Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 21, 2008 2:40:57 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Teen Calls Scientology a 'Cult,' Faces Charges

Posted May 20, 08 3:40 PM CDT in Crime & Courts,  World 

(Newser) – A 15-year-old is facing charges for holding a sign calling Scientology a "cult" during a peaceful protest. A London policewoman asked the teen to remove the sign; when he refused, she handed him a court summons, the Guardian reports. Free speech and anti-cult groups are furious, particularly in light of recent gifts from the Church of Scientology to the London Police Department totaling thousands of pounds.

"This barmy prosecution makes a mockery of Britain's free speech traditions," said the head of a human rights group.

Source Guardian (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Palin: Media Threatening My First Amendment Rights

    Nov 1, 08 11:27 AM CDT
    Palin: Media Threatening My First Amendment Rights Sarah Palin seems to think the Constitution is supposed to protect her from criticism. On a conservative radio show, Palin said the media is unfairly attacking her for her shots at Obama on Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright, and that if the media “convinces enough voters that that is negative campaigning, then I don’t know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media.” More »

  • Holmes Holds Own on Stage

    Oct 17, 08 5:53 PM CDT
    Holmes Holds Own on Stage In a perfect world, stars John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest would be the center of attention in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. “In this world, however, Mrs. Tom Cruise is playing a supporting role,” writes Natalie Finn of E!. So with tabloid-lovers watching and Anonymous protesting outside, how did Katie Holmes do in her Broadway debut? Not bad, critics say, but not great. More »

  • J.Lo Battled Blues, 'Breakdown'

    Oct 7, 08 12:30 PM CDT
    J.Lo Battled Blues, 'Breakdown' Jennifer Lopez admits to having had a “nervous breakdown” in 2002 and a weepy “hormone thing” 10 days after the birth of her twins in a previously unpublished interview excerpted at the Daily Beast. "I couldn’t get up fast enough to feed the babies," says Lopez of her post-baby meltdown. "I was crying and crying and going, ‘Oh, Papi...they’re going to know everybody more than me…They’re going to love everybody more than me!’" More »

  • Scientology Protests Greet Katie on Broadway

    Sep 19, 08 7:59 AM CDT
    Scientology Protests Greet Katie on Broadway Katie Holmes made her Broadway debut in All My Sons last night, but not before about 30 anti-Scientology protesters put on a show of their own outside Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. The protesters, some masked, chanted "Scientology kills! and carried "FREE KATIE" placards. And, yes, her famous hubby showed up for moral support.
    More »

  • Smith: I Am Not a Scientologist

    Sep 17, 08 12:38 PM CDT
    Smith: I Am Not a Scientologist Despite months of speculation, Will Smith tells Fox News that “I am not” a Scientologist; he even agreed to speak with the anti-Scientologist group Anonymous. Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith, who are close friends with Scientologist Tom Cruise, opened a school which uses Scientology teaching tools. But, “You can take different parts of things you like and put them all together,” Smith explains.
    More »

Disguised members of an internet-based group called Anonymous protest near buildings associated with the Church of Scientology on Saturday, March 15, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Weeks)
A London teen faces charges for carrying a sign that called the Church of Scientology a "cult."   ((c) Joe Howell)
Xenu pointing out the hard questions   ((c) THERKD)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

Scientology • freedom of speech


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »