Undercover Adam focuses on the Scientologists

Naked Communications boss Adam Ferrier has followed up on his investigation into the marketing activities of the Advanced Medical Institute with an even larger target – the Church of Scientology.  

Undercover Adam focuses on the Scientologists Adam FerrierIn June, Ferrier – a trained psychologist and managing partner at communications agency Naked - went undercover to examine the sales practices of the AMI.

This time, as he recounts in his blog, he examined the Church of Scientology’s methods in bringing in new membership. He walked into the COS building in Sydney as a general member of the public. After being shown a recruitment video, he was asked to take a personality test. He reveals:

“According to the test the three scales that are about ‘Me’ show that I am completely Unstable, very Depressed, and very Nervous. The scales to do with ‘Work’ show I’m Active and Aggressive, and totally irresponsible. And the last scales, how I relate to ‘Others’, show I’m very Critical, and have a Lack of Accord with others. This was Diane’s cue to tell me how depressing my life was, and how much I needed help.”

But Ferrier argues:

“Also, for the record I’m a relatively happy, stable and calm person (albeit a little weird). I’ve taken many scientifically validated psychological tests in the past (through training, and professional interest) and all point to a significantly different personality profile than the one suggested by the COS.”

Ferrier has also worked with AusPol to get the views of the public on the Church of Scientology. The results – featuring a poll of 1500 people – suggest that 85% of Australians do not believe it is a real religion.

August 16th, 2009 at 9:50 pm

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Comments


  1. Frank Green
    16 Aug 09
    11:13 pm

    2. Scientology’s personality test, is the tip of the iceberg of their scam, but still important because what other “religion,” gives you a “personality test” to determine what is wrong with you, and why you need their beliefs.

    It is patently bogus, a sales gimmick, to snag in gullible and vulnerable people.

    The meat of Scientology is even more horrifying, the slow brainwashing process they use in their “training routines” and course work. Members go from thinking for themselves, to slowly adopting Scientology quackery, as the absolute truth. It is done so subtly they aren’t even aware of the trance states that are induced by repetition and sessions that can last hours.

    Among other things, they “believe” they are “homo novis,” a form of new man, who are destined to take over education, business, and government, “becoming the law,” and dominating the planet. Hubbard (a college flunk out science fiction writer) instructed that they are to build a “space org” and move on to take over the galaxy.

    I am not a former scientologist. Instead, I am just an ordinary citizen who for years, thought Scientology was silly but harmless. The Tom Cruise video sounded borderline insane to me, about “we are the authorities on the mind” and their plans for world domination, so I read more about them.

  2. Xenumeister
    16 Aug 09
    11:14 pm

    3. All that and a lot worst.

    It strikes me that any cult member reading this would stop and laugh the moment he or she read that Adam Ferrier is a psychologist. Everything after that would be disregarded out of hand. That is an example of the extent of their brainwashing.

  3. Maggie
    17 Aug 09
    12:49 am

    4. Thanks to Adam for going through that. I firmly believe more mental health professionals should be making themselves aware of Scientology’s jihad against them.

    At one recent Scientology gathering, a video was shown with a violent image of a grenade “blowing up” psychiatry. It is one of Scientology’s written goals to eradicate psychiatry from the planet, and replace it with…itself.

    I live near Clearwater, Florida, where Scientology, Inc. has its ‘spiritual headquarters.’ I have watched as the organization has taken over the city while removing its tax base, attacking local elected officials and destroying their careers as part of its written organizational policies.

  4. Anonymous Now
    17 Aug 09
    4:01 am

    5. The LRH crafted the COS into a psychiatrist hate group simply because the psychiatrists are the ones who can say that what they are doing is wrong– LRH preached to attack, never defend.

    The problems with the COS start from the top, as always. The recent St. Petersburg Times series of articles “the truth rundown” reveal that the COS is run by David Miscavige like Goodfellows, with regular random and brutal beatings of staff members.

  5. clive Burcham
    17 Aug 09
    4:10 am

    6. ……and of course there’s marketing and advertising consistently effecting positive change all over the world, utilising forward thinking business practices and unquestionable ethics to sell products that solely increase quality of life, health, well being for the betterment of human race!

