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{{Short description|Content-control software}}
{{ScientologySeries}}
'''Scieno Sitter''' refers to a ] package created by the ], which when installed on a computer blocks certain Web sites critical of ] from being viewed. '''Scieno Sitter''' is ] that, when installed on a computer, blocks certain websites critical of ] from being viewed. The software was released by the ] in 1998 for Church members using ].<ref name="siliconalleyreporter" /><ref name="sympathy" /> The term "Scieno Sitter" was coined by critics of Scientology who assert that the program is a form of ].<ref name="siliconalleyreporter" /><ref name="sympathy" />

The name was coined by critics of Scientology as an analogy to ], a popular content-control package at the time, who assert that it is a form of ].


==Background== ==Background==
The program was started in the late summer of ] <ref name="siliconalleyreporter" /><ref name="sympathy">{{Citation The program was started in the late summer of 1998.<ref name="siliconalleyreporter" /><ref name="sympathy">{{Citation | last = Staff.| title = Sympathy for the Devil | newspaper = ] Los Angeles| date = September 9, 2001 }}
</ref> Scientologists were mailed software on CDs, and told that the program would help members build Web sites which would then link to Scientology's main site.<ref name="siliconalleyreporter" /> However, recipients of the program were not told that it also had a ] program, which blocked critical sites<ref name="sympathy" /> from being viewed on the user's computer, if the sites were deemed dangerous.<ref name="siliconalleyreporter">{{Citation |last=Rinzel |first=Mary |title=The "Cult" of Many Personalities |date=October 1999 |newspaper=Silicon Alley Reporter |volume=3 |issue=27 #7 |url=http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/siliconalley.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130407233440/http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/siliconalley.htm |archive-date=April 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |accessdate=March 3, 2013}}
| last = Staff.
</ref> Critics of Scientology have referred to the program as "cult mind-control for the 21st century", and asserted that it stifles ].<ref name="salon">{{cite news |first=Janelle |last=Brown |url=https://www.salon.com/1998/07/15/feature_299/ |title=A Web of their own |work=Salon |date=15 July 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015191610/https://www.salon.com/1998/07/15/feature_299/ |archive-date=October 15, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> One ] stated that though he thought ]s in general were a good idea, he found it "disturbing" that "a huge number of the terms that are banned are completely unrelated to the stated goals."<ref name="salon" />
| first =
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = Sympathy for the Devil
| newspaper = ] ]
| pages =
| year =
| date = ], ]
| url = http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/newtimes-toryD-92701.html}}
</ref>. Scientologists were mailed software on CD's, and told that the program would help members build Web sites which would then link to Scientology's main site<ref name="siliconalleyreporter" />. However, recipients of the program were not told that it also had a ] program, which blocked critical sites<ref name="sympathy" /> from being viewed on the user's computer, if the sites were deemed dangerous<ref name="siliconalleyreporter">{{Citation
| last = Rinzel
| first = Mary
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = The "Cult" of Many Personalities
| newspaper = ]
| pages = Issue 27, Vol. 3, #7.
| year =
| date = October ]
| url = http://www.theta.btinternet.co.uk/intro.htm}}
</ref>. Critics of Scientology have referred to the program as "cult mind-control for the 21st century", and asserted that it stifles ]<ref name="salon">{{Citation
| last = Brown
| first = Janelle
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = A Web of Their Own
| newspaper = Salon
| pages =
| year =
| date = ], ]
| url = http://archive.salon.com/21st/feature/1998/07/15feature.html}}
</ref>. One ] stated that though he thought ]s in general were a good idea, he found it "disturbing" that "a huge number of the terms that are banned are completely unrelated to the stated goals."<ref name="salon" />


