Court rules Germany can monitor Scientologists
German intelligence services will continue to monitor the Church of Scientology after a court rejected the group's bid to block the surveillance. The tribunal upheld the state's claim that the Church undermined what it called "central constitutional values such as the dignity of mankind and the right to equal treatment".
Scientology has been under observation in Germany since 1997. It had argued that this was unjustified as it is a religious and not a political organisation.
The debate was given an extra twist last month when the group opened new lavish headquarters in Berlin. There were rowdy protests outside the building by opponents of Scientology, who accuse it of brainwashing its members. Scientology's detractors say it chose Berlin because Berlin officials charged with protecting the constitution had decided to stop monitoring the group in 2003.
Hollywood star Tom Cruise plays a lead role in this drama. Scientology's most high profile advocate, he is a deeply contentious figure in Germany. A renowned German historian even compared Cruise to Joseph Goebels, the propaganda minister of the wartime Nazi regime. He made the claim in a Sunday paper after seeing Cruise addressing fellow Scientologists in a video.
Fuelling the controversy was the choice of Cruise to play Claus von Stauffenberg, the officer who led the failed plot to assassinate Hitler in 1944. The crew were refused permission to film in the defence ministry because that is where von Stauffenberg was executed.
For many in Germany, von Stauffenberg is a hero who tried to bring down the Nazi regime. The official reason the authorities gave was that, as an historic building, it needed to be protected. But many saw the move as a gesture against Cruise over his involvement with Scientology.
Whats the average Germans opinion of this?
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Ni heolas go haontios - There is no knowledge without unity
Holy potatoes, this must be the ONLY court in the entire civilised world that HASN'T been infiltrated by the Scientologist underworld.
:
what do you mean with "average german"? I dont think we have someone over here who is average. But if so then the average german is like the average person reading the papers and thinking that now he's able to make up his mind. As I'm not average I can only say I went to Scientology once and they ask stupid questions. And they want to ask you stupid questions for hours, so why go there if they have questions but no interesting answers? I have enough questions myself. I just dont care about scientology or any other stupid who thinks he may teach you better. And: what is not monitored nowadays??? Let them just drown in their tons of "informations".
My opinion: Here in America, Tom Cruise is an actor. That's it. It seems that he believes he is an expert at other things. But in reality, he is not. I agree that scientology is ridiculous. I think it began with a science fiction writer? But maybe if you want to start your own religion, then the United States is the place to do that;-) It's silly, I know, but what can you do?
Tschüß,
Scott
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Viele Grüße aus Amerika,
Scott
Btw, how do I get out of here? America, I mean. I think I would much prefer Niedersachsen or Scandanavia.
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Viele Grüße aus Amerika,
Scott
I think I may become a Jedi Master! Always fancied that. Who is with me? ![]()
Basically, what should i answer here? If i agree with the court's ruling? If i like/dislike Scientology? What do i think of Tom Cruise?
Regarding Tom Cruse:
1. He's an actor! Therefore i judge him only for the way he play his characters in the movies. I haven't seen him as Stauffenberg yet, but i will go and see he movie once it's out.
2. He can believe in aliens, ghosts or voodoo, i don't care. It's his personal decision in what he belives and how rediculous he wants to be in public life. And hell yeah, this scientology videos are pretty funny. The last time i saw things like that was C. Chaplin in 'The great dictator'. However, i don't find him dangerous at all, simply rediculous.
Regarding Scientology:
- a cult at best and very expensive for their members
- i appreciate the decision of the court that this organisation will stay under surveillance.
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I do whatever the voices in my head tell me to do......
Tom Cruise a very awful actor. The films are not worth to be looked.
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Alter Idem














It's the right of German intelligence service to monitor such an organisation that is obviously making brainwashing and misleading everything.
And Tom Cruise, he did also get a prize for having the courage to play Stauffenberg. Wtf is going on?? Courage?? There are people who definitely more deserve a prize for being courage, but not him!