Jon Atack on Scientology's methods of 'thought stopping' - 2014-02-08

Jon Atack on Scientology's methods of 'thought stopping' February 8, 2014, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker

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Jon Atack is the author of A Piece of Blue Sky, one of the very best books on L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. He has a new edition of the book for sale, and on Saturdays he's helping us sift through the legends, myths, and contested facts about Scientology that tend to get hashed and rehashed in books, articles, and especially on the Internet.

Jon, you've been exploring numerous ways in which Scientology keeps its members cut off from the world around them. What do you have for us this week?

JON: "Thought stopping" is a fundamental technique of exploitative persuasion. Krishna monks, for instance, were taught to simply chant their Hare Krishna mantra loudly enough inside their heads to drown out any negative conversation. As with other aspects of exploitative persuasion, however, Scientology excels all other cults. Not only are a series of taboos put in place between the devotee and the world, but an Orwellian system prohibits reflection upon Scientology itself.

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{{cite news | author = Tony Ortega | title = Jon Atack on Scientology's methods of 'thought stopping' | url = https://tonyortega.org/2014/02/08/jon-atack-on-scientologys-methods-of-thought-stopping/ | work = Underground Bunker | date = February 8, 2014 | accessdate = August 21, 2017 }}