  6. phil
    17 Aug 09
    9:21 am

    7. Wait till they get to the part about transubstantiation….oh wait, wrong cult….

    \my brainwashing can beat up your brainwashing

  7. Granleese
    17 Aug 09
    10:23 am

    8. Oh come on Clive – you work in advertising too, just like the rest of us.

  8. Mary McConnell
    17 Aug 09
    10:39 am

    9. Thanks for alerting the masses to this. Glad this made google news.

    I see that one of the scientology front group wolves has come out of the woods to attack Ferrier and claim he are a member of “Anonymous”, lol.
    http://consumerpsychologist.bl.....on-ii.html

    So sad these people are indoctrinated to not think analytically. I know. I used to be one of them. Sometimes, the truth hurts.

    Speaking of marketing and front groups, you would be shocked at what Scientology’s Narconon is doing to market it’s program in order to lure people into Scientology.

    Mary McConnell
    advocate for victims of Scientology’s Narconon scam

  9. adman
    17 Aug 09
    11:27 am

    10. Remember when EST just about gobbled out up half of Sydney advertising?

    And Hubbard’s degree was from a bodgy uni and he awarded it to himself.

  10. Andrew
    17 Aug 09
    12:24 pm

    11. Of course the serial-critics of Scientology will never acknowledge the help it brings to peoples’ lives because they only want to see and believe it is all bad. Hence they spit venom at every opportunity–usually in the comment columns of Internet “news” sites.

    Scientology offers an insight into man’s spirituality and that spiritual knowledge is available to all people. Many have walked the path that Scientology offers and are very pleased they did. A lot of those people also help others in a variety of ways. Most Scientologists I know are very sincere in the help they give.

    Scientology believes we are all timeless mystical beings trapped within these mortal coils and it provides a path out of maze. I for one stand by it as the greatest advance in mankind’s spiritual quest in the last 2,500 years.

    The personality test is one introduction to the subject and while it is a very interesting insight, the best information is in L.Ron Hubbard’s books on the subject.

  11. anon
    17 Aug 09
    1:17 pm

    12. @andrew

    I heard J. K. Rowling is starting a “church” that helps people.

  12. Ashley
    17 Aug 09
    1:47 pm

    13. Hey Adam

    next up go after Hillsong I hear scary things from there too

  13. 1OVAKYND
    17 Aug 09
    1:52 pm

    14. I live in Glebe near their compound.
    Every night they turn up in this fucked up green bus that makes noise and parks on the street holding up traffic to let out multiple “members”. For a while they where reversing this coach through the intersection and up Greek St which is a one way street, morons.

    @ andrew: please explain the connection to jelly fish and humans; how the jelly fish needs to swim and move in a similar motion to the human jaw :s

    There is a post on my blog about them as well:
    http://www.1ovakynd.com/post/1.....ve-to-deal

  14. Lisa M. Pherson
    17 Aug 09
    1:52 pm

    15. @ andrew

    Ahhh finally one of the Scientology/OSA (Office of Special Affairs…the “church”‘s own CIA-like intelligence unit) (Sidebar: what kind of church has an intelligence agency?) net handlers shows up to save the day. It’s always the same cookie-cutter responses:
    “Everyone who speaks out against scientology is some sort of criminal/ they dont want to acknowledge that scientology works and makes people happy”
    “Scientology helps, just ask the millions of scientologists vs. these few amount of critics’
    “The best way (THE ONLY WAY) to find out about scientology is to find out yourself by coming into an Org yourself (and get one of their sales pitches”
    “All hail the profit LRH”

    Rinse & Repeat.

  15. 1OVAKYND
    17 Aug 09
    1:54 pm

    16. PS: I love it how i drive past the Greek St compound to see them on hands and knees scrubbing the pavement with tooth brushes.

    reeeal sweet

  16. Gav
    17 Aug 09
    1:55 pm

    17. What was the big advance 2500 years ago then? Better than Scientology? Surely not!

  17. Derek
    17 Aug 09
    2:02 pm

    18. For a time, I worked near the Scientology offices behind Broadway, Glebe. Nowhere else have I seen such an unhappy, seemingly stressed out group of individuals. Everyday, until late at night, I witnessed a constant stream of people in blue-uniforms being bussed in to this venue, only to quickly re-appear for a harried cigarette or ten in the street. If blank faces and heavy smoking are any indicator, these people are not having a great time. It begs the question, does COS attract this personality type, or create it?

    And don’t start me on their tax exempt status in Australia…

  18. Adam Hunt
    17 Aug 09
    2:16 pm

    19. God is the original brand which has successfully diversified over time.

    Anyone is free to buy into the Hindu Religion, Mormonism, Islam, Catholicism, The Hillsong Church, The Anglican Church, Judaism, Scientology, the Baptists,The Exclusive Bretheren & many, many more.

