List of 1,000 Former Church of Scientology Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

List of 1,000 Former Church of Scientology Members Publicly Speak Out Against The Church

Over 1,000 former members of the Church of Scientology have spoken out publicly against the so-called church, according to a list researched and compiled by Anonymous over the last year and announced on April 11th 2010.

The individuals on the list have spoken out under their real names against the abuses seen and experienced within the so-called church despite being subjected to Scientology's "Fair Game" policy, which gives members permission to destroy its critics. Most former members do not ever speak out against the church, largely because of this policy.

The stories told by these ex-members are similar to the revelations made recently by former members speaking out against Scientology in highly visible stories in the New York Times, the St. Petersburg Times, and most recently, in a five-part series on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360. According to the Church of Scientology, these former members are "liars" and "apostates" with an agenda to destroy the church. Anonymous wonders whether Scientology will also call all 1,000 of these former members liars.

The list, which continues to grow daily, contains many names of individuals who no longer practice Scientology at all as well as many others who do. What they have in common is that each of them has decided to step forward and tell the world what happened during their time within organized Scientology. While their backgrounds vary widely, their stories are similar and many themes run throughout: rigid control of information, enforced disconnection from loved ones who are critical of the group, zealous campaigns to squeeze money from members, physical and emotional abuse of children and adults, slave labor camps designed to reinforce indoctrination, and many other disturbing practices. The problem is not limited to any particular country. Their compelling stories emerge from numerous countries all around the world spanning decades.

Anonymous now celebrates the compilation and publication of a thousand-strong list of human voices no longer silenced, and never again alone. *You can find the list online here: Former Church Of Scientology Members Who Have Spoken Out*. Documentation is provided for each name included in the list.[1]

All remaining victims or observers of abuse within organized Scientology are invited to speak out and add their names and their messages.

We hope that the courage shown by those named on this list empowers more people to come forward with their stories of abuse, and ultimately prevents such abuses from ever taking place again.

Since February 2008, Anonymous has protested the crimes and abuses of the "Church of Scientology" and its many front groups. These protests, as well as public awareness efforts like the Big List, will continue.

Information:
[1] http://wiki.whyweprotest.net/Former_Church_of_Scientology_members_who_have_spoken_out

ENDS

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