Scientology Faces Criminal Charges

I admire the Belgian government for taking on this criminal organization. It won't be easy. I wish them well.

Question...

Belgium, Germany and other European countries have been criticized by the State Department for labeling Scientology as a cult or sect and enacting laws to restrict its operations.

Which "State Department"? The U.S. State Department? I don't believe that. Any one have corroborating information on that?

The USA's government investigated Scientology for years. There were many simultaneous lawsuits in USA courts. The Russian government was the most recent BIG LOSER, it attempted to deny Scientology the right to register as a religion. But even Russia could not suppress freedom of religion in today's world. The Church of Scientology took Russia's non-complience to the European Union Court of Human Rights and Russian paid costs and damages and is required to register the Church, anyway. That action of the European Union Court of Human Rights led to this action, because now the Belgian government falls under its rule, too. Those of us who have watched government after government after government, fail in attempts to suppress freedom of religion in courts, expect the Belgian government to fail.

Terryeo, no argument from me. But Scientology isn't a religion. It's a cult.

I don't believe it should be framed as an issue of Freedom of Religion, I think that's the mistake here.

I'm not going to call it a cult, too many connotations. Look at the Scientology logo. Look above the main entrance to their HQ. Pyramids. It's a giant, mental pyramid scheme. Scientology is a secret society that exists for the same reason most secret societies exist: to give its paying members a fast track to wealth career success. Not quite as influential or dangerous as Bush and Kerry's Skull and Bones Society, but just as cowardly and despicable.

Been living in LA for 5 years, never once seen a Scientology "church." Never once heard of a "religious" ceremony, or a mass.

Good point katinka and HL. It is not a freedom of religion issue at all.

HL, I agree with your "mental pyramid scheme".

I thought that Scientology was HQ'ed in Clearwater, FL. Strong presence there. Check the wikipedia entry for it.

But no surprise its official HQ is in L.A. since so much of L.A. is fantasy and not real.

"since so much of L.A. is fantasy and not real."

Hey, that's America. It's all about the image. We can Enron the books, write some killer fiction to rally the people into an unnecessary war, and distract the masses with gigantic fake boobies on Baywatch reruns.