'Anonymous' to destroy Scientology

Web vigilantes attack Scientology website - Times Online

A shadowy internet group has succeeded in taking down a Scientology website after effectively declaring war on the Church and calling for it to be destroyed.

The group, which goes by the name of Anonymous, is a disparate collection of hackers and activists. It called for a wave of attacks against Scientology after accusing the Church of "campaigns of misinformation" and "suppression of dissent." At least one Scientology website was still down this morning.

The group also claims to have stolen a number of "secret documents" from the Church's database, which it says are now circulating on file-sharing networks.

A spokesman for the Church of Scientology, which appears to have resurrected some sites, was quoted as saying that the Church was not the "right target" for such attacks. "These types of people have got some wrong information about us," the spokesman said.

Anonymous, which has spearheaded attacks against other websites in the past, called on its members to rise up against the Church after a video of Tom Cruise - one of the most high-profile Scientologists - leaked on the internet last week.

The video, in which the Hollywood actor was seen extolling the virtues of Scientology, was reportedly taken down from some sites after the Church claimed that it violated copyright.

In response, the group - which calls itself an "internet hate machine" - set up a website to co-ordinate a string of attacks using phone, internet and fax methods, which it called 'Project Chanology'.

The website asked members to bombard the Church's website with hits so that it would collapse - a technique known as a 'denial of service' attack, as well as exploit to vulnerabilities in the site using sophisticated hacking techniques.

Anonymous also encouraged members to harass the Church with phone calls, send so-called 'black faxes' to use up ink, and use a method called 'Google bombing', where the word 'Scientology' is linked to other terms such as 'dangerous' and 'cult' so that people entering the search term 'scientology' get skewed results.

In a video posted on YouTube, which has now been watched more than 600,000 tiomes, the group says: "With the leakage of your latest propaganda video into mainstream circulation, the extent of your malign influence over those who have come to trust you as leaders has been made clear to us.

"Anonymous has therefore decided that your organisation should be destroyed, for the good of your followers, for the good of mankind, and for our own enjoyment.

"We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us."

Security experts monitoring the attacks said that the Church's servers were not likely to suffer for more than a couple of days, and that the attacks were "amateur by hacking standards."

"It's a bit like the internet equivalent of kicking in a phone box," one said. "It's not that professional. In the forums where they're discussing it, some are wondering whether it will be possible to trace what they're doing."

The Church of Scientology, which is known for being litigious, has always vigorously defended itself in the wake of attack, and points to the free choice of adults who join, as well as its efforts to help people with criminal records.

A spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

I can't say I'm especially fond of Scientology, but it seems like the money cult will have its hands full with the legions of Anonymous online. After the famous Fox News incident a few short months ago, people's attention are being drawn to this group, even those who have never ventured online before and knew nothing of the chans.

Mmm, I can't really think of a lot to say at the moment as I've been up for a long time and should go to bed soon, but what do you make of this? Discussion about Scientology, Anonymous and all that good stuff is appreciated, but keep it clean please. I'm hoping the thread won't be locked as I'd like a little discussion out of this, so serious posts only are desired.

However, could these attacks bring Scientology to it's knees? Could drawing attention to the wacky cult be what is needed, or can indoctrinated stars such as Tom Cruise keep up the publicity and keep the money drawing into the cult's coffers?

I heard about this. Some guy asked if I was involved.
To be honest, I think it's humorous. And the thought of there being a legion of anonymous protecting the world from what they perceive as wrong doesn't irk me at all.

Uh... they can't? Because little anon-wannabees banned for being too young to post on the chans want to jump onto a 'partyvan' bandwagon that no one really cares about?


"It's a bit like the internet equivalent of kicking in a phone box," one said. "It's not that professional. In the forums where they're discussing it, some are wondering whether it will be possible to trace what they're doing."




That said, scientology is in fact silly, and should be drawn into the open and free to critique and ridicule like any other religion.

I really doubt that Scientology will be brought down past its shins for all that matter, its too elite in the world of money. But I have to say I salute those of Anonymous for their valiant efforts, I would also say you should take a gander at this:
The unfunny truth about Scientology

I really think that Scientology is a joke but whatever. These hackers think that what they're doing is right so it doesn't bother me at all.

