Church of Scientology

Overview
The Church of Scientology is overwhelmingly the primary promoter of the philosophy of Scientology. It was founded by speculative fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, who also created Scientology.

There have been repeated and increasing allegations by many, including former CoS members as well as those not affiliated with the church, that CoS uses highly unethical attack strategies against those who criticize it.

The CoS's Fair Game policy confirms that this is indeed their strategy for dealing with those they deem to be in a "Condition of Enemy": "ENEMY – SP Order. Fair game. 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." (see for source) The CoS claims that this policy was revoked, but it is not at all clear that this is the case, and their continuing actions seem to belie their words.

In 2008, there were worldwide protests against the CoS.

Comments
AbsurdlyLongUserName said: Scientology is a dangerous, and brainwashing cult - and they would do anything to have you, and your loved ones believe otherwise. Scientology has already been declared an illegal organization within the Nation of Germany - a practice that should have been adopted by the rest of the world a long time ago. Read about the dangers of the deadly, greedy cult of Scientology at http://www.whyaretheydead.net, http://www.xenu.net , http://www.lisamcpherson.org , and http://www.funky-bunch.blogspot.com

The Scientology Story
Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard as a self-help philosophy. Hubbard's group became very popular and is now considered a mainstream religion. Hubbard's son died mysteriously at a Scientology resort in 1976. Hubbard realized that his group formed to help people solve their problems had grown into a greedy, monry-hungry cult, but it was too late. Scientologist leaders accused Hubbard's wife of embezzling from the "Church". She was sentenced to prison. L. Ron Hubbard himself was charged, but died mysteriously at the hands of Scientology. John Travolta's son, Jett, became a victim of Scientology, when the "Church" would not allow him to recieve proper siezure medication.

If Scientology can turn on and kill its own founder and his son, it can kill just about anyone, member or not. Many naive scientologists have died under the Cult's watch. To investigate: --Woozle 16:12, 1 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Is it Scientology that has been declared illegal in Germany, or the Church? Scientology per se isn't an organization but a set of beliefs (arguably a religion), but CoS is certainly an organization...
 * The links should be added to the section, either here or on Scientology, depending on how they apply -- probably CoS.
 * It needs to be made clear whether Hubbard founded the Church, the movement, or both (I seem to recall that it's a rather complicated story).

Related

 * is an outspoken critic of Scientology; the Church has repeatedly declared that Henson is a criminal and a terrorist, and successfully sued him for copyright infringement due to his publishing two pages of a Church manual in an internet newsgroup. The Church has also attempted to co-opt his daughter's allegation that he sexually abused her as a child, which has been publicized by her sister.Source. However, his daughters who have made these allegations have publicly dissociated themselves from Scientology, and rejected the attempts of the Church to exploit the issue for its own benefit.

Reference

 * Scientology controversies
 * : no equivalent page (as of 2008-03-02)
 * : no equivalent page (as of 2008-03-02)
 * : no equivalent page (as of 2008-03-02)

Other News

 * 2008-03-16 Protesters arrested at anti-Scientology event in Atlanta

Projects

 * Operation Clambake: "Undressing the Church of Scientology"
 * Judicial statements regarding the Nature of Scientology (from context, it seems pretty clear that most or all of the statements are actually about the CoS and not the philosophy of Scientology itself)
 * Keith Henson news: the ongoing legal battle between Keith Henson and Scientology
 * server not responding as of 2008-05-25

Books

 * A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics, and L. Ron Hubbard exposed by Jon Atack (site has full text online)

Video

 * 2008-07-06 Scientology stops disabled woman from walking home "July 5th 2008 was the premier of the OT Celebration and Freewinds Maiden Voyage in Los Angeles, CA. Scientology was scared that Anonymous would show up and spread truth to its members; their only defense would be to abuse the city's permits dept and block off a ridiculous amount of space, restricting access to a residential neighborhood as well as a HOSPITAL. In doing so they attempt to stop a 61 year old disabled woman in a walker from using the sidewalk to go home. Unfortunately for them she has balls of steel and tells them exactly where they can stuff it."
 * 2008-01-22 ANONYMOUS / SCIENTOLOGY : PROJECT CHANOLOGY: why Tom Cruise wants psychiatry outlawed
 * 2008-01-21 Message to Scientology (alt): a group calling itself "Anonymous" declares war on Scientology