Awesome!

im assuming you guys know that they just purchased a building on 12th, downtown and are kicking out all the tennants. i think they might have moved their headquarters here.

Bring a mask?! People, get a grip on your scientology fixations. I think scientology is wierd too, but it's not a fascist state. Who is scientology holding down, Hollywood celebrities? What, are we all going to don zapatista masks and FREE THE CELEBRITIES? So they bought a building in downtown Portland. That doesn't make them a nefarious cabal! FREE THE TENANTS OF THAT ONE BUILDING ON 12TH STREET! Sorry, I'm just getting sick of the scientology conspiracy theories. I mean, yes, that Tom Cruise video was freaky, but he's not manufacturing robot scientology soldiers to take over America in his basement (or... IS HE?!!!!)

FREE BECK!

It's not the first time I've heard the "they are moving their headquarters here" rumor, and I can only conclude that it is a testament to Scientology's (previously) minimal presence here in Portland that anyone could believe something so silly. Seriously, spend any amount of time in another major US city and you will have a better idea of how huge they are. The total amount of real estate they have acquired in Downtown amounts to probably a fraction of the size of one of their larger LA churches. They pretty much own the entire city of Clearwater, Florida, and a huge underground vault in the New Mexico desert engraved with symbols that can be seen from space, among other things.
It's like saying, "oh, the Mormon Church bought the old Hung Far Low building. They must be moving the entire population of Salt Lake City there!"

Basically I'm saying we have nothing to worry about. Not that we shouldn't taunt and make fun of them...I'm all for it.

this is a stupid movement. i truly couldn't care less.

in important news, al qaeda blew up two possibly retarded women in a crowded marketplace today in iraq.

"communists brought down the iron curtain"? gimme a break...

Yeah! Let's have a rally to tell everybody else what to do!

la foi, they're incredibly harmful and totally insane... read up about some of their exploits here. Hopefully Anonymous can succeed where individuals have always been harassed, slandered, or sued into submission.

http://www.xenu.net/

also google for Lisa McPherson and Paulette Cooper and watch the video "The Secret Life of L Ron Hubbard" on Google Video or Youtube.
They're definitely not just harmless loonies.

la foi, others: read the following copypasta. research anything you might not be familiar with, anything that the CoS has been working so hard to keep from you. Then, let us know if you still think the CoS is a harmless (albeit weird) religion that's doing nothing wrong.
-------------------------------------

It has come to the attention of Anonymous that there are a number of you out there who do not clearly understand what we are or why we have undertaken our present course of action. Contrary to the assumptions of the media, Anonymous is not simply "a group of super hackers". Anonymous is a collective of individuals united by an awareness that someone must do the right thing, that someone must bring light to the darkness, that someone must open the eyes of a public that has slumbered for far too long. Among our numbers you will find individuals from all walks of life - lawyers, parents, IT professionals, members of law enforcement, college students, veterinary technicians and more. Anonymous is everyone and everywhere. We have no leaders, no single entity directing us - only the collective outrage of individuals, guiding our hand in the current efforts to bring awareness.We want you to be aware of the very real dangers of Scientology. We want you to know about the gross human rights violations committed by this cult. We want you to know about Lisa McPhearson. We want you to know about former members of Scientology's private navy, SeaOrg, who were forced to have abortions so that they could continue in service to the church. We want you to know about Scientology's use of child labor and their gulags. We want you to know about Operation Freakout and Paulette Cooper. We want you to know about Operation Snow White and Scientology's efforts to infiltrate the government of the United States of America.We want you to know about all of these things that have been swept under the rug for far too long. The information is out there. It is yours for the taking. Arm yourself with knowledge. Be very wary of the 10th of February. Anonymous invites you to join us in an act of solidarity. Anonymous invites you to take up the banner of free speech, of human rights, of family and freedom. Join us in protest outside of Scientology centers world wide. We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. We will be heard. Expect us.

--------------------------------------

On February 10 Anonymous will show the Church of Scientology the collective might of an army of individuals united under one cause and one belief.

The world must be cleansed of the dangerous cult of Scientology, which violates the basic human rights of its members, destroys the lives of the followers who question its authority, and will stop at nothing to suppress the knowledge of its wrongdoing.

For Lisa McPherson and the list of others who have been tortured, maimed and killed by Scientology, either through direct action or negligence, Anonymous fights.

For the thousands who have given all of their possessions to Scientology in an attempt to cleanse their bodies of sickness both real and imagined, both physical and psychological, Anonymous fights.

For everyone who has believed the lies of L. Ron Hubbard's cult of disinformation, Anonymous fights.

Our cause is the dissemination of information and the dismantling of the Church of Scientology and all its front groups. Our belief is the simple, undeniable truth, that knowledge is free and should be given out freely, without ulterior motive or goal.

Anonymous fights for those who can't fight for themselves. Anonymous does not forgive, Anonymous does not forget. Anonymous cannot be swayed.

Be very wary of the 10th of February.
----------------------------------
local organization happening here:
http://forums.enturbulation.org/viewtopic.php?t=15&sid=c9ad8f7dfa01c00f247d02d92d92d0cd
http://harbl.wetfish.net/cosplay/

we are legion.

So why the masks?

Well, I'm not a hundred per cent sure I want to align myself with people who are as rhetorically incoherent as those above, but...

Yes, this 'church' does indeed have deaths ascribed to it, and if you recall, they drove the Cult Awareness Network -their primary opposition- into bankruptcy, bought them and then put them out of business.

And there's something to be said for the ease with which bad things survive when they're merely being ridiculed as opposed to when they're actively disputed.

why the masks... two reasons 1) anonymous is a little over-dramatic... 2) if you have spent any time reading about Scientology's tactics you'll find out that they regularly film or photograph protesters and keep tons of files on anyone they deem an "SP" or "Suppressive Person" L Ron Hubbard taught that anything goes even if it's against the law in defaming and slandering anyone the cult of Scientology sees as a threat.

If you read any of the stories of how they've ruined people's lives it's not at all a bad idea to protect your identity from them.

http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/sp.html
http://youfoundthecard.com/fairgame.php

Have they ever been prosecuted successfully?

yes, plenty of times... L Ron Hubbard himself was convicted of felony fraud.

a bunch of high ranking members (including L Ron and his wife) were convicted when they broke into a bunch of government buildings and IRS offices to steal documents.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White

honestly this stuff would make for a great Mercury cover story ;) it's full of scandal and intrigue.

la foi do some research before you decide to act like an ignorant slut.

They've also got a pretty nice set up out in McMinville too.

In actual fact, they do keep prisoners. Some of them are in what is called the RPF, which stands for the Rehabilitation Project Force. This is where the higher-ups can stick a person who disagrees or who makes a mistake or who refuses to divorce their spouse. The "church" of $cientology enforces divorce, abortion and the breaking up of families. In Hemet, at the place called Gold, there are about 30 people held against their will. These are former highly placed executives of the "church." There are similar pseudo-prison camps in Los Angeles and Clearwater.
If you value your freedom, do something to help stop the "church" of $cientology.

There are a lot of cults out there and I'd advise anyone to avoid them. Tricky thing is how to convince someone that they're judgment is off after they've been convinced. I'm in agreement with you about the severity of the cult, I'm just a little apprehensive about the method since it seems clandestine somehow.

Thus far, I've just shared with my friends some experiences I've had and some things that I've seen privately, rather than protest around these types of places. Go for it though, but forgive me for not being too stoked about going down there... It's probably for the same reasons you'll be behind masks.

Bless you, OJ Simpson. I was just about to act like an ignorant slut and your quick thinking saved me.

Hopefully the Scientologists will kill you like they killed Lisa McPherson. Again do a little homework before you go running your mouth again.

It sounds like my opinion is pretty threatening to you, OJ.

it sounds like you just don't give a fuck about decades worth of illegal activity, la foi.

Sweet Jeebus! Rhetoric zealots vs. Celebrity zealots! Who's bringing popcorn?

Seriously, anonymous. We all know how bad Scientologists are. I applaud your perhaps over-dramatically stated plan to confront them. Have you taken the time to examine your own language, though? Maybe had a sober friend read it? You sound just as scary, and completely full of yourself/ves.

They occupy a small yellow house on the corner of SE 48th and Clinton. Sometimes there is a sign out front, but most of the time there isn't. They don't appear to be living there but there is usually someone around. Please go protest there. I want to watch.

I don't even know where to begin.

Research the subject.
Spend an hour and read about it for yourself.

Then post something about it.

Hi I Live in portland, I work in portland at at a store that many of you buy your groceries at. I play guitar and I like to cook. Im also a scientologist. Im not a celeberty and im not a wacko. I have read most of the disinformation
on the internet. I know what the media portrays and what the publics viewpoint of us is. I also know the truth. I have
done my homework.
The thought that group of people is going to be outside of my church wearing masks and protesting my religion sucks.
I just wanted you to know that it sucks, and if it was your church I bet you'd probably feel the same way.

count me inn.
muhhh-urrrr-fuckurrrs.

Justin, how much have you paid so far for your auditing? Scientology is not a religion, that's the biggest hoax of all... religions don't charge money for their scriptures, they freely distribute them to anyone who wants to read them. Scientology is a cult and you've been bamboozled.

I recommend you read some of the messageboards that ex-scieno's post on and see what it was that finally helped them see through the trickery.

Your building isn't a church, it's a business front, you don't go there for worship you go there for brain-washing sessions

Not necesarily brain-washing, but definitely COERCION to the inth degree. Justin, I was there, get out, run, with as much of your money as you can. All the materials are free online. Auditing can be found too.

I have studied this subject my entire life.I have also studied a number of other religions that i believe to have useful d of truths within them. Namely of which the tao.
Both my parents were married in the church in the 80s the have since divorced. My mother has no interest anymore, and my father has quite a bit of interest but he will not give up his chemical vices and therefore can not be involved. I perused more data on the subject of my own decision.
The amount of money I have donated is less than three hundred dollars over the past year. It was donated in exchange for courses that have helped me to improve elements of my life. Exchange is the key word here.These books are not simple nor are they easy to get through. if you were given a book for free you would likely not read it and take it for granted. Trust me I have tried many times to give people, who say they are interested books to read, and they never get read. People often like to bring up the subject of money. Let me say that money doesn't mean anything to me. it never really has, most likely because Ive never had much of it. Money is simply a superficial form of exchange that represents my labor. So i work and i can give my money to companies and cooperations who don't give a damn about helping people. Or I can contribute it towards a movement that has the goal of improving rationality in this city, country, and planet.

Yeah great job using the internet and television to collect your information instead of reading books and talking to real people.
Its funny how quickly people will agree that it is so easy to become brainwashed and insist that such a thing has not already happened to themselves.
Ask yourself these questions

Have you ever actually read any books regarding Dianetics or Scientology technology and theory?

Have you ever actually been inside a church of scientology? Or talked to a scientologist in portland?

Do you even know what the word scientology means?

Then tell me this.

Who is brainwashed?

You are talking to an ex Treas Sec of a Class V org. I have my information from YEARS of involvement with a couple orgs, the least of which is Portland.

Have you had any processing? Have You had to disconnect from friends, family, or anyone because they were antago towards Scientology? Have you ever passed a SEC CHECK? Have you been sent to Ethics for questioning even though that is what LRH said to do?

You are right, most Scientologists are in it to better the world and themselves and this is great. The PROBLEM is the current org management and they're not following LRH and the idea of EXCHANGE is way out. Follow KSW and leave the church while you can...courses are great - they do help. I speak from trying to apply ARC/KRC in my life to ALL sentient beings regardless of affiliation.

Justin,

RUN, don't walk away, if the org pesters you to sign a staff contact promising you the Bridge for free.

nonEmouse
Im on staff for a 2 1/2 year part time 20 hours per week staff contract. This was of my own origination. I have had student auditing (this is free). I have passed several sec checks. I have been to ethics and I have not had to disconnect from anyone. The Portland staff is great. I do not deny that I have had my own share of irritation with upper management but for the moment this is arbitrary until I have learned and can apply more policy. I agree that KSW is vital to keep in. I totally respect you and what you are doing. I also agree that it is important to apply ARC/KRC to all beings regardless of affiliation.

I also believe in the publics right to a peaceful assembly. I have no problem with individuals who want to peacefully and publicly express opinions regarding my religion or any one else's.
What I can not tolerate on the other hand is violence. Violence in the form of bricks through windows, and in the form of bullets.
Both of these things have actually happened in my Org.
The reason we take pictures is the same reason banks have video cameras.
Now regardless of what opinion an individual may think they are expressing when they stand outside of our church to protest, the fact that one would conceal his identity indicates that they have something to hide.
If you are not hurting anyone and are not doing anything illegal, if you are only expressing your constitutional right, you have absolutely nothing to hide.

Justin
The only reason to hide your identity is called FAIR GAME. Look it up in relation to Scientology.
We honestly wish you all the best, hope you fly all the way over the Bridge and clear the planet on the way. I/we would love to be proven wrong about all of this. Empirical evidence suggests otherwise.
You sound really bright. Keep your eyes wide open.
ARC
nonEmouse