Astra Woodcraft Speaks Of The Dangers Of Scientology
Over at Pseudoscientology, they link to a great article in the Gwinnet Daily Post which features some experiences former Scientologist Astra Woodcraft had during her time in the Church of Scientology. Astra, is one of three ex-Scientologists who started a website aimed at helping the children who’ve been affected by Scientology. Astra and her colleagues at Exscientologykids.com, were all born into the organization and each has an interesting and quite disturbing story to tell.
Here’s an excerpt from the article, which is a two part series. Part 1 here, Part 2 here:
Considering the veritable contstellation of big-screen stars alligned behind the Church of Scientology, it’s fitting that what Astra Woodcraft says she experienced as a follower sounds like something straight out of a horror movie.
While the public sees smiling celebrities attributing their health and happiness to the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, Woodcraft speaks of cramped quarters and meager rations. Of hard labor and harassment. Of pledging service that extends beyond this life and into the next.
Unlike those famous faces, she was literally born into the church, in London. Her mother was already a member, and even at a tender age, Woodcraft learned things that struck her as odd. When she had an accident - say, hit her head on a door, for instance - she was taught to perform a “contact assist,” gently repeating the motion that led to her injury while standing exactly where it happened.
“My mom, if I would hurt myself, she would make me do this, Woodcraft said, “and she’d make me do it in public.”
For awhile, the occasional bout of embarrassment was the only red flag in an otherwise normal childhood.
Then, when Woodcraft’s grandfather died, her grieving mom flew to the states to seek counciling at Scientology’s “spiritual headquarters,” the Flag Service Organization in Clearwater, Fla.
“While she was there,” Woodcraft said, “she was recruited to join Sea Org.”
Established in 1968 by Hubbard himself, The Sea Organization is a sect of Scientology dedicated to the study of past life recollections and, as Woodcraft puts it, “saving the world.” A truly epic commitment, members are expected to sign a billion-year contract, one that requires them to report back for duty over the course of several lifetimes.
Woodcraft’s mother soon sent for her children, and just like that, a family of five was plucked from a comfortable life in a nice house and thrust into an impoverished existence in a roach-infested hotel room.
It’s nice to see mainstream media picking up on this story. Scientology enjoyed a tremendous period of relative calm from the press and the media. But thanks to Tom Cruise, the leaking of the KSW video, and the commitment of Anonymous — the American public and the world at large is once again turning its critical eye of concern back on Scientology. Something most of Europe has done for the last decade.
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$CIENTOLOGY is a CULT
of course the scientologists will argue otherwise, and they have a well-oiled propaganda machine.
Comment by GG — March 9, 2008 @ 11:49 am
Your articles on the CO$ are fantastic. I really appreciate your hard work. (have you gotten any threats yet?)
Comment by anonv.2.0 — March 9, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
thanks for posting this, it’s really hard to keep up with the evil that is being exposed. I’m really so impressed by these young people and their courage.
Comment by seaweed — March 9, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Another great story Dawn. Your the best. I keep imagining that little Dutch boy with his finger in the dyke trying to stop all the leaks. With enough of these stories coming out especially from the ex scientologist something is gonna break. If Miscavige bolts where could he go where he could avoid prosecution? Anybody?
Comment by Mitsu — March 9, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
Mitsu!
I always love reading your posts. I’ve missed you around here!
Can you do me a favor? I didn’t get that attachment in the last email you sent me and I accidentally deleted it. Can you send it again? Thanks!
Comment by k — March 9, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
K would love to except I don’t recall sending you an email. Can you recall what the subject was? Tks.
Comment by Mitsu — March 9, 2008 @ 6:09 pm
Oh…uhoh, I think there’s been a mixup. Sorry…I think I have you confused with someone else! Oops…
I now return you all to your regularly scheduled interesting discussion.
Comment by k — March 9, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
That’s ok k. We’ll still have Paris. :o)
Comment by Mitsu — March 9, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
I spent nearly 1000+ on various scientological lectures and have never quite been able to recover from the “hazing” effect. They always warn you that this type of thing does not always work on at least 20% of the persons who try it. I feel for those who it did so totally work for.
Comment by John H — March 9, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
anonv.2.0, I think dawn mentioned getting a nasty email from someone calling themselves anon in a previous article’s comments.
