be fair, is a hallmark of many religions. However, in Scientology, it feels much more stern and with an obvious litigious bent. Why?

A: The church's culture of secrecy is part of its DNA. It was in the personality of its founder. Hubbard was, by nature, secretive. He spent a decade on the high seas out of the reach of process servers and the press. The last several years of his life he was in hiding. From the very beginning of this movement, Scientology has always been a very closeted organization. That aura of secrecy is something that the present-day management continues.

Q: But why, when it might be seen as turning off potential believers?

A: There are two ways of looking at it. The church wants to protect the copyrightSt. Petersburg Times?" So I asked Isham, "Did you follow up on Paul's suggestion?" And his response was, "I started to, but it was like reading 'Mein Kampf.'" I was stunned by that. This was straightforward, objective reporting on the abuses inside the church, and he didn't want to look at them. The church cultivates this kind of response on the part of its members.

Q: You uncover evidence that many of the claims related to Hubbard's military service are not true. What does this mean for the believers? Does it matter?

A: I do think that the contradictions in Hubbard's bio are very telling. But whether they would change the opinion of people involved in Scientology is another question. A lot of times, when people get into the church