Germany has long investigated Scientology as a cult and a criminal organization. It may now formally ban the organization under a proposal out of Hamburg.
Hamburg’s secretary of the interior, Udo Nagel, is seeking a nationwide ban, which will require the approval of all 16 states in Germany. Germany views the organization as abusive and a threat to human rights.
While other countries take dim views of the activities of Scientology, Germany has been the most aggressive, including recent investigations of possible murder and scams connected to the organization. While the U.S. has had a rocky relationship with Scientology and for years refused to recognize it as a religion, it has criticized Germany for intolerance in the matter and now treats Scientology as a religion.
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