CultNews congratulates “Anonymous,” Scientology’s latest Internet nemesis, with the notable exception of its distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks at Scientology Web sites.
The Anonymous movement managed to turn out the largest protest through picketing ever coordinated against Scientology.
On February 10th thousands of protesters marched lawfully in front of Scientology centers around the world, effectively drawing greater attention to the questionable practices and bad behavior of the controversial group.
But is must be noted that DDOS attacks are not consistent with the precepts of freedom of speech on the Internet.
Scientology’s repeated effort to thwart free speech on the Net has drawn strong criticism.
It seems that Anonymous has apparently decided to drop its DDOS attacks, which is a welcome development.
CultNews has been repeatedly subjected to DDOS attacks over the years by disgruntled cultists and others attempting to crash this Web site in an effort to suppress the free flow of information.
The Internet should remain a pivotal place for the free exchange of ideas.
Scientologists have a right to preach, teach and proselytize. And others have the right to critically respond to Scientology’s efforts, discuss its beliefs and religious practices.
In the United States Constitution the same First Amendment that protects freedom of religion also safeguards free speech.
It is neither “persecution” nor a “hate crime” to examine Scientology’s teachings and scrutinize its behavior. No religious body in America is immune from such examination and accountability, certainly not within a free democratic society.
True believers are typically subject to the same laws as everyone else.
Scientologists may believe whatever they wish, but this doesn’t somehow give them the right to do whatever they want in the name of those beliefs.
The Roman Catholic Church has been held accountable through a series of often contentious and expensive lawsuits regarding the bad behavior of some of its priests. And the church hierarchy has also endured public recrimination for some of its decisions concerning clergy abuse.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christian Scientists have increasingly found that the courts will not protect a parent’s religious choices, if it includes the medical neglect of minor children.
Scientology sits in the same position, neither immune nor somehow exempted from the same scrutiny through public discourse and examination.
And virtually every time Scientology or Scientologists attempt to bully people and/or make the false argument that they should somehow receive special treatment, it has only served to draw more negative attention to the controversial church and its adherents.
Witness Anonymous as yet another example of such a continuing backlash.
So congratulations Anonymous, keep up the good work, but be consistent with the values you have said Scientology has violated.
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