Scientology has shown a remarkable ability to adapt its public image, which has played a crucial role in its operations. According to Daroesman, multiple members of the church, including ministers such as Peter Sparshott, Martin Bentley, and David Graham, conveyed that the organization was not genuinely a religion. Instead, they claimed that adopting the characteristics and practices of a religion was necessary to avoid governmental scrutiny.

This strategic manipulation of its identity allowed Scientology to navigate complex legal and social landscapes. By presenting itself as a religion, it gained protections and certain rights, while simultaneously operating in ways that contradicted traditional religious practices. This duality has been central to Scientology's controversial reputation and its ongoing conflicts with critics and authorities.