Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology - Why We Protest

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12-22-2008

post #1 (link to here)

str

User unrelated.

Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

This 25-minute documentation is in german (no subtitles) and called "Der gesäuberte Planet - Eine Reise ins Innere von Scientology" ("The cleared planet - a journey into the inner of Scientology), directed by a journalist called Rainer Fromm.

It was already in discussion under New German Films Aim to Shed Light on Scientology and now Anonymous delivered: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology.

The DVD was finally released in late september 2008 and I guess there is a high demand on a english translation and a subtitled version.

Here's the official transcipt, which came with the multimedia part of the DVD: MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service

12-22-2008

post #2 (link to here)

indeedindeed

Member

Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

First draft. Feel free to suggest any corrections, proposals, remarks etc. This is only from the transcript. It does not consider original english recordings in the film, so those parts will probably have to be replaced at a later time. Same goes for quotes by Hubbard, marked with "[]".

Quote:

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany: "Well, Scientology is about spirituality, about salvation, about an understanding of who I really am, where do I come from, where do I go to, who or what is god."

Wilfried Handl, ex-member of Scientology: "Within Scientology you loose or you untrain to feel. There is no heart, there is no compassion, this doesn't exist."

Ralf Gerhardt, Scientologist: "Those that do Scientology are more successful, make more money, have more things, they have got a happier family."

Ursula Caberta, head of Working Group Scientology: "Scientology is an anti-constitutional organisation, a totalitarian system, which has built a parallel world in Germany and in other countries in the world. That is Scientology."

What is Scientology?

What is Scientology? While adherents praise the organisation as their true religion, dropouts warn against brainwashing, exploitation and violence. But upon first sight Scientology reminds one of a modern corporation. For it is controversial that at the activity's center there is the distribution and sale of the Scientology-specific techniques, which are supposed to form humans into immortal superior beings for a new civilisation.

The originator of ideas is science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard who created Scientology in the United States at the beginning of the 50s. His vision: A cleared world, operating only according to his policies. Since then a worldwide network has emerged. Scientology- an organisation appearing charming and inviting. But the true goals remain in the shadows.

Hamburg. We're paying a visit to the Working Group Scientology. Here the activities of the organisation have been observed for a long time. The long term goal was a new system in society according to the interior authority's statement:

Ursula Caberta, head of Working Group Scientology: "You know Hubbard's basic idea is that there are only two types of people, Scientologists and Non-Scientologists and only the Scientologist type of human has rights in this society. Only Scientologists are allowed to judge others, that's how it is, so it's a kind of superhuman, elitehuman. I believe that especially in Germany we do know what it means when such an ideology pushes through."

Glenndale, Claifornia, Broadway 201. Here is the residence of "Way to Happiness". Behind the group with the smart name one of the many Scientology front groups is lurking. We have an appointment with Tracie Marrow. The young woman is active within the so-called Youth for Huamn Rights, another Scientologist activist group with a melodious name. The organisation tries to get attention with peace marches all over Europe. The group likes to present itself as a pioneer of freedom of religion:

Tracie Marrow, Youth for Human Rights: "We're visiting schools and are doing seminars with the young people and we're showing teachers how to teach human rights, we're showing the films on TV, which have connection to their lifes and they learn to recognize human rights violations and also to respect the human rights of other people."

It all sounds - judging from the surface impression - friendly, all is nice - irritating is just a small group of watch-people from the Scientology headquarters which also have a camera with them, which is constantly filming, but doesn't like being filmed themselves. It's a scenario we have to get used to.

The so-called Drug Free Marshalls - founded by Scientology International. Young people such as nicholas Dale swear in a ritual to take no drugs. Around the world supposedly more than 3 million children and youths have already commited themselves to this oath - for Scientology it's a cleverly devised PR.

Nicholas Dale, Drug Free Marshall: "The Drug Free Marshalls are a group of young people who agree on taking no drugs. Who go out and say: I'm drug free and I encourage my friends to live without drugs."

Fighting against drugs - Youth for Human Rights - these are contemporary campaigns - calling out current depressing problems. However, experts on Scientology conside the broad societal commitment to be a calculated strategy to gain power and influence.

Ursula Caberta, head of the Working Group Scientology: "It's always about, firstly to maybe place a mark on a topic in politics according to the motto of "We only want to do good, why are you opposing us?", that's the PR part and the other effect is to get access to people, to youths, to children, to educators, to teachers, which work with youths in order to enlarge the scientologic crowd."

Heading to the north of the USA, New Hampshire, in order to meet a man who had been a mamber of Scientology's top management for years: Larry Brennan. The insider has been a high-ranking member of the organisation-internal secret service and allows us to catch a glimpse into the organisation's inner workings. Today he describes Scientology as an anti-democratic movement, with no religiousness:

Larry Brennan, ex-member of Scientology: "I think that Scientology is a very dangerous group for democracy, because it intends to overtake all democracies. It's in the official policies to replace all democratic constitutions with Scientology. This is a special danger, because horrible human rights abuses are being committed in the name of the Scientology policies."

