Filed under: important
Die Junge Union (JU) Bargteheide begrüßt den Vorstoß der bayerischen Landesregierung, deutliche Schritte gegen eine Unterwanderung von Staat und Gesellschaft vorzunehmen. So müssen künftig Bewerber für den öffentlichen Dienst bekunden, ob sie Mitglied der Scientology-Organisation sind. Ist dies der Fall, kann der Bewerber nicht in den Staatsdienst übernommen werden. “Wir fordern die Landesregierung in Schleswig-Holstein auf, endlich die angesichts der Bedrohung durch Scientology längst überfälligen Schritte einzuleiten und dafür zu sorgen, daß eine Scientology-Mitgliedschaft unvereinbar mit dem Beamtenstatus ist, so wie zB die CDU und JU bereits seit vielen Jahren eine Unvereinbarkeit der Parteimitgliedschaft und der Mitgliedschaft bei Scientology praktizieren.”, so der Bargteheider JU-Vorsitzende Malte Steckmeister. “Außerdem muß endlich gesetzlich festgeschrieben werden, daß öffentliche Aufträge nur an Firmen vergeben werden, die schriftlich versichern, daß sie nicht nach der Lehre Hubbards, dem Gründer der Scientology arbeiten.” so Steckmeister abschließend.
Filed under: 9/11, Germany, News, info, money, scientology | Tags: Forum, Stopp für Scientology und staatliche Finanzierung rech
Konferenz der Innenminister von Bund und Ländern
Stopp für Scientology und staatliche Finanzierung rechter Stiftungen
Die Innenminister von Bund und Ländern treffen sich heute in Berlin zu ihrer zweitägigen Herbstkonferenz. Zu den Hauptthemen zählt der zukünftige Umgang mit der NPD. Ende Oktober gab es erneute Gespräche der SPD-Minister über ein Verbotsverfahren gegen die rechtsextremistische Partei. Die unionsregierten Länder lehnen einen neuen Anlauf für ein Verbot ab. Das Bundesverfassungsgericht hatte 2003 ein früheres Verbotsverfahren wegen offener Fragen zum Einsatz verdeckter Ermittler in der NPD-Führung gestoppt.
Größere Einigungschancen gibt es bezüglich einer Beschränkung der staatlichen Zuschüsse für die NPD. Die Innenminister könnten beschließen, zumindest den NPD-nahen Vereinen und Stiftungen den Geldhahn zuzudrehen. Sowohl Politiker von Union als auch von SPD sprachen sich für entsprechende Schritte aus.
Berlins Innensenator Ehrhart Körting (SPD) signalisierte Unterstützung für einen Antrag Hamburgs, gegen die Scientology-Organisation vorzugehen. Er plädierte für ein Verbot der Sekte, wie es sein Hamburger Kollege Udo Nagel vorgeschlagen hat. “Scientology ist keine Religion, sondern ein wirtschaftliches Unternehmen, das Menschen psychisch abhängig macht und sie ausbeutet”, sagte Körting im ZDF Morgenmagazin.
Scientology Verbot und Einschränkungen für rechte Vereine
Filed under: 9/11, Germany, News, info, money, scientology | Tags: Anonymous, Menschenrechtsbeschwerde an die Vereinten Nationen vom, scientology, un, uno
Menschenrechtsbeschwerde an 10. Oktober 2000
Herrn Abid Hussain
Sonderberichterstatter der UN für Meinungsfreiheit
Büro des Hochkommissars für Menschenrechte
UN Büro Genf
CH-1211 Genf 10
Schweiz
Betrifft: Staatliche Zensur in Öffentlichen Bibliotheken: Deutschland
Sehr geehrter Herr Hussain,
ich berate die Scientology Kirche in Fragen der Menschenrechte. Stellvertretend für etwa 30.000 deutsche Scientologen schreibe ich Ihnen bezüglich eines Verhaltensmusters und einer Praxis staatlicher Zensur von Veröffentlichungen von L. Ron Hubbard, dem Gründer der Scientology Religion in öffentlichen Bibliotheken in ganz Deutschland.
