However, Scientology was expert at manipulating its image to accommodate just about anyone. 'We were assured by almost everyone we met,' Daroesman says, 'including ministers of the church such as Peter Sparshott, Martin Bentley and David Graham – that it wasn't really a religion but that it had to adopt the practices and appearance of a religion so that the government would not harass it.'56 Lionel
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.
