Bis Nichts Mehr Bleibt, or Until Nothing Remains, is a movie based on an account of how a German family was ripped apart by its associations with Scientology, which is depicted as authoritarian, abusive, and cult-like. The Church is being accused of campaigning to block the airing of the film on German television and has charged that it should be blocked as fostering “intolerance and discrimination against a religious community.” It appears to be the latest version of a blasphemy claim in the West, here.

Scientology leaders are accusing Germany’s primary public TV network, ARD, of attacking their faith and organization out of intolerance. The story is based on Heiner von Rönns, who left Scientology and suffered the subsequent break-up of his family. Jürg Stettler, a spokesman for Scientology in Germany, says that they are exploring legal means to stop the film.

Stettler said the organisation was planning its own film to “spread our own side of the story”.

The producers complain that Scientologists have bombarded them with calls and emails throughout production. This has included allegations that Scientologists have trailed film staff — an allegation that has appeared in prior disputes with the Church.

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