Beyond Belief
My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape
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4.3 • 912 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005. In Beyond Belief, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect, details her experiences as a member Sea Org—the church's highest ministry, speaks of her "disconnection" from family outside of the organization, and tells the story of her ultimate escape.
Piercing the veil of secrecy that has long shrouded the world of Scientology, this insider reveals unprecedented firsthand knowledge of the religion, its obscure rituals, and its mysterious leader—David Miscavige. From her prolonged separation from her parents as a small child to being indoctrinated to serve the greater good of the Church, from her lack of personal freedoms to the organization's emphasis on celebrity recruitment, Jenna goes behind the scenes of Scientology's oppressive and alienating culture, detailing an environment rooted in control in which the most devoted followers often face the harshest punishments when they fall out of line. Addressing some of the Church's most notorious practices in startling detail, she also describes a childhood of isolation and neglect—a childhood that, painful as it was, prepared her for a tough life in the Church's most devoted order, the Sea Org.
Despite this hardship, it is only when her family approaches dissolution and her world begins to unravel that she is finally able to see the patterns of stifling conformity and psychological control that have ruled her life. Faced with a heartbreaking choice, she mounts a courageous escape, but not before being put through the ultimate test of family, faith, and love. At once captivating and disturbing, Beyond Belief is an eye-opening exploration of the limits of religion and the lengths to which one woman went to break free.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Hill s candid memories of growing up inside the Church of Scientology are notable not just for their detail but for the light they shed on an environment that fosters isolation, powerlessness, and privacy loss. The Church takes precedence over family to the extent that Hill whose parents were Church executives spent just one hour a day with them, decreasing as they moved up in the Church hierarchy. Although most of Hill s extended family has left Scientology, her uncle, David Miscavige, is currently head of the Church. Hill recalls she "didn t know what normal looked like," and that her life was "owned by the Church." In fact, after her engagement to a fellow Scientologist one that Church officials tried mightily to prevent her desire to have children motivated her to leave the Church. (As "thetans," many members "can t really be the parent" of another thetan). Those looking for a glimpse into the celebrity side of Scientology will be disappointed; Hill primarily relates how celebrities are treated differently from the rest. Some readers may have difficulty believing such insular Scientology communities can exist in this age of access, but memoirs like Hill s cast light on their internal practices.
Customer Reviews
Very courageous
I found Jenna's story to be very informative and terrifying. I'm thankful that she could put that into words. I wasn't so in touch with my feelings from 19-28... I didn't have the courage to say WHAT? When I read those OT materials that I paid lots of $ for, although I was thinking the thoughts that Scientology is truly crazy and I must be for spending $. Over the years I've tried to get only the money back that I had on my account in LA which I never spent. I never got anything back. I consider them thieves too. I gave up trying as I got tired of the harassing phone calls at 2 am in the morning and unexpected visitors at 8am on a Sunday. After 30 some odd years, I'm still being harassed!
So, Jenna, thanks for writing this. By the way, I used to be married to your uncle Larry & I babysat Barney and Dallas...
Great book!
I loved reading this story. I found myself in tears more than once. Why does our government who sticks their nose in everything not investigate this so called religious group. This is child neglect, abuse and many more things that should be stopped.
Incredibly heart rending story and must read
I have had family members who were at one time involved with this evil place, and also close friends who have recently had to do work at one of the major Hollywood buildings where building codes are still being violated today. I can attest to what they witnessed and this goes in depth to the core of the sick organization which is the "church" of Scientology. I am so grateful for the incredible courage of this woman and her associates and family for pulling the curtain off this evil place and exposing them. I hope sincerely they are continually ripped apart in the press and by law enforcement so they never harm another, and they have to give up every ill gotten dime, back to the people they scammed. I also pray that the celebrities who have blindly associated themselves with this cult open their eyes and exit en mass and speak against this disgusting organization who keep people enslaved, with no resources, and mentally and physically abuse and torture even the youngest and most innocent souls. Horrendous and worth reading every word!! Thank you for your courage!
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