A basic primer for those of us who haven't heard about this Fark-worthy hilarity...

Hackers attack Church of Scientology website
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology_website_being_attacked_by_hackers

The article explains the initial attack by the user Anonymous that has since ballooned into an international Internet and IRL effort to "destroy" the Church of Scientology. The results thus far have been a flood of leaked copyrighted church materials, black faxes, DOS attacks on CoS servers, and numerous IRL antics pulled straight from the Jolly Roger. Read on for more...

Operation Chanology Wiki
http://partyvan.info/index.php/Project_Chanology

The unofficial name of this decentralized offensive, a direct response to decades of church litigiousness, recently culminating in YouTube caving to CoS demands that it remove a HILARIOUS video of Tom Cruise giving a "ra-ra" speech to the inner circle. It's currently available (due to this effort) at: http://www.observer.com/2008/tom-cruises-scientology-video-magically-resurfaces

The page above contains all the press coverage so far (extensive for a random-ass group of internet pranks) as well as how to instructions for the slightly more daring. I'll close with the declaration of war against the church. It's good stuff for a group of (presumed) amateurs.

Declaration of War
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbKv9yiLiQ

Quote :

"Hello, Scientology. We are Anonymous. Over the years, we have been watching you. Your campaigns of misinformation; suppression of dissent; your litigious nature, all of these things have caught our eye. With the leakage of your latest propaganda video into mainstream circulation, the extent of your malign influence over those who trust you, who call you leader, has been made clear to us. Anonymous has therefore decided that your organization should be destroyed. For the good of your followers, for the good of mankind--for the laughs--we shall expel you from the Internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form. We acknowledge you as a serious opponent, and we are prepared for a long, long campaign. You will not prevail forever against the angry masses of the body politic. Your methods, hypocrisy, and the artlessness of your organization have sounded its death knell. You cannot hide; we are everywhere. We cannot die; we are forever. We're getting bigger every day--and solely by the force of our ideas, malicious and hostile as they often are. If you want another name for your opponent, then call us Legion, for we are many. Yet for all that we are not as monstrous as you are; still our methods are a parallel to your own. Doubtless you will use the Anon's actions as an example of the persecution you have so long warned your followers would come; this is acceptable. In fact, it is encouraged. We are your SPs. Gradually as we merge our pulse with that of your "Church", the suppression of your followers will become increasingly difficult to maintain. Believers will wake, and see that salvation has no price. They will know that the stress, the frustration that they feel is not something that may be blamed upon Anonymous. No--they will see that it stems from a source far closer to each. Yes, we are SPs. But the sum of suppression we could ever muster is eclipsed by that of the RTC. Knowledge is free. We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. WE DO NOT FORGET. Expect us. (less)"

If anyone knows of any other forums or places that have pics on this topic, please post.

1/25/2008 3:43:47 PM

1/25/2008 3:45:52 PM

this is stupid, unamerican and bigoted

Quote :

"an international Internet and IRL effort to "destroy" the Church of Scientology."

I mean wtf?

religious tolerance anyone?

hello?




HEY LET'S DESTROY THE MORMONS!!!!

1/25/2008 3:46:42 PM

It begins...

1/25/2008 3:47:24 PM

this shit is old, and tww is slow.

1/25/2008 3:47:44 PM

http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/index.php/Anonymous

These guys have been starting shit for years, mang.

They do happen to be pretty good at ruining people's lives. They're just slowly working on stepping everything up a notch and taking down the various shitheads in the world these days.

1/25/2008 3:52:35 PM

I'm totally okay with war on religion

1/25/2008 3:54:44 PM

They're just doing it for the lulz. Like most 4chan "invasions," they'll lose interest after it picks up popularity.

