So Germany's Gonna Ban Scientology
 

news story to confirm I'm not making this shit up

The question is should they? Freedom of speech and religion is something that at least Americans hold dear, and moves to ban an ideology can leave a bad taste.


As far as I'm concerned, so long as the "banning" doesn't equate to a free speech violation and only bars Scientology from being recognized as a religion then I'm all for it. Scientology is basically a scam anyways, and our decision to recognize it in the 90's has definitely been one of the most retarded.

It's like Mormonism, only they didn't have time to make their own state.

Also talk about how much you hate Scientology if you're so inclined.

If it was really a religion, I'd be opposed. But it's not. It's a typical pyramid scheme scam advertised by a bunch of celebrities. Mormons don't require financial contributions to get in or learn the rules of their religion.

Joseph Smith was like the L. Ron Hubbard of his day, though. Hieing to Kolob and all.

I've tried learning about it but I still don't know the fuck scientology is.

I'm also assuming that Germany isn't as liberal as we are in the states when it comes to religion. Just about anything can qualify as a religion here, especially in Hollywood. Man, when I used to live there it was insane how many times I'd drive by some pop up stand religion that I'd never heard of. They were as frequent as taco trucks.

Especially considering the fact that the U.S. government knew just what Scientology was capable of doing and willing to do.

I don't think it'd be that bad if we had a Scientology Holocaust. We'd be rid of a lot of terrible actors.

That being said, I agree that there shouldn't be a "buy-in" requirement for any religion to be considered a legitimate member, and I commend the German government for being not as stupid as the rest of the world that acknowledges Scientology.

I doubt that they're going to kick people out of the country or anything, but lack of recognition is more than enough. I doubt it'll do anything to make the Scientologists any less crazy though.

It should be noted that the Germans aren't considering a ban on Scientology because of the religion, but for the reasons that Styphon has pointed out.

Essentially, they cover their asses by stealing government documents in order to commit tax evasion (all the while living luxuriously off the fees that their congregations pay to them).

Sounds pretty awesome.

German Constitution wouldn't even allow a ban based on religious reasons, that should be made clear right here. The freedom of religion is an extremely high value in this country.

I don't know what to think about this. I don't really care about it, most honestly. And I don't really know whether they do care because Germany is just one country out of many and as long as they're allowed to do business in the United States, there shouldn't really be a problem for them.

honestly though banning mormonism back in that day would not be objectionable to me.

These days Mormons are just christians who had the turn of fortune to be descendants of those gullable saps. The only reason they don't convert to catholicism or baptism or something is because Grandma would be so pissed.

prove me wrong!

YouTube Video

not basically Christian in any way

Oh but they do care. See, Germany is a First World nation, so their reviewing over whether Scientology should be banned creates bad press for Scientologists. They have the most gigantic victim mentality in the history of forever, and enough money to sue the pants off of anybody who even so much as mentions it.

It also creates the additional worry that should Germany follow through and ban Scientology, other countries would follow suit and pursue legal action.

Belgium, for example, is heading in the same direction as Germany.

Good for them. Too bad a ban like that wouldn't work in the United States. The whole evidence about the subversion of the state was probably the last straw for the Germans.

"I know I as a finite being can't become an infinite being. It's a logical fallacy."

Why is that the best line of the entire video.

Plus also it's basically true.

Well, it's got a good amount of half-truths, I'll give it that.

Does this make Germany fair game? Because I can totally see Sea Org landing an invasion force in Kiel.

Scientology is less a religion than a pyramid scheme that suckers people who don't know any better in using glorified multimeters. I can't say that I'd be too broken up if they get shut down.

I thought that only the US and Australia recognized Scientology in the first place. What's the difference between before and now?

Except that it's filled with good, old-fashioned Christian moralizing. "They teach that Joseph Smith did more for us than any other man... even more than Jesus!?"

Still, why wouldn't "Elohim"'s name by Yahweh, as it is in the Old Testament?

Despite what you and Starman may think, there's no way to make Mormonism sound less crazy. Sorry fellas. :(

Whoa, that video was kind of fascinating.

I'd really like a Mormon's opinion on it--obviously it has an agenda, but how much of it is true?