Editing Scientology (section)

== Controversies ==

{{Main|Scientology controversies}}

{{See also|Scientology and the legal system}}
[[File:Scientology warning leaflet.jpg|right|thumb|Official German information leaflets from the Bavarian [[Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz|Office for the Protection of the Constitution]] on (from left to right) [[Islamic extremism]], Scientology, and [[organized crime]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lfv.bayern.de/service/berichte/ |title=Publications listing on the website of the Bavarian Office for the Protection of the Constitution |publisher=Lfv.bayern.de |access-date=September 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219142633/http://www.lfv.bayern.de/service/berichte/ |archive-date=February 19, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71382.htm|title=Germany|first=Bureau of Public Affairs|last=Department Of State. The Office of Electronic Information|website=2001-2009.state.gov}}</ref>]]

Urban described the Church of Scientology as "the world's most controversial new religion",{{sfn|Urban|2011|p=9}} while Lewis termed it "arguably the most ''persistently'' controversial" of contemporary new religious movements.{{sfnm|1a1=Lewis|1y=2009a|1p=4|2a1=Lewis|2y=2012|2p=133}} According to Urban, the organization had "a documented history of extremely problematic behavior ranging from espionage against government agencies to shocking attacks on critics of the organization and abuse of its own members."{{sfn|Urban|2011|p=7}}

A first point of controversy was its response to its rejection by the scientific establishment. Another was a 1991 [[The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power|''Time'' magazine article]] about the organization, which responded with a major lawsuit that was rejected by the court as baseless early in 1992. A third is its religious tax status in the United States, as the IRS granted the organization tax-exempt status in 1993.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=James R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WEy-BgAAQBAJ&q=controversy&pg=PT9 |title=Scientology |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=November 5, 2015 |isbn=978-0-19-988711-8 |date=March 11, 2009 }}</ref>

It has been in conflict with the governments and police forces of many countries (including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada,<ref name=Mo99/> France<ref>{{Cite news|first=Pierre-Antoine|last=Souchard|title=Scientology Fraud Conviction Upheld |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/scientology-fraud-conviction_n_1249314.html|work=Huffington Post|date=February 2, 2012|access-date=February 3, 2012|quote=A French appeals court on Thursday upheld the Church of Scientology's 2009 fraud conviction on charges it pressured members into paying large sums for questionable remedies. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103145947/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/scientology-fraud-conviction_n_1249314.html|archive-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref> and Germany).<ref name="TimeVenus">{{Cite magazine|title=Remember Venus? |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889564,00.html |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=December 22, 1952 |access-date=July 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721151655/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C889564%2C00.html |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{sfn|Behar|1991}}{{r|leiby}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/pdf/2001/schoen2001.pdf |title=Marburg Journal of Religion: Framing Effects in the Coverage of Scientology versus Germany: Some Thoughts on the Role of Press and Scholars |publisher=Web.uni-marburg.de |date=May 22, 2009 |access-date=September 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409133339/http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/pdf/2001/schoen2001.pdf |archive-date=April 9, 2008 |first=Brigitte |last=Schön}}</ref> It has been one of the most litigious religious movements in history, filing countless lawsuits against governments, organizations and individuals.<ref>{{harvnb|Richardson|2009|p=283}}</ref>

Hubbard himself was convicted of [[fraud]] ''in [[Trial in absentia|absentia]]'' by a French court in 1978 and sentenced to four years in prison.<ref name=Mo99/> In 1992, a court in Canada [[R v Church of Scientology of Toronto|convicted the Scientology organization in Toronto]] of spying on law enforcement and government agencies and criminal breach of trust, later upheld by the [[Ontario Court of Appeal]].<ref name="The Buffalo News"/><ref name="canlii.org"/> The Church of Scientology was convicted of fraud by a French court in 2009, a judgment upheld by the supreme [[Court of Cassation (France)|Court of Cassation]] in 2013.<ref name=TorygrFraud13/>

Reports and allegations have been made, by journalists, courts, and governmental bodies of several countries, that the Church of Scientology is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.{{r|leiby}}<ref name="CNET - Goodin Scientology">{{Cite web |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=June 3, 1999 |title=Scientology subpoenas Worldnet |url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-226676.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128164549/http://news.com.com/2100-1023-226676.html |archive-date=January 28, 2007 |access-date=May 4, 2006 |publisher=CNET News.com}}</ref> A considerable amount of investigation has been aimed at the organization, by groups ranging from the media to governmental agencies.{{r|leiby}}<ref name="CNET - Goodin Scientology"/>

The controversies involving the Church of Scientology, some of them ongoing, include:
* Criminal behavior by members of the organization, including the infiltration of the US Government.{{sfn|Behar|1991}}
* Organized harassment of people perceived as enemies of the Church of Scientology.{{sfn|Behar|1991}}
* Scientology's [[disconnection (Scientology)|disconnection]] policy, in which some members are required to shun friends or family members who are "antagonistic" to the organization.<ref name="Cooper"/><ref name="unperson">{{Cite news|first=Robert|last=Farley|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/24/Tampabay/The_unperson.shtml|title=The unperson|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|date=June 24, 2006|pages=1A,14A|access-date=June 24, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703022023/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/24/Tampabay/The_unperson.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref>
* The death of Scientologist [[Lisa McPherson]] while in the care of the organization. [[Bob Minton|Robert Minton]] sponsored the multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Scientology for the death of McPherson. In May 2004, McPherson's estate and the Church of Scientology reached a confidential settlement.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Farley|first=Robert|title=Scientologists settle death suit|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|date=May 29, 2004|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/05/29/Tampabay/Scientologists_settle.shtml|access-date=November 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204647/http://www.sptimes.com/2004/05/29/Tampabay/Scientologists_settle.shtml|archive-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>
* Attempts to legally force search engines to censor information critical of the Scientology organization.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Matt Loney |author2=Evan Hansen |title=Google pulls anti-Scientology links |url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-865936.html |publisher=[[CNET]] |date=March 21, 2002 |access-date=May 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015221649/http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-865936.html |archive-date=October 15, 2008 }}</ref>
* Allegations the organization's leader David Miscavige beats and demoralizes staff, and that physical violence by superiors towards staff working for them is a common occurrence in the organization.{{r|truthrundown}}<ref>{{Cite news | first = Thomas C. Tobin| last = Joe Childs | title =Scientology: Ecclesiastical justice | url =http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/article1012575.ece | newspaper = [[St Petersburg Times]] | date = June 23, 2009 | access-date = June 23, 2009 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130117071232/http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/article1012575.ece| archive-date =January 17, 2013}}</ref> Scientology spokesman [[Thomas W. Davis|Tommy Davis]] denied these claims and provided witnesses to rebut them.{{r|truthrundown}}

