as the famous members seem, well a little “off” admittedly, but harmless none the less.
THEN I started reading about a gal named Lisa McPhearson and I don’t find them ammusing in the least. I wont criticize them for the alien parts of their beliefs, but the anger and hostility has to be exposed.
csdeven on May 14, 2007 at 3:53 PM
Two words: Channeling Xenu
calbear on May 14, 2007 at 3:56 PM
Sweeney may sound like a nut when he’s screaming, but I buy his explanation after seeing the further context. That Scientology a-hole thought that he wins an argument by raising his voice, so Sweeney did him one better. It just so happens that Sweeney sounds possessed when he does it.
RightWinged on May 14, 2007 at 4:39 PM
If this cult wasn’t filled with Hollywood nuts, but instead midwestern unknowns, the 20/20s and Dateline and 60 Minutes type shows would be destroying them as the kooks they are. Cruise and Travolta are too popular to mess with and ridicule. Only South Park had the guts to expose these fools.
roninacreage on May 14, 2007 at 7:16 PM
, Janet Reno would be rolling in with the tanks.
Valiant on May 14, 2007 at 7:45 PM
Great Post, Stephen M–you have captured the provocation nicely. I agree with you one hundred percent, but I still can’t let Sweeney off the hook. In the grand foodchain of intelligent, honorable discourse, this is Algae vs. Bacteria.
In the later clip, which actually occurred earlier I believe, Sweeney and “Timmy Cruise” are standing out side and Sweeney says something like, “…although some people say it’s a sinister cult. Now–L. Ron Hubbard, some people say that he’s a fantasist and a liar–”.
Not only does he throw down the Sinister Cult card and immediately fold that hand, he then deals again with name-calling against Hubbard. So he’s engaging in a bit of baiting himself–as a “veteran BBC correspondent”, he knows a thing or two about getting his point of view on the record while buffaloing the subject of the interview on to the next topic, without a chance to respond to the first. Sweeney’s baiting is just as egregious as the Cruisette’s, it’s just not as polished. Scientologists, like Conservatives, are used to hostile discourse, whereas lefty BBC reporters, like American University liberals, are accustomed to the deference due their superior enlightened views.
So the Tom Cruise wannabe pretends to blow what little stack he has for the benefit of the cameras. My guess is that throughout this program, we would see the Scientology Cultists masterfully manipulating this preening boob Sweeney so that once they got him into the Chamber of Horrors (or whatever it’s called), he was primed to go off, and the combination of shocking images and being yelled at by an irritating (but very effective) little man was just too much for poor Sweeney.
Beaten at his own game, he truly lost it. If he were the type of man who knew how to yell for effect, I suspect that he would have had a better rationale than “showing that my voice is louder than yours”. When he started yelling he was okay, but why on earth did he retreat into screaming at the top of lungs about which half of the interview somebody was going to finish? He wasn’t even thinking anymore. I think that the sudden switch to an inappropriately calm tone is an attempt to regain control. “Do you understand? DO YOU–”
It doesn’t work.
As for this:
Pompous Windbag pwned by Cultist Dishrag
Now I’m really annoyed. This jackass is so full of himself that, thanks to him, I now feel something other than utter and complete contempt for the professional Scientologist–I now have to give a little grudging respect. *That’s* annoying.
haakondahl on May 14, 2007 at 7:55 PM
Hat-tip to the Beeb. Takes a lot to seriously tackle Scientologists, it’ll be interesting to see what follows on from it..
Reaps on May 14, 2007 at 8:39 PM
Believe most of what you read and hear about this satanic cult. Its true. I been there. Glad I got out a lot sooner than most. Long time ago. Still brings back some pretty horrible thoughts.
auspatriotman on May 15, 2007 at 12:38 AM
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