German official seeks ban on Scientology, I say kudos to Germany what's your response?

Answer 1

dido

Answer 2

I think its a bad move and contrary to anothers statement most of europe does not agree with it. Everything has its pros and cons. This action does not have as many advantages as some people think.

A) Germany is already listed with Russia, China, and France as religiously intolerant by international religious watch agencies (scientology has not been their only target)

B) due to old treaties, people that germany bans are supposed to be recognized as banned by most european countries. It was not meant to include religious bans but that has popped up and is making some trouble for germany

C) it would give all german scientologists the right to claim asylum for religious persecution from countries who are known for religious tolerance such as the United States and Sweden

In the past, Germany has TALKED about banning scientology but instead just made it "not a religion but a business instead". Apparently, that didnt do much. Especailly with the split of FreeZone scientology away from the churchy part which allowed them to operate in germany quite happily.

Answer 3

Scientology is considered a sect in most of Europe, born out of the writings of a science fiction writer. The vicious response of that group when Germany refused them the status of church only confirmed the officials how right they were.

For those who do not know about it, it was a full page ads in newspapers calling the actual German government and people a bunch of Nazis and comparing the German refusal to the Nazis treatment of the Jews.

Answer 4

If they ban one religion, what's to stop them from banning others? I don't agree with Scientology or it's teachings, but a government that has the power to ban a group of people from practicing their beliefs also has the power to ban me from practicing mine. Sorry, I can't say kudos but have to give a big thumbs down.

ETA: Jim M, you might want to think about that for a second. The same freedoms that give all the religions the right to be practiced and believed in give you the same right to not believe in any of them. A government that can ban religion can also ban atheism. Also by promoting an atheistic totalitarian state, isn't that what the Christian dominionists are trying to do just with a different flavor? Something to think about.

Answer 5

There is no case in which a lack of choices is better than many choices. Even if Scientology is a "bad" choice in your mind, it should be up to the individual to make it, not the government.

Answer 6

not right. If you are going to ban a superstitioin, why not ban them all? Scientology is one of the more benign ones. How many people have died in the name of that religion? It seems unreasonable to me to hold on to the malignant religions and ban the more benign ones. I am not sure how this line of reasoning makes sense to them

Answer 7

I'm a Christian, but I'm also an American.

One of our ideals is that we allow anyone to believe anything they want and belong to any religion they want, no matter how stupid we think it is.

Germany will compromise their credibility as a democracy and harm their people. You always have to ask the question, after scientologists, who's next? If one guy can get this one banned, where is the anti-Semite who will ban Judaism? (There are many of them!)

Answer 8

Not kudos. While I'm an atheist, I would never agree to outlaw a religion. If a sect were hurting or killing people (ahem) in the name of their religion, I would be against those who do such a thing.

Answer 9

why ban them? i couldn't care less if they believed in Santa Claus(which would be more logical then believing in Xenu)

Answer 10

I'm thinking Germany is a dictatorship/totalitarian government, where the State can ban your religion if they don't agree with it.

I don't agree with it.

Answer 11

I don’t tell other countries how to run their government. I leave that to the liberals.