Scientology changed my life – literally
ASCIENTOLOGIST, originally from Ormskirk, has revealed what life is really like within the secretive religion.
Ian Clarkson, known to some as the frontman of popular swing band the Jive Aces, reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.
The 53-year-old said he turned to Scientology in 1991 after his life fell apart and he turned to alcohol and drugs.
The musician, who has previously toured with Van Morrison, said: “My parents had split, my mother had passed away and I had split with my then girlfriend. I started drinking a lot and getting on drugs and going downhill.
“I was searching for something. I was looking at everything from astrology to Buddhism. I met my wife at a gig and she got me into it.”
Ian and his wife, Grazia, have been married for 25 years and Ian credits his wife’s interest in Scientology for getting him hooked.
He said: “We were walking through London past the Scientology Centre and there was a sign saying ‘Free Personality Test’ and I did one and was given a copy of Dianetics.
“I started reading it and thought it was for me. It’s very practical, like a selfhelp book.”
Dianetics, which contains Scientology’s core principles, was written in 1950 by L. Ron Hubbard a science-fiction writer and the founder of the Church of Scientology.
The book refers to Xenu, a genocidal intergalactic overlord who supposedly brought humans to Earth millions of years ago and then killed them with hydrogen bombs.
Ian said: “It showed me who I am in myself - not who I thought I was or was brought up to be. I was more able to be myself. I seriously don’t think I’d be like this if it were not for Scientology. I’d still be a womanising drunk.”
While Scientology holds a human as an eternal spiritual being, Ian blames “one-sided” documentaries for skewing Scientology’s concern with aliens.
He said: “It’s not part of the Church as such. I know some people believe in it and some don’t.
“We basically address people as life sources who have a body and a life source that is governed. So it doesn’t really matter where you come from. As far as I know, there aren’t even that many aliens.”
Scientologists pay for courses to improve their understanding of Dianetics.
Ian said: “You have to pay if you want to do a course or evening class – just like if you did a class in martial arts.
“The only difference is you pay a one-off fee and take as long as you like to complete it. I paid £150 for a basic course on relationships.”
But longer courses cost significantly more and Ian spent £1,000 on a twoyear course on “communication and its effects”.
In the US, some Scientologists pay more than $1m in donations to achieve greater spiritual freedom.
But Ian does begrudge forking not out. “Unlike many other things, it literally changed my life,” he told us.
The Clarksons moved around a lot when Ian was young due to his father’s job in an insurance company.
Ian said: “I was born in Ormskirk and then lived in Maghull for three or four years.”
After living in Essex, the family moved to Heswall, Wirral for six years.
But, while he may have lost his Merseyside accent and has moved to Sussex, Mr Clarkson still feels a connection with the region.
He said: “When I’m in Liverpool, I feel like I’m from there. The Scouse sense of humour stays with me. I remember it wasn’t like anywhere else. Everyone was funny even the bus drivers and train attendants would tell jokes.”
The Jive Aces are currently touring across Europe.