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Nominate-best-2010

Scientology Back in the News - This Time Banned from Wikipedia

 

I'm not generally prone to blindly push along potential rumors (even if they're probably true) that I stumbled across on line, but it seems that IP addresses from the Church of Scientology have been banned from editing Wikipedia content. Allegedly - believe it or not - they've been accused of changing entries so as to make them fit the church's better interests (rather than the facts).

So why this post? In reading some articles that are popping up about the Wikipedia decision (in a French court), it dawned on me that I would not fully understand the situation if not for the entire month I spent last year writing this article about Scientology and the protest group Anonymous that likes to fuck with church members.

My piece is not the best primer on the church itself - those who are newly interested should start with this 2008 Radar article by John Cook and this 1991 piece from Time magazine - but it's one of the best accounts on how the worlds of technology and Scientology have fiercely clashed for more than a decade.

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5 Comments

  • jeff said:

    "believe it or not"  wtf wtf??  The Church of Scientology has already been tried and convicted of wicki abuse which is why Wicki has thrown them out in unprecidented fashion.  Yet, even after a trial and conviction, we are to either "believe it or not???"  WTF?

    Are we also to "believe or not" all the criminal convictions regarding scientology leaders?  Why even report the "news" if you are going to avoid making any factual assertions simply out of fear?  I submit that you are in the wrong line of work.  

    June 1, 2009 5:30 PM
  • james said:

    Hey jeff: I submit you wouldn't know gentle sarcasm - or Faraone's writing style - if you were severely bitten on the ass by it.  Simmer down.

    (Oh yeah:  fuck Scientology.)

    June 1, 2009 6:45 PM
  • Lauren said:

    So with this article it's quite evident that you are not really reporting, because a reporter would be non-bias and just report the facts.  You have not presented fact but only your opinion.  The fact is that Wiki has been known to flag users and even organizations for editing information on Wikipedia.  Most organizations try to edit miss information regarding their organization.  Wikipedia rules are pretty vague.  The Wiki police have always been known to make personal decisions when banning user or even a IP address.

    This honestly seems one directional.  We all know Wiki articles are not accurate.  Most information within Wiki articles are incorrect.  That is why comedy shows like 30 Rock make fun of Wikipedia. www.hulu.com/.../30-rock-wikipedia-prank

    Let's please move on to a new topic because this is lame.  Why is the new version of KKK (Anonymous) even listen too?   You should write a post about how Anonymous.  Is Anonymous the new cyber KKK?  

    June 2, 2009 3:24 PM
  • Steve said:

    Looks like the Phoenix hasn't banned Scientologist IP addresses yet.  Say whats up to Xenu for me Lauren.

    P.S. nice grammar.

    June 2, 2009 4:41 PM
  • Chris Faraone said:

    I'm staying out of this one, but you guys are hilarious. Keep it up.

    June 2, 2009 5:13 PM

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