It seems astra, jenna and kendra have been getting nasty messages as well (discussed here):
http://www.exscientologykids.com/eskforums/viewforum.php?f=14
Comment by liz — March 9, 2008 @ 10:40 pm
Help us keep knowledge free, and keep others from being victimized. Join the movement, stand with us March 15th.
Scientology is not a religion nor a charity but an unscrupulous for profit business.
They charge their members increasing fees for “auditing” sessions with members paying over One Hundreds of thousands of dollars
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_as_a_business
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenu
All we ask is that you be informed. Information is our weapon, help us help
others avoid this scam.
For more info or to get involved see:
http://youfoundthecard.com
Comment by NarcAnonymous — March 9, 2008 @ 11:58 pm
Just visited that link. Thanks liz. Doesn’t Co$/OSA and all their minions get it? Do you not know that by attacking people in this manner does nothing to gain them support? These ex scien kids have their own story and no one, I repeat no one can take away the fact they suffered under this so called church. Sendning them these types of emails, accusing them of pedophila, saying they are misguided, etc. etc. just gives further proof they will stoop to anything to silence the critics. These diversinary tatics may have worked when you only had a few critics to work on but more and more people are becoming aware. I detest bullies and OSA you are mega bullies.
Comment by Mitsu — March 10, 2008 @ 6:56 am
What truly makes me sick is that this keeps perpetuating itself with no end in sight. Where on earth are any authorities investigating these allegations? Why is Scientology allowed to continue this? If the fear of a lawsuit or being fair gamed is stopping our cowardly government, they should consider using the weapon of public outrage.
Go anonymous!
Comment by Optimisticate — March 10, 2008 @ 7:17 am
Protest - 15 March 2008
WE ARE LEGION
Comment by beebee — March 10, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
I’m sure many of the Legion Of Anonymous That Hate(LOATH) feel they have good reason for their LOATH beliefs that are based on LOATH lies which are “supported” by the “authority” of anti-Scientology hate sites.
Personally I believe in free speech as long as it is an opinion or it’s actually supported by truth. However many LOATH comments seem to support psychiatry which if not for CCHR would have the force of law behind them to use Psychotropics, Electro-Convulsive Therapy, Lobotomy, Insulin Shock, etc., all of which have killed many people and are by no means free. The support of such by various LOATH comments continue to make me curious as to just how much blood money LOATH efforts are worth.
Comment by Curiouser — March 11, 2008 @ 3:08 am
Curiouser- its interesting that you would choose to make the acronym ‘LOATH’ instead of Loathe. ‘Loath’ is an Adjective meaning ‘unwilling’ while loathe is a verb meaning ‘to hate intensely’
So, in this case, you fail.
And you also Fail in thinking Anonymous’ beliefs are built upon lies. Considering the Vast amounts of personal testimonies, first hand accounts, court documents, video evidence, and other material that has become known, not from a single source, but from places across the globe where the Cof$ has touched with it’s blood encrusted fingers.
You want to talk about blood money, how about the undisclosed settlement the Co$ paid in the Lisa McPherson case?
The Truth is, Anonymous doesn’t get it’s facts from the “authority of anti-Scientology hate sites” Anonymous gets its facts from much more than just the internet.
We cast a much larger net, because we are on the hunt for much larger fish.
Comment by Black Rain — March 11, 2008 @ 9:28 am
Curioser, your breaking apart, man. You start by saying you support free-speech, and then tell us to stfu? But we’re speaking out our opinions, that the CoS is evil. Why so serious?
Comment by Anoynymause — March 11, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Curiouser, you and your $cientology buddies are delusional. Seek the help of a good psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Or maybe just read a little more from outside Co$ literature. That might “cure” you.
BTW, I noticed you were challenged to at least acknowledge that what the Co$ did to Paulette Cooper was wrong. Your unwillingness to acknowledge Co$ wrongdoing says a lot about you.
Comment by Narcissus — March 11, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
Curiouser is absolutely OBSESSED with psychiatry! I think she must have been dumped or rejected by a shrink she fancied.
Awww, I almost feel a little sorry for the poor little heartbroken scilon.
Comment by liz — March 11, 2008 @ 11:06 pm