    Each has a different name for their brand of God, & they all have different uniforms & extremely strict corporate guidelines.

    They all want your money.

    It’s a great shame that many of them share some rather unfortunate corporate behaviour – The subjugation of women, the hatred of gays, and the abuse of children.

    Let the buyer beware.

  19. C K Cash
    17 Aug 09
    2:38 pm

    20. Hey, Tom Cruise, John Travolta and many other hollywood stars (more than you would realise and some would suprise you on who they are) are part of the “religion” so it must be good!

    Yeah right, the trick with most “shonky” religions is that they prey upon and target people who are not too bright or have some emotional issue, so they can say they can help you and have the answers…just pay 10 installments of $199.99 plus postage and handling..etc heh!

    People have the right to choose their faith/beliefs/religion but one that has booths in shopping centres, shopfronts..etc should never be taken seriously. I don’t see a Catholic Church, Synagogue or Mosque promoting themselves in shopping centres.

  20. mal jago
    17 Aug 09
    2:49 pm

    21. When I was a 16y/o teenager, I took the personality test with the Scientologists.Mainly as I wasnt sure if I had one. 1000 questions later and a free book by founder.

    A school freind who had in his words “lost his sister” to the cult, made me burn the book and promise never to make contact again, which I did.
    I received hand written letters for nearly ten years to my folks in the country.
    Not one was responded to, but they kept coming.

    The founder was a scie fi writer and had a bet to see how many people he could con.
    He won the bet

  21. AdGrunt
    17 Aug 09
    2:50 pm

    22. Religion is great for those who need it. Elsewhere Mumbrella covers the hypocritical “Jesus. All About Life” campaign whilst an equally valid atheist campaign was canned.

    The problem for religion is that, like all snake oil, no-one really needs it. So it needs to justify itself.

    Scientology’s aversity to psychiatry and psychology is that they’re alternative approaches of treatment for mental illness, which is a key aspect of their target market.

    The same can be said for most organised religions. Scientology just has a particularly recondite methodology and results process.

    In my opinion, the Roman Catholic Church has far more to answer for in terms of cumulative evil.

    Personally, I recommend South Park’s take on Scientology and organised religion in general. Richard Dawkins is interesting, especially when he asks the awkward questions. The BBC also had a hard time and a quick review of John Sweeney’s Panorama film and its hoop-lah is recommended.

  22. andrew
    17 Aug 09
    2:52 pm

    23. It occurs to me that having a go at Scientology for pushing unsubstantiated claims… well you end up on a pretty slippery slope. It’s not an intellectually unsound slippery slope… But you pretty quickly end up having a go at all religions for promoting a litany of seemingly bizarre and completely unsubstantiated claims.

    virgin birth? chosen race? die and return as a horse? Let’s call the advertising standards people!
    -andrew

  23. Adam Hunt
    17 Aug 09
    2:57 pm

    24. Clams Andrew…. clams.

  24. Tom Dodson
    17 Aug 09
    2:58 pm

    25. hahaha did you even read the article, andrew?

    “I for one stand by ut as the greatest advance in mankinds spiritual blah blah”

    I try to be a rational person who gives everything a chance, but I just cant seem to in this case. Scientology- even lower on the scale than creationism..

  25. Paul
    17 Aug 09
    4:15 pm

    26. +1 to Ashley’s suggestion that Adam has a go at Hillsong next. Strange things are afoot in the OTHER insular Shire indeed.

    Actually any old tithing cult will do for an exposé, it’s just that Hillsong is the standout winner in that category at the moment.

  26. C K Cash
    17 Aug 09
    4:17 pm

    27. Also with Hillsong, the link they have into the Gloria Jeans operation in Australia…would you like god with your soy frappe megachino?

  27. John
    17 Aug 09
    5:10 pm

    28. In the days when you actually bought Playboy ‘for the interviews’ (my story and I’m stickin’ with it, etc) there was an interview with Ron L Hubbard – pre-scientology.
    When a comment was made on how much money he was making with his science fiction efforts he replied, ‘If I wanted to make real money, I’d start a religion.’
    I’ve tried to bring that interview up on the web but, being in the ’60s, it may not be on anyone’s records or the scientology thought police have had it erased.
    Good luck Adam, but remember the old saying, “Never argue with children or idiots, for to do so you have to join them on their level, and on their level they’ll beat you every time.’

