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German Government Ministers Declare Scientology Unconstitutional

By Jeralyn, Section Foreign Affairs
Posted on Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 10:47:03 AM EST
Tags: Scientology, Narconon (all tags)
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The German Government has long been opposed to Scientology which it regards as a money-making cult rather than a religion.

Now a large group of German government ministers has declared Scientology "incompatible with the Constitution."

One very controversial component of Scientology is its drug treatment program, Narconon. Tom Cruise, in an interview with Der Speigel quoted here, called it "only successful drug rehabilitation program in the world."

Cruise: I'm a helper. For instance, I myself have helped hundreds of people get off drugs. In Scientology, we have the only successful drug rehabilitation program in the world. It's called Narconon.

SPIEGEL: That's not correct. Yours is never mentioned among the recognized detox programs. Independent experts warn against it because it is rooted in pseudo science.

Cruise: You don't understand what I am saying. It's a statistically proven fact that there is only one successful drug rehabilitation program in the world. Period.

SPIEGEL: With all due respect, we doubt that.

So do many others.

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    German Government Ministers Declare Scientology Unconstitutional | 18 comments (18 topical)

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    Excellent Example (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Repack Rider on Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 06:48:04 PM EST
    of why religious organizations should get no tax breaks or any other recognition from the government.  They should be recognized exactly the same as convenience stores or real estate offices, i.e. as businesses whose charitable contributions MAY qualify them for tax breaks but whose primary purpose is no different from that of any secular social club.

    Scientology was created to take advantage of the conflict between the First Amendment and the special tax status afforded to churches.  The CofS has a right as a religion to exist, even though it is in fact a criminal organization designed to take large sums of money from pathetic losers, and the People of the United States have no right to judge its conduct because it is protected by the First Amendment.

    Like all religious "organizations"? (none / 0) (#14)
    by Edger on Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 07:15:07 PM EST


    Parent
    Don't get me started (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Repack Rider on Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 07:41:34 PM EST
    I'm an atheist who can't believe that ANYONE is religious.

    It's that transparent.

    Parent

    Me too. And very vocal about it. (none / 0) (#18)
    by Edger on Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 07:44:36 PM EST
    The JP's don't come around anymore......... they still go to houses on either side, but they look at the other side of the street when they see me.

    Parent
    errr..... JW's (none / 0) (#19)
    by Edger on Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 07:45:06 PM EST


    Parent
    Amazing what the lack of a First Amendment (