August 14, 2007
Rev. John Carmichael, Church of Scientology
Rev. John Carmichael is the President of the Church of Scientology in New York. We recently asked him a few questions about his church, New York, Theresa Duncan and Jeremy Blake and the subway stress tests.
We're turning comments on for this interview, which is something we don't normally do.
There are a lot of myths that fly around about your religion, could you please tell us about some of the basics of Scientology?
First of all let me say, the best way to find out about Scientology (or anything else, for that matter) is to look for yourself. And that's not difficult - there are several Churches of Scientology in New York; the one at 227 West 46th Street is open from 9 am til 10 pm, seven days a week. Or buy a book -- even get one from the library -- by L. Ron Hubbard. Dianetics (means "through the mind") is the book that started it all in 1950, and became a bestseller and has remained a perennial bestseller. Having said that, here's the short version:
Scientology is a unique and practical religion, one which contains tools people use to lead better lives, lives of greater self-respect and respect for others, greater happiness and understanding. The name means, "study of wisdom," or "knowledge in the fullest sense of the word." So it is about knowing, not believing, and no one is expected to take anything in Scientology on faith.
It's based on the premise that the individual is an immortal spiritual being, seeking to survive, basically good, and with tremendous potentials not currently realized. Because we believe the individual is basically good, Scientology is based on restoring to the individual his or her own freedom. In freedom the individual also finds responsibility and happiness.
How this is done is the whole subject of Dianetics (the precursor and substudy of Scientology) and Scientology, and is just too much to explain here. In brief, the Church provides: 1) courses in the fundamentals of life and their application, and 2) a kind of one-on-one application called "auditing" (from the Latin, audire, meaning to listen) -- it's not called counseling, because the auditor does not tell you what to think about your problems or their solution. Instead, you find out for yourself what has kept you from solving your own problems -- and from knowing your own spiritual nature, as well.
Millions of people around the world have found the applied philosophy of L. Ron Hubbard enormously valuable - from dealing with an inability to study, to coming to their own conclusions about the age-old questions about the universe -- so much so, that Scientology and Dianetics now include some 7,500 Churches, missions and groups in 163 countries.
What is the typical timeline for someone joining Scientology?
There doesn't seem to be one route or schedule which is "typical." People generally hear about Scientology and Dianetics from a friend, or they read a book, and it makes a huge lot of sense. They see someone they know being calmer, more energetic, happier, and they say, "I want some of that!" And they come in to a Church, find a course which gives them Scientology tools to handle the area of life they want to deal with, and find it works.
Some people will just read books by L. Ron Hubbard, off and on, for years, before they take a beginning course. Others, eager to change their lives for the better, will dive right in. But when a person applies Scientology to better conditions in their lives, at that point they can fairly consider themselves a Scientologist.
What is the most common reason someone comes to join the church?
Of all the things people are looking for, Scientologists I've talked to about this, say that they were looking for better, longer-lasting, more honest relationships with others. But whether it was relationships, personal stability in life, or just getting an effective perspective on the spirit and life, people who join Scientology do so because they find what they learn is effective.
But there are some people who join Scientology not because they are looking for anything for themselves. They want to help someone else -- to get someone off drugs, or overcome a difficult time in their lives -- and they find Scientology helps them do that.
What can someone expect to learn through the religion that might be different from what one would learn through another religion?
Scientology doesn't claim to have a monopoly on truth. It's focus is different, however, because of its practical methods of helping people reach their own conclusions, and finding their own truths.
Recently a couple, Theresa Duncan and Jeremy Blake, killed themselves. They had mentioned the Scientologists following them - do you have a comment on this?
It's especially tragic when creative people take their lives - their delusions were certainly bizarre.
How many Scientologists would you estimate there are in NYC?
Difficult to know, as we don't have the same kind of rolls as other Churches -- perhaps 40,000 people have taken services at the Church.
What can one expect to walk away with by taking a stress test?
Well, people who participate find it helps them find out what is causing them stress. Obviously, we wouldn't be doing it if it weren't very popular. For some people it is just interesting, for some people -- people who feel that "everything" is stressing them out -- it is a life-saver. If you take a stress test, and find out what's causing you stress, you might want to do something about it. And the person at the Stress Test table will explain how Dianetics applies to that, and urge you to check it out for yourself.
Please share your strangest "only in New York" story.
Truly, the strangest thing I come across in New York, and it happens much too often, is people who say "I am my brain." That's like someone saying, "I am my spleen," or "I am my foot." It's a person saying that he, himself, does not exist. No doubt they think this is "science," or something, but it's just nonsense, and it is bizarre.
Which New Yorker do you most admire?
