'Anonymous' takes anti-Scientology to the streets

"Anonymous" now has a bunch of faces to go without its name. The loosely bound group of net activists who've got a beef with the Church of Scientology showed up Sunday at the church's largest Los Angeles' locations. The protests were part of a global day of demonstrations against Scientology. Hordes of masked, costumed (and mostly young) picketers showed up in Boston, New York, Toronto, the U.K., Australia and a dozen other locations (thanks wikinews).

Many of the Los Angeles picketers wore the Guy Fawkes masks made popular in the movie "V for Vendetta," and it seemed like every other person was recording the event with a digital camera, camcorder or cellphone.

The protests were peaceful and colorful, with music and chanting (often: "Religion is free -- No Pay Per View" -- a reference to an alleged tiered system whereby the religion's adherents must pay money to gain spiritual clarity).  A near constant stream of horn honks provided the background noise as cars passed the Scientology center on Sunset Boulevard and continued as the mob moved to the so-called Celebrity Center on Hollywood Boulevard.  At least one ambulance and several fire department vehicles honked as they passed.

Security personnel, some wielding video cameras, were stationed at every entrance to the Sunset Boulevard center.  Most wore impassive expressions and, when spoken to (or in some cases, danced with) by rollicking protesters, would betray no more than the wryest of grins.

Protesters were quick to hand leaflets to any cars that slowed or stopped for red lights -- and many drivers freely accepted them.

"Ask a Christian about the Bible; you will be answered," read one leaflet.  "Ask a Scientologist about their text: You will be answered -- after your check clears."

A Fawkes-masked spokesman for Anonymous, who wouldn't give his name but whom several protesters identified as the organizer of the L.A. event, explained one of the group's concrete goals.

"We want set off a government investigation into how they got tax-exempt status," said the man, who said he was in his early 20s.

Scientology was granted the tax-exempt status in 1993 after a protracted battle with the IRS, which for 25 years had maintained that Scientology was a business and not a religion.

When contacted for a comment on the protests, a Scientology spokesperson issued a statement that read, in part: "'Anonymous' is a group of cyber-terrorists who hide their identities behind masks and computer anonymity" and it "is perpetrating religious hate crimes against Churches of Scientology and individual Scientologists for no reason other than religious bigotry." The statement did not mention the Sunday protests.

The protesters Sunday looked mostly young, white and computer-oriented -- few had anything like a serious tan -- but among the group were other more established anti-Scientogy elements, such as investigative journalist Mark Ebner, Mark Bunker from Xenu TV, and several people who identified themselves as former Scientologists.

Asked to explain the sudden groundswell of opposition to Scientology, Lynn Fountain Campbell, who said she'd been part of the church for 40 years, said, "It's just reached a critical mass. People just aren't scared anymore." 

"They try to make people shut up," Campbell added, "and I'm not the shutting up type."

Comments

[Sweet Parade watcher]

Shweet! kick 'em where it counts, tee hee

[YouMayCallMeAnonymous]

Exellent report. I hope more realize our peaceful nature in the future.

[knowledge_is_free]

Today is a great day. It's wonderful to see these young adults united for a common and worthy goal. Don't stop here. It's time for the government to investigate and reconsider this cult's tax exempt status.

[David]

The entire globe has stood together and said no to the evil cult that is Scientology, we won't let you get away with your evil tactics any longer.

[Anongineer]

It's about time people in the world stood up to this business. Watch the BBC Panorama on Scientology, and you will see just how radical it gets. Hopefully, with Scientology's recent exposure in the media, people will think twice before they allow themselves to be roped into such a cult. It's shocking that people who know that L. Ron Hubbard was a science fiction writer can believe that he was inspired to write Dianetics by 'looking inside himself.' That's quite the euphimism for 'making it all up.'

[Alan]

if religion should be free what about all the tithes that have been paid to churches for hundreds of years? Let's go back to buying Indulgences to wipe your sins from the catholic church?

Let's face it, organized religion relies on the wages of it's members to survive. Scientology isn't any different than any of the others

[Josh Geller]

You know, if you are a Mormon, you tithe (give ten percent of your income to the church every year). The church sends an accountant over to help you do this. On the other hand, you do get access to the impressive Mormon social welfare system, if you need it, and if you don't have any money you get a pass. Also there don't seem to be huge numbers of disgruntled Mormons, you meet one or two.

I have a hard time deciding where to come down on this one. So far I have always come down on the side of freedom of religion for the Scientologists and freedom of speech on the side of the activists.

As far as the secrecy stuff, lots of groups have secret stuff. The Freemasons for instance.

I personally would never join the Scientologists.

.

[Xenu]

Congratulations, Scientology: you have succeeded in making these nerds look well-adjusted and rational.

This, in the end, may be the most damning point they have raised against you.

It's gonna take a lot of E-meter $essions for you to get over this . . .

[Jpk]

I do not think any religious groups should have tax exemptions. Scientology seems no more exploitive than many "acceptable" religions.

(The difference between a religion and a cult - 100 years!)

[Lucy]

Live and let live. This is ridiculous, hateful and akin to a witch hunt. If as much effort were to go into something of value, say feeding the hungry, helping street people, helping refugees, promoting peace...well, there would probably be peace. I don't believe the Church of Scientology has hurt anyone any more than any other religion has perverted the minds of men. Those "masked people" are no more than a version of KKK. Leave the Scientologists alone and put your energies into something POSITIVE.

[CLEARWATER FL]

ANTI SCIENTOLOGISTS ARE HERE :)

[Tripon]

There's another protest being planned on 03/15. Get your masks ready, and bring the popcorn.

[Hubert]

@ Alan

Tithing is different, in that you are still saved whether you pay or not.

And indulgences? This is a discussion about CoS in the present day, not about what a religion did over a hundred years ago.

Some CoS promoters won't discuss their organization, but often steer away from CoS or even attack the questioner.

[myxyx]

It is my understanding that scientology does not believe in any spirits at all.It seems like the sanest religion to me.A world that lives in reality is a sane world.

[anon1523]

Okay. So everyone pretty much realized that this was one big excuse for a costume party for computer-addicted pot heads with a serious paranoia against something they don't understand right? I say, if you are really bold, have everyone remove the stupid looking costumes and come up with a better argument than a bunch of allegations with little to no non-made-up backing.

Scientology is idiotic, but this whole 'project chanology' crap is turning into a hate crime waiting to happen.

I thought "The Wave" was required reading in grade school. Though, if you're stoned, I see why it would have a limited impact.

It's morons vs. morons. We can only hope they destroy each other's legitimacy. With Scientology and web-nazi biggots out of the way, hopefully we can get back to well thought out attacks on stupid things.

Oh yeah, and that whole "we are many, we are legion" crap. Quoting biblical demons doesn't count as an intelligent slogan.

Go back to your fake moon landing conspiracy theories.

[Dan]

Tithes aren't required just to find out or even learn about Christ. Believers and those saved SHOULD tithe to whatever ministry (Church) they attend, listen to, or receive guidance from. It is not REQUIRED. Christianity does not have a LLC, CORP or other such blanket company for tax purposes. Neither do any of the eastern, or Judaic, or even explicitly satanic "religions". Credit is due to you for knowing what tithing is though. Here's your "pat on the back". ;)

Knowledge should be free, because the price we pay is the responsibility that comes with all knowledge learned.

[Osakachris]

Uh, Alan? No one has been able to buy indulgences since 1567 in the Catholic Church. Tithes are also voluntary. If you never gave a penny to the the Church, you would still be welcomed with open arms. This is the point of contention with the "religion" of scientology - that you MUST pay, regularly and for specific "spiritual" services if you want to be a member or receive salvation. The only apparent way to reach a high standing in scientology is to give a great deal of money. Hence, it is seen as a religion of extortion by many.

