Cult of Imbibery

I recently watched a documentary on The Church of Scientology. I am fascinated by how easily the human brain can be twisted and wrinkled and tied up in knots, and the methods this cult uses to gain so many followers is very intriguing. If you think the immaculate conception of Jesus is challenging to believe, you need to hear the one about the frozen humans who were dropped in volcanos by aliens and dispersed around the planet by hydrogen bombs. It’s a doozy, and it’s the core belief of the Scientologists.

How does a story like that crafted as recently as the 1950’s turn into a multi-billion dollar cult-empire? How do so many intelligent, and apparently generous, people believe science fiction so outlandish that Hollywood producers would laugh at the screenplay? How does one wrap his human mind around that tale and whip out his wallet to perpetuate the most outlandish of lies?

I mean, it’s as ridiculous as convincing billions of people to spend their disposable income on a poison that slowly, but permanently, degrades their brain function while causing toxic harm to their organs. It is inconceivable that intelligent people would pay to decrease their mental capacity and expose themselves to increased risk of cancer, heart disease and obesity all in the interest of relaxation and cultural normalcy. Who would ever do that?