Scientology and Society

How does Scientology affect society at large?

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Scientology and Drugs

What does Scientology teach about medical drugs? What about psychiatric drugs?

Tax Court Denies Scientology-Like Deduction for Jewish Courses

December 21, 2005: The US Tax Court rules against Michael and Maria Sklar, who were seeking the right to deduct the cost of their children's religious education, a right that the IRS grants only to Scientologists.

Scientology and Society in the News

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January 24, 1997 Scientologists Lose Court Case A Greek judge has declared an Athens Scientology group illegal, ruling that it had obtained a license to operate here under false pretenses. The ruling was the first in Greece against the Scientologists, a group founded in 1954 by U.S. writer L. Ron Hubbard that says it represents a godless religion whose members strive for spiritual growth and self-improvement. Critics of the group argue that it is a cult that exercises undue influence over its members and bilks them of money. Greece, Press, Scientology and Society
November 18, 1996 With New Zeal, France Screens Religious Sects French police estimate that there are some 250 sects in France, representing 160,000 members and 100,000 sympathizers. The government's criteria for what it calls a sect include: mental destabilization; exorbitant financial demands; a break with job, family, or friends; dangers to health; indoctrination of children; antisocial discourse; disturbing public order; troubles with the law; embezzlement; infiltration of government. France, Press, Scientology and Society
October 30, 1996 Bavaria Asks Disclosure of Scientology Ties The southern state of Bavaria said today that it would require all state employees to fill out a questionnaire detailing any tie to the Church of Scientology. The state chancellery said all applicants for state jobs, including teachers and police officers, would not be hired if they refused. Those already employed would face disciniplary measures if they declined. The move is part of a long-running effort by German authorities to stifle the influence here of the Scientologists. German authorites have charged that the group is a profit-making scheme and have denied it the tax breaks normally given churches and charities. Germany, Press, Scientology and Society
October 27, 1996 Herald Tribune Staffers Protest Scientology Ad Members of the International Herald Tribune staff bought space in their own newspaper Saturday to protest a prospective advertising campaign by the Church of Scientology and say it did not reflect the daily's values. Buffalo, Press, Scientology and Society
October 18, 1996 Scientology Ad 'Insults Jews' Germany's Jewish community accused the Church of Scientology of insulting this country and victims of the Nazis in an advertisement in The New York Times. Germany, Press, Scientology and Society
April 13, 1996 Scientology Files Stay Secret In Deal Clearwater officials have agreed to keep secret old police files on the Church of Scientology in order to settle the last remaining court battle between the city and the group. The agreement would require a judge's order to see the files, which are supposed to be open under the state Government in the Sunshine Law. The dozens of file boxes in question contain the results of numerous city police investigations dating to 1979, according to court records. crimes, lawsuits, Press, Scientology and Society
April 12, 1996 Again, Scientology's Secrecy Arouses Suspicion Two decades after Scientology secretly started buying property and establishing its considerable presence downtown, there remains an enormous amount of mistrust about its goals and motives. Unfortunately, Scientology has no one to blame but itself for much of the criticism its leaders adamantly argue is unwarranted. Scientology's recent secret purchase of three small motels north of downtown Clearwater will heighten suspicion. That secretiveness reminds Scientology critics of how the church secretly started buying land 20 years ago under the name United Churches of Florida. Press, Scientology and Society
January 25, 1996 City Balks At Church's Figures On House Plan The Church of Scientology was hoping Wednesday to get approval for a plan that would move as many as nine people into individual units at its staff apartment complex and create common lounges for rest and relaxation. Instead, city officials revealed that the numbers for the total population at Hacienda Gardens just don't add up. Clearwater, Press, Scientology and Society
January 11, 1996 French Keeping Eye On Cults Unveiling a new study of cults, French lawmakers called for a crackdown Wednesday to prevent further cult-related financides. France now has 173 groups it considers cults, and cult members here have increased by at least 50% in the past dozen years to an estimated 300,000 people, lawmaker Jacques Guyard said at a news conference. Guyard, who wrote the report, said it was "difficult to say" how many lives were in danger. But with a dozen doomsday groups in France, he said, "it's important to watch out, especially for groups with children." France, Kathy Feshbach, Press, Scientology and Society
January 11, 1996 German Official Calls for Security Surveillance of Scientologists In the long-running duel between the German authorities and the Church of Scientology, a senior Government official urged today that it be placed under surveillance by the same internal security agency that tracks terrorists and political extremists. The official described the church as "one of the most aggressive groups in our society" and said she would "oppose the Scientology organization with all the means at my disposal." Germany, Press, Scientology and Society

Scientology and Society in the News

Date Title Blurb Tags
December 21, 2005 Tax Court Denies Scientology-Like Deduction for Jewish Courses The US Tax Court rules against Michael and Maria Sklar, who were seeking the right to deduct the cost of their children's religious education, a right that the IRS grants only to Scientologists. court rulings, Scientology and Society