Larry Brennan has collected dozends of documents - many of them from his active period. He shows us policies by the founder L. Ron Hubbard. This is about expansion. The goal: To take the power in a society or to "clear" it as it is put in Scientology jargon.

What does Scientology want?

Germany, Berlin. Here the interior minister is looking into the organisation. The assesment: The ideology was contrary to the constitution and to human dignity. Scientology as an extremist association?

Confrontation in the german capital. Because here one of the biggest european Scientology centers emerged in 2007. Clearly, the organisation is on a course of expansion and does present itself in the usual friendly manner as a church.

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany, Scientology Berlin: "This is about the immortality of the spirtiual being, this is about the questions the eternal questions of mankind, where do I come from, where do I go to, what is meaning and purpose of my existence, who or what is god and these questions are being answered in Scientology."

Scientology creates an interest in itself, suggests that there are answers to the big questions of mankind. So the organisation's technology is supposed to be the key to human happiness and a future worth living:

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany: "I think the most important discovery for me, personally, but also for many Scientology has actually been the discovery of immortality, that you know that you are eternal, that you know you are a spiritual being and that you know, that you bear a responsibility for your surroundings and your common man and knowing for sure that you will return to this world, of course you try to make this place a better place."

While Scientology in Germany is still in its infancy, the group has made much progress in the USA. Clearwater, Florida, we're on our way to the so-called Mekka of the Scientology movement. In the city close to the atlantic, the organisation is characteristic for the look of the city. Marvellous buildings bear the group's symbols. Thousands of Scientologists around the world use the so-called Land-Base, which is the name of Scientology central in Clearwater, in order to do exclusive courses on the alleged way to godliness. Common people become Operating Thetans - that's what Scientology calls the self-made superhumans, which are being created here for sums in the range of thousands of dollars. What happens here in detail - is confidential.

Robert Adam, Church of Scientology International: "I've gone through the OT-Levels, I know their advantages, but I also know about the value of keeping confidentiality. I would be more than happy to discuss the advantages of the OT-Levels. I just can not discuss it, because I promised not to do it. It's not because I don't want to do it. Everyone who does them and really experiences the OT-levels, is succesful. They are wonderful."

By now there also live a lot of german Scientologists at the Scientology centre of Clearwater. For them, Scientology is religion and science at the same time. The Scientology leadership allows us to have a meeting with Ralf Gerhard a follower who toes the line. His statements sound like propaganda. Our watch-people with their camera, which constantly accompany and film us in Florida as well, are content:

Ralf Gerhard, Scientologist: "It's not complicated to be clear. It's just a great thing, you feel good, you are not as delicate, you don't have such somatic illnesses, you're not as depressive. I think the word that L. Ron Hubbard chose is a good word, clear, you are clear of any negative influences that you cannot control..."

And like many other members Ralf Gerhard also believes in a healing effect of Scientology's technology:

Ralf Gerhard, Scientologist: "I play soccer and I was suffering from a knee-injury, more than one year and I could go to the doctor and whatnot. And I received a session, this Dianetic technology, when you sit with the auditor and he poses you questions and you're going through the events, when I hurt my knee back then and then, for real, after one hour it was gone. It has been 18 years and since then I had no more pain, it is working!"

Larry Brennan was part of the highest levels during his time in Scientology as well. He has his very own opinion on the promises to heal:

Larry Brennan, ex-member of Scientology: "I have attained clear and even surpassed the level of clear and I still need these things [puts on glasses] to read a letter and a clear shouldn't need any glasses. I have trouble hearing with my right ear and people have to speak loudly to me, even though I am a clear. I had sicknesses a Clear is not supposed to have."

Our way leads us to Los Angeles, California. The city is known as the heart of the worldwide movement. Scientology is strong here. Allegedly, 50.000 Scientologists live here, among them many business people, software engineers, government employees and actors. Time and again, whole families are members. Edith Reuvini is a top-flight Scientologist. When festivities of the group take place she's standing in the first row - directly besides Scientology's leader David Miscavige. She's going into raptures over Scientology:

Edith Reuvini, Scientologist: "I got three boys. I was a Scientologist before they were born and I thank god every day that I am a Scientologist, but I see what is happening to other children concerning drugs, gangs, whatever. I had none of those problems. My children were educated in the Scientology religion and I had the means of helping them."

Scientology's crown in Los Angeles is the CC - known as the so-called Celecrity Centre. Actors and other prominent people enter and leave all the time. Omnipresent are Sea Org members - that's the name of the organisation's uniformed elite unit, which are similar to policemen and responsible for security here. Eddie Reuvini is among the welcomed guests at Scientology's special residence No1:

Edith Reuvini, Scientologist: "There are a lot of young people - everybody comes to Hollywood. They still think that Hollywood is Holywood. So people come here to become famous. And it's really nice to go to the celebrity center where you can see a lot of young stars trying to get assignments. There are workshops in which they can partake. They can learn a lot. So we have workshops at the celebrity center for them the entire time, which are headed by professionals. And they are Scientologists."