[[Stephen A. Kent]], a professor of sociology, has said that "Scientologists see themselves as possessors of doctrines and skills that can save the world, if not the galaxy."{{r|reitman-rs}} As stated in Scientology doctrine: "The whole agonized future of this planet, every man, woman and child on it, and your own destiny for the next endless trillions of years depend on what you do here and now with and in Scientology."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hubbard |first=L. Ron |date=7 February 1965 |chapter=Keeping Scientology Working Series 1 |type=This document was included in the attached documents submitted to the IRS in 1993. |title=Chaplain Mini Hat |chapter-url=http://www.xenu-directory.net/documents/corporate/irs/1993-1023-csi-attachedstatement-exhibit-15.pdf#page=12 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907083544/http://www.xenu-directory.net/documents/corporate/irs/1993-1023-csi-attachedstatement-exhibit-15.pdf#page=12 |archive-date=2012-09-07 |at=Page with [[Bates numbering|Bates#]] 240513}}</ref> Kent has described the [[Scientology ethics and justice]] system as "a peculiar brand of morality that uniquely benefited [the Church of Scientology]&nbsp;... In plain English, the purpose of Scientology ethics is to eliminate opponents, then eliminate people's interests in things other than Scientology."<ref name="kent">{{Cite journal|last=Kent|first=Stephen|author-link=Stephen A. Kent|date=September 2003|title=Scientology and the European Human Rights Debate: A Reply to Leisa Goodman, J. Gordon Melton, and the European Rehabilitation Project Force Study |journal=[[Marburg Journal of Religion]]|publisher=[[University of Marburg]]|volume=8|issue=1|url=https://archiv.ub.uni-marburg.de/ep/0004/article/view/3725|access-date=May 21, 2006 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629063543/http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/kent3.html|archive-date=June 29, 2006 |doi=10.17192/mjr.2003.8.3725}}</ref>

Many former members have come forward to speak out about the organization and the negative effects its teachings have had on them, including celebrities such as [[Leah Remini]]. Remini spoke about her split from the Church of Scientology, saying that she still maintains friendships within the organization, but is prohibited from communicating with those individuals.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eggenberger|first=Nicole|date=10 September 2013
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211091352/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/leah-remini-tells-ellen-degeneres-she-lost-friends-after-leaving-scientology-2013109 |archive-date=December 11, 2013
|title=Leah Remini "Lost Friends" After Leaving Scientology|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/leah-remini-tells-ellen-degeneres-she-lost-friends-after-leaving-scientology-2013109/|access-date=2023-01-28|website=Us Weekly|language=en-US}}</ref>

Throughout the early 1950s, adherents of Hubbard were arrested for practicing medicine without a license. In January 1951, the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners brought proceedings against the Dianetic Research Foundation on the charge of teaching medicine without a license. In January 1963 [[United States Marshals Service|U.S. Marshals]] raided the [[Founding Church of Scientology]] in Washington.{{sfnm|1a1=Urban|1y=2011|1pp=62–68|2a1=Westbrook|2y=2019|2pp=81–83|3a1=Kent|3y=1996}} Scientology social programs such as drug and criminal rehabilitation have also drawn both support and criticism.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Luke|last=Gianni|title=Scientology does detox – David E. Root, M.D|url=http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=283982|work=local stories &gt; 15 minutes|publisher=[[Sacramento News & Review]]|date=February 22, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130095718/http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=283982|archive-date=January 30, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Monserrate Defends Detox Program|url=http://www.observer.com/2007/monserrate-defends-detox-program|website=The Politicker|publisher=[[New York Observer]]|date=April 20, 2007|access-date=November 27, 2007 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205072549/http://www.observer.com/2007/monserrate-defends-detox-program|archive-date=February 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Lauren|last=Etter|title=Program for prisoners draws fire over Scientology|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07019/755193-28.stm|work=[[Wall Street Journal]]|publisher=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=January 19, 2007|access-date=November 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118044712/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07019/755193-28.stm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2012}}</ref>

=== Hubbard's motives ===
Common criticisms directed at Hubbard was that he drew upon pre-existing sources and the allegation that he was motivated by financial reasons.{{sfn|Westbrook|2019|p=27}} A number of Hubbard's letters and directives to his subordinates support the notion that he used religion as a façade for Scientology to maintain [[tax exemption|tax-exempt]] status{{sfn|Beit-Hallahmi|2003}} and avoid further prosecutions (a number of Dianetics or Scientology practitioners had already been arrested) for medical claims.{{sfn|Kent|1996}} The IRS cited a statement frequently attributed to Hubbard that the way to get rich was to found a religion.<ref name="Bare-faced Messiah220"/> Many of Hubbard's colleagues in the science fiction community, including [[Sam Merwin Jr.|Sam Merwin]], [[Lloyd Arthur Eshbach]] and [[Sam Moskowitz|Sam Moscowitz]], recall Hubbard raising the topic in conversation.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Over my shoulder : reflections on a science fiction era|last=Eshbach|first=Lloyd Arthur|date=1983|publisher=O. Train|isbn=978-1-880418-11-6|location=Philadelphia|oclc=939141508}}</ref>{{sfn|Miller|1987|pages=117,133,148}}<ref>{{harvnb|Atack|1990|pp=137–152}}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s Janet Reitman also attributed the statement to Hubbard, as a remark to science fiction writer [[Lloyd Eshbach]] and recorded in Eshbach's autobiography.{{r|reitman-rs}}

=== Secrecy and deception ===
Scientology has been called "America’s most secretive religion".{{r|reitman}}

Some information about the Scientology belief system is kept hidden from most Scientologists, with layers of secrecy and [[obfuscation]].{{sfnm|1a1=Hammer|1a2=Rothstein|1y=2012|1p=123|2a1=Urban|2y=2021|2p=166}}

Hubbard and his followers have been accused of organized deception, and Hubbard taught insiders that "The only way you can control people is to lie to them."<ref>{{cite book | last1=Lewis | first1=James R. | title=Handbook of Scientology | date=January 5, 2017 | publisher=BRILL | isbn=978-90-04-33054-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_dfzDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA309 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last1=Alexis | first1=Jonas E. | title=Christianity's Dangerous Idea: How the Christian Principle and Spirit Offer the Best Explanation for Life and Why Other Alternatives Fail: Volume One | date=2010 | publisher=AuthorHouse | isbn=978-1-4520-0611-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZEXJm4JIbEC&pg=PA424 }}</ref> In 1983, Hubbard's estranged son [[Ronald DeWolf]] argued that "99% of what my father ever wrote or said about himself is totally untrue".<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi6aTe6T5LE |title=Morning Break |work=[[WUSA (TV)|WDVM]] |date=1983 |time=01:03}}</ref> <!-- Former Scientology leader Bill Franks recalled that in August 1974, Hubbard sent a secret dispatch telling him and David Mayo that "Overts and Witholders" didn't actually exist, but if that secret were widely known, he would lose control over the organization.<ref>youtube.com/watch?v=_mO_HPwmCV0&t=2707s</ref>-->

=== Criminal behavior ===
{{see also|Operation Snow White|Operation Freakout|Scientology and law}}
[[File:Paulette cooper.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Author [[Paulette Cooper]] was indicted for making bomb threats after she was [[Frameup|framed]] by agents of the Church of Scientology.]]

