Posted on 06/30/2009 4:05:36 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
In a groundbreaking case, a Paris court will decide for the first time whether to dissolve the Church of Scientology in France, which is facing charges of organized fraud.
The demand was made by French prosecutors on Monday (June 15) as they wrapped up their case against the church's Paris headquarters and bookshop. If found guilty, the institutions may also face a nearly $6 million fine.
Six members of the church are also on trial, and may also face heavy fines along with prison sentences if convicted.
The plaintiffs, two former Scientologists, claim the church conned them into spending tens of thousands of dollars in bogus products in the 1990s, including an "electrometer" that the church says can measure energy levels.
But the church, which claims a membership of 45,000 in France, rejects the accusations and claims it is being persecuted.
The plaintiffs, are "apostates who ... want to criticize their ex-religion," Fabio Amicarelli, a European Scientology representative, told French media recently.
While the charges pose the most serious challenge to the French church to date, they are only the latest clash in a nearly two-decade long battle against Scientology. Several fraud cases have already been judged and several members convicted of embezzlement in France, where Scientology is viewed with deep suspicion.
In one case, the head of the church's Lyons chapter was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 1996 for his role in a member's suicide.
Founded in 1954 by late American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the church is considered a religion in the United States with adherents that include Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.christianitytoday.com ...
I pray that they do!
Hey, Wikipedia is down!!! I tried to get info on L Ron Hubbard.
The whole thing is a fraud and it starts here in the states. Anyone with even a small portion of a brain can figure it out. HUBBARD WAS A SCIENCE FICTION WRITER FOR THE LOVE OF PETE!!!!!
Add to the list the pagan death cult based on a moon god that uses a red crescent as a symbol. Piss be upon them!
Tom cruz to the rescue
They are laying the groundwork for that, and Obama is laying the ground for the eventual receiving of the Muslim from Europe.
If you read about him, as I have, you will be amazed to learn that he
is simply a con artist. And actually connected to satan worshippers
like Aleister Crowley and Anton Levay. I know I sound like the church
lady but the whole thing is crazy.
>>Take that freedom of religion.<<
Scientology is NOT a “religion” by any definition. It is at best a worship of an author and more practically a New Age Louise Hay type of self-help cult.
It was started on a bet that L. Ron could create the most ridiculous basis for a religion and people would buy it. Clearly he won.
??? x-hubby??
Freedom of religion is not really something the French subscribe to. The revolutionaries were strongly anti-religion.
I never said it was a real religion. But people have a right to worship whatever they see fit as long as they don’t harm anybody else or interfere with another persons right to do the same.
“..but who is Tom Cruz?”
.
What’s the matter with you? Don’t you know Tom Croos?
>>I never said it was a real religion. But people have a right to worship whatever they see fit as long as they don’t harm anybody else or interfere with another persons right to do the same.<<
I think France is trying to protect its citizens from scammers — scientology is a HUGE sting operation and far from “not hurting anyone.”
We are just too afraid of anyone who uses the word “religion” to do what needs to be done.
President Bubba ended a strong USDJ IRS & RICO case against them here shortly before trial (probably with big payola ...).
He did leave a $600MM estate . . .
By whom? That's a pretty broad statement.
I believe that Germany refused to recognize Scientology as a religion.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.