Scientology Hosts Hate Crimes Conference

A panel of leading experts shared their insights, professional experience and concern over how the Internet and advanced cell phones are used to perpetrate civil rights abuses, hate crimes, terrorism, fraud, identity theft, sex slavery, cyber terrorism and pedophilia.

Over 100 law enforcement and government officials, clergy and educators attended an interfaith conference in May at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood to address the growing problem of Internet hate crime and to see how they can work together to improve Internet safety and security.

A panel of leading experts shared their insights, professional experience and concern over how the Internet and advanced cell phones are used to perpetrate civil rights abuses, hate crimes, terrorism, fraud, identity theft, sex slavery,cyber terrorism and pedophilia.

Internet technologists explained how the Internet is structured and used as the base for attack and as shelter to maintain anonymity, while millions of users are vulnerable at any given moment when logged on. Even big business and governments constantly battle with intruders attempting to "break in" to steal money, assets, or valuable information.

Bishop Ted Frazier, President of the Faith-Based Coalition of the San Francisco Bay Area and guest speaker, stated, "I am shocked and dismayed at the types, severity and volume of crime and intolerance found online.

"This information is too valuable to sit on. We have to go state-wide with this, get every clergy council involved, become united, teach our communities these things."

The roster of notable speakers included Deputy Chief LAPD Michael Downing, who spoke about the encroachment of hate crime and terrorism on the Internet. Brad Dacus, the President of the Pacific Justice Institute posed and answered the question: Is religious freedom on thin ice? While he noted with considerable accuracy that religious institutions are under attack online, he also articulated the need for solidarity amongst all faiths to pull through and that conferences such as these are one of the mechanisms to do so. He punched home the principle that "a crime against one religion is a crime against all religions" so all religions should stand together against hate and intolerance.

Detective Chris Keeling of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Dept Gang & Hate Crimes Investigation Unit gave an in-depth view into how kids access far more information on the Internet than their parents or teachers would approve of, and how these secrets are masked, leaving the door open to danger from on-line predators.

Information technology specialists Mr. Andrew Duggan, President & CEO of Dynamic Energy Capital Inc, Mr. Ryan Sherstobitoff of Panda Security and Mr. Bob Lotter the CEO of eAgency, each articulated the risks and dangers inherent in the digital communications revolution, exploited by online criminal hackers, pedophiles, the 12-billion dollar sex slave industry and modern terrorist cells operating via secret networks, and they gave suggestions for solutions to these crimes.

In closing, four prominent clergy took the podium to express the power of solidarity when faiths join together as a cohesive whole. Dr. Edward Nasioki of the World Missionary Fellowship, Ms. Shazia Kamal of the Muslim Public Affairs Council and Bishop Ted Frazier of the Faith-Based Coalition of the San Francisco Bay area each articulated in their own special way the importance of a spiritual resolution to these evils. And the conference was closed by the indomitable Rev. Cecil (Chip) L. Murray, who offered a fitting prayer of strength, hope and love. Rev. Murray expressed what most attendees felt - that the conference gave "a superb lift to the faith-based community" and that much was accomplished.

Mr. Bob Adams, Vice President of the Church of Scientology International, which co-sponsored the event, said, "I am really pleased with the outcome, the enthusiastic response to the lessons provided by these experts. The Interfaith community came together in harmony and learned something that we can apply immediately to improve this vital problem."

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