As more or less an evangelising atheist (how's that for unbiased journalistic credentials?) I enjoy taking a shot at religions and cults when the chance arises. The recent Panorama program about the cult of Scientology on the BBC was OK as such programs go but what's really interesting is the cult's attempt to respond.

You can watch the program this week on the BBC website at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/programmes/panorama/default.stm

It's a little biased in its presentation although I don't think I'd have any success at pinning down a sinister bunch of nutters like the Scientologists either, it's not in the league of Jesus Camp as an honest presentation of people with no spin attached, repeatedly asking them if they're a cult smacks of second-rate journalism a little too much.

Where it becomes interesting is the cult's response which has been posted on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxqR5NPhtLI&am...mp;search=

Now this feeble little hit job is Scientology's attempt to silence criticism but is amusing and informative in its own right. The journalist had been trailed and goaded by carefully planned attacks and when after a week of this he shouts this is presented as if his integrity is negated completely.

People need to be very aware of this kind of attack on someone's character, no one is whiter than white and everyone will snap at some point. This kind of methodology is exactly what's used (along with more blatant physical methods) by regiemes to discredit opposition. The Scientologists are a very dangerous group that people should be as aware of as is possible.