However a vice president of the ] branch of Scientology stated that Scientologists "make a personal choice" on whether or not to use the filtering software<ref name="sympathy" />. A different spokesperson claimed that members of Scientology asked for the software, stating: "many of our parishioners want to use the Internet but asked for a filter protection from those elements that have sought to twist and pervert the religion.."<ref name="salon" /> The packaging on the CD mailed to users who specifically request the filter states: "By popular demand from Scientologists, a program has been developed to prevent you from being subjected to ']' and hate mail on the Internet. This filter allows you direct access to our sites rapidly, without being ]'d {{interp|Scientology slang for having one's time and energy uselessly diverted}} by vilifying material, forgeries, and hate messages. In this fashion your attention can remain focused on dissemination and setting people's feet on the Bridge to Total Freedom."<ref name="salon" /> However, a vice president of the ] branch of Scientology stated that Scientologists "make a personal choice" on whether or not to use the filtering software.<ref name="sympathy" /> A different spokesperson claimed that members of Scientology asked for the software, stating: "many of our parishioners want to use the Internet but asked for a filter protection from those elements that have sought to twist and pervert the religion."<ref name="salon" /> The packaging on the CD mailed to users who specifically request the filter states: "By popular demand from Scientologists, a program has been developed to prevent you from being subjected to ']' and hate mail on the Internet. This filter allows you direct access to our sites rapidly, without being dev-t'd{{cref|dev't}} by vilifying material, forgeries, and hate messages. In this fashion your attention can remain focused on dissemination and setting people's feet on ]."<ref name="salon" />


==Functionality== ==Functionality==
In order to gain access to the software, the Scientologists must first sign a contract. Section 7 of this contract states that the members must agree to: "use the specific Internet Filter Program that CSI has provided to you which allows you freedom to view other sites on Dianetics, Scientology or its principals without threat of accessing sites deemed to be using the Marks or Works in an unauthorized fashion or deemed to be improper or discreditable to the Scientology religion."<ref name="salon" /> In order to gain access to the software, the Scientologists must first sign a contract. Section 7 of this contract states that the members must agree to "use the specific Internet Filter Program that CSI has provided to you which allows you freedom to view other sites on Dianetics, Scientology or its principals without threat of accessing sites deemed to be using the Marks or Works in an unauthorized fashion or deemed to be improper or discreditable to the Scientology religion."<ref name="salon" />


The program works by preventing the user from accessing sites with certain keywords which Scientology has identified as being objectionable material for viewing by their members<ref name="sympathy" />. This use of keywords functions as a way to prevent members from learning of guarded Scientology doctrine, such as ], ], and other material relating to ]<ref name="sympathy" />. Other keywords on notable topics which are blocked by the program include the terms ], ], and ]<ref name="salon" />. The program works by preventing the user from accessing sites with certain keywords which Scientology has identified as being objectionable material for viewing by their members.<ref name="sympathy" /> This use of keywords functions as a way to prevent members from learning of guarded Scientology doctrine, such as ], ], and other material relating to ].<ref name="sympathy" /> Other keywords on notable topics which are blocked by the program include the names of several notable critics of Scientology, including ] and ], as well as several hundred other frequent participants in the ] newsgroup, together with terms like ], and ].<ref name="salon" /><ref>, Taniwha, retrieved 3/25/07.</ref>


This screening process is not limited to the viewing of Web sites, however. It also blocks users from discussing these forbidden keywords on chat programs such as ]<ref name="salon" />. Once these keywords are mentioned or certain individuals identified as undesirable enter the chat room, the user will be kicked off the discussion<ref name="salon" />. This screening process is not limited to the viewing of Web sites, however. It also blocks users from discussing these forbidden keywords on chat programs such as ].<ref name="salon" /> Once these keywords are mentioned or certain individuals identified as undesirable enter the chat room, the user will be kicked off the discussion.<ref name="salon" /> When ] worked as an operative for ], other OSA operatives removed the program from her computer to allow her to analyze what critical material was being spread on the internet about Scientology. Some time after the software was removed, Christman encountered the ] Web site and had online discussions with its operator ], which eventually led to her leaving Scientology through a public announcement on Alt.religion.scientology.<ref name="sympathy" />

When ] worked as an operative for ], other OSA operatives removed the program from her computer to allow her to analyze what critical material was being spread on the internet about Scientology. Some time after the software was removed, Christman encountered the ] Web site and had online discussions with its operator ], which eventually led to her leaving Scientology<ref name="sympathy" />.