  28. andrew the "-virgin birth?" andrew
    17 Aug 09
    5:42 pm

    29. Just want to clarify! there are two “andrew’s” in this thread.

    1. A pro Scientologist andrew. that’s not me.

    2. And me – who just made the observation that ALL religions (including LRon’s boys) are based on unsubstantiated claims.

    ie Adam Ferrier could have walked into St Mary’s cathedral and discovered them pushing virgin birth and walking on water… There’s crazy stuff we are used to, and crazy stuff we aren’t used to. But it’s ALL crazy stuff to me.

    thoughts adam?

  29. Dave the gay art director
    17 Aug 09
    6:01 pm

    30. Hi Andrew @ 12:24 pm

    – u crazy whacky COS dude –

    what sort of religion charges money just to learn how to be a part of that religion?

    Everyone knows the COS is a total money-making scam. It really should not be recognised as a religion IMHO.

  30. pompeyinoz
    17 Aug 09
    6:07 pm

    31. I’ve read the book ‘the complex’ you can’t buy it from many places, an exception is the publisher in Ireland. COS has threatened the sales outlets with legal action..

    Fascinating read and reveals the extent of this massive scam called ‘Scientology’.

  31. adman
    17 Aug 09
    7:28 pm

    32. Scientology is based on appalling science created by a sci-fi conman

  32. Frank Green
    17 Aug 09
    9:32 pm

    33. With increasing years of evidence that Scientology is an abusive brainwashing cult, that often operates like the mafia more than a religion, and hundreds of compelling testimonies from ex-members on the internet, their dwindling source of new members is:

    Celebrities (because they live in a bubble, and have large disposable income)

    Ex- Narconon members (going from drug addiction to Scientology addiction)

    The mentally ill (who are sometimes attracted by the anti-psych stance)

    Naive young people. (These days they have to be ones who don’t use the internet or don’t have access to it.)

    People drawn in through WISE or other front group.

    One of the few stats the cult put out that I believe is that over 50% of their members come from referral by family or friends, not by personality/stress tests on the street or via walk-ins. In the last few years people in that group will want to read about what Scientology is about — Xenu included — before they jump in and spend thousands of dollars and years of their life studying the babble that is Scientology.

    Note to Andrew No.2….Scientologists are frequently paid to compare Scientology to other religions. If you spend a few hours reading about Scientology, you will understand it is not a religion, but a type of pseudo-science therapy, that took on religious cloaking to avoid taxes and conflict with the medical community.

    If you read a lengthier book on Scientology, such as BARE-FACED MESSIAH, you’ll see that at nearly every stage, Hubbard was busy refining his mind control scam, not to help people, but to find ways to control them more, for the purposes of extracting more money.

    Consider Hubbar’d STUDY TECH (aka Applied Scholastics). As a learning method, it is piss poor by today’s standards, but it does brainwash young minds to accepting Hubbard’s ideas as the ultimate truth.

    It doesn’t work well at education, but its great for indoctrination.

    Another important point to consider. Scientology does not rely on faith. Instead, they claim to “know.” It is a fine line, but an important one. They also believe Hubbard proved all his ideas scientifically.

    This is particularly galling to anyone who understands that this was the same man who promoted cigarette smoking — the more the better — to rid the body of radiation, and therefore prevent cancer.

    He was doing this years after the growing consensus in the medical community was that smoking was linked to lung cancer.

    L. Ron Hubbard was a scientific zero and a liar. He should have stuck to tomatoes.

  33. FrankG
    18 Aug 09
    6:56 am

    34. a trained psychologist?
    Psyche means spirit but psychology does not deal with man as a spirt.
    There is already a lie in the name!

  34. Tracey
    18 Aug 09
    8:09 am

    35. @FrankG
    You mean man as a Thetan don’t you Frank?

  35. FrankG you're in a cult
    18 Aug 09
    9:35 am

    36. FrankG psyche is the related to mind not spirit. psyche – that which is responsible for one’s thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason; “his mind wandered”; “I couldn’t get his words out of my head”.

    Please try and look around you and get out. There is help available.

  36. AdGrunt
    18 Aug 09
    10:15 am

    37. This comments thread has more trolls than a Nordic fairy tale…

    So here’s something to lighten the tone and remind everyone how serious the CoS is.

