International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 10, 2019 53
Failure to Launch Rather Than Clear Sailing: The Media-Focused Trials,
Triumphs, and Tribulations of the Church of Scientology in Australia
Stephen B. Mutch
Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Abstract1
This paper examines the short history of the
Church of Scientology in Australia and the high
profile efforts of the Church to achieve legal
recognition and social acceptance, against
considerable resistance. While the organization
succeeded in obtaining legal recognition before
the courts, the persistent failure to translate this
recognition into membership growth is noted.
Possible reasons for this failure are canvassed,
including initial governmental suppression,
alleged discrimination, community resistance to
a new, transplanted religion, and allegedly
unfair media reporting. In addition, the paper
examines complaints of persistent anti-social
and harmful behaviour associated with the
organization, and speculates on consumer
resistance to the core spiritual beliefs and the
reputation of the founder. It is noted that
partially quantitative assessments of unfair or
even biased media treatment should be treated
with caution. It is concluded that probable cause
for any media focus on the organization is due
to the persistence of complaints from former
members and critics, and the publicity seeking
behaviour of the Church.
Keywords: Church of Scientology, Australia,
legal recognition, the media
Introduction: Failure to Launch
The story of Scientology’s early years in
Australia reveals a group popularly described as
a cult, yet determined to overcome community
1 This paper is reprinted with permission of the journal
Społeczeństwo i Rodzina, Vol. 50, Issue 1, 2017, pp. 7–40. Link
to paper: https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/sedno-webapp/works/
832276%20 link to journal: https://www.kul.pl/quarterly-society-
and-family-quot,art_62215.html As a reprint, some formatting and
other style details in this document vary from content originally
edited for IJCS.
resistance, and achieve social acceptance, along
with organizational success. A major component
of its strategic plan was a campaign to gain the
legal status of a religion in order to access the
financial and other benefits this status might
entail,2 and to counter political opposition. In
most of its endeavours, including its failures,
Scientology attracted the sometimes harsh light
of media scrutiny. But like a moth to the flame,
the organization continued to seek publicity,
despite the controversy this sometimes aroused,
and the possibly detrimental impact upon its
growth.
In its goal to achieve political and legal
legitimacy the organization achieved some
notable victories. In 1973, Scientology secured a
ministerial fiat authorizing the Church3 to
conduct official marriage celebrations.4 Wins in
court included an earlier decision in 1970
recognizing the exempt status of a Church
minister from national service,5 a 1979
defamation decision in the Supreme Court of
Western Australia, where Scientology was
deemed, on the evidence of clergymen,6 to have
a “‘religious’ reputation,”7 and an appellate
2 “Government officials regularly must determine whether a
particular group is religious and therefore qualifies for some
privilege accorded only to religious organizations. This privilege
may be a special zoning variance, exemption from taxes, the
authorization to perform marriage, or in some localities just the
simple right to provide spiritual healing to the ill or distressed”
(Church of Scientology International, Scientology: Theology &
Practice of a Contemporary Religion, Los Angeles, 1998, p. 9).
3 Scientology was operating under the name the “Church of the
New Faith Incorporated.”
4 The Ministerial proclamation attracted political controversy but
was not reversed.
5 Acting under federal jurisdiction, a Perth Petty Sessions
magistrate granted Scientologist Minister Jonathan Gellie
exemption from conscription under section 29 of the National
Service Act 1951 see “‘New faith’ minister granted exemption,”
Daily News, 10 December 1970, p. 2.
6 “2 clerics back Scientology,” The West Australian, 21 December,
1978, p. 2. The clerics, Roman Catholic and Anglican priests, were
also tutors in philosophy at the University of Western Australia.
7 Church of Scientology Inc. v. Anderson, WAR 71, Perth, 1980.
Failure to Launch Rather Than Clear Sailing: The Media-Focused Trials,
Triumphs, and Tribulations of the Church of Scientology in Australia
Stephen B. Mutch
Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
Abstract1
This paper examines the short history of the
Church of Scientology in Australia and the high
profile efforts of the Church to achieve legal
recognition and social acceptance, against
considerable resistance. While the organization
succeeded in obtaining legal recognition before
the courts, the persistent failure to translate this
recognition into membership growth is noted.
Possible reasons for this failure are canvassed,
including initial governmental suppression,
alleged discrimination, community resistance to
a new, transplanted religion, and allegedly
unfair media reporting. In addition, the paper
examines complaints of persistent anti-social
and harmful behaviour associated with the
organization, and speculates on consumer
resistance to the core spiritual beliefs and the
reputation of the founder. It is noted that
partially quantitative assessments of unfair or
even biased media treatment should be treated
with caution. It is concluded that probable cause
for any media focus on the organization is due
to the persistence of complaints from former
members and critics, and the publicity seeking
behaviour of the Church.
Keywords: Church of Scientology, Australia,
legal recognition, the media
Introduction: Failure to Launch
The story of Scientology’s early years in
Australia reveals a group popularly described as
a cult, yet determined to overcome community
1 This paper is reprinted with permission of the journal
Społeczeństwo i Rodzina, Vol. 50, Issue 1, 2017, pp. 7–40. Link
to paper: https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/sedno-webapp/works/
832276%20 link to journal: https://www.kul.pl/quarterly-society-
and-family-quot,art_62215.html As a reprint, some formatting and
other style details in this document vary from content originally
edited for IJCS.
resistance, and achieve social acceptance, along
with organizational success. A major component
of its strategic plan was a campaign to gain the
legal status of a religion in order to access the
financial and other benefits this status might
entail,2 and to counter political opposition. In
most of its endeavours, including its failures,
Scientology attracted the sometimes harsh light
of media scrutiny. But like a moth to the flame,
the organization continued to seek publicity,
despite the controversy this sometimes aroused,
and the possibly detrimental impact upon its
growth.
In its goal to achieve political and legal
legitimacy the organization achieved some
notable victories. In 1973, Scientology secured a
ministerial fiat authorizing the Church3 to
conduct official marriage celebrations.4 Wins in
court included an earlier decision in 1970
recognizing the exempt status of a Church
minister from national service,5 a 1979
defamation decision in the Supreme Court of
Western Australia, where Scientology was
deemed, on the evidence of clergymen,6 to have
a “‘religious’ reputation,”7 and an appellate
2 “Government officials regularly must determine whether a
particular group is religious and therefore qualifies for some
privilege accorded only to religious organizations. This privilege
may be a special zoning variance, exemption from taxes, the
authorization to perform marriage, or in some localities just the
simple right to provide spiritual healing to the ill or distressed”
(Church of Scientology International, Scientology: Theology &
Practice of a Contemporary Religion, Los Angeles, 1998, p. 9).
3 Scientology was operating under the name the “Church of the
New Faith Incorporated.”
4 The Ministerial proclamation attracted political controversy but
was not reversed.
5 Acting under federal jurisdiction, a Perth Petty Sessions
magistrate granted Scientologist Minister Jonathan Gellie
exemption from conscription under section 29 of the National
Service Act 1951 see “‘New faith’ minister granted exemption,”
Daily News, 10 December 1970, p. 2.
6 “2 clerics back Scientology,” The West Australian, 21 December,
1978, p. 2. The clerics, Roman Catholic and Anglican priests, were
also tutors in philosophy at the University of Western Australia.
7 Church of Scientology Inc. v. Anderson, WAR 71, Perth, 1980.