==Media reports== ==Media reports==

;''A & E''
In December of ], the software was discussed on the ] program: ''Investigative Reports''<ref name="ane">{{cite news In December 1998, the software was discussed on the ] program: ''Investigative Reports''.<ref name="ane">{{cite news
|title=Inside Scientology
| last = Staff
|work=Investigative Reports
| first =
|publisher=]
| coauthors =
|date=December 14, 1998
| title = Inside Scientology
|url=http://www.xenutv.com/us/a%26e.htm
| work = Investigative Reports
|url-status=dead
| pages =
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102162134/http://www.xenutv.com/us/a%26e.htm
| language = ]
|archivedate=January 2, 2007
| publisher = ]
}}
| date = ], ]
</ref> The program showed a Web page from ] which described the software in a piece entitled: "The Church of Scientology—afraid of the real world" and "CENSORS the Net for members!".<ref name="ane" /> ] was quoted in the report as stating: "Scientologists are given filtering software to allow them to go on the Internet, because they do not want Scientologists to be subjected to critical information."<ref name="ane" />
| url = http://www.xenutv.com/us/a&e.htm
| accessdate = }}
</ref>. The program showed a Web page from ] which described the software in a piece entitled: "The Church of Scientology--afraid of the real world" and "CENSORS the Net for members!"<ref name="ane" />. ] was quoted in the report as stating: "Scientologists are given filtering software to allow them to go on the Internet, because they do not want Scientologists to be subjected to critical information."<ref name="ane" />


==In film== ==In film==
{{primary sources|section|date=June 2015}}
;''The Bridge''
In the 2006 film '']'', the Scientologist character Diane Wheat attempts to find more information on the internet through a ] search for the word "zeenu", and is then directed to a search for the word ].<ref name="thebridge">{{cite video | people = Hanover, Brett | title = ]
]'', depicting blocking software encountered by the film's protagonist.]]
| medium = Film | publisher = Hanover, Brett, released freely (online) by dir., dist. by Scientomogy.com | location = | date = September 10, 2006}}</ref><ref name="imdb">, ], retrieved 3 September 2007.</ref> The ] Web site comes up first in the search results, but when Wheat attempts to view the site, a message appears on her computer stating: "The page you have requested has been identified as containing racist/hate-oriented material," with the ] displayed in the left-hand side of the warning box.<ref name="thebridge" /><ref name="imdb" />
In the ] fictional film '']''<ref name="thebridge">{{cite video

| people = Hanover, Brett
==Content notes==
| title = ]
<!-- See ] and ] for an explanation of how to create content notes for this section -->
| medium = Film

