This film, and the book upon which it was based, have deeply affected me. Going Clear is more than a call to action against Scientology and its hideous list of abuses. It's more than a thriller about a cult's depravity. It's even more than a historically significant piece of investigative journalism. Going Clear merely uses Scientology as a lens by which it examines the depths of human psychology, revealing the most about the desire to control and be controlled since the days of George Orwell.
Speaking of which, before you even think about watching this documentary, or reading this book, please take the time to read Orwell's magnum opus 1984, if you haven't already. You will get so much more out of this if you do so. Scientology is more than a cult; it is a dystopian microstate operating within the free world, and all of the totalitarian tropes are in play. New Speak, Thought Crime, and Double Think are all woven together into a tapestry of drama. The thing that makes Going Clear infinitely more enlightening than any of the great dystopian literature, however, is the fact that everything in this story is real. Orwell's prophecies are real folks, and Scientology serves as a disturbing precedent of what a community or a nation or the world could become under authoritarian government.
Not that the surface evil of Scientology should be discounted either. In my opinion, Scientology is the most heinous syndicate operating in the Western world. I will never, ever, see a film or buy music featuring the performance of a Scientology celebrity ever again, and I urge all of my fellow tropers to do the same. Yes, we as a community of nerds love pop culture. It's the entire point of this website. But I'd argue that doing everything possible to financially starve Scientology is more important than watching a good movie.
In short, see this movie folks, or better yet, buy the book, since the movie really only scratches the surface of Scientology's depravity. Actually, just do both since both are excellent. I'd also recommend buying one of those stress balls they sell at sporting goods stores as well, since you will need it to stifle your outrage.
Literature Mind-blowing exploration of evil and human nature
This film, and the book upon which it was based, have deeply affected me. Going Clear is more than a call to action against Scientology and its hideous list of abuses. It's more than a thriller about a cult's depravity. It's even more than a historically significant piece of investigative journalism. Going Clear merely uses Scientology as a lens by which it examines the depths of human psychology, revealing the most about the desire to control and be controlled since the days of George Orwell.
Speaking of which, before you even think about watching this documentary, or reading this book, please take the time to read Orwell's magnum opus 1984, if you haven't already. You will get so much more out of this if you do so. Scientology is more than a cult; it is a dystopian microstate operating within the free world, and all of the totalitarian tropes are in play. New Speak, Thought Crime, and Double Think are all woven together into a tapestry of drama. The thing that makes Going Clear infinitely more enlightening than any of the great dystopian literature, however, is the fact that everything in this story is real. Orwell's prophecies are real folks, and Scientology serves as a disturbing precedent of what a community or a nation or the world could become under authoritarian government.
Not that the surface evil of Scientology should be discounted either. In my opinion, Scientology is the most heinous syndicate operating in the Western world. I will never, ever, see a film or buy music featuring the performance of a Scientology celebrity ever again, and I urge all of my fellow tropers to do the same. Yes, we as a community of nerds love pop culture. It's the entire point of this website. But I'd argue that doing everything possible to financially starve Scientology is more important than watching a good movie.
In short, see this movie folks, or better yet, buy the book, since the movie really only scratches the surface of Scientology's depravity. Actually, just do both since both are excellent. I'd also recommend buying one of those stress balls they sell at sporting goods stores as well, since you will need it to stifle your outrage.