Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network

Last updated

FACTnet (Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network)
Formation1993
Type 501(c)(3) non-profit
Headquarters Colorado,
United States
Official language
English
Key people
 Lawrence Wollersheim,
Robert Penny
Website factnet.org

FACTnet, also known as Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network, co-founded by Robert Penny and Lawrence Wollersheim, was a Colorado-based anti-cult organization with the stated aim of educating and facilitating communication about destructive mind control. Coercive tactics, or coercive psychological systems, are defined on their website as "unethical mind control such as brainwashing, thought reform, destructive persuasion and coercive persuasion". [1]

Contents

The organization was involved in litigation with the Church of Scientology involving the right to free speech and assertions of copyright.

History

Co-founded by Robert Penny and Lawrence Wollersheim in 1993, FACTnet is an acronym that means Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network. The organization has been variously capitalized as F.A.C.T.Net, FACTNet, FACTnet, and Factnet. In 2008, FACTnet expanded its mission beyond Scientology topics to include abuses by other religions or cults, and in 2013 was expanded to include content related to sustainable living, climate change, Big Brother and Big Data, and human rights issues, as well as creating several offshoot websites for some of those. In 2014, FACTnet announced they would be closing their online forum for scientology issues due to ongoing hacking issues and the emergence of several alternative websites able to take its place. At the end of 2016 the factnet.org website was disabled and the domain forwarded to another (factnetglobal.org), representing their move away from covering cult topics. [2] [3]

Conflict with Church of Scientology

In 1995, FACTnet was featured in the news due to a lawsuit regarding the seizure of FACTnet servers and files by the Religious Technology Center (RTC), a sub-organization of the Church of Scientology created to oversee the protection of its trademarks and copyrights. In August 1995, RTC lawyers went to a Denver judge alleging copyright infringement and illegal use of Scientology documents by FACTnet. A raid of two directors' homes was conducted on August 21, 1995, by two U.S. marshals and six RTC representatives, with the actual search for incriminating documents conducted by the RTC alone. [4] Witnesses of the searches testified that the marshals allowed the RTC representatives to go far beyond the scope of the order in their search for information. The marshals also failed to search the representatives before or after the search, making it possible for them to plant evidence or carry off discs and other documents containing critical information. FACTnet immediately accused the Church of Scientology of attempting to silence their voice by stealing and contaminating information vital to their continued disputes and lawsuits against the Church. [5] [6] The raids provoked debate both on the internet and in university settings, with university protesters in Denver, Colorado, holding signs that read: "Hands Off the Internet" and "Scientology Harasses Critics", while counter-protesters at the Boulder County Courthouse carried signs such as: "Only criminals spread lawlessness on the Internet." [7]

FACTnet filed a lawsuit, and on September 14, 1995, a federal judge ruled the seizure illegal because it violated FACTnet's right to free speech, and ordered the RTC to return all computers and files that were seized. [5] In his ruling in United States District Court, Judge John L. Kane stated: "The public interest is best served by the free exchange of ideas." [7] Nevertheless, FACTnet stated that it had incurred irreparable damage, as the secrecy of its documents had been violated by the RTC. An attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation approved of the Judge's decision in the matter, stating: "They certainly do not have the right to seize everything and to fish around. There seems to be this thought that things that are contained on a computer aren't subject to the same protections. I think the law is catching up." [7] Helena K. Kobrin, a Church of Scientology attorney with the firm Moxon & Kobrin, defended the seizures of the computers, saying after the judge's decision: "The decision yesterday was a very sad day for intellectual property owners and a very sad day for the Internet." [7]

In a series of cases, the Church of Scientology, through its subsidiary Bridge Publications, sued FACTnet for claimed copyright violations. In 1998, Judge Kane denied the church's request for summary judgment after FACTnet challenged the church's claim of ownership of the copyrights of the documents. [8] [9] A settlement was later reached in 1999, whose terms were that if FACTnet is ever found guilty of violations of Church copyrights, they are permanently enjoined to pay the Church 1 million USD. [10]

