Anderson Cooper on Scientology

[Ksandra]

Week long look into violence and abuse in the Church. First 3 episodes are on CNN's site and figured I'd throw it up here (in a more organized format since CNN doesn't show them together....)


http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bes...iref=allsearch

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bes...iref=allsearch

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bes...iref=allsearch

From Cooper's blog:

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/2...y-of-violence/

Scientology: A history of violence

Posted: 11:28 PM ET
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Anderson Cooper | BIO
AC360° Anchor

This week we begin a five-part investigation into allegations made by a number of former high ranking members of the Church of Scientology. The allegations are about physical abuse they say took place within the Sea Organization, the international management branch of the church.

These former members, many of whom dedicated their lives to Scientology, allege that the leader of the church, David Miscavige, has used physical violence against a number of Sea Organization members. The church adamantly denies these allegations, and back up their denials with numerous affidavits and testimonials defending Mr. Miscavige and attacking those who are speaking out.

Interestingly, the church spokesman, Tommy Davis, admits there was a history of violence in the Sea Organization, but the people he blames for it are those who are making the allegations against David Miscavige. He says they were demoted by Mr. Miscavige, and are bitter and disgruntled. Some of those making the allegations admit they did engage in violent acts, but say it was at the urging of Mr. Miscavige.

There is no real proof offered by either side, but viewers can make their own assessment. We have spent several months working on this series, and believe it is a fair look at the allegations and the counter claims made by the church.

I have already received a number of emails from church members complaining about the series, and accusing me of attacking the church, its beliefs, its membership, and its activities.

Given that the emails are all very similar in content, I assume this is some sort of organized email campaign. None of those writing the emails have seen the series, but I appreciate hearing from all concerned viewers, and I certainly understand any church member, of any religion, being concerned about the portrayal of their beliefs.

For the record, I just want to point out that this series is not about the beliefs or activities of the Church of Scientology. It is not about the religion or the vast majority of Scientologists. This series simply has to do with what some former high ranking church officials say went on within the upper management of the church, and what happened to them when they left the church.

I know a lot here are always interested in hearing about Scientology. I'm impressed that he's willing to do this weeklong story and can only imagine how long it's going to take before they start trying to sue him lol.

[Headspace]

He's so handsome.

[Acturus]

It's interesting that they want to show this negative side of scientology, but they are willing to limit it to an expose of the leader, and reduce it to basically he-said-she-said commentary.

I'm surprised they have a week's worth of news for such a small scope of abuse, and really, in the grand scheme of things, I care little about physical abuse within the highest ranks of what amounts to scientology's clergy when it's balanced against the blatent bait-and-switch that the front line members receive. In my opinion, you can't just go in for a free stress test, and then walk out with a paid-to-play religion without something being fishy.

What I liked specifically about the first segment was how Rathbun touched on the level of ignorance that exists between the church's business and it's general membership. It's a shame that can't have been the focus.

But I do recognize that it's hard to attack a religious group's recruiting tools while at the same time refraining from attacking their beliefs, and if this is the only way that CNN got a "pass" to air content against scientology, I'm happy they got that much.

Not that it matters, I'm sure all sorts of boo-hoo stories will come out if they haven't already that CNN misconstrued the facts and interviews to serve an agenda blah blah blah.

And man, Tommy Davis still looks like he never recovered from whatever his punishment was for screwing up that BBC interview several years back.

[Mizango]

I saw an interesting show on CNN about a Catholic priest who spent 60 years raping boys and absolving them of their sins for having cocks in their mouths.

Anderson Cooper is doing a story on it next week.

[Chun Liroy]

Scientology is just as bad as any other religion.

[Neoscrilla]

http://www.poster.net/cruise-tom/cru...se-6218420.jpg

[xerodok]

I can't watch these without raging.

[Acturus]

Scientology is just as bad as any other religion.

It's also the newest of the bunch, the smallest, and should be the easiest to be eradicated.

Dismantling scientology would be a wonderful first step in the global realization that religion is a harmful, terrible thing.

Don't you think?

[archibaldcrane]

Scientology is just as bad as any other religion.

Lol.

[ZarakiKujata]

It's also the newest of the bunch, the smallest, and should be the easiest to be eradicated.

Dismantling scientology would be a wonderful first step in the global realization that religion is a harmful, terrible thing.

Don't you think?

Too bad its adherents are as loaded as if they were jews.


http://icanhascheezburger.files.word...5/xenu-pam.jpg

[Acturus]

Too bad its adherents are as loaded as if they were jews.

They did it right. They recruited celebrities and attorneys, and apparently people who could infiltrate the IRS.

I'm gonna give it another fifty years, and then I'll make a bet with a friend about starting a religion, see if I can give L. Ron a run for his money.

[Ksandra]

I saw an interesting show on CNN about a Catholic priest who spent 60 years raping boys and absolving them of their sins for having cocks in their mouths.

Anderson Cooper is doing a story on it next week.

This is like saying "there's no point in talking about voilence in Iran, because there's violence in Darfur"

Scientology is just as bad as any other religion.

Doesn't justify it, nor does it lessen the need to know the truth.

[ZarakiKujata]

They did it right. They recruited celebrities and attorneys, and apparently people who could infiltrate the IRS.

I'm gonna give it another fifty years, and then I'll make a bet with a friend about starting a religion, see if I can give L. Ron a run for his money.

Don't forget every Doctor's office everywhere. They get tons of scientology software meant to help with running their office but meant to suck them in.

[Acturus]

This is like saying "there's no point in talking about voilence in Iran, because there's violence in Darfur"

[...]

Doesn't justify it, nor does it lessen the need to know the truth.

What I've come to realize about BG specifically, and a number of people in general, is that fighting against scientology isn't a big deal because all religions are (just as) bad.

Fallacious arguments aside (which is where this thread will go, before it's derailed by whoever trolls the hardest), thanks for posting this. I was unaware of CNN's coverage of the story.

It's interesting to see how scientology's tactics have not changed even following Project Chanology's efforts.

[Ksandra]

What I've come to realize about BG specifically, and a number of people in general, is that fighting against scientology isn't a big deal because all religions are (just as) bad.

Actually there's quite a few who are interested in it cause of the whole anonymous deal back in the day. But for the others them seem to think it's stupid to be interested in it.

As I said though, if we were to not mention things because other groups do bad things, then general discussion would be pretty dead.

Basically, it's not a reason to not post it if people find it interesting.

[archibaldcrane]

It's interesting to see how scientology's tactics have not changed even following Project Chanology's efforts.

They stepped up their "celebrate diversity and religious tolerance" bullshit in the past few years though, so they can frame their critics (like anonymous) as intolerant hate-mongers.

[Colenzo]

The Crusades.

[Athas]

Did anonymous destroy Scientology yet?

[Chun Liroy]

Doesn't justify it, nor does it lessen the need to know the truth.

Doesn't justify a thread because we both know in the end this is just going to be a fight between Vajra and every other halfwit.

[Ghost_Wheel22]

Need to branch out to the nerd/geek sector. Offer to defragment their bank account.