Why are they protesting Scientology? (honest question.)

I may be living under a rock or something, but did they do something wrong?

Win.

Juaner, Scientology [like, some would argue, any organized religion] promises hope and insight but only for a price. They prey on the weak and the downtrodden and break apart families of those who are drawn into their trap.

They deny their members medical care and theprescription drugs that they need and the deaths resulting from this common Scientology practice are starting to pile up.

They have the Hollywood machine backing them up, which makes them seem appealing and "correct" in their beliefs, but when it comes down to the truth, the entire religion is based on a premise that the creator had trouble selling as a science fiction novel, so he made it into a religion. He has openly stated that the best way to make money is to create a religion.

Add into that note, many people have died under the "care" of scientologists. Lisa McPherson was the most publicized case. People are now starting to realize what a cruel 'religion' this is. I know that other religions require you to donate money to the Church, but with Scientology it is REQUIRED that you pay them unsightly amounts of money in order to be considered "cleared".

That is just a few reasons why people are protesting scientology.

I'm with juaner899...why protest someone's religion? All I see is hate being voiced over someone else's lifestyle. And life has taught me that you're pretty much a jackass if you do this. Let them be. Don't join? I believe if they want to voice their disbelief in scientology they should do so in some other manner. (targeting tom and katie is a creepy way of going about it) Voicing their opinions is important because it shows other people who are thinking about joining question their actions as to whether or not it's a good idea. It makes them feel like they are not alone and have a choice.
I have to say though, on an artistic level, the protesters with V masks on are pretty sweet. Though I'm a little confused seeing as how he was a character against corrupt government. Perhaps they've shifted his purpose to corrupt religion?

Let me first point out that the Church of $cientology is not a religion. It is a brainwashing cult which drains the money of their followers.

A large number of celebrities have been targeted by because they have the one thing that the church wants; money.

The church is also tax exempt, giving them more money to fund their evil doings.

Take a look at this


If someone wants to believe that an intergalactic war lord planted the souls of aliens in our ancestor's bodies, I will let them be, thats great. But to take something as sacred (to some) as religion, and exploit that in order to earn money is wrong. Some may argue that a lot religions do this.

We aren't trying to disrupt anyone's lives (with the exception of David Miscavage, whom has been pranked all month), we are trying to save them.

Anon is trying to get the word out about the Co$, and trying to prevent more people from joining, so that one day, the cult will die out.

The Guy Fawkes masks have long been Anonymous' trademark, and I agree, it looks pretty friggin' cool.

Febuary 10th was not a random date, it was Lisa McPherson's birthday.

“I’d like to start a religion. That’s where the money is!”

-L. Ron Hubbard
Founder and Creator of the Cult of $cientology.

Ive got a lot to say about this subject, so if you wanna learn more, just ask.

Also, beware the Ides of March, Mr. Miscavage.

Anyone care to add to a list of what the difference is between the term "religion" and "cult" ? And have it be as non-offensive and productive as possible? I'll start...simple.

1. Religion - a set of beliefs believed by a group.
Cult - a set of beliefs believed by a group.

*sidenote: I'm not trying to say that religion is a cult. Nor the opposite. I'm genuinely interested in what makes them separate.

The only thing that pops into my head when I hear the word "cult" is that is has scary connotations. Q.] What is a cult?
A.] A group of people with a leader whom they follow and believe unquestioningly. (I find this to be somewhat similar to religion.)

*Again..I'm just curious as to what other's arguments are. That's all.

So basically, people are protesting them because they disagree with the beliefs that scientology has. I disagree with them too, but I'm not going to say that they are wrong for practicing their beliefs.

When tolerance ends hatred begins.

Religion involves a deity, whereas cultism in it's modern use can be dedication to an object, person, ideology, book, film, album, etc.

In it's classical use, a cultism refers to methodology of worship, it's root meaning "adoration".

So in the modern sense, Scientology is a cult rather than a religion as it is a dedication to an ideology.

And as such, this is not, in and of itself, any reason to persecute Scientology.