The 2000 film Battlefield Earth starring John Travolta stirred up controversy because it was based on a book by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology, and Travolta was a well-known Scientologist. [11] [12] The Guardian reported on FACTnet's claims that the film was a proselytism piece for Scientology, noting: "FACTnet suggested that subliminal messages had been cunningly inserted by Scientologists to win over new converts to join the church." [12] The filmmakers asserted that it had nothing to do with the Church of Scientology, but The New York Times reported on FACTnet's assertions that: "the film was secretly financed by Scientology, and that Scientology plans recruiting efforts to coincide with the movie's release." [13] Sociology professor James T. Richardson did not agree with FACTnet's claims, stating: "I seriously doubt that someone is going to go out and join Scientology just because they see this movie." [13]

In 2002, Lawrence Wollersheim won an $8.7 million judgement against the Church of Scientology,[ why? ] and FACTnet posted a statement from him on the site, saying: "The cult that vowed it would never pay me one thin dime has now paid over 86 million thin dimes." [14]

FACTnet spoke out in support of an episode of the TV show South Park , awarding their staff the "FACTnet Person(s) of the Year for 2005" for the satirical episode on Scientology, "Trapped in the Closet". [15]

In 2006, FACTnet director Wollersheim was consulted for the 48 Hours documentary series story on the death of Scientologist Elli Perkins, "Scientology – A Question of Faith". [16] Wollersheim was quoted in the piece, stating: "Scientology. They are the worst example of mind control in a religious setting that has ever existed." The program also noted that the Church of Scientology characterizes him as a "liar and a fraud", and asserts that most of its members live happy and fulfilled lives. [16]

Legal cases involving the organization and the Religious Technology Center are cited in analysis of fair use law. [17] The book Internet and Online Law noted that "reproduction in computer format of plaintiff's entire copyrighted texts for defendants' private use and study falls well within the fair use exception." [17] The work Cyber Rights: Defending Free Speech in the Digital Age characterized FACTnet as part of the "publishers and posters" group, when analyzing Scientology-related legal cases [18] The author also placed two former Scientologists, Dennis Erlich and Arnie Lerma, in this classification, while analyzing actions taken by the Church of Scientology, which the author calls a "famously litigious organization". [18] Erlich and Lerma had criticized the church and posted material on the internet that the church asserted was protected by copyright.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xenu</span> Figure in Scientology space opera

Xenu, also called Xemu, is a figure in the Church of Scientology's secret "Advanced Technology", a sacred and esoteric teaching. According to the "Technology", Xenu was the extraterrestrial ruler of a "Galactic Confederacy" who brought billions of his people to Earth in DC-8-like spacecraft 75 million years ago, stacked them around volcanoes, and killed them with hydrogen bombs. Official Scientology scriptures hold that the thetans of these aliens adhere to humans, causing spiritual harm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scientology and the Internet</span>

There are a number of disputes concerning the Church of Scientology's attempts to suppress material critical of Scientology and the organization on the Internet, utilizing various methods – primarily lawsuits and legal threats, as well as front organizations. In late 1994, the organization began using various legal tactics to stop distribution of unpublished documents written by L. Ron Hubbard. The organization has often been accused of barratry through the filing of SLAPP suits. The organization's response is that its litigious nature is solely to protect its copyrighted works and the unpublished status of certain documents.

The Usenet newsgroup alt.religion.scientology started in 1991 to discuss the controversial beliefs of Scientology, as well as the activities of the Church of Scientology, which claims exclusive intellectual property rights thereto and is viewed by many as a dangerous cult. The newsgroup has become the focal point of an aggressive battle known as Scientology versus the Internet, which has taken place both online and in the courts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scientology and law</span>

The Church of Scientology has been involved in court disputes in several countries. In some cases, when the Church has initiated the dispute, questions have been raised as to its motives. The Church of Scientology says that its use of the legal system is necessary to protect its intellectual property and its right to freedom of religion. Critics say that most of the organization's legal claims are designed to harass those who criticize it and its manipulative business practices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cult Awareness Network</span> 1978–1996 American organization

The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) was an anti-cult organization created by deprogrammer Ted Patrick that provided information on groups that it considered to be cults, as well as support and referrals to deprogrammers. It was founded in the wake of the 1978 cult mass murder/suicide at Jonestown, Guyana. After CAN lost a lawsuit and filed for bankruptcy in 1996, Scientologists were able to acquire CAN's name, phone numbers, assets, files and records, and reopened under the name New Cult Awareness Network; the irony being that the Church of Scientology was one of CAN's main "cults".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scientology controversies</span> Controversies involving Scientology

Since its inception in 1954, the Church of Scientology has been involved in a number of controversies, including its stance on psychiatry, Scientology's legitimacy as a religion, the Church's aggressive attitude in dealing with its perceived enemies and critics, allegations of mistreatment of members, and predatory financial practices; for example, the high cost of religious training:191 and perceived exploitative practices. When mainstream media outlets have reported alleged abuses, representatives of the church have tended to deny such allegations.

