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I — and a bunch of my writer-friends — received a DVD in the mail entitled “Scientology: An Overview.” I guess with all the flack in recent years, the Scientologists are doing damage control by launching a major PR campaign.
According to the letter that came with it, the DVD will “answer such questions as what is Scientology, how does it forward the cause for human rights, what are its approaches to education, drug abuse, and how does Scientology motivate people to fulfill the potential of their personal and professional lives?”
Aside from the grammatical errors in their message, I have no desire to watch this DVD.
More after the jump…
For one thing, I already have a religion that I love and embrace. And for another thing, the fact that Scientologists feel the need to improve their reputation with a DVD doesn’t bode well. If you haven’t seen the damage Tom Cruise did for their cause, check out the video on Gawker (and for an extra laugh, check out Jerry O’Connell’s parody on funnyordie.com).
I thought maybe I was alone in my paranoia that the DVD might contain subliminal messages. Nope, some of my friends felt the same way. They’re not watching it either.
But hey, I see some of the DVDs for sale on eBay. Maybe Scientology actually could improve my life. Well, by a few bucks anyway.
1126 days ago
[...] – bookmarked by 1 members originally found by biker2203 on 2008-12-09 “Scientology: An Overview” – The DVD I Won’t Be Reviewing http://www.filmgecko.com/scientology-an-overview-the-dvd-i-wont-be-reviewing/ – bookmarked by 4 [...]
Calista – So what’s on the DVD? What did you find interesting about it? I still have it here. :-)
I watched it and thought it was interesting. I really think it makes sense. People who don’t know anything about Scientology (like Jane) should definitely give this a watch.
Gillian – So how was it? Are you feeling the urge to do anything weird? Are there strange thoughts or visions rolling around in your brain? :-)
For real? You couldn’t even watch a little bit? I did, and it wasn’t even my job.
You were totally missing out. That shit is scarier than Deliverance.
Subliminal or not, I think the Scientology DVD could be interesting to view (once).
I’m always interested in what the film’s creators thought might work to market the product. Who is its intended audience? If it seems aimed at the widest possible slice of American (spiritual) consumers, what does that say about other religions and their marketing plans? Is it High Faux Intellectual or Low-Watt Homemaker Comfort setting?
You don’t have to believe or approve the message to enjoy the chicanery, to watch the snake-oil show.
Contrast and compare with, for example, one of the Reverend John Hagee’s DVD presentations on the Terror!! of Islam–you know, America in flames and all that. Or Joel Osteen or Robert Schuller. All rainbow-colored lollipops on one great big airport-lobby kiosk (ah, the coffee’s kickin’ in . . . ).
And when and how do they ask for money? “For more information” or “Help us help you” or “Help us save the world before it’s too late”?
So interesting. I was a deconstructionist when deconstructionism wadn’t cool, baby.