When one speaks out against the Church of Scientology, retaliation is more than just a risk—it’s built into the system. The Church is infamous for its aggressive tactics aimed at critics and those who leave its ranks. From smears and lawsuits to covert surveillance and character assassination, perceived enemies frequently find themselves targeted by a doctrine known as “Fair Game,” attributed to Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard. This policy, though publicly disavowed, remains deeply woven into the church’s approach: anyone viewed as a threat may be “tricked, sued, lied to, or destroyed.” Below, we examine Thirteen of the most disturbing tactics alleged to be used by Scientology to intimidate and suppress.
1. Creating a Mystique of Criminality and Tarnished Reputation: The Power of Perception Over Truth
One of the most insidious tactics used by the Church of Scientology against its critics and former members is cultivating a public image of those individuals as criminals, mentally unstable, or morally corrupt—even when there’s no evidence to support such claims. This isn’t about proving guilt in court or making a factual case; it’s about shaping public perception to make people feel these individuals are untrustworthy or dangerous.
By doing so, Scientology:
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Poisons public opinion so that anyone who listens will doubt the whistleblower’s credibility before hearing their story.
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Discourages others from supporting or believing the critic, isolating them socially and emotionally.
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Makes it easier for the Church to dismiss allegations as the ramblings of a “troubled” or “criminal” person, rather than legitimate concerns.
This mystique is built through tactics like:
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Anonymous letters or leaked “confidential” information suggesting criminal behavior or dishonesty, without any formal charges or evidence.
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Conflating minor mistakes, personal flaws, or past issues with criminal wrongdoing to create a narrative of untrustworthiness.
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Subtle or overt suggestions in media or public forums that the target has a dark or dangerous side, even without proof.
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Using “dead agenting” dossiers that collect and amplify fears, rumors, or unproven allegations, released strategically to discredit critics.
The goal isn’t to prove a crime—it’s to make the idea of criminality stick in the minds of others, turning perception into a weapon.
2. Death Threats Veiled as “Doctrine”
One of the more chilling examples involves death threats under the guise of disagreement. Such was the case for former Scientologist Charles Berner, once a high-ranking member. After leaving the Church and criticizing its inner workings, he received what’s known as an “R2-45” suggestion—a term in Scientology jargon that implies suicide by firearm. Such threats are not merely verbal; they’re often designed to terrorize. While not officially sanctioned today, such language is part of the Church’s history and reflects the extreme psychological pressure defectors sometimes face. When principled insiders speak up, they sometimes receive messages or communications that go far beyond mere criticism.
3. Framing Detractors for Serious Crimes
Paulette Cooper, author of The Scandal of Scientology, became the target of one of the most disturbing retaliation campaigns. The Church reportedly obtained her fingerprint and forged bomb threats to implicate her in a federal crime. She was indicted and faced possible imprisonment, only to be cleared after FBI investigations revealed the fabrication.4. Targeting Loved Ones — Including Pets
Intimidation sometimes extends to what people hold dearest. Investigative journalist Joel Sappell, who reported on Scientology for the Los Angeles Times, received a terrifying call while out of town: his healthy dog had suddenly become violently ill and had to be euthanized. Though never proven, the timing and nature of the incident raised serious suspicion.
5. Persistent Surveillance as Psychological Harassment
Marty Rathbun, once second-in-command within Scientology, became a prime target after leaving the Church. He and his wife were relentlessly followed and filmed by a group calling themselves the “Squirrel Busters.” Their campaign included daily harassment outside Rathbun’s home—part of what one videographer later described as a mission to “make Marty’s life a living hell.”
6. "Dead Agenting" — Weaponizing Personal History for Character Assassination
Scientology allegedly maintains dossiers—comprising fears, mistakes, and personal secrets—on ex-members. When individuals leave the Church or speak against it, their personal records—often collected during private “auditing” sessions—may be used against them. Known as “Dead Agenting,” this practice involves exposing secrets, vulnerabilities, or alleged misdeeds in order to discredit and silence critics. These “Dead Agent” files are unleashed in public or private contexts to discredit individuals who criticize the Church.
7. Using Private Investigators to Dig Up (or Invent) Dirt
In attempts to neutralize critics, the Church has reportedly employed private investigators to dig up compromising material—true or fabricated. Such tactics feed into litigation threats, smear campaigns, or simply serve to intimidate through exposure. Critics say the Church has employed private investigators to rummage through garbage, trail individuals, and compile dossiers of potential blackmail material. After South Park mocked Scientology, PIs were reportedly hired to find compromising information on creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The investigation turned up little, but the threat itself was a message.
