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Latest update: 16/06/2009
- justice - religion - Scientology
Prosecutor seeks dissolution of Scientology in France
A French state prosecutor urged a Paris court to dissolve the country's Scientology branch when it rules on charges of fraud against the organisation. The case centres on complaints filed by members who spent huge sums on Scientology courses.
REUTERS - French prosecutor on Monday recommended a Paris court should dissolve the Church of Scientology's French branch when it rules on charges of fraud against the organisation.
Registered as a religion in the United States, with celebrity members such as actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, Scientology enjoys no such legal protection in France, where it has faced repeated accusations of being a money-making cult.
The Church's Paris headquarters and bookshop are defendants in a fraud trial that began on May 25. Summing up her views on the case, state prosecutor Maud Coujard urged the court to return a guilty verdict and dissolve the organisation in France.
The Church of Scientology denies the fraud charges and says the case against it violates freedom of religion.
A ruling is expected within months.
French state prosecutors had previously resisted the idea of an outright dissolution of Scientology in the country.
If the court follows the prosecutor's recommendation, Scientology could appeal and the verdict would be suspended.
The trial centres on complaints made in the late 1990s by two former members who spent huge sums on Scientology courses and "purification" sessions.
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Comments (5)
Scientology
This is very bad that in France they have so much problems with religion.
Maybe is not interesting for someone having religion groups making activities, sometimes
is better having people searching for pills and medicines than searching for emotional help simply
praying in a church, donating money to a church or learning how feel good into a religion group.
The worse is comparing a religion group to a nazi group, this is the most ridiculous thing I have read in my entire life.
Scientology
I am scientologist and I did my Purification and I do not know what the two woman are talking about!
I just have good things that I learned in Scientology! The Purification made me feel much better concerning my emotions and also my health! I got understand what it means, Mens Sano in Corpore sano for the first time.
What they are trying to do?
Scientology
I am scientologist and I did my Purification and I do not know what the two woman are talking about!
I just have good things that I learned in Scientology! The Purification made me feel much better concerning my emotions and also my health! I got understand what it means, Mens Sano in Corpore sano for the first time.
What they are trying to do?
Religion of Scientology
This is very interesting that two woman, after years receiving all the "bad treatment" from the church decide suit them. The other point very interesting, why has to ban the church because two woman donate money to the church and after wanted the money back? No make sense at all. This seems to have something been hidden, someone else is very interested suiting the church. Come on!
Scientology
This is a simple misunderstanding of terms. In the business of Art or religion fraud is the law... Value is entirely in the eyes and heart of the beholder. No one has the right to be protected in these arenas. Forgery is the only exception but in that case the buyer is not collecting art but autographs.