Search for Scientology's soul

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Today Tonight has aired BBC reporter John Sweeney's remarkable account of his search for Scientology's soul. Scientology's response is linked below.

From Hollywood to Australia, the Church of Scientology can seem like a who's who of celebrity and wealth.

But critics accuse it of blackmail, intimidation and violence to get its own way.

Today Tonight has broadcast the exclusive Australian premiere of a powerful BBC Panorama investigation into Scientology by reporter John Sweeney, including his remarkable outburst.

In his words, the reporter was spied on and followed by sinister strangers including the son of a Hollywood star, accused of following him like a stalker.

The one word that seems to guarantee Scientology anger: cult.

It was deemed a religion in Australia by the High Court in 1983, claiming to have a quarter of a million members nationwide.

But it has never shaken its image as shadowy, secret and money-obsessed.

Today Tonight has been in contact with the Australian Church of Scientology throughout the day.

They wanted to refute the suggestion that their teachings revolved around the alien character named Zanu.

The BBC Panorama documentary is online at /www.bbc.co.uk/panorama.

The Church of Scientology asked us to point out that you can view the church's own documentary of the BBC documentary, on the web at www.freedommag.org