1/25/2008 4:00:57 PM

^^
me too

but only if it's war against ALL religion (in general)


targeting one religion is inescapably wrong


the fewer religions there are, the more powerful they are

iow, to take down religion,

we need MORE different [new and old] religions to grow and compete with the abrahamic ones




these people are stupid

I do not respect them or what they are doing one bit

1/25/2008 4:01:55 PM

scientology is not a religion

1/25/2008 4:08:30 PM

fighting every religion at once is impractical

1/25/2008 4:10:22 PM

^
wrong

^^
wrong

1/25/2008 4:11:40 PM

where's your proof

1/25/2008 4:12:28 PM

This reminds me of a first post in a Salisburybot thread... just visually. I didn't read the content.

1/25/2008 4:15:14 PM

^^
where's your proof?

(you moron)

1/25/2008 4:16:16 PM

Isn't it only practiced in the U.S. and UK? So do most Euro's and Asians and Africans not even know about it???

1/25/2008 4:20:11 PM

I definitely saw a Scientology office in Vancouver.

1/25/2008 4:33:34 PM

The SCOTUS has ruled that Scientology is a religion, so stop this stupid fucking argument.

1/25/2008 4:41:16 PM

Here is my question about Scientology . . . why the secrecy? This is Tom Cruise, in his own words, speaking about his religion . . . why does this need to be suppressed? Why does Scientology have to shroud itself so deeply in secrecy? They're not being persecuted like the early Christians, or the early Muslims, they're not enslaved by the Jews, the worst they risk is public humiliation or internet attacks like this . . .

What are you hiding?

1/25/2008 4:47:59 PM

^ Especially so vehemently. It makes absolutely no sense. Unless you look at the CoS as a corporation. Trade secrets. That kinda thing.

1/25/2008 4:51:27 PM

Right now, you get a morsel. You're not ready for the whole cookie.

1/25/2008 4:53:48 PM

They hide because they have something to hide (or at least they think so).

Whether that something is technology or secrets or illegal activity, who knows, but they are one shady organization/religion.

1/25/2008 4:55:23 PM

To the tune of Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme:

Quote :

"Now this is the religion all about how, Hubbard's wallet got flipped turned upside down. So hook up an E-meter and sit right there I'll tell you how you became a human Preclear. On the planet Coltice born and raised Mining Vespene gas is how I spent most of my days, Being overpopulated and relaxin' all cool and all playing some Thetan ball outside Scientology school. When a couple of Psychiatrists who were up to no good, started freezing brothers in my neighborhood, I got in one little volcano and my Overlord Got scared and said "your moving with the homospaiens on Teegeeak, that planet with air" So I Whistled for a DC8 and when it came near, It had no propellers just rockets in the rear If anything I could say the in-flight brainwashing movie was rare but I thought "nah forget it, Then they put me in a box using some Ghostbusters gear" I pulled up to the planet about 7 or 8 million years ago And yelled to Xenu "Yo ho, Imprison you later" I looked at my Thetans, we were finally there To haunt us some primates with little body hair."

1/25/2008 4:56:04 PM

just because the supreme court was swayed by a ridiculously powerful legal team doesn't make scientology anything more than a cult

giving it religion status seriously cheapens all other accepted religions.. i'm not a religious person, but i can definitely tell the difference between ages-old religious structure and a space cult created by a science-fiction writer that demands and extorts money in order to "help" its patrons

use your brain here, folks, and don't be suprised when this blows up into another heaven's gate/branch dividian/people's temple/order of the solar temple

1/25/2008 4:56:38 PM

actually, I'm all for the Anons doin their thing.

it'd be kinda interesting to see what they come up with.


oooh it could be a hack-war, niiiice.

1/25/2008 5:06:03 PM

Quote :

"me too but only if it's war against ALL religion (in general) targeting one religion is inescapably wrong the fewer religions there are, the more powerful they are iow, to take down religion, we need MORE different [new and old] religions to grow and compete with the abrahamic ones these people are stupid I do not respect them or what they are doing one bit"

You make it sound as if they're actually trying to do something harmful to these people. Last time I checked being exposed as charlatans out to steal money from idiots isn't religious persecution.

