Scientology, A YouTube Sponsor
In the pre-web days, Scientology had it easy — through lawsuits and copyright claims, it was able to keep some measure of control over its message and its portrayal in the media. But it’s no accident that with the Internet’s spread, more and more information about the group has become available, and little of it flattering. And the Church has struck back with force.
YouTube is only the latest front in this battle, with skirmishes stretching back at least a year, including the notable case of stressed BBC reporter vs. Scientology camera crews and of course the epic Tom Cruise recruitment tape/Anonymous battle. But while Scientology’s response rate to new communication methods is a little slow, they’ve finally stepped up their game with a shiny new custom sponsor account:
The 82 official Church videos are not embeddable, and are in fact difficult to access individually (especially if the custom Flash player isn’t loading correctly on your browser). And the quality varies wildly — while the introductory videos are cheaply-done AfterEffects clips with rather stern voiceover, most of the account seems to be a dumping place for previously existing promotional videos, like this ten-minute celebration of the opening of The Way To Happiness Foundation.
There are a few pieces that seem oriented towards a web audience: The Parts of Man is actually somewhat compelling — short and well-edited and focused. Its focus, though, is on making the term Thetan seem less ridiculous, making arguments like “If you have your appendix removed, does your personality change? Are you any less you? Of course not.”
But there is no possibility for responding in either text or video form. Gawker’s Nick Douglas writes “I’m baffled why the Church, after putting together such a friendly little propaganda channel, not only disabled all comments (a reasonable way to avoid actually diving into two-way conversation) but disabled embedding and turned its channel into a tidy menu.” But this matches perfectly with the Scientology methodology — embrace a new form of communication, just so long as it can maintain complete control over it.
Meanwhile, of course, attacks against anti-Church YouTube users, such as Mark Bunker of xenutv.com, continue. Part of me wants to call the relationship between Scientology and the Internet love-hate — while the Church makes great use of online tools to spread its message, it can no longer maintain a stranglehold over public discussion. And the stories that have spread as a result offer no better argument for the preservation of net neutrality.
The truth of the matter is that no matter how much Flash the Church adds to its user page, a YouTube search for Scientology still brings up all the anti-Xenu rhetoric you’d ever desire. For now, at least, many different points of view are still being heard online.
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I looked and some of the videos can be embedded
Arnie on May 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm - Permalink
What’s funny is that no matter how you try to search YouTube for Scientology, the “official” site does not come up in the results. Not even in the “most relevant” results.
Anyway, Scientology is doomed.
Janey on May 1st, 2008 at 6:36 pm - Permalink
Soooo many people are finally starting to discover the truth about this criminal cult that tries to hide behind a sheer facade of “good works”. Anonymous started the flow of information, NightLine, WBM and ohers opened the dam.
The cult of scientology IS doomed, they cannot allow the truth of their criminal doings and such to be exposed yet that is happening more and more.
For further info, some from many, many first hand stories of those who have escaped this cult, please check out:
http://www.forum.exscn.net/index.php?
http://www.exseaorg.com/
http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/
http://whyaretheydead.net/
http://www.xenu.net
Centurian 10 on May 1st, 2008 at 9:33 pm - Permalink
only Scientologists who’ve passed OTIII are anti-Xenu — Xenu is the Galatic Overlord/Tyrant that sent us all to Teegeak in the first place! He is the equivalent of Satan. So Scientologists aren’t actually lying when they say that they don’t worship a Xenu… they in fact loathe him.
anoynymause on May 1st, 2008 at 9:42 pm - Permalink
Thank goodness for the internet — it allows the quick exchange and posting of information so that perfectly valid and true information can be seen by the public.
Scientology has only prospered by suing, harassing, libeling, slandering and defaming anyone who researches it and simply writes what they find from an outsider perspective. Anything that even slightly departs from their standard PR line is under attack, which leaves members of the public easy pickings for their deceptive marketing.
Basically, those who know the truth won’t join, and won’t pay, so Scientology tries to suppress the truth. Scientology will be a casualty of the internet’s capacities. It’s about time, since Scientologists have been covertly destroying journalists, vocal ex-members, and those who ask too many questions for at least 50 years.
Liberty Belle on May 1st, 2008 at 11:23 pm - Permalink
David Miscarige is a dangerous parasite that should be keep out of the society.
When will the governement do his job finally, raid the Miscaridge palace and arrest him?
Anton on May 2nd, 2008 at 3:30 pm - Permalink
thanks for a well-written and informative article!
niki on May 2nd, 2008 at 6:03 pm - Permalink
You read a dozen to 100 comments here and what do you read? If you said “criticism”, go to the front of the class. The Church disabled criticisms for obvious reasons. Now I’m going to go back to thinking of children playing in the sunshine before such an act likewise, develops a dedicated, critical following.
Terryeo on May 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 pm - Permalink
TERRYEO, OSA SHILL. No doubt Terryeo (http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Terryeo) will post again stateing that he works for no one (a proven lie) or that OSA is only the legal department of the cult of scientology (OSA - Office of Special Affairs, previeously known as the GO or Guardians Office, busted under Operation PC FREAKOUT and Operation Snow White by the FBI) or that those who post against this cult are confused or dont know what they are talking about or some other pure drivel. The fact of the matter is that the cult of scientology is a criminal enterprise. Dont take my word for it, take the word of a huge number who have been IN this dangerous cult. Check out:
http://www.xenu.net
http://www.forum.exscn.net/index.php?
http://www.exseaorg.com/
http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/
http://whyaretheydead.net/
Check these pages out and then decide if your going to take the word of an OSA agent or the words of dozens after dozens after dozens of those who have first hand experience at escaping the cults prison camps and other illegal enterprises and schemes.
Centurian 10 on May 4th, 2008 at 10:34 am - Permalink
so is this wikinfo.org site something managed by the church of scientology? I’ve only heard of hubbard’s foray into the romance novel genre from church propaganda. The thought always makes me throw up a little in my mouth. Sounds like terreo might need some additional auditing to help him from “thinking of children”.
jesuslovesxenutoo on May 7th, 2008 at 2:37 pm - Permalink
i found your critique somewhat close minded and laughable. Scientology channel doesn’t allow comments ? well guess what, neither does CBS at times dimwit ? are you suggesting CBS is dangerous and a cult ?
look at the comment section for this video and tell that isn’t anti freedom of speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6urw_PWHYk
conclusion: people see what they want to see.
MerryChristmas2You on September 16th, 2008 at 11:30 am - Permalink