Based upon past reactions by the church to protests, there is probably a spin doctor trying to paint us with a dirty brush. You may hear that we are hate mongers, trying to incite violence against the church or prevent people from practicing their religion. You may hear that we have been paid to attend, or that we are "deprogrammers", who aim to kidnap church members and brainwash them into leaving their religion.

Suffice it to say, nothing could be further from the truth. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that "Everyone has the .. freedom of conscience and religion;," we agree with this wholeheartedly. We are not protesting the religion of Scientology. We are protesting the organization of Scientology, the organization which was described as "evil", "immoral" and "corrupt" by judges around the world.

We are private citizens, from no organization, utilizing our charter freedom to make our opinion known. We have not been paid to be here, and we do not, and will not, incite violence or other illegal acts.

In the January 1949 issue of the Writers Markets and Methods magazine, a science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard, mentioned that he was working on "a book of psychology". Throughout the year, rumors flew, and in January 1950, Walter Winchell of the New York Daily Mirror wrote "There is something new coming up in April called Dianetics, A new science which works with the invariability of physical science in the field of the human mind. From all indications it will prove to be as revolutionary for humanity as the first caveman's discovery and utilization of fire.".

In April, John W. Cambell, editor of Astounding claimed "Next month's issue will, I believe, cause one full-scale explosion across the country. We are carrying a 16,000 word article entitled Dianetics - An Introduction to a New Science, by L. Ron Hubbard. It will, I believe, be the first publication of the material. It is, I assure you in full and absolute sincerity, one of the must important articles ever published".

The book edition of Dianetics, The Modern Science Of Mental Health quickly became a best seller. Many readers of the book were interested in learning more, and they were sent to the newly established Hubbard Dianetics Foundation, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, for a $500 "Auditors Course". In between 1950 and April 1952, the Elizabeth foundation went backrupt after New Jersey authorities charged auditors with illegally practicing medicine, and a replacement foundation in Wichita, Kansas went bankrupt apparently through mismanagement. In May 1954 Hubbard founded the "Hubbard Association of Scientologists", and 5 years after the first announcement of "A new science", there was a new religion, the Church of Scientology.

Unlike most religions, it is hard to pin down exactly what Scientologists believe. At times they claim that it is compatible with Christianity and Judaism, yet Hubbard has been quoted as saying "There was no Christ!" (Class 8 course, Lecture 10 audio tape). Much of what they do believe, they zealously protect with trade secret & copyright law, preventing former members from continuing to practice the religion of Scientology outside the organization of Scientology.

In the late 1970s & early 1980s, Scientology had major problems with the law in both the United States, and in Canada, and high ranking Scientologists from both countries went to jail or were fined, including Mary Sue Hubbard, L. Ron Hubbard's third wife. Scientology claims that these actions were unauthorized acts by members of the church.

In 1986 L. Ron Hubbard died, and David Miscavage, a second generation Scientologist, became COB (Chairman of the Board) of the RTC, who own the trademarks & copyrights of the church. Under his control Scientology finally was awarded non-profit (tax exempt) status by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a decision which is heralded by the Scientologists as recognition as a legitimate religion.

On the Internet, the abbreviation CoS (for Church of Scientology) is often spelt Co$, as a light hearted way of indicating the church's apparent fascination with money.

Scientology has had a controversial history in Canada.. In 1970 the Lee report was very critical. It made comparisons between what Scientologists say, and what is documented in their own books, finding where they are apparently unable to decide if they are practising medicine or religion. These comparisons are still very fascinating today.

In 1974 the church sued libraries in Hamilton and Etobicoke for refusing to remove books critical of Scientology. None of the books had been found libellous in any way.

In 1977, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario were asked to evaluate if the Church had been practising medicine without a license.

In 1983 the OPP searched the church building at 696-700 Yonge Street, and used evidence found there to issue an indictment against 18 members of the church and the church itself, for theft and breach of trust. The following organisations were allegedly infiltrated or victimised by those charged, "Fasken & Calvin [law firm].", "Goodman & Goodman [law firm].", "College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario [medical governing body].", "Ontario Medical Association.", "Canadian Mental Health Association.", "Ontario Provincial Police.", "Metropolitan Toronto Police.", "Attorney General of Ontario.", & "Royal Canadian Mounted Police.". The trial resulted in 6 guilty verdicts, including two against the church of Scientology itself, which was fined $250,000

In 1985 a member of the church, pleaded guilty to stealing documents belonging to the Ontario Medical association, between 1976 and 1983.

In July 1988, the Church offered one million dollars to the United Way and other charities in return for immunity from prosecution. The Ontario government and the charities all rejected the offer.

In 1994 the church was found guilty of libel against Casey Hill, the Crown attorney who prosecuted the above case. The church was fined a total of $2.1 million, Canada's largest ever libel award.

In 1995, a Quebec judge ruled that the church must return fees paid in advance for services not taken by clients. The judge rejected arguments that freedom of religion exempted the church from Quebec's Consumer Protection Law.

Scientology has many public fronts, many apparently chosen so that the Scientology connection is concealed. Here is a list of just some of them:

Church of Scientology International (CSI), Religious Technology Center (RTC), International Hubbard Ecclesiastical League of Pastors (IHELP), Scientology Missions International, Sea Organization (or Sea Org), "Lead the Way to a Drug-Free USA", "Say No to Drugs", "Drug-Free Marshals", Community Service Guild, "Annual Winter Wonderland, Hollywood, CA," Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), National Commission on Law Enforcement and Social Justice (NCLE), Freedom Magazine, World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE), Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), Applied Scholastics International, NARCONON, CRIMINON, The Way to Happiness Foundation, Golden Era Studios, New Era Publications, Sterling Management Systems, HealthMed

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