After all, there's a fine line between religions and conspiracies to defraud. *I* wouldn't want to be the one defining that line, but it doesn't mean that quite a few religions don't step over it from time to time.

The Catholic church was basically a conspiracy to defraud the people of Europe for centuries. The protestant revolution wasn't simply a rejection of church doctrine, but of the corruption which it allowed. Now protestant televangelists prey on the weak-hearted to make a few bucks.

So even so-called "main-line" religions have tendencies toward cultish behavior, so can you blame the Germans for thinking that a cult founded by a science-fiction writer, that requires it's rank-and-file to attend work camps, might be more of a corporation than a religion.?

Oh well, I guess that it is okay to defraud people when it's a religion, after-all you can't prove fraud until you reach the after-life.

Please document requierments to attend work camps.

The news of Scientology work camps are mainstream news. I have read Scientologists who discuss and make excuses for work camps. The fact that these work camps exist is not in debate. These work camps are for reforming those that have issues and need “rehabilitation”. This is similar to Nazi work camps or communist work camps. There is nothing fun or cool about cult slavery and blackmail. http://www.xenu.net/

That's hysterical.

thank you.

Many religions (or religious leaders) have crossed the line between religion and financial exploitation; but few have been so crassly designed as the ideal "religion" for the rich and stupid as Scientology. Founder L. Ron Hubbard has been quoted by a number of people that founding a religion was the fastest way to become a millionaire. It is now hard to prove positively that he indeed said it, but certainly Scientology shows every bit the intention.

To adhere to Scientology one certainly needs to be intellectually challenged, as the basic tenets of the religion hold the middle way between an eleborate joke and a badly written sci-fi story. But one especially needs to have money; the entire operation of the church is designed to amass money, in the form of the taxation of the members and the sale of expensive "courses". Besides, giving rich and famous members special treatment has become the normal way for Scientology to gain public acceptance.

The question is not why "Germany hates scientology". The question is why the USA is so absurdly tolerant of this aberration of the human mind. The reason, I guess, is simply the enormous importance of wealth and fame in American public life. Money makes the wheel go round, not only of American business, but also of arts, politics, and ultimately religion. Scientology's acceptance derives from the belief of the protestant immigrant that success in business was a sign of divine favour, and from the more cynical view of P T Barnum that a fool and his money are easily parted.

Ancient Greek philosophers used the contracted from "kaloskagathos" of "kalos kai agathos" to express their belief that fundamentaly, to be beautiful and to be good were the same, inseperable. Modern Americans have replaced this with the belief that to be rich and to be good are one and the same.

The Church of Scientology may be ugly as hell, but it certainly is rich.

First of all.....it should be a law that, in order to be called a religion there must be a diety. Religion brings images and words like faith and worship. A higer supernatural power is the key to historical religions. A spirit or soul is involved.

Yes, it is a free country, and we should be allowed to "worship" as we see fit...but I totally agree with Germany on this.

I can tell all of you from personal experience....there's something wrong here.

Someone close to me has been brainwashed by them. In an attempt to not alienate this person, I discussed some of the views and practices.

The next thing I know...they're trying to get me to take some kind of a steam bath ( to cleanse my body of all the poisons in it) . They all said that when in the steam, you actually get high again from any drugs or alcohol you may have taken over the years.

I have been in many steamy rooms and showers in my life with no affect to my concscience. I tried to tell them that if you're getting high, there is something in the steam!!!!

Also, why do they not openly profess they're beliefs?????

Let's face it Protestant, Catholic, Evangelical......there is no hiding that we worship Jesus Christ. Muslims worship Allah. And so on. If Scientology's most fundemental truth is that the Earth was populated ( or human evolution influenced by ) aliens from another world...why hide that fact??

I totally believe they are a cult and that one of thier most basic goals is to tear down every religion that worships a diety. I truly believe this.

All they they have done is replaced God with space aliens. God didn't put us here, aliens did! To me, this cult is nothing more than a bunch of lost souls with no identity that are looking for definition....it's sad, but dangerous, too.

I totally agree with the German position! And by the way...don´t You think the wrold has already enough religious movements?..We don´t need one more...

German logic makes sense in this case. Scientology is nothing but a sham cult for suckers. Then again, all religions are also cults to a major degree. It's been too easy to start a religion in this world. Religious beliefs have been the cause of so much life lost throughout history that all religions should be banned forevermore. Let's take away all tax advantages that religions get and watch them fast disappear.

Who was it who said religion is just a crutch for those who can't face the reality of death?

Who are Jehovah's Witnesses? Dissident Jehovah's Witness speaks out.

No tolerance,the Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult because they try to cut you off from others who do not have the same beliefs, including family.
Up close and personal Jehovah's Witnesses can be wolves in sheep's clothing.