'Esoteric Content' Censorship Coming to a Website Near You

'ESOTERIC CONTENT CENSORSHIP COMING TO A WEBSITE NEAR YOU THE DIRTY DETAILS The UK government has announced web-filtering plans which will block 'esoteric material' from UK internet es-o-teric [e-sə-te-rik] users by the end of 2013. Billed as a measure to protect children from pornography, the filter will also block people's access to alternative spiritual information. adjective Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialised knowledge or interest. synonyms occult - private - mystic So what is esoteric material anyway? - Soul religion traditions celestial alternative peace histor mindkulness projection wisdom scripture inner alchemy meditation studý yoga magice umination beings astrology visions group astral ancient- (IT COULD BE ANYTHING. LITERALLY.) By definition, if content is specialised, it's esoteric. But most likely this will allow the government to target spiritual sites, and especially block access to smaller alternative spiritual groups. Historically, this loss of human rights signals a society's shift towards totalitarianism. STRIPPED OF RIGHTS Article 18 The freedom to In 1948, the UK, as a member of the UN, voted in favour of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Guess what is protected - freedom of religion and expression. So why is the UK taking steps to block access to esoteric material? manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship or observance. APPLES & ORANGES What else is blocked by the filter? Esoteric material is slated for exclusion along with unrelated topics like: Article 19 PORNOGRAPHY ALCOHOL The freedom to hold SUICIDE VIOLENCE TERRORISM opinions without interference and to SMOKING EATING DISORDERS seek, receive and impart information through any media. TARGET: 95% IN THE CROSSHAIRS The filters are set to be implemented by the UK's major ISPS, which will reach an estimated 95% of all users in the UK. BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE. The new legislation also includes a filter for WEB FORUMS. You know, places where you can talk to other people and exchange ideas online. This is not sinister stuff, unless you count mummy groups and gardening clubs exchanging advice online in the same league as other hot topics blocked by the filter (ie. pornography, violence, and terrorism). How many people could be affected? POPULAR WEB FORUM MEMBERSHIP SEPT 2013 6,996,149 members Bodybuilding.com ----- bodybuilding Ultimate-Guitar.com 4,762,339 members - ---...---- music -. .---- Apple products MacRumors.com "Find out just what the people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them. -Frederick Douglass 841,855 members Flyertalk.com 509,867 members travel NOT JUST THE UK Other countries are watching the UK's move to implement web filters. What's happening there is an international issue, likely to spread. INTERESTED IN CENSORING Canada- MP thinks UK's filter is a good example, would like to see the same implemented in Canada ACTIVELY CENSORING N2 UK- ISPS have begun voluntarily AN enforcing proposed web filters China- Chinese mobile firm Huawei set to provide web filtering services for UK France- French company Orange filtering mobile internet content in UK Australia- Liberal party announced web filtering policy duríng Sept 2013 election, then retracted due to public outcry K.. REACHING THE MASSES The UK has the ninth largest number of internet users in the world, and also has a stunning 87% internet usage saturation as of 2012. As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of 2012 2006 change in the air - however slight - lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. 87.0% -Justice William 0. Douglas 68.8% 2000 26.8% Population age 16-74. THE ARGUMENT An internet filter is needed to protect children against pornography The filter blocks more than pornography Esoteric material and web forums have been lumped in with unrelated, morally-charged topics to be blocked WHY IT'S BAD The inclusion of esoteric material in the filter list has been largely hidden from the public The majority of ISPS will have the filter automatically turned on, requiring people to 'opt-out' to get access to spiritual information This sets a precedent for government controlled censorship, ripe for further abuse down the road The filtering of esoteric material violates freedom of religion, and is a stripping of basic human rights Other countries such as Canada and Australia are watching the UK's policy move, intending to follow suit WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT: Sign the Change.org petition against unneccesary blanket web filters. 100,000 signatures are needed for a debate in Parliament. Please take 2 min. to sign; your action makes a difference! SOURCES HTTP://wwW.HUFFINGTONPOST.COM/2013/07/29/UK-INTERNET-FILTER-BLOCK-MORE-THAN-PORN_N_3670771.HTML HTTPS://www.OPENRIGHTSGROUPORG/BLOG/2013/SLEEPWALKING-INTO-CENSORSHIP HTTPS://WIKI.OPENRIGHTSGROUPORG/WIKI/ORANGE_SAFEGUARD HTTP://wwW.UN.ORG/EN/DOCUMENTS/UDHR/ HTTP://WwW.BBC.CO.UK/NEWS/TECHNOLOGY-23452097 HTTP://WwW.CBC.CA/NEWS/CANADA/MANITOBA/STORY/2013/07/23/MB-JOY-SMITH-ANTI-PORN-BILL-WINNIPEG.HTML HTTP://wwW.ABC.NET.AU/NEWS/2013-09-05/NO-INTERNET-FILTER-SAYS-TURNBULL/4939156 http://chn.ge/14rBBsB HTTP://wwW.ITU.INT/EN/ITU-D/STATISTICS/DOCUMENTS/STATISTICS/2013/INDIVIDUALS_INTERNET_2000-2012.XLS HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/LIST OF COUNTRIES_BY_NUMBER OF_INTERNET_USERS ReachingLight.com BY NO ND Samad heaven 000000 0000000000 **000000000000000 00000000e