As an Adelaidean and a blogger it is my task and duty to bring to you, dear reader, any news I can.  Recently I’ve stumbled across some rather troubling information concerning the members of the Church of Scientology.  Many of you should know that internet based activist group Anonymous has been conducting a series of campaigns against the Church of Scientology.  It seems that the Adelaidean branch of the Church is making moves to uncover just who their critics are, and to take revenge for exercising their freedom of speech by accusing the group of ‘terrorism’ and other such activities.  The following message was posted by a member of the Anonymous group at AnonSA.

Well, it looks like Scientology have been a busy bunch. I received a hand delivered letter from a man around about 6:25pm, and with it he read out a small note on request. The note said

“THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY BELIEVES THAT YOU ARE PART OF ANONYMOUS WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IT BELIEVES IS INVOLVED IN DEATH THREATS AND BOMB THREATS. THE CHURCH BELIEVES YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THIS GROUP IF THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE CORRECT COULD MAKE YOU AN ACCOMPLICE TO THESE ACTS.”

but more importantly, was the letter. You will find pictures of the letter at the bottom of the page which are kind of blurry, but it read

Dear Mr ***,

RE: THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY AUSTRALIA

We have been retained by the Church of Scientology Australia in connection with its concerns regarding a series of terrorist threats against Church leaders and parishioners made by an internet group known as ‘Anonymous’.

We are instructed that since January 2008 members of Anonymous have engaged in a campaign of violence against the Church, its members and Church property That Anonymous members have made numerous bomb threats, arson threats and committed acts of vandalism against Scientology Churches. That they have made harassing phone calls, sent vulgar and threatening faxes, posted threats on the internet and publicly threatened to kill Scientologists engaged in religious services. That on 30 January 2008, Anonymous members sent letters containing simulated anthrax to over twenty Scientology Churches in Southern California.

We are further instructed that Anonymous members have also sent threatening emails to the Church, including, “[I will] kill you… I have the authority to use lethal force”; and “I’m watching you, and I control the bombs.” And on 13 February 2008, Anonymous placed a video threat on the Internet, saying:

“We are an elite Anonymous. On the 13th of March 2008 . . . one 5 kilogram pack of nitro glycerine will detonate in the Churches of Scientology across the United States of America . . . This will be the world’s biggest terrorist attack on a religion. Lives will be lost… A separate personal attack on [the President of the Church] will be launched on the 13th of March 2008 at an undisclosed time. His execution along with the deaths of other countless Scientologists will strike fear into the hearts of every member of this cult.”

We are informed law enforcement authorities have been notified of these illegal activities.

We are instructed to send you this letter because the Church believes that you may be directing or leading some or all of the actions of “Anonymous”, and have assisted in its campaign of violence and harassment including prank calls and other acts against the local Church. In particular, you were identified by the fact that your name and contact details appear on a permit for Anonymous as a local representative for Anonymous in Adelaide, South Australia.

We are further instructed to advise that should you or your organization continue inciting and / or engaging in such acts against the Church or its members, we are to take all legal steps necessary to protect our client.

Yours faithfully
BROCK PARTNERS

I’m not really sure what to make of this, as I have no knowledge of any prank calls, violence or harassment against the local church. I personally don’t want to see any harm coming towards any member of the church, as they are people like anyone else. And I think I would be right in saying that the other members of our group here in Adelaide think the same thing. I will continue to do what I am doing, and it is fortunate that I am already following the request of the letter through my actions.

- David.

This news is made more disturbing when we come to understand that, if the Church of Scientology succeeds in painting Anonymous as a group of evil cyber terrorists – which they are evidently intent on doing – they may provide the first test of the recent serious and organised crimes control legislation.  If they are successful in their actions, it is legally possible that the Church could lean on law enforcement agencies in order to arrest and silence the group.  Peaceful and non-violent violent activists could find themselves arrested, detained and silenced by cops and prosecutors unwittingly acting on behalf of the Church.  These are dangerous times we live in.

So I repeat, if you happen to be involved in Anonymous in anyway – beware!  You’re most certainly not as safe as you are lead to believe.