A teenager participating in a peaceful protest outside a church of Scientology in England faces prosecution now for carrying a sign that had the word “Cult” on it.
The Guardian reports:
“The incident happened during a protest against the Church of Scientology on May 10. Demonstrators from the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous, who were outside the church’s £23m headquarters near St Paul’s cathedral, were banned by police from describing Scientology as a cult by police because it was “abusive and insulting”.”
The same article says that London police came under fire two years ago when it emerged that more than 20 officers received gifts from the Church of Scientology.
As for the prosecuted teenager, he is currently looking for legal advice.
5 responses so far ↓
Zacharias // May 20, 2008 at 2:42 pm |
Wow.. just wow. I’m glad I don’t live in England!
Though, I would find the fact of someone telling me I can’t call something what I want “abusive and insulting.”
Maybe that’s just American Free Speech Indoctrination speaking from me though. -shrug-
startnow72 // May 20, 2008 at 4:55 pm |
Unreal. If Scientology isn’t a cult, …..
rebecca(the great) // May 20, 2008 at 7:20 pm |
I am proud as a, well, non-British person, to say “Cult Cult Cult Cult…CULT!”
However immature that may be.
Scientology claiming to be a religion…now that’s abusive and insulting.
abbycopuyoc // May 20, 2008 at 10:27 pm |
I am totally with everybody. If we’re going to arrest people for saying that scientology is a cult, then maybe we should arrest those who say that the bible is fiction and that christianity is the root of all evil (i’ve met people who said that). Isn’t that insulting to Christians, too? The scary part about this is that it is a sure proof of how much power the church of scientology wields — to even have influence in law and police.
Brandon // July 8, 2008 at 3:06 am |
i wonder just how much it costs the church of Scientology to get the police in their back pocket. the plaintiff should be fine in court even with Scientology’s super legal team. its just gonna be a hassle.