Hello - and sorry for the delay. I got somewhat behind when a dear friend had surgery and I was out of town for a bit. Here are the answers.And I don’t have a problem with my name being used, or with you contacting me with further questions or for a tour of the church (during a quieter time).
What, would you say, is the overarching goal of the Church of Scientology?
“A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology.”
This was written by Mr. Hubbard to state the goals of the church.What aspects of Church policy or organization (as a whole) would you like to see changed? Why?
None.
Why did you choose Scientology as your religion? Why did you choose to become a Reverend?
It’s a long story - but the short version is that, growing up, I was looking for a happiness and certainty that I didn’t find in the places I thought I would (a pony of my own, a nice boyfriend, graduating from high school, graduating from college, a good job - ). Finally I was watching a TV documentary of Mother Theresa, and she seemed content and happy, and I figured out what she had that I lacked: a spiritual strength and certainty in her religion. I found that in the Church of Scientology, after searching through many religions, reading and attending a variety of church services. I became a minister because I enjoyed helping people - for example, my friend (not a Scientologist) who just had surgery.
Does the New Haven Church yet have an official statement on the March 15thprotest?No.Were you at all worried during the protest? If you were concerned, wheredid you feel the hostility was directed, at you beliefs, or at theinstitution of the Church? (From what I could infer, the Anons wheredirecting their criticism at the church as a whole, though they very wellmay have missed their mark)
There’s always a concern that the actions of Anonymous could encourage or incite other unstable people - the news is full of such incidents (like Timothy McVeigh).
Which criticisms of the Church voiced by Anonymous do you feel are justified (if any)? What criticisms do you feel are unjustified (if any)? (I’m assuming that you are familiar with what the protesters were criticizing)
None are justified. I think there is a great deal of misinformation on my religion, and encourage people to look for themselves. There is a site,www.scientology.org, with a series of short videos that explain aspects of Scientology in a way that is easy to understand. Once again, please feel free to contact me again with any questions or if you’d like a full tour. And, off the record, I admire your willingness to come into the church to speak with me.
Sincerely,Carol Yingling
On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 10:01 PM, <trip@gnomepoiesis.com> wrote:
Hello Rev. Yingling,I want to thank you for your e-mail address, card, and willingness toanswer my questions.First, I want to make sure thats its OK with you to post you name yourresponses to my questions verbatim on my blog. You don’t have to worryabout me altering anything on either side if that is the case. I want toshow, more than anything else, that there are no monsters on either side ofthis debate; just people taking sides, voicing their beliefs. Since I am,after all, a person, I’m not going to pretend to be completely unbiased,but it is the least I can do to give a voice to both sides of the street,as it were. While individuals will make decisions that endanger themselvesand others in the name of an organization they claim to represent (which isthe with Anonymous, the Church of Scientology, the United StatesGovernment, Grateful Dead fans, etc. etc.) I believe that the majority ofthe membership of most organizations aren’t the dangerous zealotsdetractors may claim them to be.With that, here are my questions.What, would you say, is the overarching goal of the Church of Scientology?What aspects of Church policy or organization (as a whole) would you liketo see changed? Why?Why did you choose Scientology as your religion? Why did you choose tobecome a Reverend?Does the New Haven Church yet have an official statement on the March 15thprotest?Were you at all worried during the protest? If you were concerned, wheredid you feel the hostility was directed, at you beliefs, or at theinstitution of the Church? (From what I could infer, the Anons wheredirecting their criticism at the church as a whole, though they very wellmay have missed their mark)Which criticisms of the Church voiced by Anonymous do you feel arejustified (if any)? What criticisms do you feel are unjustified (if any)?(I’m assuming that you are familiar with what the protesters werecriticizing)Thanks very much, have a good week,Tripwww.gnomepoiesis.com