The Fishman Affidavit is a set of court documents submitted by self-professed ex-Scientologist Steven Fishman in 1993 in the federal case, Church of Scientology International v. Fishman and Geertz (Case No. CV 91-6426.

Steven Fishman is an American former Scientologist whose inclusion of Scientology's secret Operating Thetan levels in a court filing led to the first public confirmation by the Church of Scientology of its doctrines regarding Xenu and the Wall of Fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Wollersheim</span> Critic of Scientology

Lawrence Dominick Wollersheim is an American former Scientologist. He has been an active director of several specialized non-profit organizations since 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fair Game (Scientology)</span> Actions of the Church of Scientology towards perceived enemies

The term Fair Game is used to describe policies and practices carried out by the Church of Scientology towards people and groups it perceives as its enemies. Founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, established the policy in the 1950s, in response to criticism both from within and outside his organization. Individuals or groups who are "Fair Game" are judged to be a threat to the Church and, according to the policy, can be punished and harassed using any and all means possible. In 1968, Hubbard officially canceled use of the term "Fair Game" because of negative public relations it caused, although the Church's aggressive response to criticism continued.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnie Lerma</span> American scientology critic

Arnaldo Pagliarini "Arnie" Lerma was an American writer and activist, a former Scientologist, and a critic of the Church of Scientology who appeared in television, media and radio interviews. Lerma was the first person to post the court document known as the Fishman Affidavit, including the Xenu story, to the Internet via the Usenet newsgroup alt.religion.scientology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Greene</span> American lawyer

Aylsworth Crawford Greene III – sometimes called Ford Greene – is an American attorney, political leader and three-time Mayor of San Anselmo, California. Greene is noted for having successfully conducted litigation against the Church of Scientology and the Unification Church of the United States. He is also a deprogrammer. Greene is serving his fourth-term as an elected San Anselmo town council member. He was voted to the position of Mayor in 2010, 2015 and 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ScienTOMogy</span> New Zealand organization

ScienTOMogy was a New Zealand-based parody site lampooning actor Tom Cruise's involvement with Scientology. Initially hosted at the domain name scientomogy.info, the site was created in 2005 in response to the extensive media publicity surrounding Cruise's appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Today Show.

Moxon & Kobrin is a "captive" law firm of the Church of Scientology, meaning that it has no other clients apart from Scientology-affiliated entities. Its headquarters are located in Burbank, California. Wilshire Center Business Improvement District. Its members are: Kendrick Moxon, Helena Kobrin, and Ava Paquette.

OT VIII or OT 8 is the highest current auditing level in Scientology. OT VIII is known as "The Truth Revealed" and was first released to select high-ranking public Scientologists in 1988, two years after the death of Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard. OT VIII is only delivered to members of the Church of Scientology in one place—aboard the organization's private cruise ship, the Freewinds, and is additionally available from independent Scientology groups. There are a few advanced auditors that are able to deliver the level to those who meet the prerequisites.

The APA Task Force on Deceptive and Indirect Methods of Persuasion and Control (DIMPAC/DITPACT) was formed at the request of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1983. The APA asked Margaret Singer, a leading theorist in cults and coercive persuasion, to chair a task force to "expose cult methods and tactics". Some examples that led to the task force's creation were the Manson family murders, Patty Hearst kidnapping, and the Jonestown massacre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karin Pouw</span> Scientology official

Karin Pouw is a French-born American official of the Church of Scientology International. Since 1993, she has been the director of public affairs, representing the Church as its international spokesperson. In 2000 the Los Angeles Times reported that she was a member of the Church of Scientology's Office of Special Affairs (OSA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Clambake</span> Website and organization critical of Scientology