Yes, most organized religions have issues with corruption and abuses of power somewhere in their history, but does that make it okay? I think people have the right to look critically at any group that wields power.

[David Miscarraige]

This is not about the religious beliefs of scientologists. We do not intend to interfere with the daily life and beliefs of normal scientologists, they are free to believe whatever they wish to. This is about the gross crimes against humanity which scientology has committed, the silencing of critics, the ruthless attacks against those who would dare speak out, as is apparent in "Operation Freakout", the mandatory costs incurred by members, and the gross disregard for human liberty as seen in the CoS Sea Org and the RPF (Rehabilitiation Project Force) which enforces slave-labor like conditions on those it deems in need of "Rehabilitation."

This organization exhibits the classic signs of an organization bent on world domination, as made apparent by its gross disregard for human life and liberties, its intent on silencing or destroying critics (see: Fair Game policy, Mark Bunker, Operation Freakout). It's infiltration of governments to destroy evidence against it and gain evidence against critics (see: Operation Snow White) and its very manner of speaking in inter-personnel documents. Honestly, what peaceful religion creates "Secret Operations" which are to be carried out against enemies.

And tithes are different from Scientology's costs. Tithes are suggested donations to help support your church, and in nearly EVERY church, are completely optional, and are not prerequisites for anything, but rather donations for the church as a whole. Scientology operates its "donations" like a business. If you want to reach a certain level you MUST pay this much. It is not a matter of suggesting donations, it is much more similar to setting a cost for an item in a business. This is how Scientology operates, not as a religious organization, but as a business.

[Cloak and Dagger]

Hopefully this is just the beginng of something. Keep in mind that this phenom started with a realatively small group of talented cybers and grew very quickly, evolving beyond a specific click, hooking professional and poor alike. I personally witnessed demonstrators of various ages and ethnic backgrounds and found no one I feared as a "terrorist", cyber or otherwise.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE. Let freedom and truth ring.
-Cloak and Dagger-

[Anon]

The main difference between most other religions and $cientology is that $cientology is not a religion. $cientology is a money-making pyramid scheme, which indulges in criminal actions of suppression towards those who criticize it, and even unlawfully imprisons dissenters within the organization.
It's interesting that a parallel was drawn between $cientology and Freemasonry, as while Freemasonry is not a religion, $cientology is based off of the same structural organization that Freemasonry is.
L. Ron Hubbard was an acquaintance with Jack Parsons, a rocket scientist who was a member of a sex magic cult called the Ordo Templi Orientis. After joining Parsons in his magical workings, Hubbard ran off with a good deal of Parson's money, as well as his girlfriend and founded $cientology by directly applying the ideas he had stolen from the OTO to his invented cosmology.
Hubbard was also a member of the Ancient Mystical Order of Rosae Crucis, and was involved in a lawsuit directed at him from them in which they claimed that he had stolen material from their monographs and implemented in in $cientology; i.e. copyright infringement (which, ironically, is $cientology's favored tool for removing content from the internet which they find offensive).

Our campaign against $cientology has nothing to do with religious persecution. It concerns civil liberties. Scientology tries to suppress any criticism or dissenting opinion. The -only- reason it got tax exempt status in the first place was because conducted blackmail operations on high level members of the IRS in 1993, and this by no means is the full extent of their misdeeds. Today was Lisa McPherson's birthday. If you don't know who she was, just enter her name on Google and you'll find out just how evil $cientology really is.

[Remember Lisa McPherson]

That's right, OSA. Keep up with your hate-filled propaganda, in a vain eleventh-hour attempt to lick your wounds. Your troll comments are futile; your tactics of lies and misinformation are hardly going to harm or stop the masses of Anonymous who are more than ready, willing, and able to stand and fight your corruption and indecency. Smear campaigns are useless against those who are informed of your tactics. You are nothing more than a vampire, and us the wakening daylight with which you shall be vanquished.

We told you to expect us. And to that we hold true.

Anonymous delivers.

We do not forgive. We do not forget.

[JAS]

I just don't get it. If something is important to me I am not ashamed. By wearing these masks they are saying, "We are not willing to be held accountable for our opinions or our actions." Grow some balls! This is America in 2008. If people can spend hundreds of dollars on "medical" marijuana and fancy pipes to smoke it in, or owning 10 gas guzzling vechiles just be "cooler" than the next guy... Let our fellow man have the freedom of choice of religion. Persecution in Los Angeles? This is La La Land!! If people can't be whoever they want without hurting others here... then I've been grossly mistaken about my hometown. This makes me sick to my stomach. When we're done with the Scientologists who should we go after next? How about people who spend thousands of dollars on dogs. They must be crazy!

[jazon]

To my way of thinking scientology is a cult that preys on the weak minded and is one big scam. I'd say more but I think that about sums it up.

[rick]

They should waste their time on something that matters. Nobody cares about scientology. I guess its better the kids are out of the house rather than shooting up their schools, or wasting their lives playing world of warcraft.

[anonymous]

If you do not bother to read about what Scientology has done, can do and will continue to do to its members and critics, I have no patience for you. Your passive type are the same people who let monsters into power, who let people take away their freedoms for the sake of being slightly less scared (but when the leaders who abuse the freedom know, they will keep you scared).

Co$ dogs its critics into submission, with litigation and harassment: verbal, emotional, financial and physical. This isn't a witch hunt, we aren't burning anyone. We want people to know what the Church of Scientology, as an organisation, is doing.

The inhuman monsters are the people who will use the Fair Game tactics to silence the SPs and the ones who don't bother finding out why Scientology is a threat to our freedoms that apparently some of us take for granted.

When you have Anonymous telling you what should be obvious, what should be done, what should be KNOWN, you have a problem.

[scientio]

Many religions have tithing programs. The fact that they collect money alone is not enough to indict them.

[MC]

Religion is for suckers, any way you cut it. But people seem to need it. If you wanna protest, protest war, poverty, our lame government. Do something that matters.

[elizabeth vertitas]

Scientology - the truth will set you free.

[Dr. Dave]

VERY impressive. Usually young kids knee-jerk protest, radical, far-left causes. This takes guts cause if The Sea Org can take down the IRS imagine what it can do to "the little people". Good work for Freedom & Democracy!

[Jackson]

For God's sake, who the hell cares? If people want to become Scientologists, or Baptists, or Catholics, or anything else for that matter, it's nobody's business. This is a FREE country where all beliefs are protected, including the harebrained ones.

Nearly all major religions are manipulative, greedy, and cult-like in one way or another, and while I think Scientology is stupid, I'm not going to be so bold as to say that it's stupid for everyone. Maybe the protestors are just pissed they can't afford the Scientology version of enlightenment. LOL!

As for the tax breaks, eliminate them for all religious organizations and then we can finally stop all this "My God is better than your God" crap.

[Louis]

Personally, I feel that ALL religions are cults. However, we do have freedom of religion in this country and it must be protected. The protestors also have freedom of speech, and just as importantly, it also should be protected.

[Cleo]

Scientology actually has money built into their very religion. I could walk into most churches of any faith and sit down and listen to the service or mass and never pay a dime. My Catholic church, as flawed as it was, asked for donations, but there was no way of knowing if some members never made a donation, and I am sure there were many as my parish was in a poor area. Some elderly members may have given a few dollars, and there were other members that the church helped out through the St. Vincent DePaul society in paying their utility bills, rent, or food. So I really don't think ALL churches demand or force money from their members. In my church they may have used guilt but there was absolutely no enforcement, a person could make the weekly donation of whatever amount they could, or they could just pass the collection plate. In Scientology to even get started you have to get out your wallet.

[Michigan Anonymous]

This is directed towards all of the commenters who oppose the raid or the message in general: How would you feel if you were separated from your mother and father, siblings, your ENTIRE FAMILY, and you were never allowed to see them again? How would you feel if you were indicted and convicted of a crime you never committed, using evidence that you know is untrue? How would you feel if you were spied on, hunted, harassed, even SUED, for simply making a comment? I could go on, but if you can't see the connection by now, then you are simply provoking unwarranted turbulation and unrest. I suggest you visit some of the sites mentioned above, search for "BBC Panorama: Scientology and me," "Lisa McPherson," "Operation Snow White," "Operation Freakout," and any other informative sites mentioned above.

We are Anonymous

We are Legion

We do not forgive

We do not forget

Expect us

[bob]

Scientology is a strange, ugly, nasty little cult. If you're not aware of this, it's from not looking. The biggest criminal conspiracy against the governments of the US and Canada was carried out by Scientology (caught and convicted, not conspiracy theory). People have been relentlessly attacked and destroyed by the organization. A journalist was framed for a bomb threat and set up as criminally insane by Scientology. The abuses perpetrated by the "sea org" are horrific, and well documented. This is not just a cute daffy little cult, but an aggressive, paranoid, frequently criminal organization. That people will stand up to it takes a little bit of courage, and a fair amount of principle. Anyone who automatically scorns protesters as "potheads and nerds" or what have you, is a mindless cypher, generically cross-reacting to these protesters as Karl Rove and Rush Limbaugh have conditioned them to, without bothering to become conscious of what it is they're reacting to.

[splorch]

Too bad you "anonymous" clowns don't have the balls to show your faces in public! It would do so-o-o-o-ooooo much for your credibility!

Of course, then your mamas would see you on youtube and you'd be SO-O-O-O grounded!

[Anonymous supporter]

It was amazing, the protests across the US, in Dublin, London, Australia, across Europe. It was inspirational to see so many people, and especially young adults taking a principled stand against attempts to deprive people of their free speech, who have only sought to speak out against the harm they, and others have experienced, and the lives lost to what is a cult with a profit motive. I commend these brave individuals, they should stand as examples more should emulate.

[John S. Dearing]

So Scientology does not deserve its tax-exempt status? Agreed. But neither does any other religious group! Government and religion must be kept separate; government thus should not be granting religious groups any favor, such as exemption from taxation.

"Scientology is a strange, ugly, nasty little cult." Agreed. But every other religion is just as absurd.

[Pete O'Beare]

Anonymous, you're my hero.

[David]

Amazing.

[sam]

"I contend that we are all atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you.

When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
-Stephen L. Roberts

Scientology is less deserving of the religious distinction than any other religion. And that is no compliment to any of them.

[anon12345]

"Too bad you "anonymous" clowns don't have the balls to show your faces in public! It would do so-o-o-o-ooooo much for your credibility!"

Those members of the protest obscuring their face are attempting to defend against the Church of Scientology's "Fair Game" policy. Watch the BBC "Panorama: Scientology and Me" to see just a MILD demonstration of the ad hominum attacks, bullbaiting and plain craziness. Look up the stories of Mark Bunter and Tory Magoo for what the CoS will do to silence critics.

[anonymous supporter]

Although Scientology may be considered a "religion". It is important to realize that it is REQUIRED to pay a fee. It is good to see people gathering for what they believe. So what if they use masks? It's their thing. I'm glad to see that anonymous can be peaceful in their protesting.
Definitely participating next time.

[jackw]

lucy stated

"If as much effort were to go into something of value, say feeding the hungry, helping street people, helping refugees, promoting peace...well, there would probably be peace."

there are far bigger organisations with more staff and financial resources already attempting to tackle these kinds of issues. anonymous will never be able to compete with the red cross.

as for splorch's statement

"oo bad you "anonymous" clowns don't have the balls to show your faces in public!"

there are documented cases of harrassment of critics of Co$ in this very blog. please read before you comment.

and anyway, the whole point of anonymous is that everyone is, well, anonymous....

[Liza]

It is very easy to throw around words such as 'bigotry', 'persecution' and 'Religous Hatred'; or 'Nazi' or 'Terrorist' or 'Geek'.

Many people follow Scientology as a religon and should be free to do so without being attacked or harassed.

Freezone Scientologists are one such group. They are actively suppressed and persecuted by the Church of Scientology ORGANIZATION.

It is not the religion being attacked here. It is the framework run by an agressive, manipulative and immoral minority.

Those inside this organization are separated from friends and family by 'disconnection', Many are afraid to speak out or leave he 'Church' due to fear. After all, if the 'Church' by there own admisson can 'Hire 10 Police Officers' to police the protests in Clearwater, where can they run to?

Nobody cares about Scientology? Well, maybe they should. If this can happen in your own backyard then you share the responsibility.

I think the last straw for me was reading about operation Freakout - look it up in Google and Lisa Mcpherson. Take 5 minutes out of your day to read up on this subject before you make ignorant and crass comments about those attempting fight this disgusting entity.

I am counting the days until the FBI discover it was the Scientologists who posted white powder to themselves to make them look the injured party - I mean, its not like they haven't done it before.

Anonymous are not nice people. They are mainly a collection of computer geeks and hackers. This is true. That doesn't make what they are saying any less true.

So, my message to the 'Church of Scientology' is: you are evil and the truth must come out.

My message to Scientologists in the 'Church' is: you are not alone. There are good people outside the Church and other Scientologists who will love you.

All that is required in this world for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.

[Merkellum]

Many of you completely don't get it I happen to be a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) and am often subject to ignoramous' who have no idea what they are talking about. It feels great when some moron tells me I'm not a Christian because I differ on a few points of doctrine. If Scientology were a religion I would have great sympathy for them. But Scientology is NOT a religion.

I get along great with people of all religions - Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Buhdists. All decent good people can get along and find much in common. And we DON'T train our people to hunt down and destroy dissenters like Scientology does.

When a Muslim sets a bomb off it is not a normal Muslim - it is a perverted fringe wacko. It is not the core beliefs of the faith that produce the wacko but a socio-political offshoot that uses the cloak of religion to deflect opposition to it's agenda. It is not violence done in the name of true religion. Or when a member of any other religion commits acts of violence it is the individual who has gone wacko - not the religion.

However, what anonymous is trying to make you understand is that the sickness in Scientology is NOT isolated to a few bad apples. Their entire organization is just as corrupt as a crime family. If you are too lazy to look up the "Fair Game" doctrine then you have no business wasting anybodies time with your self-inflicted ignorance. The organization uses hypnosis as individuals move up the ladder of training. New recruits go through hundreds of ours of hypnosis and therapy (aka brain-washing) as they move up the ladder toward becoming "clear". They are regularly pressured to sign over their mortgages to keep paying for these audit sessions. It is a brilliant (as in Machiavellian-twisted-evil) self-perpetuating hypnosis cult of BullCrap.

And yes, as a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) I faithfully pay 10% of my income as tithing. And that has nothing to do with any of this. When I was inactive and didn't pay tithing I was still accepted and nurtured by my Brothers and Sisters. Now I give back in an open and sharing CHRISTIAN way. And it is 100% the honor system. Nobody EVER checks to see if you are fully paid. And we have the most successful welfare system in the world. It is our policy to rely on each other and NOT go on government welfare. Many Heads-of-State from other countries have come to Salt Lake to see how our welfare system works so well.

This isn't about Scientologies money! Catholics, Muslims, Mormons, Protestants, Buhdists, etc don't go on official church sanctioned missions to destroy anybody who speaks up against them. The cult of Scientology does! You starting to get the picture? They are a terrorist organization hiding behind the thin viel of a manufactured religious front - because they know the vast majority of people are easily passified into non-resistance.

You who say "Leave Scientology alone - they have freedom of religion/speech like everybody else" are ONLY TRYING TO SATISFY YOUR OWN CONSCIENCE BY GRABBING THE FIRST EXCUSE THAT JUSTIFIES INACTION. Have you forgotten your Holocaust lessons? Millions of ordinary "good" German, Polish, etc. people sat back and did nothing. Which is exactly what most of you are doing while Scientology destroys and kills people like Lisa McPherson.

Nobody is asking you to do something wrong! Just turn the bright spotlight of truth and discussion upon Scientology. It would utterly collapse if everybody knew the horrible things they are doing. L. Ron Hubbard spoke just as openly as Hitler about killing all the "deffective" people.

After all this blows over and the public attention has gone away the members of anonymous will be hunted by Scientology for years. You wonder why they had masks on? You are simpletons. If the level of attention goes up by an order of magnitude it may be safe for the masks to come off.

[Frosty]

$cientology is NOT a religion. Suing the IRS for tax-exempt status alone should raise everyone's awareness about how this CULT approaches things. They harass anyone who critizes the cult, they stalk anyone who critizes the cult, and they are responsible for the deaths of many people who have gone against the cult.

You decide if this is a "religion" you want to be a part of.

[anotheranonymous]

You pay taxes - why shouldn't the 'church' of $cientology?
Sign the 2 petitions to revoke scientology's tax exempt status in the USA:

www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stopscientology
www.petitiononline.com/cofs1/petition.html

And there are 6 active petitions that British citizens and/or residents can sign in regard to scientology by going to the Downing Street website:

//petitions.pm.gov.uk/StopNarconon/

//petitions.pm.gov.uk/scientologyno/

//petitions.pm.gov.uk/-Scientology/

//petitions.pm.gov.uk/anti-scientology/

//petitions.pm.gov.uk/PoliceandCoS/

//petitions.pm.gov.uk/ScientologyNMW/#detail

[Michael]

People keep comparing Scientology to other religions. It is not a religion but an extortion scheme. If what the CoS say will save the world...why do they insist on charging so much?

Anonymous uses masks because the CoS has proven that they are relentless toward their critics. They want to speak up without being the target of a witch hunt.

That being said, they are now the target of a witch hunt. It should be noted that they have mentioned on several occasions that they are targeting the leaders of the CoS, NOT the people that are stupid enough to believe in it. A lot of religions and cults have done bad things in the past and if I were alive back then I would say something. I believe in letting people believe whatever they want but I don't believe in letting people in power abuse whoever they want.

The CoS needs to be stopped. They are hurting people and hurting the world. Imagine if all those people spent their money on their family, or even a person in need.

Only an organization that has something to hide would be so vigilant in keeping opposing voices quiet. The truth has a funny way of bringing scams to their needs.

[Another Anonymous Supporter]

Many above pointed out that christians pay tithe. This is true, but tithe is voluntary and is not a fee for a service rendered.

To Splorch above, Good of you to hide behind a handle while opposing Anonymous, why didn't you post under your real name? Anonymous does not practice "Fair Game".

To myxyx: Tisk Tisk, personal attacks only show you don't have an argument. Fail.

[Poong]

Praise Xenu for these long-overdue protests against this scam that masquerades as a religion. It is time for an investigation into the Church's shady tactics to gain tax-exempt status. $cientology is not a religion, it is a commercial enterprise hawking a bogus dback-like mental therapy. They should not be able to continue to swindle people and escape paying thier fair share of taxes with impunity. Thier defense that Anonymous is motivaed by "religious bigotry" is just plain bull. Anonymous is angry at Scientology's greed, racketeering and mendacity.

[Calista]

This is really sad. These people ought to respect other peoples religion even if its different than theirs.

[mike]

anonymous from all over the world, great job. we are 1 step closer from removing their tax exempt status.

[madgunde]

"It is my understanding that scientology does not believe in any spirits at all.It seems like the sanest religion to me.A world that lives in reality is a sane world."

@myxyx
You're mistaken. From wikipedia:
"Scientologists believe that man is composed of three distinguishable parts: mind, body and spirit.
The thetan (spirit) is described in Scientology as having no mass, no wavelength, no energy and no time or location in space except by consideration or postulate. The spirit, then, is not a thing. It is the creator of things
—1956, Professional Auditor's Bulletin 85"

They also believe that 75 million years ago, Xenu, the alien ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy" brought billions of people to Earth in spacecraft resembling Douglas DC-8 airliners, stacked them around volcanoes and blew them up with hydrogen bombs. Their souls then clustered together, stuck to the bodies of the living and continue to do this today. Hubbard called these clustered spirits "Body Thetans," and advanced-level Scientologists place considerable emphasis on isolating these alien souls and neutralizing their ill effects.

Still think they're sane? lol

[Ciara]

Leave them alone, you scary people! Let people practice their religion!

[daveescaped]

Scientologists have as much right to be lame and brainwashed as the next person. You people are too afraid of scientologists. They are not some super powerful group as you might think. At best they are a punchline to a joke.

[anonz]

These pics are better:

http://www.rob-sheridan.com/tourist/scientology/

[Anonymous]

Wow! I can see the Scientologists can neither criticize Anonymous (aside from calling us the KKK or something), nor defend themselves at all against the laundry list of allegations of illegal activities made (the closest I've read is "aren't there better things you could be doing!?"). So instead they've stooped to "But all religions are lame! So why are you trying to remove OUR tax exempt status!!!?". An argument which is in and of itself, lame.

Here is why. Real religions don't cost $300K. Real religions don't "disconnect" families from each other. Real Religions don't operate behind a veil of secrecy. Real religions don't lie about their beliefs. Real religions don't label critics as "SPs" and then harass them, bully them, and abuse the legal system to silence them.

But cults do.

And for all those saying "be a man and show your face", I'll do that when you are no longer allowed to stalk, badger and harass me. Until then we will all proudly continue to remain Anonymous, and you will all be powerless to stop me from doing something even as simple as telling the truth.

And if you haven't already. Google Lisa McPhearson.

[Mary McConnell]

Good article, LATimes. These people are far from being "terrorists", Scientology's new coined term for what I see are bright and enthusiastic young adults who are trying to address some serious wrongs here and help expose it all so it's safe for critics and victims to freely speak up.

[anonymouss]

"I don't believe the Church of Scientology has hurt anyone"

Hey Lucy! Lisa McPherson, Heribert Pfaff, Josephus Havenith, Unidentified Boiler Room Man, Noah Lottick, Stacy Meyer, Susan Meister, Roberto Deplano, Paride Ella, Giuseppe Tomba, Gabriella Bramucci, Wilhelm Mack, Michael Leube, Bob Mills, Quentin Hubbard, John Buchanan, Nancy Graham, Sue Mueller, Richard Collins, Patrice Vic, Albert Jaquier, Rudolf Willems, Karen Simon, John and Diane Colletto, Mary Florence Barnett, Rodney Rimando, Scott Leland, Larrayne Johnston, Lori Wood, Yvonne Gillham Jentzsch, Sally Esterman, Susan Todhunter, Marie Passmore, Phoebe Mauerer, Jens Bogvad, Betty Filisky, Peggy Bankston, Daphne Parselle, and Ellen Carder would all like to have a word with you.

But it's kinda hard for them seeing as they're dead.

[Jordan Vendrasco]

Like every religion, scientology is about MONEY. Honestly, industries that generate business through severe psychological exploitation such as tobacco and (you guessed it) religious cults should be regulated even more than they are now.

[anonlikesmasks]

The point of the mask is simply to go along with the annonymous slogan. It is stupid yes but it works in this case. When reporters report this story they keep bringing up annonymous and the masks and how you have no idea who annon really is. It just works.

[anon333]

Anonymous is doing the world a favour by getting governments and people from around the globe to realize the utter insanity that the church of $cientology contains. Go anonymous!

[Famf]

Awesome. I really wish I could be there to protest with them. You should note that it wasn't all Anonymous; there were lots of random supporters too.

"'Anonymous' is a group of cyber-terrorists who hide their identities behind masks and computer anonymity" and it "is perpetrating religious hate crimes against Churches of Scientology and individual Scientologists for no reason other than religious bigotry."

Anonymous is a very varied group of people. I doubt hardly anyone with ties to Anonymous is a serious 'hacker' or 'cyber-terrorist'. And, as you can see in some videos, they don't all hide behind masks or computers. Anonymous is not aiming any hate at individual Scientologists; and it's not religious bigotry. This all started because they want information to be free. And the people who run Scientology do not want their secret information released, because it is scary.

If you want to believe in the beliefs of Scientology, that's fine by them, but they believe it should be free and not force you to break up with family.

[Sally Hawkridge]

When I was about twenty, Scientologists tried to recruit my friends and I. A man asked us if we wanted to take a psychology test. We were young and dumb, and we figured he was affiliated with one of the nearby universities (we were in D.C.). We were driven across town to a seedy little center where we were held for almost two hours, during which time we were taken to separate rooms and given the kind of "test" that was obviously designed to make a person feel completely down about themselves and their life. Then we were, again individually, taken into a room with a man who was trying to convince us to sign some obscure documents. The whole thing ended when my brother, recognizing high pressure sales tactics for what they were, loudly and angrily insisted that they take us back to where they had picked us up. It took him awhile but finally they conceded.

That experience taught me everything I needed to know about Scientology. Scientology is NOT a religion, I don't care what they say.

Whether or not you dislike all organized religions on principle, you have to admit this much: Islam, Christianity, Judiasm, Buddhism, Hinduism, any major religion on the planet can be summarized very simply. Examples: "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his Prophet." "Jesus Christ came to Earth to save us all." "There are four noble truths, old age, sickness, poverty and death." Regardless of whether or not you believe in these statements, at least they're comprehensible. Scientology offers no such clarity. During that recruitment experience, I flipped through some of their literature. Utter garbage thinly disguised as some neo-Freudianism. Listen to a Scientologist explain themselves, and all you get is gobbledegook and more gobbledegook. Also, all major religions have ceremonies and rituals in which there is some sort of act of worship to some Higher Power. Again, there is no such thing in Scientology. It is a pyramid scheme, nothing more. It is not even as good as other sales-related pyramid schemes that at least have something to sell, like makeup or pots and pans.

[subgenius]

...Genius...

[Anonymous]

As one of several organizers for the Los Angeles protest, I must say I was glad to see so much media coverage. This is not about religious oppression, this is about Scientology's inhumane tactics to destroy the lives of critics and all those who oppose it.

As previously stated, Scientology is about money. About the only free thing you'll ever get is an "audit", where they sit you down, and have you squeeze two soda cans, so they can get a "reading" of the alien spirits that supposedly inhabit all of our bodies.

Then they'll tell you the only way to be rid of those spirits (who are the cause of all bad things in life, by the way), is to give them money.

How is this a religion? Open your eyes, *please*.

Take five minutes out of your day, and, at the very least, google Lisa McPherson. Rest in Peace.

[wow]

Com'on you guys! It's the best scifi religion there is!

[cafenitro]

Scientology should be stopped before it becomes as accepted as Christianity and other insideous cults!

[Anon]

To the anonymous people ironically complaining about Anonymous "needing balls" because of the mask-wearing, would it hurt to do a little research before opening your ignorant mouth and letting a torrent of vacuous posturing escape?

The masks signify oneness, the masks signify unity, the masks signify that Anonymous is not an individual nor is one individual alone Anonymous nor a group nor a single voice. Every mask is an embodiment of the growing collective mass. Black or white, rich or poor, young or old, ugly or beautiful, the mask draws all to the common cause from which we shall crush the oppressor as one.

[Joe Dougherty]

[ANONYMOUS]: Aside from my view of Scientology (still haven't looked enough to absorb the entire story, but there are some real concerns there), the role that Anonymous took and how they actively assembled with others around the world is incredible.

I'm hoping that Anonymous will be the modern drive for public focuses like these. The general public needs organization. The big thing is organized follow-up.

Good stuff.

[Dan]

Thanks to all my brothers and sisters who took to the streets. We shall prevail.

[AnOn]

So many people reference the "tithe" systems of other religions -- the difference between those and Scientology is pretty clear. You actually have to CONTINUE TO PAY, INCREASING amounts of money to continue with the organization. Also, its a PAY before services are rendered situation, never have I walked into any protestant, catholic, etc. church, and then stopped by a cashier before I could continue! Stating that the money factor of Scientology is comparable to other religions would be like comparing apples to fucking monkeys, not apples to apples. Also, last I checked my church didn't have security guards with camera's, on bike's, and they didn't try to sue me, or any one else who didn't have faith in their bullshit orginally wrote for science fiction "religion".

[Pot? Yes Please.]

@MYXYX

WOW - Generalizing everyone who participates as "Nerds" and "Pot Heads" really shows how intelligent you are, considering your willing to lump literaly tens of thousands of "Pot Heads" world wide into the same group. And quite frankly, if that many Pot Heads were able to organize themselves in mass across the ENTIRE globe, then I'd say they've done a better job of unifying their cause better than what 99% of other causes are able to do. Oh wait, I am, on both counts, and proud of it!

[qizzez]

I feel a bit like I'm taking up sides with Microsoft or some other evil. Anonymous lost it's respect when it cracked the Scientology servers. Becoming a hooded mob like in the days of racial cleansing in America's cities has made them a sickening throng of ignorants. Should anyone remember this 25 years from now, most Anonymous members will deny they were ever part of it.

[Gullibiligy]

All religions start as cults. Indoctrination increases as the myth becomes widespread with the highest benefit realized, in both popularity and financial clout, when the message is disseminated as widely as possible. Scientology is bucking this trend with the hope that it can create a kind of “Studio 54” exclusivity open only to those that are popular and can afford the entrance fee. The boys at the Co$ are postponing its inevitable demise through a campaign of intimidation and abuse of copyright enforcement. Copyrights are intended to allow the author a fair return on investment in the short run. Mr. Hubbard has long since died, but his church is vigorously enforcing his copyrights in order to maintain their $300 million dollar revenue stream. That can buy an awful lot of Kool-Aid.

[Emmy Jay]

I <3 Anonymous xoxoxox

[everyone]

I love how everyone knows everything. No one has the slightest inklink that they may be unaware of a greater truth.

All of you say it is, instead of asking is it?

This was one of the few times random people have stood up in defiance of a genuinely heinous organisation. Dissing this from the comfort of your armchairs has got to be the pinnacle of cynical apathy.

Do you think you may be irrelevant?

[bgodley]

Here is my personal response as a Scientologist parishoner to the allegations made here and in some other posts.

1) Church of Scientology suppresses freedom of speech

False.

Anonymous and some other groups fancy themselves as rebels and defenders of freedom. The sales pitch is that they are saving everyone from the "evil" church who is suppressing freedom of speech on the internet. What they have done is take an issue of copyright right defense and turned into a suppression of freedom of speech. What they are in essence doing is becoming a part of the problem and not the solution.

Property rights are basic rights which help ensure freedoms. With property rights you aren't subject to illegal seizures or oppressive dictates of government. This ideology is a basic of common law which helped deliver Europe from Feudalsim. That right allows one to own, distribute and dispose of the fruits of his labor such as art, music, writing and much more as how he sees fit.

What actions like these protests and promoting an environment of anti copyright do result in is more law and regulation and less freedom. The reason is that when you force another person or group to defend their rigths then you create an environment where possibly more laws and regulations have to be put in place as some citizens seem to not know how to behave. This is not just with Scienotology. There are hundreds of supporting cases to that statement in civil and criminal statutes. The actions of Anonymous and other groups like this send us directly down a path of a world more like fascism than freedom. Freedom of speech allows you to speak your mind. It does not allow to you to infringe on other rights of individuals and it certainly does not allow someone to harass, defame, or incite hatred or violence.

The Church, as a matter of fact, has done more for individual liberty than any of these hate groups put together. One such example is that the Church is a well known and documented champion of the Freedom of Information Act which INCREASES goverment transparency and thereby INCREASES personal liberty.

2) Scientology kills it parishoners.

False. Double False, Uber False.

These statements are so absurd they border on the insane. There are some web sites set up to make it look like the Chruch is involved in some nefarious evil murderous schemes. However I happened to examine one and found that by the virtue that someone was a purported Scientologist and had died either medically, by accident or by suicide, that Scientology somehow was to blame for this. This is a wild accusation in the extreme. It is the same bent type of logic that would also mean that anyone who was a Catholic, a Democrat, or New York GIants fan and died from medical, accident or suicide reasons was the fault of the Catholic Church, the Democrat National Committee or the New York Giants repsectivley - llogical, unproven, and utterly ridiculous. The fact that someone may have been involved in Scientology to a greater or lesser degree and died from any of those reasons stated above is almost a statistical certainty as there is well over a million Scientologists worldwide. These accusations are just shameless religious bigotry.

What also seems to be lost on these naysayers is that many of those people listed may have had friends in the Church and to turn around and to blame them takes a hearltess soul indeed, quite a shabby and cruel thing to do.

The Church is about SAVING lives. There are thousands of documented cases of people who have given personal testimony to the fact that the Church's help saved their lives. This extends from the drug rehab programs it supports which have snatched people from the brink as anyone who knows drug abuse would know, to exposing South African Labor and Psychiatric camps which killed many many people. The Church was instrumental in getting the black box labeling put on psychiatric drugs which was linked to suicide, saving god knows how many lives. The Church has won numerous citations from around the globe for its volunteer work in disaster sites from Hurricane Katrina to the Tsunami victims of a couple years past and we are not talking about just handing out bread. The church volunteers donated thousand of hours from running water and supplies to managing multi-level, mulit-group relief efforts. I could go on and on about what real world proof there is of what the church does not do not what they are accused of doing

3) The Church of Scientology makes a lot of money and is for profit.

False. False. False

The Church is a non profit entity and like all of these entities must file statements every year accordingly. As a matter of fact the Church underwent one of the largest and most in depth reviews of any group to apply for that status in the United States. Church staff and executives make nominal salaries. Many executives of other non profit groups or religious entities make several times over what a most senior Scientology official will make. All documented. All proven. To imply anything else is not only misinformed but strictly malicous.

The Church uses its funds to promote Church programs. This would include purchasing buildings for organizations, paying nomial salaries to staff, creating material and related items. True the Church has been expanding at a rapid rate and they have acquired properties and are running social betterment programs reaching across the globe. They also list many goverments now to the official roster of those donating to support programs. Whether they be literacy campaigns or drug reform campaigns. But that doesn't mean it functions for profit in any way shape or form - it doesn't. Groups, web sites or individuals promoting this message are not acting on ANY proven information. All lies, all the time.

4) Church members are forced to pay large sums to the Church.

False.

Parishoners are asked to donate but it is not necessary. No one is forced to donate anything. All donations are completely voluntary. Some parishoners do donate a lot of money but that is because they want to. Some Scientologists donate very little, some donate quite a bit. It doesn't matter. Scientologists and non-scientologists can avail themselves of the pratical philosphy of Scientology for the cost of a book. Period. End of Story.

5) Groups like Anonymous say they are attacking the Church and not individual Scientologists. They say that they support freedom of religion yet they are just trying to isolate and attack the "evil and illegal" doings of the organization of Scientology. They even have the bravado of saying they are really "helping" the Scientologists because they have all the insight and the people actually involved in the group are apparently not as informed or enlightened as they are.

Baloney.

Groups like Anonymous say one thing and do another. We have all known a few people who attack under the banner of help. They smile to your face while digging the knife deep into your back. These folks CREATE the chaos. They FABRICATE to alarm others.

The organization of Scientology again is not lead as other organizations are for personal profit or gain. There are no stakes for senior executives to "get one over" on the parishoners. As a matter of fact the "secretive" and evil" organization of Scientology IS the group of Scientologist themselves. Many people come on and off staff. Some who were run of the mill parishoners become staff and vice a versa. So when you attack the organization you attack the individuals - period. To say otherwise is to not know what it is like being a member of a group. If I lived in Wisconsin and went around accusing the Green Bay Packers of being a horrible and viscous football team some of their fans would take it very personally (probably to the detriment of my health) and that isn't even a religion.

However, if this group just helped me kick drugs or patch up my marriage I would be extremely insulted and would probably be very justified in calling the accuser a long list of
unmentionable things. Which, guess what most Scientologist don't do that.

The organization of Scientology is extremely transparent unlike what some accusers like to say. The entire organization is mapped out from the smallest mission to the top level executive group of the Church. Each areas function and purpose is known and well written about. Everyone knows who is doing what in the Church. All of what I say CAN be proven. What they detractors say is all ACCUSATION.

One could spend endless days wondering at why a few individuals feel the need to take up a cause like attacking the church when there are so many groups out there that actually have documented crimes and actually do very unsociable things. All the benefit the church does, proven by countless acts of selfless help, countless efforts to confront those things that others are unwilling to, countless testimonies by the parishoners themselves seem to be lost on these naysayers. They make as much effort as possible to discount any good and try to inflame hatred and bigotry. No I say these guys are wolves in sheeps clothing. They have fancied themselves as liberators but their actions speak of no such thing. Their actions are very similar to those that have lead to heartache, trouble and misery for man throughout history.

[Poster]

the closer you get to "clear", the easier it is to make money. I don't see what's wrong with that ...

[Anon]

You cant sue that which has no face..., You really cant track thouse with IP's either... Its a very scary situation for scientology right now...

Maybe they should stop playing the role of the aggressor and sue anybody that gets in their way... then again from my understanding, that is the american way.

[Phillip]

A number of people are missing the point. Sure they've murdered a few people, ripped off a few grannies, and employ brainwashing to destroy lives and families. So do other dangerous cults. The reason there are so many professional 20 somethings that have travelled 100s of miles, to stand outside in temperatures of down to -40 in some areas, is they they work their butts off, pay their taxes, and take their time to vote in elections... and they are angry at the assault on Democracy by the Scientologists.

They infiltrate and blackmail the IRS into tax free status, building up a cash war chest which they use to abuse the democratic and legal system bullying or trying to destroy those simply trying to enjoy their right to free speech. The attempted censorship of the Tom Cruise video was a tipping point of a cumulative decade of such incidents and it became clear that "live and let live" was no longer possible with this parasite on society, and it needs to be dismantled.

To do that it needs to be starved of cash. If a few innocents are saved then that's a nice by-product, but once bankrupt there is nothing to stop those that wish to continue believing... and they will be able to thanks to the texts being made available for free by those very people that were protesting yesterday.

Phillip.

[Anonymous Canada]

Anonymous members cannot yet reveal themselves because of Scientology's well documented history of destroying the property, family, reputation, and lives of its critics, including judges and government officials in cases against them. Hubbard wrote that policy ("Fair Game") just as he wrote that he bet he could start a fake religion. Scientology is following his blueprint for how a criminal mob organization can use America's laws for its own furtherance by pretending to be a religion. Anonymous can show themselves when Scientology is finally dismantled. If ever there were a real threat to national security within the USA, Scientology is it.

[Harvey Mechanic]

As an attorey who has practiced the law of nonprofit organizations for over 17 years, I can inform the protesters and readers that Scientology's fees are much as a non-issue in IRS exemption determination as a University that charges fees for its classes.

Harvey Mechanic
Attorney at Law

[Teegak (Scientology word for Earth)]

I just want to say thank you to the LA Times for covering this event. Please continue to follow Anonymous stories and protests. Thanks!

[Mark Harris]

I've seen lots of pro-Scientology messages lashing out against the masks -- calling these protestors cowards, nerds, and pot heads -- in essence, trying to “bullbait.” The general public who may be reading this and trying to understand may not be aware that Scientology is one of the most litigious cults ever; hitting critics with relentless intimidation, lawsuits, harassment, libel... whatever it takes. They certainly have the money (from their “parishioners”). This is their "fair game" policy which was supposedly revoked, but still put in practice. Simply do a search on Google for "scientology" and "fair game" and you'll be amazed at what you'll see. It's very "Gestapo." The masks had dual meaning: not only uniformity and oneness; but protection from the fair game policy. They were well aware of how Scientology treats its critics and were thinking ahead.

It's sad, yet funny that so many pro-scientology posters have to resort to name-calling; it really shows your true colors. Just like the bully on the playground when finally confronted – one good pop in the nose and down they go. There certainly are a lot of suppressive persons out there, aren’t there? Can all of them be wrong? The truth is that for every protester you saw there, there are 10,000 others who couldn’t be there behind each one who had the guts to be there.

If you truly have something of value to say in defense of Scientology, say it. If you're passionate about what you believe in, address Anonymous’ issues point by point and show where they are wrong. Better yet, let’s get both sides to hash this out in a public forum and have David Miscaviage and Tom Cruise debate these issues with Mark Bunker and Tory Christman on national television. Now that would set everything straight, wouldn’t it?

[Dennis]

The masks only signify immaturity and cowardice. As much as I dislike Scientology I despise protesters who hide behind masks!

[lololol]

Seriously... If all of these people were potheads, I need some of that pot. The pot I smoke just makes me want to eat a pizza and sleep for awhile, not organize and participate in one of the largest global protests in human history. This is big. This is really big. And it shows no signs of stopping.

[LRH]

PR Scientologists who are handling this:

Open your eyes! RTC squirrels tech and destorys lives to maximize profits. Leave the CoS and join the freezone, you will find warm and helpful friends there to help you on the bridge, and they won't punish you or steal from you like the RTC.

Now is your chance to escape! Do it Today!

internationalfreezone.net

[Anonymous32]

Knowledge is free.
We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
Expect us.

[To Josh Gellar (7th Post)]

Josh- you are correct that the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons) pay a tithe (10%), but there is no accountant sent over to help members do that. It is strictly voluntary and no one knows about your tithing habits (or lack of) except the bishop. You are personally responsible to figure out how much 10% of your income is (ie, is it on gross or net? Up to you...) and whatever you decide on is your personal choice. An accountant would have a hard time there! Some members hand in tithing every week, some turn it all in at the end of the year, and there are many in-betweens. No accountant is needed, just like they do not (usually) have accountant passing collection plates at other churches.

[Prem]

bgodley - some facts which you have overlooked:

1. Your so-called "transparent" CoS was convicted of the biggest infiltration of the government and for wire tapping, and theft of documents from the Government. Please see this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White

Mary Sue Hubbard pleaded guilty of this charge and was convicted.

Please explain how something like this can further the reputation of CoS as a transparent and clean organization?

2) Scientology actively pursues and harasses critics. There are so many cases of this - they were even willing to harass the BBC that too in plain site and on camera. Any organization which does something as brazen as that is to be viewed with some suspicion.

The success of CoS is really its ability to make its followers (such as yourself) completely blind to its faults and that is itself a great danger.

[Mickeymantle48]

In my view, it is readily apparent that Anonymous has already beaten Scientology.

Reading these responses, I notice critics of Anonymous refer to the group as pot-smoking teenagers who cowardly hide behind masks and slogans. Now I may be an old grey-bearded fool but I can still remember how people used to call us that when we protested to end the Vietnam war and fight for Civil and Women's rights. From what I see, young people saw an organization censor their media (The Internet) and decided to take to the streets. If you think there is something wrong with that, then buddy, you aren't an American.
As such, I feel Anonymous has won. It was Scientology's litigious nature that started this supposed "Religious Oppression", and it is Scientology that continues to fuel this fire by labeling teenagers as "Terrorists". The facts are, whether or not you agree with Anonymous, is that Scientology has now alienated an entire generation of American youth. Right now, the only hope Scientology has is to scale back their rhetoric, not pull down every critic off of the internet, and become more transparent. Of course, that would mean Scientology would have to conduct itself like a more accepted religion, and not a cult, now wouldn't they?

[Sally Pearson]

Scientology is NOT a religion, it's Dale Carnegie meets Star Trek...they recruit celebrities, prey upon their egos and tell them they can become a god. I worry about the children of Scientologists, Jett, Pilot Inspektor, Suri, will they be denied medical care in the name of Scientology?

[Ms Ann O Nymous]

Here are some ebooks available free online that give good insights into what $cientology has done to deserve the protests; they're *highly* worth the read.

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/xenu/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/tsos/sos.html
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/pignotti/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/ttft/

[Mikey Messer]

I am surprised at the amount of support people have for this group. I am a Scientologist and i do not see the difference between what took place Sunday and a group of men waving a Nazi flag outside a synagogue. I was there Sunday, nobody tried to shut the anons up or ask them to leave. We got our tax exempt status through the courts not chanting our lack of identity on the streets and taking down the IRS web site. The protest made no sense, people with signs that Scientology is evil and responsible for the deaths of many and Scientology should be free. If you truly though somthing was this bad and evil why would you want it to be free?. But untill people wake up and recognize this for the hate that it is anon will continue to grow. If you do support this new anti-religious group i have one question for you. What happens when the come to your church or group and start protesting with signs saying that "Jesus was only a carpenter" or "Martin Luther King was a drug dealer"?I have never encountered a real cult but when i think of one a group of people walking around the city in a uniform issue mask chanting their beliefs it is the only thing that comes to mind. I am not anonymous, I am not afraid of anyone and i have nothing to hide mikeymesser@yahoo.com

[anomnom]

I've always been for Freedom of Religion over everything, and have to admit the first time I heard about this "Anonymous" thing, I was a little mad that someone would try to suppress a religion in any way...but then I visited Enturbulation.org and actually INVESTIGATED, unlike most people who post comments without looking into things...and I started to see exactly how many things this "religious organization" has done to people. I mean, this organization has MURDERED people. MURDER...but then again, that doesn't mean anything to the everyday person, does it? If it doesn't directly affect them, they don't care.

Anonymous got out and did something about it. I guarantee those of you who have posted "Do something productive like feed the hungry" haven't once got up off your couch to help anyone if it doesn't directly affect you...and if you have, then good for you.

Scientology is free to express its religion, the religion isn't what Anonymous is against. Anonymous is against the organization, the con.

"Someday someone will say the organization is illegal, be sure that by that time the organization is who says what is legal or not" - L Ron. Hubbard, founder of Scientology

That quote alone scared me, it should scare you too.

[Mitch Graham]

i just cant help but to pity all these "lol take off the masks" ignoramuses.

do yourselves a favor and read up about the Co$'s Office of Special Affairs (OSA) division. the Co$ has an infamous reputation for harassing, threatening, slandering, and going to great lengths to dig up on anyone who actively speaks out against the church. these protesters are just trying to prevent the Co$ from doing their dirty work.

