What is the definition of "disconnection" within the context of Scientology?

Disconnection, in Scientology, is defined as the mandatory severance of all ties between a Scientologist and any friend, colleague, or family member who is deemed antagonistic towards Scientology. This practice is essentially a form of shunning.

What is the stated purpose of the disconnection practice for Scientologists?

Within Scientology, disconnection is presented as a crucial method for members to remove obstacles that hinder their spiritual growth. It is viewed as a necessary step for advancing along the spiritual path.

What are the potential severe consequences for Scientologists who practice disconnection?

In certain situations, the practice of disconnection has led to the dissolution of marriages and the separation of children from their parents, indicating its profound and often devastating impact on personal relationships.

How has the Church of Scientology's official stance on the existence of a disconnection policy evolved over time?

The Church of Scientology has historically denied the existence of a formal disconnection policy. However, by February 2012, their website acknowledged the practice and controversially described it as a human right.

What legal argument did the Church of Scientology present in US courts regarding disconnection, and what was the ruling?

In the United States, the Church of Scientology argued that disconnection is a constitutionally protected religious practice. This argument was ultimately rejected by the courts, which determined that the practice was not voluntary due to the pressure exerted on individual Scientologists.

How does Scientology categorize individuals who are antagonistic towards the Church or its principles?

Individuals perceived as antagonistic to the Church of Scientology are classified as either suppressive persons (SPs) or potential trouble sources (PTSes).

According to Scientology teachings, how does association with suppressive persons or potential trouble sources impact a member's spiritual journey?

The Church teaches that maintaining connections with suppressive persons or potential trouble sources impedes a member's progress on the central Scientology path known as the Bridge to Total Freedom.

What did L. Ron Hubbard outline in "Introduction to Scientology Ethics" regarding a Scientologist becoming a Potential Trouble Source (PTS)?

L. Ron Hubbard stated that a Scientologist can become a PTS if they are connected to someone antagonistic to Scientology. To resolve this, the Scientologist must either 'handle' the antagonism through communication or, as a final measure if all else fails, disconnect from the person.

How did L. Ron Hubbard differentiate between 'handling' and 'disconnection' in his writings?

Hubbard defined 'handling' as an action taken to reduce antagonism from an individual through communication, whereas 'disconnection' was defined as the deliberate decision to cease all communication with that person.

What specific advice did L. Ron Hubbard provide regarding disconnection from close family members?

Hubbard advised that ethics officers should recommend 'handling' rather than disconnection when the antagonistic individual is a close relative, suggesting a different approach for family ties.

What is the consequence for a Scientologist who refuses or fails to disconnect from a declared suppressive person?

According to Hubbard, the failure or refusal to disconnect from a suppressive person is considered a suppressive act in itself, implying that non-compliance can lead to negative repercussions for the Scientologist.

Can you provide an example of a minor being declared suppressive due to disconnection rules?

Yes, according to a UK government report, a six-year-old girl was declared suppressive because she did not disconnect from her mother, illustrating the strict enforcement of the policy.

Based on Roy Wallis's research, what was the typical requirement for Scientologists associated with a suppressive person?

Sociologist Roy Wallis reported that Scientologists connected to a suppressive person were usually required to either 'handle' the situation or disconnect. However, he also noted instances where 'Ethics Orders' mandated unconditional disconnection.

According to Church statements, under what conditions is disconnection considered appropriate?

Church statements indicate that disconnection is reserved as a 'last resort,' to be used only if individuals antagonistic to Scientology persist in their antagonism, especially after receiving what the Church considers 'true data' about Scientology.

How did the practice of disconnection initially involve public declarations?

Originally, disconnection included not only severing ties but also publicly announcing the disconnection. The Scientology publication 'The Auditor' featured notices of disconnection directed at specific individuals.

What was a common method used to inform a suppressive person that a Scientologist was disconnecting from them?

It was common practice for Scientologists to send brief letters to the suppressive person, formally warning them that they were being disconnected from.

Beyond ending communication, what other civil actions might a Scientologist be required to take to sever ties with a suppressive person?

