Spring Break
Anonymous group takes "war" on the Church of Scientology to the streets
Eric Fritz and Jamie Thomson
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Ed-Op
If you were in the vicinity of 13th and Race streets Feb. 10, you probably heard the signature honking and cheering of a protest. The hubbub was centered around the Church of Scientology, where local members of the Internet group known simply as "Anonymous" took to the streets to bring into the public eye their grievances with the infamous church.
Despite the negative spin the Church of Scientology has tried to put on Anonymous, the group's goals are clear. They are only protesting the Church of Scientology for its corrupt, criminal practices; they have no qualm with those who subscribe to Scientology as a religious philosophy. Anonymous wants to spread awareness of the mysterious abuses and deaths of church members, like Lisa McPherson, as well as have the organization's status as "religious" re-evaluated because of its specious motivations.
As stated by a member of Anonymous in an interview with Fox News, Anonymous' next major goal is to get the Church of Scientology's tax exempt status removed. The United States tax code, section 501(c)(3) states that the only organizations eligible for tax exempt status are "corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes" and then goes on to say "no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda." Given that the church spreads propaganda about people who disagree with them and coerces members into paying large sums of money for information and practices, it is hard to believe that the organization is truly facilitating the religion it claims to represent, let alone, deserving of tax exempt status. Anonymous is using its online presence to encourage everyone to write to their representatives and urge that the Church of Scientology's tax exempt status be revoked.
Despite the negative spin the Church of Scientology has tried to put on Anonymous, the group's goals are clear. They are only protesting the Church of Scientology for its corrupt, criminal practices; they have no qualm with those who subscribe to Scientology as a religious philosophy. Anonymous wants to spread awareness of the mysterious abuses and deaths of church members, like Lisa McPherson, as well as have the organization's status as "religious" re-evaluated because of its specious motivations.
As stated by a member of Anonymous in an interview with Fox News, Anonymous' next major goal is to get the Church of Scientology's tax exempt status removed. The United States tax code, section 501(c)(3) states that the only organizations eligible for tax exempt status are "corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes" and then goes on to say "no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda." Given that the church spreads propaganda about people who disagree with them and coerces members into paying large sums of money for information and practices, it is hard to believe that the organization is truly facilitating the religion it claims to represent, let alone, deserving of tax exempt status. Anonymous is using its online presence to encourage everyone to write to their representatives and urge that the Church of Scientology's tax exempt status be revoked.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 40
GrnApl
posted 2/15/08 @ 10:15 AM EST
Spin, Spin, Spin. Anonymous is a hate group; "honk if you hate Scientology", "Scientology Kills". Hatred is not noble.
anonymous
posted 2/15/08 @ 10:26 AM EST
I wonder if there are any bright young law students that would be willing to advise us on how we can help with the case discussed in this article:
Scientologists' Tax Break Cited in Suit Against I. (Continued…)
Aberdeen Anonymous
posted 2/15/08 @ 11:06 AM EST
GrnApl (YA HALO THAR SCIENTOLOGIST): You forgot the widespreadness of signs that said "Love the Scientologist, Hate Scientology".
The fact that Anonymous supports Freezone & the free distribution of Scientology tech also kinda puts paid to your notion that Anonymous hates your religion. (Continued…)
John Bryans Fontaine
posted 2/15/08 @ 11:20 AM EST
Having once been a member in the Cult known as $cientology, I greatly applaud the courage of Anonymous. There were few men in the 20th Century more cunning and mendacious than its founder: L. (Continued…)
Stevemm
posted 2/15/08 @ 12:32 PM EST
@Aberdeen. It would be nice if what you said was true, but the fact is Anonymous is attacking the right of Scientologists (like me) to practice my chosen religion. (Continued…)
ruinanon
posted 2/15/08 @ 1:14 PM EST
Anonymous mocks all religions equally. Anonymous mocks atheism too. Anonymous loves the free speech right to mock. However, Anonymous respects the right of people to follow or not follow any faith (and be mocked for it). (Continued…)
Nordic
posted 2/15/08 @ 2:30 PM EST
"negative spin the Church of Scientology has tried to put on Anonymous"
Um, so if the Church of Scientology simply re-iterates what most of the media is saying (and has said) about Anonymous, that's "spin"? Don't think so. (Continued…)
anonymous
posted 2/15/08 @ 2:55 PM EST
Nordic, pay attention will you. The church isn't "re-iterating," the PRESS IS!
"In an interview inside the Church of Scientology's Toronto facility, Rev. (Continued…)
anonomousXenu
posted 2/15/08 @ 3:18 PM EST
Anonymous members remain anonymous due to the fact that Scientology attacks, defames, harasses and sues critics.
Google "Operation Fair play" and visit www. (Continued…)
bgodley
posted 2/15/08 @ 10:46 PM EST
First off there is much in this article that is false. The unresearched author is parroting information form anti-scientology sites that can be mildly labeled inflammatory. (Continued…)
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