That's the CC's mission: To recruit young celebrities. There actually are a lot of young actors that fall for the exclusive charm.

In advertising booklets by Scientology known scientologists present themselves. Among them well-known names such as Catherine Bell, John Travolta, Julia Migenes, Tom Cruise, Juliette Lewis, Kelly Preston, Leah Remini, Jenna Elfman or Anne Archer. And also Tory Christman worked at the Celebrity Center, she was one of Scientology's show-faces:

Tory Christman, ex-member of Scientology: "It's a very dangerous cult. People die in Scientology. People kill themselves in Scientology. If they don't kill you and you don't die, they suck the blood and your life and your self out of you. And the only reason this is possible, is because Tom Cruise and John Travolta, these stupid celebrities, don't want to look at this, they don't want to find out about the dark side."

The painter Michale Pattinson is another ex-member of Scientology. He attained the highest worldwide level of Scientology training with the particular name of OT 8, the artist was himself a greatly demanded celebrity - today he's warning against Scientology's goals:

Michael Pattinson, ex-member of Scientology: "It's like Big Brother only much, much worse. There is a part in Scientology stating that you have to eliminate everything that looks like competition to Scientology. It may sound ridiculous or like hyperbole, but it's not. You would eliminate every other religion, everything. Christians, Jews, Islam, everything. Only Scientology would be allowed as a religion. That is all."

Scientology being criticized

Austria, Vienna. A historic city and - a european metropolis. Vienna means waltz and multiculture. Tradition and cultural avantgarde. Here we meet with a man who knows a lot. Wilfried Handl has been active in Scientology for 28 years, he became the mission's director. Currently Handl is one of the most experienced european insiders. In a scientologic state, says Handl, critics would be eliminated:

Wilfried Handl, ex-member of Scientology: "In Scientology there is pure "black white thinking". Hubbard writes expressedly of cowboys with white hats and cowboys with black hats. And the cowboys with black hats are the enemies, the counter-intentions. And you can, I would say from my own experience, they are not being handled with care. And I could well imagine that they would be shot. And then there are those that fall in the category of counter-intentions, so it may be that Scientology says, well, that person is simply confused, he is guided by wrong influences. Well, let me say what I could imagine, he could go to a re-education camp.

The writings by L. Ron Hubbard - following his death thy're the binding group of policies for Scientologists, such as the handbook for volunteer ministers. Here there is talk about Anti-Scientologists or suppresives. These are people that oppose the expansion of Scientology or single Scientologists. In the orders by L. Ron Hubbard it says: ["Find the suppressive - wipe them out."] Or: ["Find the suppressive and pull the trigger."]

And Hubbard goes further. In his book "The Science of Survival" he literally recommends for parts of the population such as mentally ill people, to ["dispose of them quietly and without sorrow"] or to ["place them in constant quarantine."]

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany, Scientology: "A moment ago we closely looked at a segment of text, which is about that a society would be able to be relieved, when certain elements that intend to do it harm, are being determined correctly. Yes. And society is already trying to isolate elements that want to do it harm, such as criminals or mentally ill people as well."

This is unambiguous. Furthermore Scientology differentiates in the literature that lies open in the center between first class and second class humans. For only so-called Clears or Non-Abberated, as trained Scientologists are being called in their language, are supposed to have civil rights before the law in the future. These were desirable goals. To be read in the standard text "Dianetics" by L. Ron Hubbard. To this aim in the future only scientologic Clears should be allowed to marry and to create children in the world.

Police Headquarters in Munich. We have an appointment at the special office for dult victims. The judgement on Scientology is unambiguous here.

Harry Bräuer, Munich police's cult expert: "Scientology is an organisation aiming for economic success and Scientology is clearly directed against the liberal and democratic basic order in its goals."

Ex-members speak out

Scientology: The organisation that is being considered anti-constitutional in Germany and after whose founder an official street name is named in Los Angeles. The L. Ron Hubbard Way- an important proof of the organisation's power. A lot of Scientologists work here, the children are being educated in their own school as well according to the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard. In the Saint Hill Organisation, visitors from all the worlds leave lots of dollars on the way to scientologic happiness. A parallel universe in the middle of the USA. But the supposed happiness is destroying people, ex-members warn:

Tory Christman, ex-member of Scientology: "I know seven young people who took their lives. One of my best friends shot himself, another jumped out of a window on L. Ron Hubbards birthday. From the 15th floor. They're saying that these young people did not kill themselves due to Scientology. When I saw my best friends die, I said: You won't die for nothing. I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something. That's exactly why I am talking about it now, because of this and because all these families are being destroyed by Scientology."

Back to Hamburg. We have an appointment with a woman who has been active in Scientology for 20 years and was on the notorious post as an ethics officer: Astrid von Rönn made sure that the Scientology line was being toed:

Astrid von Rönn, ex-member of Scientology: "Well, basically everything was being punished. Everything that didn't serve the aim and purpose of Scientology was being punished. It was literally being punished by the ethics officer, e.g. homosexuality, illness, theft, embezzling funds, being late. Everything that didn't serve the prupose, even if someone took a flat and maybe had it furnished anew, this did cost money. It was punished by the ethics officer."

