Former Scientologist Pete Griffiths reviews Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie Pete Griffiths knows the Church of Scientology only too well. In 1987 he was invited to take an Oxford Capacity Analysis […]

Pete Griffiths knows the Church of Scientology only too well.

In 1987 he was invited to take an Oxford Capacity Analysis – a personality test and recruitment tool used by the secretive Church.

To Griffiths’ amazement his test results suggested he was mentally unstable, miserable and in need of urgent help.

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Help which could be provided by an auditing course led by Scientology.

Feeling emotionally vulnerable, Griffiths signed up for the course and over the following 21 years was an active member of the Scientology movement.

But by 2008 he had became so disillusioned with its unrealistic demands that he burned all of his Scientology belongings in a bonfire.

Last year he watched the Louis Theroux documentary My Scientology Movie at its London premiere, and here he shares his impressions of its accuracy.

“If anything it’s more like My Marty Rathbun Movie than My Scientology movie”

It’s not just a vehicle for Theroux

Much of the film revolves around Theroux’s relationship with Marty Rathbun – Scientology’s former number two, who, despite stepping away from the religion, is still apparently quite proud of his previous role as Scientology’s ‘enforcer’.

Rathbun assists Theroux in reenacting various Scientology rituals, before leaving the project for unknown reasons.

According to Griffiths, Rathbun has since tried to distance himself from the movie, due to its focus.

“Marty Rathbun said they were more interested in creating a film that was a vehicle for Louis, but I don’t quite see it the same way. It was more like Louis investigates and this is how it goes.

“If anything it’s more like My Marty Rathbun Movie than My Scientology movie. Marty directs what’s going on, Louis is more like a spectator.”

‘It was really accurate’

Theroux’s decision to make a documentary focusing on Scientology predictably attracted outcry from the organisation.

Further watching Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) Panorama: Scientology and Me (2007) Scientologists at War (2013)

Indeed, throughout the documentary members of the Church are seen following the crew around and openly filming them, creating some tense yet absurd scenes.

Despite this, Griffiths believes that Theroux does not demonise Scientology, and is fair on his subject.

“He doesn’t say anything particularly bad about Scientology, there are no real attacks on the subject itself,” he says. “I doubt a Scientologist would have much to complain about.

“It was really accurate – I think people might not believe how Scientology was presented because Scientology is getting more and more bizarre every year.”

They drew the line… but there are horror stories to tell

Griffiths suggests that Theroux could have done more to highlight some of the organisation’s darker practices.

“They could have spent more time talking about the true horror stories of Scientology; like the disconnection policy and forced abortions.

“But they had to draw the line somewhere and I think they did a good job.”

‘Scientology always shoots itself in the foot’

The secrecy of the organisation and the subsequent decision to follow Theroux and his team was a classic example of Scientology needlessly making themselves look bad, according to Griffiths.

“Louis is only filming what happens and the Scientologists only make themselves look bad by stalking and harassing him,” he says.

“My favourite part of the film was Scientology making itself look stupid.”

Indeed, Griffiths suggests that the reason for Scientology’s secrecy is down to its historic track record for blundering public appearances.

“They arrange to do a live TV show and then they don’t show up. They occasionally appoint a spokesperson to do so, but that is so rare because they always shoot themselves in the foot.

“Whenever L. Ron Hubbard was interviewed he made a complete fool of himself.”

‘Anybody who speaks out about Scientology is brave’

Griffiths enjoyed My Scientology Movie, and gives credit to Theroux, who has been in the news again after his follow-up BBC documentary on Jimmy Savile.

“For years I was afraid. I love sticking it to them now, I’m no longer afraid”

“I was very impressed,” Griffiths says. “I’ve seen so much stuff about Scientology and what Louis did was a whole new take on it – he basically Louis Theroux’d it.

“Whatever subject he touches, he does a very good job, he’s very insightful, he brings his own theme to it.

“There were a lot of laughs in the theatre – mainly when Louis was doing his Louis face.”

The former Scientologist believes that Theroux’s work, like others who have exposed the inner workings of the Church, was courageous.

” I don’t think Louis could have made this film 10 years ago.

“Anybody who speaks out about Scientology is brave. Louis was brave. Because they could come after him.

“For years I was afraid. I love sticking it to them now, I’m no longer afraid.”

My Scientology Movie is in cinemas from October 7.