A full understanding of Hubbard's writings and policies, especially concerning anti-social personalities and those who engage in unethical behaviour, is essential in determining Hubbard's attitude towards ex-members. He was always against illegal activity and wanted Scientologists to be the most ethical beings on the planet. No where does LRH advocate any harm or wrongdoing.
In fact, he wrote quite the opposite.
In HCOB 10 September 1983 PTSness AND DISCONNECTION, a technical bulletin regarding anti-social personalities, Ron talks about how disconnection is useful in separating oneself from individuals who try to control you in an unethical or anti-social manner. Ron summarises, insisting that "...nothing [...] shall ever or under any circumstances justify any violations of the laws of the land. Any such offense shall subject the offender to penalties described by law as well as to ethics and justice actions."
Therefore, Scientologists who break the law will not only face the law of that land but will also face ethics and justice actions from the Church itself. Scientologists who are no longer a part of the Church will obviously only face the law of the land and cannot seek atonement through the Church's ethics procedures.
In The Way To Happiness Hubbard also wrote out a set of dos and donts that people must adhere to if they wish to live ethically and happily, rules that include 'DON'T DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL' and 'DO NOT TELL HARMFUL LIES':
"Harmful lies are the product of fear, malice and envy. They can drive people to acts of desperation. They can ruin lives. They create a kind of trap into which the teller and the target can both fall. Interpersonal and social chaos can result. Many wars began because of harmful lies." L. Ron Hubbard
From 'DO NOT STEAL':
"Stealing things is
really just an admission that one is not capable enough to make it honestly. Or that one
has a streak of insanity. Ask a thief which one it is: it's either one or the other."
L Ron Hubbard.In fact the whole basis of spiritual fulfilment in Scientology rests on the ethical level of each Scientologist. Committing transgressions can only burden the individual and drag him down in life. Knowing this, Scientologists pride themselves on their honest and ethical living and help others to do the same.
The Way To Happiness foundation, for example, was set up based on Hubbard's writings, to promote morality and ethical living within society. Millions of copies of his works are distributed to individuals of all ages as well as schools, colleges and prisons, to help achieve a higher ethical level within the world.
"Freedom is for honest people. No man who is not himself honest can be free. He is his own trap." L. Ron Hubbard, from Honest People Have Rights Too.
While Fair Game reads like an order to injure, even murder, those disaffected with the Church, it is certainly not the case. Such harmful actions would be also be a serious violation of Scientology teaching.
"The stupid, the evil and the insane seek to solve their real or imagined problems with murder. And they have been known to do it for no reason at all. Get behind any demonstrably effective program that handles this threat to mankind and push. Your own survival could depend upon it." L. Ron Hubbard, DO NOT MURDER, The Way To Happiness.
A person who has very little knowledge of Hubbard, his writings and Church policies will almost certainly come away from reading Fair Game with a rather negative viewpoint. This is indeed the aim of Scientology critics who cite this policy to try and paint Hubbard and his Church in a very bad light.
But because it was open to such gross misinterpretation, Hubbard cancelled its usage in 1968 in HCO Policy Letter 21 October 1968 CANCELLATION OF FAIR GAME.
"'Fair game' was canceled in 1968, more than 30 years ago, expressly because it was susceptible to misinterpretation and misuse. The term meant that apostate members could not seek protection or refuge under the Church’s internal ethics or justice codes. It had been intentionally and grossly misinterpreted by apostates, when all it meant was that those expelled from the Church could no longer take advantage of the internal ecclesiastical support and justice procedures churches of Scientology provide to resolve disputes and upsets among parishioners. They would have to make their own way, unaided, with the justice procedures of the society as their only recourse.
"The term does not appear in the scriptures of Scientology and has not existed since 1968. In fact, its only use since then is not by the Church at all, but by a handful of anti-Scientology apostates and their attorneys who have exploited it in efforts to generate anti-Scientology prejudice in the media or courtroom.
"The
truth is that Church management never has and never would tolerate illegal or unethical
actions to be committed in the Church’s name. The scriptures of Scientology are
replete with admonitions to its adherents to build their lives on foundations of honesty
and integrity. The commission of dishonesties or harmful acts against another is the road
to personal misery and destruction of positive interpersonal relationships."