Who didn't toe the line had to pay expensive courses or was being torn from his surroundings. Notorious: The so-called disconnecting. That's the term for the demand at Scientologist to disconnect from critical family members.

Astrid von Rönn, ex-member of Scientology: "Well, it's a reality that there definitely is disconnection. I myself gave a disconnection order to a young couple. Later, my husband has been disconnected from his first wife via disconnection-order. And I know it of some others too, where there has been this disconnection order."

Checking up with Scientology Germany: Do the disconnection order and the destroyed families that Astrid von Rönn and other ex-members talk about, exist?

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany, Scientology-Germany: Scientology is never going to say, You have to separate from this or that family member."

But this does sound like Handle or Disconnect, doesn't it ? (question by the suthor)

"True, but this does not pertain to Scientologists topic as Scientology, but it pertains to situation in which a person is confronted with people that want to limit him personally in his liberty, that want to reprimand him, that want to rule over his life."

Wilfried Handl, ex-member of scientology: "And this is actually what I would consider the most despicle, even more despicable than the other things Scientology is doing: This separation of children and parents, this forced disconnection, which is based on Scientology's doctrine, in which Scientology learly is stating: Handle or Disconnect, i.e. when someone is an enemy of Scientology according to them, then either him or it is being handled or there is the disconnection order."

Yet another thing is being reported by ex-members: sickness or handicaps were being considered deficiencies within Scientology. Of all places in the self-procalimed church - which is putting itself above all other religions.

Astrid von Rönn, ex-member of Scientology: "Well, people that wear glasses and victims of accidents, handicapped people in general they are second class people first of all. Because this is something that you don't accept in scientology. As you have caused these yourself, they say in Scientology. It is your own fault that you wear glasses. That you have an accident or some bad illness. It's all being blamed on yourself."

Wilfried Handl, ex-member of scientology: "Scientology considers illness as, how to put it, as a suppressive act. So when there's illness, that person has to have done something bad for him to become ill. So when you say, no matter whether that person is a sick or a handicapped person, Scientology wouldn't have compassion."

Scientology: For adherents the movement is the key to a better world - without wars, drugs, illness and death. For dropouts it is psychological toture, for the german government it's an extremist organisation. So the answers to the question - what's at Scientology's core - could not be any more different:

Ralf Gerhard, Scientologist: "How to communicate better, e.g. or how to deal with finances, how you can keep a job, so you can learn about and study everyday problems in Scientology. And I have studied it and tried it and I have to say, I'm with it since 20 years and it works."

Michael Pattinson, ex-member of Scientology: "I spent 24 years crossing the bridge. When I reached the bridge's end there was no other side. The bridge ended in the middle of the ocean and then they threw me down. So in reality it's not a bridge but a footbridge. You go to the end and realize that it doesn't go on. Where is the bridge to total freedom? There is no bridge."

Last edited by indeedindeed; 12-22-2008 at 01:25 PM..

12-22-2008

post #3 (link to here)

anon0004 /ide/ot Location: Nazi Episode Land	Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology I like the version, I am not an expert, but this is already enough to start making the subs

12-22-2008

post #4 (link to here)

indeedindeed Member	Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology first draft is complete.

01-06-2009

post #5 (link to here)

strikebacknao Member	Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology Anyone care to actually subtitle this nao? I mean text >>> video and shit.

01-07-2009

post #6 (link to here)

Raven

Member

Location: Germany

Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

Quote:

Originally Posted by strikebacknao

Anyone care to actually subtitle this nao?
I mean text >>> video and shit.

Relax, dude. Working on it.

Edit: Subs on the first 13 minutes are done. 12 more to do tomorrow.
Edit: First draft of the subs is done. Goin to RapidShit nao.

Last edited by Raven; 01-08-2009 at 08:58 AM.. Reason: Update

01-08-2009

post #7 (link to here)

Raven

Member

Location: Germany

Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

Okay folks. The first draft of english subtitles is now done using indeedindeed's translation.
I know that - especially during the interview parts - the text is sometimes packed quite a bit, but since it is a draft, it'll get revisited.

Please give some feedback on subtitle format and readability. If there are some flaws in the translation or something in not quite clear or if there are some unfortunate phrases, i'm sure feedback on those issues will be welcomed, too.

The video is encoded with Xvid, in case you don't have the codec, you can get it here: Xvid.org: Home of the Xvid Codec

Video Download:
RapidShit:
RapidShare: Easy Filehosting

DepositFiles:
Deposit Files

Last edited by Raven; 01-08-2009 at 11:35 AM..

01-11-2009

post #8 (link to here)

indeedindeed

Member

Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

I received a revised version, here's the text and some remarks at the end, thanks to the person who did it:

Quote:

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany: "Well, Scientology is about spirituality, about salvation, about an understanding of who I really am, where I come from, where I go to, who or what is ‘god’."

