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Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,639 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Scientology is frequently thought of as either a flourishing religion or a cult. There are whispers about thought control and exploitation of members. But no one knows for sure what truly happens inside the church except those who have been a member. Many people are curious about the self-proclaimed fastest growing religion, and are hungry for an inside look at Scientology.
Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape is the memoir of Jenna Miscavige Hill and depicts her life growing up in the Church of Scientology in great detail. Hill was raised as a Scientologist and eventually became a member of its highest ministry, Sea Org. In Beyond Belief, she offers a unique look at the group's beliefs, rituals, and hidden practices. The book also includes pictures of Hill's family at home and at church gatherings.
Hill's tales of her years inside the church are focused on the church's control over every aspect of her life. She documents the way the church works to instill fear in members, and vilifies everything and everyone outside of the group, including the internet, television and movies.
Hill describes the tactics used to disconnect her from family and friends outside of the church, including her parents after they left Scientology when she was 16. Their letters to her were intercepted, all contact was cut and she was even prevented from answering the telephone or making calls for a year.
One of the most harrowing parts of the book is Hill's description of the practice of writing down transgressions, and the church leaders ensuring the children are being honest with an electropsychometer. Beyond Belief also speaks to her escape from the church, her efforts to help other young members and expose the cult-like hold Scientology has on its followers.
Jenna Miscavige Hill, born in 1984, is the niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige (referred to as the Chairman of the Board by members). She left Scientology in 2005 and quickly became a leading critic of the church. Hill co-founded the exScientologykids.com website with fellow former Scientologists Kendra Wiseman and Astra Woodcraft. Beyond Belief is Hill's first book. It was released in 2013.
"Lisa Pulitzer's (credited) ghost written account of Jenna Miscavige's life in Scientology and escape is riveting, and heartbreaking. I don't think I've read a Scientology memoir yet that so captures what the cult does to tender hearts - it rips everything they love away from them until they are barely able to love at all. Fortunately, Jenna's inborn fiesty fierceness first got her in trouble - then got her out. It's fascinating to me how some kids like Jenna and others - who grew up knowing nothing at all of the world but Scientology - still had an instinctual nagging feeling that things were not right. It was that nagging inner voice that saved Jenna, her husband, and others she loved."
— Melissa (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005. In Beyond Belief, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect, details her experiences as a member Sea Org—the church's highest ministry, speaks of her "disconnection" from family outside of the organization, and tells the story of her ultimate escape.
In this tell-all memoir, complete with family photographs from her time in the Church, Jenna Miscavige Hill, a prominent critic of Scientology who now helps others leave the organization, offers an insider's profile of the beliefs, rituals, and secrets of the religion that has captured the fascination of millions, including some of Hollywood's brightest stars such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
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Quotes
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“Packs a powerful punch…Along the way, we get one of the most complete and compelling narratives of how someone grows up in, and falls under the spell of, this organization…One of the most devastating takedowns of Scientology ever published.”
— Huffington Post -
“Unlike other books about the controversial sect, this one offers up personal daily details.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Candid…Some readers may have difficulty believing such insular Scientology communities can exist in this age of access, but memoirs like Hill’s cast light on their internal practices.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Readers with an interest in the psychology of religion, among other subjects, will find this rare insider’s account to be of value.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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An Amazon Best Book of the Month, February 2013
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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Finalist for the 2014 Audie Award for Best Narration in Nonfiction
Beyond Belief Listener Reviews
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" These "one star" reviews are most definitely written my scientologists! "
— cooper, 1/14/2023 -
" Af en toe moeilijk voor te stellen en daardoor soms wat langdradig, maar zeer de moeite waard! "
— Jolijt, 2/2/2014 -
" Interesting, yet hard to understand due to the way Scientologists belief system works-I had no frame of reference as I read. "
— Pam, 1/31/2014 -
" A compelling expose of Scientology, but riddled with spelling and grammar errors. Good story, poor writing. "
— Jennie, 1/31/2014 -
" This was a very interesting memoir by the niece of Sceintology's current leader. She talks about growing up in their boot camps, being separated from her family and slowly coming to realize that their truths were not as true as they seemed and their practices violated the very moral code they claimed to uphold. I have read other Scientology-themed memoirs before, and this was one of the better ones. Props to Ms. Hill for her grit, strength and courage in building the life she wanted and in coming forward with her compelling story. "
— Ficbot, 1/19/2014 -
" SO interesting! Very good autobiography thats almost unbelievable. If you're at all interested in Scientology, this is a great one to read "
— Devon, 1/5/2014 -
" Rather repetitive, but interesting nonetheless. Probably should have invested in a better editor though. "
— Mehgan, 1/3/2014 -
" An interesting read and an insightful look into growing up in Scientology. "
— Darcy, 12/20/2013 -
" I know this is abtrue story, but I wanted more!!!! To me the end seems rushed, although I am sure Jenna did not want to reveal too much of her life today.... amaxing eoman & amaxing story! "
— Emily, 12/17/2013 -
" Fascinating look inside the inner workings of Scientology. This behind the scenes look at one if the most secretative organizations in the world will blow you away! "
— Todd, 12/10/2013 -
" Maybe because it was the first book i have read on Scientology, but I was mesmerized. I plan to read more. "
— Deanna, 11/26/2013 -
" As a person who knows absolutely nothing about Scientology this book has definately left me with more questions about the history and man who started it all. So now onto Going Clear by Lawrence Wright. "
— Jamie, 10/30/2013 -
" If you'd like an exclusive look into Scientology, and would like to understand a little more about it, then please have a read of this first. Not only am I more enlightened, but further believe this way of life is certainly not for me. "
— Rachel, 7/17/2013 -
" A very daring and honest look at Scientology from a former insider. "
— Erin, 5/21/2013 -
" Aaah the stupidity of religion and religious people! "
— Sharada, 5/18/2013 -
" Well written and an interesting perspective. "
— Kevin, 5/7/2013 -
" Wow. Crazy to hear what goes on from an insider. Couldn't stop reading because the story was so fascinating. "
— Gina, 4/24/2013 -
" So interesting and creepy! "
— Amie, 3/24/2013 -
" Fantastic narrative about Jenna's insane childhood, raised within Scientology and her escape. "
— Christian, 3/18/2013 -
" a fantastic account of the inner workings of scientology. "
— Amber, 3/12/2013 -
" I found it very interesting and informative! "
— Linda, 2/24/2013 -
" This is an absolutely fascinating insider's look into this ever controversial religion. "
— Rich M., 2/7/2013
About Jenna Miscavige Hill
Jenna Miscavige Hill, the niece of David Miscavige, the current ecclesiastical and business leader of the Church of Scientology, was raised as a Scientologist. Since leaving the organization in 2005, she has become one of its most prominent critics. She cofounded the website www.ExScientologyKids.com, which features the stories of current and former Scientologists and supports those who choose to leave the organization. She lives in Southern California.
About Sandy Rustin
Sandy Rustin is an actress and playwright. Her sketch comedy musical about parenthood, Rated P (For Parenthood), opened to critical acclaim off Broadway at the Westside Theatre in 2012; her one-act comedy, Fireworks, recently won the seventh annual Nor’Eastern Playwriting competition; and her newest full length play, The Cottage, was selected as part of Midtown Direct Rep’s 2013 Theatre in the Loft Reading Series. A graduate of Northwestern University, she currently lives in New York City.