I most admire one of the executives I work with at the New York Church of Scientology, who has enormous dedication, huge ability to get things accomplished, a keen understanding of people, their strengths and foibles, and a real care about what goes on.
Given the opportunity, how would you change New York?
There are more psychiatrists in this area than anywhere else, and although New Yorkers are too straight-ahead to be completely fooled, we are bombarded by propaganda from shrinks and their allies hoping to justify human rights abuses like the psychiatric drugging of millions of kids in US schools. People should be more informed about what a growing number of medical doctors and human rights advocates are saying about this, for instance at www.cchr.org.
Under what circumstance have you thought about leaving New York?
Never -- where could you go after New York? Not that I haven't thought of going somewhere else in the summer, somewhere cool and green -- but then I'd certainly be bored in a few days!
What's the best subway line?
The 2-3 line - I can get from Midtown to Harlem in 30 minutes, for $2. What kind of deal can beat that?
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Scientology = affirmation of the good in life
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Scientology is NOT a religion and this man has no right to call himself "Reverened". In fact, Scientology only started calling itself "church" when the IRS ruled that there were NOT expempt from taxes as a religious organization back in the early '70's. Scientology is a scam and a sham and they fear modern psychology because modern psychology exposes how this cult mind controls people.
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What a worthless interview. You could get a job interviewing controversial Republicans for Fox News lobbing softballs like that.
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A question for Rev. Carmichael:
How do you explain Scientology's use of copyright and intellectual-property law to protect various aspects of its doctrine? As far as I know, no other religion does the same.
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Scientology = scam
http://www.xenu.net/roland-intro.html
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#1, scientology mixes worst apects of zealotry with the worst aspects of capitalism. this is self evident in any cursory glance at the behaviors of leading members of scientology et. al.
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To truly learn what Scientology is (from the inside out), you have to register to take Scientology courses.
Scientology courses cost "parishoners" thousands and thousands of dollars.
Or you can search google for videos about Scientology.
Search "speaking freely" and "scientology".
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6 million interesting people living in NYC, and this is who you pick? Give me a break.
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What a crock of shit.
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Scientology is not a church, and this man has no right to call himself "Reverend". Scientology only started calling itself a "church" and using religious symbols after United States Supreme court ruled that the group was not exempt from taxes in the early '70's. Scientology is a scam and a cult. As time magazine so famously put it "The Cult of Greed".
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Poser scumbag. Reverends run religions, not superstitions.
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#6, you are just throwing big words around. what does your comment even mean? that scientology is the best religion ever???
get over yourself.
#1, i'm happy you were saved by scientology's practical take on living a fulfilling life. i'm not sure its for me though.
I prefer fishing!
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Why would you ever pay to take a class from your place of worship? Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, etc all seem to be able to have classes that can help you better your life or learn more about your religion with out charging thier members, why does Scientology need to?
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Seems like a slow day at Gothamist today.
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Gothamist is allowing comments on interviews now?
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gothamist and their old web advertising trick#221: when in need of web traffic, post imflammatory hot button topics!
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the scary/amusing/great thing about scientology involves the dialectic approach hubbard uses in dianetics to reach conlcusions about wisdom, knowledge, etc. what's actually FUNNY about scientology is that its basically run the same way.
its also scary how popular/visible[?] it is. almost like a post-modern religion, aka the pinnacle of selfish absurdity.
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#6, you are just throwing big words around. what does your comment even mean? that scientology is the best religion ever???
If you don't know what "capitalism", "zealotry", or "cursory" mean you should probably shut off your computer and take a class in... something.
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Did they pay you, Jen, to write a fluff piece?
Where are the right questions, the important questions in this interview?
Why didn't you ask him about the "fair game" practice in the "church" of scientology? about why they are considered cults in many european countries?
They don't need another platform to spin and whitewash their cult into looking like a quaint no-threat self-help brand of religion. Tom Cruise, John Travolta etc...already provide that for them.
They are not harmless, they are dangerous and they are plenty of proofs of that, filed in courts of law, in ex-members stories and in other countries where the first amendment doesn't provide an unfortunate protection for their activities.
Jen, were you afraid of what would happen to you if you asked any legitimate hard questions in your interview?
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Unless this is the first of a series, and you follow up with interviews of local priests, rabbis, pastors, imams, ethical culturists, etc., this is an extremely disturbing post. I'm no expert on Scientology, but it seems to already have outsized influence, despite being, essentially, a money-making enterprise masquerading as religion.
I like Beck and all, but if this is a sign that Gothamist is a Scientologist mouthpiece, I'm taking my eyeballs elsewhere.
