Anonymous posts another video against Scientology

Editors' note, 11:00 a.m. PST: This blog has been condensed from an earlier version.

A group calling itself Anonymous is continuing its war against the Church of Scientology with a new video posted Monday. In its latest video message, the group seeks to dispel the notion it is a group of super hackers and, as though to prove it, includes a call for real-world protests outside Scientology centers worldwide on February 10. Friday night, the Church of Scientology issued a statement about the online attacks.

The latest two-minute video from the group continues to use a computer-generated voice, stock video footage of the sky or neutral landscapes, and includes a fully transcribed text version. A voice over from the video says: "Contrary to the assumptions of the media, Anonymous is not 'a group of super hackers.'"

"Among our numbers you will find individuals from all walks of life--lawyers, parents, IT professionals, members of law enforcement, college students, veterinary technicians and more. Anonymous is everyone and everywhere. We have no leaders, no single entity directing us..."

In a separate e-mail to CNET, Anonymous said it is planning unspecified action on February 10 in such cities as New York, Montreal, Houston, London, Melbourne, and Los Angeles.

[PsychicCupcake]

Location! Location! Location!

There are Anonymous "members" (if you can call it that)in the UK. It is likely one of them that wrote the statement, however, Anonymous is not "located" anywhere except for the internet.

Nice report otherwise, though.

[thurstonhowell]

February 10th (Dylans album "Times they are a-changing" was released.

If you want to be a part...just go to your nearest Scientology center with some sort of partial facial covering...and from across the street...just stand there looking at the building. Just looking will be enough. Take pictures if you like...Pace off the width of the frontage....make some notes if you wish....count the windows outloud ...they will be listening so watch what you say to each other....no names.
They are extremely agressive and will try to hurt those who they thing are aligned against them.

Those that have things to hide do not enjoy being looked at.

T. Howell

[psychbuster]

something to hide

It is so ironic you make this remark that those with something to hide do not want to be looked at. It is actually the pot calling the kettle black. What a bunch of morons you people are. Cowards is more like it. Hiding behind a mask so as not to show your true selves. What a bunch of cowards. You represent the exact opposite of what being a Scientologist is. You poor little victims. I don't feel sorry for you. I don't even pity you. You are so ignorant as to protest something you know not one damn thing about. That is true ignorance. You remind me of the KKK 25 years ago.
You will only lead more people to find out what Scientology really is. The more it is attacked, the more people realize there must be something very good behind those walls. You must realize by now there are no skeletons in the church's closet.
But oh, I forgot we are dealing with morons who know everything. For Christ sake people, grow up and get a life. Kmart has some on sale real cheap.

[yevster]

A slip?

I wonder if classifyinig an article about them under "Criminal Hackers" is what they'd consider a "slip".

[55716]

Hats off to you!!

Hats off to all of you who have the courage in this age of litigious bullying to take a stand for what is right! I am tired of reading about Scientology's tactics of silencing (through intimidation)anyone who does not tote their party line. I am sickened to watch Tom Cruise be tolerated by the media with his outrageous claims and maniacal laughter because he is a 'movie star'. As if this lends credence to this blithering idiot! Scientology is a totalitarian cult created by a paranoid schizophrenic who committed terrible acts against innocent guillable people. How is this tolerated? Why is David Miscavige given any credibility in his roll as the head of a money making - life destroying cult? Shame on those who have stood by and watched as this destructive and dangerous cult continues to spin their web of deceit and destruction. Long live Anonymous!!!

[Arthur Blenton]

THE BATTLE RAGES

For more info:

http://www.partyvan.info/index.php/Project_Chanology
http://partyvan.info.nyud.net/index.php/Project_Chanology

Learn to hack like a pro:
http://www.metasploit.com/confs/blackhat2007/tactical_paper.pdf

BackTrack3: Super Hardcore pentest distro!:
http://www.remote-exploit.org/backtrack_download.html

[gwillen]

Clarification: Anonymous will NOT target CNET.

The person who sent that email may have been stupid, or they may have been a Scientologist attempting to discredit Anonymous. In either case, let it be known:

Anonymous greatly appreciates the support of CNET.

Anonymous would NOT target a news outlet which has given us so much help in getting our message out.

Given the very nature of Anonymous, there will always be idiots under our banner, as well as impersonators looking to discredit us -- don't let them fool you.

