bkev said:

Is it really as hard to leave scientology as the internet would have me believe?

Short answer: Yes. I read Jefferson Hawkin's blog/book, "Counterfeit Dreams" and he speaks sooth.

Longer answer: It depends on a few main factors. If you don't have any family or close friends in Scientology and you're not working in the Sea Organization, then it's just a matter of walking out the door and saying, "See ya later guys. Let me know how all this goes for you."

I wasn't in the Sea Org but I worked at my local Church ("the org"). I got family in so I couldn't just skeedaddle when the veil fell from my eyes. All org staff members are contracted volunteers; you choose a 2 1/2 or a 5 year term. When you're done and you opt to not resign, there's a lot of hoops to jump through. You can leave before your contract ends but it could get messy.

A year before my time expired I had a heart-to-heart with the Corrections Officer, explaining how I wasn't on the same page as everybody else. I did a lengthy "Doubt Condition" and got myself started on the "Leaving Staff Routing Form." Then it was just hanging out in the background, keeping a low profile until it was all over. The last time I was in the org I made it pretty clear where I stood. I had just finished a "confessional" but they felt I was still withholding crimes. I was threatened with a "Suppressive Person Declare" if I didn't get a new "Security Check." My reply was, "If you don't let me leave right now, I'm gonna call the police." So they let me leave. Two years later, I haven't been declared yet.