Germany moves to ban Scientology

[Norton]

Germany moves to ban Scientology

Critics of Scientology say its views are too "black and white"

Germany's federal and state interior ministers have declared the Church of Scientology unconstitutional, clearing the way for a possible ban. The ministers have asked Germany's domestic intelligence agency to examine whether the Church's legal status as an association could be challenged.
Scientology is not recognised as a religion in Germany.
A Church of Scientology statement said the ministers were "completely out of step with the rest of the world".
The attempted ban is "a blatant attempt at justifying the on-going and never-ending discrimination against the Church of Scientology and its members in Germany," said the Church in a statement.
Critics accuse the organisation of cult-type practices and exploiting followers for financial gain.
But Scientologists reject this and say that they promote a religion based on the understanding of the human spirit.
Cult-type practices
Since January, when the Church of Scientology opened a new centre in the German capital, Berlin, Scientologists have come under intense public scrutiny.
Actor Tom Cruise is a high profile follower of Scientology

People living near the centre complained that its members were actively trying to recruit and some politicians called for the organisation to be banned, accusing it of cult-type practices.
For years, Scientology has been monitored by German intelligence agencies, who claim the movement's structures and methods could pose a threat to the rule of law and "democratic order".
But the Church of Scientology insists that 10 years of surveillance "has uncovered absolutely no wrongdoing".
Under the ministers' new plan, the intelligence services have been asked to draw up a report on Scientology, and ministers will then have to clarify whether there is a legal basis for a ban.
But the BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin says given the lobbying power of Germany's 6,000 Scientologists, who say they have a right to freedom of religion, it will be difficult to introduce a ban.
Scientology was founded in the United States in the 1950s by science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard.
In October, a Spanish court ruled that the Church of Scientology of Spain should be re-entered into the country's register of officially recognised religions.



BBC NEWS | Europe | Germany moves to ban Scientology

[barbaro]

I would not call Scientology a religion.

It doesn't fit the definition.

And recruiting people to join this organization (whatever you want to call it) makes it sound like an organization that wants to increase its power by increasing its membership.

[Cujo]

It is definitely one for the kooks.

[chinthee]

I think all countries should ban Tom Cruise, regardless of being a Scientology kook.

[Abandon]

I think all countries should ban Tom Cruise, regardless of being a Scientology kook.

bah! I was about to say that.

[Begbie]

Is it because he is short ?

[chinthee]

It's because he's rich and handsome and always gets the best looking chicks.

[Fabian]

Sounds slightly different:

A plan by Germany's state interior ministers to attempt to ban Scientology appears to have little chance of success. According to an assessment made by officials at the country's state and federal intelligence agencies, the Offices for the Protection of the Constitution, there isn't enough evidence at the moment to ban the controversial organization.

Lack of Evidence: Agencies Warn Scientology Ban Doomed to Fail - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News

[Norton]

Sounds slightly different:

Thanks for the link. Little different slant but does look like there is a move to try and ban them.

Is there any reaction to this (pro or con) in Germany?

[Fabian]

They are not very popular here but it's not big news, especially now not anymore.

[Gerbil]

It's because he's rich and handsome and always gets the best looking chicks.

I am often mistaken for Tom Cruise.

At least I assume that's what they mean when strangers call me a cnut.

[whosyadaddy]

Germans should be careful banning religions

[Rural Surin]

I would not call Scientology a religion.

It doesn't fit the definition.

And recruiting people to join this organization (whatever you want to call it) makes it sound like an organization that wants to increase its power by increasing its membership.

Christian sects recruit....

[blackgang]

Germany is always banning some religion, remember when they banned Judism,, fuck of a deal ain't it.
They seem to think Catholicism is just the cats ass tho, maybe have another crusade, like when they went after the muzzies.

[Muadib]

I think Scarlett Johanson hit the nail on the head...

"Take your fucking cult and stick it up your ass"

[blackgang]

Is this Muadib the holy one from DUNE? If so then they should be fully qualified for this discussion.

[spiff]

Germans should be careful banning religions

Scientology is not recognised as a religion.

They seem to think Catholicism is just the cats ass tho, maybe have another crusade, like when they went after the muzzies.

Ignorant as a roof-tile, yet again.
Christianity is the largest religion in Germany, roughly 50/50 Catholics and Protestants.

[blackgang]

Mostly Catholics, Krauts always are and they were the main force of the crusades, killed thousands of Jews, and others when going over to kill a lot of muzzies, but did fuck up a lot and killed a lot of christians just because of where they lived or what their nationality was as the krauts so stupid as to not know that just because your name was not Schmidt that you could actually be a mackrel snapper or a christian and not a muzzie..
Do you guys still believe that if you are a Jew that you are a Christ Killer as was spread during the crusades by the Kraut mackrel snappers.

[spiff]

Jesus,, blackgang, get the nurse to turn the oxygen down a tad, ye running on overload.

Or are you having a seasonal relapse?

[Fuzzy Bob]

The feckers where in Liverpool last year, so I went along to to start a fight with the fascist b'stards. Ended up being banged up in choky overnight. Good fun though.

[spiff]

Ended up being banged up in choky overnight.

The fate of many a chav these days. I hope they treated you right, no falling down the stairs or uncouth happenings while you were made to pick up the soap. lol