We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
Thank you.

[Phillep_H]

Scientology, on the other hand...

The threats should be pouring in. No body gets away with talking about CoS.

[Noah Diehl]

Protest at "Scientology Mission of Rochester " in NY

THANK YOU CNET, I missed that video....but would like to say I think CNet has nothing to fear but a slap on the wrist if they some how tick someone off...really, it's CNet come on now, LOL. Any who, At the "Church of Scientology Mission of Rochester", mind you this is actually in Ontario NY. I will be there, and I hope others will too on Feb. 10th. Their address is....

1781 Ridge Rd.,
Ontario, NY 14519

There is a school right across the steet so keep it tastful...we don't want to freak out the poor kids any more then they already are buy having the nut jobs across the street. Really people, this is a chance to really do something about this cult, as I have said before, they make radical Islamists look like a box of kittens. Educate your self, and if you do protest and they do come out and talk to you...DON'T BE ANONYMOUS, tell them your name and why you are there....just don't fall for their lies. They try to start files on people who protest them and mess with them...but if their black list suddenly has a million names on...then mabey they will understand we mean bussiness. This is a fight we can all be proud of....please get out there and do the right thing.

[AudioDroid]

Naming names

Wouldn't it be a strange cosmic coincidence if each protester had a name that matches the name of some known scientologist?

[XenuChan]

Lurk Moar

C|net needs to Lurk Moar. Anonymous is EVERYONE, all denizens of the internets. We are people without faces and without borders. We are a microcosm of humanity in it's best and worst. We not only do what we are doing for epic lulz, we are doing this for great justice! Our tactics are no different than those who engaged in the Boston tea party or the men and women who refused to sit in the back of the bus. Furthermore, or tactics are quite peaceful compared to the tactics that the so called "church" of scientology uses. Unlike them WE DO NOT MURDER!

[mattumanu]

Logos non sequiter

Since your group is, by definition, "anonymous", there is no way to prove or disprove that there are no murderers in your midst.

Tyranny knows no creed, no nationality, no race. It only knows the people who practice it.

[scottwilkins]

There is nothing worse that...

There is nothing more worse on this Earth than religious intolerance. I'm willing to wager that this "anonymous" group is actually backed by a Christian or Muslim group. We're very likely to see this news very soon. Sickening.

[PsychicCupcake]

Sorry, your mistake

Sorry, but no. It's not an organization that can be backed by anyone because, for the most part, it's not actually an organization. It's random people who usually just mess around for fun. I seriously doubt they expected it to turn into this.

As for religious intolerance, the CoS is the most intolerant force against Scientologists in the world. Most of Anon fully supports Free Zone and other Scientology groups that DO NOT require members complete life savings be turned over in order to learn the tennets of the religion, or sever ties with non-Scientologist family members. Research is your friend.

[rxp6810]

Of course there is

There are many things worse than religious intolerance. Would you be tolerant of the inquisition or burning at the stake. What about Islam that puts you to death for presenting a picture of Muhammad. Come on. Some things just need to be wiped off of the face of the Earth.

[mattumanu]

This guy needs to "lurk moar"

Go into their chatrooms and message boards and witness the festering hate against all religion. The call from Anonymous' supporters is that after they are done with scientology they should do the same to Christianity.

[Capt. Canada]

yes there is

how can you say intolerance of religion is the worst thing ever when religious groups around the world throughout history have slaughtered countless innocent people in the name of their faith(s) it is people who take their religion too far that are the plague on our planet.

[supportAnon]

thats it....

war over. i found the epic lulz.
seriously i almost fell out of my chair at this.

[joxearkaitz]

Another name for "Anonymous"

Honest and brave people have nothing to hide but cowards have lots to hide and hide themselves behind this name "Anonymous" which could very well be exchanged by "Cowards" - they mean the same to most people.

[PsychicCupcake]

Or maybe...

This has been a running joke with the group for years that, coincidentally, prevents them from being targeted by the usual Scientologist scare tactics.

Research is your friend.

[n9e9o9]

Criticism with Fear

You have no idea the impact of the concept of a "unknown collective," joxearkaitz. The purpose of the name Anonymous is to symbolize the strength of unity. By creating a label for a group of more description, you create an inherent stereotype and hinder your own neutral judgment, which you have obviously shown.

