Really disappointing...

Op suggested to watch Going Clear which doesn't show Scientology in a good light at all. I doubt a scientologist would recommend to watch.

*beep* *beep*

I disagree with you..

He was complimenting the author and recommending his earlier works.
But he was saying this documentary fails short compared to his previous work.

I explicitly disagree with your, understandable, belief that I was looking for another overtly anti-Scientology documentary. As an atheist I view all religions with the same low regard not just Scientology ;)

I often wonder whether widely ‘accepted’ religions e.g. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism etc. would be treated with the same contempt and fascination as Scientology if they were invented/introduced today instead? I also wonder whether I should create my own documentary discussing that very same question? I’m sure I could offend billions of religious followers in one who swoop as well as being accused of being a Scientologist at the same time (which as you’ll have seen some people have already done so on this very thread)!

For example, in the film the Scientologist church is shown to be, correctly, not particularly nice as they’re shown essentially harassing former members. However, correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t Christianity burn heretics at the stake? In comparison… well there isn’t any is there! I’m sure there are other examples from other faiths, however that opportunity being missed by a seasoned documentarian like Louis is indefensible.

Most atrocities around the world seem to be simply attributed to a particular religions/organisations/companies or parts of society rather than specific individual/s. I’m not defending Scientology not damning any other religion/organisation etc, however like any organisation, company or part of society there are nice people, nasty people and some in between (how you decide where people fit is up to you, I myself often reside in a world of grey…). As such by applying this theory to the church of Scientology the must therefore be a mix of all three groups within it. As such treating an entire religion to reflect all of its members and vice versa is offensive and very naive.

Atari: Game Over (2014) Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, surmised with position best: “A simple answer that is clear and precise will always have more power in the world than a complex one that is true.”

I’m sure in the film Going Clear they have the world renowned director Ron Howard, who was a former member, saying to camera how the church helped him through his own personal problems at the time because essentially he didn’t realise it was a church and thought it was more of a self-help group. Then when he found out about the other stuff…. And well he quickly left!
This made me wonder why does the Scientologist church, or any faith for that matter, need to be clearly defined as good or bad? Can’t it simply be left for each individual to use it as little, as much or not at all depending on how it helps them personally? In the great scheme of things isn’t the true crime of any religion how people use it for their own end? Blaming religion is blaming the gun when someone is shot.

Maybe, in hindsight, yes your’re right the documentary is actually about Mr. Rathburn. However, I think that is largely due to serendipity rather than by design. I say that because I think that as the church was unwilling to engage in communication with the filmmakers then the focus needed to be changed to actually create a film worth releasing. However, if the films’ focus was always intended to focus on Mr. Rathburn then you would probably agree that the title is very misleading.

Nb. As I always state about films I dislike; my problem often resides with my expectation of what a given film will contain or how good it will be. As I had high expectations for this film them unfortunately, as is sometimes the case, as was left disappointed because my expectations weren’t met.

Finally, I have only seen Going Clear as a peak into this reclusive church prior to watching this film. My reasoning being that as I’m an atheist I don’t spend too much looking at religions in great detail. It was very well reviewed and in that regard my expectations where met which would explain why I hold that film in such high regard (although it also has its flaws – see above). However, I still believe that film is far better than Louis’.

But compared to Christianity, Scientology is a pathetic rank amateurs. Christianity has killed and destroyed the lives more people than Scientology could dream of doing. At least Scientology is amusing.

It's confusing because his name is Mark "Marty" Rathbun.

The documentary also had Marc Headley in it. Marc is - from all I've seen and read of him - a completely down-to-Earth, pretty laid back, good guy. I recommend his book "Blown for Good". His wife, Claire, sued the "church" for coercing/forcing her to have two abortions while she was in the Sea Org.

"I guess nobody hits a homerun every time."

Very true, however I will still look forward to his next production with anticipation regardless.

I believe that 'Going Clear' came out just as 'My Scientology movie' started filming. They were originally going down the same path, but then realised there would be no point in doing the same thing so tried something a bit different.

Personally I found it very entertaining, though the lack of (new) information was disappointing!


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