"[109] Mark Rathbun, a (former) top Church of Scientology official, said that although Scientology had not orchestrated the case, "there would have been nothing improper if it had. [42] Most Germans consider Scientology a subversive organization. [11][71] Companies tendering for government contracts were likewise required to state they are not Scientologists; in 2001, this requirement was changed, and firms are now asked to sign a form stating that "the technology of L. Ron Hubbard will not be used in executing the contract". [14][15] Germany is not alone in opposing Scientology; in France, the "Church" of Scientology was convicted of organized fraud in October 2009, after a court found that members had been manipulated into paying large sums for Scientology products, and the "Church" only narrowly escaped being banned altogether. He is not listed on the corporate filings for any of the eight limited liability companies that recently bought the North Marina properties. [30], Fueled by events such as the Waco Siege in 1993, the murders and suicides associated with the Order of the Solar Temple, and the 1995 Aum Shinrikyo incidents in Japan, German fears and concerns about new religious movements gained in intensity in the 1990s, with Scientology attracting particular attention. The men claim the church violated a longstanding verbal contract to keep them employed for life. [68], A work instruction introduced in 1996 requires government staff in the Arbeitsmter local employment agencies and social security offices operated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to mark companies owned by Scientologists with the letter "S". Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment for medical conditions, the church said in a statement. [] Catholic and Protestant churches continued to oppose Scientology publically [sic], although press reporting and public reactions to Scientology decreased. Regardless of what others may state. Scientology doesnt own any businesses as its own. The members of the religion own their own businesses and u Sources within the Islamic community have described him as a cult leader and charismatic but totally delusional. Clearwater is a beautiful town and the downtown area is now a ghost town. [21] Germany's domestic intelligence service, the Bundesamt fr Verfassungsschutz (BfV, or Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution), estimates that there are 3,500 Scientologists in Germany,[1] down from earlier estimates of 5,000 to 6,000. [110][111][112] Gntner concluded that "alarmism" had "triumphed" over science and noted an apparent lack of confidence in Germany's ability to engage in open public discourse on the matter. [88] She added, "I can also find hundreds of quotes in the Bible that are totalitarian but that doesn't mean I will demand the ban of Christianity. [55][56] The BfV domestic intelligence service (Bundesamt fr Verfassungsschutz, or Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution) regards the aims of Scientology as running counter to Germany's free and democratic order, and has been monitoring Scientology since 1997, as have the Offices for the Protection of the Constitution in a number of German Lnder. By taking all of the classes the Church of Scientology offers, Scientologists believe that one can reclaim his true thetan form, become closer to God (or the Supreme Being), and unlock abilities to control life, matter, energy, space, and time that have been repressed by being in human form. [3][57] Minister for Family Policy Claudia Nolte instituted the surveillance, saying that the church had totalitarian tendencies and that she would oppose Scientology with all the means at her disposal. An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. The federal court based its opinion on its judgment that the aims of Scientology, as outlined by L. Ron Hubbard in his writings, were incompatible with the German constitution. [2] The "Church" of Scientology has encountered particular antagonism from the German press and government and occupies a precarious legal, social and cultural position in Germany. Reason important : [COLOR="Green"]This merchant processes payments for Scientology servers and is owned by Scientology. [13] That court, noting Hubbard's instruction that Scientologists should "make money, make more money make other people produce so as to make more money", came to the conclusion that "Scientology purports to be a 'church' merely as a cover to pursue its economic interests". It has said its attorneys sometimes hire them as part of standard litigation practice to protect the churchs interests. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. The US average revenue of a car dealership is $38.3 million. [43] In 1997, Time reported that 70% of Germans favoured banning Scientology;[43] a poll conducted in September 2008 by Der Spiegel found 67% support for a ban. Scientologists also celebrate religious holidays depending on other religious beliefs, as Scientologists very often retain their original affiliations with religions in which they were raised. [36] The German ambassador responded with a letter to the CSCE stating that the German government had come to the conclusion that Scientology's "pseudo-scientific courses can seriously jeopardize individuals' mental and physical health and that it exploits its members", adding that "membership can lead to psychological and physical dependency, to financial ruin, and even to suicide. [44] "Neither its bylaws nor any other utterances" supported the "conclusion that the organization had criminal aims". He called the Tampa Bay Times questions about parishioners activity not just stupid, false and offensive, but un-American., You talk out of both sides of your mouth: If redevelopment is being done by the city or a member of another religion, not Scientology, it is good; if redevelopment is being done by a Scientologist, it is bad, Shaw said. Purchases in the North Marina Area took off in July 2019, three months after the City Council voted to buy the historic North Ward Elementary School across the street from the Seminole ramp and Andrus condo. World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE) is an organization of businesspeople who use L. Ron Hubbard's methods in their business. Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. All 45 North Marina properties were purchased by companies managed or operated by two longtime members of Scientology: Steven Hayes, an attorney who has done legal work on behalf of church related organizations for more than two decades, and Norm Novitsky, a businessperson who has donated at least $5 million to Scientology. []. [3][40] In another 2003 decision, the Administrative Court of Baden-Wrttemberg in Mannheim said there were no indications that the teachings of Scientology merely served as a pretext for commercial activity. Government agencies at the federal and state level have rules and procedures that discriminate against Scientology as a group and against its members. Those six lots were bought in November 2020 by a limited liability company then-managed by an employee of CA South, a Nashville-based real estate firm founded by Megan Epstein and advised by her husband, Stephen Epstein, both members of Scientology. In other words these businesses are taking on relatively under qualified people, which is not typical business behavior. Employment - these entities seem to mostly hire practicing scn's to the extent possible. Limited liability companies managed by Hayes, the attorney whos done work on behalf of the church, bought almost the entire square block directly east of the North Ward school. [91] The report by the BfV cited knowledge gaps and noted several points that would make the success of any legal undertaking to ban Scientology doubtful. [64][65] The German government posted bail for the agent. In 2020, Forbes ranked Duggan No. [3], The Federal Court of Justice of Germany has not yet made an explicit decision on the matter, but implicitly assumed in 1980 that Scientology represented a religious or worldview community. 2.7 International Foundation for Human Rights and Active members of The Church of Scientology are particularly motivated by the third dynamic of "survival as a group" so it follows that they would be interested in hiring people who share this motivation. I'm trying to get advice on best thing to say during job interviews or at employment agencies. [94][96], The United States media, while generally reporting negatively on Scientology in domestic news, has taken an at least partially supportive stance towards Scientology in relation to Germany. 2.1 Association for Better Living and Education International. [73], The city-state of Hamburg set up a full-time office dedicated to opposing Scientology, the Scientology Task Force for the Hamburg Interior Authority, under the leadership of Ursula Caberta. "[109], In 2003, Joachim Gntner, writing in the Swiss Neue Zrcher Zeitung, noted that Gerhard Besier, a German Christian theologian, director of the Hannah Arendt Institute for Research into Totalitarianism in Dresden and recipient of an honorary doctorate from Lund University, Sweden, for his championing of religious freedom, had been pressured to forego publication of his scientific study of Scientology after having found himself the subject of widespread criticism in the German media for advocating a more tolerant attitude towards Scientology. "[42] Gandow's and Knopp's comments found few critics in Germany. The continuous interference by registrars and pressure caused me to make mistakes while I worked at my work station and in the long run about 8 months later. [30] This view of Scientology as a public enemy, Seiwert adds, "became a matter of political correctness": senior political figures became involved in launching campaigns against Scientology, and being suspected of any association with it resulted in social ostracism. The church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. [57], In Saarland, surveillance was stopped by a court as inappropriate in 2005, because there is no local branch of Scientology and few members. [49][82] According to the agreement that concluded the case, she promised not to use Scientology methods in her work, and to inform the children's parents of her membership in Scientology. Scientologists also celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter and New Years Eve, as well as other local celebrations. 2.1 Association for Better Living and Education International. The registrars would show up at my place of work and one of them came up to me directly at my work station and aggressively insisted that I wrap up my job duties and speak with him and the owner. Clearwater officials bemoan lack of progress on land talks with Scientology, Sheriffs Office identifies victims in suspected murder-suicide, Body of missing Clearwater teen found, police say, Clearwater takes first step in bringing renaissance to North Greenwood, MLK Day parades and festivals will be in St. Petersburg and Tampa on Monday, Clearwater has not recycled since July; solid waste official resigns, Largos TD Synnex posts $62B in revenue, plans $1B in stock buybacks, Tampa Bay internet celebrity Baked Alaska gets 60 days for Jan. 6 riot, Bounce the Mall tour of elaborate inflatables coming to Tyrone Square, Clearwater woman killed, child wounded in gunfight between boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, police say, Church of Scientologys presence in Pinellas County, Clear Takeover: How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover, Typhoon cancels Clearwaters sister city visit to Nagano. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has purchased 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name. WebDo scientologists sometimes just own businesses, structure them using scientology because its what is familiar to them, and just run them like normal decent humans? KnowBe4 aims for $100 million IPO - Tampa Bay Times. Hulk Hogan And The Church Of Scientology Hogan sparked rumors that he was the Church of Scientology's latest celebrity recruit when he started dating known [13], Scientology first became active in Germany in 1970. Ministers of the Church are authorized worldwide to conduct funerals, weddings and other rituals for adherents. Erneuter Wirbel um Gerhard Besier, das Hannah-Arendt-Institut und Scientology", "Scientologist-software man blasts Germany", "Scientology darf weiter beobachtet werden", "Scientologin darf weiter Kinder betreuen", "Scientology in Germany: Suspicious Tutoring", "French Scientology group convicted of fraud", "Hollywood's Glitterati Circle the Wagons", "German Party Replies To Scientology Backers", "German historian likens Cruise speech to Goebbels", "Innenminister fordern Verbot von Scientology", "Hamburger SPD fordert Erhalt der Scientology Arbeitsgruppe", "Germany apologises to Switzerland for spying on Scientologists", "German charged with spying on Scientologists", "Verfassungsgericht weist Klage von Scientology gegen Beobachtung ab", "Organisation mit bundesweit 5000 Anhngern", "Germany drops attempt to ban Scientology", "Kein Verbotsverfahren gegen die Scientology-Organisation", "Urteil: Scientology ist kein Wirtschaftsbetrieb", "Innenminister erwgen Verbot 'Scientology unvereinbar mit dem Grundgesetz', "Scientology darf nicht mehr ausspioniert werden", "Scientology-Anhnger Travolta: Bei "Wetten, dass ?" And ditto for Decurion. [27], German public discourse does not regard Scientology as a religion, but generally characterizes it as a Sekte (cult or sect), or as an exploitative profit-making venture preying on vulnerable minds. "Scientologist is a collective membership mark designating members of the affiliated churches and missions of Scientology." [86][87][88], The move was criticized by German politicians from all sides of the political spectrum, with legal experts and intelligence agencies expressing concern that an attempt to ban the organization would likely fail in the courts. [40] These concerns arose because customers of around 20 after-school tutoring centres operated by Scientologists in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart and elsewhere might be unaware that their children were being taught by Scientologists, using Scientology methods. David Miscavige [7] These efforts have been partly successful Scientology has gained recognition as a tax-exempt religious group in a number of countries, most notably in Australia in 1983 and the United States in 1993, and in 2007 won an important case at the European Court of Human Rights, which censured Russia for failing to register Scientology as a religion. a. I would understand if it was shared values, but the ex members almost seem to lack any real education or skill set. 2.7 International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance. But unlike many other religious groups, theyre still OK with using the word Christmas to label their seasonal celebration. I could see if they are willing to work for less money vs other opportunities - perhaps, they think that the business is paying lots of money to Scn,.. ie their lower salary goes toward the greater good.. b. Alternatively, a big issue employer's face when hiring at the lower end, is trust. [29][99][100][101] The U.S. Department of State began to include the issue of Scientology in Germany in its annual human rights reports after the 1993 agreement between the Church of Scientology and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, through which Scientology gained the status of a tax-exempt religion in the United States. [27][28] As most religions seek to widen their influence in society, such a programme could of course also be defended as a missionary effort, much like those many religions engage in. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. I had also been under pressure by a realtor who we were not able to service like yesterday and so I referred her to the owner's best friend's company and whom we had been doing networking with for many many years. Scientology has various classifications for their organizations. "[36] Officials examining primary and secondary sources, legal documents, and the testimony of former members, concluded that the organization was "antithetical to a democratic state". After the City Council voted to buy the lot in April 2017, Miscavige refused to talk to city officials for the next two and a half years. Bahia Property Management (Raul Aleman) Blue Streak Docs (Sam Gendusa) Buzzazz Business Solutions (Keanan Scientologists do not typically dwell on Heaven or Hell or the afterlife, instead focusing on the spirit. 378 on the Forbes 400 list of the richest people in America. [63] Being suspected of maintaining "ambitions against the free, democratic basic order", the Scientology organization added a declaration on human rights and democracy to its bylaws. My plan is to keep renting, Huestler said. [110], The U.S. Department of State's 2012 report on religious freedom in Germany, published in 2013, stated that "The status of the Church of Scientology remains in limbo. From 1983 to 2002, Bridge also published Hubbard's fiction works. A colleague advised me that, in the US, if a previous employer gives a bad reference, you can sue for defamation.. and it would be a very easy case to win. to use all legal means at their disposal to check the activities of Scientology. But the lawsuit says Marrick and Arnold dealt directly with Miscaviges staff, not attorneys, and that Miscavige feared Broeker might one day try to reclaim his position. Josh is a writer at TheSportster and has been watching wrestling since Stone Cold and The Rock's WrestleMania My Way package reeled him in. Can you also say that about the sea Org folks ? Nigeria: a suicide car bomber attacked a Catholic church during Mass on Sunday, killing two people and wounding 45 others. "[103] Past targets of such actions had included Scientologist actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, as well as jazz pianist Chick Corea. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. Church of Scientology-owned properties The church owns approximately 12 million square feet of property, with Hollywood at the center, and twenty-six properties worth 400 million. Does Mike Murdock's 58 days seed covenant really work? It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members.

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