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Scientology's Critics Say that Scientology uses Dirty Tricks Against Critics
What Sorts of Dirty Tricks Does Scientology Use?

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Scientology's Dirty Tricks - Anonymous Scientology Protest April 12, 2008

Scientology's Dirty Tricks - Anonymous Scientology Protest April 12, 2008

Copyright 2008, Bonnie Cline. Used with Permission

A major criticism of Scientology's activities made by the Anonymous protests is the allegation that Scientology engages in "dirty tricks" - attempts to smear, discredit, or otherwise undermine their critics. Rather than actually address the criticisms which are made against them, it is alleged that the Church of Scientology hires people to attack the critics as persons in order to prevent the criticisms from being taken seriously - or even to so damage critics that they shut up.

Gary Weber, an ex-Scientologist, has written that he once worked for Scientology's "Guardian's Office," now known as the OSA or "The Office of Special Affairs." In an apology to politicians and citizens of Clearwater, Floriday, he apologizes for being involved with hiring private investigators in order to dig up "dirt" on journalists who wrote critical stories about Scientology or even their family members, if the journalists themselves proved to be too clean.

In a 1966 letter, L. Ron Hubbard himself lays out what he describes as the "correct procedure" for the Church of Scientology to deal with critics and "enemies" of the organization:

(1) Spot who is attacking us.
(2) Start investigating them promptly for felonies or worse using own professionals, not outside agencies.
(3) Double curve our reply by saying we welcome an investigation of them.
(4) Start feeding lurid, blood, sex, crime actual evidence on the attackers to the press.

I don't think there are any religions which are very welcoming to critics, but I also don't think that there are any religions which react with such naked aggression towards critics. Mature, confident religions are more likely to be dismissive of people seen as attacking the faith and thus might be further criticized for failing to engage what is through to be fair, legitimate criticisms, but at least there is no reason to think that there are no perceived efforts to destroy the lives or livelihoods of critics.

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