Re: A Critical Examination of the First Amendment and the CoS. (Part 1)

Jeffrey S. Harrison <Jeffrey.harrison@m.cc.utah.edu> wrote:

>2. SCIENTOLOGY AND ITS PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET

>2.1. Problems With Alt.relgion.scientology >Since its inception, ARS has been the scene of many verbal skirmishes.
>Since its inception, ARS has been the scene of many verbal skirmishes. As far as I have heard, a.r.s. was a quite place for years: a few critics and a few scientologists held mostly discussions about the scientific value of the services.

>It has become clear to the church that any semblance of calm, rational,
>point-counterpoint discussion with critics is impossible. Moreover,
>portions of Scientology scripture were posted on the group. These
>scriptures contained materials that are reserved for only those who have
>attained a requisite level of spiritual growth. In many cases, it was
>alleged that the scriptures were deliberately altered. If they were altered, why is Dennis beeing sued for Copyright Violation ? The only case where there were altered were a few posts of Grady on his first days on the net, when he wrote "My penis hurts". But I do not even remember that at that time, anyone complained of alteration.

>Erlich is responsible for posting some of the most vitriolic
>anti-Scientologist messages on the Net. A number of postings of
>scriptural texts were promulgated by Dennis Erlich. Dennisıs usual style
>was to quote from previous postings of allegedly copyright protected
>materials posted by other people and then add two or three lines of
>commentary at the end. Erlich is entirely unapologetic about his posts.
>He is adamant that it is well within his First Amendment rights to post
>whatever is necessary to expose the Church as a bastion of evil. Any
>attempt by the Church of Scientology and its members to silence Erlich or
>others was met with swift and overwhelming rejection and outrage. Besides that, he also posted excerpts of HCO policies, and is now sued also because he posted "the fair game law". If you ever had read that fair game law, you would understand that this is an excellent example for "fair use", because "fair game" is simply a call to be criminal.

>Scientology began losing patience near the end of 1994.

Wrong. It started already with the "Elaine Siegel" letter. And McShane has testified that measures have already been taken in Sept. 1994, i.e. registering that CL8 tape.

>The accusations and threats made on ARS are not actionable under the
>clear and present danger test. The circumstances are not extraordinary.
>The speakers are largely impotent, except to the small group of people "impotent" ? No. Dennis has four children :-)

Besides, if the people here were unimportant, then the church wouldn't take action.

>There is no doubt that some of the language in ARS serves no legitimate
>purpose and is only there to elicit some sort of reaction. Grady Ward,
>yet another prominent opponent of Scientology, recently posted a message
>to ARS after hearing that the Church of Scientology was seeking ways to
>control what is posted to the newsgroup. The message reads in relevant
>part, ³. . . Scientologists are pricks. Scientology sucks. Has there
>ever been a doubt?² This may seem like pretty innocuous speech.
>However, it takes on a different dimension if you happen to be one of the
>people referred to as ³pricks.² What about the language from the church ? They called me a nazi just because my internet address has a ".de" tag at the end, and because my name sounds german.

>the writer included the words, ³Shit faced Helena Kobrin and the rest of >her slug-fuckers. Good Luck.² Messages such as this and others
>her slug-fuckers. Good Luck.² Messages such as this and others >containing sentiments like ³Scientologist scum² are common on ARS.
>containing sentiments like ³Scientologist scum² are common on ARS. No, they are *not* common, and critics protested against the use of such language.

>Certainly there is no shortage of defamatory matter posted to ARS. One
>Certainly there is no shortage of defamatory matter posted to ARS. One >message that is reposted on a regular basis claims that ³[d]uring the
>message that is reposted on a regular basis claims that ³[d]uring the >1980ıs, the [Church of Scientology], under the auspices of the Religious
>1980ıs, the [Church of Scientology], under the auspices of the Religious >Technology Center, now dominated by David Miscavige and a band of
>Technology Center, now dominated by David Miscavige and a band of >renegades, waged a campaign of terror against former church members . . .
>renegades, waged a campaign of terror against former church members . . . >The church thought they could simply by the silence of victims with their
>The church thought they could simply by the silence of victims with their >stockpiles of laundered money.² Another message posted by someone
>stockpiles of laundered money.² Another message posted by someone >attempting to dissuade people from joining the Church of Scientology
>attempting to dissuade people from joining the Church of Scientology >wrote, ³The Church of Scientology Upper Levels doctrine hold that Jesus
>wrote, ³The Church of Scientology Upper Levels doctrine hold that Jesus >Christ was an implanter/child-molester so the Church does not celebrate
>Christ was an implanter/child-molester so the Church does not celebrate >his birthday.²
>his birthday.² Those are allegations that have been submitted to courts. While the whole matter is still pending, a german court has declined a to set a TRO against the labor minister, so that he can still say:

"The church of scientology is a criminal, money laundering organisation"

What about the allegations of the church against critics ? What about the anon posting that Stacy Young is a whore, that Dennis is a child abuser, that Grady is a white-collar criminal ?

I begin to understand what you think: that a poor and "bona fide" church is attacked by its critics. It's the other way, too ! LRH has said "attack, always attack".

>While some postings may be truthful, it does not require much reading for
>While some postings may be truthful, it does not require much reading for >the reasonable person to realize that a large number of defamatory
>the reasonable person to realize that a large number of defamatory >statements are mere creations intended to turn people away from the
>statements are mere creations intended to turn people away from the >church.
>church. Which ? Do you think that it is untrue that people are held prisoners in the basement ? More and more, I think your article is simply junk.

>The Church of Scientology has not engaged in any attempt
>The Church of Scientology has not engaged in any attempt >to rebut the defamatory statements against it. For whatever reason, they
>to rebut the defamatory statements against it. For whatever reason, they >have chosen not to avail themselves of the opportunity to respond in an
>have chosen not to avail themselves of the opportunity to respond in an >official capacity on ARS. They have, instead made overt attempts to
>official capacity on ARS. They have, instead made overt attempts to >silence the critical speakers.
>silence the critical speakers. Because LRH said so ! There is a policy to never defend, always attack. "Always discuss THEIR crimes"

My impression till now is that you tried to be "balanced" in the following way: when you found something against the church, they you searched to find something pro church.

I guess if you would write a text about the mafia, it would also be balanced this way: "The mafia has a good record of helping old ladies over the street, and the local Don has been seen at the church each Sunday"

Her an example about drugs: "Drugs have created many jobs in third world countries, and are also helping kids who find sitting in front of TV find another hobby"

No wonder Dennis is mad at you. I agree with him. You are a clueless guy, an american "Mats Wilklund" (sp).

Tilman

--- Tilman Hausherr          [KoX, 1.9, DB]

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