Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

German Leaders Reject Scientology Ban

Stumbling block is procedural, not philosophical

Share

(Newser) – German leaders say they won't press for a ban on Scientology—not because they're against it, but because they don't think it would succeed. The German government officially considers the organization a cult, Der Spiegel reports, but politicians from both major parties say that they probably don't have enough evidence to take their case to court.

Officials in Hamburg have agitated for a ban, but national pols say they're just being pragmatic. The domestic intelligence organization hasn't gathered enough info on Scientology to move forward, says a conservative PM. "You can't shoot from the hip with a bid to ban it. If an attempt is made it has to be successful," he says.

The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 36th Anniversary Gala
The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 36th Anniversary Gala   (Getty Images)
The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 36th Anniversary Gala
The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 36th Anniversary Gala   (Getty Images)
A Scientology funded anti-psychiatry demonstration in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2005. An alternative to psychiatry is one of Scientology's most fundamental recruitment selling points.
A Scientology funded anti-psychiatry demonstration in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2005. An alternative to psychiatry is one of Scientology's most fundamental recruitment selling points.   (Wikimedia Commons)
A young person is tested for potential benefit from Scientology in an underground subway station.
A young person is tested for potential benefit from Scientology in an underground subway station.   ((c) Del Far)
Germany. A Scientology Church Opens In Berlin to immediate protest.
Germany. A Scientology Church Opens In Berlin to immediate protest.   (Getty Images (by Event))
Science fiction author and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard contemplates the universe around him.
Science fiction author and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard contemplates the universe around him.   (Archive Photos)
A Scientology funded anti-psychiatry demonstration in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2005. An alternative to psychiatry is one of Scientology's most fundamental recruitment selling points.
A Scientology funded anti-psychiatry demonstration in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2005. An alternative to psychiatry is one of Scientology's most fundamental recruitment selling points.   (Wikimedia Commons)
A young person is tested for potential benefit from Scientology in an underground subway station.
A young person is tested for potential benefit from Scientology in an underground subway station.   ((c) Del Far)
Scientology Church Opens In Berlin
Scientology Church Opens In Berlin   (Getty Images (by Event))
L Ron Hubbard
L Ron Hubbard   (Archive Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.6.09
Galleon Scandal: Shocked, Shocked by Insider Trading
11.5.09
Rupert Murdoch Is Mad but Cute
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

15 Stories

(Newser) - Hitler's autobiography-manifesto Mein Kampf has been strictly banned in Germany since the end of World War II, but a proposal to reprint it has the endorsement of the country's leading Jewish organization, among other groups, reports the Independent. "A historically critical edition needs to be prepared today to prevent... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Germany • Jews • Germans • Adolf Hitler • Nazi • Third Reich • ban • Mein Kampf

 Wikipedia Bars Edits 
 From Scientology 
 Addresses 

Move is site's first such action against major organization

May 29, 09 10:24 AM CDT
(Newser) - In an unusually broad push against posting biased content, Wikipedia’s “supreme court” has banned edits from IP addresses associated with Scientology headquarters and its affiliates, the Register reports. The Wikipedia Arbitration Committee voted 10-0 for the ban. Individual “Wikifiddlers” have had their privileges revoked in the past,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Internet • Wikipedia • Scientology • web • ban

France Tries
Scientology for Fraud


May 25, 09 6:44 AM CDT
(Newser) - The church of Scientology goes on trial for fraud today in a landmark case in France, reports the BBC. The American organization is widely regarded in the nation as a sect, and if Scientology is found guilty of a crime, it could be banned in the country. It's the first... More »

MORE ABOUT:
fraud • Scientology • Tom Cruise • crime • France • religion • Paris • L. Ron Hubbard • criminal trial

(Newser) - Playmobil has demanded that a German pastor stop using its toys to depict Bible scenes, reports the Telegraph. One plastic human figure has been given breasts to be a naked Eve, and another has been nailed to a cross. Photos of the altered figures have been posted on the internet.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Germany • religion • toys • Bible • Jesus Christ • pastor • pastor controversy • Playmobil • crucifiction

 LiLo Takes Up Judaism for Sam 

Catholic actress wants to convert

Mar 3, 09 9:05 AM CST
(Newser) - Lindsay Lohan apparently thinks her relationship with Samantha Ronson is strong enough to warrant a change in religion, the New York Post reports. The pair recently attended Ronson’s half-brother’s bar mitzvah, and Lohan, raised Catholic, now wants to convert to Judaism. LiLo’s dad? Not convinced: “She’... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Scientology • religion • Lindsay Lohan • Judaism • celebrity • Kabbalah • conversion • Samantha Ronson • Michael Lohan

15 Stories


More on Berlin vs. Hubbard

The German government's reasoning on Scientology
German Embassy - Washington, D.C.

An in-depth look at a long-running dispute
Slate

"Please help me understand why believing the Earth has been visited by aliens is silly cultism while raising the dead is reasonable religion?"
Kick!


Arts & Living  •  World 
TwitterFollow @Newser on Twitter

 
Scientology • Germany • religion • ban • tolerance

from our news partners