Is the Scientology movement an 'organised fraud'?

The church of Scientology has been branded an "organised fraud" by a French court and fined 600,000 euros ($1.2m) for preying financially on vulnerable believers.

Judges in the Paris criminal court stopped short of outlawing the cult's organising bodies. But, in an unusual step, it ordered the church to pay for adverts carrying its findings to be placed in newspapers around the world.

Scientology's French spokeswoman, Agnes Bron, said the verdict was the result of an "inquisition of modern times" and that they would appeal.

Debate on this issue is now closed. Here is a selection of Your Views:

Rob (Howick)
Monday November 2, 2009 The more established religions and related organisations learned a long time ago not to challenge the authority of the state. The reward or trade off was tax free status, much like the tax free status of our monarch. The consequence was persecution.

It does seem strange that these organisations require a lot of the physical world, in the form of tithes, and they have amassed a huge amount of wealth as a result. Imagine what you would be worth if you did not have to pay tax. Having said that look around the world wherever religion and race have mixed with politics, the mix has been explosive.

So is the cost worth it? Like the poor the sheep people (sheeple) will always be with us.

Rodney (Howick)
Monday November 2, 2009 I don't know about the organized fraud bit because it's not very much different to Destiny is it?

Don Saunders (Kaitaia)
Monday November 2, 2009 Yes it is, along with the other religions with suspect beliefs that also make followers forfeit a percentage of their income to the church under the charade of paying homage to God.

Sure churches need to cover their running costs and to expect small change from parishioners is fair but not even if it is 10%.For a family with both parents on a low income that 10% means other important and necessary items have to be missed.

In this country it is obvious that many of these churches are more successful in the lower social economic areas feeding on the dissatisfaction and low education to get followers and in turn make them dependant on the church while milking them for money.

It is interesting Brian Tamaki thought the destiny was no a cult. His words were to the effect "We are in some isolated part of the country" He either has no idea of the true definition of a cult or uses that to convince his followers they are not in a cult. He is there not to save lives but to make money.

Albert Wolfgramm (Tonga)
Monday November 2, 2009 You all need to stop hating on the players and hate the game.

Hubbard, Tamaki, The pope, grandmaster guru whatever. They are clever people who are quick enough and talented enough to do what they do. No different to a drug dealing criminal, or those legal Beer Barons. They didn't make the rules of life, but they play the game the best way know how.

What our whole business world is about winning over souls. It's about exploiting people to buy in with their faith and eventually their money be it a product or a belief. Long live capitalism. Don't hate, congratulate, if not than imitate.

green man (United States of America)
Monday November 2, 2009 I must say if you want to be a social outcast and destroyed just present yourself as a viable threat to the major either European and or North American religions. Remember Sun young Moon.

And lately The church of Scientology.

Green Living is my feelings that God design for the earth was for all mankind to live with the natural resources we were provided.

Dare submit a belief that offers a honest threat to the multi national religions that
dominate the U.S.A. Europe, north and south America etc.

And your beliefs will be systematically destroyed over time they have so much tax free money to keep up the pressure, All your credibility will be ruined by the press that follows the powers that control the masses, T.V. newspapers radio etc.

I've known many priests & nuns that were told to keep quiet or else! Regarding the child abuse that we all learned was hidden for decades and priests I grew up with told me they didn't want to commit suicide as they were told to be quiet if you want to continue your vocation. Nuns as well.

You know most all don't get any pension, no social security,so they are economic prisoners & have no where to go as they age.

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