Church of Scientology On Trial In France

An anonymous reader sends word that a trial has opened in Paris that could shut down Scientology in France. The organization stands accused of targeting vulnerable people for commercial gain. Scientology does not have the status of a religion there, as it does in the US, and anti-cult groups have pursued it vigorously over more than 30 years. The current case is based on complaints filed by two women in December 1998 and July 1999. Three other former members who had initially joined the complaint have withdrawn after "reaching a financial arrangement with church officials." If convicted, the seven top Scientologists in France face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of €1M. The Church of Scientology-Celebrity Centre and its Scientology Freedom Space bookshop not only face a much larger fine but also run the risk of being shut down completely.

Comments

Re:Hell yeah - R2-45

[Capsaicin]

That wasn't the point at all.

OP having observed from TFA the Cos "have the status of a religion there, as it does in the US," then proceded to ask "This seems to me to imply that if it were a religion ..." ie. in France since it is in the US, "... then a different set of standards for its behaviors would apply. I'm sorry, but why does religion get a pass ..." What was the point again?

mattack2 was simply saying the reason they are able to prosecute The Church of Scientology in France but not in the United States is because the First Amendment

Which would be a rather stunning non sequitur in response to the question of whether a "different set of standards ... would apply" if it were a regligion in France.

I'm not sure how you got the idea anyone was suggesting that the First Amendment of the US Constitution would apply in France.

If to the question why would CoS be treated differently in France if it were a religion you give the answer "[B]ecause of a little something called the First Amendment" you are suggesting that the 1st Amendment applies in France. Can you not see that?