Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism

In this section, Montell introduces religious cults, starting with L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology. When Montell was a 19-year-old in Los Angeles, she and her confident, easygoing friend Mani had their first encounter with Scientology when they were invited to take a personality test. Based on her upbringing and family history, Montell was immediately wary of the group, but Mani seemed totally comfortable.

Scientologists blend into the community unless a person knows what to look for, namely their language, which is laden with sci-fi-inspired spiritual terminology like “E-Meters” and “going clear.” Ex-Scientologist Cathy Schenkelberg shares her experiences with the group and how the allure of Scientology began with the vision of “a non-denominational group whose primary goal was to ‘spread a hope for mankind’” (112). The relaxed attitude of Scientologists in the introductory period eased members into following the group until they enthusiastically embraced some of the more difficult-to-digest propositions.

Montell offers more details about her encounter with Scientologists, like how she and Mani were separated to receive their personality-test results. After they were told about their personality flaws, they were rejoined and offered a $35 class. Cathy attests to the power of these classes, which are generalized but useful enough to be appealing.