Leave it to the big boys to take care of a worthy cause of bringing down a litigious, selfish, tax-exempt but business-wheeling "religious" organization. You should sit in the corner, and let ANON handle this, you big sissy.

[gomer43]

Not really...

If you know anything about Scientology, you know why this group
hides its members' identities - Scientology brutally goes after
anyone who criticizes it.

Of course, I assume you know that... it's likely you yourself are a
Scientologist based on your comment.

[Draxon]

Your name and address?

Whats your full name address.. and social security number? Throw in your home phone number.. and heck why not add your daughters cell phone number too.

Whats that you dont want to? Coward!

[ralfthedog]

Your arguments make you look silly.

Anonymous claims that CoS attempts to destroy anyone who disagrees with them. By calling the members of Anonymous cowards you support their claims. Are you a member of Anonymous? If you are, you are doing a good job of discrediting CoS.

If you are a member of Cos, you would be far better off presenting evidence that refutes the claims of Anonymous. Please present evidence from a non CoS source. Please try not to use a Tautology for your argument.

I look forward to a logical and rational presentation from you.

[J. Blow]

Resources

I don't think, given CoS history and their huge amount of resources, resources so vast that an very few groups could hope to compete with, that this makes Anonymous cowards.

[brnforce]

not in this case

Not really in this case. CoS has proven that they will harass and sue anyone publicly voicing an opinion that objects to theirs. The "anonymous" may be the only ones who can do it.

[JollyRanger]

Fear of?

There are lots of reasons to stay "anonymous" when dealing with CoS. If you look around on the net, you find several individuals who are in constant harassment by CoS. Go to www.xenu.net. Run by Andreas Heldal-Lund of Norway, he "began criticizing the Church of Scientology in 1996, after the Church was found liable for fraud in Norway. He has stated many times that he doesn't object to people practicing the religion of Scientology itself, but he objects to the management of that religion by what he has called the "criminal and corrupt" Church of Scientology."(wikipedia)

Andreas Heldal-Lund says "I can prove that the cult hires private investigators to dig up dirt on me. They call people in my past (personal and professional) claiming they are journalists etc to find out if they reveal anything. They post anonymous accusations and insinuations on the Internet suggesting I am a sexual pervert and a terrorist. They send letters and call managers and directors in the company I work for to try to ruin me professionally. To me all this only confirms every reason why I protest this cult. I was prepared for this when I got involved as a critic.
The cult has made a page about me filled with lies. Their site about me is made by the Scientologist Joel Phillip. Phillips interviewed me twice on the street when I was in Los Angeles and you can watch it here on XenuTV.
You believe what you want, I can only ask you to check both sides before you decide to believe them or me" (www.xenu.net)

The BBC tried to interview scientologists, and what did they get for their efforts for fair reporting? Calls from the scientologists to the police saying the BBC had placed "terrorists death threats" to scientologists, that they had staged exhibitions outside the scientologists' offices, and handed out flyers about John Sweeney, the BBC reporter saying he was a pervert.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6650000/newsid_6651700/6651721.stm?bw=nb&mp=wm&news=1&ms3=6&ms_javascript=true&bbcws=2 The video link is also on www.xenu.net

Another British special (on youtube, but link not specified) talks of an ex-scientologist that fears for his life and the safety of his family. Everytime a woman is raped, a person murdered, the scientologists call the police claiming this ex-member is the culprit.

I COULD go on. if you want to know more of the atrocities scientologists are capable of, and have commited, visit such sites as www.whyaretheydead.net which has affidavits from cases, news releases from credible agencies that document the activities.
This corporation (for it is more that than anything else), as stated int he BBC segment, CANNOT take criticism of itself. It will not tolerate it and it will go to ANY lengths to squash any negative information about it. This is censorship. It is illegal. Look up "Operation Snow White" if you don't believe me. Even Hubbard's wife was convicted for breaking into government offices(not just US offices either) to steal and destroy any evidence of corruption or fraud (for either the "church of scientology" or L. Ron Hubbard)



A British newspaper

[Capt. Canada]

that's ridiculous

it doesn't matter how honest and brave you are if you face irrational people with power. a drastic hypothetical situation for you: if your country was taken over by a foreign power would remaining anonymous while fighting back be cowardice or just intelligence?

