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Different countries have taken markedly different approaches to Scientology. Scientology is technically considered a religion in the United States and Australia, and thus enjoys and regularly cites the constitutional protections afforded in both nations to religious practice (First Amendment to the United States Constitution; Australian Constitution, s 116). In Canada the Church of Scientology is legal, but has the unique distinction of being criminally convicted as a corporation on two counts of breach of the public trust (for an organized conspiracy to infiltrate government offices) following a trial by jury. In the United States, the church obtained "public charity" status (IRS Code 501(c)(3)) and the associated preferential tax treatment after extended litigation. Applications for charity status in the UK and Canada were rejected in 1999. Some European governments (including Germany) do not consider the Church to be a bona fide religious organization, but instead a commercial enterprise or totalitarian cult.
Other countries, notably in Europe, have regarded Scientology as a potentially dangerous cult and have significantly restricted its activities at various times, or at least have not considered local branches of the Church of Scientology to meet the legal criteria for being considered religion-supporting organizations. In Germany, for instance, Scientology is not considered a religion by the government, but a commercial business. Fifteen of the sixteen German states, positing that Scientology had potentially anti-democratic tendencies, have to a greater or lesser degree and for varying periods subjected Scientology and Scientologists to state surveillance since the early 1970's. No criminal or civil charges have been brought as a result of this surveillance. Two German states and the political party, the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) have passed rules or regulations limiting the participation of Scientologists in politics, business and public life. In several court cases Scientology lost filed complaints against continued surveillance because the courts held the opinion that Scientology still pursues anticonstitutional activities. In Berlin surveillance ceased because the court prohibited the use of paid undercover agents, in Saarland surveillance was stopped by the court because there was/is no current danger recognizable. The United Kingdom government does not recognize Scientology as a bona fide religion. The church has been subjected to considerable pressure from the state in Russia. In Belgium, the minister of justice refused Scientology as a candidate for the status of recognized religion.
I think you can add the Internet to the list of brain washing cults. I know way too many people that think that if it's on the net, then it's gospel. The guy I work with is ready to buy into every conspiracy theory, and his brother has been a Scientology follower for years. I get to hear weird shit all of the time. My take on things is simple. Have fun, be good to your fellow man, and don't be too quick to follow the herd. That main line cattle might just take a wrong turn and lead you over the edge of the bluff....
The Buzzard does not fear
The man in riot gear
Harvest a skull of stone
The Buzzard grows his own...
No matter what your religion is, people should be able to take a joke plain and simple. A cartoon of the Muslim God leading to people rioting all over the middle east ? Get a fucking grip people.
Woohoo, thanks for the link. There is only Minami Koen in Japan. We have no South Park. Hayes is two points short of an engram. [img]/images/graemlins/eyes.gif[/img]
Hahahahaha!! Darth Chef... suck on my chocolate salty balls! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Man, is Isaac gonna be pissed he was turned into a child molester when he sees the new episode!!! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
I feel my soul go cold... only the dead are smiling.
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No matter what your religion is, people should be able to take a joke plain and simple. A cartoon of the Muslim God leading to people rioting all over the middle east ? Get a fucking grip people.
Matt
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I totally agree 100%. Did you know that it wasnt even the satire of the cartoon that made them mad? It is considered a major sin and insult to make any image of the Prophet Muhammad. That is what they were all pissed about.
Boy did they ever!!! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
They RAPED that man of ALL dignity..made him a
"pedophile" from the cool "nuturing" dude he always was..made him join a goofy "Cult" that brainwashed him..then falls off a burning bridge..gets impaled..but that aint' good enough..HELLO NO..no, then he gets ripped and torn by wildlife and THEN he shits himself..then gets transformed into a a Chef Vader!!?? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Just in case "Chef" does return with his self-righteous tail between his legs.. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
I KNOW Isaac Hayes is feeling pretty "hostile" right about now!!! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
"Bill, Smoke a Bowl and Crank Van Halen I, Life is better when I do that"
Donnie Swanstrom 01/25/06..miss ya!
"Well, your friend would have Bell's Palsy, which is a facial paralysis, not "Balls Pelsy" like we're joking about here." Toejam's attempt at sensitivity.
I totally agree 100%. Did you know that it wasnt even the satire of the cartoon that made them mad? It is considered a major sin and insult to make any image of the Prophet Muhammad. That is what they were all pissed about.
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If it's a sin to produce an image of the Prophet, then how did anyone recognise him in the caricatures? Has everyone been looking at sinful images of him?
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