In 1978, a number of Scientologists, including L.&nbsp;Ron Hubbard's wife [[Mary Sue Hubbard]] (who was second in command in the organization at the time), were convicted of perpetrating what was at the time the largest incident of domestic espionage in the history of the United States, called "[[Operation Snow White]]". This involved infiltrating, wiretapping, and stealing documents from the offices of Federal attorneys and the Internal Revenue Service.<ref name="nr4186">{{Cite book|title = National Reporting, 1941–1986|last = Ficsher|first = Erika|publisher = Walter de Gruyter|page = 302}}</ref> L.&nbsp;Ron Hubbard was convicted ''[[trial in absentia|in absentia]]'' by French authorities of engaging in fraud and sentenced to four years in prison.<ref name=Mo99>{{Cite news|first=Lucy |last=Morgan |title=Abroad: Critics public and private keep pressure on Scientology |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/32999/Worldandnation/Abroad__Critics_publi.html |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=March 29, 1999 |access-date=November 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219080712/http://www.sptimes.com/News/32999/Worldandnation/Abroad__Critics_publi.html |archive-date=December 19, 2007 }}</ref> The head of the French Church of Scientology was convicted at the same trial and given a suspended one-year prison sentence.<ref>''Catholic Sentinel'', March 17, 1978</ref>

An FBI raid on the Church of Scientology's headquarters revealed documentation that detailed Scientology's criminal actions against various critics of the organization. In "[[Operation Freakout]]", agents of the organization attempted to destroy [[Paulette Cooper]], author of ''The Scandal of Scientology'', an early book that had been critical of the movement.<ref name="sptimes1979">{{Cite web |url=http://sptimes.com/2006/webspecials06/scientology/Scientology_Special_Report.pdf |title=Scientology: An in-depth profile of a new force in Clearwater |date=1979 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809193839/http://sptimes.com/2006/webspecials06/scientology/Scientology_Special_Report.pdf |archive-date=August 9, 2007 |first=Charles |last=Stafford |publisher=[[St Petersburg Times]] }} {{Cite web |url=https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/bette-swenson-orsini-and-charles-stafford |title=The 1980 Pulitzer Prize Winner in National Reporting |website=[[Pulitzer Prize|The Pulitzer Prizes]]}}</ref> Among these documents was a plan to frame [[Gabe Cazares]], the mayor of [[Clearwater, Florida|Clearwater]], Florida, with a staged hit-and-run accident. Nine individuals related to the case were prosecuted on charges of theft, burglary, conspiracy, and other crimes.

In 1988, Scientology president [[Heber Jentzsch]] and ten other members of the organization were arrested in Spain on various charges including illicit association, coercion, fraud, and labor law violations.<ref name="SPTHarassment"/> In October 2009, the Church of Scientology was found guilty of organized fraud in France.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59Q1HD20091027 |title=Scientology convicted for fraud in France, escapes ban |work=Reuters |date=October 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114182557/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59Q1HD20091027 |archive-date=January 14, 2010 |url-status=dead }}, ''Reuters'', October 27, 2009</ref> The sentence was confirmed by the [[Court of appeal (France)|court of appeal]] in February 2012, and by the supreme [[Court of Cassation (France)|Court of Cassation]] in October 2013.<ref name=afpFraud12>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/french-court-upholds-scientology-fraud-conviction/ |title=French court upholds Scientology fraud conviction |website=[[CBS News]] |date=February 2, 2012 }}, ''AFP'', February 2, 2012</ref><ref name=TorygrFraud13>{{Cite news |title=Scientology's fraud conviction upheld in France |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/10384877/Scientologys-fraud-conviction-upheld-in-France.html |access-date=July 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530065306/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/10384877/Scientologys-fraud-conviction-upheld-in-France.html |archive-date=May 30, 2014 |url-status=live |location=London |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |agency=[[Agence France Presse|AFP]] |date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> In 2012, Belgian prosecutors indicted Scientology as a criminal organization engaged in fraud
and extortion.<ref name="thewire">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thewire.com/global/2012/12/belgium-scientology-charges/60398/|publisher=thewire.com|title=Could Belgium Bring Down Scientology? – The Atlantic|work=The Wire |access-date=March 13, 2017|date=December 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name="tonyortega2">{{Cite web|url=http://tonyortega.org/2014/03/27/belgium-will-try-two-scientology-organizations-and-10-scientologists-for-fraud/|publisher=tonyortega.org|title=Belgium will try two Scientology organizations and 10 Scientologists for fraud ' The Underground Bunker|access-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="tonyortega3">{{Cite web|url=http://tonyortega.org/2014/01/11/our-man-in-europe-reports-on-belgiums-criminal-prosecution-of-scientology/|publisher=tonyortega.org|title=Our man in Europe reports on Belgium's criminal prosecution of Scientology ' The Underground Bunker|access-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref> In March 2016, the Church of Scientology was acquitted of all charges, and demands to close its Belgian branch and European headquarters were dismissed.<ref name="abc">{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-12/belgium-court-acquits-scientology-of-charges/7241800|publisher=abc.net.au|title=Scientology: Belgium court acquits church of organised crime charges (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|newspaper=ABC News|access-date=March 13, 2017|date=March 11, 2016|last1=Lewins|first1=Dean}}</ref>

=== Organized harassment ===
{{main|Fair game (Scientology)}}

Scientology has historically engaged in hostile action toward its critics; executives within the organization have proclaimed that Scientology is "not a [[Turn the other cheek|turn-the-other-cheek]] religion".<ref>
{{Cite magazine | url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,913995,00.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071014114926/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,913995,00.html | url-status= dead | archive-date= October 14, 2007 | title = A Sci-Fi Faith | magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=July 24, 2009 | date=April 5, 1976}}</ref> Since the 1960s, Journalists, politicians, former Scientologists and various [[Anti-cult movement|anti-cult groups]] have said that Scientology followers have engaged in organized hostility, harassment and threats, and Scientology has targeted these critics–almost without exception–for retaliation, in the form of lawsuits and public counter-accusations of personal wrongdoing. Many of Scientology's critics have also reported they were subject to threats and harassment in their private lives.<ref name="Behar2">{{Cite magazine | first = Richard | last = Behar | author-link = Richard Behar | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972886,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071110005526/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972886,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = November 10, 2007 | title = The Scientologists and Me |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date = May 6, 1991a}}
</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Joe |last=Strupp |title=The press vs. Scientology |url=http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/06/30/scientology/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107223456/http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/06/30/scientology/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 7, 2007 |work=[[Salon.com|Salon]] |date=June 30, 2005 |access-date=September 19, 2007 }}</ref>