[Anonymous210]

You misunderstand

You misunderstand our reasons for wearing masks. We do not wish to be the center of attention, we do not believe that we should be rewarded forcampaigning for freedom of speech, removal of persecution from the cult of scientology, and the uncensoring of the truth. These things should not have been allowed to take place at all. In other words, we do not feel that we should be rewarded for doing what you all should have done the moment you became aware of it.

[jmhal]

another name for joxearkaitz

so is joxearkaitz your real name or is it 'short' for coward.

Jason M HALwick

[ralfthedog]

Tactics wrong, Idea right.

The tactics of Anonymous give strength to the enemy. When you use the same or similar tactics as the Scientologists, it becomes harder to discredit them. If you face Scientology with intellect and cold hard facts, they are forced to run away or lie (It is cool when your opponent lies. Just show a few objective facts and they come off looking like a dweesil).

I have the greatest respect for the members of Anonymous. If you take the high path and Force the Scientologists to rake the muck. They will destroy there own reputations.

PS. Anonymous is correct in not giving out there names. CoS is known for harassing people who disagree with them.

[timjones52]

Anonymous Claims of Protecting Free Speech are False

In the interest of full and open disclosure let me first state for the record that I am a Scientologist and have been for more than 35 years. In addition I do not work for or am I employed by the Church in any capacity and that any opinions expressed are solely my own.

To begin I want to say that I am not interested in debating the merits or shortcomings of Scientology. There are certainly enough opinions expressed both for and against that I don?t feel the need to weigh in on this particular subject.

Setting aside for the moment that the actions undertaken by these individuals are clearly illegal, consider for a moment that what these individuals are attempting to do is to set themselves above the law by attacking Scientology web sites through use of denial of service attacks, hacking and defacing Church run or sponsored web sites.

They obviously have little regard for the duly constituted legal system in this Country that has been put in place to redress wrongs committed against its citizens.

They are offended that Scientology has invoked its right to prevent the release of copyrighted material from being freely distributed across the internet and has taken steps in its own behalf through the courts to uphold these rights.

No doubt these same self serving individuals were just as deeply offended by the actions of the recording and movie industries to litigate against the unauthorized copying and distribution of music and video content across the internet as they no doubt felt that their First Amendment rights were being abridged by these scurrilous profit making enterprises.

Of course they have a harder time making that argument and justifying their attacks now because it has already been established in the courts that the unauthorized distribution of copy-righted music and video is not covered by the First Amendment.

Instead they make the argument that through the courts the Church of Scientology has attempted to stifle dissent or debate about its beliefs and practices and therefore they must for the good of all attack this religion and shut it down.

This is a baseless argument as frankly anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of the internet can find page after page of material critical of the Church written both by former member and non-members alike. Therefore it is reasonable to state that Scientology has not in fact stifled dissent or criticism but has taken action when copyrighted material has been published or posted without its authorization.

I personally don?t have an issue with critics or detractors of Scientology. My issue is when individuals use illegal means to disrupt or attack my religion that I feel compelled to speak out.

Protest if you like, write your congressman, take out full page ads if you?re so inclined. I would be even be happy to debate the subject with you if you are so inclined and at the end I would shake your hand and we can respectfully agree to disagree.

Where and when Church members have broken the law they have paid a price. The cases are few and far between but they have occurred. I don?t condone their actions nor would I support those that break the law, just as I don?t support the criminal activities of Anonymous.

[ralfthedog]

The problem with your argument...

The problem with your argument is that the CoS can not function without deception. If people know what they are getting into when they take the "free personality test", they will not take the test. If people know the believes of CoS, they will laugh and wall (or run) away.

In order to counter the deceptions of COS the "Technologies" must be published. defacing a website is going a bit to far (please note that the official policies of the CoS including things like the fair game doctrine are far worse than messing up a website for a few minutes).

[supportAnon]

interesting...but...

"They obviously have little regard for the duly constituted legal system in this Country that has been put in place to redress wrongs committed against its citizens."

Lisa Mcpherson.

[Scott Gardener]

There's a simpler and much more legal way

There's a much easier way to go after Scientology than to engage in DoS attacks and other illegal or questionably legal attacks. (I'm surprised Anonymous claims to have lawyers as members.) Just point out that it was founded by a sci-fi author, and its core, higher eschelon belief structure involves sci-fi-ish elements, such as alien wars and spacecraft that look like airplanes. Somehow, getting "audited" doesn't strike me as the best first step towards spiritual enlightenment, anyway.

