Yes indeed the German govenment is investigating Scientology..one of Scientology’s big issues now is a PR campaign against Germany because of this issue. There was a great article on Scientology in Rolling Stone, but I can’t remember which issue. Weird stuff. Having read it, I can say that Scientology has taken the ‘tithe’ concept a few steps further...instead of a percentage of your income, as is usual with most churches, they charge a flat fee. Nice. Very businesslike. Hmm. Business, or religious institution deserving tax free status.
Not for me to decide. I’d gladly see this ‘church’ shut down just to shut Tom Cruise up. OK, he’d probably join the Moonies, or better yet start his own church.
And I’ve been to Clearwater recently, it’s not that bad. 1 Irish pub (O’Keefes) still open and serving GREAT Shepherd’s Pie with Guiness Gravy...any religious types I encountered shuffling about, I treated like Krishnas and either gave them the cold frightening stare, or a good metaphysical shoulder to the sternum. Eh, whatever I wasn’t bothered. Peace.