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UK Teen Cited For Calling Scientology a "Cult"
Posted by
kdawson
on Wed May 21, 2008 12:37 AM
from the what-it-is dept.
from the what-it-is dept.
An anonymous reader writes "A 15-year-old in the UK is facing prosecution for using the word 'cult' to describe the Church of Scientology at an anti-Scientology demonstration in London earlier this month. According to the City of London police at the scene, the teen was violating the Public Order Act, which 'prohibits signs which have representations or words which are threatening, abusive or insulting.' There's a video of the teen receiving the summons from the City of London police at the demonstration (starting about 1 minute in), and now he's asking for advice on how to handle the court case."
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An anonymous reader notes that following our discussion this week about the 15-year-old who was under threat of prosecution for calling Scientology a cult in a recent demonstration, the UK Crown Prosecution Service has decided that there is no case to answer. They have issued new guidance to the City of London police clarifying when they can use their public order powers. Quoting: "A [CPS] spokesman said: 'In consultation with the City of London Police, we were asked whether the sign was abusive or insulting. Our advice is that it is not abusive or insulting and there is no offensiveness (as opposed to criticism), neither in the idea expressed nor in the mode of expression.' A spokeswoman for the City of London Police said: 'The CPS review of the case includes advice on what action or behavior at a demonstration might be considered to be "threatening, abusive or insulting." The force's policing of future demonstrations will reflect this advice.'"
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The first problem is (Score:5, Insightful)
The next thing London will do is put up posters saying that you are secure beneath the watchful eyes [samizdata.net].
Perhaps they thought Orwell was writing an instruction manual?
Open source governance (Score:5, Interesting)
This is why we need open source governance [wikipedia.org].
If you help get the Metagovernment [metagovernment.org] established, then it will be up to the people to decide how the people are governed. Weird concept, I know.
Parent
Protester now faces harrasment. (Score:5, Interesting)
Indymedia has a good article about this [indymedia.org.uk]. The protester, ironically, was objecting to "Fair Play", which is essentially harassment of any and all perceived foes. The citation identifies him and now he faces the same retaliation he objected to.
Parent
Once again (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Once again (Score:5, Insightful)
For reference, see SCO, RIAA...
Parent
Whats the difference? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Whats the difference? (Score:5, Insightful)
~S
Parent
Re:Whats the difference? (Score:5, Interesting)
A religious cult, to the best of my understanding, shows the following features:
1) Is widely accepted to be a cult by those not involved. [like Scientology]
2) Is secretive regarding the beliefs of its members. [like Scientology]
3) Is secretive regarding the hierarchical organization of its members. [like Scientology]
To me, #3 is most concerning, and the best way to be labeled as a religious cult. Notice that almost all 'mainstream' religions are not guilty of #3 (e.g., the Catholic buck stops at the Pope), and rarely guilty of #2 (e.g., Muslims can point to the Koran), and also rarely guilty of #1.
Parent
Re:Whats the difference? (Score:5, Insightful)
4) In order to easier manipulate them, it will try to weaken the members by severing their ties with their families and friends.
is extremely important, for the devastating consequences it has.
Parent
Re:Whats the difference? (Score:5, Insightful)
That doesn't make it any less a cult. Its still hurting us collectively.
You should watch this video on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVuw1wEuaAQ [youtube.com]
And there are a series of videos on Youtube by a guy called Thunderf00t that is very intelligent about this topic.
Parent
This could be just what we needed (Score:5, Interesting)
I predict: Score 1 for the good guys.
The only way this could be worse for Scientology is if the boy turns up dead anytime soon.
Re:This could be just what we needed (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Re:This could be just what we needed (Score:5, Insightful)
You know that Scientology has infiltrated the police in the US in some cities?
Parent
That was Version 2.0 of The Sign (Score:5, Funny)
I think he was quite well-spoken, really.
Oh, Great. (Score:5, Interesting)
That's comforting. I wonder how many American cops, politicians, etc. the cult has on its payroll? Might as well disband the FBI and enlist Scientology as our intelligence service -- they seem to be much more effective at getting away with domestic espionage and dirty tricks.
Re:Oh, Great. (Score:5, Informative)
They then started issuing tickets to any cars that honked as they drove by. Second half of that video I linked, I shit you not.
From what I've read they were much better at the April and May protests, but it does show that the police's allegiances in some areas shift like crazy.
Parent
Re:Oh, Great. (Score:5, Informative)
From the article:
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Challenge the law in the European Court (Score:5, Interesting)
This court actually works and has authority to rule in these cases. Might have to exhaust the legal avenues in the UK first though.
What he needs is... (Score:5, Funny)
I don't understand (Score:5, Interesting)
He may have been better off advocating the death of all Scientologists because the FSM needs their blood to build the greatest pirate ship of all time.
Balls of steel (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Thats right (Score:5, Insightful)
Parent
Re:Not censorship (Score:5, Insightful)
Why the heck is this tagged censorship?
Exhibit B:
There's a law against insulting signs.
Parent
Re:Easy win - bring a dictionary (Score:5, Interesting)
- a system of religious worship directed towards a particular figure or object.
- a small religious group regarded as strange or as imposing excessive control over members.
- something popular or fashionable among a particular section of society.
Wave that dictionary page in front of the judge and "I Rest My Case". All of those three descriptives apply specifically and directly to Scientology.Now if the Judge/prosecution want to base an arrest on "when you say that scientology is a cult, you mean it as an insult" it is near-impossible to prove intent in a court of law. (at least, until they work our how to read my mind from a distance in a scientifically verifiable manner)
Anyhow, any defence lawyer would simply declare this "law" irrelevant and illegal - how can it possibly be legal to declare that writing a statement of fact on a sign and waving it around in public is illegal.
Parent
Re:move to germany (Score:5, Informative)
So calling the CoS a "cult" seems rather tame by comparison.
Parent