Editing Scientology (section)

=== Responses to opponents ===

{{main|Scientology ethics and justice|Suppressive person|Disconnection (Scientology)|Fair game (Scientology)}}

The Scientology organization regards itself as the victim of media and governmental persecution,{{sfn|Urban|2011|p=2}} and the scholar of religion [[Douglas Cowan]] observed that "claims to systematic persecution and harassment" are part of the internal culture.{{sfn|Cowan|2009|p=68}} In turn, Urban noted the organization has "tended to respond very aggressively to its critics, mounting numerous lawsuits and at times using extralegal means to respond to those who threaten it."{{sfn|Urban|2011|p=2}} The organization has often responded to criticism by [[ad hominem]] attacks.{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=446}} Its approach to targeting critics has often generated more negative attention for their organization,{{sfn|Thomas|2021|p=30}} with Lewis commenting that it "has proven to be its own worst enemy" in this regard.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=140}}

It has a reputation for litigiousness stemming from its involvement in a large number of legal conflicts.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=134}} Barrett characterized the organization as "one of the most litigious religions in the world".{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=471}} It has conducted lawsuits against governments, organizations, and individuals, both to counter criticisms made against it and to gain legal recognition as a religion.{{sfn|Richardson|2009|p=283}} J.P. Kumar, who studied the litigation, argued that victory was not always important to the organization; what was important was depleting the resources and energies of its critics.{{sfn|Halupka|2014|p=620}}