Given the recent refusal of a Scientology spokesman to discuss the basis of Church’s beliefs, we are unlikely to get much of a response on the conviction this week of the Church for fraud in Paris. The court convicted the Church and fined it more than 600,000 euros ($900,000). However, the court stopped short in banning the group entirely as demanded by the government.
Six Scientology leaders were convicted of fraud in a case that looked at the Church’s long controversial methods of getting followers to contribute increasing amounts of money. It also found that the Church engaged in “commercial harassment” of recruits.
Prosecutors wanted a ban and even larger fine, but the Court said that the Church would likely continue to operate outside of the law if banned.
Scientology spokeswoman Agnes Bron called the verdict “an Inquisition of modern times.” He might have said it is a modern version of being tied to a volcano and blown up with H-Bombs by a galactic warlord — but that is precisely what Scientology spokesmen decline to discuss on principle, here.
In the case, prior followers alleged that they were systematically bilked through escalating charges for “purification packages” and other material.
What will be interesting is how this case impacts the ongoing efforts to ban the Church as a cult or a criminal enterprise in some countries. In the very least, it is likely to inspire other such lawsuits in the future. Recent cases include an allegation that the Church is hampering a criminal investigation in Australia, here.
Ah … indulgences … the medicine for the ages … when will they mix it with railroad gin?
———————————-
Now the rainman gave me two cures,
Then he said, “Jump right in.”
The one was Texas medicine,
The other was just railroad gin.
An’ like a fool I mixed them
An’ it strangled up my mind,
An’ now people just get uglier
An’ I have no sense of time.
Oh, Mama, can this really be the end,
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again.
———————————-
Bob Dylan
Jill, I would continue that there should be no religious exemption, period. For anyone. The quaint days when we did not question the CLEARLY deadly dangerous bald zealotry that has fueled two illegal military occupations are now over.
A cult is a cult is a cult. The only exemption they receive is from participation in reality.
This behavior takes place among most (all?) other religious organizations. France calls Scientology a “sect”, not a church which is why they went after it. Yet, this type of behavior should be considered illegal period. Conviction should not depend on being a sect, while the same behavior by a “church” is A-O.K. When an organization behaves as a criminal enterprise it should be treated as such. There should be no religious exemption from illegal behavior.
In the case, prior followers alleged that they were systematically bilked through escalating charges for “purification packages” and other material.
Do I have a purification package for you, inquire within. Only those with celebrity status and money need apply. I will personally relieve you of all evils, euro’s accepted.
Anonymous 1, October 27, 2009 at 9:50 am
Scientologists are in the only so called religion that are allowed to take a tax deduction for religious training. That means scientology makes money tax free from all the courses it offers, plus scientologists get a tax deduction for that money they spend on the courses.
No religions gets this. Only scientology. Sound fair?
************
Not true, all properly registered 502(3)(c) are entitled to the same….
Scientologists are in the only so called religion that are allowed to take a tax deduction for religious training. That means scientology makes money tax free from all the courses it offers, plus scientologists get a tax deduction for that money they spend on the courses.
No religions gets this. Only scientology. Sound fair?