51 pages • 1 hour read
Amanda MontellA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
In this section, Montell introduces religious cults, starting with L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology. When Montell was a 19-year-old in Los Angeles, she and her confident, easygoing friend Mani had their first encounter with Scientology when they were invited to take a personality test. Based on her upbringing and family history, Montell was immediately wary of the group, but Mani seemed totally comfortable.
Scientologists blend into the community unless a person knows what to look for, namely their language, which is laden with sci-fi-inspired spiritual terminology like “E-Meters” and “going clear.” Ex-Scientologist Cathy Schenkelberg shares her experiences with the group and how the allure of Scientology began with the vision of “a non-denominational group whose primary goal was to ‘spread a hope for mankind’” (112). The relaxed attitude of Scientologists in the introductory period eased members into following the group until they enthusiastically embraced some of the more difficult-to-digest propositions.
Montell offers more details about her encounter with Scientologists, like how she and Mani were separated to receive their personality-test results. After they were told about their personality flaws, they were rejoined and offered a $35 class. Cathy attests to the power of these classes, which are generalized but useful enough to be appealing.
By Amanda Montell
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