[ad_1]
The cruise ship Freewinds was a coaching middle for the best degree of Scientology, OT VIII (Working Thetan Stage 8) in addition to the venue for Scientology social occasions, retreats and different ranges of OT trainings. The ship has a restaurant, lounge, cabaret, swimming pool, movie show, spa and an workplace put aside for L. Ron Hubbard, regardless that he died earlier than the boat was ever bought or utilized by Scientologists. One girl claims it was additionally a floating jail the place she was saved in opposition to her will for 12 years.
Former Scientologist Valeska Paris says she was imprisoned on the Freewinds at age 18 to forestall her from leaving the cult. Paris was born in Switzerland, when her mother and father divorced at age 6 she was put within the “youth wing” of the cadet org at Scientology’s UK headquarters. At age 14, Paris signed a contract committing her to Scientology for “a billion years” as a part of becoming a member of Scientology’s internal circle, the Sea Org.
Then, Valeska’s stepfather died by suicide, saying Scientology took millions of dollars from him and left him with nothing. After his dying, Valeska’s mom started talking out in opposition to Scientology publicly. Scientology leaders together with David Miscavige informed Valeska that her mom was a suppressive particular person and he or she wanted to “disconnect” from her.
Valeska was woken up one morning at age 18 and informed she had one hour to pack earlier than a aircraft left to take her to the Freewinds. She was informed she could be taking a 2-week journey on the cruise ship however when she boarded, her passport was taken from her. Right here’s how she describes her life on Freewinds:
I used to be ordered to the Ship by David Miscavige to get me away from my mother. I had no forewarning. I used to be woken 1 hour earlier than my aircraft was leaving and never in a position to take any of my private belongings with me aside from a small bag. I used to be informed that I might be on the ship for two weeks: I ended up being there for 12 years. I hated it and wished to return to Flag. I obtained in hassle for this and was put within the engine room till I “had a cognition” . I needed to report back to the Captains workplace, the place Mike Napier yelled at me that I had no alternative however to remain on the Ship. I used to be depressing. For the primary 6 months I used to be not allowed to step off the Ship in case my mother was on one of many Islands to get me! I used to be additionally not allowed to take holidays off the Ship. I missed my household terribly and was knowledgeable by the Safety Chf Worldwide that my solely alternative was to get my household in good standing to come back and go to me on the Ship.
Paris was required to do guide labor within the ship’s Engine Room, a job that was so arduous she handed out not less than as soon as:
“I used to be put on this small room on my own with a digicam monitoring my actions. A safety guard escorted me anyplace I went, I needed to eat within the engine room and was not allowed to eat within the management room as a result of it was air conditioned. I used to be not allowed to work with anybody so I used to be alone always…I used to be within the engine room for nearly 3 months full time. I hated it and simply wished to get off the Ship, I used to be after all not allowed to name my household in any respect or discuss to anybody.”
“I don’t know if I went unconscious or if I fell asleep however I used to be cleansing some a part of an engine it was extraordinarily loud and I used to be simply out for like 4 hours and this man got here and shook me 4 hours later and he mentioned I used to be unconscious.”
Paris’ account of her time on the Freewinds is corroborated by Ramana Dienes-Browning, a former govt who monitored workers aboard the Freewinds and says when she wished to depart Scientology, she was additionally held in opposition to her will.
“She made it very clear she didn’t need to be there. She had been despatched to the ship in order to not keep in touch with considered one of her mother and father and that’s not what she wished, she was very, very distressed.
I might positively contemplate it imprisonment as a result of there was no alternative within the matter.”
Paris was in a position to escape when Scientologists despatched her to a reprogramming camp in Sydney. Whereas Scientology says the camp is “a spa-like retreat”, one former member described life at this camp as “dwelling in a rat-infested basement, participating in degrading jobs for years at a stretch, whereas denied visits with spouses or youngsters.”
Valeska and her husband, additionally a former Scientologist she met on the reprogramming camp, speak out against Scientology and David Miscavige together with showing on Leah Remini and Mike Rinder’s podcast to explain her experiences with the cult:
Scientology says Valeska Paris “beloved her time [aboard Freewinds] as evidenced by quite a few images.” Creepily, in the event you Google her identify, you possibly can see that Scientology has purchased the area of her authorized identify in an effort to embarrass her for talking out:
Paris says she want to see David Miscavige face a felony investigation and precise penalties for what he has finished to her and others: “It’s not proper for somebody to be operating the church and mainly reap the benefits of a church and hiding behind faith to stay like a king and abuse individuals round him. That man doesn’t like anybody, he’s a psychopath.”
[ad_2]
Source link
