is narconon an affiliate/offshoot of synanon?
I have no idea. I do know I really have no faith in either, I have found AA works best for me.
There is a mod over at THR I've met who seems to have some kind of connection with Scientology, he is a very nice guy & I trust him, however
The ones I've met in San Francisco have the classic vacant cult look and I almost lost a good friend to them at a time she was very emotionally vulnerable.
Thank God she hates science fiction and had studied mysticism deeply as well as other Eastern traditions, when they got to the spaceships and stuff, she came to her senses.
I have read
The Sufi's, by Idries ShahThe Upanishads, The Bible, The Koran, The Bhagavad Gita
& Zen and The Art Of Archery as well as Alan Watts.
When you have digested those kind of books (especially "The Sufi's" )
You really have to be wowed by more then Science Fiction, and I am a big fan of Sci Fi.
Back to Scientology, I have heard and read a bunch of stuff about them but aside from the one guy I know, it has been my personal dealings with them that incur fear and distrust.
I must add though that I was impressed by their reaction to 9-11-01 and that whole TV thing they did, very patriotic.
I just would hate to lose family and friends to them.