| publisher = Hanover, Brett, released freely (online) by dir., dist. by ]
{{cnote|dev't| From the Scientology term "developed traffic" which means communication in a business that is disruptive because it is not routed properly. Used as slang to mean any waste of time and effort, usually that is caused by someone.<ref>Pignotti, Monica., ''My Nine Lives in Scientology'', Chapter: "Mind Control Techniques – The Early Months":, '''"Dev-T"''', 1989. <br />"Dev-T" (short for "developed traffic")<br />
| location = ]
"means unnecessary clutter that stands in the way or delays achieving a particular goal, especially a Scientology-oriented goal. I wanted to be an auditor and do all I could to help clear the planet. Going to the university was dev-t, so I quit."</ref><ref>Brooks, Stacy Young., "DECLARATION OF STACY BROOKS YOUNG.", ''Church of Scientology International v. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz'', Case No. CV 91 6426 HLH (Tx)., April 4, 1994. Subsection of Declaration, entitled: " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009094515/http://www.whyaretheydead.net/krasel/aff_sy94b.html |date=2006-10-09 }}.", <br />"CSI cites two words used by Mr. Berry in a letter as examples of his abuse of the Scientology religion. Yet the two words he used are strictly administrative terms having nothing to do with religious beliefs whatsoever. "Dev-T" is a word that means "Developed Traffic," an administrative term for unnecessary or duplicative work. "CSWP" stands for "Completed Staff Work, please" This term is simply a request for a full proposal. There is nothing religious in either of these phrases."</ref>
| date = ], ]}}</ref>
}}
, the Scientologist character Diane Wheat attempts to find more information on the internet through a ] search for the word "zeenu", and is then directed to a search for the word ]<ref name="imdb">, ], retrieved 3/09/2007.</ref>. The ] Web site comes up first in the search results, but when Wheat attempts to view the site, a message appears on her computer stating: "The page you have requested has been identified as containing racist hate-oriented material."<ref name="thebridge" />
, with the ] displayed in the left-hand side of the warning box<ref name="imdb" />.


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Internet}}
*]
* ]
*]
*] * ]
* ]
*]

*]
==References==
*]
{{Reflist|2}}
*]


==External links== ==External links==
*, '']'' *, '']''
*

==References==
<references/>


{{Scientology and the Internet}}
]
] ]
]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 23:31, 1 September 2024

Content-control software

Scieno Sitter is content-control software that, when installed on a computer, blocks certain websites critical of Scientology from being viewed. The software was released by the Church of Scientology in 1998 for Church members using Windows 95. The term "Scieno Sitter" was coined by critics of Scientology who assert that the program is a form of Internet censorship.

Background

The program was started in the late summer of 1998. Scientologists were mailed software on CDs, and told that the program would help members build Web sites which would then link to Scientology's main site. However, recipients of the program were not told that it also had a censorship program, which blocked critical sites from being viewed on the user's computer, if the sites were deemed dangerous. Critics of Scientology have referred to the program as "cult mind-control for the 21st century", and asserted that it stifles freedom of speech. One software developer stated that though he thought spam filters in general were a good idea, he found it "disturbing" that "a huge number of the terms that are banned are completely unrelated to the stated goals."

However, a vice president of the Office of Special Affairs branch of Scientology stated that Scientologists "make a personal choice" on whether or not to use the filtering software. A different spokesperson claimed that members of Scientology asked for the software, stating: "many of our parishioners want to use the Internet but asked for a filter protection from those elements that have sought to twist and pervert the religion." The packaging on the CD mailed to users who specifically request the filter states: "By popular demand from Scientologists, a program has been developed to prevent you from being subjected to 'entheta' and hate mail on the Internet. This filter allows you direct access to our sites rapidly, without being dev-t'd by vilifying material, forgeries, and hate messages. In this fashion your attention can remain focused on dissemination and setting people's feet on the Bridge to Total Freedom."

Functionality

In order to gain access to the software, the Scientologists must first sign a contract. Section 7 of this contract states that the members must agree to "use the specific Internet Filter Program that CSI has provided to you which allows you freedom to view other sites on Dianetics, Scientology or its principals without threat of accessing sites deemed to be using the Marks or Works in an unauthorized fashion or deemed to be improper or discreditable to the Scientology religion."

The program works by preventing the user from accessing sites with certain keywords which Scientology has identified as being objectionable material for viewing by their members. This use of keywords functions as a way to prevent members from learning of guarded Scientology doctrine, such as Xenu, OT III, and other material relating to Space opera in Scientology scripture. Other keywords on notable topics which are blocked by the program include the names of several notable critics of Scientology, including Robert Vaughn Young and Keith Henson, as well as several hundred other frequent participants in the alt.religion.scientology newsgroup, together with terms like suppressive person, and Lisa McPherson.

