Scientology: The Ex-Files

This is an episode of a TV news magazine, with sound-bite interview style and little dramatic flair. It presents the facts, or such of the facts as relate to the interviewees, clearly and believably enough, and some specifics of the strongarm tactics that the 'church' uses to control its members will probably be new even to people who already knew something about Scientology. What it doesn't do is provide any insight into why anyone would fall for this stuff, or why they would remain in such an under-written organization. 'Sea Org'? 'Body Thetans'? Come on!

I enjoyed this film which reveals a lot about this secretive and influential "religion" which seems like the basic tenet is "abuse leads to salvation" and "pay to pray" lol. The official spokesman for Scientology was periodically questioned during the film and he squirmed,twitched and showed so many tells that he was lying in his answer to most of the questions. Couple of times it looked like he wanted to jump out of his skin at even being asked such questions. The older woman who was in Sea Org with Hubbard had tremendous credibility in comparison and so did the family who had left and suffered so much loss and regret.

This was most enlightening, and very captivating. I have never known anything about Scientology, and this documentary certainly reveals way more than I could have imagined. It's hard to believe that this is legal, and that this so-called religion is allowed to operate in a free country. Quite alarming - a definate "must see."

Interesting and fairly creepy.

This is an exceptional piece of journalism and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I do hope there will be follow-up on this cult as things move further along.

Anybody with common sense know that Scientology is about money and control. They always sound like such robots when they try to explain that their type of religion is to make you lead a happier life. How is that working for Tom Cruise these days since his ex-wife had to divorce him like a kidnapped victim who took her chance to run . Anybody who has that much money and power in any religion usually comes from greed and manipulation to the weaker folks who easily believe they just can not do it by themselves. They convince you of this as you are writing them a big fat money check. Even when entertainment stars brag about them they sound so fake its ridiculous . Fake religions like this and many more will always amount to control and money so none of this is NEW NEWS to me .

This is a frightening organization of mind control and torture. This piece followers along much as the latest book about the organization. It is amazing that they continue getting away with it. Their treatment of children who have parents working for the "Church" is horrendous. This piece should be seen by the world. The piece is excellently produced and giving it 4-stars is difficult because the organization is so terrible.

It's shocking that this is still going on today! Religion it is not, Cult it is. We should not be supporting people that follow this cult-Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kristi Alley the list goes on and on (remember they sign a billion year contract)!

I have always been suspicious of the "Church" of Scientology, and this short documentary confirms those suspicions. It is far more a cult, similar to Jim Jones and Jamestown, than a true religous organization. While the stories of those who had left the "church" were interesting, they were also incomplete, and left me with many questions. I would have preferred a longer and more thorough expose of this group.

Wow...disturbing...who's that scientology guy they interviewed...man he's made out of wax...weird...good documentary but I shook my head a lot while watching...it sounds crazy now. I'm sure the victims had good intentions to in the beginning...wow...crazy

Very Interesting movie. Sheds a lot of light on the whole subject.

Amazing. Why aren't they all in jail?

baby kaely

Sick, Sick pupies to begin with. Weak and stupid people making these bastrds incrediby wealthy. All run by attornys! Great documentary

I can't believe that Scientology is even considered a religion. It is a corporation based on a book of science-fiction. My heart goes out to all of these families. <3

Could have been longer; also, had a sort of TV quality to it; more of a report than a documentary.

Seemingly objective documentary on behalf of the corrupt Scientology organization.

eye-opening!

Very informative. One of the only films I have ever been able to find about this bizarre organization.

some humans just don't get it, do they? lol.

exposes scientology as purely evil

Excellent Documentary!

Spookadillo!

Very interesting but I could only think of the many other crazy cults out there that practice the same abuse. Just make them all pay taxes and then the veils of secrecy and cult practice will begin to erode.

It's unfortunate some people get suckered "in", especially at a young age. I'm surprised there aren't any more people coming out in the open with this. Obviously they are scared and afraid because they are being spied on and no sense of privacy. Absolutely insane.

Not a great documentary, but it covers an important subject. Scientology seems to generally keep under the radar. This film reveals the poor treatment and exploitation that many members are subject to.

V

good

I wasn't convinced.

Powerful. I wonder if the only reason they haven't been hauled up on charges of human trafficking is that they have infiltrated some of the organizations that should be investigating them.

A very good - if slight - expose' on this filthy degradation of human dignity.

Every adult American should see this, and learn of the bilious scam. They put up a cross, and go tax-free on billions of dollars that suckers give them.

I read that their goal is to get $300,000 from each sucker. Each should borrow money, and borrow from his parents.

Scary!!! absolutely useful

eh

very interesting

informative but not engrossing. I was able to jump back and forth and have several convos on FB simultaneously so .....enuf said.

Terrific piece of work. Well thought, and put together extremely well.

an amazing expose on this Cult.

Chilling expose' of an organization that is in no way a religion, but a business.

I'm so glad you had this available. with all the hoopla, I'm not familiar enough to understand the "big deal". Now, I am. Education is key. Go Katie. Cruise should watch this and make a public response. In defense of his religion. Thank you.Wow.

Crazy stuff man!

Very well done, and informative.

informative but superficial

very interesting

This is an engaging an enlightening documentary that focuses on ex-member testimony about the internal workings of the church, specifically the Sea Org. The direction plays an fairly objective back-and-forth between ex-members and a church spokesman.

I don't believe that is a church, its a cover up for a scam. We are just scraching the surface of it with this investigating. Need more investigating done.

Seems a bit prejudiced but there are answers needed.

This is just a start...

Engaging, but I think they hamstrung themselves by trying too hard for neutrality. A thorough investigation would be even more damning.

It doesn't seem to tell the whole story, like what may be positive about it that so many people join. It does tell how controlling they can be and how difficult it may be to leave.

Shocked. What a scam. What is scary is that smart people also fall for it. Excellent investigative reporting. This church should be outlawed all over the world. This is not a religion, its a cult.