>>Scientology is officially recognized as a church in the United States and has the backing of celebrity members such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta. In Germany, however, it is viewed as a business that seeks to present itself as a church. …<<
scientology was a bet (won) by l. ron. hubbard (a terrible SF author btw) that he could create the most insane “religion” and that it would take hold.
It does serve a purpose in that we know its adherents have IQ < 80.
There is more P.T. Barnum in scientology than anything else.
Scientology is also deeply embedded in the leadership of the UN.
Maurice Strong even opened the Scientology Church in NY.
Big mistake on the part of Germany.
The truly ironic bit.....
The significance of Scientology, BFV officials believe, is declining in Germany. The agency, which describes the organization in its most recent report as having a “totalitarian character,” estimates that Scientology only still has around 4,000 members in Germany,