This screening process is not limited to the viewing of Web sites, however. It also blocks users from discussing these forbidden keywords on chat programs such as Internet Relay Chat. Once these keywords are mentioned or certain individuals identified as undesirable enter the chat room, the user will be kicked off the discussion. When Tory Christman worked as an operative for OSA, other OSA operatives removed the program from her computer to allow her to analyze what critical material was being spread on the internet about Scientology. Some time after the software was removed, Christman encountered the Operation Clambake Web site and had online discussions with its operator Andreas Heldal-Lund, which eventually led to her leaving Scientology through a public announcement on Alt.religion.scientology.

Media reports

In December 1998, the software was discussed on the A&E Network program: Investigative Reports. The program showed a Web page from Operation Clambake which described the software in a piece entitled: "The Church of Scientology—afraid of the real world" and "CENSORS the Net for members!". Bob Minton was quoted in the report as stating: "Scientologists are given filtering software to allow them to go on the Internet, because they do not want Scientologists to be subjected to critical information."

In film

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In the 2006 film The Bridge, the Scientologist character Diane Wheat attempts to find more information on the internet through a Google search for the word "zeenu", and is then directed to a search for the word Xenu. The Operation Clambake Web site comes up first in the search results, but when Wheat attempts to view the site, a message appears on her computer stating: "The page you have requested has been identified as containing racist/hate-oriented material," with the Scientology symbol displayed in the left-hand side of the warning box.

Content notes

 dev't:  From the Scientology term "developed traffic" which means communication in a business that is disruptive because it is not routed properly. Used as slang to mean any waste of time and effort, usually that is caused by someone.

See also

References

  1. ^ Rinzel, Mary (October 1999), "The "Cult" of Many Personalities", Silicon Alley Reporter, vol. 3, no. 27 #7, archived from the original on April 7, 2013, retrieved March 3, 2013
  2. ^ Staff. (September 9, 2001), "Sympathy for the Devil", New Times Los Angeles
  3. ^ Brown, Janelle (15 July 1998). "A Web of their own". Salon. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015.
  4. Clam-Nanny Cracked!, Taniwha, retrieved 3/25/07.
  5. ^ "Inside Scientology". Investigative Reports. A&E Network. December 14, 1998. Archived from the original on January 2, 2007.
  6. ^ Hanover, Brett (September 10, 2006). The Bridge (Film). Hanover, Brett, released freely (online) by dir., dist. by Scientomogy.com.
  7. ^ The Bridge (2006/III), Internet Movie Database, retrieved 3 September 2007.
  8. Pignotti, Monica., My Nine Lives in Scientology, Chapter: "Mind Control Techniques – The Early Months":, "Dev-T", 1989. (convenience link)
    "Dev-T" (short for "developed traffic")
    "means unnecessary clutter that stands in the way or delays achieving a particular goal, especially a Scientology-oriented goal. I wanted to be an auditor and do all I could to help clear the planet. Going to the university was dev-t, so I quit."
  9. Brooks, Stacy Young., "DECLARATION OF STACY BROOKS YOUNG.", Church of Scientology International v. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz, Case No. CV 91 6426 HLH (Tx)., April 4, 1994. Subsection of Declaration, entitled: "DR. GEERTZ'S COUNSEL HAS NOT BEEN HARASSIVE IN HIS DEFENSE Archived 2006-10-09 at the Wayback Machine.",
    "CSI cites two words used by Mr. Berry in a letter as examples of his abuse of the Scientology religion. Yet the two words he used are strictly administrative terms having nothing to do with religious beliefs whatsoever. "Dev-T" is a word that means "Developed Traffic," an administrative term for unnecessary or duplicative work. "CSWP" stands for "Completed Staff Work, please" This term is simply a request for a full proposal. There is nothing religious in either of these phrases."

External links

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