Veronica Schmidt
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Jason Beghe attacks Scientology in YouTube video
A video interview showing American TV actor Jason Beghe criticising Scientology has been removed from YouTube, writes Veronica Schmidt.
The 48-year-old was the first celebrity to speak out against the religion, telling how his 12 years with the church damaged him and accusing Scientology of being “destructive” and a “rip-off”.
After Beghe’s criticism of the church made headlines yesterday, YouTube suspended the account of the prolific Scientology critic who posted the video, making the clip unavailable to viewers.
But the suspension has angered YouTube users who have thrown their weight behind Mark Bunker, who uses the name XenuTV1 on the site.
By this morning, 45 YouTube members had used their sign-ons to re-post Bunker’s interview with the Cane and CSI actor.
In the clip, Benghe said: “My experience personally, and what I’ve observed for myself, is that Scientology is destructive and a rip-off.”
"It’s very, very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological and mental, emotional health and evolution. I think it stunts your evolution.”
The church insists it brings its members “spiritual enlightenment” and it has helped the world progress towards “the eradication of its ills”, including drugs, crime, violence and intolerance.
One YouTube user, Vongoloid, uploaded the video with the message: “Actor Jason Beghe exposes... Scientology to Mark Bunker of Xenu TV. YouTube suspended Mark's account, XenuTV1, so I am putting this up for justice.”
Another, Skeptic12345, simply said: “Rehosting while Mark Bunker's YouTube is down".
Angry viewers posted comments below the re-hosted clips.
“Unsuspend his f***ing account, YouTube,” wrote one.
“Banning free speech is a major no no. Knock it off.”
A spokesperson for YouTube told Times Online: "YouTube takes these issues very seriously but we don't comment on individual videos. Our general approach is simple: we have clear content policies about what videos are allowed on the site. For example we prohibit clips that infringe copyright or show extreme violence. Videos that breach these rules are removed and we disable all accounts belonging to repeat offenders."
It is not the first time YouTube and Scientology critics have clashed. After a video of Hollywood actor Tom Cruise speaking about Scientology was leaked to YouTube last year, the church raised copyright issues and the site removed the clip, angering its users.
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This sad, old fantasy cult is collapsing as the truth is exposed. The cult apologists sound like Comical Ali before the fall of Baghdad. Look at the internet. Read wikipedia. Read "bare faced messiah". Scientology is over. Don't be the last one out, Terry.
Scott Windsor, Granley,
Although YouTube, owned by Google, are a private company and have a right to refuse service to anyone they please thay are now in such a dominant position that they have responsibilities to the world audience. I've watched most of Mark Bunker's videos and do not recall seeing any material that would violate YouTubes terms of service. Another account was suspended yesterday, torymagoo44, was reinstated and then suspended again. I've seen all the videos on this account and they don't have any copyright material and are certainly not extremely violent; they are however anti-scientology videos. Maybe this has something to do with the church of scientology paying YouTube a lot of money for advertising. Perhaps we will have to move to another video hosting service and use one of those other search engines to avoid this kind of blatant censorship and rigging.
David, Plymouth, UK / Devon
Kudos to Jason Beghe for speaking the truth about this cult! I have admired him for years as an actor, however I admire & respect him now more than ever! Hopefully this story will come out (in detail) even further, to show the world what Scientology is really all about!
Linda Wood, Wells, ME
The full Jason Beghe interview is posted:
http://xenutv.wordpress.com/
It's a powerful stiff right uppercut straight to the jaw of $cientology.
Scott, Durham, NC, USA
Bunker's videos are also available on LiveLeak which doesn't fall prey to threats and intimidation nearly as easily as YouTube.
The irony is that Scientology itself is the organization which is truly "suppressive." The only "SPs" in the world are Scientologists themselves. Everyone else is simply open to seeking the truth, debating the truth; but oh no, not Scientologists. The capacity of rational debate is brainwashed out of them beginning on day one. No more thinking for yourself once your in the cult and they're able to get your money.
Look, when your head spokespeople are a bunch of Hollywood actors (not the brightest stars of humanity), you got to know something is rotten.
It's wild and woolly!
Scott, Durham, NC, USA
Scientology has money, and so youtube has lain down iin a craven manner before the threat of litigation. They're not interested in the truth of the situation, simply in protecting their own backsides.
dominic, Teddington, Middlesex, UK
Why hasn't the Times covered the anti-Scientology protests in London, which have had in attendance between 300-800 people each time? Will you cover the next protest on May 10th?
LWJ, Reading, Berkshire
I think the fact is, Scientologists don't know any better way to behave. They have many groups inside their organisation (The Orgs and the Special Operations groups for example) which are used to attack their critics.
All of the user content of Mark Bunker - an Emmy award winning journalist - was filmed himself. No possible issue exists on YouTube except complaints from the Cult.
This three minute video is but a teasers of what Mark claims is an open, honest and truthful account of Scientology's many scams and secrets - and they don't want the full video released as it was going to be today.
They won't stop the 'Anonymous' group which has globally picketed them for three months running, nor will they silence those remaining critics who have not died in mysterious circumstances (Google 'Sean Lonsdale').
This is not the only scientology critic to have their account suspended this week - are these suspensions in proportion to the advertising the Scientologists have just bought on YT?
Rob, London,
The interview clearly doesn't violate any of these 'clear' content policies so we are left with absolutely no explanation as to why the account is gone.
Alex, York, UK
For every Jason Beghe video the Cult/YouTube removes, ten more will reappear! Free speech and the TRUTH about Scientology will not be suppressed!
Mavis, Charm City,
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