"RLDS Original Believers" Facebook group closed due to complaint from Scientology ... I mean CoC

Recently, the so-called "Community of Christ" has joined the likes of the Church of Scientology and Barbara Streisand in abusing intellectual property laws to try to suppress online speech that is critical or expository of them through a complaint by a Mr. Robert Lewis which has resulted in the closure of the "RLDS Original Believers" Facebook discussion group. Scientology has a long history of engaging in dishonest tactics to try to suppress online speech that is critical of it's views or practices and the so-called "Community of Christ" seems to be following in it's footsteps.

This Facebook group was just for discussion and did not in any way claim to represent the CoC or even "the RLDS church." It included many discussions that were critical of the CoC including many about the CoC vs Devon Park lawsuit, without being in any way affiliated with Devon Park, this blog or any specific religious organization. Community of Christ members were welcome to participate in the discussion. This goes beyond being an intellectual property issue and is now a freedom of expression issue.

I'm surprised Devon Park still has a building. It may be that the so-called "Community of Christ" has not come after us demanding the judgement to avoid bad press but it might also have something to do with the fact that there is a lean on our property to help pay for our legal defense expenses. Perhaps they'll come after the judgement if/when the lean is gone or perhaps they're only interested in the effect of creating fear, uncertainty and doubt in the Restoration Branches movement without being interested in seizing our building the way they did with many buildings in the 1980s. For a while it has seemed that they've learned a little tact at least in terms of public relations but actions like this call even that hypothesis into question.

A new group with the same words switched around, titled "Believers in Original RLDS Doctrines" has been created to replace the old group, at least until a mediation process with Facebook staff can be pursued. I would suggest emaling this Lewis fellow to point out that abusing the Facebook complaints process like this is not a smart move and that it would be better all around for the so-called "Community of Christ" to avoid using Scientology tactics, if for no other reason than to avoid the wrath of Anonymous; the dreaded Final Boss of the Internets.

(later edit) Mr. Lewis is reportedly acting under the direction of Karen Minton