Disconnection (Scientology)
Mandated shunning-type practice / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Disconnection is the severance of all ties between a Scientologist and a friend, colleague, or family member deemed to be antagonistic towards Scientology. The practice of disconnection is a form of shunning.[1]: 144 Among Scientologists, disconnection is viewed as an important method of removing obstacles to one's spiritual growth. In some circumstances, disconnection has ended marriages and separated children from their parents.[2][3][4][5][6]
The Church of Scientology has repeatedly denied that such a policy exists,[7][8][9] though as of February 2012[update] its website acknowledged the practice and described it as a human right.[10] In the United States, the Church has tried to argue in court that disconnection is a constitutionally protected religious practice. However, this argument was rejected because the pressure put on individual Scientologists to disconnect means it is not voluntary.[11]