Comments on: Prank memes and protests http://dc.metblogs.com/2008/02/11/prank-memes-and-protests/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:33:14 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Don http://dc.metblogs.com/2008/02/11/prank-memes-and-protests/comment-page-1/#comment-13064 Don Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:36:17 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2008/02/11/prank-memes-and-protests/#comment-13064 The whole reason the 'raid' was scheduled on the 10th was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_McPherson" rel="nofollow">a direct tribute/reference to a CoS fatality</a>, Carl, so there's some basis for concern about them. Some of their actions include things like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White" rel="nofollow">operation snow white</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Freakout" rel="nofollow">operation freakout.</a> I think acting to try to get a person committed because you don't like what they say about you is a pretty decent basis to question an organization's legitimacy... The whole reason the ‘raid’ was scheduled on the 10th was a direct tribute/reference to a CoS fatality, Carl, so there’s some basis for concern about them. Some of their actions include things like operation snow white and operation freakout. I think acting to try to get a person committed because you don’t like what they say about you is a pretty decent basis to question an organization’s legitimacy…

]]> By: Tiff http://dc.metblogs.com/2008/02/11/prank-memes-and-protests/comment-page-1/#comment-13063 Tiff Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:36:57 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2008/02/11/prank-memes-and-protests/#comment-13063 The problem with Scientology isn't that it's weird, Carl- of course it's weird, but to an outsider so are most religions (including mine), so whatever floats your boat. But they DO have an undisputed track record of harassment of people who leave the church, people who criticize their practices, etc. They don't get to claim protection under the First Amendment and then try to use the court system to shut up their detractors. In any case, it's certainly fair for a bunch of people to gather outside CoS buildings to criticize their practices, just as it's fair to criticize any religious institution's practices. The problem with Scientology isn’t that it’s weird, Carl- of course it’s weird, but to an outsider so are most religions (including mine), so whatever floats your boat. But they DO have an undisputed track record of harassment of people who leave the church, people who criticize their practices, etc. They don’t get to claim protection under the First Amendment and then try to use the court system to shut up their detractors.

In any case, it’s certainly fair for a bunch of people to gather outside CoS buildings to criticize their practices, just as it’s fair to criticize any religious institution’s practices.

]]> By: Carl Weaver http://dc.metblogs.com/2008/02/11/prank-memes-and-protests/comment-page-1/#comment-13062 Carl Weaver Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:34:19 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2008/02/11/prank-memes-and-protests/#comment-13062 The thing about the Scientologists, other than they are crazy, is that I have yet to see evidence that they are really harful, robbing the public coffers or doing anything else that is illegal. Should we be against them because they believe nutty things? Look at what our mainstream religions believe - stuff that can't be backed up with proof or evidence other than what is written in one book or another. I don't mean to say the Scientology is as valid, at least to me, as major religions, but all religions should have freedom of speech. Likewise, they shouldn't be jackasses and sue people for opening their mouths. Shut them down? No. Tell them they are butt monkeys? absolutely. One good thing about Scientology - at least they aren't as nutty as the <a href="http://timecube.com" rel="nofollow">Time Cube</a> guy. The thing about the Scientologists, other than they are crazy, is that I have yet to see evidence that they are really harful, robbing the public coffers or doing anything else that is illegal. Should we be against them because they believe nutty things? Look at what our mainstream religions believe – stuff that can’t be backed up with proof or evidence other than what is written in one book or another.

I don’t mean to say the Scientology is as valid, at least to me, as major religions, but all religions should have freedom of speech. Likewise, they shouldn’t be jackasses and sue people for opening their mouths. Shut them down? No. Tell them they are butt monkeys? absolutely.

One good thing about Scientology – at least they aren’t as nutty as the Time Cube guy.

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