Mike Linder, who was raised in the Church of Scientology from an early age and eventually became a senior executive member, says the the movement, or cult, was the be-all and end-all of existence. He says the lure to the cult, established by L. Ron Hubbard, is the promise to solve your personal problems, as well as those of the world. Veering from these tenets meant your personal destruction.

Linder, who left Scientology in 2007, says that shortly after graduating high school he joined the Sea Organization, an elite group who dedicate their lives 24/7 to accomplishing the principals of Scientology. “You sign a billion-year contract to commit yourself to eternity in achieving the aims of Scientology, because scientologists believe you live lifetime after lifetime,” he says.

Linder says he finally woke up to the dark side of Scientology, following an interview with BBC’s John Sweeney, in which he lied about the violence in the organization. He left Hubbard’s office with a briefcase, two blackberries and the clothes on his back. Here’s more of his fascinating story on the Shawn Attwood channel.