Hintergrund der Beschwerde
Es gibt derzeit mehr als dreißig Berichte von Internationalen Menschenrechtsorganisationen und Regierungskörperschaften, die die deutsche Regierung wegen der Verletzung der Rechte von Scientologen und anderen Mitgliedern von Minderheitsreligionen kritisieren. Das Recht auf Meinungsfreiheit der Scientologen wird regelmässig in Deutschland verletzt. Scientologen werden in Deutschland regelmässig aus ihren Stellungen entlassen, von Schulen verwiesen, aus politischen Parteien ausgeschlossen, aus gesellschaftlichen, geschäftlichen und politischen Organisationen ausgeschlossen, es wird ihnen das Recht auf Genehmigungen zur Ausübung von Berufen verweigert, das Recht auf Ausübung Ihrer Kunst verweigert, das Recht auf das Eröffnen von Bankkonten und der Erhalt von Krediten verweigert, das Recht auf die Nutzung öffentlicher Einrichtungen und Veranstaltungsräumen verweigert, sie werden auf Schwarze Listen gesetzt, boykottiert, verleumdet, ausgegrenzt und bedroht einzig allein ihres Grundrechts auf Meinungsäußerung und Verbindung mit der Scientology Religion. Wie es das Menschenrechtszentrum der Universität von Essex in seiner Untersuchung „Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit„ ausdrückt:
„In Deutschland wird die Demokratie als Ideologie verwendet, um Konformität zu erreichen. Es war bestürzend zu entdecken, dass der Staat und einige seiner Politiker und Vertreter die aus der Vergangenheit wohlbekannten ausgetretenen Pfade der Diskriminierung und Intoleranz und des Aufhetzens zu Intoleranz gegenüber einer neuen religiösen Minderheit, den Scientologen, beschreiten.„
Im März 1998 und nach einem Besuch in Deutschland zum Zwecke der Faktensammlung im vorangegangenen Jahr berichtete der Sonderberichterstatter der Vereinten Nationen für religiöse Intoleranz, Professor Abdelfattah Amor, der Menschenrechtskommission der Vereinten Nationen dass das, womit Scientologen in Deutschland konfrontiert sind „als Klima der Verdächtigung oder latenter Intoleranz beschrieben werden kann„. Der Sonderberichterstatter gab die Empfehlung „der Staat muss über das tägliche politische Geschäft hinaus eine Strategie zur Verhinderung von Intoleranz auf dem Gebiet der Religion und des Glaubens entwickeln„. Anstatt die Empfehlungen des Sonderberichterstatters in die Tat umzusetzen hat die deutsche Regierung ihre Kampagne der Ausgrenzung und Diskriminierung von Scientologen fortgesetzt und intensiviert.
Staatliche religiöse Diskriminierung von Scientologen in Deutschland ist in sieben aufeinanderfolgenden Menschenrechtsberichten des US-Außenministeriums kritisiert worden als auch in den Jahresberichten über Internationale Religionsfreiheit in den Jahren 1999 und 2000.
Im April 2000 setzte der US Handelsbeauftragte Deutschland auf die Beobachtungsliste wegen der Verwendung und Verbreitung sogenannter „Sektenfilter„ der deutschen Regierung – Formularen, die eine Anstellung oder eine Auftragsvergabe durch die Regierung davon abhängig macht, dass eine Person oder eine Firma erklären, dass sie keine Scientology Kurse oder Seminare besucht und nicht die Technologie von L. Ron Hubbard verwendet.
Sowohl der US Handelsbeauftragte als auch das Außenministerium haben den „Sektenfilter„ als offene Diskriminierung und Verletzung der Verpflichtung Deutschlands durch internationale Menschenrechte verurteilt. Die US Regierung hat dadurch, dass sie Deutschland auf die Beobachtungsliste gesetzt hat, gezeigt, dass sie die Misshandlung der Scientologen durch Deutschland als Bedrohung des amerikanischen Handels betrachtet. Diese „Filter„ verletzen ebenfalls das fundamentale Grundrecht der Scientologen auf freie Meinungsäußerung indem sie Sanktionen in Form von Verlust der Anstellung oder der Geschäftsverbindung für den Fall vorsehen, dass jemand zugibt, zu den religiösen Lehren und Glaubensvorstellungen der Scientology zu stehen.
