''Scientology: The Now Religion'' is a

non-fiction Nonfiction, or non-fiction, is any document or media content that attempts, in good faith, to provide information (and sometimes opinions) grounded only in facts and real life, rather than in imagination. Nonfiction is often associated with be ...

book on Scientology, written by George Malko. The book was the first full-length analysis of the history surrounding the founding of the

Church of Scientology The Church of Scientology is a group of interconnected corporate entities and other organizations devoted to the practice, administration and dissemination of Scientology, which is variously defined as a cult, a scientology as a business, bu ...

, and

L. Ron Hubbard Lafayette Ronald Hubbard (March 13, 1911 – January 24, 1986) was an American author, primarily of science fiction and fantasy stories, who is best known for having founded the Church of Scientology. In 1950, Hubbard authored '' Dianetic ...

. The author conducted interviews with members, and provides analysis about certain practices. The book was published in 1970 in Hardcover format by Delacorte Press, and then in a paperback edition in 1971, by

Dell Publishing Dell Publishing Company, Inc. is an American publisher of books, magazines and comic books, that was founded in 1921 by George T. Delacorte Jr. with $10,000 (approx. $145,000 in 2021), two employees and one magazine title, ''I Confess'', and ...

Threat of lawsuit by Church of Scientology

Paulette Cooper wrote in ''The Scandal of Scientology'', that "On September 30, 1970, it was reported in the New York Post that the Scientologists were suing Delacourte Publishers and author George Malko for a book they did on Scientology."''

The Scandal of Scientology ''The Scandal of Scientology'' is a critical exposé book about the Church of Scientology, written by Paulette Cooper and published by Tower Publications, in 1971. In 2007, Cooper wrote about the events resulting from the publication of her stor ...

'', Paulette Cooper, P. 70-1. A motion for summary judgment by the defendant was later denied, in 1973.The CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA a religious corporation, and Reverend Robert H. Thomas, Plaintiffs, v. DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC., a New York corporation, and George Malko, Defendants.
No. C-70-2089., United States District Court, N.D. California. Aug. 3, 1973. As Corrected Sept. 17, 1973. The Church of Scientology decided to sue after they had sent a letter demanding a retraction to the publisher, but the book was subsequently reprinted in paperback. The publisher later paid a legal settlement and did not release the book again in a printed format.'' The Road to Total Freedom: A Sociological Analysis of Scientology'', Roy Wallis,

Columbia University Press Columbia University Press is a university press based in New York City, and affiliated with Columbia University. It is currently directed by Jennifer Crewe (2014–present) and publishes titles in the humanities and sciences, including the fiel ...

, May 1977, , , P. 7, 22.

Attempt by Church of Scientology to ban book

The Church of Scientology of Canada attempted to ban the book in libraries in Canada. In June 1974, libraries were advised that if they do not remove the books: ''Scientology: The Now Religion'', '' Inside Scientology'', ''

'' and '' The Mind Benders'' from their shelves, they would be named in a lawsuit.Libraries Face Libel Threat
''

Winnipeg Free Press The ''Winnipeg Free Press'' (or WFP; founded as the ''Manitoba Free Press'') is a daily (excluding Sunday) broadsheet newspaper in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It provides coverage of local, provincial, national, and international news, as well as ...

'', 27 June 1974 Two different library boards in

Ontario, Canada Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...

had been served with writs. After obtaining out-of-court settlements of

US$ The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...

7,500 and

500 and apologies from the publishers of two of the works (Dell Publishing and Tower Publications), the Church of Scientology further threatened to sue any library or bookstore that carried them.Anti-Scientology Books Targets of Lawsuits, ''

The Library Journal ''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practi ...

'', November 1, 1974. After certain libraries in Canada refused to remove the books from their shelves, they were sued by the Church. One Canadian library reported the theft of a book critical of Scientology from its shelves. These incidents were later reported in a chronological timeline of

censorship Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information. This may be done on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or "inconvenient". Censorship can be conducted by governments ...

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

. According to used book-sellers, people associated with Scientology have attempted to have used copies of the book removed from online marketplaces claiming undefined trademark infringements. They have been instructed to remove their listings of this title by online selling sites after having received reports of "trademark infringement from the rights owner," even though the copies in question have been in circulation for nearly 50 years. The claims of infringement originate from an L.A. publisher of L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics and Scientology Materials, suggesting that the charge is an attempt to censure the content.Censorship in British Columbia
, BCLA Intellectual Freedom Committee, 1970-1979., retrieved 2/28/07.

Threat of lawsuit by Church of Scientology

Attempt by Church of Scientology to ban book

References

See also