The Demise of Scientology - A Cult Crumbling into Dust

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009, a French court found the French branch of the Church of Scientology guilty of fraud and fined them $888,000. The suit followed complaints from two former Scientology members claiming they were 'manipulated' out of $33,000 and $73,000 for ritual products. French Scientology leader, Alain Rosenberg, was also found guilty of fraud, fined $44,000 and given a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Georges Fenech, head of French government anti-cult unit Miviludes, stated that the court's decision "condemned [the French branch of Scientology] as an entity ... due to its fraudulent way of operating." He further said, "if they begin swindling again, they can be subject to dissolution in the future." According to Fenech, this ruling "is a historical turning point for the fight against cult abuses."

The Church of Scientology in the US and abroad has taken its fair share of blows since the 1986 passing of founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Wiki says Hubbard developed the body of beliefs and related practices in 1952 and incorporated the Church of Scientology in 1953. While Scientology has been granted tax-exempt status as a religion in the U.S., it does not have religious status in Germany, France or the United Kingdom. By definition, a religion is a system of human thought which includes a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, deity or deities, or ultimate truth. Faith is belief in the absence of proof. Both of these key components, religion and faith, are under fire this week for the Church of Scientology.

Known for having a large celebrity following in the U.S., the Church of Scientology was shoved into the media spotlight when George Haggis, award winning writer and director of Crash, defected. His reasons for leaving the organization include Scientology's support of California's Prop 8 which bans gay marriage in the state, and an accusation of church policy ordering "disconnection" or disassociation with anyone who leaves the church, family members included.

Scientology's recent run of bad publicity effects not just an entity, but individuals who have believed in the teachings of the organization. As spiritual beings having a human experience, we are all connected. The pain and suffering of one is damaging to us all. Agreement or disagreement among religions is an age old debate. But when it comes to the people involved ...the humans ... shattered faith can have a devastating impact on people's lives. These unfortunate issues in Scientology may be a golden opportunity for mankind to exercise compassion in an area that sometimes fuels intense arguments and spawns wars as people fight over the 'true' meaning of God and religion. Perhaps it's our chance to take one tiny step up the ladder leading to higher thought and spiritual ascension.

If today you stand firmly in your spiritual and religious convictions, ask for the healing of members and believers in Scientology as they navigate through this difficult flurry of events. Seek connection with their hearts and spirits on a higher plane and wish them well as they search for their own meaning in these tribulations. Nothing is by accident and there is no such thing as coincidence, so we must all know that it is for the greatest good of the universe when we are forced out of our comfort zone into areas where heat and pressure facilitate personal growth.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Church
• Cult
• Scientology
• LRH
• Ron
• Hubbard
• Dianetics
• Tommy
• Davis
• Tom
• Cruise
• Mike
• Rinder

[hotscubagreg]

Anonymous needs to keep up the pressure and finish this thing. Don't let up now.

[2009Together]

GOOGLE > (THE TRUTH RUNDOWN) and (LISA McPHERSON) also two Great new books from two high level defectors of the CULT ( BLOWN FOR GOOD by Marc Headley ) and ( MY BILLION YEAR CONTRACT By Nancy Many)

[2Xyousee]

scam of the century....

unbelievable BULLSHIT!

steven fishman has quite a story too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aquaris1934]

as long as no Scientology member like cruise or travolata win a n Oscar then Hollywood will be fine

[methman08]

lets burn everyone of there churches to the fuckin ground and spill the blood of david miscarrage.

[25411959]

Happy days are here again, die Scientology, DIE!!

[melikab]

this cult and its members are just...in the beyond...

[sn1678]

Lets stand tall for the truth. Now that this cult is exposed on the net, people aren't buying that bullshit anymore.

[reezdog]

I am a religious person and I have friend of many faiths and levels of beliefs. This Scientology is so odd. I feel bad criticizing it but really. Being forced to pay thousands of dollars for "sessions". I can walk in any church, mosque, synagogue, mandir, Buddhist temple and get free instructions and spiritual advice and help for free! No strings attached.

[reezdog]

@seank62 Preach on! You are very right. The truth does stand tall!

[seank62]

You see this xenu bullshit science fiction story is part of the ot3 level. you pay thousands of dollars for this bulshit. That is why tommy boy leaves the interview and escapes from the truth. You see truth always stands tall and does not fear any questions whatsover. You see this Ron was a very clever con artist. Now this cult is being exposed from every lie he commited.

[hartistry1957]

CULTS; I WILL DESTROY YOU; YOU HAVE NO PLACE TO HIDE; REMOVE YOURSELVES FROM YOUR HOUSE OF CARDS AND BE ACCOUNTED FOR!!! YOU WILL SUFFER THE RATH OF MY POWER AND YOU WILL TRANSFORM INTO SLUG-LIKE CREATURES WHO FEED ON THE CARCASSES OF DEAD MEMBERS. GROW IN THE WRATH OF MY GRAPES.