1/25/2008 5:10:26 PM

Billion Dollar War on Wahhabism > Virtually Free War on Scientology

1/25/2008 5:24:48 PM

more like Trillion Dollar War

1/25/2008 5:25:44 PM

1/26/2008 1:13:51 AM

[Edited on January 26, 2008 at 1:37 AM. Reason : too specific]

1/26/2008 1:27:31 AM

LOL

pwn

1/26/2008 4:25:21 AM

I say fuck Scientology. I'm against religious persecution, but cults (that are fucking nuts) should be stopped.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peoples_Temple
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven's_Gate_(cult)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Davidian

As I write this, I'm having an internal conflict as to why I think the cults are "nuts." I mean, as a Christian, is the belief that a dude is the son of some divine spirit, and he died to save us from our sins a little "nuts?" I think so, but I'm still a Christian.

I guess I think the cults are nuts because they do harm. But what about the Crusades? Christians did harm in the name of their religion. So what makes Christianity any different from the cults? Wouldn't Christianity be a cult? Well, no, because cults are on a much smaller scale. So if there was only a small collection of Christians, would we be considered a cult? I think so!

Anyway, despite having debunked my own theories, I still think the cults that are fucking nuts should be stopped. But I guess my hypocritical thoughts are what built and continue to build Christianity. I can't deny it, but I also can't renounce it.

So for that I say, "Fuck Scientology, because it's weird!"

[Edited on January 26, 2008 at 4:56 AM. Reason : ]

1/26/2008 4:56:21 AM

^ That might be the most incoherently eloquent thing I've ever read

1/26/2008 5:00:56 AM

^^


wat

1/26/2008 5:01:27 AM

haha, my reaction as well while I was thinking about it

1/26/2008 5:11:08 AM

oh, and

http://partycan.info

now gives

Quote :

"This account has been suspended. Either the domain has been overused, or the reseller ran out of resources."

1/26/2008 5:12:40 AM

Quote :

"You make it sound as if they're actually trying to do something harmful to these people. Last time I checked being exposed as charlatans out to steal money from idiots isn't religious persecution."

oh I didn't know a judge had ruled that

oh wait....a judge hasn't ruled that?

oh, then THEY ARE STILL REGARDED AS INNOCENT YOU FUCKING MORON

besides, since when do many other religions NOT "steal money from idiots"?

religions often scare people with damnation or appeal to their bigotries to get them into church

then take their money as often as possible to spend on whatever they want -- a bigger church to get MORE money

Quote :

"is the belief that a dude is the son of some divine spirit, and he died to save us from our sins a little "nuts?""

absolutely it is

it is fucking nuts!!1 walking on water!!??! rising from the dead?!?!?! holy fucking shit nuts!!!!!1

Quote :

"I guess I think the cults are nuts because they do harm. But what about the Crusades? Christians did harm in the name of their religion. So what makes Christianity any different from the cults? "

not just the crusades, my friend

[actions taking in the name of] christianty harms people all the time (patriarchy, sexual repression, timothey mcviegh, etc.)

"what makes Christianity any different from the cults?" -- simple, it's bigger an has been around longer

Quote :

"Wouldn't Christianity be a cult?"

ding ding ding

Quote :

"Well, no, because cults are on a much smaller scale."

what?!!?

so when christianity was smaller, it was a cult, but now it's not? that makes no sense and IS WRONG!

Quote :

" So if there was only a small collection of Christians, would we be considered a cult? I think so!"

I think so too, but not because it IS A cult (as opposed to a religion)

you've backed up onto the truth here, which is RELIGION = CULT = RELIGION = CULT

a cult is a religion that older more established religions don't like, and therefore label a "cult" to make it seem inferior

period! that's the definition!!! (RELIGION = CULT = RELIGION = CULT)

Quote :

"I still think the cults smaller religions that aren't mine that are fucking nuts should be stopped."

so you're a hypocrite

at least you admit it:

Quote :

"But I guess my hypocritical thoughts are what built and continue to build Christianity. I can't deny it, but I also can't renounce it."

