10 Most Fascinating People of 2008

Last Dec. 4, I blogged about the upcoming Cruise interview with Barbara Walters to air on "The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008".

Here is the interview itself.

DOs and DON'Ts on How to Help Cult Members

I have plenty of disagreement with the Anti-Cult Movement, as is visible from my web page and through my rants in this blog.

However, surprisingly, when it comes to practical advices anti-cultists provide to parents who have offspring in a cult, these are almost identical to those I would myself give (though some of the definitions I use may be somewhat different).

The question is: if these are valid for parents on how to deal with their Scientology son or daughter, why would it not be valid for anti-Scientologists when they address Scientologists who happen to come in their forum? Or otherwise wherever they meet them? Anonymous, take note...

Here they are:

• DO try to keep in regular contact via mail or telephone even if thereis little response.
• DO express sincere love for the cult member at every availableopportunity.
• DO keep a diary of comments, attitudes and events associated with his/her life in the cult.
• DO always welcome the cult member back into the family home no matter what is said.
• DO keep copies of all written correspondence from you and the individual.
• DO record all the names, addresses and phone numbers of people linked with the cult.
• DO try to bite your tongue if the cult member makes unkind comments.
• DO read all of the recommended books relating to cults and mind control, as well as reading other information on the cult in question.
• DO seek help and information from organisations specialising in counter-cult work. We care about you and your individual situation

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• DO NOT rush into adopting a potential solution before carefully researching the cult problem.
• DO NOT say:"You are in a cult; you are brainwashed".
• DO NOT give money to the member of the group.
• DO NOT feel guilty. This is not a problem caused by families.
• DO NOT act in an angry or hostile manner towards the cult member.
• DO NOT feel alone. It happens to thousands of families every year.
• DO NOT underestimate the control the cult has over a member.
• DO NOT antagonise the cult member by ridiculing his/her beliefs.
• DO NOT be judgemental or confrontational towards the cult member.
• DO NOT antagonise any of the cult's leadership or members.
• DO NOT be persuaded by a cult 'specialist' to pay large sums of money without verifying his/her qualifications.
• DO NOT give up hope of success in helping your family member to leave the group no matter how long the involvement has already been
• DO NOT neglect yourself or other family members.

Xenu Likes to Party

"Say what you will about Scientology, But Xenu knows how to throw a star-studded Christmas bash."

From http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2008/12/xenu-really-kno.html

with quite a few photos of Scientology celebrities in partying gears.

More information on that party here.

PS- check this blog post to see a video of another celebration event in which Scientology celebrities joined in a float for the annual Hollywood Santa Parade 2008.