Religious authorities like the Church of Scientology can come off as serious, and in one California woman’s case, maybe a bit too serious. Reddit user FabulosoLover, who claims to be the niece of the woman whom the church is expressing interest in, posted the photo of a letter on r/Weird. “My aunt put our address as her mailing address YEARS ago,” FabulosoLover explained. “But asking if we read a book she bought 40 years ago is just straight up weird,” she said, referring to the letter’s contents.
An alleged “Spiritual Counselor” from the Church of Scientology was asking FabulosoLover’s aunt whether she had read Dianetics, a book which they claimed she bought way back in 1986. “This isn’t the first time we’ve received mail from them,” OP wrote. “But this is the first time a letter creeped me tf out.”
For context, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health is a book about the new age practice of “auditing,” curing one’s psychological illnesses and negative emotions by purposely “erasing” memories. Of course, there’s a lot more nuance involved for those more serious about the practice, but it’s essentially therapy to help people get past trauma.
FabulosoLover doesn’t explain why her aunt bought Dianetics or whether she even read it. That being said, Redditors didn’t spare their criticisms of how pushy the Church of Scientology was in asking her about it decades later. “Yo I would frame that, it’s so pathetic, weird, and official,” said a commenter, with thousands upvoting them in agreement. “It kind of warms my heart as how desperate this seems,” joked another.
Redditors Warn about the Dangers of Letting the Church of Scientology Obtain Personal Information
One person recalled how, during their teenage years, they dabbled in Scientology just for the fun of it. “Turns out there was no giggling to be had,” they warned. “They found my number, my house phone, alternate emails, and so much more.” They claimed the church even reached them after they had changed their phone number. “That’s scary,” remarked a Reddotor in response.
Whether the California aunt gave away her information, FabulosoLover doesn’t clarify. Though one commenter gives everyone tuning in to the post some very sound advice: “This is why you don’t engage with Scientology even as a joke.” They continue, saying that the church will forever keep a person’s details in its records, including those of one’s family. It’s a terrifying thought for sure, especially for those who strongly value privacy.
