I probably sound like a broken record, but I’m fascinated by how this keeps evolving. Along the lines of exhortations like the one included in this (really thoughtful) anonymous advice for Anonymous , there’s now a focus on attacking the Church of Scientology, but emphasizing that the majority of Scientologists are victims that must be helped. On one of the main Anonymous planning boards, there’s even a thread about making and giving out Valentines to Scientologists , which was suggested in the above advice.
Along those lines, here’s a rare rational conversation with a young Scientologist (EUCJ) that paints a picture far less extreme for low-level members than what we’re usually told (the conversation starts on page 6 and goes til the end of the thread).
[QUOTE=EUCJ, breaks by me]
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And yes, I’m opposed to the actions of the Church of Scientology. I believe it is in serious need of a reform. There is, however, a difference between a belief and an organization that’s supposed to uphold that belief.
I’m not at all trying to defend the actions depicted in this video, but I mean, there’s a reason that those scenes are on video. Do you really think someone’s gonna tape a scientologist being rational? Maybe even nice?
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You must know something I don’t in order to say something like that. Let’s see, your knowledge probably comes from the internet. You may have noticed I’m on the internet too. Every single file, video or anything else that you can access, is available to me too. Whatever it is you think I don’t know, tell me. I’ll just goggle it.
I was born a Scientologist. My whole education was based around Scientology, every single member of my family is involved in one way or another with Scientology. You know those “secret documents” being released? I have had them for years.
But as much as most people would like to make it look like we’re brainwashed sheep, we are people. Actual, functioning people, with normal lives. We have other worries, jobs, education, lots of things that take priority over memorizing every single guideline of our religion (cult or whatever) in order to justify our beliefs to other people.
Give me a break. I don’t care if you guys think I’m insane, irrational, evil, whatever. But don’t act like I don’t know what I’m talking about just because the actual reality of a Scientologist is not what you expected it to be.
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I’m gonna be honest here. Most Scientologists don’t even know about all these suing, harassment and such. We are never informed, never asked. Maybe staff members are, but I doubt it. Everything I’ve learned about these actions, I have found out on the internet. Therefore, getting opinions on this is a bit hard.
However, what I can tell you is that most of the young Scientologists I know, those who have watched everything since the Xenu espisode on South Park unfold, agree with me.
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