Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'

News Type: Event — Seeded on Tue May 20, 2008 10:32 AM EDT

Article Source: Guardian Unlimited

A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word "cult" to describe the Church of Scientology. The unnamed 15-year-old was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the London headquarters of the controversial religion.

Officers confiscated a placard with the word "cult" on it from the youth, who is under 18, and a case file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service. A date has not yet been set for him to appear in court. The decision to issue the summons has angered human rights activists and support groups for the victims of cults.

The incident happened during a protest against the Church of Scientology on May 10. Demonstrators from the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous, who were outside the church's £23m headquarters near St Paul's cathedral, were banned by police from describing Scientology as a cult by police because it was "abusive and insulting".

Writing on an anti-Scientology website, the teenager facing court said: "I brought a sign to the May 10th protest that said: 'Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.' "'Within five minutes of arriving I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use that word, and that the final decision would be made by the inspector."

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{"commentId":1821544,"authorDomain":"artsgal"}

artsgal

The City of London police came under fire two years ago when it emerged that more than 20 officers, ranging from constable to chief superintendent, had accepted gifts worth thousands of pounds from the Church of Scientology.

{"commentId":1821544,"threadId":"267083","contentId":"1500838","authorDomain":"artsgal"}

2 votes

#1 - Tue May 20, 2008 10:33 AM EDT

{"commentId":1821683,"authorDomain":"mikesifeldeen"}

Mike Sifeldeen

Stupid kid. Doesn't he know that all religions are cults?

{"commentId":1821683,"threadId":"267083","contentId":"1500838","authorDomain":"mikesifeldeen"}

1 vote

#2 - Tue May 20, 2008 11:12 AM EDT

{"commentId":1823977,"authorDomain":"backroadsbubba"}

backroads

When I visited a friend who had fallen under Scientology's spell, hundreds of gathered followers applauded the absent L. Ron Hubbard's portrait.

{"commentId":1823977,"threadId":"267083","contentId":"1500838","authorDomain":"backroadsbubba"}

#3 - Tue May 20, 2008 8:46 PM EDT

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ARTSGAL

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Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'

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	Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'	Guardian Unlimited	Tue May 20	132
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