2009-May

"U.S. Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ) - co-chair of the Congressional International Religious Freedom Caucus - and five other Members of Congress sent a letter to French Ambassador Pierre Vimont opposing France's anti-sect policies."

"Specifically, the Members of Congress opposed the recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Mission to Fight Against Sectarian Deviations (MIVILUDES) and its president Georges Fenech released in a December report entitled, 'La justice face aux derives sectarires (Justice Facing Sectarian Abuses)'."

"The letter stated, 'Designating specific religious beliefs and communities as sects and restricting an individual's freedom to choose and change his or her belief is inconsistent with international standards on religious freedom.  Such recommendations appear to evidence a clear bias against a large number of religious communities and their adherents and impose arbitrary restrictions on an individual's human rights'." ₂

The decision read, in part:

"The purpose of Wikipedia is to create a high-quality, free-content encyclopedia in an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual respect among contributors. Use of the encyclopedia to advance personal agendas -- such as advocacy or propaganda and philosophical, ideological or religious dispute -- or to publish or promote original research is prohibited." _4,5

The ban appears to have symbolic value only. It will probably not be successful. All Church members have to do to avoid the ban is to work from home or at a location that has public access to the Internet, like a public library.