From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
"The controversial Church has attracted much criticism and distrust throughout the world because of its closed nature and strong-arm tactics in handling critics.[2] Lawmakers, including national governing bodies of several countries, have characterized the Church as an unscrupulous commercial organization, citing harassment of critics and exploitation of its members.[3] Scientology's principles have been characterized as pseudoscientific by scientists, medical doctors and psychotherapeutic practitioners. Because of these factors, Scientology has frequently been perceived as a cult and a pseudoreligion. [4]"
"The ongoing controversies involving the Church and its critics include:
* Scientology's harassment and litigious actions against its critics and enemies.
* Some critics charge Scientology with being a cult of personality, with much emphasis placed on the alleged accomplishments of its founder.
* Scientologists claim that government files, such as those from the FBI, are loaded with forgeries and other false documents detrimental to Scientology, but have never substantiated this accusation.
* Unexplained deaths of Scientologists, most notably Lisa McPherson, allegedly due to mistreatment by other members.
* Scientology's disconnection policy, in which members are encouraged to cut off all contact with friends or family members critical of the Church.[32]
* Criminal activities by Scientologists, both those committed for personal benefit (Reed Slatkin, Gabriel Williams, and others) and those committed on behalf of the Church and directed by Church officials (Operation Snow White, Operation Freakout, Fair Game, and others).
* Claims of brainwashing and mind control.
* Use of high-pressure sales tactics to obtain money from members.
* Lobbying search engines such as Google and Yahoo to omit any webpages that are critical of Scientology from their search engines (and in Google's case, AdSense), or at least the first few search pages (now however, a search for Scientology on Google and Yahoo brings up the Wikipedia page, with both critical and official Scientology websites).
* Differing accounts of L. Ron Hubbard's life, in particular accounts of Hubbard discussing his intent to start a religion for profit. [10]
"
L. Ron Hubbard was bitterly critical of psychiatry's citation of physical causes for mental disorders, such as chemical imbalances in the brain. Although there are many questions remaining, the statements by Hubbard deny that psychiatry, through the scientific method, has shown some psychiatric disorders are related to anatomical and chemical cerebral anomalies.
Furthermore, it is evident much of his criticism is based upon old and flawed information regarding psychiatry
The Church claims that psychiatry was responsible for World War I [14], the rise of Hitler and Stalin [15], the decline in education standards in the United States [16], the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo [17], and even the September 11 attacks [18]. However, for all these statements, the Church has failed to present any evidence supporting this view of psychiatry. Scientology's opposition to psychiatry has also undoubtedly been influenced by the opposition of numerous psychiatrists to the Church, resulting in pressure from the media and governments. Additionally, after the publication of Dianetics in which Hubbard tried to present a new form of psychotherapy, the American Psychological Association advised its members against using Hubbard's techniques with their patients until their effectiveness could be proven. Because of this critique Hubbard came to believe psychiatrists were behind a worldwide conspiracy to attack Scientology and create a "world government" run by psychiatrists on behalf of Soviet Russia: