'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

[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.