February 12th, 2008 Richard
First of all, the most recent Rocketboom episode, focused on video of the Scientology protests from around the world.
Andrew Baron of Rocketboom, also made a very interesting blog post, commenting on the lack of coverage from main stream media (MSM)
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February 9th, 2008 Richard
Recently, a promotional video Tom Cruise did for Scientology, showed up on YouTube. Not long after, a movement, orchestrated by an organization calling themselves anonymous, began, starting with this spooky video, where they suggest that the Scientology organization “should be destroyed”. They’ve called for a world wide demonstration to be held tomorrow.
My first thought about this situation is the, only via the web, feeling. Such a fervor is enabled by the wide distribution of rich media currently afforded by the web. My second thought is that it seems unfair to single out the scientologists. In my life I have researched and experienced everything from born again Christian to psychedelic explorer, and much in between. The fact is, there are many instances of things the Scientologits are being accused of within Christian/other religion/spiritual/new age/whatever. There are many beautiful, transcendent, and fulfilling things associated with all these traditions, but the fact is that many people want to know the truth, and they prefer to find someone/thing that will tell them what it is so they don’t have to think about it, and they will give anything to anyone to find “peace” in that way. Sounds screwed up, but I’m not sure if I begrudge these people since I’d be a hypocrite if I did.
I’m not saying what the Scientologists do is good, I’m just saying, that, in my opinion, it’s not that unusual or evil, in comparison to other things that have been done in the name of religion/spirituality in this complex, really bad, really cool, and perfect world.
By the way, my friend Steve Garfield just published an interview of two members of the anonymous group in Boston, who plan to participate in the protest tomorrow.
Posted in religion, scientology, web and new media | 12 Comments »