A Scientologist might be required to undertake civil actions such as disavowal, separation, or divorce to formally cut off contact with a suppressive person.

When was the policy of disconnection first introduced, and by whom?

The policy of disconnection was introduced in 1965 through a policy letter written by L. Ron Hubbard.

How did the 'Code of Reform' issued by L. Ron Hubbard in 1968 impact the practice of disconnection?

The 'Code of Reform' discontinued practices like 'fair game' and 'security checks,' and also cancelled 'disconnection as a relief to those suffering from familial suppression,' ostensibly due to public relations concerns.

Despite the official cancellation of the term 'disconnection' in 1968, what continued to occur?

Although the specific terms 'fair game,' 'disconnection,' and 'security checking' were discontinued to improve public relations, the underlying practices reportedly continued under different labels.

What was L. Ron Hubbard's communication to the New Zealand Government regarding disconnection, and what was the Commission's observation?

Hubbard informed the New Zealand Government's Commission of Inquiry that disconnection had been cancelled and would not be reintroduced. However, the Commission noted that Hubbard did not commit to never reintroducing the practice.

What did Jon Atack allege in his book 'A Piece of Blue Sky' about the reintroduction of the disconnection policy?

Jon Atack alleged in his book that an internal document dated August 1982 effectively reintroduced the disconnection policy within Scientology.

What was the reaction of some British Scientologists in 1984 to the perceived revival of the disconnection policy?

In 1984, a group of British Scientologists resigned from the Church due to the belief that disconnection was being actively used again, interpreting this as a misapplication of Hubbard's teachings, while maintaining their adherence to Scientology's core beliefs.

What interpretation did the Scientologists who resigned in 1984 have regarding the disconnection policy?

These resigning Scientologists believed that L. Ron Hubbard's teachings promoted family unity, and therefore, the disconnection policy was a misrepresentation or misapplication of his principles.

What did a disconnection letter quoted in the Daily Mail in 1966 reveal about the recipient's perceived actions?

A letter from Karen Henslow to her mother stated she was disconnecting because her mother was suppressive, invalidating her, interrupting her, removing her gains, and destroying her, declaring the mother non-existent in her life.

What were the circumstances surrounding the 1966 disconnection letter from Karen Henslow?

Karen Henslow, who had been a Scientology staff member for only two weeks and suffered from manic depression, sent the disconnection letter. Notably, a subsequent letter apologized for the first, claiming it was sent without her permission.

How did disconnection impact Raymond Buckingham, a singer and voice school owner?

Raymond Buckingham was asked to disconnect from a business associate labeled suppressive. When he spoke out against Scientology, his Scientologist students disconnected from him, refusing payment and impacting his career, including performances he had arranged for a famous singer.

What unusual 'Disconnection Order' from 1965, cited by Roy Wallis, involved non-human entities?

Roy Wallis documented a 1965 'Disconnection Order' that instructed a Scientologist to disconnect from the publications of the Food and Drug Administration, stating that any FDA literature encountered should not be read.

What was the outcome of the 1970 court case where the Church of Scientology sued MP Geoffrey Johnson-Smith?

The Church of Scientology's lawsuit against MP Geoffrey Johnson-Smith was unsuccessful. Johnson-Smith presented evidence of family alienation caused by Scientology, and the judge found it 'astonishing' that the Church did not contest these allegations.

What conclusion did the 1969 Dumbleton-Powles Report in New Zealand reach regarding Scientology and family relationships?

The Dumbleton-Powles Report concluded that Scientologists were often forced to choose between maintaining their family relationships and continuing their involvement with Scientology.

What did a 1967 'Ethics Order' mentioned in the Foster Report stipulate for individuals connected to a declared suppressive person?

An 'Ethics Order' from November 1967 declared a member who requested a refund as suppressive. It further stipulated that anyone connected to him was declared a Potential Trouble Source and could not be trained or processed until they provided written proof of handling or disconnecting from him.

Why did Joe Boyd, manager of the Incredible String Band, leave Scientology in the early 1970s?