    South Park – safe for work, unless you’re Kate Ceberano’s PA… http://snipurl.com/qes05

  37. Stan
    18 Aug 09
    10:42 am

    38. I got involved in Scientology for a while, and it almost ruined my life! It took years to get them to stop harrassing me after I left. AVOID THIS CULT!

  38. James
    19 Aug 09
    11:17 am

    39. Adam

    You are doing a very good job PR wise. Since the Girl/Jacket disaster for Naked, your PR program is doing very well. First erectile dysfunction, now the scientologists. Talk about going for the hard targets Adam, really hard hitting and telling us stuff we didnt know.

    So in terms of rebuilding the Naked brand, not a bad job.

    However, I have a few other suggestions.

    First, get a new photo. Your photo makes you look quite smug. Now we all know that you would never, ever, ever ever ever come across as smug in real life, so change this.

    Next, if you are serious about this mission to out dodgy practices, why not examine someone from the Naked client list?

    Also, you actually have time to do this stuff? Must be busy at Naked lately

  39. C K Cash
    19 Aug 09
    11:32 am

    40. *snap*…

  40. Guest
    19 Aug 09
    1:31 pm

    41. A scientological take on Mr Ferrier http://www.rantrave.com/Rant/P.....obber.aspx

  41. Guest
    19 Aug 09
    1:32 pm

    42. Google “put another shrink on the barbie, cobber”

  42. legion
    19 Aug 09
    3:15 pm

    43. Check out this one, too: http://www.inquisitr.com/33716.....the-proof/

  43. David
    22 Aug 09
    10:26 pm

    44. I like Adam’s analysis, but there’s no surprise really. COS’ outcomes, I’m sure, are designed to net the vulnerable into the ‘need’ they can satisfy.

    The Force is a powerful influence on the weak minded.

  44. jfk
    1 Sep 09
    3:31 pm

    45. i like it

  45. yut
    1 Sep 09
    3:32 pm

    46. tom cruise is the man

  46. THE RONBOT HUNTER
    8 Sep 09
    9:48 am

    47. Documentary evidence in Church of Spiritual Technology vs U.S., November 22, 1989
    “The goal of the department [of governmental affairs] is to bring the government and hostile philosophies or societies into a state of complete compliance with the goals of Scientology. This is done by a high level ability to control and in its absence by a low level ability to overwhelm. Introvert such agencies. Control such agencies.” — LRH
    “The purpose of the legal officer is to help LRH handle every legal, government, suit, accounting and tax contact or action… and to bring the greatest possible confusion and loss to its enemies.” — LRH

    THE RONBOT HUNTER
    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
    “Guardian Order 060971″ seized in FBI authorized search of Scientology headquarters:

    “The vital targets on which we must invest most of our time are:
    (T1) Depopularizing the enemy to the point of obliteration.
    (T2) Taking over the control or allegiance of the heads or proprietors of all news media.
    (T3) Taking over the control or allegiance of key political figures.
    (T4) Taking over the control or allegiance of those who monitor international finance…”

    Documentary evidence in the Armstrong case:
    “You can be merciless whenever your will is crossed and you have the right to be merciless.” — LRH

    California Supreme Court, in United States v. Lee 455 U.S. 252,257,258 (1982):

    “When a person is subjected to coercive persuasion [as in Scientology] without his knowledge or consent …[he may] develop serious and sometimes irreversible physical and psychiatric disorders, up to and including schizophrenia, self-mutilation, and suicide.”

  47. Adam Ferrier
    9 Sep 09
    1:44 pm

    48. The comments on this thread, and the comments on other sites talking about my post were as enlightening as the actual visit. For the record no one from Scientology has contacted me – nor harassed me. I am guessing that reports of harrasment are greatly exagerated – probably as a way of keeping people from speaking out or trying to leave the cult (although please this is not an invitation).

    Thank you to everyone for also joining in the discussion and expressing your views on the Church of Scientology.

  48. Dr Nick
    9 Sep 09
    2:30 pm

    49. I drove past the house that backs onto ours last night and noticed a 1 tonne van painted yellow with the words Ministers For Scientology…..So I record the following, just incase I am irratrievably lose my mind…..

    They are close. I must be careful. We need new curtains. They can see into our house. I do not, have not, and never want to be a scientologist. If I am not back in 15 minutes…come get me.

  49. Dr Nick
    9 Sep 09
    6:30 pm

    50. OK…. So its been 4 hours. But I am back and safe. I hope no-one called the police !!! LOL

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