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He makes Al Sharpton actually look like a Reverend.
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why does he need a subway, just have xenu zip zip you uptown and back!
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xenu will take you home on his super spaceship! All for the lower price of $19.99 and if you convert in the next 5 minutes, you'll get eternal happiness absolutely free!
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I've been reading Gothamist with gusto for years, and this is the first time I was moved to make a comment. What a worthless topic to explore! I am severely disappointed. Let's just hope it really is a slow day there for you guys.
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Terrible interview questions resulting in a boring read on what could have been an interesting topic. Did he send you a list of topics not to ask about? Why didn't you go in depth on the questions your readers care about, i.e. the stalking allegations, the alien involvement. Something beyond the PR flyer I could have picked up off the floor of the passageway to the 7 at 42nd Street.
Sometimes Gothamist is great; other times the contributions aren't worth the read. Do they get paid for interviews like this? I am willing to visit websites and cut and past answers into a blog if there's money in it.
Way below average entry!
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Wow - even more shocked that when I left comment #17 and scrolled up to see this was an entry by JEN! Come on! I'm totally let down.
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Scientology is for crazy people. Well, actually most religion is for crazy people, but scientology takes the cake.
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what is this cake you speak of
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I hope everyone who's writing shit against scientology is a agnostic or atheist cause if you are throwing mud at scientology and you believe in that other crazy cult christianity then you'd better get your head examined.
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This guy looks completely vacant of any sort of fun or intelligence. Way to give this douche free advertising for his shitty cult full of other morons he's managed to trick.
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I had a test a month ago on that wacky device they use and I was told I had a Thetan level of 3, whatever the fuck that means.
They can take that E-Meter and shove it up their ass.
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Whew, the Scientology "Religion" is 'STAY-In Alive' with a little help from from their friends or Jen is just plain Lost in Space.
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The reason she didn't ask any hard questions (unless she is a Scientologist herself) is because they probably wouldn't have agreed to do it otherwise. Plus, Scientology has been doing some big things in New York latelty. I think it's okay for this interview to be posted.
It's too bad they are not open for criticism like any other religion. Makes me wonder how they are positive it's the truth.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy0d1HbItOo&mode=related&search
Here's a poll: Which are crazier? Mormons or Scientologists?
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the color pink was invented by Tom Cruise.
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xenuist.com
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Terrible choice of interview subject. Religious leaders are, by definition, totally full of shit.
My theory as to why this is here: Wasn't there some post on the stress tests a week or so ago? (maybe two posts, even?) They saw it, complained to Gothamist, and asked for some form of "equal time." Gothamist thinks this is a scoop that will drive traffic and serves up this man's drivel.
Once, for kicks, I called the Scientologist hotline listed in the back of the Village Voice, and simply asked, "What is Scientology?" The guy puts me on hold for five minutes and then came back with an extremely vague spiel about overcoming past traumas to reach your full potential.
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Oh yeah (on recent Gothamist coverage of Scientology) - don't forget all of the speculation on that artists' double-suicide. Seriously, that's what my money's on - the Scientologists contacted Gothamist.
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#34,
Yeah, right.. scripted interviews is the way to go!!
I dare you to name just one of the 'big' things that Scientology has done in NY lately... come on, just one....
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Everything I know about Scientology I learned from Matt Stone and Trey Parker... and apparently there's nothing more to learn.
I agree with #20, this had better be followed up with interviews by leaders of other religious organizations in the city.
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This is a horrible post. Why is it necessary? Scientology is a cult. It is this sort of an attention that they're looking for to promote their worthless ideology. If you have no one worthy to interview, I rather you give us an interview of yourself.
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this guy contradicts himself straight off even with jen lobbing softballs:
"So it is about knowing, not believing, and no one is expected to take anything in Scientology on faith."
ok, sounds good. but then in the very next sentence he starts in on blind faith?! total blatant hypocrisy:
"based on the premise that the individual is an immortal spiritual being"
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42, that is a terrible statement. i suggest you look inward to find the true source of your frustrations.
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churches, scientologists, psychologists, what's the difference really? they all have have a drastically oversimplified worldview and they are all out to get your money.
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#45 are you a chink or something?
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47 needs his thetan levels examined.
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"why does he need a subway, just have xenu zip zip you uptown and back!"
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!
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43, i think you are a criminal. and many other scientologists agree with me.
p.s. - i know your true identity!
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L. Ron Hubbard is (was) a stupid poo-poo head.
"Churches" started by Philip K Dick or Isaac Asimov would probably have been more interesting. He was a shitty SF writer...
In any case, I find their permitted presence in the subways an annoying offense. What a bunch of pie eyed liars!