Scientology isn't silly, nor is it a joke.

Or rather, it is in many ways, but not in how it affects people.

It's a cult and, like all cults, is more than capable of ruining the lives of members to enrich the leaders.

They sue over trivialities (and usually win, one thing they don't lack is money), they've tried to frame at least one person for murder, etc.

However, I can't really support anonymous either. They're essentially childish vigilantes.

I just watched that video that Silent Eyes posted and now i know it is anything but a joke. It is quite scary how much power Scientologists have.

I feel some what foolish... but what exactly is scientology? I have heard the term but never anything really about it. Can anyone post a good link explaining it? or want to PM me what its about?

Originally Posted by Silent Eyes

I really doubt that Scientology will be brought down past its shins for all that matter, its too elite in the world of money. But I have to say I salute those of Anonymous for their valiant efforts, I would also say you should take a gander at this:
The unfunny truth about Scientology

Wow, that's an amazing video.
It's weird to think how so many celebrities are into it.
I didn't know it was considered a cult, that's scary.

After watching that I want to high-five the hackers, but like GDwarf said, I'd be silly to support Anonymous.

Originally Posted by Minion of Talazar

I feel some what foolish... but what exactly is scientology? I have heard the term but never anything really about it. Can anyone post a good link explaining it? or want to PM me what its about?

Scientology is a cult founded by a really bad Science-fiction author (Ron L. Hubbard).

It has all sorts of strange beliefs, but those aren't particularly important. It's what it tells its members to do that matters:

-You should do everything in your power to distance yourself from family or friends.
-They have, at least once, tried to frame a critic by making it look like she was issuing bomb threats.
-Harassment and litigation of anyone who offends them. (Harassment such as firebombs, obscene phone calls, spreading rumours to their bosses, etc.)
-They've committed burglary to try and steal government documents critical of them.
-They're strongly opposed to all forms of psychology, calling it "abuse".

There are other, less substantiated claims, but those alone should give you pause.

Originally Posted by Virtigo

Uh... they can't? Because little anon-wannabees banned for being too young to post on the chans want to jump onto a 'partyvan' bandwagon that no one really cares about?

There are quite a few that are in their late teens to early 30s. The amount of kids/mid teens that are "anon" is quite low.

You don't think all the chans are full of a bunch of 15 year olds, do you?

You misunderstand. These are the kids that true Anonymous rejected. Ones that are 15.


The ones that are above 18 stay on the chans, and don't bother with such nonsense.

I don't really like scientology but what Anonymous are doing is not justified. I mean if people want to be scientoligists let them, it's their decision you don't have to make life worse for them.

Originally Posted by GDwarf

Scientology is a cult founded by a really bad Science-fiction author (Ron L. Hubbard).

It has all sorts of strange beliefs, but those aren't particularly important. It's what it tells its members to do that matters:

-You should do everything in your power to distance yourself from family or friends.
-They have, at least once, tried to frame a critic by making it look like she was issuing bomb threats.
-Harassment and litigation of anyone who offends them. (Harassment such as firebombs, obscene phone calls, spreading rumours to their bosses, etc.)
-They've committed burglary to try and steal government documents critical of them.
-They're strongly opposed to all forms of psychology, calling it "abuse".

There are other, less substantiated claims, but those alone should give you pause.

Doesn't sound like my kind of people. I can't even understand why anyone would want to distance themselfs from friends and family... family I can somewhat see if your home life is brutal, but friends?

But anyways... saw that video or well read the text(speakers are busted) and was wondering how much of that is true.

I doubt that Anonymous will be able to take it down on they're own. They know that actually. There's a plea on encyclopediadramatica.com that all the chans, ebaums world, and SA unite and take them on.

If SA gets involved, scientology is dead. No ifs, ands, or buts.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, LURK MOAR.

Anon's attack on Scientology isn't really going to make huge headline news, but it does give its share of cheap laughs, seeing as Scientology was a joke to begin with and already well known for being crazy.