8. Smear Campaigns Through Media and Advertising
When critics release documentaries or publish exposés, Scientology has allegedly responded with expensive advertisements and messaging aimed at discrediting those works. These efforts are less about defending truth and more about shaping public perception. Scientology has spent large sums to counter negative press. When Alex Gibney released Going Clear, a documentary exposing Church practices, Scientology responded with a full-page ad in The New York Times, branding the film as biased and false. Such campaigns serve not only to refute claims but also to tarnish the reputations of those who dare to speak out.
9. Economic Pressure: Legal Barriers and Financial Drain
Another strategy is legal attrition—bombarding critics with lawsuits and legal threats. Even if the claims lack merit, the cost of defending oneself can be financially devastating. This tactic has been described as an intentional effort to “bleed the enemy dry,” emotionally and economically. Frivolous lawsuits, threatened claims, immigration of forensic challenges—all are tools to burden critics financially and emotionally. The Church is accused of routinely dragging detractors through legal systems to drain resources.
10. Exploitation of Auditing Records and “Technology”
Secret recordings and auditing sessions are said to be retained and used against those who depart or speak out. Exposure of confidential material becomes a tool for fear and shame. Auditing, a cornerstone of Scientology practice, involves deeply personal disclosures under the guise of spiritual cleansing. These sessions are often recorded. Former members have alleged that information revealed in auditing was later used to threaten or control them after they left the Church.
11. Physical Intimidation and Public Confrontations
People close to ex-members report confrontations in airports, public spaces, or at home—often orchestrated to provoke the target into an action that can be used against them later. Audio, video, and dramatic displays are common. There are reports of ex-members and journalists being confronted in airports, on sidewalks, or at their homes—often while being filmed. The goal seems to be twofold: provoke a reaction that can be used against the target, and instill fear by showing that “we are always watching.”
12. Relentless Threats to Reputability and Mental Stability
Former Scientologists have reported being labeled mentally unstable, morally corrupt, or professionally unethical in whisper campaigns designed to isolate and discredit them in their communities or industries. Some of the Church’s tactics aim to paint dissenters as mentally unstable, criminal, or morally corrupt. When public perception is manipulated enough, the critic becomes dismissed, discredited, and isolated. This is sometimes done via anonymous letters, leaked documents, or conspired stories. Some critics describe a slow erosion of their credibility, social circle, and mental well-being.
13. Obscene Phone Calls and Creeping Surveillance
Steven Koff, a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times, received a barrage of threatening and sexually explicit phone calls while investigating Scientology. His wife was targeted while he was out of town. When he returned, he noticed a suspicious vehicle near their home—later revealed to belong to a private investigator. This tactic blends psychological warfare with stalking, designed to disorient, terrify, and pressure targets into silence.
Why These Tactics Persist
These strategies are not anomalies—they reflect systemic methods designed to silence opposition. When power is wielded without transparency, every act of exposure becomes a threat to the structure. Criticism triggers retaliation not just against the individual, but often their family, their reputation, even their sense of safety. Scientology’s history shows that the line between spiritual discipline and persecution is often one blurred by secrecy, power, and control.
What We Can Learn
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Transparency matters: exposing “Fair Game,” “Dead Agent,” or surveillance tactics forces accountability.
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Solid legal protections for critics: existing laws often lag behind the sophistication of these tactics.
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Community support and storytelling: voices of dissent need support networks so that intimidation does not silence truth.
Conclusion
The Church of Scientology is accused of practicing not simply spiritual guidance, but a disciplined architecture of intimidation—where leaving, speaking, or even doubting can invite retaliation. Yet these stories also reveal something crucial: courage. In exposing these tactics, whistleblowers force a light where secrecy thrives. And in that light, public awareness can become a force for change.
References
Fair Game (Scientology). (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_game_%28Scientology%29 Wikipedia
List of Scientology security checks. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scientology_security_checks Wikipedia
Harris, T. (2019, August 20). 11 intimidation tactics Scientology uses against its enemies. Ranker. https://www.ranker.com/list/scientology-intimidation-tactics/harrison-tenpas Ranker
The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 5: The dirty tricks private eyes. (2021, March 7). The Underground Bunker. https://tonyortega.org/2021/03/07/the-top-25-people-enabling-scientology-no-5-the-dirty-tricks-private-eyes/ tonyortega.org
Salon Staff. (2015, March 15). 6 insane ways the Church of Scientology has tried to silence its critics. Salon. https://www.salon.com/2015/03/15/6_insane_ways_the_church_of_scientology_has_tried_to_silence_its_critics_partner/ Salon.com
Scientology Integrity: Scientology & “FreeZone” time track by entry (1990). (n.d.). TimeTrack Scientology‑1972. https://timetrack.scientology-1972.org/1990.shtml timetrack.scientology-1972.org
Hubbard Communications Office. (1965, December 25). Suppressive Acts: HCO PL 25 Dec 65RB. Church of Scientology. https://scientologymoneyproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/HCOPL-25-DEC-65RB-SUPPRESSIVE-ACTS-1.pdf The Scientology Money Project
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