According to a 1990 ''Los Angeles Times'' article, the Scientology organization had largely switched from using members to using private investigators, including former and current Los Angeles police officers, as this gives the organization a layer of protection in case investigators use tactics which might cause the organization embarrassment. In one case, the organization described their tactics as "LAPD sanctioned", which was energetically disputed by Police Chief Daryl Gates. The officer involved in this particular case of surveillance and harassment was suspended for six months.<ref name="On the Offensive Against an Array of Suspected Foes, Los Angeles Times, June 29, 1990">{{Cite web|last1=Sappell|first1=Joel|last2=Welkos|first2=Robert W.|date=1990-06-29|title=On the Offensive Against an Array of Suspected Foes|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-scientology062990x-story.html|access-date=2023-01-28|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128042923/https://www.latimes.com/local/la-scientology062990x-story.html|url-status=live |archive-date=January 28, 2023}}</ref>

Journalist [[John Sweeney (journalist)|John Sweeney]] reported that "While making our BBC [[Panorama (British TV programme)|Panorama]] film ''[[Scientology and Me]]'' I have been shouted at, spied on, had my hotel invaded at midnight, denounced as a 'bigot' by star Scientologists, brain-washed&nbsp;– that is how it felt to me&nbsp;– in a mock up of a [[Nazi|Nazi-style]] torture chamber and chased round the streets of Los Angeles by sinister strangers".<ref>{{Cite news | last = Sweeney | first = John| title = Row over Scientology video| work = BBC News| date = May 14, 2007| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6650545.stm| access-date = November 3, 2008}}</ref>

==== Mistreatment of members ====

A prominent ex-member who has spoken out about the Scientology organization's mistreatment of members and ex-members is [[Leah Remini]]. Remini is an American actress that has been involved with the Church of Scientology since childhood. She left in 2013. In 2015 she published a book entitled ''[[Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology]]'' where she recounts her experiences and events leading up to her leaving the organization.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Remini |first=Leah |title=Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology |title-link=Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology |publisher=Ballantine Books |year=2015}}</ref>

She also has produced a documentary television series on [[A&E (TV network)|A&E]] entitled ''[[Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath]]'' released in 2017 which aired for three seasons. In this series, she and her co-host [[Mike Rinder]], who is also an ex-member, tell their experiences and interview numerous ex-members with similar. Leah Remini has been outspoken about her views on the Church of Scientology and has raised much awareness about some of the major issues within the organization regarding treatment of children, exploitive money practices and mistreatments she has experienced.

As of August 2023, Remini has filed a lawsuit against the Church of Scientology. She alleges verbal, physical and sexual abuse was known and tolerated by the organization, and exploitive practices such as signing billion-year contracts with the organization. The main claims of the lawsuit are for psychological torture, defamation, surveillance, harassment, and intimidation experienced by her for years while a member, and as tactics used after she publicly left.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hauser |first1=Christine |last2=Tumin |first2=Remy |date=2023-08-04 |title=Leah Remini, Vocal Scientology Critic, Files Suit Against Church |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/us/leah-remini-scientology-lawsuit.html |access-date=2023-10-22 |issn=0362-4331 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808140458/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/us/leah-remini-scientology-lawsuit.html |archive-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref>

=== Violation of auditing confidentiality ===

During the auditing process, the auditor collects and records personal information from the client.<ref name="namehubbard">{{Cite news |last=Donaghy |first=James |date=June 9, 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jun/09/tvandradio.broadcasting1 |title=My name is L Ron Hubbard |access-date=January 14, 2009 |work=The Guardian |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307111832/http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/jun/09/tvandradio.broadcasting1 |archive-date=March 7, 2013 }}</ref> While the Church of Scientology claims to protect the confidentiality of auditing records, the organization has a history of attacking and psychologically abusing former members using information culled from the records.<ref name="namehubbard" /> For example, a December 16, 1969, a [[Office of Special Affairs#History|Guardian's Office]] order (G. O. 121669) by Mary Sue Hubbard explicitly authorized the use of auditing records for purposes of "internal security".<ref>Breckenridge, ''Memorandum of Intended Decision in Church of Scientology of California vs. Gerald Armstrong'', Superior Court, Los Angeles County, case no. C420153. quoted in {{harvnb|Atack|1990|p=332}}</ref> Former members report having participated in combing through information obtained in auditing sessions to see if it could be used for smear campaigns against critics.<ref name="SPTHarassment">{{Cite news|first=Stephen |last=Koff |title=Scientology church faces new claims of harassment |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/51440683.html?dids=51440683:51440683&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=December 22, 1988 |access-date=March 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515132143/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/51440683.html?dids=51440683%3A51440683&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS%3AFT |archive-date=May 15, 2009 |url-status=dead }} Newspapers.com: ([https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-scientology-church-faces/192919036/ page 1] [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-scientology-church-faces/192919111/ page 6] [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-scientology-church-faces/192919155/ page 7])<!--[https://www.scientology-lies.com/press/st-petersburg-times/1988-12-22/scientology-church-faces-new-claims-of-harassment.html alternative courtesy copy]--></ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Steven Girardi|title=Witnesses Tell of Break-ins, Conspiracy|journal=Clearwater Sun|date=May 9, 1982|pages=1A}}</ref>

=== Allegations of coerced abortions ===
{{further|Scientology and abortion#Sea Org}}
[[File:What kind of Church makes its staff have Abortions.jpg|thumb|right|Protester against Scientology, holding a sign which reads: "What kind of church makes its staff have abortions"]]

The Sea Org originally operated on vessels at sea where it was understood that it was not permitted to raise children on board the ships because "children hinder adults from performing their vital assignments". Women who became pregnant have stated that they had been "coercively persuaded" to undergo abortions in order to remain in the Sea Org.{{sfn|Kent|1999a|p=10}}

In 2003, ''[[The Times of India]]'' reported "Forced abortions, beatings, starvation are considered tools of discipline in this church".<ref>{{Cite news | last =The Times of India staff | title = Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology | work =[[The Times of India]] | date =July 17, 2003 }}</ref> A former high-ranking source reports that "some 1,500 abortions" have been "carried out by women in the Sea Organization since the implementation of a rule in the late 80s that members could not remain in the organization if they decided to have children". The source noted that "And if members who have been in the Sea Organization for, say, 10 years do decide to have kids, they are dismissed with no more than $1,000" as a [[severance package]].<ref>{{Cite news | last =New York Post staff | title =Abort-Happy Folks | work =[[New York Post]] | page =011 | publisher =[[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] | date =June 29, 2005}}</ref>

