Germany considers whether Scientology is organized crime (it is)

A German study looks at whether Scientology is a crime organization and ought to be banned.

from the Tagesanzeiger newspaper
in Zurich Switzerland
an article dated October 19, 2002
by Hugo Stamm says that

for years Scientology has been under heavy criticism, especially in Germany, where politicians have asked that the organization be banned. The cult seems to have always been able to slip its head out of the noose at the last minute, however, with the help of the American government and many Hollywood stars. Not even German Homeland Security has managed to prove criminal wrongdoing on the cult's part. The problem, Mr. Stamm writes, is that Scientology has hermetically sealed itself off from the outside world and keeps one step ahead of the authorities.

The Bavarian government, despite some negative feedback, pursued the topic and report will be appearing in November, as reported by the latest issue of Focus magazine. Reputable lawyers, psychologists and forensic psychiatrists have investigated Scientology these last four years, and their work is covered by a 680 page report.

The result, Mr. Stamm wrote, citing the study's authors, of the quarter million euro study is that Scientology's internal structure and several areas of operation are in contradiction to central principles of the legal system. The authors recommended that politicians consider banning the organization. They also regard it as possible that the formation of a criminal organization has occurred with respect to Scientology. State Interior Minister Gunther Beckstein was not displeased with this news, as Scientology has successfully outmaneuvered the legal system in Bavaria in the past.

Scientology's dealings with its staff was a pointed issue of the study, which said that heavy pressure was used to obtain results, and that sometimes people were required to give up speaking with members of their family. Minor errors were said to be regarded as high crimes. The cult's courses were also taken into consideration, and some of the promises made about them were said to fulfill the conditions for fraud. Some practices were also regarded as a violation of medical malpractice laws.

Mr. Stamm reported that the authors had to base their work on Scientology documents, testimony from experts and 26 former Scientologists. The angry Scientologists warned that former members cannot be believed. But the study's author said that efforts to engage active members in the study were blocked by Scientology itself.

The Bavarian Interior Minister has indicated he would be interested in the legal section of the study, which he hopes will open up new opportunities in dealing with Scientology.

A Piece of Work without Substance

The Scientologists have already strongly criticized the study. In one of their press releases, a spokeswoman called the study "pseudoscientific piece of work without substance or relevance," although she has not yet read it. She said the Bavarian government was making a "last desperate effort to get an irritated people to accept assertions that have been refuted decades ago by embellishing them as science." She said the federal government and the highest administration court have already verified that Scientologists are law-abiding citizens who act in accordance with the Constitution.

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