Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 APRIL 2008
RE: CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

Hollywood, CA

Anonymous, the loosely-affiliated group of internet users protesting Scientology, has a message for Katie Holmes:

"Do not fear Scientology. If you choose to leave, we will back you up, as will the thousands of brave souls who have already escaped Scientology. There are resources and support in place for those who leave. We will stand behind you 100 percent. To the best of our collective ability, we will help you gain freedom for both yourself and your daughter. Katie, the entire country knows how much you love your daughter, and Anonymous supports you doing what's right for her - no matter what Scientology or your husband may be telling you."

Rumors have been circulating that Katie Holmes is considering taking her daughter Suri to New York for a trial separation from Tom Cruise. The Church of Scientology is actively working to avoid this PR blunder, and may be using strongarm tactics - including threats to back Tom for custody of Suri.

Anonymous is well aware of the Church of Scientology's active 'Fair Game' policy, in which scare tactics and intimidation are used to control both those seeking to leave the cult and those who criticize it from outside.

During her indoctrination into the cult, Katie Holmes has undergone many hours of auditing, a process vaguely similar to confession in Catholicism. However, one striking difference between the two is confidentiality: while the priests who administer confession may never reveal what they are told, auditing is videotaped without the knowledge of the "confessor", and there is no promise of secrecy. In addition, people who undergo auditing are evaluated with the aid of an E-meter (a primitive lie detector) and cannot leave the room until the auditor is satisfied. Sessions sometimes last hours. Ex-scientologists report that these auditing sessions and their tapes are used as blackmail material against the Church of Scientology's own members, giving auditors the psychological control they need to ensure that many members never try to leave. Scientology is doubtlessly holding those video recordings - and the custody of her child - over Katie's head.

Disconnection is the Church's policy of forcing a Scientologist to sever, completely and thoroughly, all ties with family members, friends, confidantes, mentors, or anyone else that can be labelled an SP, or "Suppressive Person". An SP is someone who speaks out against Scientology, will not or cannot be converted along with their friend, or tries to convince said friend to get out of the cult. It is very hard on the victim because it leaves them with no person outside of Scientologist circles to talk to. Nobody to steady them or ground them. The very real possibility of being Disconnected from her daughter is surely one of the things stopping Katie Holmes from leaving. If she does leave and is unable to secure Suri's safety as well, Tom will no doubt be ordered to aid in two-year old Suri's disconnection from her own mother.

Anonymous pledges that, if she chooses to leave, we will publicize any Fair Game tactics employed against her. We will rally behind her. Anonymous also empathizes with Katie and all members of Scientology - we understand the methods by which the Church of Scientology hijacks the minds of those who have not been inoculated. We know that very intelligent, well-meaning people have been taken in, and we will welcome those intelligent, well-meaning people back to our open society once their eyes are open to the abuse they have suffered.

We demand nothing of those who have left the cult; we ask nothing and are happy to respect the privacy of those who leave - but we are more than happy to help those who have first-hand knowledge educate those who do not on the travesties occurring within the 'Church.' For ex-scientologists looking for support, Ex Scientologist Message Board and Operation Clambake The Inner Secrets Of Scientology are good places to begin.