Do You Agree That Germany Has No Right To Ban Scientology???

Question

I am not a follower of that religion, but I think that it is dumb that Germany (which is supposed to be a liberal democracy) can ban scientology under the premise that it clashes with the state's constitution. What right has a government got, to stop people from practicing what they want???

What is it about scientology that the German authorities disapproves of???

Answer 1

They should ban Islam. Muslims are the most un-productive group in Germany. Women are not allowed 50km away from their homes in GErmany. Muslims demand that PE lessons in schools should have separate areas for Muslim girls. Honour killings, rape and polygamy is regularly practised there.

I find it hard to belive that they ignore the threat of Islam and ban scintology

Answer 2

Im an ex-scientologist and I like scientology.
But Germany does have a right to ban it. Its in their constitution. And Scientology is not the first religion that is accepted in the US which was banned there.

Its been a sore subject with many other nations. Certain treaties forces other countries to recognize bans set by Germany which were not meant to support religious bans.

Another sore point is that it forces some other countries (Us, Sweden) to accept the members of that religion for asylum under "religious persecution"

As to why...
Germany has already declared Scientology as "not a religion" but a business. Apparently putting it under the legal controls of a business wasnt enough for some and they want a full ban. But so far its just talk by a few of them

Answer 3

This is the sort of baseless smear against Germany that gives Scientology a bad name, and in which Scientology itself has been engaged for over 35 years.

Scientology is not banned in Germany, and Germany's constitution guarantees the human rights that allow people to practice the belief system.

However, it is not recognised as a religion for charitable tax status purposes. The same is true of the Mormom Church in the UK, which fails the test of public benefit because. There is nothing unreasonable about this - except perhaps that ALL churches should be taxed rather than ejoy some privilged position.

Answer 4

Well, so far it hasn't banned it, although the recent decision certainly makes banning it seem more likely. I think there are two things involved here. First, I do think that Scientology is dangerous inasmuch as it preys on vulnerable individuals, breaks up families, and is essentially aimed at accumulating money and power. As a British judge put it:

"Scientology is both immoral and socially obnoxious. Mr. Kennedy did not exaggerate when he termed it 'pernicious'. In my judgement it is corrupt, sinister and dangerous. It is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit and has as its real objective money and power for Mr. Hubbard, his wife and those close to him at the top. It is sinister because it indulges in infamous practices both to its adherents who do not toe the line unquestioningly and to those outside who criticise or oppose it. It is dangerous because it is out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people, and indoctrinate and brainwash them so that they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living and relationships with others."

I also recommend reading the following: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_134.html

Not, of course, that plenty of religions couldn't be accused of much the same.

On the other hand, I don't think banning them would be a good move. That way they can claim to be persecuted, which will only help them gain converts.

Answer 5

A country can ban what it likes, especially in a democracy where the majority of the people are in agreement.
Some countries march into other countries on a whim, torture people, keep people in prison for years without trial, tread human rights under foot, even though most people in that country don't agree with these measures.
If you are from the UK, I hope you apply your indignation to the current stop and search measures currently used against any one in the UK who doesn't look 100 % Anglo-Saxon - whatever that may be.

Answer 6

Scientology isn't banned in Germany, it's just not granted the status of a religion, it is called a business and is taxed... Germany is a Parliamentary Republic, which collects Church Tax from income, if Germany recognized Scientology they wold qualify for a chunk of that tax, instead they pay corporate tax..

Answer 7

Personally, I do not want my taxes to support Scientology. If Scientology is granted the status of religion, that's exactly what my taxes would do.

So, no, don't give them status of religion, call them a business and anybody can follow them still, can practice that, can do whatever they want to do - but without MY money.

Answer 8

Check the religion tracker sites. The ones that list the countries that are religious intolerant. China, Russia, Germany, and France are all listed. You shouldn't be surprised.

Germany has banned many of the smaller religions that countries like the US recognize. Germany boots them out and they all demand assylum in the US for religious persectution. 6000 German Scientologists are headed our way.

Answer 9

Its too bad that Germany isn't focusing on the techniques that $cientology uses in its so called "Auditing" at $500.00 a pop and their other forms of so called therapy techniques as they would see they are truly practicing Physiotherapy without a license.
And people wonder why others say $cientologists are brainwashed..its because THEY ARE.
Makes one really want to get "Clear" right?

Answer 10

Germany has never been into free thinking individuals,and sceintology sort of needs those to function and thrive.You would aslo need to provide the information on what part do they think clashes with their constitutuion.

As for what does a goverment have a right to do,why anything of course silly,their the government and they have no one but other governments to answer to.