yes is it a voluntary cult, and if people are dumb enough to spend all their money to it and get in debt then thats their problem. but surely the evidence of harm and despair it can cause is enough for the governments to bring it down. i mean, in america it has already gained power, but how do they get away with having a church in central london? aint our laws so strict that cons like this are punishable?
2007-10-11 06:22:40 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It's a religion,and in America we have the freedom to believe and worship as we choose. It's not any more cultish and money-grubbing than any other organized religion.
2007-10-11 07:21:56 · answer #1 · answered by Hillary 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
you really think that scientology has caused more "harm and despair" then say the catholics did during the crusades? or the protestants when they were burning witches? The vast majority of organized hierarchal religions have done way more damage than the scientologists could ever dram about bringing about.
2007-10-11 06:41:41 · answer #2 · answered by vegan_geek 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
modification I Congress shall make no regulation respecting a company of religion, or prohibiting the unfastened exercising thereof; or abridging the liberty of speech, or of the clicking; or the incredible of the individuals peaceably to gather, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. that's what the U. S. shape says. various religions use that as a skill of "working the gadget". the only difficulty you won't be able to do as a faith is tell your parishioners the thank you to vote. which will reason loss of popularity and of tax-exempt status. you won't be able to declare, to illustrate, that religions which do no longer know Jesus are no longer religions. in case you want to get choosy, look at greater effective than 800 Christian sects, and greater effective than 7000 variations of the Holy Bible, all actually authentic (or so their proponents will inform you). Now it ought to look that States ought to legislate against Scientology, on account that that capacity is against the regulation to the Feds, yet Noooo. The 10th modification supplies the States in all threat that capacity, however the 14th, requiring "equivalent risk-free practices of the regulation" extends the consequence of the 1st to all ranges of government. So there is crap available it rather is crap, and it has a precise to be crap, in accordance to our shape. in case you want to alter that, substitute the form.
2016-12-14 14:32:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been asking myself that same question. With all the evidence against them, why are they still operating with virtual impunity?
I think it has something to do with the sweetheart deal it made with the IRS. Scientology bullied it's way into tax exempt status by filing literally thousands of personal lawsuits against IRS officials and also lawsuits against the organization itself. The IRS couldn't take the pressure and buckled, granting Scientology and all it's subsidiaries religious tax exemption.
Scientology did end up paying millions of dollars to the IRS, so basically the cult threatened the IRS and then paid off the government to keep everyone's mouths shut and their prying eyes away.
2007-10-11 09:22:47 · answer #4 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If a "religion" has gained enough support, any tolerant (or free) government will not do anything to restrict or abolish it. If you dont agree with it or whatever, then just dont pay (or draw) any attention to it. The free world is built upon tolerance of others and their opinions and beliefs (as long as they dont pose a threat to other non-believers).
2007-10-11 06:32:31 · answer #5 · answered by Toledo Engineer 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of religion.
A church or cult can be held accountable for fraudulent actions but if people are volutarily giving their money there is no fraud. They can also be held accountable for violent acts or any other crimes.
We have a Christian church here that requires you to set up automatic monthly deductions of 20% of your income to join. You have to provide your tax returns too. Stupid but perfectly legal.
2007-10-11 06:32:35 · answer #6 · answered by elysialaw 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The first amendment to the US Constitution prohibits making it illegal. Period.
It's like asking why is the Catholic Church legal -- after all hundreds of priests caused a lot of harm to a lot of kids so..........
2007-10-11 06:30:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
How is it any different then any other "con" religion? They all ask for your money , they seem about the same to me. What harm and despair has it caused?
2007-10-11 06:26:36 · answer #8 · answered by TyranusXX 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Your wording sounds like alot of posts on here that ask questions like that based on other posts of loads of info from strange internet sites. So Im guessing that the answer is "Its still legal because it was looked over by people who actually went there and talked to them".
2007-10-12 03:55:25 · answer #9 · answered by Gandalf Parker 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you said it freedom of religion. Until cults start posing threats the feds usually look the other way.
2007-10-11 06:28:57 · answer #10 · answered by satcomgrunt 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