Citation:
Lord, Phil. 2023.“From the “Cult Watchers” to the “Anti-Cult Wars”: Tracing the Path to Rich and Rigorous Scientology Research”. in Uses and Abuses of Power in Alternative Spiritualities. Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract:
Abstract: This presentation discusses persisting challenges in Scientology research and the path forward. It discusses the emergence of a community of scholars who adopt a significantly more favourable stance on Scientology and have impacted the homogeneity of Scientology research, seeking to refute their central claim that Scientology research had, prior to their intervention, lacked sophistication by focussing on Scientology’s organisational behaviour instead of on its theology, beliefs, and praxis and by unduly relying on the testimonies of former members. In doing so, the presentation highlights how scholars who are favourable to Scientology have more in common with those who oppose Scientology than first appears.Presenter bio: Phil Lord (J.D. B.C.L. LL.M. FCIArb) is an Assistant Professor at Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law. His research focuses on public law (principally employment and taxation law), behavioural economics, and new religious movements. He has authored over 25 academic articles, most peer-reviewed.
Presenter affiliation: Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lakehead University