God is good… and this profound truth reverberates throughout Joy Villa’s remarkable journey from Scientology to Christianity. In her moving essay for Evie Magazine titled “Why I Left Scientology,” Villa reflects on the transformative power of faith and the deep realization that she was living a lie.
Villa opens with a powerful statement: “I didn’t enter Scientology as a lost nobody looking for relevance.” Instead, she describes herself as a “driven, faith-raised woman searching for truth, healing, and purpose.” This personal admission sets the stage for her climb through the ranks of Scientology—a climb rooted in her strong Christian upbringing that was manipulated by the deceptive promises of the organization.
She identifies a particularly insidious lie: the notion that one can simultaneously hold onto Jesus while embracing the tenets of Scientology. This is not just misleading; it is antithetical to Christian teaching. Villa references biblical scripture to emphasize her point. Galatians 1:8 warns against doctrines that depart from the gospel. Matthew 6:24 underscores the impossibility of serving two masters. Villa seamlessly connects the dots between spiritual fidelity and the trappings of a cult that distorts and claims divine legitimacy.
As she recounts her experience, it becomes evident how deeply Scientology infiltrated her life. Villa reveals that by the time she exited, she had donated nearly two million dollars. Her sacrifices extended beyond finances, encompassing her time, energy, and voice. “I had lived at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood for years,” she explains. Despite achieving career heights, Villa felt trapped as her successes were co-opted into propaganda for Scientology.
The revelation that “every achievement was attributed not to God” encapsulates the struggle many face when caught in the grip of such organizations. They strip individuals of authentic identity and replace it with a narrative that serves the institution rather than the person. Villa describes her time in Scientology as suffocating. Working “twelve-hour days” led her to a place of despair. “I was deeply depressed,” she says, acknowledging how fear had taken root in her life.
Yet there is a turning point in her narrative. Once she returned home, the weight began to lift. For the first time in years, Villa was free from the constant scrutiny of Scientology. “God began to heal me,” she states, reflecting the gentle, persistent presence that reassured her during her darkest days.
Her poignant moment of breakthrough comes when she candidly expresses her desperation in prayer. The clarity she received—“Leave Scientology”—was a decisive moment of truth that underscored the stark choice she needed to make. Scientology, she asserts, cannot coexist with Christianity; it seeks to replace genuine faith with hierarchy and secrecy.
With her ties to the organization severed, Villa emerged renewed and empowered. Through her initiative, The Fearless Joy Foundation, she aims to aid others who find themselves ensnared in similar circumstances. Her mission is explicit: to confront the realities of cult abuse and human trafficking with compassion, healing, and Christ-centered support.
In Villa’s journey, there is an undeniable message: God does not abandon anyone seeking Him, no matter how far they have strayed. Her story serves as both a testament to personal resilience and an affirmation of faith’s transformative power. Joy Villa’s evolution is a reminder that redemption is possible and that truth can illuminate even the darkest paths.
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