[[File:2008 02 London - Placard inspired by Mary Tabayoyon.jpg|thumb|A protester holds a sign which reads: "C[hurch] o[f] $[cientology] forces its female members to get abortions" (February 10, 2008)]]
Longtime member [[Astra Woodcraft]] left Scientology for good when the organization tried to pressure her to have an abortion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Los Angeles Times staff |title=Kids against Scientology |work=Web Scout |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 29, 2008 |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/webscout/2008/02/kids-against--1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302220627/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/webscout/2008/02/kids-against--1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 2, 2008 |access-date=November 7, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="leavingthefold">{{Cite news | last =Lattin | first =Don | title =Leaving the Fold – Third-generation Scientologist grows disillusioned with faith | work =[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | page =A1 | publisher =The Chronicle Publishing Co. | date =February 12, 2001 }}</ref> Former Sea Org member Karen Pressley recounted that she was often asked by fellow Scientologists for loans so that they could get an abortion and remain in the Sea Org.<ref name="msnbcmorton">{{Cite news | last =MSNBC staff | title =Exclusive: 'Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography' – Read an excerpt from Andrew Morton's controversial new book | work =Today.com | publisher =[[NBC]] | date =January 15, 2008 | url =https://www.today.com/popculture/exclusive-tom-cruise-unauthorized-biography-wbna22613285 | access-date = November 7, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="morton">{{Cite book| last =Morton | first =Andrew | author-link =Andrew Morton (writer) | title =Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography | publisher =St. Martin's Press | year =2008 | page =[https://archive.org/details/tomcruiseunautho00mort/page/130 130] | isbn =978-0-312-35986-7 | title-link =Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Escaping Scientology: An Insider's True Story |first=Karen&nbsp;Schless |last=Pressley |page=222 |publisher=Bayshore Publications |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-9990881-0-4}}</ref> Scientology employee [[Claire Headley]] has said she "was forced to have (two) abortions to keep her job and was subjected to violations of personal rights and liberties for the purpose of obtaining forced labor".<ref name="perrault">{{Cite news | last =Perrault | first =Michael | title =Suit alleges wing of Church of Scientology violated labor laws | work =[[The Press-Enterprise (California)|The Press-Enterprise]] | page =C01 | publisher =The Press-Enterprise Co. | date =March 26, 2009 }}</ref> Laura DeCrescenzo reported she was "coerced to have an abortion" as a minor, and [[Scientology and law#DeCrescenzo|sued in 2009]].<ref name="courthouse">{{Cite news | last =Courthouse News Service staff | title =Scientology Accused of Human Trafficking | work =[[Courthouse News Service]] | publisher =www.courthousenews.com | date =April 3, 2009 | url =http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/04/03/Scientology_Accused_of_Human_Trafficking.htm | access-date =November 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413185511/http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/04/03/Scientology_Accused_of_Human_Trafficking.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Church of Scientology Malmo, Sweden.jpg|thumb|Opening ceremony of the Scientology church in [[Malmö|Malmö, Sweden]] in 2009]]
In March 2009 a former Scientologist reported that women who worked at Scientology's headquarters were forced to have abortions, or faced being declared a "[[suppressive person]]" by the organization's management.<ref name="tortuous">{{Cite news | last =Baca | first =Nathan | title =Former Scientologist Recounts 'Torturous' Past Inside the Church | work =[[KESQ-TV]] | date =March 31, 2009 }}</ref> In March 2010, former Scientologist Janette Lang stated that at age 20 she became pregnant by her boyfriend while in the organization,<ref>{{Cite news| title = Scientologists forced me to have two abortions | work =Herald Sun | publisher = www.heraldsun.com.au| date =March 17, 2010 | url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/scientologists-forced-me-to-have-two-abortions-ex-disciple-says/story-e6frf7jx-1225841994979 | access-date = March 17, 2010 }}</ref> and her boyfriend's Scientology supervisors "coerced them into terminating the pregnancy".<ref name="janettelang">{{Cite news|last=[[Australian Associated Press]] |title=Scientologists forced me to have two abortions, ex-disciple says |work=[[News.com.au]] |publisher=News Limited |date=March 17, 2010 |url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/scientologists-forced-me-to-have-two-abortions-ex-disciple-says/story-e6frfku0-1225841933897 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322190756/http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/scientologists-forced-me-to-have-two-abortions-ex-disciple-says/story-e6frfku0-1225841933897 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 22, 2010 |access-date=March 17, 2010 }}</ref> "We fought for a week, I was devastated, I felt abused, I was lost and eventually I gave in. It was my baby, my body and my choice, and all of that was taken away from me by Scientology", said Lang.<ref name="janettelang" /><ref>{{Cite news| title = Scientologists pressured me to have abortions | work = [[ABC News (Australia)]] | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date = March 27, 2010 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/17/2848720.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100322192612/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/17/2848720.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = March 22, 2010 | access-date = March 17, 2010 }}</ref>

Australian Senator [[Nick Xenophon]] gave a speech to the Australian Parliament in November 2009, about statements he had received from former Scientologists.<ref name="tedmanson">{{Cite news | last =Tedmanson | first =Sophie | title =Church of Scientology accused of torture and forced abortions | work =[[The Times]] | publisher =Times Newspapers Ltd. | date =November 19, 2009 | url =http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6921140.ece | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100107025005/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6921140.ece | url-status =dead | archive-date =January 7, 2010 | access-date =November 19, 2009}}</ref> He said that he had been told members of the organization had coerced pregnant female employees to have abortions.<ref name="tedmanson" /> "I am deeply concerned about this organisation and the devastating impact it can have on its followers," said Senator Xenophon, and he requested that the Australian Senate begin an investigation into Scientology.<ref name="tedmanson" /> According to the letters presented by Senator Xenophon, the organization was involved in "ordering" its members to have abortions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=[[Agence France-Presse]] |title=Australian PM voices 'concerns' over Scientology |work=[[Canada.com]] |publisher=[[Canwest News Service]] |date=November 18, 2009 |url=http://www.canada.com/news/Australian+voices+concerns+over+Scientology/2234504/story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121174802/http://www.canada.com/news/Australian%2Bvoices%2Bconcerns%2Bover%2BScientology/2234504/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 21, 2009 |access-date=November 19, 2009 }}</ref>