There are connotations with the term cult that imply cultism is a bad thing, but it is largely neutral. Some cults are good, some cults are ambivalent and some cults are bad.

The hatred, unfortunately in this case, starts with the Scientologists.

They have adopted strategies of threats and intimidations to people who stand against them, and ex-members of their organisation who are intent on revealing their secrets.

Without getting into the deaths and suffering that can be directly and indirectly attributed to Scientology (accusations that could be laid at the door of almost any major doctrinal belief system), this really boils down to a matter of freedom of speech.

If, as they are, Scientologists are free to recruit new members through publications, websites, films and by talking to people on the streets about their beliefs, then Anonymous must be granted those same rights in the form of protest.

Eroded as it is, the right to protest against injustices is one of the greatest freedoms we in the West enjoy.

I think what Anon is doing is amazing. The "Church" of $cientology is a scam and a poop stain on the underpants of society. L. wRONg Hubard was a science fiction writer in the 60's who started a "religion" based on the "idea" that drunk aliens were flown to earth on an airplane, hearded around the bases of volcanoes, and blow apart. Their soals were collected and sent to a 3-D theater where they were taught to be loyal scientologist and citizens. If you have ever been to operation clambake or the wiki article on Xenu you will understand what a complete load of crap this "religion" is.

Has anyone read the story about the son of the founder of scientology? I think it was posted in playboy or penthouse back in the 70s. Scary stuff. If his daddy had his way, he would have been aborted via coat hanger. When scientology began gaining some widespread media (that is when Tom Cruise joined it) I decided I wasn't going to jump on the bashing bandwagon... but after reading into it... I am really not sure how people switch their beliefs to this.

It was penthouse, for those interested here is the plimelink of what.... What kind of username is that? That's a web adress... Welcome to plime, freefilms; please please please don't end up being a spammer.

Drunk Aliens, or a virgin birth... Blowing up volcanoes or a guy coming back and pushing away a rock after three days.. Give money to a sci-fi writer or money to a military state of the Vatican...

You can dice it either way, it all sounds pretty hokey if you put enough of a spin on it.

I don't see them doing any more harm than the Crusades, the Popes denouncing medicinal research, or any other (Inquisition?) DIETY inspired group.

Frankly, they're doing less harm than the nutjobs who think that their DIETY is telling them to go blow themselves up in public places to go to heaven.

Why not spend all this energy protesting something like Terrorism?

Because it's public.

It's popular.

It's 'cool' to protest Tom Cruise.

And in a year, there will be something else that these 'sunny-day-actovists' will be protesting.

In the end, it's easy to denounce someone elses faith, what's hard is preaching your own. THAT takes conviction, and lifestyle, and committment. It's easy to say "They're nuts." but it's harder to stand up and give someone your own personal testimony of what you believe in and let them ridicule you in return.

Faceless masks indeed. All I see pictures of are cowards.

You are completely missing the point of Anonymous.

Sunny-day activists?

Hardly.

Anonymous isn't doing this because it is right, we are doing it because it is possible.

"We do what we must because we can."

Some argue that Christianity and Islam are more worth of being destroyed (some Anon say "they're next).

I, for one think that the Cult should be destroyed before it becomes too mainstream, like Christianity or Islam, and starts doing more damage.

Cowards?

No.


Anonymous wears masks because it is just that, Anonymous. Anon is comfortable of the facelessness of the internet.

Bravery or lack thereof is not an issue.

It is easy to say someone is nuts, especially when its true.

That's true. People say that about me all the time.

Ah yes. Plime is actually where I read that article. Sorry for not linking to it. I'm a long time visitor, but new to the community so forgiviness please. Thanks for the link to the original story, it is a must read for those that doubt the scariness of scientology.

Click the envelope at the top of your screen beside your username please. I sent you some mail.

What? A classist, ignorant religion that seeks money from people, is responsible for deaths and believes in some wacky higher power, with only literature to back it all up?!

I can't believe this.

Oh wait...