Beyond Belief

My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape

By: Jenna Miscavige Hill

Narrated by: Sandy Rustin

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Non-Fiction, 2014

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, 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.

©2013 Jenna Miscavige Hill (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

Incredible story

Would you consider the audio edition of Beyond Belief to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version

What other book might you compare Beyond Belief to and why?

Under the banner of heaven; these so called religions from the outsiders perspective are cults and those of us taught about spirituality and not organized religions clearly see that but I can see some similarity with the way the LDS religion thinks and believes and that is why I correlate the two, however, from my relationship with some Mormons I think it is more the Polygamist that gives the faith a bad name and at the end of the day THEY at least believe in God. Scientology makes no mention of God, Jesus, Heavenly Father... nothing just L. Ron Hubbard

What about Sandy Rustin’s performance did you like?

How she told the story

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, listen to it at work so it took a few days but I was anxious each morning to get to my desk and start listening as time permitted.

Any additional comments?

I just want to say how courageous Jenna Hill and her family were to learn to think for themselves and get away when they did. I only hope through all the information available that people will help shut down this business and prevent them from taking peoples hard earned money and enslaving them...

Gripping! great narrator!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jenna

Which scene was your favorite?

many, perhaps when she shredded the documents or when she tried to run away as a child

Any additional comments?

I really loved this book. The narrator helps it enormously with such a sweet and pleasant voice. There are many cults out there. Some of the things in this book did not seem extreme like one reads in prison camp memoirs, but to take a child and allow others to raise the child and to prevent the children from a normal life, this is wrong. If an adult wants to make the choice to join the Sea Org fine, but to put a child in there and teach them all this stuff, like the staring at each other, the meter, etc, maddening. I do bet Jenna was a little hell fire for them as the note from Scientology says, but it takes a little hell fire to stand up and go forward and tell of what happened to her. Sadly, she states that she no longer believes in any afterlife after all the mess she went through. I can understand why. But I do hope that she still seeks out the great mystery of being alive, the first cause so to speak. I did not know much about Scientology before reading this book. My eyes are open now and I do think so many actors like it because it is almost perfect for them, the training is really about controlling temperament and pain etc, sort of the thing they do for a living, while on camera. Last night I watched the movie The Master to get more of an insight into the founder, L Ron Hubbard. I don't think the movie really did that well, but it was a pretty good film. I do want to learn more about this man though. His ideas in fact do seem that they could convince people and are to some extent attractive, it makes us feel so important to know we have been around for a many years, and all we have to do is remember our past, and to know we will be around for a billion more. But it is amazing to me the love and adoration we all have for such people like Tom Cruise, with such ideas, when any traditional faith, a God and a Heaven etc or so derided. I am a believer in Christianity and see it as a full world view and this Scientology as the sort of latest schism of the separation of mind and body, it has always been a problem since the very beginning. St Augustine grappled with this for example. A great read after this one would be St Augustine's Confessions.

Good story/ mediocre writing

First- I hate this narrator. Every book she narrates I usually return because it's like bad acting. I much prefer when authors narrate their own books. However the story was good. My only complaint was that the writing was mediocre, and I rarely knew at what age she was experiencing things because she only mentioned her age a few times during the book. However she does have an excuse, being that she didn't go to real school in her life. I don't regret reading it though and would do so again.

Excellent Read.

While not as disturbing as one would guess, I think her story is an honest look at an often misunderstood subject. No aliens or other crazy stuff. Just a harsh reality for any child to go through. The voice actor was also great!

Enlightening and Frightening

What did you like best about this story?

Jenna Miscavige Hill did a brilliant job of walking the uninitiated reader through the frightening and suppressive world of the Church of Scientology. Her detailed accounts and emotional memories brought the story vividly to life.

AMAZING

I was memorized during the entire thing!! brave and courageous is this young girl/ now woman.

Powerful!

Compelling. A valuable story of the importance of thinking for yourself and standing up for what is right. Heartbreaking in places.

Wow. Scientology has gone too far.

Would you listen to Beyond Belief again? Why?

No. It was plenty to read once. I do not need to listen again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beyond Belief?

There were many. The part where they described the huge size of church they had to get in Australia for less than 100 members.

What about Sandy Rustin’s performance did you like?

She was consistent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Her initial relationship with her uncle. Her first love who she lost.

Any additional comments?

This was a great insight into Scientology. A "religion" that should be run out of America. Mainly for what they do to children. This book reveals that treatment. It gives you a look into what is happening in that cult.

Amazing! Brilliant!

Gives an insiders view of the most twisted and perverted cult in the world today. They are sinister and pure evil. They need to be crushed and destroyed and this shows exactly why.

BRAVO TO JENNA. A TRUE TALE OF BRAVERY! She survived Scientology and lived to tell her story.

I was captivated from the start. This courageously outspoken survivors story was interesting from the beginning to the end. Very easy to follow and the narration was beautifully done. I am fascinated by this true reveal of the "church " of Scientology. It's clear that the people raised in the "church " have extremely different and drastic experiences from those who are celebrities. In this story, we are painted the picture of the physical exhaustion and abuse that certain followers are subjected to. The amount of brainwashing they are subjected to at such an early age. The celebrities are shown beautiful hotels and nice rooms while others are given the very basic of accommodations, "allowed " to earn a very scant amount of money only to have to spend it on basic living needs like shampoo and canteen purchases. They have no idea what the public hears about the practice and they are mostly not allowed information from outside sources. Families are kept apart at great lengths. IT IS A MUST READ!!!