Church of Scientology fights back against alleged claims in upcoming HBO documentary ‘Going Clear’

By Alison Lesley --
26 Jan 2015 --

The Church of Scientology is in the spotlight, and it’s not related to their expansion or humanitarian efforts.

Documentarian Alex Gibney’s latest project is set to air on HBO March 16. The film, titled Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, is based on Lawrence Wright’s 2013 book Going Clear targeted at the church’s recruitment, retainment, and alleged physical abuse. It includes interviews with eight former Scientology members.

The film premiered this past weekend at the Sundance Film Festival.

However, the Church of Scientology has written numerous letters to Alex Gibney, addressing his claims, and they all have gone unanswered, according to Scientology’s Freedom Magazine.

Free speech is not a free pass to broadcast or publish false information. http://t.co/k39dAJMeg9 #goingclear pic.twitter.com/9G94GVgn8z
— Freedom Media Ethics (@FreedomEthics) January 27, 2015

As part of the religion’s response to the film, they’ve set up a website addressing all of the documentary’s claims, a new Twitter account @FreedomEthics, and published ads in The New York Times and USA Today.

On the testimony provided by former Scientology members: “The Church has documented evidence that those featured in Gibney’s film regurgitating their stale, discredited allegations are admitted perjurers, admitted liars and professional anti-Scientologists whose living depends on the filing of false claims.”