This seems to have been a breakout week for Anonymous, the deliberately shadowy group targeting Scientology. And while I certainly agree that misdeeds should be unmasked and justice served, I have a slightly queasy feeling at the tone of their campaign. Not that I feel the need to defend the Scientologists--they do that just fine on their own. What concerns me is the state of tolerance in our society. How we deal with Scientology may be a test case for our era, and we cannot fail.
When I talk about tolerance, I'm talking about what people believe, not how they behave. Nobody can be blamed for thinking what they think; but every person is responsible for their own actions. Fortunately, most believers agree, and live in a manner harmonious with society--A.J. Jacobs aside, you don't see many folks out stoning adulterers. Religious leaders, in turn, recognize that their communities can thrive only by deemphasizing the more extreme aspects of their doctrines. And so we get along, hardly minding the abominations and the blasphemy around us.
If even some of the allegations against the Church of Scientology have merit, they should get all the attention they deserve. My intolerance meter is triggered, though, when the criticism spills over into mocking their beliefs. It is not hard to imagine that some may find the science fiction dogma of the CoS snicker-worthy. The virgin birth, burning bush, and human salt pillar of my childhood faith have also raised a few satirical eyebrows along the way (just ask the Gershwin brothers). I am all for sunshine, and if Scientology really is up to no good, then game on. But while we are sharpening our swords, let's be sure that we are going after them for what they do, and not simply who they are.