Wilfried Handl, ex-member of Scientology: "Within Scientology you lose your ability to feel. There is no heart, there is no compassion, this doesn't exist."

Ralf Gerhardt, Scientologist: "Scientologists are more successful, make more money, have a higher standard of living, a happier family."

Ursula Caberta, head of Working Group Scientology: "Scientology is an anti-constitutional organisation, a totalitarian system, which has built a parallel world in Germany and in other countries in the world. That is Scientology."

What is Scientology?

What is Scientology? Adherents praise the organisation as their true religion, but those who have escaped warn about brainwashing, exploitation and violence. At first sight Scientology may remind one of a modern corporation but its controversial focus is the distribution and sale of techniques which, it is claimed, will convert people into immortal superior beings for a new civilisation.

The originator of these ideas was L. Ron Hubbard, a science-fiction author, who created Scientology in the United States at the beginning of the 50s. His vision: a ‘cleared’ world, operating only according to his policies. Since then a worldwide network has been established. Scientology appears to be charming and inviting but its true goal of world domination remains in the shadows.

Hamburg. We're paying a visit to the Scientology Working Group. Its members have observed the activities of the organisation for a long time. According to its interior policy document, its long-term goal is a new system in society:

Ursula Caberta, head of the Scientology Working Group: "You know Hubbard's basic idea is that there are only two types of people, Scientologists and non-Scientologists and only the Scientologist type of human has rights in this society. Only Scientologists are allowed to judge others, that's how it is, so it's a kind of superhuman, elite human. I believe that especially in Germany we know what it means when such an ideology becomes dominant."

Glenndale, California, 201 Broadway. This is the home of “The Way to Happiness". Behind the group with the smart name one of the many Scientology front groups is lurking. We have an appointment with Tracie Marrow. The young woman is active within the so-called Youth for Human Rights, another Scientologist activist group with a melodious name. The organisation tries to get attention with peace marches all over Europe. The group likes to present itself as a pioneer of freedom of religion:

Tracie Marrow, Youth for Human Rights: "We're visiting schools and are doing seminars with the young people and we're showing teachers how to teach human rights, we're showing the films on TV, which have connection to their lives and they learn to recognize human rights violations and also to respect the human rights of other people."

To judge by superficial impressions, it all sounds friendly and nice. The only source of irritation is a small group of observers from Scientology headquarters who have a camera with them. They are constantly filming us but don’t like being filmed themselves. It's a scenario we have to get used to.

The so-called Drug Free Marshalls - founded by Scientology International. Young people such as Nicholas Dale swear in a ritual to take no drugs. Around the world supposedly more than 3 million children and youths have already committed themselves by this oath but for Scientology it's a cleverly devised PR exercise.

Nicholas Dale, Drug Free Marshall: "The Drug Free Marshalls are a group of young people who agree on taking no drugs. Who go out and say: I'm drug free and I encourage my friends to live without drugs."

Fighting against drugs - Youth for Human Rights - these are contemporary campaigns – responding to current problems. However, experts on Scientology consider such campaigns to be a calculated strategy to gain power and influence.

Ursula Caberta, head of the Scientology Working Group: "It's always about, firstly to try to make an impact on a topical issue in politics so that they can say "We only want to do good, why are you opposing us?". That's the PR part. The other part is to get access to people, young people, children, educators, and teachers who work with young people in order to bring them into Scientology’s sphere of influence.”

Heading to the north of the USA, New Hampshire, in order to meet a man who was a member of Scientology's top management for years: Larry Brennan. He was a high-ranking member of the organisation’s internal secret service and gives us a glimpse of the organisation's inner workings. Today he describes Scientology as an anti-democratic movement, with no religious quality:

Larry Brennan, ex-member of Scientology: "I think that Scientology is a very dangerous group for democracy, because it intends to overtake all democracies. It's in the official policies to replace all democratic constitutions with Scientology. This is a special danger, because horrible human rights abuses are being committed in the name of the Scientology policies."

Larry Brennan has collected dozens of documents - many of them from his active period. He shows us policies by the founder L. Ron Hubbard. This is about expansion. The goal: To take the power in a society or to "clear" it as it is put in Scientology jargon.

What does Scientology want?

Germany, Berlin. Here the interior minister is looking into the organisation. The assesment: The ideology was contrary to the constitution and to human dignity. Scientology as an extremist association?

Confrontation in the German capital. Because here one of the biggest European Scientology centers was created in 2007. Clearly, the organisation is on a course of expansion and presents itself in the usual friendly manner as a church.

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany, Scientology Berlin: "This is about the immortality of the spiritual being, this is about the questions the eternal questions of mankind, where do I come from, where do I go to, what is the meaning and purpose of my existence, who or what is ‘god’ and these questions are being answered by Scientology."

