France Accuses Scientologists of Fraud

Feb 13, 2008
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France Accuses Scientologists of Fraud



Germany may have been the first to declare Scientology a cult, but France has brought the Church to court on charges of organized fraud, according to France-Info radio.

If the CoS (Church of Scientology) is found guilty, the church could be declared illegal and disbanded. France hasn't outright banned it before, as authorities have considered it a sect, rather than a religion.

The charges themselves come about from the "illicit arguments and procedures" that CoS uses to sell its products and services, with the "Fair Game" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology)] policy likely to receive a lot of the flak.

The "Fair Game" policy itself, in the words of the founder L. Ron. Hubbard [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard], states "the law can be used very easily to harass ... The purpose of the suit is to harass and discourage, rather than to win - if possible, of course, ruin [the target] utterly." He later retracted the policy with respect to "bad public relations."

On the side of CoS, there has been an argument from the public prosecutor that the charges should be dropped because the officials of the Church of Scientology did not personally benefit from the organization's revenues. I'm sure Bill Gates doesn't benefit from sales of Windows either.

The trial is scheduled for May 25th. Let's just hope the jury isn't all wearing "V" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_(comics)] masks.

Source: Monsters and Critics [http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1456290.php/Scientology_to_be_put_on_trial_in_France_for_fraud_]
(Image) [http://www.flickr.com/photos/scragz/2336378873/]

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Specter_

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Dec 24, 2008
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The_root_of_all_evil said:
The trial is scheduled for May 25th. Let's just hope the jury isn't all wearing "V" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_(comics)] masks.
Uhm, why not? Anonymous against scientology for the win!
 

stormcaller

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Sep 6, 2008
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Woot! for France, I will now attack my French homework with a new gusto. (Yeah the last part is total bull-shit.)
 

uppitycracker

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Oct 9, 2008
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Kukul said:
What about USA?
When will your goverment make $cientology illegal?
Or are there already too many $cientologists in power to do that?
I think you pretty much nailed it right there
 

Erana

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Feb 28, 2008
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The thing about scientology itself is that, unlike many religions like Christianity and Islam, it assumes that people are bad and stupid by default. People aren't allowed to even see much of their texts until they "understand" the previous piece...
And France has a point. I mean, if they want to have their own beliefs, OK, go ahead. But if you start messing with the law, you're in for it.
 

Mstrswrd

Always playing Touhou. Always.
Mar 2, 2008
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Well, I hope that, during the trial, Anonymous appear outside the courthouse, not doing anything, just standing there and being creepy.
 

Robert_Lindblad

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Jan 29, 2009
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Penthouse Interview With L. Ron Hubbard Jr. [http://www.rickross.com/reference/scientology/scien240.html]

[Long article replaced with a link. Don't do that. - Mod]
 

Robert_Lindblad

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Jan 29, 2009
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There must be 50 ways to leave your Scientology master
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
and get yourself free
 

Trivun

Stabat mater dolorosa
Dec 13, 2008
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I have gained a newfoud respect for the French, which is unexpected given that I'm British. Scientology is crazy, simple as that.
 

ElephantGuts

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Jul 9, 2008
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This actually does make me respect the French a lot more. I'm actually not surprised that they're the ones who managed to look past the freedom of speech/religion that any modern country is required to allow and realize that Scientology is still pretty screwed up. I'm not saying they should make up charges just to get rid of them, but if they did do something wrong then for God's sake prosecute them. Don't be afraid of being seen as opressive or something just because they're a poor minority group. Get something done.
 

Robert_Lindblad

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Jan 29, 2009
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A common brainwashing technique used by cults is that of malnutrition. By supplying a diet to their subjects that lacks the proper amount of proteins, vitamins, and minerals necessary for a healthy body and mind their subjects easily fall prey to suggestion whether it is direct through discussion or indirect through literature.