>>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.
It’s perfect for celebrities though. They can do whatever they want, as long as they keep tossing money at the “church”. The South Park episode about Scientology was brilliant. They explained exactly what the scientologists believe, plus it gave us this phrase “Mom, Tom Cruise and John Travolta are both in my closet and they won’t come out”.
I can't take seriously anyone who believes that crap, including Greta VanSustrand.