[V_TWIN]

I follow the Leah Remini show pretty closely. When the fed gov recognized ‘em as a church the flood gates were opened. Last episode explained how that happened. basically scientology harassed the IRS into allowing them tax exempt status.

[simpson96]

“Where’s Shelly?”

[Slyfox]

Scientology is really no different than any other cult. Nah, maybe much more successful because of the influence they press into their service.

They are like the early nazi's who intimidated people through fear while gaining every psychopath who could see an opportunity for them in their organization.

They also remind me of the people who surround Hillary, even though she lost her big chance. Just like the people who truly believe that L. Ron Hubbard is coming back and they build him numerous mansions for the event.

It is amazing what they are able to get away with.

[Reily]

The German government used to classify them as a terrorist organization.

[minnesota_bound]

#2 Ite was Bill Clinton who gave them ‘church’ status. Fot a bribe no doubt.

[FES0844]

Amazes me how intelligent people, (Greta Van Susteren) can belong to this cult. And they pay big bucks to participate.

[semantic]

I have a slightly different take on how the IRS decision went down. Basically, they were faced with a very important, key opinion that would have positively been challenged in court, where the "church" would have then eventually prevailed. I'm referring, of course, to someone, some group of people, some board of supervisors, deciding on what and what isn't a 'religion'.

So, rather than go down that path and the inevitable 1A reaffirmation, the IRS/government essentially punted, relying on information and human nature to limit the damage. The gov't was also banking on the fact that it's very, very difficult to start a church. In the last 200 years, only a handful have been successfully launched. LDS, JW, Scientology, and ? It's both the nature of people to lose enthusiasm, and promoters to lose energy, which leads to all the groups we don't hear about eventually fading away.

Of course, this makes vulnerable the (relatively few) people who do become ensnared in the rare association that has all the 'right pieces'. How many people can resist the personal dynamics of a J Smith, or Miscavage, and the essential criminality of psychopathic masterminds? In reality, not that many, so it's better to protect the 1A overall, than run around attempting to protect the few who get trapped in cults.

[morphing libertarian]

Outstanding series with a lot of courage.

[Buckeye McFrog]

basically scientology harassed the IRS into allowing them tax exempt status.

so....there IS somebody they actually fear.