Quote :

"So for that I say, "Fuck Scientology, because it's weird!""

SUCH WISDOM

(if you're being serious, you should really be shamed. being weird is a civil liberty)

1/26/2008 8:03:03 AM

Uh, he was being sarcastic.

1/26/2008 8:19:54 AM

I'm just waiting for the mass drinking of the "punch" so they can all go be with their leader...then we won't have to worry about them anymore

1/26/2008 8:45:23 AM

what makes christianity or any other religion any more valid than scientology?

1/26/2008 9:33:37 AM

what makes scientology more valid? What makes blondes have more fun? What makes sponge bob so loveable? Why does snoopy not look like most beagles?

1/26/2008 9:48:01 AM

Quote :

"what makes christianity or any other religion any more valid than scientology?"

the IRS

1/26/2008 9:49:06 AM

Cult

Quote :

"a: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b: the object of such devotion c: a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion"

http://m-w.com/dictionary/cult

So ...

Quote :

"so when christianity was smaller, it was a cult, but now it's not? that makes no sense and IS WRONG!"

No, my friend, you are wrong.

btw ...

Quote :

"Uh, he was being sarcastic."

We have a winner.

1/26/2008 1:47:35 PM

hahah you kids and your "wars"

when you're ready to kill people for their beliefs, then i'll acknowledge your wars

until then, it's simply (mostly) aggressive activism.

if you want to declare war on my religious beliefs then you better be ready to kill me. and you better be ready to die.

[Edited on January 26, 2008 at 1:57 PM. Reason : scoff]

1/26/2008 1:55:47 PM

^^
you moron

words have more than one definition

iow,

"No, my friend, you are wrong."

Quote :

"cult n. 1.a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. 1.b. The followers of such a religion or sect. 2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual. 3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual. 4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease. 5.a. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing. 5.b. The object of such devotion. 6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult
vs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_%28religious_practice%29

1/26/2008 2:13:49 PM

Quote :

"with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader."

Not most religions.

1/26/2008 2:34:32 PM

Listen to yourself.

Quote :

"words have more than one definition"

How can you claim my definition of a cult to be wrong when you say words have more than one definition?

You are as closed minded as the organized religions you abhor.

Listen, I don't know what you are trying to argue ... I admitted Christianity is fucking nuts, yet I also accept Christianity as my faith. I know it's insane. I know it's madness that I can hold so much disregard for another person's faith because of principles that are inherently Christian.

I know all of this. Perhaps that is what separates myself from the Bible beaters. I can acknowledge the madness that is the Christian belief system yet still call myself Christian.

You have nothing about which to argue with me. I acknowledge Christians causing great harm in religious wars such as the Crusades (it was a single example, I wasn't about to address each instance). I acknowledge how insane the idea of a prophet who is the son of a spiritual deity is. I acknowledge that much of Christianity is built upon hypocrisies.

So what is it? Are you arguing for the sake of arguing? Are you so concerned about your own disillusionments regarding organized religion that you need to jump on the first person who admits they are Christian? Let me tell you, buddy, I'm 25 and have had plenty of time to wrestle with my own ideals. I don't need an atheist to tell me Christianity is just as fucking weird as Scientology. Clearly, if you read my first post, I've thought about this.

And this is my sarcasm ...

Quote :

"So for that I say, "Fuck Scientology, because it's weird!""

1/26/2008 2:39:58 PM

^agreed.

seriously though, true Christianity is not some oppressive cult. True Christianity is about freedom.

1/26/2008 2:41:40 PM

I am a C
I am a C-H
I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N
And I have C-H-R-I-S-T
In my H-E-A-R-T
And I will L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y

1/26/2008 2:44:28 PM

set em up

1/26/2008 3:06:11 PM