Scientology trial

[ZarakiKujata]

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Scientology on trial in France

Should be fun if this jumps the pond and anon starts suing the pants off Tom Cruise?

[Guitarman]

It only takes one to open the floodgates. Hope this goes through.

[Tristam]

Nice, glad to see a gov't step up and challenge them.

[Colenzo]

Did I read that the ban was unconstitutional in Germany or that Scientology was unconstitutional in Germany?

[Sol-Blackguy]

Did I read that the ban was unconstitutional in Germany or that Scientology was unconstitutional in Germany?

Can't be true, as far as I know Germany never gave them tax exempt status.

[Acturus]

Did I read that the ban was unconstitutional in Germany or that Scientology was unconstitutional in Germany?

Germany ruled that the practices of Scientology were unconstitutional. That was their justification for banning the group from the country and branding them a cult.

[Colenzo]

I highly doubt that will ever happen in the USA just because of that freedom of speech crap. Then again, anythings possible in America.

[Azkarin2]

I highly doubt that will ever happen in the USA just because of that freedom of speech crap. Then again, anythings possible in America.

I'd be more than pleased with revoking their tax-exempt status. They don't have to ban them, just properly label them as a business. I always love how every news article that talks about scientology mentions Hubbard as "science fiction writer". Scientologists r dubm.

[Acturus]

I highly doubt that will ever happen in the USA just because of that freedom of speech crap. Then again, anythings possible in America.

Scientology isn't even recognized specifically as a religion in the US. It has, however, the same tax exempt status that churches and charitable organizations have, so it can claim that it's a religion on that fact alone.

Similar situation in Australia. Australia officially stated that they can't deny Scientology as a religion (even if they don't acknowledge them as a religion either), so the cult claims that the Aussies approve of them.

[braaaanch]

the future obviously holds martyr status for the oppressed 'scientologists'

[Ksandra]

Sadly, $cientologists have the money to higher insanely good lawyers. I hope there is enough general disgust in France about them, that it won't make a difference.

If they go the way Germany does, it's another step in the right direction.

[Colenzo]

Sounds like L Ron created the best money scam ever.

[Jaybar]

Pretty sure he was quoted way back in the day saying "The best way to [get rich] is to start a religion." I think it was a jab at the Catholic Church when he said it, but it's hilarious now.

[Jer]

While it may not be recognized as an official religion in the U.S., it almost certainly will never be banned. I can even see it being the 'official religions' which keep it from ever being one or the other. They obviously wouldn't want it recognized, but at the same they think that it could open up a torrent of banning people's imaginary friends.

[Khamsin]

Germany ruled that the practices of Scientology were unconstitutional. That was their justification for banning the group from the country and branding them a cult.

Scientologists are just a bunch of shrewd, money-grubbing heretics. I hope Germany takes it one step further and begins persecuting them. They can start by gathering them up into camps.

[Acturus]

While it may not be recognized as an official religion in the U.S., it almost certainly will never be banned. I can even see it being the 'official religions' which keep it from ever being one or the other. They obviously wouldn't want it recognized, but at the same they think that it could open up a torrent of banning people's imaginary friends.

I believe the formal action that everyone against Scientology is hoping for is to remove their tax exempt status. They can call themselves whatever they want, but they force up-front payment for their "services", so filing them as either a charity or a religion is incorrect based on the existing definitions of such organizations in the US.

There's a whole lot of unknown information as to why Scientology ever got this status in the first place, and it's commonly believed that the IRS was infiltrated and blackmailed into granting the status.

Cloak and dagger shit, I think L.Ron's wife was indicted at one point following the events.

[0ni0n]

L Ron created the best money scam ever.

That has always been the point.

And on what ground does Germany distinguish Scientology from other forms of religion?

[Acturus]

That has always been the point.

And on what ground does Germany distinguish Scientology from other forms of religion?

I wanted to give you an accurate answer to this question, and apparently Wikipedia has it's own "Scientology in Germany" article:

Scientology in Germany - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Scientology has been present in Germany since 1970. Though the Church of Scientology is considered legal in Germany, it has encountered particular antagonism by the German press and government. The German courts have so far not resolved whether Scientology should be accorded the legal status of a religious or worldview community and various courts have come to contradictory conclusions.[1] The German government does not recognize Scientology as a religion, and regards some of the goals of Scientology as conflicting with the German constitution. Germany has been criticized over its stance towards Scientology, notably by the United States government.[2][3][4]

I guess the government administration has ruled, but the best that the courts can do is give conflicting rulings on the support of the administration.

Most likely, this is due to the Scientologists having very heavy hitters in the legal profession, and a near unlimited retainer with which to pay them. Many court cases get bogged down in details, since one of the tenants allegedly passed by L.Ron was to sue in order to harass, not so that you can resolve anything.

The press and people in Germany hate them though. They are not popular at all, which is most likely the reason why the elected members of the German government carry the same sentiments.

[Gunitsoldier]

France did what America should've done a long time ago. I hope America is very embaressed that France beat them to the punch.

For shame America, for shame.

[Ksandra]

France did what America should've done a long time ago. I hope America is very embaressed that France beat them to the punch.

For shame America, for shame.

You forget the retarded people of America hate France for retarded reasons. We won't be ashamed, we'll just go back to "freedom fries" if anything.