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Good start. Now time to follow up with the others. | |
First step in a long road of taking down Scientology perhaps? Fingers crossed eh | |
We can but hope. Though no doubt someone will complain that its a breech of 'freedom of speech' or something. | |
For those interested, the caption picture is from "Battlefield-earth" | |
Finally, something's actually happening to them. People need to realise that this isn't just an ordinary religious group, it's harmful. | |
Fixed. And one can dream... | |
Seriously? The French tortured you all into converted into Christianity? No? Then no, its not a sodding Inquistion. Silly sectists. | |
Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, "drugs and tests to measure "spiritual progress"? I thought scientology was against drugs and such. | |
Scientologists convicted of fraud? Finally? Pretty hilarious,if you ask me. | |
Its not happened but I wont deny its a very tempting idea. | |
Tom Cruise just stopped laughing maniacally. In other news, Katie Holmes reported missing. | |
But-but-but.... TOM CRUISE CAN'T BE WRONG! HE'S FAMOUS!!! Okay, on a more serious note... all I can say is... bwahahahahhahahahhaa! FINALLY! Expose them for the frauds they are, and put an end to this preying on the weak minded!!! This is hopefully one of MANY steps in the right direction. | |
NOBODY EXPECTS THE--- | |
In related news: French courthouse mysteriously disappears along with the entire Parisian city treasury, police baffled. | |
Only when the subjects... I mean, worshippers, are already docile enough without them. Or when they aren't bored enough just to use them to see what happens.
Yeah, I had to fight the urge to make the obvious Python joke too ;). And indeed, good for the French - as for England, do we even have outposts of that insanity here? | |
Here at last! God Almighty, we're here at last! But seriously, it's good to finally see Scientology get its comeuppance, even if it's only on a small scale. I don't think I've ever seen Scientology fail when it comes to cases like these, but I'm not at all surprised to hear they were accused of fraud. But I digress! It's good to know Scientology's legal cases aren't untouchable. Here's hoping more events like this are coming soon. We're on to you, Scientologists. Expect us. | |
They already appealed saying it's a breach of the "freedom of religion" they don't have freedom of speech (well, not like the 1st amendment anyways) The thing is the French have been extremely careful to never ever refer to scientology as a religion (church), but rather as a cult, so scientology is pretty boned appealing on these grounds. I can't wait to see this spread out, once 1 unfavorable judgment from a "big" court comes out, the tribunals will be citing each other to go on.The first step was the hardest, the next ones should be easier :)
They were accused a few months back, they just got convicted | |
Thank goodness, now we just gotta start chipping away at those crazy Christians, and finally my beautiful United States can once again be safe for secular thought. Hang them all. | |
I don't know about elsewhere, but in London there's Queen Victoria street and Tottenham Court Road, and East Grinstead, which is their main base of operations in England. Theres a bunch of them around, mostly in cities. | |
Why does everyone hate scientology? It just seems like another religion... | |
About damn time but better late then never. I hope we'll see more convictions like this in the future. | |
Ugh... I had hoped us Britons where too cynical to fall for the stupidity of Scientology. My countrymen, you've failed me! | |
Not fixed. Clearly you know nothing of the horrors of the 'church' of Scientology. In general religions preach (along-side belief in God [or gods]) proper morals and respect (Racism and sexism aside). Scientology preaches paying the church money to be monitored so that one might learn the 'truth' - then killing anyone who tries to leave. Hopefully this will make a difference.
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I think everyone can agree with me when I say "About time" | |
XENU DAMN YOU! | |
Finalement! Un problème de moins. | |
Well, we have christians here, and yet are in effect one of the most secular nations in the world. Mind you, research suggests that a) only 50% of the English claim to be christian, and b) Only 1 in 10 of them attend church more than once a month. So, in reality, only 5% of our population is strongly Christian, heh. | |
Well, this is good news. And if they manage to appeal I call for all-out street war on Scientology. Nohz or chain or britvah! teeheehee | |
-sigh- doesnt everybody... though I hope this ridiculous religion will go down the drain though I hope that for all of them this is first on my list | |
Scientology eh? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT9WFRSc7sA Pretty much sums up what it is and the type of people it contains. | |
If only I could find that South Park episode on YouTube. | |
I believe Scientology was considered a cult when it first started in the US and was treated as such until the Scientology guys got some serious dirt on an influential politician and "magically" it was given official religion status and all the perks and protection that go with that shit. | |
Well hoorah for France! | |
Oh god, thats so good. | |
| (Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) | |
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Scientology Convicted of Fraud
The French branch of the Church of Scientology has been fined $900,000 after being found guilty of pressuring two former members into expensive "purification courses," vitamins, drugs and tests to measure "spiritual progress."
The fines were leveled against the Scientology Celebrity Center in Paris as well as a Scientology bookstore; six group leaders were also convicted of fraud and fined, with four receiving suspended jail sentences. Scientology is regarded as a religion by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service but is considered a "sect" - essentially comparable to a cult - in France and thus doesn't enjoy comparable legal protection. Even so, the prosecution's request to ban the church entirely went unheeded, as the judges presiding over the case said the law did not allow for such measures.
The case is regarded as very important, however, because it's the first time that the church itself, rather than just individual members, has been tried and convicted of criminal activity. "This is a historic decision," said Olivier Morice, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. "It's the first time in France that the entity of the Church of Scientology is condemned for fraud as an organized gang."
"Scientology can no longer hide behind freedom of conscience," added Catherine Picard, who runs a support group for victims of religious sects. She said the verdict was "subtle enough and intelligent," adding that she hoped it would help control Scientology in France.
A Scientology spokeswoman said the church would appeal the verdict, calling it "an Inquisition for modern times."
Source: NYTimes.com
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