Scientology: The Now Religion is a non-fiction book on Scientology, written by George Malko. The book was the first full length analysis of the history surrounding the founding of the Church of Scientology, and L. Ron Hubbard. The author conducted interviews with members, and provides analysis about certain practices. The book was published in 1970 in Hardcover format by Delacorte Press, and then in a paperback edition in 1971, by Dell Publishing.
wrote in The Scandal of Scientology, that "On September 30, 1970, it was reported in the New York Post that the Scientologists were suing Delacourte Publishers and author George Malko for a book they did on Scientology." A motion for summary judgment by the defendant was later denied, in 1973. The Church of Scientology decided to sue after they had sent a letter demanding a retraction to the publisher, but the book was subsequently reprinted in paperback. The publisher later paid a legal settlement and did not release the book again in a printed format.
Attempt by Church of Scientology to ban book
The Church of Scientology of Canada attempted to ban the book in libraries in Canada. In June 1974, libraries were advised that if they do not remove the books: Scientology: The Now Religion, , The Scandal of Scientology and The Mind Benders from their shelves, they would be named in a lawsuit. Two different library boards in Ontario, Canada had been served with writs. After obtaining out-of-court settlements of US$7,500 and US$500 and apologies from the publishers of two of the works, the Church of Scientology further threatened to sue any library or bookstore that carried them. After certain libraries in Canada refused to remove the books from their shelves, they were sued by the Church. One Canadian library reported the theft of a book critical of Scientology from its shelves. These incidents were later reported in a chronological timeline of censorship in British Columbia. According to used book-sellers, people associated with Scientology have attempted to have used copies of the book removed from online marketplaces claiming undefined trademark infringements. They have been instructed to remove their listings of this title by online selling sites after having received reports of "trademark infringement from the rights owner," even though the copies in question have been in circulation for nearly 50 years. The claims of infringement originate from an L.A. publisher of L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics and Scientology Materials, suggesting that the charge is an attempt to censure the content.