Joe Boyd left Scientology after being told that his friends, who were hostile to the organization, were hindering his progress, and he was instructed to disassociate from them.

What did Cyril Vosper's 'Declaration of Enemy' state regarding individuals associated with him?

Cyril Vosper's 'Declaration of Enemy,' issued due to his violations of Scientology's ethics codes, stated that anyone connected to him could not be processed or trained unless they formally disconnected from him in writing.

What action did the 'Committee of Evidence' take in 1982 against David Mayo and other former Church executives?

In 1982, David Mayo and former Church executives faced an internal 'Committee of Evidence.' This committee issued a permanent writ of Disconnection, prohibiting all other Scientologists from having any contact with the accused individuals.

What did Justice John Latey observe about disconnection in his 1984 High Court judgment?

Justice John Latey noted in his 1984 judgment that numerous examples of disconnection had been presented and proven in evidence, and he included two disconnection letters as illustrations.

What examples of disconnection were highlighted by the Daily Mail in 1984?

In 1984, the Daily Mail reported on disconnection cases involving a 13-year-old boy who disconnected from his father and a woman whose fiancé was allegedly forced to abandon her.

How did former Scientologist Gulliver Smithers describe disconnection at Saint Hill Manor in 1984?

Gulliver Smithers described disconnection as an everyday occurrence at Saint Hill Manor, where individuals declared 'outcasts' were simply ignored and shunned, a practice he stated they were raised to perform.

Why was Lawrence Wollersheim's claim that disconnection was a protected religious practice unsuccessful in court?

In the 1980s, Lawrence Wollersheim successfully argued in court that he had been coerced into disconnecting from his family. Because the disconnection was not voluntary, it did not qualify as a protected religious practice.

What was the situation involving Pauline Day and her daughter Helen in 1995 regarding disconnection?

In 1995, Pauline Day's daughter Helen, a Scientologist, sent a disconnection letter and ceased all contact, even changing her phone number. A Church spokesperson denied that the Church was involved in this decision.

What did a 2005 investigation by the Buffalo News reveal about Fred Lennox and his sister Tanya?

The Buffalo News investigation quoted an internal 'Ethics Order' instructing Fred Lennox to 'handle or disconnect' from his sister Tanya due to her anti-Scientology comments online, although Lennox and Church spokesmen denied this.

What did ex-Scientologist Tory Christman report about her social interactions after leaving the Church?

Tory Christman stated that after she left Scientology, her husband and friends who remained in the Church refused to speak with her.

What did Jenna Miscavige Hill reveal about the impact of disconnection on her family?

Jenna Miscavige Hill disclosed that after her parents left the Church, she was forbidden from speaking to them on the phone, and her parents had to threaten legal action to regain occasional access to her.

How did Astra Woodcraft maintain contact with her father despite disconnection rules?

Astra Woodcraft reported being forbidden from contacting her father after he left Scientology. She secretly met him during her weekly laundry time to maintain contact.

What did the BBC's 'Panorama' documentary 'Scientology and Me' reveal about disconnection?

The 'Panorama' documentary featured interviews with two mothers whose daughters had disconnected from them, with one case involving a separation of nearly seven years.

What happened to Mike Henderson's family relationships after he left Scientology?

After Mike Henderson left Scientology and reconnected with his father, most of his remaining family members disconnected from him as a consequence.

What did actor Jason Beghe allege occurred after he left the Church of Scientology in 2007?

Jason Beghe alleged that former friends who remained Scientologists disconnected from him after he left the Church in 2007.

What did Tommy Davis allegedly say on a secretly recorded tape regarding Shane Clark and disconnection?

On a secretly recorded tape, Tommy Davis reportedly threatened Shane Clark with a suppressive person declaration and told him he would be subject to disconnection. Subsequently, Clark was declared suppressive, and his family disconnected from him.

How did Paul Haggis counter Tommy Davis's denial of the disconnection policy in his 2009 resignation letter?

