Church of Scientology
@CherylsPearls (1269)
United States
September 4, 2007 1:19pm CST
I read an article on Yahoo a few minutes ago about the Church of Scientology in Belgium. A Belgian prosecutor recommended that the "church" should be prosecuted for fraud and extortion and be labeled as a criminal organization. This is all after a 10-year investigation.
The church has been trying to expand to European countries for years now, but without much luck.
Evidently the U.S. State Department has critized Belgium, Germany and other European countries for labeling the church a sect and enacting laws to restrict it's activities in their countries.
What do you think about this controversy? Do you think that this church qualifies as a real church and religion?
I have to wonder why the U.S. State Department would advocate for the Church of Scientology when the same government has until recently refused to allow Wiccan markers on the graves of soldiers who died serving their country. Wicca is a recognized religion in the U.S.
I'd love to hear your opinions about it.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
11 Sep 07
CherylsPearls this is a controversial subject and I applaud you for bringing it up. You only have two topics up so far, but both are subjects with substance.
Personally I'd have to know more about the subject before feeling secure enough to offer an opinion. On the surface, I would say all religions, including Wicca, should be accepted. I myself will be going against popular thought to become a non-denomonational reverend - not for the purpose of standing up at a pulpit and running a church, but to do pastoral counseling and to perform weddings. I also want to take the training necessary to perform handfasting as well.
However, I think I would have to dig deeper to find if the allegations of fraud and extortion were correct, and I would not rely solely on the media to tell me so.
So on the surface I would say that if they feel they qualify as a church then they should, however, I would need to find out more. Thank you for such an in depth topic and I for one would love to know what your feelings are on the subject.
1 person likes this
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I do agree with you about organized religion. Religion has been the "excuse" for a lot of wars and unrest since the beginning of time, I suppose. I haven't gone to church in, oh, 30 years!
However, I don't think The Church of Scientology is really a religion at all.
@HsuYinFung (161)
• United States
4 Sep 07
"I think without religion there would be no wars." Boy, are you so right. I mean we would all just get along and love each other without that religion thing getting in the way. There would never be any disagreements or radically opposing views on anything. Nobody would seek to elevate themselves above others or seek to take control and oppress other people. We are just naturally good people who want to live in perfect harmony. (Obviously this is sarcastic because nobody can honestly believe this statement.)
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
5 Sep 07
For HSUYINFUNG - To those uninformed, I would suggest you check out some history books on religious wars. Or better yet, why not watch the news. What is it exactly that you think Al Qaeda is all about? People war all over the world in the name of religion.
And no, I do not think that religion is the cause of all wars. But I am not as pessimistic as you are; I do believe there are plenty of people who are just naturally good people. I don't think religion changes that. And going to church does not make you a good person, dear. It just makes you a benchwarmer.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I personally think it is a rather dangerous sect. I used to work for a single lady dentist who got involved with them and they actually sent a team to Georgia from California to see (?) and help her run her practice more efficiently. I was office manager at the time so I had to deal with these people and I did not get a good impression. There was nothing to do with religion only money is their questions. Sadly to say the dentist really got brainwashed, sold her practice and her beautiful old historical home and moved to California and her friends have never heard of her since. They think she was told to cut all ties with her life here.
