Editing Scientology ethics and justice (section)

== Suppression ==

=== High crimes ===
High crimes are serious violations of Scientology ethics policies, including publicly departing Scientology, reporting another Scientologist to law enforcement or civil authorities, or committing acts that are suppressive of the organization.{{r|hubbard-admindict|page=258}}{{r|hubbard-ethics|pages=307,312}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reason.com/volokh/2022/01/22/no-arbitration-of-claims-against-scientology-after-plaintiffs-had-left-the-church/ |title=No Arbitration of Claims Against Scientology After Plaintiffs Had Left the Church |date=January 22, 2022 |first=Eugene |last=Volokh |author-link=Eugene Volokh |website=[[The Volokh Conspiracy]] |access-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608055247/https://reason.com/volokh/2022/01/22/no-arbitration-of-claims-against-scientology-after-plaintiffs-had-left-the-church/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{anchor|Suppressive person|SP}}

=== Suppressive person (SP) ===
{{Main|Suppressive person}}
An "SP" is a person designated as an enemy to Scientology. When a person is formally labeled a [[suppressive person]] by the Church of Scientology, a "Suppressive Person Declare" is printed on [[Goldenrod (color)|goldenrod-colored]] paper and posted on all public notice boards. A person thus labelled is said to have been ''"declared"''. {{r|rinder|pages=297,304}}{{r|headley|page=350}}{{r|reitman|page=352}} It is a form of [[excommunication]].{{r|reitman|page=352}} To get un-declared involves doing [[#A to E steps|A to E steps]]. Until then, a declared person may only communicate with the [[#IJC|International Justice Chief]].{{r|hubbard-ethics|pages=316–318}}

{{anchor|PTS|Potential trouble source}}

=== Potential trouble source (PTS) ===
Someone connected to a [[#SP|suppressive person]].{{r|rinder|page=302}} According to [[George Malko|Malko]], "Any person, while active in Scientology or a [[preclear]], [who] remains connected to a suppressive person or group."{{r|malko|page=160}} A PTS person works with the [[#Ethics officer|ethics officer]] to work out a plan to ''handle or disconnect'' from the suppressive person in their life.{{r|headley|page=363}} Sickness and injury are considered a sign that someone is PTS.{{r|hubbard-ethics|page=195}} There are several subcategories of potential trouble sources. PTS Type One is a person currently in contact with an SP, Type Two is someone connected to someone who ''reminds'' them of an SP in their past, and Type Three is someone who is psychotic. There are ten other types (A–J), including PTS Type B: those with criminal records.{{r|hubbard-admindict|pages=421–422}} Persons who have been labelled PTS by the ethics department are not eligible to receive [[Auditing (Scientology)|Scientology auditing]] or training.{{r|hubbard-ethics|pages=202–203}}

=== Disconnection ===
{{Main|Disconnection (Scientology)}}
[[Disconnection (Scientology)|Disconnection]] is the severing of all ties with someone declared a [[#SP|suppressive person]]. When someone is declared SP in Scientology, all Scientologists are pressured into disconnecting from the SP, including close family members, employees, clients, and friends. Refusing or failing to disconnect from an SP carries the risk of being declared SP oneself.{{r|rinder|page=298}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/danny-masterson-rape-conviction-scientology-accountability-1234764377/ |title=Danny Masterson Was Convicted of Rape. What Happens to Scientology? |first=Tony |last=Ortega |author-link=Tony Ortega |date=June 5, 2023 |website=[[RollingStone]] |quote=When a Scientologist is declared a Suppressive Person, other Scientologists are instructed to "disconnect" from the "SP" or risk being declared themselves. (This is based on a 1966 policy by founder Hubbard that Scientology claims was rescinded in 1968. But that second order only forbade the use of the term "disconnection," not the policy itself. Former Scientologists say the policy has never been abandoned.)}}</ref><ref name="unperson">{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Farley |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/24/Tampabay/The_unperson.shtml |title=The unperson : Scientologists who cross their religion can be declared suppressive persons, shunned by peers and ostracized by family |publisher=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=June 24, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316040646/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/24/Tampabay/The_unperson.shtml |archive-date=March 16, 2018 |access-date=June 20, 2023 }}</ref>

=== Fair game ===
{{Main|Fair game (Scientology)}}
[[Fair game (Scientology)|Fair game]] is a retaliatory policy against perceived enemies which L. Ron Hubbard established in the 1950s, formalized in 1965, and described further in 1967. Since it caused bad public relations, in 1968 Hubbard prohibited ''use of the term'' "fair game" — but not its actions. The practice continues.{{r|urban2011|pages=108–109}}
{{blockquote|text=[A bulletin] went out naming [someone] as having been relegated to the condition of "Enemy," to be considered "fair game,"  defined by Hubbard as somebody who "may be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued, or lied to, or destroyed."{{r|malko|page=160}}|author=[[George Malko]]}}

Fair game is one of the penalties that can be leveled on a person for having committed a [[#High crimes|high crime]] against Scientology, or as a penalty after a [[#Comm ev|committee of evidence]].{{r|hubbard-admindict|page=258}} In two separate court cases ([[Church of Scientology of California v. Armstrong|Armstrong]] and [[Wollersheim v. Church of Scientology|Wollersheim]]) the Church of Scientology argued that fair game policies are a "core practice of Scientology" and are therefore protected as "religious expression".{{r|urban2011|pages=108–109}} Hubbard instructed his followers that "fair game" is appropriate treatment for journalists, judges, hostile lawyers, government agencies, psychiatrists and others.{{r|reitman|pages=113–114}}

=== Cancellation of certificates and awards ===
The penalty for some [[#High crimes|high crimes]], or a punishment imposed by a [[#Comm ev|committee of evidence]], might include the cancellation of training certificates and auditing awards. If a training certificate is cancelled, the person must repay for retraining, and go through the course again.{{r|hubbard-admindict|page=258}}

{{anchor|IJC}}

=== International Justice Chief (IJC) ===
The IJC is the most senior ethics officer within the Church of Scientology network. While a [[#SP|suppressive person]] is working on an amends project to get back in good graces, they may communicate ''only'' with the International Justice Chief, a position at [[Church of Scientology International]].{{r|hubbard-ethics|pages=316–318}} As of 2023, the IJC is Mike Ellis, who has held that post since at least 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/valerie-haney-scientology-escape-car-trunk-religious-arbitration-david-miscavige-tom-cruise-elisabeth-moss-1234703982/ |title=She Escaped Scientology in the Trunk of a Car. Her Nightmare Is Far From Over |date=March 27, 2023 |first=Tony |last=Ortega |author-link=Tony Ortega |publisher=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/danny-masterson-rape-trial-scientology-1235397537/ |title=Danny Masterson Goes on Trial for Rape as Scientology Looms in the Background |date=October 10, 2022 |first=Gene |last=Maddaus |publisher=Variety}} |2={{cite web |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23128170-ijc-response-to-jen-b |title=Letter from IJC Mike Ellis |date=21 April 2004 |publisher=Church of Scientology International |via=Variety}} }}</ref>

=== A to E steps ===
The program of steps required of a [[#SP|suppressive person]] in order to get back in good standing. The steps include ceasing committing of any suppressive acts, making a public apology, paying off all debts owed to Scientologists or Scientology organizations, performing an amends project, communicating all of these actions to the International Justice Chief and receiving an affirmative reply. At that point, a returning Scientologist must re-train from the bottom of [[The Bridge to Total Freedom]].{{r|hubbard-ethics|pages=316–317}}