We had to create a militant and protective organisation
that could shield the church so that it could proceed peacefully with its
principal aims and functions, without becoming embroiled in the constant
skirmishing with those who wanted to annihilate us.
[Guardian Office member quoted by Omar Garrison, Playing Dirty,
1980]
In December 1953, Scientology was first incorporated as a
religious body in Camden, New Jersey. Less than 18 months later, the new
Church had its first intelligence agency - a remarkably swift evolution
considering that the Catholic Church took 1500 years to create its own
Inquisition. Since 1955, Scientology has had a highly organised mechanism to
gather intelligence and administer "Justice and Punishment" to its
perceived foes. This has been achieved through three agencies within the
Church of Scientology. The following short essays present a historical view
of each and exposes the inner workings of Scientology's secret service as it
has developed over the last 40 years.