Over at Pseudoscientology, they link to a great article in the Gwinnet Daily Post which features some experiences former Scientologist Astra Woodcraft had during her time in the Church of Scientology. Astra, is one of three ex-Scientologists who started a website aimed at helping the children who’ve been affected by Scientology. Astra and her colleagues at Exscientologykids.com, were all born into the organization and each has an interesting and quite disturbing story to tell.

Here’s an excerpt from the article, which is a two part series. Part 1 here, Part 2 here:

Considering the veritable contstellation of big-screen stars alligned behind the Church of Scientology, it’s fitting that what Astra Woodcraft says she experienced as a follower sounds like something straight out of a horror movie.

While the public sees smiling celebrities attributing their health and happiness to the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, Woodcraft speaks of cramped quarters and meager rations. Of hard labor and harassment. Of pledging service that extends beyond this life and into the next.

Unlike those famous faces, she was literally born into the church, in London. Her mother was already a member, and even at a tender age, Woodcraft learned things that struck her as odd. When she had an accident - say, hit her head on a door, for instance - she was taught to perform a “contact assist,” gently repeating the motion that led to her injury while standing exactly where it happened.

“My mom, if I would hurt myself, she would make me do this, Woodcraft said, “and she’d make me do it in public.”

For awhile, the occasional bout of embarrassment was the only red flag in an otherwise normal childhood.

Then, when Woodcraft’s grandfather died, her grieving mom flew to the states to seek counciling at Scientology’s “spiritual headquarters,” the Flag Service Organization in Clearwater, Fla.

“While she was there,” Woodcraft said, “she was recruited to join Sea Org.”

Established in 1968 by Hubbard himself, The Sea Organization is a sect of Scientology dedicated to the study of past life recollections and, as Woodcraft puts it, “saving the world.” A truly epic commitment, members are expected to sign a billion-year contract, one that requires them to report back for duty over the course of several lifetimes.

Woodcraft’s mother soon sent for her children, and just like that, a family of five was plucked from a comfortable life in a nice house and thrust into an impoverished existence in a roach-infested hotel room.

It’s nice to see mainstream media picking up on this story. Scientology enjoyed a tremendous period of relative calm from the press and the media. But thanks to Tom Cruise, the leaking of the KSW video, and the commitment of Anonymous — the American public and the world at large is once again turning its critical eye of concern back on Scientology. Something most of Europe has done for the last decade.