Scientologists have been blocked from using Wikipedia because they used the popular online encyclopaedia to “push their own agenda”.

Wikipedia’s supreme court has banned all contributions from all IP addresses owned or operated by the Church of Scientology and its associates.

The site’s Arbitration Committee voted 10 to 0 (with one abstention) in favour of the move, which takes effect immediately.

I went to the Church of Scientology bookshop on Tottenham Court Road for a response and though the representatives there said they were aware of the story they were not willing to comment and asked me to leave. I asked if they wanted to try and convert me, to which they replied that I was, “too far gone”. Which is comforting to know.

Evidence was submitted showing multiple editors had been “openly editing (Scientology-related articles) from Church of Scientology equipment and apparently coordinating their activities.” Stories regarding the editing of Scientology articles from Scientology IPs had been doing the rounds for a while, and some site admins are concerned this is “damaging Wikipedia’s reputation for neutrality”.

This all comes on the back of the start of a court case that could see the dissolving of the French church of scientology.

Tom Cruise is not believed to have been involved in any editing but probably would if he had a chance.

(Via The Register)