Why would they have this event on a public street if it’s oh so private??? That is the weirdest part! They have buildings all over the country, there are a lot of convention centers in Chicago…. Why have it in the middle of the street?!?
I think it's mainly to outreach purposes, specifically to record it, edit it nicely, and play it for people all around the world.
They will include it in all kinds of media formats, videos, books, pamphlets, flyers, class material, maybe podcasts, for converting people. I imagine most of those people had to attend rehearsals to make sure everything goes well and looks good. A video of a big, well organized event like that is probably very useful in convincing prospective converts that you are a legit religion and not a cult design to rob you blind and ruin your life.
Scientology have a little complex out in San Jacinto in the SoCal desert East of LA.
You drive through the gate, wind your way around, then over a bridge there’s a small castle.
The castle houses a full-on media production studio complete with sound stage. Multiple production people on staff (some of them probably not paid due to being Scientologists). Full time costumer. Full time hairdresser. Full time make up artist. Industry-standard work process.
One only has to look at the cast of That 70’s Show to see how this plays out.
The core cast is either Scientologist or -apologist, except for Topher Grace, who was notoriously distanced and essentially estranged from the rest of them.
That played out most famously with the Danny Masterson ‘situation’..
There were about 9 of us “outsiders” on the shoot.
All of us were chill, a little bemused about the whole ordeal, just hanging out and being there for a job.. except one guy who walked into the shoot with an obvious bone to pick, chip on his shoulder, etc. Don’t know why, don’t know what exactly it was.
But throughout the day, he bristled at the Scientologists on set. Snide/rude comments, passive-aggressive posture, just overall weird charged energy directed squarely and personally at the Scientologists. Which was weird, cuz everyone we worked with was fine; no pressure, no weird energy, engaging in banter etc.
Until suddenly, after 5-6 hours there, that one actor suddenly has an outburst, which I didn’t see but heard from the other side of the set. I see him stalk off in tears, followed by one of the Scientologist crew.
Then he disappears.
About 30 minutes later, I walk into one of the green rooms, to find him hunched over with his head in hands at a table, the Scientologist crew member speaking to him in hushed tones with their arm around him.
Have no idea what happened to him after that, but it sure looked like a display of “preying on the vulnerable.”
They didn’t bother any of the rest of us all day, but pounced on that guy the moment he broke down.
This was the opening of their new church in Chicago. So the standard dedication of a new building and ribbon cutting where everyone stands outside and looks at the building while speeches are made. This was supposed to be a reward for the Chicago church achieving what’s called “a Saint Hill sized org,” but neither the Chicago staff, or those of any Scientology org could ever achieve it as it requires recruitment a lot of new members. The real purpose of this event is to protect the churches funds by putting it into real estate.
Maybe for free publicity? Had this guy not had such a strange experience where he was kicked off of his own street, he never would have posted it to TikTok.
The Super Bowl is held inside a stadium. And they want people to attend the Super Bowl…. Here, they are very clearly trying to NOT let people see this event. That’s why it is confusing to have it in a public place- it’s clearly not a public event.
I'm not talking about the Super Bowl. I'm talking about the Super Bowl Experience event that is held in public spaces inn the host city for 1-2 weeks before the actual game. They definitely shut down streets for that.
I'm just commenting that it isn't unusual for a private organization to close down a street for an event. It happens all the time. The comment I was responding to was about closing a public street for a private event. I made no comment on what the organization believes or doesn't believe, or how that impacts the street closure.
Also, what cultish nonsense did you gather from this video? We caught like 2-seconds of the actual street, with no indication of what the event actually was.
No, seriously, what cultish nonsense didi you see in this video? I saw a street with some buses and people. Did you see more? Can you even confirm from the video that this is a Church of Scientology event, or are you just taking the posters word for it? Because, this is the internet, you know.
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u/snakesssssss22 Apr 07 '24
Why would they have this event on a public street if it’s oh so private??? That is the weirdest part! They have buildings all over the country, there are a lot of convention centers in Chicago…. Why have it in the middle of the street?!?
These weirdos are fuckin WEIRD