Mitglieder der Scientology Kirche und bestimmten anderen Minderheitsreligionen kämpfen seit vielen Jahren gegen die Verweigerung ihres Grundrechts auf Meinungsäußerung. Scientologen wird ihr Recht auf politische Betätigung verweigert da ihnen die Aufnahme in den politischen Parteien Deutschlands verweigert wird. Das Antragsformular zum Beitritt zur Christlich Demokratischen Union enthält einen Passus, in dem jemand erklären muss, dass er nicht Scientologe ist.
Diese Aktionen treffen 30.000 Scientologen, die weniger als 0,004 Prozent der deutschen Bevölkerung darstellen und dieser Versuch, sich lieb Kind bei der Mehrheit zu machen verletzt die Verpflichtungen Deutschlands, das Recht seiner Bürger auf vollständige und gleiche politischen Meinungsäußerung ohne Unterschied der Rasse, Hautfarbe, Religion oder Weltanschauung. Die Teilnahme an der Entscheidung über öffentliche Belange ist ein grundlegendes Menschenrecht, das von Menschen auf der ganzen Welt geschätzt wird und als grundlegendes Menschenrecht durch Artikel 19 geschützt wird. Internationale Instrumente zur Förderung und zum Schutz der Menschenrechte enthalten mannigfache Hinweise darauf, dass das Recht auf politische Betätigung gewährt werden soll. Darüber hinaus schützen diese Instrumente die Rechte des Individuums auf eine bedeutsame Teilnahme am politischen Leben und verlangen sie die Entfernung von Hindernissen, die sich dieser Teilnahme im Wege stehen wie z.B. Maßnahmen, die es Individuen verbieten, politischen Parteien aufgrund ihrer Verbindungen oder Überzeugungen beizutreten.
Das Grundrecht eines Künstlers, seine Visionen frei von staatlichen Eingriffen zu schaffen und mitzuteilen ist eines der geachtetsten Grundrechte und das grundlegendste Menschenrecht. Trotzdem führt der deutsche Staat seine Richtlinie, Künstler, die zufällig Scientologen sind, auf eine Schwarze Liste zu setzen. Musiker, die Scientologen sind, werden von Auftritten auf staatlich geförderten Konzerten ausgeschlossen und Ausstellungen von Malern und Bildhauern wurden verboten oder boykottiert.
Diese Verbote und Einschränkungen werden seit 1993 in einer Reihe von Berichten von internationalen Menschenrechtsorganisationen ausreichend dokumentiert. Der bekannte amerikanische Jazzmusiker Chick Corea wurde zum Beispiel in einem Artikel der Süddeutschen Zeitung als „einer der von der bayrischen Staatsregierung meistgehassten Künstler„ beschrieben. Der einzige „Fehler„ von Herrn Corea ist sein Wunsch, für seine vielen deutschen Verehrer auftreten zu wollen, er wird jedoch seit 1996 von einem Auftritt beim bekannten Jazzmusik Festival von Burghausen ausgeschlossen, einzig aufgrund seiner religiösen Überzeugung.
In verschiedenen anderen deutschen Ländern war Herrn Corea Opfer ähnlicher Verbote, seine Musik aufzuführen. Er hat zum Beispiel im Juni 2000 vor dem Komitee für internationale Beziehungen des US Repräsentantenhauses ausgesagt, er hätte einen Termin im Oktober zu einem Auftritt auf einem Musikfestival zusammen mit der Deutschen Kammerphilharmonie gehabt, der Auftritt musste aber abgesagt werden, nachdem die Bremer Regierungskoalition aus Christdemokraten und Sozialdemokraten damit gedroht hatte, den künstlerischen Direktor des Festivals aufgrund der Einladung von Herrn Corea zu feuern.
Ähnlich erging es einem deutschen Sportler in leitender Funktion beim deutschen Olympia-Fechtteam vor ein paar Jahren, weil er in einem Interview auf die Frage eines Journalisten antwortete, er läse Bücher von L. Ron Hubbard und sie gefielen ihm. In Deutschland gibt es Hunderte solcher Fälle, in denen einzelne Personen entlassen oder ihre Geschäfte boykottiert wurden aufgrund ihrer Äußerungen, ihrer Verbindungen oder ihres Glaubens.
