On Tuesday, October 27, 2009, a French court found the French branch of the Church of Scientology guilty of fraud and fined them $888,000. The suit followed complaints from two former Scientology members claiming they were 'manipulated' out of $33,000 and $73,000 for ritual products. French Scientology leader, Alain Rosenberg, was also found guilty of fraud, fined $44,000 and given a two-year suspended prison sentence.
Georges Fenech, head of French government anti-cult unit Miviludes, stated that the court's decision "condemned [the French branch of Scientology] as an entity ... due to its fraudulent way of operating." He further said, "if they begin swindling again, they can be subject to dissolution in the future." According to Fenech, this ruling "is a historical turning point for the fight against cult abuses."
The Church of Scientology in the US and abroad has taken its fair share of blows since the 1986 passing of founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Wiki says Hubbard developed the body of beliefs and related practices in 1952 and incorporated the Church of Scientology in 1953. While Scientology has been granted tax-exempt status as a religion in the U.S., it does not have religious status in Germany, France or the United Kingdom. By definition, a religion is a system of human thought which includes a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, deity or deities, or ultimate truth. Faith is belief in the absence of proof. Both of these key components, religion and faith, are under fire this week for the Church of Scientology.
Known for having a large celebrity following in the U.S., the Church of Scientology was shoved into the media spotlight when George Haggis, award winning writer and director of Crash, defected. His reasons for leaving the organization include Scientology's support of California's Prop 8 which bans gay marriage in the state, and an accusation of church policy ordering "disconnection" or disassociation with anyone who leaves the church, family members included.
Scientology's recent run of bad publicity effects not just an entity, but individuals who have believed in the teachings of the organization. As spiritual beings having a human experience, we are all connected. The pain and suffering of one is damaging to us all. Agreement or disagreement among religions is an age old debate. But when it comes to the people involved ...the humans ... shattered faith can have a devastating impact on people's lives. These unfortunate issues in Scientology may be a golden opportunity for mankind to exercise compassion in an area that sometimes fuels intense arguments and spawns wars as people fight over the 'true' meaning of God and religion. Perhaps it's our chance to take one tiny step up the ladder leading to higher thought and spiritual ascension.
If today you stand firmly in your spiritual and religious convictions, ask for the healing of members and believers in Scientology as they navigate through this difficult flurry of events. Seek connection with their hearts and spirits on a higher plane and wish them well as they search for their own meaning in these tribulations. Nothing is by accident and there is no such thing as coincidence, so we must all know that it is for the greatest good of the universe when we are forced out of our comfort zone into areas where heat and pressure facilitate personal growth.
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Comments
Scientology's quasi-medial "purification rundown" is dangerous enough that the "church" makes members sign a waiver promising not to sue before they do it. Just like every religion does, right?
Scientology is not a religion. It's a money making scheme disguised as a religion to avoid paying taxes.
I just read the Church response on msnbc, search
Google for "Spokesman: Scientologists aren’t anti-gay" to find the msnbc.com news story.
It's funny because for Atheist may seem as news worthy but for a person who believes in a religion this may seem troublesome and uneasy. What if as a Christian someone asked why do you prey to Christ? There is no prof that he is the Sun of God, even the Judaism does not believe in this, would you feel angry? What if someone told asked a Buddhist why his or her faith worships Buddha, would that person feel that their religion has been challenged?
Religion is of a person belief and people switch from time to time. I think the letter from Paul Haggis was supposed to be private.
Scientologists are used to being embattled. Ever since the sci fi writer founded this space cult, they first battled the medical community which shut them down for practicing bogus therapy, then they switched it to a religion, so they could peddle their snake oil without the oversight of medical authorities.
It is the exorbitant costs of these "services" (therapies), that sets Scientology apart, as a special sort of brainwashing scam. In each of their centers, they have special people assigned to the job of helping members take out loans for course fees, after they've sold their house or car, and spent their last dollar. What other legitimate religion on earth does things like this?
Scientology is exactly what France has determined, a fraud. The process of coming out of this cult is no overnight thing based on an article or ruling. It takes people ten years or more to deprogram. If you want to see what brainwashing is, watch the Tom Cruise video. He is totally brainwashed.
Scientology would laabel you Potential Trouble Source Type H for being so open minded. It's true
This is time of general tribulation for populations as the global economic system continues to collapse. Severe austerity measures are being planned to reduce the living standards of Western populations. Governments are going to have to shove it down our throats without explaining why we're having to bail out the financial elite at the expense public services and the economy at large. Scientologists comprise a segment of the population which is willing and able to fight back, thus they are a primary target for the merchants of chaos. Never forget to ask which group will be next if we stand by and let this happen to one.
How sane people can they accept a bad writer can guide them on the basis of revelations incongruous. Really, false beliefs are the curse of humanity, which is what.
"This is time of general tribulation for populations as the global economic system continues to collapse. Severe austerity measures are being planned to reduce the living standards of Western populations. Governments are going to have to shove it down our throats without explaining why we're having to bail out the financial elite at the expense public services and the economy at large. Scientologists comprise a segment of the population which is willing and able to fight back, thus they are a primary target for the merchants of chaos. Never forget to ask which group will be next if we stand by and let this happen to one."
Let what happen? Let them be exposed for the liars and frauds they are? You are right to be concerned about the direction we're all headed, but Scientology is not the answer, it's a scam.
Scientology: only "religion" in the world that won't save you until you pay for books and courses off their price list and their staff work on commission so expect high pressure sales techniques and when they "audit" you, they will keep the secrets you confess on file to be used as blackmail against you later if you want to leave.
MONEY GRUBBING CRIMINAL CULT!
As a Scientologist, I am outraged at so much of the media's constant lies about the Scientology religion. The best way to learn about Scientology is to stop using the internet. Stop reading newspapers and magazines. The chaos-merchants are pulling out all the stops with their attacks on the Scientology religion. They hate it because they know it works. They hate it specifically because they know it has improved the lives of tens of millions of people who are proud to call themselves Scientologists. You simply can't believe the lies and propaganda about Scientology being spread so viciously every day through the media and the internet.
Yes, stop trying to learn about Scientology from these anarchists and other criminals on the payroll of Big Psychiatry. Pick up a copy of Dianetics at a local Stress Test table. They'll be happy to offer you an introductory Stress Test, and a nice discount when you purchase two or more of Mr. L. Ron Hubbard's bestselling books.
Ron Savelo, I suggest you take a closer look at Haggis' reasons for leaving Scientology. Your church openly lies about its practices when questioned. The so-numbered "tens of millions" of people you claim are Scientologists...where did you get that number? What is it derived from? How do you know for sure that everything you are told by your church is the truth. All we ask is that you start questioning, use logical, critical thinking, and research the facts for yourself.
I believe having an open attitude is key to spiritual growth, and we could use this as an opportunity. But Scientology is the wrong example for us to follow or support. As Gandhi said, "I cannot support any religious doctrine that opposes reason and goes against morality." That may not be his exact words, but they're pretty close. I have more affinity for Gandhi than I do for David Miscavage and L. Ron Hubbard, to put it in Scientology parlance.
Scott, your points are well made. However, compassion does not = support or following Scientology. Your "But" is a big one that I hope doesn't discourage others from sending healing energy to reduce the suffering of those affected by these events.
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