What Scientology teaches
Suppressive persons and disconnection
Scientology labels people it considers antagonistic to it as suppressive persons, and former members describe being cut off from family under its disconnection policy.
The teaching
Scientology calls a person who is antagonistic to Scientology or to a member's spiritual progress a suppressive person (SP), and someone connected to such a person a potential trouble source. Disconnection is the practice of ending contact with a suppressive person.
Many former members have described families divided by disconnection. The Church says disconnection is a personal choice and disputes those accounts.
Beside the Bible
Jesus rebuked religious teachers who used a religious rule to avoid honouring their parents. The Bible calls Christians to honour father and mother, to love even enemies, and to live at peace with everyone as far as it depends on them.
9He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban,”’” that is to say, given to God, 12“then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13making void the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down. You do many things like this.”
Mark 7:9-13 (WEB) · context
12“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
Exodus 20:12 (WEB) · context
44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:44 (WEB) · context
18If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
Romans 12:18 (WEB) · context
Where accounts differ
- The Church of Scientology says disconnection is a personal choice; many former members describe it as required. We report both.
Sources
- Scientology source Church of Scientology, statements on suppressive persons and disconnection (scientology.org).
- Janet Reitman, Inside Scientology (2011); Lawrence Wright, Going Clear (2013).