Scientology Goes on Trial in France, America is Unaware
On May 25th, ten of the Church of Scientology's French leaders went on trial. The ten of them, this time around, are defending against evidence and allegations that the Church of Scientology is a financially driven organization and not a non-profit church. The accusation specifically is that the "C of S" generates revenue by convincing psychologically depressed and disadvantaged individuals that they are in need of very costly spiritual healing and counseling session. This is known as "auditing".
This trial was planned to be over by June 17th. I've been waiting like a little rich kid waits for Christmas, but so far, there is no new information. I can't believe there haven't even been papparazzi swarming the exterior of the courthouse, if possible, I'd develop a blog dedicated strictly do this. Oh, that'd be glorious.
The lure of Scientology is understandable. For one, it has massive celebrity endorsement. And then it promises to not only provide such luxuries and niceties that they celebrities live in and possess, but to have complete mental healing. Elimination of all depression and anxieties - wow...what a fine target demo.
Scientologists have been on trial in France for similar allegations five times since 1978 to now. 1978 was L. Ron Hubbard himself. He was found guily of vulgar fraud. Specifically, the defrauding and taking money from individuals, promising them health and wealth by going through the auditing program.
So as I sit here, on the edge of my seat (alright I'm in bed right now, to be fair), wondering just what the fate of Scientology in France will be. I suspect that the trial will end just as pappa L. Ron's did in 1978. The prosecution has two key witnesses. One of which was scammed out of $27,000 in two months.
The result of a "guilty" verdict would be fines and possible prison time. Best of all (and this is my giant birthday present that I'm hoping to get to tear into and enjoy) is that the Church of Scientology would be banned from doing business and existing as an entity at all in the nation of France.
France is clearly a far more secular nation than the United States. However, Americans have gestated an increasingly profound distaste for Scientology. Perhaps, as strong as that disgust France has and may take action on. Thank you, South Park, Tom Cruise, and The Celebrity Center.
Perhaps, France will pave the way for other nations (fingers crossed foolishly for the U.S.A.) to ban Scientology as well. Even better, perhaps the veil of spirituality will be lifted from other major profit driven religions. If not for judicial systems to take action, but for individuals to express lessened demand on their own.
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Amy A
big fat trauma queen
Sheldon The Wonderhorse
BikeLizard
WriteNOWMom
Del Stone
Salon.com
Comments
This is a great post, great info, and ought to be read by way more than are likely to read it here. I'd bet there are less than 1% of the "interested" public that know of this trial. I'd love to see more interest, and love to read more about the downside of Scientology; the dark side, if you will. From all I can gather, at its least, it is seductive and has left a trail of hurt bodies as it proffers its version of a "better way." Use this place, Asta, as your forum; why the hell not.
Rated.
It really irks me that the word science was co opted by that maniac Hubbard.
heck, i'm an agnostic. i don't go to church, and i will fight my inlaws if they try to take my kids to church. but i really don't know a good way to handle scientology without screwing up the first amendment. i am troubled that in europe, they silence holocaust deniers. i'm not a holocaust denier, but i see them point to that as evidence of a coverup, which gives them some martyred by the state credibility.
i think i prefer southpark's method, relentless teasing, over any interference by the state. thanks for writing about this. it's interesting to think about.
I was happy to see Anonymous' attacks, and hope that Anonymous France is active on this.
rated
The main difference between Sci and other religions, though, is that the Christian churches do not demand money to glean higher "knowledge." They might ask for money, give you a big guilt trip if you don't, or dangle innumerable trinkets before you in exchange for "love gifts", but nobody in any REAL church, to my knowledge, tells anybody that they have to pony up hundreds or thousands of dollars in order to advance to "the next level".
That's why Scientology is WORSE than organized religion. Because it takes people's money in exchange for their "teaching". As such, I think to call it a "religion" is just a lie. It is a self-help method, and ought to be forced to market itself as one and pay taxes like any other business. (I bet, in fact, if they went that route, they would probably make even more money, because people are usually willing to do some program for a limited time, but giving away your immortal soul, well, that's different.)
BTW, I am 100% in favor of freedom of religion, including, reluctantly, Scientology, as I truly believe that as long as some group doesn't take you out to the jungle a la Jim Jones, or abuse little kids, then adults have the right to do whatever they want, no matter how weird or dumb it seems.
Scientology rips people off? Ever seen a "prosperity gospel" church? They promise flat-out that "God will reward you" for giving them money. Do they get banned too, or are they okay because they believe in Jesus instead of Nanu-nanu or whoever it is the Scientologists worship?
I have to agree with Mosca - the obvious solution certainly appears to be revoking the tax-free status of ALL religions, not just Scientology. If people want religion in their lives, fine - let them pay for it themselves. I've sick and tired of subsidizing stupidity.
I'm also sick and tired of funding complete stupidity and ignorance. People can believe whatever shit they want to believe, as long as they aren't hurting someone else and aren't interfering with their lives (Hear that, Jehovah's?), but no one should have to pay for that shit if they choose not to.
And people wonder why I get a *bit* agitated about religions!
If we did away with the business of religion, we'd have to do away with the business of gambling, too. And while we're at it, might as well do away with stock markets. You pays your money and you takes your chances.
The purveyors of snake oil are legion.
The religions born in the Middle East. Judaism, Christianity and Islam seem to be about the worst. Because they claim to own the truth, which is more important than anything in the world. Some people who start believing in such kind of absolute truths think that it is even better to kill the other people who don't believe, for the salvation of their souls.
Some other religions are a bit more tolerant than others.
But a fundamental problem is that we need some kind of freedom for the people to believe, and we need as well the freedom for others not to believe.
If the believers of different religions could agree together that they don't know whose belief system is the best or the most correct one, we could maybe stand such religions?