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YouTube Smackdown: BBC vs. Scientology
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By
Matthew Ross
May 15, 2007
Did reporting on the Church of Scientology turn this veteran reporter into a nutcase, or was he a lunatic all along?
On Monday, Gawker posted a story about how the Church of Scientology launched a preemptive strike on the BBC, which has been working on an exposé of the mysterious religion. The Church's weapon of choice: YouTube.
On May 10, YouTuber and avowed Scientologist "johnaxelwood" posted this clip of BBC reporter John Sweeney completely blowing his gasket (or was he matephorically "jumping the couch") in an argument with a Scientologist. (Presumably to offset any accusations of going after the BBC, axelwood also asked viewers to help free BBC journalist who's being held captive in Gaza).
While the clip prompted an apology from Sweeney, it still hasn't swayed some Scientology critics. Another clip of Sweeney's outburst has since been added, but with the following title: "BBC man explodes at Scientologist who can blame him?"
On May 10, YouTuber and avowed Scientologist "johnaxelwood" posted this clip of BBC reporter John Sweeney completely blowing his gasket (or was he matephorically "jumping the couch") in an argument with a Scientologist. (Presumably to offset any accusations of going after the BBC, axelwood also asked viewers to help free BBC journalist who's being held captive in Gaza).
While the clip prompted an apology from Sweeney, it still hasn't swayed some Scientology critics. Another clip of Sweeney's outburst has since been added, but with the following title: "BBC man explodes at Scientologist who can blame him?"
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 17. 2007
False
John Sweeney is the man this can cause nothing but bad pr for those cult creeps. How many vulnerable people have these guys duped out of all their money?
Mr Interbulator
Mr Interbulator
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 19. 2007
False
You see? That's the exact point. That's what Sweeney intended you to think and that's how you came away from the show. A very artful job (too bad he completely lost his reputation as an investigative reporter in the course of doing it.) If you want to know what Scientology is have the integrity to read a Scientology book or visit one of the churches. If you want to learn about Jews (I by the way am a Jew) don't go ask some neo-Nazi thug what he thinks is wrong with them (and no. I'm not saying Sweeney is a neo-Nazi thug. But I do see some of the same tactics.)
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 16. 2007
False
I watched the programme and found the content to be disturbing. It is difficult to see how the Scientologists can claim to be a church in the normal interpretation of the word. Their methods seem to be similar to those employed by the German state during the Nazi era when dealing with dissent from the Party line. They seem to use a fairly sophisticated form of brain washing. They have the attributes of a somewhat undesireable CULT. It they are a church God help us.
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 19. 2007
False
Sounds like a familiar refrain. This wasn't posted by one John Sweeney was it?
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 15. 2007
False
Scientology is an evil brainwashing cult
Cheers to the BBC and Mr Sweeney, keep up the good work!
Cheers to the BBC and Mr Sweeney, keep up the good work!
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 19. 2007
False
What a load of bunk. The Scientology DVD is totally clear. It reveals just how contrived and biased Sweeney was right from the start. If he's going to do an editorial piece to present his own point of view he should call it that way. If he's going to do investigative journalism, let him actually investigate.
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 15. 2007
False
Agreed. I lost my sister to Scientology. 8 months after her 19th birthday she took a trip with her friends to Clearwater, FL. She came back and left 2 months later. She quit college and decided she was going to devote herself to Scientology. My family hasn't heard from her in 3 years.
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 15. 2007
False
It's alarming how many comments are popping up to push the Scientologist-produced attack on John Sweeney, but carefully phrasing it so that the unsuspecting might follow the link with the understanding they were going to the BBC-produced version. Disinformation out in force.
Possibly my favourite part of the entire BBC-produced documentary is when Sweeney and his crew lock themselves in a bathroom in the Celebrity centre because it's the only way they can talk. The way one crew member fearfully whispers "I can hear them!", quickly followed by the Scientology rep who's been following them shouting through the door? It's amazing -- Tommy Davis is literally shouting through a bathroom door to try and drown out the few moments Sweeney might be able to speak to the camera uninterrupted. Nuts! Then the bit where the man in sweatpants mysteriously follows them in their hotel (not a documentary crew -- just a guy), then the Range Rover tailing them through the streets...
I've watched the Scientologist-produced version as well, and I think they've done themselves a disservice (which is saying quite something). They've produced a straight-out attacks documentary, and in their rush to get it into production, they've attacked Sweeney on points he never even brought up in the BBC version! It makes them look like paranoid, vicious thugs. The combination of the two productions ensures that Scientology retains its creepy, controlling image. Shudder.
Possibly my favourite part of the entire BBC-produced documentary is when Sweeney and his crew lock themselves in a bathroom in the Celebrity centre because it's the only way they can talk. The way one crew member fearfully whispers "I can hear them!", quickly followed by the Scientology rep who's been following them shouting through the door? It's amazing -- Tommy Davis is literally shouting through a bathroom door to try and drown out the few moments Sweeney might be able to speak to the camera uninterrupted. Nuts! Then the bit where the man in sweatpants mysteriously follows them in their hotel (not a documentary crew -- just a guy), then the Range Rover tailing them through the streets...
I've watched the Scientologist-produced version as well, and I think they've done themselves a disservice (which is saying quite something). They've produced a straight-out attacks documentary, and in their rush to get it into production, they've attacked Sweeney on points he never even brought up in the BBC version! It makes them look like paranoid, vicious thugs. The combination of the two productions ensures that Scientology retains its creepy, controlling image. Shudder.
Posted by
An Anonymous Scaredy-Cat
on
May 19. 2007
False
Oh come on Arnie. Are you still trying to pass yourself off as a Scientology "expert"? What a joke. I for one am really sick of your constant bleating.
BEWARE.