Internet Activists Target Scientology

Church can no longer control its image
By Laila Weir,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 3, 2008 2:10 PM CST

Scientology is increasingly under attack on the Internet, where critics and dropouts are undermining the church's traditionally tight control of its public image, reports the LA Times. Three ex-Scientologists, including the niece of the church's head, launched ExScientologyKids.com last week. Its motto: "We were born. We grew up. We escaped."

A group of hackers and activists called Anonymous, incensed by the church's effort to remove a Tom Cruise pro-Scientology video from the Internet, picketed Scientology locations around the globe last month and has staged cyber-attacks on church websites. The church calls members of Anonymous "cyber-terrorists"  and says they're spreading "religious hatred and bigotry." (More Scientology stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X