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Scientology's Fraud Conviction Upheld In France

Posted by Soulskill on from the legitimacy-illegitimate dept.

schwit1 writes "France's top appeals court has upheld a fraud conviction and fines totaling hundreds of thousands of euros against the Church of Scientology, for taking advantage of vulnerable followers. France regards Scientology as a cult, not a religion, and had prosecuted individual Scientologists before, but the 2009 trial marked the first time the organization as a whole had been convicted. 'The head of a parliamentary group on religious cults in France, lawmaker Georges Fenech, hailed the ruling. 'Far from being a violation of freedom of religion, as this American organization contends, this decision lifts the veil on the illegal and highly detrimental practices' of the group, said Fenech. The court case followed a complaint by two women, one of whom said she was manipulated into handing over 20,000 euros in 1998 for Scientology products including an "electrometer" to measure mental energy. A second woman claimed she was forced by her Scientologist employer to undergo testing and enrol in courses, also in 1998. When she refused she was fired.'"

10 of 321 comments (clear)

  1. Scientology is the truth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Scientology is the truth! Both Tom Cruise _and_ John Travolta are scientologists. Do you believe me now?

    1. Re:Scientology is the truth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I dunno. You kind of have to respect a messiah who's final message is "I've been fucking with you this whole time".

  2. Re:..everyone remember to post as AC ! by erikkemperman · · Score: 5, Funny

    i wonder if there are any high level Scientologists in the NSA?

    Of course, they are known as Operating System Thetans.

    --
    Gosh, thanks. That must be why the other ships call me Meatfucker -- GCU Grey Area (Eccentric)
  3. Should have read their refunds policy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "one of whom said she was manipulated into handing over 20,000 euros in 1998 for Scientology products including an "electrometer" to measure mental energy"

    she obviously wanted a refund because the meter reading was zero.

  4. Hold hands and prey... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    To be rid of these silly cults once and for all

    1. Re:Hold hands and prey... by jamesh · · Score: 4, Funny

      To be rid of these silly cults once and for all

      Was the use of the word 'prey' instead of 'pray' deliberate?

  5. Re:..everyone remember to post as AC ! by rvw · · Score: 5, Funny

    i wonder if there are any high level Scientologists in the NSA?

    Of course, they are known as Operating System Thetans.

    They even created the Scientology Operating System (SOS). They don't use terms like "cpu" and "reinstalling" anymore, but use more common terms like "brain" and "brainwashing".

  6. I used to be a Scientologist by 12WTF$ · · Score: 5, Funny

    but I ran out of money.

    --
    Cryonics - Keep cool and carry on.
  7. Obligatory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Venn Diagram of Irrational Nonsense

  8. Re:Scientology might be a cult by I'm+New+Around+Here · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, I'm an atheist towards the Dollar. I haven't seen one in so long, I don't believe they exist anymore.

    --
    If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.