"Fair game" is a term which is often intentionally misinterpreted and used by apostate Scientologists and other critics to unfairly tarnish the Church.
"Fair game" was cancelled in 1968, more than 25 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.
This concept is as old as religion itself. Many faiths reserve the right to expel or excommunicate members who refuse to abide by the moral and ecclesiastical codes of the group.
The term does not appear in the Scientology Scriptures 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.
So, if that's the Church's position, then what is all the fuss about? Well, many critics cling to some unpleasant events in the Church's history. They totally ignore the fact that the Church has taken a variety of steps to make sure nothing like these activities is ever undertaken in the name of Scientology again.
Within any group you will find those who might be inclined to commit criminal acts. That does not mean that the entire group is evil. Nor does it mean there is some sort of vast conspiracy at work.
One should not put undue attention on any one L.R.H. policy. The intention or purpose behind the policy is what really matters. And the intention of the Church is clear: "Church management never has and never would tolerate illegal or unethical actions to be committed in the Church’s name."
There are many Jewish Mitzvahs (biblical laws) which sound quite ominous when taken out of context. There are Mitzvahs requiring Beheading, Strangling, Burning, or Stoning of transgressors of certain commandments in the Torah. Yet somehow, we don't see too many orthodox rabbis out chopping people's heads off.
Also it is worth noting that L.R.H. had a sense of humor and often joked in lectures. Be cautious of L.R.H. quotes that critics provide, taken out of context, as the intention can be easily misrepresented.
One prime example of the subtle revisions the critics undertake is the way they misrepresent the so-called 'fair game' policy. It's funny how they always manage to leave out this part:
"Nothing in this chapter shall ever or under any circumstances justify any violation of the laws of the land or intentional legal wrongs. Any such offense shall subject the offender to the penalties precribed by law as well as to ethics and justice actions." - [L.Ron Hubbard, Introduction to Scientology Ethics, page 234, 1989]
