Germany is planning to ban Scientology in the country because of its "cult-like" practices. From a BBC news story:
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.
I'm not clear how do they differentiate between cults and religions. Yes, Scientology is weird, but does it deserve to be banned? Some of it will indeed come out in the actual legal challenge, but I do feel that Scientology gets an unusually harsh treatment compared to other new religions. But the legal battle will be an interesting one to watch.
AMEN! I hope it does get banned.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't the Mafia think of that technique long ago? Just think, if they'd been calling themselves a religion, Al Capone never would have gone down for tax evasion...
Why let Hubbard's Henchmen get away with it?