Many religions ask members to distance themselves from harmful influences, and adults are free to choose their associations. Isn’t singling out Scientology unfair?

Choosing one’s associations is a real freedom, and healthy boundaries are not the issue. The difference critics point to is the direction of the pressure: disconnection is applied to keep members inside by cutting ties with those who question the group, rather than to protect anyone from abuse. When the practice reliably severs parents from children because one side left a church, calling it merely personal choice does not fit the accounts. Comparable pressure in any group would draw the same concern.