Paul Haggis publicly stated, 'We all know this policy exists,' directly contradicting Tommy Davis's denial. Haggis cited the painful experience of his wife being ordered to disconnect from her parents, which caused her significant distress.

What action did Leah Remini's family take in 2013, and why?

In 2013, when actress Leah Remini left the Church of Scientology, her sister revealed that the rest of their family also left to avoid being separated by the Church's disconnection policy.

What perspective did religious scholar F. K. Flinn offer on shunning practices like disconnection?

F. K. Flinn suggested that shunning practices, such as disconnection, are common in young religions and drew parallels to the dis-fellowship practices of Jehovah's Witnesses.

How did J. Gordon Melton and Newton Maloney characterize Scientology's disconnection policy compared to other modern religions?

J. Gordon Melton stated that disconnection goes significantly further than the policies of most modern religions, while Newton Maloney described the policy as 'too extreme'.

Disconnection Scientology Wiki: Severed Ties: An Examination of Scientology's Disconnection Policy

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The Policy of Disconnection

Defining Disconnection

Disconnection is a mandated practice within Scientology involving the severance of all ties with individuals deemed antagonistic to the organization or its tenets. This practice functions as a form of shunning, aimed at removing perceived obstacles to a Scientologist's spiritual advancement along the "Bridge to Total Freedom."^[1]^[3] In certain documented instances, this has led to the dissolution of marriages and the estrangement of children from their parents.^[2]^[4]

Suppressive Persons (SPs) and PTS

Individuals identified as antagonistic to Scientology are officially designated as "suppressive persons" (SPs) or "potential trouble sources" (PTSes). The Church teaches that association with such individuals impedes a member's spiritual progress.⁵⁸²⁰⁶ L. Ron Hubbard's doctrine posits that association with SPs can render a Scientologist a PTS. To resolve this condition, a Scientologist must either "handle" the antagonistic person or, as a final measure, disconnect from them, thereby exercising their right to control communication.⁵⁸²⁰⁶ Failure or refusal to disconnect from an SP is itself considered a suppressive act.⁵⁸²⁰⁹

Policy Evolution and Denial

While the Church of Scientology has historically denied the existence of a formal disconnection policy,^[7]^[8] its website acknowledged the practice by February 2012, framing it as a human right.^[10] Legal arguments in the United States asserting disconnection as a protected religious practice were rejected, based on the finding that the pressure exerted on members renders the practice involuntary.^[11] The policy, first formally articulated by Hubbard in 1965, underwent revisions, with attempts to discontinue it in 1968 under the "Code of Reform." However, evidence suggests the practice continued under different labels, particularly to mitigate negative public relations.^[16]

Historical Manifestations

The 1960s

Early documented instances include disconnection letters sent to family members, such as one from Karen Henslow to her mother in 1966, which, despite a subsequent apology, highlighted the practice's impact. Court cases, like the one involving MP Geoffrey Johnson-Smith in 1970, presented evidence of families being alienated by Scientology's disciplinary measures.^[22] New Zealand's Dumbleton-Powles Report also documented "Ethics Orders" mandating disconnection from individuals and their literature.^[17]

The 1980s and 1990s

The policy's re-introduction was reportedly documented in internal Church memos around 1982. This period saw former executives like David Mayo being subjected to internal "writs of Disconnection."^[16] Court judgments, such as Justice Latey's in 1984, acknowledged numerous proven examples of disconnection, including letters severing ties with fiancés and business partners.^[27] Media reports continued to surface, detailing cases of children disconnecting from parents and vice versa, often denied by Church spokespersons.^[9]

The 21st Century

Contemporary accounts include investigative reports detailing Scientologists being ordered to disconnect from family members who voiced criticism online.^[31] Public figures like Tory Christman and Jenna Miscavige Hill have spoken out about being shunned by former associates and family members after leaving the Church.^[32]^[2] Similarly, Astra Woodcraft described being forbidden contact with her father, resorting to secret meetings.^[33] Paul Haggis's resignation letter cited his wife being ordered to disconnect from her parents, causing significant distress.^[7]

Scholarly Perspectives

Comparative Analysis

Religious scholars have commented on disconnection, with some drawing parallels to shunning practices in other new religious movements, such as the dis-fellowship practiced by Jehovah's Witnesses.^[3] F. K. Flinn noted this commonality among emerging religions.

