To fail or refuse to disconnect from a suppressive person not only denies the PTS case gain, it is also supportive of the suppressive—in itself a Suppressive act. And it must be so labelled.
-Internal Scientology policy memorandum (Ref. HCO PL 23 Dec 65RA)
The Objection
Scientologists are isolated from society informationally (they are not to read some books and websites; a net-nanny is often used to further this isolation), linguistically (scientology is loaded with words altered from common use, making communication difficult), socially (through 'disconnection', the practice of breaking relations with anyone in their lives that criticizes Scientology itself), and sometimes physically (through varied means including closed camps and the "sea org"). And, yes, this DOES mean that I think that monasteries and communes are a bit "off"; however, most of them share only one or two other things on this list, so I'm not really concerned.
First Feature Video: Jenna Miscavige
Here's a video clip of Jenna Miscavige, the niece of David Miscavige (current head of Scientology), discussing social disconnection practices:
Second Feature Video: Tory Christman
Here's another video of Tory Christman, a former Scientologist turned critic, speaking about disconnection and broken families.
Additional References:
1. An article on the practice of disconnection by Michael Gomez may be found HERE.
2. Another artice (with a great many quotes and added references) by Michael Snoek may be found HERE.
3. The obfuscating terminology of Scientology which makes discussion of their doctrine difficult is often cited. An official glossary of terms may be found HERE.
4. The official Scientology answer to "What is disconnection?" is HERE.