Scientology creates interest in itself by suggesting that there are answers to the big questions of mankind. So the organisation's technology is supposed to be the key to human happiness and a future worth living:

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany: "I think the most important discovery for me, personally, but also for many Scientologists has actually been the discovery of immortality, that you know that you are eternal, that you know you are a spiritual being, and that you know that you bear a responsibility for your surroundings and your common man and knowing for sure that you will return to this world, of course you try to make this place a better place."

While Scientology in Germany is still in its infancy, the group has made much progress in the USA. Clearwater, Florida, we're on our way to the so-called Mecca of the Scientology movement. In this city on the Gulf coast, the organisation is very visible. Many prominent buildings bear the group's symbols. Thousands of Scientologists from around the world use the so-called Land-Base, which is the name of the main Scientology centre in Clearwater, in order to do exclusive courses on the alleged way to godliness. Common people become Operating Thetans – as Scientology calls the self-made superhumans – created here on payment of thousands of dollars. What happens here in detail is confidential.

Robert Adam, Church of Scientology International: "I've gone through the OT-Levels, I know their advantages, but I also know about the value of keeping confidentiality. I would be more than happy to discuss the advantages of the OT-Levels. I just cannot discuss it, because I promised not to do it. It's not because I don't want to do it. Everyone who does them and really experiences the OT-levels, is successful. They are wonderful."

By now a number of German Scientologists also live at the Scientology centre at Clearwater. For them, Scientology is a religion and a science at the same time. The Scientology leadership allows us to have a meeting with Ralf Gerhard, a follower who toes the line. His statements sound like propaganda. Our observers with their camera, who constantly accompany and film us in Florida as well, are content:

Ralf Gerhard, Scientologist: "It's not complicated to be clear. It's just a great thing, you feel good, you are not as delicate, you don't have such somatic illnesses, you're not as depressive. I think the word that L. Ron Hubbard chose is a good word, clear, you are clear of any negative influences that you cannot control..."

And like many other members Ralf Gerhard also believes in a healing effect of Scientology's technology:

Ralf Gerhard, Scientologist: "I play soccer and I suffered from a knee-injury for more than a year and went to the doctor and whatnot. And then I had a session of this Dianetic technology, when you sit with the auditor and he poses you questions and you're going through the events, when I hurt my knee back then and then, for real, after one hour it was gone. This was 18 years ago and since then I had no more pain, it is working!"

Larry Brennan was part of the highest levels during his time in Scientology as well. He has his very own opinion on the promises to heal:

Larry Brennan, ex-member of Scientology: "I reached clear and went even beyond this level and I still need these things [puts on glasses] to read a letter and a clear shouldn't need any glasses. I have trouble hearing with my right ear and people have to speak loudly to me, even though I am a clear. I had sicknesses a Clear is not supposed to have."

Our route takes us to Los Angeles, California. The city is the heart of the worldwide movement. Scientology is strong here. Allegedly, 50.000 Scientologists live here, among them many business people, software engineers, government employees and actors. Time and again, whole families are members. Edith Reuvini is a top-flight Scientologist. At important events she's in the first row - directly besides Scientology's leader David Miscavige. She is in raptures over Scientology:

Edith Reuvini, Scientologist: "I have three boys. I was a Scientologist before they were born and I thank God every day that I am a Scientologist, because I see what is happening to other children with drugs, gangs, whatever. I had none of those problems. My children were educated in the Scientology religion and I had the means of helping them."

Scientology's crown in Los Angeles is the CC - known as the so-called Celebrity Centre. Actors and other prominent people enter and leave all the time. Omnipresent are members of the Sea Org - Scientology’s uniformed elite unit, who are similar to policemen and are responsible for security here. Eddie Reuvini is among the guests welcomed into Scientology's top residence:

Edith Reuvini, Scientologist: "There are a lot of young people - everybody comes to Hollywood. They still think that Hollywood is Holywood. So people come here to become famous. And it's really nice to go to the Celebrity Centre where you can see a lot of young stars trying to get assignments. There are workshops in which they can partake. They can learn a lot. So we have workshops at the celebrity center for them the entire time, which are headed by professionals. And they are Scientologists."

That's the CC's mission: to recruit young celebrities. A lot of young actors fall for the exclusive charm.

In advertising booklets by Scientology known Scientologists present themselves. Among them we see well-known names such as Catherine Bell, John Travolta, Julia Migenes, Tom Cruise, Juliette Lewis, Kelly Preston, Leah Remini, Jenna Elfman and Anne Archer. Tory Christman once worked at the Celebrity Centre where she was one of Scientology's public representatives:

Tory Christman, ex-member of Scientology: "It's a very dangerous cult. People die in Scientology. People kill themselves in Scientology. If they don't kill you and you don't die, they suck the blood and your life and your self out of you. And the only reason this is possible, is because Tom Cruise and John Travolta, these stupid celebrities, don't want to look at this, they don't want to find out about the dark side."