Operation Clambake, also referred to by its domain name, xenu.net, is a website and Norway-based non-profit organization, launched in 1996, founded by Andreas Heldal-Lund, that publishes criticism of the Church of Scientology. It is owned and maintained by Andreas Heldal-Lund, who has stated that he supports the rights of all people to practice Scientology or any religion. Operation Clambake has referred to the Church of Scientology as "a vicious and dangerous cult that masquerades as a religion". The website includes texts of petitions, news articles, exposés, and primary source documents. The site has been ranked as high as the second spot in Google searches for the term "Scientology".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scientology in the United States</span>

Scientology was founded in the United States by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard and is now practiced in many other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendrick Moxon</span> American Scientology official

Kendrick Lichty Moxon is an American Scientology official and an attorney with the law firm Moxon & Kobrin. He practices in Los Angeles, California, and is a lead counsel for the Church of Scientology. Moxon received a B.A. from American University in 1972, and a J.D. degree from George Mason University in 1981. He was admitted to the Washington, D.C. bar association in 1984, and the State Bar of California in 1987. Moxon's early work for the Church of Scientology involved legal affairs, and he also held the title of "reverend". He worked out of the Scientology intelligence agency known as the Guardian's Office (GO), and was named as an unindicted co-conspirator after the Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation into criminal activities by Scientology operatives called "Operation Snow White". An evidence stipulation in the case signed by both parties stated he had provided false handwriting samples to the FBI; Moxon has since said that he did not "knowingly supply" false handwriting samples.

References

  1. ↑ Garcia, Wayne (August 3, 1994), "Network gives voice to former Scientologists", St. Petersburg Times , p. 12A – via Newspapers.com
  2. ↑ "FACTnet Mission Statement". Archived from the original on October 14, 2016.
  3. ↑ Wollersheim, Lawrence (December 2, 2014). "Important announcement!!!! FACTnet Cult Discussion Forums Closing" . Retrieved April 3, 2023– via Cult Education Institute.
  4. ↑ "Church of Scientology protects secrets on the Internet". CNN . Time Warner. August 26, 1995. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  5. 1 2 Wendy M. Grossman (December 1995). "alt.scientology.war". Wired magazine 3.12. Wired . Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  6. ↑ Grossman, Wendy (October 1997). "Chapter 6 - Copyright Terrorists". Net.Wars . New York: New York University Press. pp.  8, 9. ISBN   0-8147-3103-1 . Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Brooke, James (September 14, 1995). "Scientologists Lose a Battle on the Internet". The New York Times . Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  8. ↑ Borland, John (November 9, 1998). "Scientology loses copyright round". CNET . Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Scientologists lose a round in copyright fight". Salon . November 10, 1998. Archived from the original on September 5, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
  10. ↑ Macavinta, Courtney (March 30, 1999). "Scientologists settle legal battle". CNET . Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  11. ↑ Staff (May 12, 2000). "The Battle for 'Earth'". Daily News of Los Angeles.
  12. 1 2 Campbell, Duncan (May 31, 2000). "Cult classic". Guardian Unlimited . Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  13. 1 2 Lyman (May 11, 2000). "Film Dogged by Links To Scientology Founder". The New York Times . Retrieved December 3, 2007.
  14. ↑ Leiby, Richard (May 10, 2002). "Ex-Scientologist Collects $8.7 Million In 22-Year-Old Case". The Washington Post . p. Page A03. Retrieved November 1, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ Staff (November 20, 2005). "FACTNet.org Names South Park TV Show Staff FACTNet Person(s) of the Year for 2005 for their Recent Scientology Tom Cruise John Travolta Episode". Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network. F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  16. 1 2 "Scientology – A Question of Faith: Did A Mother's Faith Contribute To Her Murder?". 48 Hours . CBS News. October 28, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  17. 1 2 Stuckey, Kent D. (1996). Internet and Online Law. Law Journal Press. pp. 6–35, 6.06[1]. ISBN   1-58852-074-9.
  18. 1 2 Godwin, Mike (1998). Cyber Rights: Defending Free Speech in the Digital Age. Times Books. p. 188. ISBN   0812928342. OL   3566870M.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.