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Russian Court Bans Scientology Books As “Extremist”

A court in Moscow has upheld a lower court decision declaring books on Scientology to be extremist literature and banning publication or distribution of such books. This decision follows moves by other countries against Scientology as a criminal or fraudulent enterprise as well as testimony against the church by former high-ranking church members.


The court found that Scientology was aimed at forming isolated groups and fostering extremist activities.

I hold no brief for Scientology, but I am unsure why it has been singled out over other religions. As a civil libertarian, I find any censorship to be anathema. I have no problem with countries pursuing this or other religious organizations when they believe that they engage in fraud or other crimes. However, to ban publications from such a group raises serious free speech and associational concerns.

What do you think?

Source: RFERL

12 thoughts on “Russian Court Bans Scientology Books As “Extremist””

  1. It’s a stretch to call Scientology a religion. Science fiction is closer to what it is.

    Wasn’t Earthlink started by a Scientologist? I used to work for a company
    where, I believe I’m correct in saying, every employee there was a Scientologist except me.

    Stina Hans was the President, and her husband was a lawyer for the
    C.O. S.

  2. The church of scientology under its leader David Miscavige is said to be corrupt, corrupting and dangerous; there are certainly no shortage of what church of scientology officials call bitter apostates; there is now a growing group of Independent Scientologists who believe in Hubbard’s philosophy but who have nothing to do with the church of scientology.

    All that said banning the books gives them more credibility than they deserve. Yes the organisation does foster isolation, extremism and an unhealthy disregard for normal rules of society but that is more to do with the institutionalised atmosphere within the church of scientology than anything else.

    Like all religions the teachings are open to wide interpretation and are full of inconsistencies and contradictions. And Hubbard was a far more prolific writer than most authors of religious texts. Needless to say it also has its own esoteric mythology, Xenu and space opera.

    Scientology is pretty similar to most other philosophies but the church of scientology is more like Al-Qaeda is to Islam than the Catholic church is to Christianity.

  3. While you are at it Russia: Ban the Sears Roebuck version of the Bible. That is the one which subverts the Sixth Commandment and now allows the State of Texas, in the name of the People of Texas, to kill.

  5. From article:

    “I hold no brief for Scientology, but I am unsure why it has been singled out over other religions. ” ….

    “What do you think?”
    —-

    LOL, I think you’re exactly right! It isn’t like they castrate children or hide child molesters from the law or have their kids handle poisonous snakes or anything. 🙂

  6. Russia seems to think that people cant read Dianetics without become a scientologist sweatshop slave, extorted for all their worldly possessions. There is no justification to ban ayn rands lover when slavery and extortion are already considered crimes.

  7. Just another case of mommy and daddy government. In the US mommy and daddy government says it’s a crime if I give a consenting women money for sex or if I smoke a joint or don’t wear a seat belt or cross the street in the middle of the block or park more then 12 in. from the curb or if I accidentally got on a one way the wrong way.

  8. Anonymously Yours 1, March 21, 2012 at 8:26 am

    Am I alone again and see a striking similarity between the US political parties and scientology….. Nah…. Others might recognize it…. But just aren’t sure where to put it…..
    ==========================
    Good point.

  9. Magg – a few people have tried & if you think their abuse of church members is bad its child’s play compared to what they did to people who tried to take them down.

  10. Am I alone again and see a striking similarity between the US political parties and scientology….. Nah…. Others might recognize it…. But just aren’t sure where to put it…..

  11. It’s Russia which is not exactly known as a democratic/free country. As for scientology, I’ve not heard much about them except for their greed and their abusive practices against the ‘underlings’ in the church. I’m surprised that somone or some group has not tried to put them out of business in the U.S. But then I think the earth would be a much better place if all religion was just gone.

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