Governments and courts about Scientology
Censored information Anonymous doesn’t want you to know.
Anonymous falls for Scientology Myths
Most members - if you can say so - of “Anonymous” do think that they have some idea about the Church of Scientology. Some do, others clearly don’t. So here is a way out: Scientology Myths.
The Scientologist understanding of human rights
Longterm English Scientologist and former magistrate describes Scientologists’ committment to the full implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Scientology stands a chance
Religious scholar puts the kibosh on badly researched and opinionated skeptic editorial about Scientology.
Techcentric anti-Scientology
ZDNet thinks those anti-Scientology demonstrations were religious bigotry…
Techcentric anti-Scientology
ZDNet thinks those anti-Scientology demonstrations were religious bigotry…
Scientology Church Plans Move to the South End of Boston
With the announcement that the Church of Scientology of Boston has bought the former Alexandra Hotel at Washington Street and Massachusetts Avenue, Scientologists are eagerly planning to relocate their headquarters from Back Bay to the South End.
New Headquarters for South African Scientology Church
The Church of Scientology of Port Elizabeth has completed the purchase of one of the city
’s historic landmark. It will contribute to the area not only by way of the planned R6-million restoration and renovation project but also through increased community activities that will now be possible.
New documentation: Scientology recognized in Europe and the World
Since 1954, when the first Church of Scientology was founded, the religion as grown to approximately 10 million members and is present through its churches, missions or groups in over 150 countries around the world.
Wherever the church exists, it endeavours to register as some form of non-profit ssociation with religious purposes, according to the laws of that country, with the exception of countries where such registration is not possible. The legal systems of each country often differ significantly. Some have official registries of religions here all groups are obliged to register and meet certain criteria. Others take the opposite view and specifically prohibit keeping official lists of ‘accepted’ religions onsidering that this is not a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the State. Governments and courts of many different countries recognize the religious character of Scientology. This booklet is intended to give some understanding of how Scientology is seen in Europe and elsewhere around the world.
Europe
The majority of countries in the European Union do not have a religious registry system within their legal framework (or even a form of official religious recognition). In those countries that do have a form of registry procedure (including
countries who are not part of the EU), Scientology has been recognized as a religion in the following - Sweden, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Albania.
The majority of States in the European Union have other forms of recognition. In many of these countries, Scientology has been recognized as a religion through administrative and judicial decisions, including decisions by the highest court in the country. These decisions include the following countries – Italy, Denmark, Austria, Germany, UK and Norway.
World
There are many other judicial, administrative and registry recognitions in other countries of the world too. Some examples are - USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Nepal, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Venezuela, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Brazil, India, Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Courts have determined that Scientology must be treated the same as other religions throughout Europe, including decisions concerning Scientology rendered by the European Court of Human Rights and the European Commission
on Human Rights which establish binding precedent in all 46 European countries that have signed and ratified the European Convention on Human Rights. In addition to the European Court of Human Rights and the European Commission on Human Rights decisions, Scientology has also been recognized as a religion through numerous judicial and administrative rulings in many European countries.
Finally Scientology has been recognized and registered as a religion in many countries that have a religious registry.
This booklet is currently available in english, spanish and russian.