Former Scientologist [[Aaron Saxton]] sent a letter to Senator Xenophon stating he had participated in coercing pregnant women within the organization to have abortions.<ref name="collins">{{Cite news | last =Collins | first =Pádraig | title =Scientology faces allegations of abuse and covering up deaths in Australia | work =[[Irish Times]] | publisher =www.irishtimes.com | date =November 19, 2009 | url =http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/1119/1224259105905.html | access-date = November 19, 2009}}</ref> "Aaron says women who fell pregnant were taken to offices and bullied to have an abortion. If they refused, they faced demotion and hard labour. Aaron says one staff member used a coat hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment," said Senator Xenophon.<ref name="oloughlin">{{Cite news | last =O'Loughlin | first =Toni | title =Scientology faces allegations of torture in Australia: Australian prime minister considers inquiry after senator tables allegations including forced abortions, assault and blackmail | work =[[The Guardian]] | publisher =Guardian News and Media Limited | date =November 18, 2009 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/18/scientology-torture-allegations-australia | access-date =November 19, 2009 }}</ref> Carmel Underwood, another former Scientologist, said she had been put under "extreme pressure" to have an abortion,<ref>{{Cite news | last =Saulwick | first =Jacob | title =Pressure mounts for Scientology inquiry | work =[[Sydney Morning Herald]] | publisher = Fairfax Digital | date =November 18, 2009 | url =http://www.smh.com.au/national/pressure-mounts-for-scientology-inquiry-20091118-imjw.html | access-date = November 19, 2009 }}</ref> and that she was placed into a "disappearing programme", after refusing.<ref>{{Cite news | last =Ansley | first =Greg | title =Church attacked for 'criminal' activities | work =[[New Zealand Herald]] | date =November 19, 2009 | url =http://www.nzherald.co.nz/religion-and-beliefs/news/article.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10610338 | access-date = November 19, 2009 }}</ref> Underwood was the executive director of Scientology's branch in Sydney.<ref name="oloughlin" />

Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis said these statements are "utterly meritless".<ref name="perrault" /> Mike Ferriss, the head of Scientology in New Zealand, told media that "There are no forced abortions in Scientology".<ref>{{Cite news | title=Kiwi blows the whistle on Scientology | date=November 26, 2009 | publisher=www.3news.co.nz | url =http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwi-blows-the-whistle-on-Scientology/tabid/423/articleID/131496/cat/64/Default.aspx | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120406084507/http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwi-blows-the-whistle-on-Scientology/tabid/423/articleID/131496/cat/64/Default.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date =April 6, 2012 | work =3 News | access-date = November 26, 2009 }}</ref> Scientology spokesperson Virginia Stewart likewise denied the statements and asserted "The Church of Scientology considers the family unit and children to be of the utmost importance and does not condone nor force anyone to undertake any medical procedure whatsoever."<ref>{{Cite news| last =[[Australian Associated Press]] | title = Scientologists reject claims they forced abortions | work =[[Sydney Morning Herald]] | date =March 18, 2010 | url =http://www.smh.com.au/national/scientologists-reject-claims-they-forced-abortions-20100318-qfyc.html | access-date = March 17, 2010}}</ref>

=== Allegation of human trafficking and other crimes against women ===
{{see also|Headley v. Church of Scientology International}}
A number of women have sued the Church of Scientology, alleging a variety of complaints including [[human trafficking]], rape, forced labor, and child abuse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/scientology-lawsuits-allege-human-trafficking-forced-labor-child-abuse-2019-9|title=Lawsuits against the Church of Scientology are piling up, alleging a vast network of human trafficking, child abuse, and forced labor|date=September 21, 2019|access-date=June 25, 2020|work=[[Insider Inc.]]|author=Mark, Michelle}}</ref> In 2009, two former Sea Org employees, [[Marc Headley|Marc and Claire Headley]], sued the Church of Scientology alleging human trafficking.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/marc-claire-headley-lawsuit_n_1700633.html |title=Marc And Claire Headley Lose Forced Labor Lawsuit Against Church Of Scientology |date=July 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728054743/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/marc-claire-headley-lawsuit_n_1700633.html |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |website=[[HuffPost]] }}</ref>

=== Scientology, litigation, and the Internet ===
{{See also|Scientology and law|Scientology and the Internet|Project Chanology}}
In the 1990s, Miscavige's organization took action against increased criticism of Scientology on the Internet and online distribution of Scientology-related documents.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grossman |first=Wendy |url=https://archive.org/details/netwars00gros/page/77 |title=Net.Wars |date=October 1997 |publisher=New York University Press |isbn=978-0-8147-3103-1 |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/netwars00gros/page/77 77–78] |chapter=Copyright Terrorists |access-date=June 11, 2006 |chapter-url=http://www.nyupress.org/netwars/textonly/pages/chapter06/ch06_.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722155641/https://nyupress.org/netwars/textonly/pages/chapter06/ch06_.html |archive-date=2018-07-22}}</ref> Starting in 1991, Scientology filed fifty lawsuits against Scientology-critic [[Cult Awareness Network]] (CAN).<ref name=cnn96 /> Many of the suits were dismissed, but one resulted in $2&nbsp;million in losses, bankrupting the network.<ref name=cnn96 /> At bankruptcy, CAN's name and logo were obtained by a Scientologist.<ref name="cnn96">{{Cite news|last=Knapp|first=Dan|title=Group that once criticized Scientologists now owned by one|work=[[CNN]]|date=December 19, 1996|url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9612/19/scientology/index.html|access-date=October 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408094945/http://www.cnn.com/US/9612/19/scientology/index.html|archive-date=April 8, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Russell">{{Cite news | first = Ron | last = Russell | title = Scientology's Revenge – For years, the Cult Awareness Network was the Church of Scientology's biggest enemy. But the late L. Ron Hubbard's L.A.-based religion cured that–by taking it over | work = [[New Times LA]] | date = September 9, 1999 }}</ref> A [[New Cult Awareness Network]] was set up with Scientology backing, which says it operates as an information and networking center for non-traditional religions, referring callers to academics and other experts.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqmbnfXCzn0C&q=Lewis++cults+reference+handbook |title=Book: Cults: A Reference Handbook By James R. Lewis, Published by ABC-CLIO, 2005, ISBN 1-85109-618-3, ISBN 978-1-85109-618-3 |date= May 3, 2005|access-date=September 4, 2010|isbn=978-1-85109-618-3|last1=Lewis |first1=James R |publisher=Abc-Clio }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Goodman|first=Leisa|author-link=Leisa Goodman|title=A Letter from the Church of Scientology|work=Marburg Journal of Religion: Responses From Religions|pages=Volume 6, No. 2, 4 pages|year=2001|url=http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/goodman.html|access-date=October 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213142146/http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/goodman.html |archive-date=February 13, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In a 1993 U.S. lawsuit brought by the Church of Scientology against former member Steven Fishman, [[Fishman Affidavit|Fishman made a court declaration]] which included several dozen pages of formerly secret [[Western esotericism|esoterica]] detailing aspects of Scientologist [[cosmogony]].<ref name="DC2004">{{Cite book | last1 = Dawson | first1 = Lorne L. | author-link= Lorne L. Dawson | last2 = Cowan | first2 = Douglas E. | author2-link = Douglas E. Cowan | title = Religion Online: Finding Faith on the Internet | place = New York, NY/London, UK | publisher = [[Routledge Taylor & Francis Group]] | year = 2004 |pages=262, 264–265 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=88vcFt6rOigC&q=Scientology+xenu+internet+OT&pg=PA264 | isbn = 978-0-415-97022-8 }}</ref> As a result of the litigation, this material, normally strictly safeguarded and used only in Scientology's more advanced "OT levels", found its way onto the Internet.<ref name=DC2004 /> This resulted in a battle between the Scientology organization and its online critics over the right to disclose this material, or safeguard its confidentiality.<ref name=DC2004 /> The organization was forced to issue a press release acknowledging the existence of this cosmogony, rather than allow its critics "to distort and misuse this information for their own purposes".<ref name=DC2004 />

