Anonymous, Scientology, and the Story that the Media is Too Afraid to Tell

The last half of my title is not a phrase usually associated with serious writers. It is a phrase that automatically triggers thoughts of conspiracies, tall tales, and the ramblings of all-around lunatics. However, I have no need to make up my own little conspiracy, one is already in place, plain as day. I do not need to tell tall tales because the truth of the matter is more ridiculous than anything I could possibly produce. I do not need to visit an insane asylum because frankly, compared to the conspiracy that is finally being confronted surpasses even the most insane fantasies. Don't believe me? What if I told you the name of this conspiracy? Scientology...for those of you who are not familiar with the history of this cult, I would recommend googling Lisa McPherson, Operation Snow White, and Operation Freakout.

The challenge to Scientology arose sometime during early January, when an online group known as Anonymous declared war upon the Church of Scientology. Anonymous is a leaderless organization of people who meet on the internet and adhere to a code as long as they identify themselves as "Anonymous." In the past, Anonymous's activity has been mostly limited to internet pranks. Some "renegades" as one member referred to them, have issued threats and even carried out cyber-terrorism. When Anonymous first began its attacks on Scientology, it seemed as if the organization would stick to its code, which declares that "Anonymous is devoid of humanity." Most activity was centered around causing trouble for Scientology in any way possible.

As its first united attack against Scientology, Anonymous shut down several major Scientology websites. After several days, the websites came back online. So, did the Church of Scientology find some way to defend itself against these "cyber-terrorists", as the Church calls them? Actually, no, the Church of Scientology was (and still is) completely at the mercy of Anonymous. So why did they stop? One YouTube video from a member of Anonymous suggests that Anonymous stopped hacking Scientology as a direct result of the words of Mark Bunker.