Concerns of Extremity

Other scholars, including J. Gordon Melton, have described disconnection as exceeding the policies of most contemporary religions, suggesting it is detrimental to all involved.^[3] Newton Maloney of Fuller Theological Seminary also characterized the policy as excessively extreme.

Institutional Priorities

Stephen A. Kent highlighted that hostility towards critics, including family members, is deeply embedded in Scientology's ethical framework, where the Church's survival is paramount.^[31] This perspective suggests that the practice serves the organizational imperative over personal relationships.

Cultural Resonance

Literary Depictions

Author William S. Burroughs, a former participant in Scientology, incorporated its jargon, including the term "Disconnect," into his fictional and non-fictional works during the late 1960s. His later public criticism of the organization marked his departure from its practices.^[37]

Media Portrayals

The practice of disconnection has been a recurring theme in media portrayals of Scientology. Documentaries like "Scientology and Me" featured interviews with mothers whose daughters had disconnected, and shows like "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" have brought widespread attention to the personal impact of these policies.^[4]^[36] Films such as "The Master" and "Going Clear" have also explored related themes of control and alienation.

Related Concepts

Further Exploration

Understanding disconnection within Scientology often involves examining related concepts and practices:

Suppressive Person (Scientology's designation for antagonists)
Potential Trouble Source (PTS) (Individuals affected by SPs)
Handling (Methods to address antagonism)
Shunning (Broader social rejection)
Scientology Ethics and Justice (The system governing member conduct)
Social Alienation (The broader impact of disconnection)

Legal and Ethical Dimensions

The practice has been central to numerous legal cases and ethical debates concerning religious freedom, coercion, and the impact on family structures. Examining government reports and court findings provides critical context.

References

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References

"What is Disconnection" explanation by Church of Scientology

California appellate court, 2nd district, 7th division, Wollersheim v. Church of Scientology of California, Civ. No. B023193 Cal. Super. (1986)

Church of Scientology What is Disconnection? (archive.org copy of website Retrieved on 2008-05-16)

Judgement of Mr Justice Latey, Re: B & G (Minors) (Custody) Delivered in the High Court (Family Division), London, 23 July 1984

A full list of references for this article are available at the Disconnection (Scientology) Wikipedia page

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This content has been generated by an AI, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. It is presented for academic and informational purposes to facilitate a deeper understanding of Scientology's "Disconnection" policy. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, this presentation does not constitute an endorsement or validation of the practices described.

This is not a substitute for professional analysis or legal counsel. The information provided herein should not be considered definitive or exhaustive. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources and conduct their own critical research. The creators of this page are not liable for any interpretations or actions taken based on the information presented.

Severed Ties

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The Policy of Disconnection ⚖️

🚫 Defining Disconnection

👤 Suppressive Persons (SPs) and PTS

📜 Policy Evolution and Denial

Historical Manifestations ⏳

📅 The 1960s

🕰️ The 1980s and 1990s

🗓️ The 21st Century

Scholarly Perspectives 🎓

🧐 Comparative Analysis

❗ Concerns of Extremity

🏢 Institutional Priorities

Cultural Resonance 🎭

✍️ Literary Depictions

📺 Media Portrayals

Related Concepts 🔗

📚 Further Exploration

⚖️ Legal and Ethical Dimensions

References 📖

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Policy of Disconnection

Defining Disconnection

Suppressive Persons (SPs) and PTS

Policy Evolution and Denial

Historical Manifestations

The 1960s

The 1980s and 1990s

The 21st Century

Scholarly Perspectives

Comparative Analysis

Concerns of Extremity

Institutional Priorities

Cultural Resonance

Literary Depictions

Media Portrayals

Related Concepts

Further Exploration

Legal and Ethical Dimensions

References

Test Your Understanding

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice