Beware of religious intolerance, religious persecution, and religious fanaticism. All can have disturbing or deadly consequences for Society and our World. There are those that can only destroy and damage anything that is good or worthwhile, faithful or hopeful. The evil they see and relentlessly fight against is mostly within their own limited view of what their World and our World should be like. Unfortunately, our World and their World will never, ever be reconciled, no matter how much �madness and mayhem� they try to stir up regarding any particular religion or faith.

I am talking about the recent rallies held against the Church of Scientology last week by a group of masked marauders calling themselves Anonymous. The masks they claim are to prevent retaliation from Scientology hardliners. Imagine that, anyone can protest anything just by speaking out against any group, religion, or even Government. It’s called Freedom of Speech. But, why should this particular group fear retaliation so much that they would need to wear a mask, and call themselves Anonymous?

Could it be, that it’s their way of destroying the credibility of this particular religion and their devoted adherents? They claim that Scientology splits up families and tightly controls their members, and harasses its critics. Their claims may be true; of course they are, or why else would they be out peddling and pontificating their pretentious propaganda? I am sure some people have split up because of Scientology, directly or indirectly; people change and families change, we know nothing lasts forever. Couples can be bitter and spiteful during any break up or divorce, regardless of their religious beliefs or practices, and, or of the particular house of prayer/wisdom they belong to. This is nothing new.

Then why the protest, why the masks? Do they harbor a more sinister motive, an evil and uncontrollable one; or, are they just cowards cowering behind their veils of anonymity, afraid to stand up to public scrutiny and open dialogue regarding their concerns? Using a generalization of Scientology hardliners as a defense against your own hidden practices seems to me to be a bit ludicrous. Its obviously more hype than substance, even if there exists some truth behind their demonstrations.

I believe this particular group is targeting the wrong religion, the wrong target. If they were so concerned about religious intolerance and religious freedoms they should be going after bigger fish than the Church of Scientology. Who controls this group of activists? How and where did they start? Why are they allowed to push their ideas on the unsuspecting general public? They seem to exist only to defame and discredit Scientology and Scientologists, and for no other reason.

Who are these people that would tear at the delicate fabric of society, engaging people to think less of a Religion, and their devotees? Families are shattered every day by violence, wars, cancer, and even car accidents; tens of thousands of people die and are seriously injured each and every year in North America alone, because of the automobile. Who weeps for them, who rallies against their deaths and injuries? Why aren’t these people protesting real harm, real death and destruction in our society? Protest divorce, wars, fanatical fundamentalists, abortionists, anybody else, but Scientologists?

Talk about vengeance. Why and how are these kinds of groups, these kinds of agitators allowed to exist, and attack a bona fide Religion? Freedom of Speech, of course. God bless our Freedom of Speech. They have a right to assemble and communicate their concerns, just like any other free citizen of this land. Justly or unjustly, they have a right to speak their mind. Forget the fact that what they have to say could be one-sided, biased, ambiguous, inflammatory, prejudiced, or whatever. They can say what they want and parade around like its St. Patrick’s Day, simultaneously anywhere else in the World, wherever Freedom of Speech is also recognized and supported.

But we as a free society and as free citizens also have a fundamental right to know and see the truth behind their veil of cowardice. We have a right to transparency between rival factions, conflicting groups, and revengeful individuals. We as a society should demand peace between people and groups, and move away from conflict, intimidation, and retaliation tactics and strategies as a way to resolve our differences or personal problems. It doesn’t work, it never worked, and it will never work. We need resolution not retribution. We need understanding and tolerance, if we are to continue to be, a free society. I am all for Freedom of Speech, but I am also for the Truth. Ideally, we can’t have one without the other. And no one, should have to wear masks to protect their identities; at least not, in a truly free society.