Behavioral Issues

What Scientologists Say About Scientology

In the media today, there is much speculation about whether or not Scientology is a cult or a religion. As seen from the opinions of the people in the video, it appears that Scientologists are fully functioning, helpful members of society. Scientology leaders assert that they are not leading a cult; they insist that “the church is a religion, if an unconventional one” (BBC). However, that video was also put out on the Internet by the Church of Scientology. Many critics have come out saying that this “new” religion is not really a religion at all. Rather, they argue along similar terms that it is “is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members” (Wikipedia). Currently, Scientology is still trying to legitimize itself as a religion throughout the world. Nevertheless, it is becoming harder to accept as more entities reject it: “the church…banned from British prisons - whilst in Germany, [Scientology] members are not allowed to stand for parliament” (BBC). Most recently, in October, 2009, the Church of Scientology was convicted of fraud in France. Members sued the Church for continuously wanting more money in order to practice Scientology, calling this a fraudulent practice. In the end, “a three-judge panel at the Correctional Court in Paris convicted the church and six of its members of organized fraud, but stopped short of banning the church” from France (CNN). The Church claimed that this was an “inquisition” on the part of France and that freedom of religion is in jeopardy.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology#Controversies
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/27/france.scientology.fraud/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-cyclopedia/392396.stm