Should Scientology Be Classified As A Criminal Organization Instead Of A Religion?
Posted by: Nikki Dowling
Filed in:
news
12:40PM, Friday November 20th 2009
Watch out Tom Cruise. The Australian government might try to declassify Scientology as a religion and reclassify it as a criminal organization. In a speech he gave to the Aussie Senate on Tuesday night, Senator Nick Xenophon claimed that the church was guilty of torture, forced imprisonment, and coerced abortion, embezzlement and blackmail. He unearthed letters from an ex-Scientologist, which detailed abuse and violence that happened within the religion, and said that horrors such as forced confinement, torture and abortion, were ordered.
After showing the letters to police and the Senate, Xenophon called for Scientology to be stripped of its title as a religion. The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said he would consider an inquiry into the church’s practices, but that the “evidence” needs to be examined carefully. Obvs, Scientology peeps are super pissed, calling the accusations libelous and saying those who leave the church are, “as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner.”
We understand an ex-partner but why would an ex-church member be so angry without cause? [Newser]
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Shosanna
wrote on November 20 2009 @ 12:50 pm: [report]
That just sounds like the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on November 20 2009 @ 12:52 pm: [report]
@Shosanna: Should have banned that too.
Riley
wrote on November 20 2009 @ 12:56 pm: [report]
I think this is a good thing. Maybe now we’ll find out more about Scientology, since they are so hell-bent on keeping secrets. From all of the things I have read and heard about it, it all sounds like a multi-national cult instead of a church. Isolation, requiring large “donations” to advance and being secretive are all red flags to me.
@Shosanna - That was the majority of religion at some point in time.
Goldfinch86
wrote on November 20 2009 @ 01:14 pm: [report]
People did that in the name of god, yes there were still bastards that used to church to get things in an unholy manner, but lets not use such cliches. This is a modern religion that is using these things in a modern setting where the whole world knows better. Yes it should be considered a criminal organization if they have evidence to prove it on several levels. Not just one person because I personally don’t think that would stand up to nay-sayers and the cult itself.
lea322
wrote on November 20 2009 @ 01:33 pm: [report]
Can you believe the coincidence that the guy’s last name is Xenophon?! Pretty similar to Xenu…maybe he just doesn’t like being confused for the head alien of these crazies!
Raugiel
wrote on November 20 2009 @ 01:39 pm: [report]
I’d have to say yes.
adamjs
wrote on November 20 2009 @ 02:48 pm: [report]
I don’t meant to state the obvious - but Hubbard himself always freely admitted he only ever got it classified as a religion as a tax dodge.
The strange thing about it is that even ex-members say that at its worst it was all of those things that the minister mentioned (and then some), but at its best it was the best organisation they had ever belonged too. So even when having being isolated from everything they have ever known after leaving they still stand up for some aspects of it.
The whole thing is very very strange.
loveitlala
wrote on November 21 2009 @ 09:03 am: [report]
Yes!!! Or at least a cult to be watched.
wild-ting
wrote on November 22 2009 @ 06:30 am: [report]
I don’t know about that but ALL churches should stop getting tax exempt status. It’s a business. Where I live these mammoth churches are built, destroying prime green space, and clogging our roads with excess traffic when the “followers” come to town; yet, the churches pay no taxes. Don’t talk to me about enriching our community. They enrich their pockets and put on nighttime laser light shows so the glow of the church can be seen from miles away. (My former county executive SUCKS!)
wild-ting
wrote on November 22 2009 @ 06:32 am: [report]
@lea322 ROFLMAO
adamjs
wrote on November 28 2009 @ 12:08 am: [report]
@wild-ting: organised religion has always been about power, real estate and money - if it was about connecting with God than things would be run a lot differently.