[anonsympathizer]

I APPLAUD and CHEERED the awesome demonstrations today. I am definitely going to be marching in the next ones nearby. I think it's time for the world to shut down this virulent cult and wipe the goofy grins off the faces of such brainless HS dropout nincompoops as Tom Cruise and his robot wife and LRH cloned spawn. I would like to see all the Hollyweird Scientologists like Cruise, Travolta, Steven Spielberg et al banned from propagating their dangerous soul-stealing money grubbing cult. Let the people speak! V is for VICTORY against the evil ones.

[Common Sense]

I don't understand. Is Anonymous saying that they want it but they can't afford it?

Can't have it both ways, boys. Either it's something you DON'T want, in which case leave it alone, or it's something you WANT, in which case it's got a lot going for it.

Which is it?? Is it something you want or not?

Actually, I already know. You want it, but you're too lazy to provide an exchange -- so you want it for free, like some kind of government dole.

Just so you know, we have freedom of religion in this country -- which means, I'm sorry to say, you aren't going to be able to get the government to force Scientology to deliver services to you for free -- which of course can't, as a simple economic fact, be done anyway.

[Ed]

Forget Scientology and their voodoo! We are starting a new church called Satr Trek the $ Generation. If you are accepted you will help us destroy nasty klingons and win fame worldwide. But remeber fame has a price and the price is not cheap!

[Common Sense]

Merkellum:
You are a Mormon. Perhaps you have forgotten that the Mormons were chased across the country through violence in the church's formative years. The people attacking the Mormons were good God-fearing people who simply did not understand your religion. Now the roles are reversed, and you are getting an incredibly valuable opportunity to see religious intolerance from the other side. You do not understand Scientology. Information on hater sites presents a twisted view that has been distorted to cast Scientology in a completely false light. Before you become part of this very shallow and very stupid "fad" of having get-togethers built around the hating of Scientology -- take the time to discover what it actually is that you're attacking.

[ah nonny maus America]

Anti-anon posters are forgetting that Anon is targetting $cientology, not $cientologists.

'I am a Scientologist and i do not see the difference between what took place Sunday and a group of men waving a Nazi flag outside a synagogue.'

The nazi flag represents the murder of millions of people who practiced a religion and were blamed for society's ills. As far as we are aware, anonymous has made no threats against the lives of $cientologists, nor blamed $cientology for society's ills. We are not sure where your analogy is coming from aside from ignorance and blindness.

Anonymous obtained protest permits from their respective cities. We have exercised our first ammendment rights. You are welcome to obtain protest permits from your respective cities and counter-protest.

We are Anonymous. We are legion.

Expect us.

[Guy Fawkes]

Anyone ever hear of a Scientology Inquisition or the Scientology Crusades or better yet does the state offer scientology sunday service in its prisons for convicted Scientology fellons or is there a lack of Scientology demand in prison? The guy fawkes mask is great Guy Fawkes faught for the Spannish Catholic army you know the same country that hosted the spannish inquisition. Guy Fawkes never got anything done he tried to blow a building up but failed. dont buy into the whole posting quotes and information thing anyone can do it watch.

A former anonymous informed me " I was appart of the group in the beginning but i had to leave when they all joined the national association of man boy love and wanted to dress up like the village people and protest the breeders outside a straight bar"

see i can do it too
"Jesus must be in prison, thats where all my friends found him."- Sir Winston Churchill

[Guy Fawkes]

oh yeah there is one country that is on board for the whole banning scientology and that is germany, a country known for its long standing practice of supporting freedom of religion

[Andrew]

Good thing all this seems to be coming to a head. The 'Church' of Scientology claims religious persecution, and yet they are allowed to write off deductions for their children's religious instruction whereas no other religion can claim such a blatant benefit. IRS offices should alerted and picketed, as well, says I.

[Fifth of November]

: Lucy Said : "Live and let live. This is ridiculous, hateful and akin to a witch hunt. If as much effort were to go into something of value, say feeding the hungry, helping street people, helping refugees, promoting peace...well, there would probably be peace. I don't believe the Church of Scientology has hurt anyone any more than any other religion has perverted the minds of men. Those "masked people" are no more than a version of KKK. Leave the Scientologists alone and put your energies into something POSITIVE."

A witch-hunt generally requires that you target individuals. The Anonymous campaign against Scientology is not being waged against individual scientologists, so much as it is being waged against the institution itself.

A witch-hunt also means that you are persecuting people for their beliefs. Anonymous by in large expresses compassion for those people duped into signing away their life savings to the CoS. They realize that the real victims here are the people that the CoS has tricked into accepting their baleful dogma.

Lastly, a witch-hunt usually means that the proverbial "witch" has either done nothing wrong, or has not done anything that would warrant the kind of punishment they receive. The CoS has previously operated, and continues to operate, in a dishonest, vindictive, and harmful fashion, literally destroying people's lives. What's more, the majority of the lives it destroys are those of it's faithful.

Given the kind of behavior that the CoS has shown from it's very inception, I think most people from other religions would find your statement about the CoS being no different from those other religions (in terms of harming people) to be downright infuriating.

Christ tells us to turn the other cheek, and to love our enemies. The Buddha says to hold compassion for all those who suffer, including those who do you harm. L.R. Hubbard tells us to destroy our enemies by any means necessary, even means that run counter to the ethical behavior supposedly espoused by his church.

Religion is a healing element meant to ease and alleviate emotional and spiritual suffering, not a tax shelter or a weapon of litigation. The CoS is a scam that leaves it's believes broken financially, isolated from their friends and loved ones, and mentally unstable and violently wary of psychologists and psychiatrists (i.e. the people with the ability to heal their shattered identities).

: myxyx wrote : "It is my understanding that scientology does not believe in any spirits at all.It seems like the sanest religion to me.A world that lives in reality is a sane world."

Then your understanding is limited. Wiki the word "Thetan."

[Terry Reddenbacher]

Common Sense, eh? That name's kinda misleading. Your comments and questions alone prove that you, yourself, have not taken the time to discover what it is you're attacking. Have you even taken the time to read (and research) what Anonymous is saying about Scientology?

If you're too lazy to search, then just look at what their supporters on this page are saying! Look into the evidence they provide: the secret operations, how tithing is NOT optional in Scientology, how they viciously go after people who speak freely about them.

In answer to your first question, no, Anonymous does NOT want be in the Scientology cult. They are quite obviously debunking Scientology as a religion, and labeling them more as organized crime which must be stopped.

And unlike the Mormons, who ran away from their critics/haters instead of trying to silence them, Scientology has been reported to attack anyone who utters a single negative comment about them.

This situation is NOT like the Mormons' problem back then. To compare the Scientology cult to the Mormon religion, is an insult to the Mormons!

This shallow and stupid "fad" you speak of, is fighting to protect your freedom of speech!

[jwinderberry]

comment above said: "I was there Sunday, nobody tried to shut the anons up or ask them to leave."

in fact, all reports i have seen make clear that the police got along fairly well with the protesters, and cars --including government vehicles such as firetrucks, buses, etc. -- honked support for the protesters. the only reports of arrests or violence i have seen have been of Scientology membesr.

Common Sense:

It is clear that "anon" wants nothing, free or not, from your religion or any other religion, for that matter. Correct me if I am wrong but what happened was that a CoS video of a rather smug, babbling Tom Cruise was placed on the internet, and was quickly taken down by You Tube. Where Anonymous stepped in is when Scientology threatened litigation to pretty much anyone and any organization that shared/hosted the video. This draconian response only served to mobilise internet activists into action and alienate pretty much anybody who uses the intern