The painter Michael Pattinson is another ex-member of Scientology. He attained the highest worldwide level of Scientology training known as OT 8. As an artist he was much in demand - today he warns against Scientology and its goals:

Michael Pattinson, ex-member of Scientology: "It's like Big Brother only much, much worse. There is a part in Scientology stating that you have to eliminate everything that looks like competition to Scientology. It may sound ridiculous or like hyperbole, but it's not. You have to eliminate every other religion, everything. Christians, Jews, Islam, everything. Only Scientology would be allowed as a religion. That is all."

Scientology being criticized

Austria, Vienna. A historic city and a European metropolis. Vienna means waltz and multiculture, tradition and cultural avantgarde. Here we meet a man who knows a lot. Wilfried Handl was active in Scientology for 28 years, he became the mission's director. Currently Handl is one of the most experienced European insiders. In a Scientologic state, says Handl, critics would be eliminated:

Wilfried Handl, ex-member of Scientology: "In Scientology there is pure "black white thinking". Hubbard writes specifically of cowboys with white hats and cowboys with black hats. And the cowboys with black hats are the enemies, the opposition. And you can take it from me, they will not be treated nicely. I could well imagine that they would be shot. And then there are those that fall into the category of counter-intentions, so it may be that Scientology says, well, that person is simply confused, he has been guided by the wrong influences. I imagine they might send him to a re-education camp.”

The writings by L. Ron Hubbard. Following his death they're the binding policy documents for Scientologists, such as the handbook for volunteer ministers which mentions anti-Scientologists or Suppressive Persons (SPs). These are people who oppose the expansion of Scientology or the activities of individual Scientologists. In the orders by L. Ron Hubbard it says: ["Find the suppressive - wipe them out."] Or: ["Find the suppressive and pull the trigger."]

Hubbard goes further. In his book "The Science of Survival" he quite plainly recommends the extermination of certain sectors of the population, such as mentally ill people, to ["dispose of them quietly and without sorrow]" or to "[place them in constant quarantine."]

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany, Scientology: "A moment ago we examined a segment of text, which is about how a society could be relieved, when certain elements that intend to do it harm, are correctly identified. Yes. And society is already trying to isolate elements that want to do it harm, such as criminals or mentally ill people."

This is unambiguous. Furthermore Scientology differentiates in the literature that lies open in the centre between first class and second class humans. For only so-called Clears or Non-Abberated, as trained Scientologists are called in their own terms, will have civil rights before the law in the future. These are desirable goals stated in the standard text of "Dianetics" by L. Ron Hubbard. To fulful this aim in the future only Clears would be allowed to marry and to create children in the world.

Police Headquarters in Munich. We have an appointment at the special office for cult victims. The judgement on Scientology is unambiguous here.

Harry Bräuer, Munich police's cult expert: "Scientology is an organisation which aims at economic success and which is clearly directed against the liberal and democratic basic order in its goals."

Ex-members speak out

Scientology – an organisation that is considered to be anti-constitutional in Germany and whose founder has a street named after him in Los Angeles: L. Ron Hubbard Way- an important demonstration of the organisation's power there. A lot of Scientologists work in LA, their children are educated in their own school according to the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard. In the Saint Hill Organisation, visitors from all the worlds donate lots of dollars on their way to Scientologic happiness. A parallel universe in the middle of the USA. But the supposed happiness is destroying people, ex-members warn:

Tory Christman, ex-member of Scientology: "I knew seven young people who took their lives. One of my best friends shot himself, another jumped out of a window on L. Ron Hubbards birthday. From the 15th floor. They're saying that these young people did not kill themselves because of Scientology. But when I saw my best friends die, I said: “You won't die for nothing. I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something.” That's exactly why I am talking about it now, because of this and because all these families are being destroyed by Scientology."

Back to Hamburg. We have an appointment with a woman who was active in Scientology for 20 years and filled the notorious position of ethics officer: Astrid von Rönn made sure that the Scientology line was being toed:

Astrid von Rönn, ex-member of Scientology: "Well, basically everything was punished. Everything that didn't serve the aim and purpose of Scientology was punished by the ethics officer, including homosexuality, illness, theft, embezzling funds, being late. Everything that didn't serve the purpose. Even if someone rented a flat and maybe refurnished it. This cost money. It was punished by the ethics officer."

Anyone who didn't toe the line had to pay for expensive courses or was torn from his surroundings – the notorious practice of disconnection. Disconnection is when a Scientologist is forced to sever all contact with hostile family members.

Astrid von Rönn, ex-member of Scientology: "Well, it's a reality that there definitely is disconnection. I myself gave a disconnection order to a young couple. Later, my husband was disconnected from his first wife following a disconnection-order. And I know of some others too, where there has been this disconnection order."

Checking up with Scientology Germany: do the disconnection orders and the destroyed families that Astrid von Rönn and other ex-members talk about, exist?

Sabine Weber, Vicepresident Scientology Germany: Scientology is never going to say, You have to separate from this or that family member."

But this does sound like Handle or Disconnect, doesn't it ? (question by the author)

"True, but this does not pertain to Scientologists as part of Scientology, but to the situation in which a person is confronted with people that want to limit him personally in his liberty, that want to reprimand him, that want to rule over his life."

