What is it like to grow up as a child in Scientology? Not as a celebrity, nor anyone with clout, but as an average person going to a local church and trying to assimilate into the only life that you know? Laurel tells her personal story of growing up as a Scientologist, joining the Sea Org at just 13 years of age, getting married, her path toward becoming a “word clearer”, and one particular way to leave the Sea Org to obtain freedom.
This isn’t just a story about Scientology though, this is a story about how a belief system can impact a family, and ultimately this is a human story about a little girl growing up and facing some things that most people will never have to face. From the normal desire to fit in and make friends to her life being pulled into the extreme emotional control of the group, to having to stare into someone else’s eyes without breaking gaze for hours at a time, Laurel has an experience to share.
The song that Laurel chose to represent her story is Pay No Rent by Turnpike Troubadours.
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This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app or on YouTube. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah’s Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment.
Follow my new podcast called LouisvilleOne at LouisvilleOne.org or look it up on a podcast app. You can watch the live videos on the YouTube channel HERE.
Music by Fair Voyeur entitled “No Hell Yet”.
I think the government actively turning a blind eye to this cult and it’s obvious abuses is more criminal and corrupt than the cult itself. This is so sickening to me.
This is the first episode of Shunned I’ve listened to. It was recommended by the Spiritual Abuse Education Forum. I am recently exploring that I was in a cult. Even though it wasn’t Scientology or JW I found sooo many things I could relate to, thank you Laurel for sharing your experiences. I couldn’t believe some of the things you’ve been through, especially the psychological torture you endured at the Sea Org. I felt it was a privilege and honour to listen to your story and bear witness to it. It also helped me feel less alone on my own journey, even though my experiences are different, some things resonated with me so much (why are there so many code words and jargon for things in coercive groups!?) and raised several things I can work on in counselling. Thank you!
Hello Laurel,
I came across this podcast after listening to a variety of other podcasts. I too grew up in Scientology. My parents got in before I was born in the eighties. My father, stepmother and in-laws have disconnected from my husband, myself and our son. I was low on the Bridge as well. Before I left in 2017 I had completed the Student Hat and PTS/SP course and was in the middle of the SRD. I was on staff for a period of time but never joined the sea org despite all the recruiting attempts ever since I was a teen. If you want to reach out to me my email is provided. I would love to chat. Thanks for sharing your story.
I cannot begin to express how much your story helped me, Laurel. I’ve only decided to leave the church a little while ago and this is the first thing that I’ve allowed myself to listen to. I have heard bits of stories in the past that were really over sensationalized and those never resonated with me because they just seemed to be full of made up bs. And while my experience is definitely different than yours, it all resonated so much and I’m familiar with basically every aspect – though I never had to experience Pigs Berthing. Once you start to see past all the justifications for EVERYTHING it all starts to fall apart pretty quickly. Your story helped me more than I can express!! Thank you!!
Hi Hannah,
First I just want to say I’m so glad that you’re out of there and starting to look for more information and stories. I remember so vividly the first thing I allowed myself to read that resonated as real and what a huge and life-changing step that was for me. It feels incredible to be able to provide that moment for someone else. That’s exactly why I wanted to do this podcast. If you are interested in talking any more, I’d be happy to. I think Michael would be able to connect us. Either way, I’m wishing you all the best.