In January 1995, Church of Scientology lawyer [[Helena Kobrin]] attempted to shut down the [[newsgroup]] [[alt.religion.scientology]] by sending a control message instructing [[Usenet]] servers to delete the group.<ref>Wendy Grossman ''[[Net.wars]]'', p. 77, NYU Press, 1997 {{ISBN|978-0-8147-3103-1}}</ref> In practice, this [[rmgroup message]] had little effect, since most Usenet servers are configured to disregard such messages when sent to groups that receive substantial traffic, and [[newgroup message]]s were quickly issued to recreate the group on those servers that did not do so. However, the issuance of the message led to a great deal of public criticism by free-speech advocates.<ref>Steven Vedro ''Digital Dharma'', p. 190, Quest Books, 2007 {{ISBN|978-0-8356-0859-6}}</ref><ref>Mike Godwin ''[[Cyber Rights]]'', p. 219, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press, 2003 {{ISBN|978-0-262-57168-5}}</ref> Among the criticisms raised, one suggestion is that Scientology's true motive is to suppress the free speech of its critics.<ref>Catharine Cookson ''Encyclopedia of Religious Freedom'', p. 432, Taylor & Francis, 2003 {{ISBN|978-0-415-94181-5}}</ref><ref>Wendy Grossman ''[[Net.wars]]'', p. 90, New York University Press, 1997 {{ISBN|978-0-8147-3103-1}}</ref>

[[File:Anonymous Protest.jpg|thumb|An Internet-based group which refers to itself as '[[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]]' held [[Project Chanology|protests]] outside Scientology centers in cities around the world in February 2008 as part of [[Project Chanology]]. Issues they protested ranged from alleged abuse of followers to the validity of its claims to qualify as a religion for tax purposes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-feb-11-me-anonymous11-story.html |title=Global Scientology protests include L.A. |work=Los Angeles Times |first=David |last=Sarno |date=February 11, 2008|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107134142/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/11/local/me-anonymous11 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 }}, Los Angeles Times, February 11, 2008.</ref>]]
The Church of Scientology also began filing lawsuits against those who posted copyrighted texts on the newsgroup and the [[World Wide Web]], lobbied for tighter restrictions on copyrights in general, and supported the controversial [[Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act]] as well as the even more controversial [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]] (DMCA).

Beginning in the middle of 1996 and ensuing for several years, the newsgroup was attacked by anonymous parties using a tactic dubbed ''[[sporgery]]'' by some, in the form of hundreds of thousands of forged spam messages posted on the group. Some investigators said that some spam had been traced to members of the Church of Scientology.<ref>Christopher Lueg ''From Usenet to CoWebs'', p. 37, Springer, 2003 {{ISBN|978-1-85233-532-8}}</ref><ref>Wendy Grossman ''[[Net.wars]]'', pp. 74–76, NYU Press, 1997 {{ISBN|978-0-8147-3103-1}}</ref> Former Scientologist [[Tory Christman]] later asserted that the [[Office of Special Affairs]] had undertaken a concerted effort to destroy alt.religion.scientology through these means; the effort failed.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nordhausen|first=Frank|title=Scientology: Wie der Sektenkonzern die Welt erobern will|publisher=Links Christoph Verlag|page=518|isbn=978-3-86153-470-9|language=de|year=2008}}</ref>

On January 14, 2008, a video produced by the Scientology organization featuring an interview with [[Tom Cruise]] was leaked to the Internet and uploaded to YouTube.<ref name="CookMar17">{{Cite news|author=John Cook|title=Scientology – Cult Friction|url=http://radaronline.com/from-the-magazine/2008/03/scientology_anonymous_protests_tom_cruise_01.php|work=[[Radar (magazine)|Radar]]|date=March 17, 2008|access-date=March 18, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080323063402/http://www.radaronline.com/from-the-magazine/2008/03/scientology_anonymous_protests_tom_cruise_01.php |archive-date = March 23, 2008}}</ref><ref name="WarneJan24">{{Cite news|last=Vamosi|first=Robert|title=Anonymous threatens to "dismantle" Church of Scientology via internet|work=cnet.com|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=January 24, 2008|url=https://cnet.com/news/anonymous-hackers-take-on-the-church-of-scientology/|access-date=May 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name="KNBCJan24">{{Cite news|author=KNBC Staff|title=Hacker Group Declares War On Scientology: Group Upset Over Church's Handling Of Tom Cruise Video|work=[[KNBC]]|date=January 24, 2008|url=http://www.knbc.com/news/15132759/detail.html|access-date=January 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821132355/http://www.knbc.com/news/15132759/detail.html|archive-date=August 21, 2008}}</ref> The Church of Scientology issued a copyright violation claim against YouTube requesting the removal of the video.<ref name="vamosi anonymous hackers">{{Cite news|last=Vamosi|first=Robert|title=Anonymous hackers take on the Church of Scientology|work=[[CNET News]]|publisher=CNET Networks, Inc.|date=January 24, 2008|url=http://www.news.com/8301-10789_3-9857666-57.html|access-date=January 25, 2008 }}</ref> Calling the action by the Church of Scientology a form of [[Internet censorship]], participants of [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] coordinated [[Project Chanology]], consisting of a series of [[denial-of-service attack]]s against Scientology websites, prank calls, and [[black fax]]es to Scientology centers.<ref name="George-Cosh">{{cite news |title=Online group declares war on Scientology |last=George-Cosh |first=David |date=January 25, 2008 |newspaper=[[National Post]] |url=http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/story.html?id=db57d8d2-ca06-4fe0-8a8b-4975100f7231 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603083324/http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/story.html?id=db57d8d2-ca06-4fe0-8a8b-4975100f7231 |archive-date=June 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="singel">{{Cite magazine|last=Singel|first=Ryan|title=War Breaks Out Between Hackers and Scientology – There Can Be Only One|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|publisher=[[CondéNet, Inc.]]|date=January 23, 2008|url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/anonymous-attac.html|access-date=January 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404124558/http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/anonymous-attac.html|url-status=live|archive-date=April 4, 2009}}</ref><ref name="feran">{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|title=Where to find the Tom Cruise Scientology videos online, if they're still posted|work=[[The Plain Dealer]]|publisher=[[Advance Publications|Newhouse Newspapers]]|date=January 24, 2008|url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/120116724530070.xml&coll=2|access-date=January 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501123546/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/120116724530070.xml&coll=2 |archive-date=May 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author1=Matthew A. Schroettnig |author2=Stefanie Herrington |author3=Lauren E. Trent |title=Anonymous Versus Scientology: Cyber Criminals or Vigilante Justice? |date=February 6, 2008|url=http://www.thelegality.com/2008/02/06/anonymous-versus-scientology-cyber-criminals-or-vigilante-justice/|access-date=January 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603210526/http://www.thelegality.com/2008/02/06/anonymous-versus-scientology-cyber-criminals-or-vigilante-justice/|archive-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref>

