Scientology's Long War

Elrond Hubbard knew way back when that his personal image was essential to Scientology's acceptance as a mainstream religion. In 1989, the Supreme Court dealt Scientology a major blow when it was announced that Scientology services were not tax deductible because they were a quid pro quo transaction. That same year, the IRS again denied tax exempt status to the organization. And this time he waged war legally and asymmetrically. He engaged in a smear campaign against individual IRS agents. This was only another battle in Scientology's long war that wouldn't end for another five years.