Publisher's Synopsis
The book's title: DANTE'S EIGHTH CIRCLE is from a poem -- "Dante's Inferno" about the nine circles of Hell -- the 'Eighth' being FRAUD. That's really what much of this book is about, all nine circles, but mostly the conscious fraud in the eighth circle. In my opinion, Scientology and their Narconon rehab centers are the image of fraud. The malicious damage caused to innocent victims is insidious. The fraud and those guilty of evil are surrounded by fraudulent advisers or evil counsellors. Of course, this book will touch on the "Fourth Circle -- Greed" and the "Ninth Circle Treachery" -- the latter being betrayal of special relationships and disconnection/shunning.
So how did I fall -- hook, line and sinker -- for the "drug treatment" scam known as Narconon, operated by the Church of Scientology to bilk its "students" of tens of thousands of dollars and to indoctrinate new members into "The Church"?
As I unravel the answer to this question for myself, I will explain my personal nightmare to you in vivid detail . . . The hellish incidents of brainwashing and mind control, the lost sense of personal identity and a haunting period of post-traumatic stress. I hope that you might comprehend the pain, the nightmares, and sleepless nights.
My involvement with the cult known as Scientology's Narconon changed something inside me to a degree that sometimes I doubt my mind will ever be the same. My negative experiences continued on for more than five years after my escape. I was informed by a therapist that the trauma I experienced can disrupt brain chemistry permanently. And I was one of the lucky ones who had the presence of mind to escape. I had only been in for eleven months. Countless others have been abused for years or decades and, if they come out alive, face years of recovery in far worse condition. Please understand one overriding fact that I learned the hard way. Scientology's Narconon is a Thriving Cult of Greed and Power, dictated by its current leader David Miscavige, who many allege is a narcissistic, psychotic, sociopath. I was battered around psychologically while in the cult and dealing with the resulting PTSD. When I began to speak out against Scientology's Narconon, the attacks that followed, orchestrated by Scientology, were far worse.
As you travel with me on these pages, try to imagine what it would be like if your freedom of speech was taken away. Think about not being allowed to show your emotions or pain. I was forced to abandon my freedom, hide the real me and convert to their cult belief system, Scientology. Rooms were searched, books were taken away, and I dared not reveal my painful memories. Narconon executives scorned me and commanded I stay in present time.
While working for the cult, it felt like everything I did was being monitored. I was directed by Narconon's 'Commander in Chief' to be careful with my email communications, and what I said to people, informing me: "... be careful around here because even the "walls have ears" . . .
