Internet Activists Target Scientology

(NEWSER) - The church of Scientology goes on trial for fraud today in a landmark case in France, reports the BBC. The American organization is widely regarded in the nation as a sect, and if Scientology is found guilty of a crime, it could be banned in the country. It's the first time the organization, rather than individual officials, will be on trial in France. Charges were triggered by a female member who complained she was pressured to spend her savings on books and a Scientology electronic meter. More»

(NEWSER) - In the vast, fragmented online universe, videos tend to entice some and disgust others. But every year offers a list of viral vids enjoyed by all. The Washington Post runs down 2008's best:

• Tom Cruise on Scientology: A rambling, fervent Cruise extols his religion, saying he's the "only one who can really help" at the scene of an accident.
• "Yes We Can": Slick and star-studded, Will.I.Am's pro-Obama video was strong enough to galvanize a movement and garner 15 million views.

Supporting performer is center of attention in Broadway production of All My Sons

(NEWSER) - 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»

Embarrassing Cruise clip disappears; mayhem ensues

(NEWSER) - After the Church of Scientology removed a video of Tom Cruise calling his religion a “blast” from YouTube, the Internet world declared war. Hackers have been furiously shutting down and “Google bombing” Scientology's website while free-speech protesters gather and pranksters send white powder in envelopes to LA-area Scientology locations, the Guardian reports. More»

Calls Scientology 'rough and tumble, wild and woolly, and a blast'

(NEWSER) - The latest Tom Cruise thriller is a Scientology testimonial video circulating online in which the weirdly intense actor promotes the faith as the way to save the world, and urges fellow Scientologists to "educate to bring a new reality" to non-believers. "When you drive past an accident," Cruise says, with the Mission: Impossible theme throbbing in the background, "you have to do something because you know you're the only one that can really help." More»