Spring Break
Internet group declares war on the Church of Scientology
Eric Fritz
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Ed-Op
An Internet collective known only as "Anonymous" has turned its considerable power against the Church of Scientology. Prompted by the Church of Scientology's latest attempts to ban a leaked video of Tom Cruise portraying Scientologists in a light that some might deem a little crazy, Anonymous declared war against Scientology in a video posted to YouTube and a press release distributed online. Following the declaration, Anonymous has begun waging a public relations campaign against Scientology. This consists of distributing information online, attacking Scientology web sites, and planning "raids" or protests at Scientology buildings worldwide. Finally, people on the Internet are doing something constructive with their time.
According to online sources, Anonymous has gone after Scientology not out of spite over their beliefs, which have been parodied in popular shows like South Park, but for their cult-like practices.
According to the press release, "[Anonymous'] goals include bringing an end to the financial exploitation of Church members and protecting the right to free speech, a right which they claim was consistently violated by the Church of Scientology in pursuit of its opponents."
The group is attempting to force the mainstream media to recognize the Church of Scientology's wrongs. They also want to raise awareness worldwide of what they consider to be a dangerous cult, and urge members to free themselves from the "mental enslavement" imposed on them.
Despite the fact that, as a collective, Anonymous does not have any known leaders or central figures, everyone acting under the group's name seems united in the idea that they're attacking Scientology not for personal gain, pettiness, or religious bigotry, but simply to ensure the right to free expression for everyone, and to attempt to help people they believe are put in danger by the Church of Scientology. There are, however, some people acting under the name Anonymous who claim to only be attacking Scientology for entertainment value, or as they say, "For the lulz." While some of this could amount to nothing more than a few teenagers with too much free time, there appears to be a large amount of dedicated and well informed individuals acting on behalf of freedom of expression.
According to online sources, Anonymous has gone after Scientology not out of spite over their beliefs, which have been parodied in popular shows like South Park, but for their cult-like practices.
According to the press release, "[Anonymous'] goals include bringing an end to the financial exploitation of Church members and protecting the right to free speech, a right which they claim was consistently violated by the Church of Scientology in pursuit of its opponents."
The group is attempting to force the mainstream media to recognize the Church of Scientology's wrongs. They also want to raise awareness worldwide of what they consider to be a dangerous cult, and urge members to free themselves from the "mental enslavement" imposed on them.
Despite the fact that, as a collective, Anonymous does not have any known leaders or central figures, everyone acting under the group's name seems united in the idea that they're attacking Scientology not for personal gain, pettiness, or religious bigotry, but simply to ensure the right to free expression for everyone, and to attempt to help people they believe are put in danger by the Church of Scientology. There are, however, some people acting under the name Anonymous who claim to only be attacking Scientology for entertainment value, or as they say, "For the lulz." While some of this could amount to nothing more than a few teenagers with too much free time, there appears to be a large amount of dedicated and well informed individuals acting on behalf of freedom of expression.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 77
Anonymous
posted 2/01/08 @ 7:47 AM EST
We in Anonymous thank you for your kind article and support. We seek peaceful, law-abiding ways to inform the public of the lawlessness and injustice perpetrated by the Church of Scientology, and hope that more articles such as your own continue to appear. (Continued…)
Al
posted 2/01/08 @ 8:32 AM EST
Wow nice article.
I didnt realize Anonymous were more than described on Fox and such places. I guess we really cant take what they say for granted (go figure huh?). (Continued…)
James Lightfield
posted 2/01/08 @ 8:38 AM EST
No Catholic would be permitted to be a Catholic if he denied the Virgin birth, the Holy Trinity and burning forever in the fires of hell and went into a Catholic church and told Catholics that they were all misguided in their beliefs and actively tried to dissuade Catholics from practicing their faith. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 2/01/08 @ 8:41 AM EST
Very well written.
Thankyou.
James Lightfield
posted 2/01/08 @ 9:05 AM EST
It has long been a tradition by those in power to use the media and front groups to plant stories and alarming reports to attack and discredit their opponents. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 2/01/08 @ 9:25 AM EST
Plant stories? Front groups?
Both false, unfortunately.
We are not some sort of front group, and the media has had very little to say about Scientology for the most part. (Continued…)
anon
posted 2/01/08 @ 9:27 AM EST
Thank you very much for your article. Freedom of speech is precious but delicate and so, we as a society, should do all we can to protect it. I am a member of Anonymous and continue to peacefully protest against the 'church' of $cientology. (Continued…)
lulz test
posted 2/01/08 @ 10:04 AM EST
Nice article, It is relevant to my interests and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Down With Szcizotology!
Patrick Gallaher
posted 2/01/08 @ 10:52 AM EST
James, as a devout Catholic, I am deeply offended by your hijacking of my faith to defend your ideals. Granted Catholicism has had its problems and still does, but it has moved well beyond the Church of Scientology in its evolution as a modern faith. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 2/01/08 @ 11:39 AM EST
Excellent article. If scientologists want to believe in thetans and xenu, so be it. The killings and treason and all other abominations must be brought to light though. (Continued…)
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