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Product Description
Product Description
The author tells of her time in the Church of Scientology, why and how she left and her subsequent marriage and conversion to evangelical Christianity. The story continues with her battles with the Church of Scientology and the 6 year long Court case she fought to win the right to publish her findings about the the Scientology movement and it's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, as written in her leaflet 'What the Scientologists Don't Tell you', the contents of which form the appendix of this book.
About the Author
Bonnie Woods is a diminutive, soft-spoken mother and grandmother. Originally from America she has lived in the UK now for many years.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
I am delighted that this expose on the "Church" of Scientology is on Amazon UK. With appalling libel laws that are easily abused by powerful, abusive organisations, I expected it to be pulled from sale.
I have met Bonnie and her husband - lovely people.
When she left Scientology, she filled that void with Christianity.
I would like to request an audio version of this book - perhaps Bonnie could record one?
I have met Bonnie and her husband - lovely people.
When she left Scientology, she filled that void with Christianity.
I would like to request an audio version of this book - perhaps Bonnie could record one?
Amazon Verified Purchase
What the author didn't tell you is that this book is as much a glorification of Christianity than an indictment of Scientology. The book does not go into her involvement with Scientology that much, but there are considerable references to prayer and her personal love of Jesus Christ, so the purpose of the book seems to be a little blunted. I am agnostic and did not buy the book to read page after page of moralizing references in praise of the almighty. However, any author that stands up to the superpower of Scientology deserves support and if that comes from her religious beliefs that's fine by me although it did impinge on me a little too heavily.
The appendix is ironically the most interesting part of the book. It contains a no holds barred expose of L. Ron Hubbard's early life and war years that depicts him as nothing short of a garrulous swaggering liar. However, I was involved in Scientology for around 3 turbulent years myself, and ironically there is a tremendous amount of good in Scientology technology at least at the lower levels that cannot be denied. This indicates that LRH did have some positive purpose in the vision he created. Scientology's problem is its need to control and manipulate the individual to the denial of his own volition that is completely contrary to its original ethic of spiritually freeing the individual.
I don't think a definitive account of Scientology will be written until someone is prepared to weigh up both sides of the equation and try to find out what went wrong with it and where Hubbard lost the plot.
The appendix is ironically the most interesting part of the book. It contains a no holds barred expose of L. Ron Hubbard's early life and war years that depicts him as nothing short of a garrulous swaggering liar. However, I was involved in Scientology for around 3 turbulent years myself, and ironically there is a tremendous amount of good in Scientology technology at least at the lower levels that cannot be denied. This indicates that LRH did have some positive purpose in the vision he created. Scientology's problem is its need to control and manipulate the individual to the denial of his own volition that is completely contrary to its original ethic of spiritually freeing the individual.
I don't think a definitive account of Scientology will be written until someone is prepared to weigh up both sides of the equation and try to find out what went wrong with it and where Hubbard lost the plot.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Woods exposes lies, fraud and harassment from and within the cult of Scientology.
13 Jun 2009
I first read this book before it was published when Scientology was fighting in the High Court to prevent it's release. It tells the true story of Bonnie Woods, in her own words, discovering that she'd joined a cult, escaping and subsequently becoming a target of the cult's infamous "Office of Special Affairs". She learns how her former friends and associates at the "church" treat those who leave the fold and dare to speak out about their experiences. The book grabs you right away as Bonnie recounts her and her daughter's first contact with the cult's "Fair Game" policy in their own home. This book is a must read for anyone interested in learning more about this little understood but shockingly dangerous and insidious cult operating in almost every major city in the world.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Some people DO stand and fight
15 July 2010
This book is slightly different from other stories I've read from ex-Scientologists, since the majority of the interesting action takes place after Bonnie has left Scientology.
She decides to help families who are having problems with the cult, and starts warning people of the dangers. This places her and her husband on the front-line of Scientology harassment, and results in a long legal battle to clear her name.
It's very inspiring because here we have an average couple, with financial problems and the demands and responsibilities of a young family, taking on and refusing to be silenced by a rich, malevolent, international cult. It really is a remarkable story.
Where it's also unusual is that Bonnie's explanation for her courage, commitment, desire to obtain justice and help in unexpected places came from God (JesusTech if you will!)
Now, some may find this uncomfortable. Is it a good idea to replace one set of odd beliefs with another?
For me it made the story even more fascinating. My recommendation would be to read it and judge for yourself. Did Bonnie really get supernatural assistance, or did the strength of her belief in a power much stronger than Scientology enable her to keep going when most people would have faltered? The book reaches a dramatic conclusion, so stay with it.
She decides to help families who are having problems with the cult, and starts warning people of the dangers. This places her and her husband on the front-line of Scientology harassment, and results in a long legal battle to clear her name.
It's very inspiring because here we have an average couple, with financial problems and the demands and responsibilities of a young family, taking on and refusing to be silenced by a rich, malevolent, international cult. It really is a remarkable story.
Where it's also unusual is that Bonnie's explanation for her courage, commitment, desire to obtain justice and help in unexpected places came from God (JesusTech if you will!)
Now, some may find this uncomfortable. Is it a good idea to replace one set of odd beliefs with another?
For me it made the story even more fascinating. My recommendation would be to read it and judge for yourself. Did Bonnie really get supernatural assistance, or did the strength of her belief in a power much stronger than Scientology enable her to keep going when most people would have faltered? The book reaches a dramatic conclusion, so stay with it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Good Read
6 Jun 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was interesting and a good read. The writer did not have much schooling so the book is written at about an 8th grade level. The abbreviations for Scientology related positions are all over the place. Eventually I just stopped trying to absorb them. The end of the book sort of peters out and is actually a little bit boring.
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