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Controversial church slams protestors

Thursday, 29 May 2008

A NORTHSIDE Scientologist has defended his religion and criticised those who have held continual protests outside the Church of Scientology in recent months. An opposition group called ‘Anonymous’ has demonstrated outside the centre, which is located on Middle Abbey Street, once a month since the start of the year. The protests are part of a global campaign to highlight various controversial elements of the religion. However, Finglas man and Scientologist follower, Gerard Ryan, said the demonstrations were “mad and laughable”. “We believe in freedom of speech and respect that as part of a democracy people should be allowed to protest,” he told Northside People. However, Mr Ryan took issue with some of the comments directed by the protestors to people entering and leaving the centre. He added that some of the protesters wear masks, which a number of members of the Scientology Church find unsettling. “The situation is slightly intimidating for the women and children who visit the centre,” Mr Ryan explained. “You’d question why, if they really have something to say, they have to say it from behind a mask. “I guess our religion is easy to attack as it is relatively new and we have quite an unusual creed and practice - therefore we are obviously weird,” he added sarcastically. “I guess these protests will continue until the numbers drop, which seems to be happening every month. At the busiest time during the last demonstration, there may have been 12 people protesting at the most.” Mr Ryan, an architect by trade, said the protests are the only time in his 20 years as a Scientologist that he has been targeted because of his religious beliefs. “Some people have the wrong idea about our religion,” he said. “My wife isn’t a Scientologist, we don’t enforce it on anyone. The church would also prefer if its members were adults as this religion is also quite an intellectual pursuit.” The Middle Abbey Street office is the only Irish centre for Scientologists. The religion has just a few hundred followers in Ireland. However, the church has accumulated millions of followers worldwide since it was founded in 1955 by science fiction writer Ron Hubbard. Famous followers include Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The group Anonymous is understood to be made up of a mixture of anti-cult activists, college students, corporate professionals and former Scientologists. According to a spokesperson, the group is “united in recognition of the malign nature of the Church of Scientology, the danger it poses to society and the necessity for action”. “Since the inception of the Anonymous campaign in January, over 10,000 activists from around the world have joined our fight, and millions have been made aware of the dangers posed by the church and its practices,” a statement reads. “Multiple governments have become aware of the perverse tactics of Scientology and are beginning to take positive steps in reducing the damage it perpetrates. “Anonymous remains undaunted and will continue to confront the cult and its numerous front groups wherever they pose a threat.”