Scientology has a language of its own. Here are some terms used in these stories.
Auditing: Counseling that "helps an individual look at his own existence and improves his ability to confront what he is and where he is.'' The auditor uses an E-meter, a device that measures the subject's reaction to questions, helping the auditor locate areas of distress. From the Latin, audire, to hear or listen.
Blow: To leave suddenly; a staffer who leaves the Sea Org without following procedure.
COB: Staff often refer to Miscavige as COB. He is Chairman of the Board for the Religious Technology Center, the trademark-holding body of Scientology.
Conditions, do conditions: A set of formulas to be applied to one's life. If you're doing well, you would apply the steps in the condition of "affluence". If you've done something bad, the group might require you to do a "treason" condition. The conditions, from worst to best: Confusion, Treason, Enemy, Doubt, Liability, Non-Existence, Danger, Emergency, Normal, Affluence, Power Change and Power. Lower conditions (those below "normal") are often used as punishment.
Counter intention: Resistance to authority, disobedience. Often refers to refusal to do as ordered.
Covert Data Collection/CDC: Information gathered undercover, via informant, private investigator, surveillance.
Dead agent: To undermine the credibility of a church critic, often by thoroughly disproving or claiming to disprove something they have said.
Disconnection: Policy that prohibits family and friends from communicating or associating with anyone the church considers a suppressive person or enemy.
DM: David Miscavige, The ecclesiastical leader of Scientology since 1987.
E-meter: Short for Electropsychometer, the device auditors use to help identify areas of spiritual distress. The device does not diagnose or cure anything; it helps identify areas that need to be addressed.
Knowledge Report: A write-up of a Scientologist's destructive or off-policy actions. Staff - even husbands and wives - are to report each other's transgressions, or they are an accessory to the same misdeed. L. Ron Hubbard said groups flourish only when members discipline themselves; they should report when members let down the group.
List One: A list of questions an auditor asks about L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology, auditing and more.
Natter: Make snide comments or hyper-critical remarks.
ODC: Overt Data Collection. Information gathered from the public record.
OSA: Office of Special Affairs. The church intelligence unit; also handles legal and media matters.
Out-ethics: When an individual acts contrary to the group's best interest or contrary to the group's mores.
Overt: A sin or a crime. An act against the agreed-upon moral code of a group. An overt can be intentional or unintentional.
O/Ws: Overts and Withholds. Your sins and secrets.
Pig's berthing: Nickname for substandard housing for those who wanted to leave the Sea Org.
Rock slam: The crazy, irregular left and right slashing motion of an E-meter needle. It means the subject being audited has a hidden evil intention.
Route out: To leave the Sea Org the proper way, following protocol.
RPF: Rehabilitation Project Force. Scientology describes it as a "second chance'' program that offers Sea Org members who have committed offenses "redemption rather than dismissal.'' Some former church members say it's hard labor that's used to break the will of a malcontent.
Sea Org: Sea Organization, a religious order for people who have dedicated their lives to service of Scientology. They are paid $75 a week plus meals, lodging and medical care. Sea Org members sign a billion-year contract, to symbolize their commitment to serve in this life and the next ones. The Sea Org was developed when Scientology was based mostly on ships, hence the name and the maritime ranks.
Security check: a confessional given while on the e-meter. The goal is to discover if the person has done something or has intentions to harm the group.
Security particle: Someone who tried to run or poses a security risk to the church. He is considered infectious.
SP: Suppressive Person. An evil person. If someone is found to be an SP, he is "Declared," meaning he cannot have any contact with any Scientologist whatsoever. An SP "works to upset, continuously undermine, spread bad news and denigrate other people and their activities.'' The tag is often placed on those the church says have spoken ill of Scientology.
SRA: Severe Reality Adjustment. Screaming into someone's face, often by a superior, to get the person to do what you want.
Whole track: "The moment to moment record of a person's existence in this universe in picture and impression form.''
Withhold: A destructive thought or something you've done wrong that you haven't told anyone about.
Wog: A non-Scientologist, a run-of-the- mill human. (derogatory for Worthy Oriental Gentleman)
Sources: Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary, by L. Ron Hubbard; What is Scientology?, based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard; exscientologykids.com; former Sea Org members.