Wilfried Handl, ex-member of scientology: "And this is actually what I would consider the most despicable thing, even more despicable than the other things Scientology is doing: the separation of children and parents, this forced disconnection, which is based on Scientology's doctrine, in which Scientology clearly states: ‘Handle or Disconnect’. In other words, when someone is an enemy of Scientology according to them, then either he must be handled or there is the disconnection order."

Yet another thing is being reported by ex-members: sickness or handicaps were being considered deficiencies within Scientology. Of all places in the self-proclaimed “church” - which puts itself above all other religions.

Astrid von Rönn, ex-member of Scientology: "Well, people that wear glasses and victims of accidents, handicapped people in general, are second class people. Because this is something that you don't accept in Scientology. They say that you have caused these yourself. It is your own fault that you wear glasses, or have an accident or some bad illness. It's all blamed on yourself."

Wilfried Handl, ex-member of scientology: "Scientology considers illness as, how to put it, as a suppressive act. So when there's illness, that person has to have done something bad for him to become ill. So when you say, no matter whether that person is sick or handicapped, Scientology has no compassion."

Scientology: For adherents the movement is the key to a better world - without wars, drugs, illness and death. For former members it is psychological torture. For the German government it's an extremist organisation. So the answers to the question - what's at Scientology's core - could not be any more different:

Ralf Gerhard, Scientologist: "How to communicate better, how to deal with finances, how you can keep a job, so you can learn about and study everyday problems in Scientology. And I have studied it and tried it and I have to say, I'm with it for 20 years and it works."

Michael Pattinson, ex-member of Scientology: "I spent 24 years crossing the bridge. When I reached the bridge's end there was no other side. The bridge ended in the middle of the ocean and then they threw me off. So in reality it's not a bridge but a footbridge. You go to the end and realize that it doesn't go on. Where is the bridge to total freedom? There is no bridge."

Notes:
‘Dropout’ has a derogatory meaning in English. I have used ‘former member’
Clearwater is not on the Atlantic but on the Gulf coast of Florida.
P 5-6: I have left these direct quotes in brackets

To say 'He has been active for 20 years' implies that he still is active.
Should be 'He was active for 20 years'.

01-12-2009

post #9 (link to here)

Raven Member Location: Germany	Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology Thx. Depending on how many time i got, i'll be updating the subs asap.

01-19-2009

post #10 (link to here)

strikebacknao Member	Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology Raven, great work so far - any updates yet or can I put the draft on YouTube already? btw. you can find the full DVD download here: Scientology Doku DVD (Der gesäuberte Planet)

01-19-2009

post #11 (link to here)

Raven

Member

Location: Germany

Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

Quote:

Originally Posted by strikebacknao

Raven, great work so far - any updates yet or can I put the draft on YouTube already?

btw. you can find the full DVD download here: Scientology Doku DVD (Der gesäuberte Planet)

I still have to change the subs according to indeeds translation v2. Also have to split up the crowded subs in the interviews. Trying to get it done till weekend.

01-24-2009

post #12 (link to here)

anon0004

/ide/ot

Location: Nazi Episode Land

Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

Raven´s SUBBED version tubed

The Cleared Planet - A journey into Scientology - German Documentary on Vimeo

01-27-2009

post #13 (link to here)

strikebacknao

Member

Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

... and YouTube with 3 parts ...

YouTube - The Cleared Planet - A journey into Scientology - German Documentary (Part 1 / 3)

YouTube - The Cleared Planet - A journey into Scientology - German Documentary (Part 2 / 3)

YouTube - The Cleared Planet - A journey into Scientology - German Documentary (Part 3 / 3)

01-27-2009

post #14 (link to here)

423 Member Location: Texas paradise	Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology Great job with the closed caption (APPLAUSE!) The dude in the video is Ralf Gerhardt of Clearwater right?... Ralf Gerhardt - Scientology Service Completions \| Truth About Scientology Statistics Project

01-27-2009

post #15 (link to here)

anon0004 /ide/ot Location: Nazi Episode Land	Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology very good strikebacknao It will be mirrored for great justice

01-27-2009

post #16 (link to here)

Ann O'Nymous Member	Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology Great. Thanks to those who contributed. Have this been posted in an English sub-forum ?

01-28-2009

post #17 (link to here)

strikebacknao

Member

Re: Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann O'Nymous

Great. Thanks to those who contributed. Have this been posted in an English sub-forum ?

there there there ... New German Films Aim to Shed Light on Scientology

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Der gesäuberte Planet - Reise ins Innere der Scientology

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The Cleared Planet - A journey into Scientology - German Documentary on Vimeo

YouTube - The Cleared Planet - A journey into Scientology - German Documentary (Part 1 / 3)

YouTube - The Cleared Planet - A journey into Scientology - German Documentary (Part 2 / 3)

YouTube - The Cleared Planet - A journey into Scientology - German Documentary (Part 3 / 3)

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