What Is Wrong With Scientology?: Healing Through Understanding

by Mark Rathbun

The first critical treatment of Scientology that seeks to identify and correct what is wrong with it rather than to merely expose or advocate against the subject. A handbook for former, current and prospective members. The book can help to heal any damage done by misuse while rehabilitating any positives derived from Scientology. The book also serves to proof up an individual against being harmed by misapplication of Scientology in the future. As the first simple, accurate description of the philosophy from its introductory to its most advanced levels, the book will inform those interested in Scientology as no other available work has.

Genres: Nonfiction

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 21, 2012

About the author

Mark C. "Marty" Rathbun (born 1957) is a former senior executive of the Church of Scientology who last held the post of Inspector General of the Religious Technology Center (RTC), the organization that is responsible for the protection and enforcement of all Dianetics and Scientology copyrights and trademarks.

Reviews

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being frustrated by the black and white views of Scientology shown on various documentaries and TV series, I became increasingly curious and skeptical of the bold claims being thrown around about Scientology. Rathburn does an amazing job of actually describing what Scientology is and what happens in the organization as opposed to simply describing the oppression that members of the church faced. The book explains where Scientology took a wrong turn, the differences between Scientology under Miscavige and Hubbard, and why it ended up being an incredibly oppressive and harmful force. Overall, Rathburn does an excellent job of showing a balanced view of the church/organization, highlighting positive aspects of the philosophy itself and the potential good it could bring to people while not losing sight of the ultimate reality and nature of the cult.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Marty has talked a lot about the violence that goes on with in the church and has filed lawsuits against them for harassment. Similar claims have been repeated by 100s of other ex-Scientologists. Many of these are currently on YouTube telling their stories and exposing the church.

Marty, on the other hand, has a blog and doesn't allow comments or interact with anyone. I wouldn't trust a word he has to say about Scientology. He makes claims, but for some reason is unwilling to have these claims challenged by those involved.

As a senior figure in the church, he surely feels guilty about his responsibility for the rapes, the child abuse the violence, forcing families to break up, and the Fair Game that goes on within the church. So it's understandable why he wouldn't want to answer to or be held responsible for any part he had in these crimes and alleged crimes.

[Craig Pizzuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to read a book about Scientology from a person like Marty in the position he's in. It may still be a little too kind to L. Ron but he does indeed remove the stick of god-hood from him that Corporate Scientology placed on him. Still not my cup of tea as a philosophy/religion but I could sit down and talk to Marty for a good long while about things...