ScamTelegraph reports on persistent questions surrounding Polaris Global's strategic direction and its denials of ties to Scientology, despite CEO Shane Krider's acknowledged membership. A recent promotional video for the Beyond Freedom Evolution product line has drawn scrutiny for perceived parallels with Scientology doctrine, particularly its views on psychology.
The trajectory of Polaris Global has long been a subject of inquiry. In September 2009, Liberty League International rebranded as Polaris Media Group, leading to the departure of several executives. A common reason cited for their resignations was disagreement with the "new direction the company was taking," though this direction has not been explicitly defined by the company. Polaris Global has consistently maintained that it has no association with Scientology.
Gregory Strom, author of the Polaris Global product line, has stated that the company's video and written course products "have consistently avoided any particular political or religious belief system as a matter of company policy, and will continue to do so in the future." This stance directly addresses concerns about religious influence in the product line.
Earlier this year, an article by ScamTelegraph questioned how Polaris Global's products could align with Scientology's core beliefs, given that CEO Shane Krider is an admitted member of the Church of Scientology and reportedly uses company products. This inquiry remained largely unaddressed, save for Strom's aforementioned statement.
The recent release of a promotional video for Polaris Global’s Beyond Freedom Evolution product line has reignited these discussions. Within the initial minutes of the footage, significant parallels to Scientology doctrine were observed, with elements appearing to actively promote its tenets.
The Church of Scientology holds a critical view of psychology and psychiatry, maintaining that these fields are a fundamental source of societal issues. L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology's founder, was notably critical of both Freudian theory and biopsychiatry. Hubbard, who referred to psychiatrists as "psychs," contended that they denied human spirituality and offered ineffective treatments. He also expressed convictions that psychiatrists were unethical individuals involved in "extortion, mayhem and murder," claiming extensive evidence to support these assertions. Hubbard further believed that psychiatrists were orchestrating a global conspiracy against Scientology to establish a "world government" under their control, acting on behalf of the USSR.
Considering these deeply held beliefs within Scientology and Strom's explicit denial of religious influence in Polaris Global's products, the Beyond Freedom Evolution promotional video presented a series of criticisms that appeared to echo these sentiments. These included dismissals of "talk" as a primary method for personal development, a communicative approach central to both the psychiatric and psychological professions.
While it could be argued that skepticism toward "talk" as an effective personal development tool is not exclusive to Scientology, the strong entrenchment of this idea within Scientology, coupled with CEO Shane Krider's acknowledged Scientology membership, makes these parallels noteworthy and warrants closer examination.
What is Polaris Global's official policy regarding religious influence in its products?
Polaris Global maintains a company policy to avoid any specific political or religious belief system in its video and written course products. Gregory Strom, author of the Polaris Global product line, has affirmed this policy, stating it will continue.
What organizational changes occurred at Polaris Global in 2009?
In September 2009, Liberty League International rebranded as Polaris Media Group. This change led to the departure of several executives who cited disagreement with the company's new strategic direction.
What is Shane Krider's connection to Scientology?
Shane Krider, CEO of Polaris Global, is an admitted member of the Church of Scientology. This fact has led to questions regarding the potential alignment of Polaris Global's personal development products with Scientology's core beliefs.