Scientology’s Relationship with the Internet: The Struggles of Contemporary Perception Management

This chapter has two purposes. First, it explores Scientology’s approach to perception management in an era of postmodernity, where the fluidity of information distribution and the rise of reflexive citizen have undermined conventional approaches. Here, the Church of Scientology has been forced to soften its tactics, utilizing strategies that limit the capacity for social criticism. Second, the chapter explores a number of recent examples where Scientology has “gone into battle” with the Internet over access to information on the group. In this way, the chapter updates Lippard and Jacobsen’s earlier work on Scientology’s relationship with the Internet.