Inside the Numerous, Shrouded Links Between NXIVM and Scientology
NEW YORK—Keith Raniere, the former leader of purported self-help organization NXIVM “borrowed heavily” from the teachings of Scientology, copied a number of its internal methodologies, and, in some instances, plagiarized word-for-word its unique terminology for his own exalted classes.
The parallels between both organizations are many—from employing similar indoctrination and deception tactics, to going after members-turned-critics, to even using the same legal defense. Multiple interviews conducted by The Epoch Times—including one with a former Scientology member who also had taken NXVIM classes—confirmed many of them.
The similarities surfaced after The Epoch Times previously reported about the parallels between the NXIVM case and a new lawsuit launched last week against the Church of Scientology International (CSI) and its leader, David Miscavige. Both cases detail allegations of abuses from human trafficking to child abuse. Some say the new suit is unlikely to amount to anything, citing Scientology’s vast financial resources and history of settling out of court.
“It became clear to me that this [NXIVM group] was a personality-driven group defined by a leader, eerily reminiscent of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard,” cult expert Rick Ross said during testimony in NXIVM’s trial on June 12.
Raniere was found guilty on all counts by a federal jury on June 19.
Methodology and Terminology
Before Raniere founded NXIVM in 1998, he had studied the teachings of CSI’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, according to NXIVM ex-publicist-turned-whistleblower Frank Parlato.
Raniere did not borrow the whole theology of CSI, but he took a lot of its concepts, Parlato told The Epoch Times. He said Raniere was interested in CSI’s methods of gathering the personal information of its students and had admired Hubbard’s ability to make money, saying Hubbard was a “major influence” of his.
“Keith borrowed some of the language, like using the terms ‘parasites’ and ‘suppressors,’ right from the Scientology playbook,” Parlato said. “The terms have the exact same meaning.”
“I think if Hubbard and his people had found out how much Raniere had taken, they would have sued him.”
Parlato added that a friend of his who worked with NXIVM told him that Raniere often referenced Scientology.
A “suppressive” person is an official CSI term. According to their website, it means an “Anti-Social” person who “seeks to upset, continuously undermine, spread bad news about and denigrate betterment activities and groups.” Raniere used the term in a similar manner at NXIVM, labeling so-called “enemies” of the group with it.
A former member of Scientology of over 10 years told The Epoch Times that it wasn’t just similarities she witnessed when she attended NXIVM’s classes at its Albany, New York, headquarters.
She recounted how Nancy Salzman, co-founder of NXIVM, taught a whole class about the term on the fourth or fifth day of so-called “intensive” sessions, which could last around a week and cost between $2,000 and $10,000.
“The thing that made me certain it was stolen is [NXIVM] used the exact same terminology,” she said. “They didn’t even try to hide it. It was very surprising.”
Moar: https://www.theepochtimes.com/inside-the-numerous-shrouded-links-between-nxivm-and-scientology_2977898.html