|
In late 1994 and early 1995 a few copyright anarchists
unlawfully acquired copies of unpublished Church of
Scientology scriptures and posted them on the Internet.
When they were sued successfully by the copyright
holders, these same people embarked on an anti-religious
hate campaign utilizing Internet newsgroups, websites
and the press.
One result of this campaign has been an increase in acts
of harassment and violence perpetrated against
Scientologists. Scientology churches have been
vandalized and individual Scientologists have been
harassed, physically attacked and threatened with death.
When oppressive government agencies in France and
Germany sought support for their discriminatory policies
against minority religions, the same group of people who
began this chain of violence traveled to Europe to
spread their lies.
Other faiths also have been the targets of
anti-religious violence. Extremists in the United States
have fire-bombed Baptist churches and have defaced
Jewish synagogues.
In Europe, right-wing nationalists have openly attacked
members of other faiths and have staged violent hate
rallies. And in the East, being a member of a
"disfavored" religion has proven to be fatal. The issue
affects everyone.
Thus, people of all faiths must unite in common support
of not merely members of their own religion, but of all
religionists. We must be vigilant in protecting the
cherished right to freedom of worship and in exposing
the extremists who spread hatred and violence.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental liberty; it is one of
the hallmarks of a free society. It is not, however, a
license to incite acts of violence through lies. And
when it is abused by people whose only intentions are to
harm and destroy it is incumbent upon honest citizens to
speak out.
This section of the web site exposes the truth about
these instigators so that no one else will succumb to
their lies.
|
