Scientology's® Claims
From: publicrelations@scientology.org ANP (DUTCH WIRE SERVICE)(translation) Church of Scientology in Sweden allowed to contract marriages
AMSTERDAM (ANP/RTR) Ministers of the Church of Scientology in Sweden are
allowed to contract marriages from now on. The Swedish ministry of justice has
decided this on Thursday, the Dutch branch of the movement said on Friday.
Scientology president, Heber Jentzsch called the decision a milestone for the
Church of Scientology in europe and for the freedom of religion. According to
him this recognition of a member of the European community indicates the norm
for all other governments. The Swedish government recognized the Church of
Scientology as a religious community in March.
The Church of Scientology was established in 1954 in California by the late
American L. Ron Hubbard. In Sweden the community, which was established in 1968,
counts 3,000 members. It has churches in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo.
South Africa recognizes the Church of Scientology since last month. Germany
and Switzerland regard the movement not as a religious community. In the
Netherlands the Church of Scientology is registered as a church. But the
donations by the members are not tax exempt, like with other churches, according
to a spokeswoman.
And now for the truth
Scientology has been trying to get recognized as a real religion ever since
their mad messiah dreamed up the notion of pretending to be a religion in a
letter he wrote to his wife, a letter which talks about "looking into the
religion angle" as he called it, for the sole purpose of getting tax exemption
status in the United States.
Amusingly, Sweden still doesn't recognize Scientology as a religion. Indeed
few countries do, not even the United States which, in any event, isn't allowed
to dictate what is a religion and what is not a religion since that opposes
Constitutional seporation of church from State. What Sweden did allow is that
Scientologists may conduct marriage rituals and such marriages would be
recognized by the State. That's all. So far as that goes, I myself -- Rev.
Fredric L. Rice -- is also recognized by the United States as able to conduct
marriage rituals to be fully recognized by the State. It certainly doesn't mean
that any criminal fraud like Scientology that I could dream up would some how be
considered a religion.
So what we see in Scientology's claims above is one of their many amusing
claims trying to advance the never ending public relations effort to try to get
people to believe that Scientology is some how a religion. The ability to
conduct marriages does not supports such a claim.
Incidentally, the amazing Heber Jentzsch himself has equally amazing legal
problems which resulted in him fleeing prosecution in Madrid, Spain. (See also Raids.ORG for additional coverage.)
Heber's nutty insane rants are classic and I would encourage you to review
the audio files KFI8.RM and KFI9.RM to listen to Scientology's mock
"International President" toss an amusing screaming fit while on KFI AM 640 Talk
Radio out of Los Angeles, California. These two audio recordings are truly
amazing and they paint a very accurate picture of the mind of Scientology's
leaders.
Subject: ANP Wire on Swedish
Recognition of Scientology
Date: 2000/05/06
May 5, 2000
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