Anonymous vs. Scientology

For the past 14 years, an invisible war has been raging on the Internet. Since 1994, the Church of Scientology has been engaged in a desperate battle against, well, a bunch of kids.

Anonymous’s struggle against Scientology shows how, against both a powerful organization and the media, a group of purposeful individuals can prevail. It exemplifies the best thing about the Internet: anyone can have a voice, and with enough voices, the world will take notice.

Last month, over 9000 protesters rallied at Scientology churches around the globe. They carried signs and wore Guy Fawkes masks (as made popular by the movie “V for Vendetta”), to remain anonymous.

Because that’s their name: Anonymous. Feared by some, and called “hackers on steroids” by the mainstream media, Anonymous is a powerful force on the Internet, and now, in real life. It has no leaders, and no measure of knowing how many people are members. In effect, Anonymous could be anyone and everyone.

By protesting, Anonymous showed that, even if only a small portion of its members are shown, it creates headline news. The protests were covered by national news agencies such as Newsweek and the Los Angeles Times, as well as local news stations.

These protests, which were held at 17 locations around the globe, marked the start of something even bigger, something unprecedented on the Internet.

They marked a shift from argument to action. More and more, people on the Internet are taking a stand for their beliefs.

Anonymous and other groups are showing us that we can have ultimate freedom of speech, with no repercussions. In an age of wiretapping and censorship, this is a very good thing.

If people can express themselves without worrying about the backlash, they will be more willing to speak. As the protests have shown, if Anonymous speaks, it will be heard.

These protests followed three videos, released by Anonymous on Youtube. They attack the Church of Scientology for its litigious nature, its overwhelming secrecy, and its coverups of certain members’ deaths.

Anonymous makes a note that it isn’t attacking the religion itself, but the methods it uses. By its very nature, it promotes the freedoms of speech and expression, and oppose actions of the Church of Scientology, especially their habit of suing any and all critics of the church.

The next protest will be on March 15, the birthday of Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard.

It is expected that even more people will show up now that the idea of anonymous protesting has been proven safe and effective. Remember, Anonymous is not some “Internet hate machine”.

Anonymous is anyone who takes a stand for freedom of speech, anyone who wants his or her opinion to be heard.

It consists of friends, teachers, family members and total strangers.