When friends become enemies
*Scientology was Lino Bombonatos life: For seven years the Rhinelander was busy every day with the sect,
who worked for a pittance for them, and even spied on opponents of the sect.
But then his dream of the Scientology cure-all began to falter.
[*my translation]
17th Feb 2010
http://www.stern.de/tv/sterntv/scientol ... 44282.html
stern TV-Chat:
Your Questions about Scientology
Scientology always makes the headlines. But what makes the sect so dangerous? And where ex-scientologists get help? Ursula Caberta directs the Hamburg Scientology Task Force. In the chat she has answered your questions.
http://www.stern.de/tv/sterntv/stern-tv ... 44325.html
Articles are in German of course but are reasonably understandable though Google-Translate or LiveSearch(Bing).
EDIT:
The episode has been put up on YouTube (no subtitles as yet):
Pt1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFm04L0sP7U
Pt2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og3_iTAdI78
Pt3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaDPGeOYXm8
EDIT2: VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Many thanks to Ackerland, Indeed, moarxenu and the German anons who helped with transcribing and translating the vids and article.
YouTube- Lino on Stern TV, 17.02.2010 Part 1 of 3
YouTube- Lino on Stern TV, 17.02.2010 Part 2 of 3
YouTube- Lino on Stern TV, 17.02.2010 Part 3 of 3
Also, here is a proper translation of the Stern web article:
Ex-Scientologist Lino Bombonato
When Friends Turn Enemies
Scientology was Lino Bombonato's life: For seven years the man from the Rhineland region was preoccupied with the cult, worked for it at very low wages and even spied on opponents of the cult in the end. But then his conception of a happy Scientology world began to crack.
Actually it was just a personality test on the Scientology homepage [No comma] which made Lino Bombonato become curious in 2003. For example the 15-year old was asked about his mood, whether he slept well or whether he tends to be jealous. The pupil answers the questions and offers his contact data as well. Shortly thereafter he's on his way to Düsseldorf: He wants to ask about the test results at the local Scientology church.
Big Career in Scientology
But it doesn't end with the supposed personality test - The people from Scientology get the young man from the Rhineland [Omit "region"] interested- and make him enthusiastic for the idea of a membership. Lino Bombonato found the idea of "self-development" intriguing. That's why he began attending courses at the Scientology church in Düsseldorf. Shortly thereafter he makes a big career in the cult. Lino Bombonato feels secure and respected by the Scientologists. During this time, the cult was "like a family" he says today. The young man becomes a member of the Scientologist intelligence agency, spies on critics and tries to disrupt protests by opponents of the cult.
Meanwhile his relationship with his parents gets worse and worse. Lino Bombonato only keeps up the contact because of the money - as being a member of Scientology is costly. Because his father is opposed to the cult, Lino Bombonato is unable to get to a higher position within the organization. Suicide appears as the last option to change this. The Scientologists have talked him into the mindset that he might be reborn into "better conditions" after his death, ie with parents, who are themselves Scientologists.
Failed Suicide Attempt
But the suicide attempt fails: Lino Bombonato is found in time. But still the young man does not consider leaving. It's his work in intelligence that opens his eyes later on: Actually, he only chats with members of an Anti-Scientology-Organization in order to spy on them. But the contact becomes closer.
When Scientology turned suspicious, Lino Bombonato has to justify himself in front of the people occupying upper positions in the cult in so-called ethics sessions. During these, he is [Omit " being"] connected to a lie detector. Due to his conversations with an opponent of Scientology, Lino Bombonato decides to lie during the test. The device doesn't recognize the lie. Lino Bombonato is in shock - he had actually strongly believed in the device's functionality.
A Friend Betrays Lino Bombonato
He confides his doubts to a friend - but he betrays him. Scientology sentences Lino Bombonato to further ethics sessions. At the end of May 2009 his decision has been made: The 22-year old (at the time) wants to leave. In person he goes into the Scientology church and announces his decision. The cult members react coolly - no one seems to be interested in Lino Bombonato. "That was a bitter realization, they treated me like someone who is all of a sudden worth nothing", the young man says today.
After his exit Lino Bombonato is confronted with having nothing: He is 8000 euros in debt at the bank and has to pay off loans, which he took in order to finance his membership with the cult. He has no education. He dropped out after secondary school. Seven years of his life given away for nothing.
Ex-Member Turns Towards The Future
Scientology took almost everything from the 23-year old - still the cult doesn't leave him in peace. The Scientologists try to ruin his reputation on the internet, use personal details against him. In spite of this, Lino Bombonato turns towards the future: He wants to pay back his debts. And he wants to learn a profession - preferably one where he can help other people.
