German Leaders Reject Scientology Ban

Pregnancies punished with shunning

(NEWSER) - Women in the Scientology sect who became pregnant were ordered to have abortions—and were punished with manual labor, interrogation, shunning, and separation from their husbands if they resisted, according to a lengthy expose in the St. Petersburg Times . Former members of the group known as Sea Org also recount having to fake suicide attempts or run away to escape the organization, and call the working conditions in the religious order "human trafficking." More»

Critical film is 'intolerant propaganda,' group claims

(NEWSER) - The Church of Scientology is trying to block a a German TV movie that depicts the organization as totalitarian, dangerous, and unethical. Scientology leaders say the film—based on a true story of a young family torn apart by the organization—is propaganda designed to "create a mood of intolerance and discrimination against a religious community," the Guardian reports. More»

After 33 years, Larry Anderson wants out

(NEWSER) - After 33 years as a Scientologist and a star turn in a widely disseminated orientation video, actor Larry Anderson wants out—and he wants his money back. Anderson, a magician turned TV actor and game-show host, says the organization owes him $120,000. A Scientology rep tells the St. Petersburg Times Anderson's payments were donations, and "any refund of donations lies within the sole discretion of the church." More»

Oz senator alleges violence, embezzlement, forced abortions

(NEWSER) - Scientology's status as a church masks a "criminal organization" guilty of torture, forced imprisonment, coerced abortion, embezzlement and blackmail, charges an Australian senator, whose accusations have triggered concerns by the Aussie prime minister. Nick Xenophon, who yesterday showed the Australian parliament and police letters from ex-Scientologists detailing abuse and violence, called for the group to be stripped of its status as a religion in the nation, the Times of London reports. More»

(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 neo-Nazis profiting from it," said the head of the Central Council of Jews. But politicians and many academics oppose the effort. More»