Church of Scientology Convicted of Fraud in France

[Stiker]

French court convicts Church of Scientology of fraud - CNN.com

Paris, France (CNN) -- A French court's verdict against the Church of Scientology amounts to a "modern Inquisition" and threatens freedom of religion in France, a senior Scientologist said Tuesday.

Eric Roux, a spokesman for the group and an official representative of the organization's Celebrity Center, also said the church would appeal Tuesday's verdict.

A three-judge panel at the Correctional Court in Paris convicted the church and six of its members of organized fraud, but stopped short of banning the church, as prosecutors had asked.

The court also fined the members as much as 400,000 euros ($595,000) each and sentenced them to as much as two years in prison, though the sentences were suspended.

The decision follows a three-week trial in May and June, during which two plaintiffs said they were defrauded by the organization, which is classified as a sect in France.

Scientology has about 45,000 followers in France, and some of them were in court Tuesday.

"We think that this is really a modern Inquisition and that this is really dangerous for the freedom of religion in our country, and for sure we do not agree with that and we will go to appeal," Roux told CNN.

One of the judges on the panel said the church may continue its activities in France, but she said those activities must remain "on the correct side of the law."

As part of the penalties, the church was ordered to publish the results of the verdict in several national and international magazines to warn people, the judge said, about what Scientology offers and what was discovered at trial.

"It's an empty case," Roux said. "It's run like an Inquisition, (as) if some people did not wake up from the Inquisition time."

The plaintiffs focused their complaints on the use of a device that Scientologists say measures spiritual well-being. Members used the electropsychometer, or E-Meter, to "locate areas of spiritual duress or travail so they can be addressed and handled," according to Scientology's Web site.

The plaintiffs said that, after using the device, they were encouraged to pay for vitamins and books. They said that amounted to fraud.

Roux said Scientology is doing well in Europe, and he specifically mentioned Spain, Britain, and Sweden. He said a church opening in Rome, Italy, last weekend attracted 6,000 people.

"This is expansion, and people want to support the church," he said, when asked about members being asked to pay money. "We are 12 million in the world, and this 12 million want to support the church, and that's what they do."

He said France was a special case within Europe.

"You have in France a clique of anti-religious extremists that are making a lot of noise," he said.

Figured this would be of interest around here considering the Scientology threads that have popped up in the past.

[Seraph]

No one suspects the French Inquisition!!

[Ksandra]

I love how $cientologists throw out exaggerated numbers. They are like the internet but in real life.

[edit]] for those that don't keep up, $cientology is estimated to have about 50,000~ members onry...

[Mizango]

Fatliff too is a fraud.

[Mizango]

I love how $cientologists throw out exaggerated numbers. They are like the internet but in real life.

No kidding, it's like they arbitrarily say the first thing that comes to mind and just run with it.

[Stiker]

Fatliff too is a fraud.

Oh you!

[Acturus]

Interesting that the French government didn't remove them as an organization because they felt Scientology would most likely continue wheeling and dealing outside of the law anyway.

[archibaldcrane]

Yeah, it's not like they're going to stop using E-Meters and then stop asking people to pay for shit after getting tested. That's pretty much their business model.

[Max™]

No one suspects the French Inquisition!!

Fantastic.

Now if we can continue this precedent!


God, if you're there, and you want people to be able to continue practicing their religions freely... give us a sign.

Cause until then, let's keep restricting them so civilization can advance further!

[Diamicles]

Suddenly my love for France just increased 2 sizes.

[Ksandra]

Fantastic.

Now if we can continue this precedent!


God, if you're there, and you want people to be able to continue practicing their religions freely... give us a sign.

Cause until then, let's keep restricting them so civilization can advance further!

thing is, it isn't even a religion.

[Stiker]

Nor do they even believe in any deity...just aliens.

[Max™]

thing is, it isn't even a religion.

Scientology is shit some guy made up to control people and gain power.


That sounds exactly like a religion to me... it has just as much validity as any other religion, none.

[ZarakiKujata]

Nor do they even believe in any deity...just aliens.

kneel before xenu heathen

[Xno Kappa]

I am appalled by France's actions. Xenu and Tom Cruise will not be pleased!

[Mojo]

Scientology is shit some guy made up to control people and gain power.


That sounds exactly like a religion to me... it has just as much validity as any other religion, none.

In a very obtuse way, yes, but reality is more complex than that.

[Xno Kappa]

In a very obtuse way, yes, but reality is more complex than that.

Oh is it now?

/em grabs popcorn.

[Furoris]

Scam on a Global Scale
Relevant clip is relevant.

[HadesChubbs]

Scientology is shit some guy made up to control people and gain power.


That sounds exactly like a religion to me... it has just as much validity as any other religion, none.

In most religions you just need to show praise, and not pay (donations aside), though I see your connection

[Max™]

Showing praise is a way to control the minds of others to do what you want, which is power.

Someone wrote the bible, and has controlled the shape of history for a large portion of the worlds population.

That is powerful.


Mojo: Reality = a + bi?

I think not, I know how complex reality is, and religion ain't a part of it.