Then again, logic and reason isn't exactly winning over in getting people to "believe" in the science of evolution, so maybe I'm overly optimistic on this one.

As for Anonymous, somebody's got to learn to let go of their Thetons.

[kapstaad]

Thetons?!

It's THETANS! Time for your audit! ;-)

[HJBartz]

belief structure involves sci-fi-ish elements

It certainly appears so, does it not? Considering that L.Ron Hubbard was an accomplished sci-fi writer. Which brings me to point that may well be off-topic, but I need some help:

I have 6 volumes of Hubbard's Mission Earth, missing volumes 1 to 4. Can anybody help me to get those missing volumes?

Vol 1 - The Invaders Plan
Vol 2 - Black Genesis
Vol 3 - The Enemy Within
Vol 4 - An Alien Affair

Must be hardbacks published by New Era Publications UK Ltd. Sorry, not interested in paperbacks (soft cover).

I think Hubbard's scifi writings finally got to him which resulted in CoS.

[anonymustapha]

Legion

We are many: http://anonymous.hostsnake.com/

[Lenter101]

Childish dribble

This Anon person is so pathetically childish and theatrical it's funny. he is probably a 15 year old pimple faced kid - I mean who writes things like,

"We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
Thank you."

It sounds like dialogue from a really bad 50's sci-fi movie.

I'm not sure who is the biggest idiot here, COS or this yahoo writing this childish dribble.

[Capt. Canada]

good point

i agree lenter, its hard to tell who is writing these things at this point and it very well could be a sociallly inept individual but there is a chance it is a group with connections in society like they say.

[KeeganHill]

What is there to fear?

Why are so many people afraid of Anonymous? They have threatened the COS and only the COS. To be honest this reminds me of a movie where vigilantes take the law into their own hand and at the end they make a mock society response to it that reminds me of what is going on with this whole Anonymous business.

Let them use their free speech, heck, Scientology has abused so many rights that someone needs to take them on.

[krosavcheg]

Scientologist releases video to Anonymous

A supposed Scientologist put up a video last night very much like the original, with clouds and "neutral landscapes." Oh and an exploding airplane. The computer voice threatens Anonymous with prosecution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOXx2p12x4o

[HJBartz]

exploding airplane

that sounds very much like a terrorist threat, does it not? So what's your Department of Homeland Security doing about it?

[joeytomatoes]

February 10

On February 10 -1940 - The first Tom and Jerry cartoon "Puss Gets
the Boot" premiers. Will this day of action be better than that ?

[Bill Clinton Fan]

What's the point?

I don't "despise" Scientologists or Scientology. I think they are a sad bunch, in the same way some Catholics are.. and others.. How? You ask a Scientologist how can they believe in the rantings of L Ron Hubbard, a pathological liar, "Friend" of Allistair Crowley and Jack Parsons (known Satanists), and so on and so on.. They either get very angry or they completely avoid you and walk away.. They NEVER give you an answer. Very Sad. Now, ask some Catholics how can they stay in a religions where HUNDREDS of their clergy are pedophiles and child rapists, and they turn away from you, they ignore you, and they NEVER ANSWER YOU. The Pope himself never answered letters about their own pedophiles...
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/

I think "Anonymous" is wasting their time. I studied both Scientology (by reading two of their books at a library) and I am very familiar with
the Catholic faith (I even attended Parochial Schools, but I am NOT catholic), and my answer?

Stay away from both of them! I don't know what your answer will be, but fanatics and vigilantes I don't need..

Still, though, the ONLY thing that is horrible is BOTH of the above religions can't take any criticism, and they don't want to seem to come clean and be honest. Maybe it's about time they get a taste of their own medicine.. As long as "Anonymous" doesn't go overboard, I would love to see what they have in mind. And As for the prosecution by Scientologists, that is SSOOO LAME!

[DrNick664]

Your missing some stuff...

This has nothing to do with despising, or being against the religion of Scientology. It has to do with the Church of Scientology (CoS) and how they require a large amounts of money in order to do many activities. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology)
But anyway... The reason the group was started was because of how the CoS' powerful legal team covers up material that speaks out against Scientology, or shows it in a unfavorable manor. (Tom Cruise Video)

[rurouni79]

Anonymous

only a nameless bodiless entity can stand a chance against a
nameless, bodiless entity. Anonymous has my full support.