Germany could be asked to ban the U.S.-based Church of Scientology under a Hamburg security official’s proposal that contends the group violates human rights.
Hamburg’s secretary of the interior, Udo Nagel, plans to seek a nationwide ban of Scientology at this week’s meeting of top German security officials, spokeswoman Ulrike Sweden said Monday.
The German government considers Scientology a commercial enterprise that takes advantage of vulnerable people. During the summer, it initially refused to allow the producers of a movie starring Scientology member Tom Cruise as Germany’s most famous anti-Hitler plotter to film at the site where the hero was executed, although it did not expressly state Scientology as its reason.
It is a commercial enterprize. A totally synthetic religion.
Somebody didn’t actually cast Tom Cruise as Detrich Bonhoeffer? Please tell me it isn’t so…..
“The German government considers Scientology a commercial enterprise that takes advantage of vulnerable people”
Probably true. But Scientology still shouldn’t be banned.
PS: Scientology denied being a religion—and exuded contempt for religion—until the federal government questioned its tax status and the efficacy of its gadgets. After that, religion—even being a religion—didn’t look so foolish after all.
A little persecution will be good for their souls.
No as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg
Christopher: Not exactly souls: “thetans.” Yes, the Greek letter theta has overtones of death. Yes, it sounds like a lisped “Satan.” But that’s what they call it.
You really should watch the BBC documentary linked in the story. Even if I didn’t know more about the cult, I’d be scared!
I have long believed that Scientology is one of the most successful conn jobs in the history of the world. A number of years ago they did something quite remarkable. They actually bullied the IRS into backing off an investigation into their finances. I am rooting for the Germans.