The OP gave me the idea that he was looking for people who had had similar experiences, tell their story.
I have two such instances that are about me working for a religious organization, not belonging to that institution.
When I was 18-19, I had moved back to Portland, after spending most of my teens in a small town. I was basically alone and pretty open minded. Uh oh.
I was downtown and got pulled in by the "Personality Test" offered by the Church of Scientology-Celebrity Center. I don't remember too much of this experience, luckily I was broke, and once they realized that, they weren't too interested in me.
They were hiring and I could use a part time job, they needed a receptionist and offered me $2.00/hour plus free classes. Sounded awesome! (1987)
I met a really nice guy, before I knew it we were dating and I found myself living in a Scientology house. This went on for a few weeks. I signed a non disclosure statement, attended a few classes and got a workbook or two. To be honest, it seemed pretty weird and farfetched, and just like with any other church, I didn't really buy it, although I tried.
Then one day, dude says we can't see each other anymore. He was a few 'levels" above me and would not be able to go further being involved with someone who could not go higher in levels. I had confessed to him that I had several experiences with mind altering substances. Any number over three, made me "insane" according to their beliefs. He couldn't continue in the church and be with me, I couldn't talk him out of leaving, so I moved out, quit my job, and that was my stint with CoS. Poor guy, hope he broke free eventually.
I don't regret it at all, it was a fantastic learning experience, and story I can pass down to my kids.
I have two such instances that are about me working for a religious organization, not belonging to that institution.
When I was 18-19, I had moved back to Portland, after spending most of my teens in a small town. I was basically alone and pretty open minded. Uh oh.
I was downtown and got pulled in by the "Personality Test" offered by the Church of Scientology-Celebrity Center. I don't remember too much of this experience, luckily I was broke, and once they realized that, they weren't too interested in me.
They were hiring and I could use a part time job, they needed a receptionist and offered me $2.00/hour plus free classes. Sounded awesome! (1987)
I met a really nice guy, before I knew it we were dating and I found myself living in a Scientology house. This went on for a few weeks. I signed a non disclosure statement, attended a few classes and got a workbook or two. To be honest, it seemed pretty weird and farfetched, and just like with any other church, I didn't really buy it, although I tried.
Then one day, dude says we can't see each other anymore. He was a few 'levels" above me and would not be able to go further being involved with someone who could not go higher in levels. I had confessed to him that I had several experiences with mind altering substances. Any number over three, made me "insane" according to their beliefs. He couldn't continue in the church and be with me, I couldn't talk him out of leaving, so I moved out, quit my job, and that was my stint with CoS. Poor guy, hope he broke free eventually.
I don't regret it at all, it was a fantastic learning experience, and story I can pass down to my kids.
![[Image: dc52deee8e6b07186c04ff66a45fd204.jpg]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=i585.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss295%2Faaliyahqin%2Fcat%2Fdc52deee8e6b07186c04ff66a45fd204.jpg)