On January 21, 2008, Anonymous announced its intentions via a video posted to YouTube entitled "Message to Scientology", and a press release declaring a "war" against the Church of Scientology and the Religious Technology Center.<ref name="chanenterprises">{{Cite news |last=Chan Enterprises |date=January 21, 2008 |title=Internet Group Declares "War on Scientology": Anonymous are fighting the Church of Scientology and the Religious Technology Center |work=Press Release |publisher=PRLog.Org |format=PDF |url=http://www.releasewire.org/science-research/internet-group-anonymous-declares-war-on-scientology/ |access-date=January 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508222309/http://www.releasewire.org/science-research/internet-group-anonymous-declares-war-on-scientology/ |archive-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> In the press release, the group stated that the attacks against the organization would continue in order to protect the [[freedom of speech]], and end what they saw as the financial exploitation of members of the organization.<ref name="brandon">{{Cite news|last=Brandon|first=Mikhail|title=Scientology in the Crosshairs|work=[[The Emory Wheel]]|publisher=[[Emory University]]|date=January 28, 2008|url=http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=24945|access-date=January 31, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515005226/http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=24945|archive-date=May 15, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Epic Energy Girl.jpg|thumb|A protester criticizing Scientology]]

On January 28, 2008, an Anonymous video appeared on YouTube calling for protests outside Church of Scientology buildings on February 10, 2008.<ref name="feran the group anonymous">{{Cite news |last=Feran|first=Tom|title=The group Anonymous calls for protests outside Scientology centers – New on the Net|work=[[The Plain Dealer]]|publisher=[[Advance Publications|Newhouse Newspapers]]|date=January 31, 2008|url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1201771820310820.xml&coll=2|access-date=February 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619020507/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1201771820310820.xml&coll=2 |archive-date=June 19, 2008}}</ref><ref name="vamosi anonymous names">{{Cite news|last=Vamosi|first=Robert|title=Anonymous names 10 February as its day of action against Scientology|work=[[CNET News]]|publisher=CNET Networks, Inc.|date=January 28, 2008|url=http://www.news.com/8301-10789_3-9859513-57.html|access-date=January 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015212855/http://www.news.com/8301-10789_3-9859513-57.html|archive-date=October 15, 2008}}</ref> The date was chosen because it was the birthday of [[Death of Lisa McPherson|Lisa McPherson]].<ref name="anonat">{{Cite web|last=Greenwald|first=Will|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9869003-1.html |title=Anonymous Attacks!|date=February 11, 2008|work=CNET|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829171355/http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9869003-1.html|archive-date=August 29, 2012}}</ref> According to a letter Anonymous e-mailed to the press, about 7,000 people protested in more than 90 cities worldwide.<ref name="MoncadaFeb12">{{Cite news|author=Carlos Moncada|title=Organizers Tout Scientology Protest, Plan Another|url=http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/12/organizers-tout-scientology-protest-plan-another/|newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune|TBO.com]]|date=February 12, 2008|access-date=February 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210160057/http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/12/organizers-tout-scientology-protest-plan-another/|archive-date=February 10, 2012}}</ref> Many protesters wore masks based on the character [[V (character)|V]] from ''[[V for Vendetta]]'' (who was influenced by [[Guy Fawkes]]) or otherwise disguised their identities, in part to protect themselves from reprisals from the Church of Scientology.<ref name="StateNews">{{Cite news|last=Harrison|first=James (''[[The State News]]'')|title=Scientology protestors take action around world|date=February 12, 2008|url=http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/entertainment/2008/02/internet_group_|access-date=February 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021185521/http://statenews.com/index.php/blog/entertainment/2008/02/internet_group_|archive-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name="ForresterFeb11">{{Cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/02/11/dozens_of_masked_protesters_blast_scientology_church/|title=Dozens of masked protesters blast Scientology church|first=John|last=Forrester|date=February 11, 2008|access-date=February 15, 2008|newspaper=The Boston Globe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027072840/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/02/11/dozens_of_masked_protesters_blast_scientology_church/|archive-date=October 27, 2013}}</ref> Many further protests have followed since then in cities around the world.<ref name="RamadgeMar17">{{Cite news|author=Andrew Ramadge |title=Second round of Anonymous v Scientology |url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23389091-5014239,00.html |work=[[News.com.au]] |date=March 17, 2008 |access-date=March 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006062843/http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0%2C25642%2C23389091-5014239%2C00.html |archive-date=October 6, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Arbitration Committee (Wikipedia)|Arbitration Committee]] of the Wikipedia internet encyclopedia decided in May 2009 to restrict access to its site from Church of Scientology IP addresses, to prevent self-serving edits by Scientologists.<ref name="Huff">{{Cite news|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/29/wikipedia-bans-scientolog_n_208967.html|last=Shea|first=Danny|title=Wikipedia Bans Scientology From Site|date=May 29, 2009|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=May 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905124710/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/29/wikipedia-bans-scientolog_n_208967.html|url-status=live|archive-date=September 5, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Metz">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/29/wikipedia_bans_scientology/|title=Wikipedia bans Church of Scientology|last=Metz|first=Cade|date=May 29, 2009|website=The Register|access-date=May 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403144305/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/29/wikipedia_bans_scientology/|url-status=live|archive-date=April 3, 2011}}</ref> A "host of anti-Scientologist editors" were topic-banned as well.<ref name="Huff" /><ref name="Metz" /> The committee concluded that both sides had "gamed policy" and resorted to "battlefield tactics", with articles on living persons being the "worst casualties".<ref name="Huff" />