Title: SCN is still not a religion.
Description: Changed from "SCN is now a religion."
ScudMuffin - March 8, 2009 03:39 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that anyone who attacks Scientology can be prosecuted under faith hate laws.
The move will for the first time provide the controversial Church of Scientology – described by some as a cult – the same protection as other mainstream religions.
Critics of the organisation, whose members include Tom Cruise and John Travolta, attacked the decision last night, saying it would encourage Scientologists to push for official recognition in Britain. |
anonymitts - March 8, 2009 08:05 AM (GMT)
Business as usual, just don't put anything hateful on signs and don't shout anything hateful at them - as if we do that anyway!
Also, we'd best watch out for bullbaiting - they'll be up for it soon.
And also - SCN is still not a religion, Scud. It's just a change in the attitudes of the CPS.
ScudMuffin - March 8, 2009 08:36 AM (GMT)
Looks like I was wrong, they just get treated the same as other religions in regards to R&RHA 2006.
Bussiness as usual folks.
rus - March 8, 2009 09:33 AM (GMT)
Fuck's sake.
This means Wheeler will probably be out on a whole new, and possibly destructive, crusade.
:/
Virion - March 8, 2009 03:39 PM (GMT)
lol let him, im going to try and get a copy of relevant laws to us from the law books in a court. let him argue with that.
Falco - March 8, 2009 04:48 PM (GMT)
He'd manage.
Now, to attempt to get hold of materials for a new sign. I want to test the limits of this.
anonuk323 - March 8, 2009 04:59 PM (GMT)
NOTHING TO SEE HERE.
MOVE ALONG, MOVE ALONG.
anonymitts - March 9, 2009 07:37 AM (GMT)
^this
Also, let's not forget: just because we have a bunch of signs and flyers, the police have to catch us "inciting religious hatred". They won't just arrest us because someone in the org bawws down the phone. If that was possible, the scilons would have everyone who refused to take a leaflet at their stress cart arrested for hate crimes (Exaggeration, but I wouldn't put it past them to try it if it were possible.)
Chances are that the police will come along, look at the signs and advise on which ones they deem inappropriate (we've seen this action before). It's up to the anon involved then to decide what action to take. Like when EpicNoseGuy was given a rollocking, the police officer gave him a few chances to put down his sign. He decided to face arrest and charges instead.
Also, this paragraph is always included in the official email sent to West Midlands Police:
"It is important to note that this protest is not against individual Scientologists or their beliefs, but the organisation of the Church of Scientology and its unethical practices."
It has been included since the very first protest in Feb 08. So, it is quite obvious that we are not in it to incite religious hatred.
In regards to PC Wheeler - he'll only be able to interact with us if he is on duty and called out to respond at the time. If he approaches us out of uniform with any other intention other than interest, then complaints can go in from all angles.
And remember:
They tried to stop us leafleting: WE WON
They tried to stop us using the word "Cult": WE WON
They tried to stop use of megaphones: WE WON
It's going to be interesting to see what happens on Saturday.
ScudMuffin - March 9, 2009 08:15 AM (GMT)
rus - March 9, 2009 11:26 AM (GMT)
Changed the topic title because it could be misconstrued easily.
SuitGuy - March 9, 2009 01:58 PM (GMT)
If my sign is deemed to be out of order (eg; using the word cult + scientology together) then I will consider allowing myself to get arrested. The PR flap for scientology would be an amazing win if such news got out to the local media. Imagine an opening to a article with "Man dressed in pirate outfit arrested for hate crime for holding a sign calling scienotolgy a silly cult".
Best to see what happens on the day.
rus - March 9, 2009 02:49 PM (GMT)
PC is the cancer that is killing /b/ritain.
willonomous - March 9, 2009 03:34 PM (GMT)
Nah thats macs.
(get it?) Nevermind...
anyways, they'll have probably learnt from their london mistake and wont try to get anyone arrested. Though could be good fun if they haven't...
Virion - March 9, 2009 03:49 PM (GMT)
Falco - March 9, 2009 04:15 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (anonymitts @ Mar 9 2009, 07:37 AM) |
^this
Also, let's not forget: just because we have a bunch of signs and flyers, the police have to catch us "inciting religious hatred". They won't just arrest us because someone in the org bawws down the phone. If that was possible, the scilons would have everyone who refused to take a leaflet at their stress cart arrested for hate crimes (Exaggeration, but I wouldn't put it past them to try it if it were possible.)
Chances are that the police will come along, look at the signs and advise on which ones they deem inappropriate (we've seen this action before). It's up to the anon involved then to decide what action to take. Like when EpicNoseGuy was given a rollocking, the police officer gave him a few chances to put down his sign. He decided to face arrest and charges instead.
Also, this paragraph is always included in the official email sent to West Midlands Police:
"It is important to note that this protest is not against individual Scientologists or their beliefs, but the organisation of the Church of Scientology and its unethical practices."
It has been included since the very first protest in Feb 08. So, it is quite obvious that we are not in it to incite religious hatred.
In regards to PC Wheeler - he'll only be able to interact with us if he is on duty and called out to respond at the time. If he approaches us out of uniform with any other intention other than interest, then complaints can go in from all angles.
And remember:
They tried to stop us leafleting: WE WON
They tried to stop us using the word "Cult": WE WON
They tried to stop use of megaphones: WE WON
It's going to be interesting to see what happens on Saturday. |
tl;dr - We're fine. Oh, and we kick ass.
Falco - March 9, 2009 09:31 PM (GMT)
Oh, and:
| QUOTE |
Ok I've just gotten off the phone to the CPS office in London's Public Enquiry Office.
tl;dr version: it's the first they've heard of it.
The CPS do not make laws, they only act on existing laws (the Home Office decide on law changes), the Police investigate reported crimes based on existing laws, then the CPS decide whether the case goes to prosecution, based on two factors:
1) Is there enough evidence?
2) Is it in the public interest?
The whole 'CPS Code' can be read here: The CPS : The Code for Crown Prosecutors - pick a language.
As far as I can tell, there has been no 'change of law', thus the Daily Mail's opening of "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that anyone who attacks Scientology can be prosecuted under faith hate laws" seems entirely unlikely, unless anyone knows of a UK case involving Scientology and a critic, where it has gone to the CPS to decide whether it merits proceeding to prosecution - and based on the various facts have decided that including Scientology in the list of faiths is qualified, not the only basis for qualification. The very nice lady at the CPS also explained that there would never be a "blanket proceeding" that any case involving Scientology would automatically go to prosecution - it must fulfil the requirements of the Code, listed above. |
rus - March 9, 2009 10:11 PM (GMT)
anonymitts - March 10, 2009 06:55 AM (GMT)
There was a crisis? I must have missed that.
rus - March 10, 2009 09:18 AM (GMT)
It was on for all of four seconds, lol.
Falco - March 10, 2009 09:59 AM (GMT)
New crisis: I've lost my pen. We're all screwed.
anonymitts - March 10, 2009 01:12 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Falco @ Mar 10 2009, 09:59 AM) |
| New crisis: I've lost my pen. We're all screwed. |
SHIT! RUN TO THE HILLS!
Curly Coffee - March 10, 2009 09:20 PM (GMT)
AGHH! GOD NO !!!!!!!
Get him a pen quick!!!
NO! NOT A PENCIL, A PEN!!