Im Jahre 1996 versuchten einige deutsche Politiker einen deutschlandweiten Boykott der Kinofilme Mission Impossible und Phenomenon zu organisieren, weil die Hauptdarsteller in diesen Filmen Mitglieder der Scientology Kirche sind. Aber obwohl der Boykott ein Fehlschlag war gab es keinen einzigen staatlichen Vertreter in Deutschland auf Bundes- oder Länderebene, der sich dagegen ausgesprochen hätte und keiner äußerte ein Wort der Kritik an den deutschen Politikern, die zu diesem Boykott aufgerufen hatten.
Gegenwärtige Zensur in Öffentlichen Bibliotheken
Vor diesem Hintergrund der religiösen Intoleranz untersuchen wir die Weigerung von staatlichen und städtischen Bibliotheken, der Öffentlichkeit die Werke des Gründers der Scientology Religion, die von der Scientology Kirche hergestellt werden, zugänglich zu machen, nicht einmal Bücher mit einem positiven Hinweis auf Scientology oder Herrn Hubbard.
Im Jahre 1997 gab die Scientology Kirche der Opinion Research Corporation International den Auftrag, eine Untersuchung darüber durchzuführen, welche Art und in welchem Ausmaß die deutsche Bevölkerung Informationen über Scientology besitzt. Die Umfrage ergab, dass weniger als fünf Prozent der Deutschen überhaupt irgendwelche Informationen aus erster Hand über Scientology haben, d.h. sie hatten niemals eine Scientology Kirche besucht, kannten keinen Scientologen und hatten niemals vorher ein Buch von L. Ron Hubbard oder der Kirche gelesen. Stattdessen hatten neunundachtzig Prozent alle Informationen, die sie über Scientology besaßen, über die Medien erhalten.
Unglücklicherweise „stellen die Medien Angelegenheiten, die mit Religion oder Glauben zu tun haben, in einem grotesken, um nicht zu sagen völlig entstellendem und schädlichem Licht dar„, wie es der Sonderberichterstatter der UN in seinem Bericht über Deutschland aus dem Jahre 1998 bemerkte.
Um diesen Falschinformationen und dem Mangel an korrekten Informationen über Scientology entgegenzuwirken, die das Klima der Intoleranz noch weiter anheizten, haben die Scientology Kirche und einzelne Scientologen eine Anzahl Versuche gemacht, im ganzen Land Literatur in öffentliche Bibliotheken zu bringen, die die Natur und die Aktivitäten von Scientology beschreiben. Die Dringlichkeit des Bedarfs der Verfügbarkeit von Informationen aus erster Hand über die Scientology Religion in öffentlichen Bibliotheken besonders dringlich wenn man das Überwiegen von Büchern in diesen Bibliotheken betrachtet, die von Nicht-Scientologen geschrieben wurden und die die Kirche und ihre Mitglieder auf falsche, herabwürdigende, stereotype und voreingenommene Art und Weise darstellen. Derlei Werke sind angefüllt mit ungenauen und verdrehten Informationen und sie tragen zu einem Klima bei, das für die Rechte der in Deutschland lebenden Scientologen abträglich ist.
Diesen Bemühungen, Tatsachenmaterial in Bibliotheken zu bringen, wurde mit einer beinahe vollständigen staatlichen Zensur der Werke von Herrn Hubbard begegnet. Unter Hinweis auf staatliche Anordnungen oder Empfehlungen weigerten sich Bibliotheken nicht nur, religiöse und philosophische Titel von Herrn Hubbard aufzunehmen sondern in einigen Fällen sogar seine Romanliteratur. (Tab 1)
Eine Grundlage für diesen beinahe ein Verbot von Herrn Hubbards Bücher in öffentlichen Bibliotheken zu nennendes Verhalten ist eine nachdrückliche Empfehlung des Berliner Senats für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur, gleichbedeutend mit einer Anweisung, an alle Bibliotheken, keinerlei Bücher von Herrn Hubbard anzunehmen, auch dann nicht, wenn sie als Spende angeboten werden. Jede Bibliothek, die sie annimmt, wird angewiesen, sie dem Blick der Öffentlichkeit fernzuhalten und ein Buch nur auf ausdrücklichen Wunsch herauszugeben. Die Jerusalem Bibliothek in Berlin berichtet, es sei „eine Entscheidung des Vorstands für ganz Berlin, aufgrund ihres Inhalts keinerlei Bücher des Autors L. Ron Hubbard anzunehmen„. (Tab 2)
Dieses flächendeckende Verbot erstreckt sich sogar auf Werke, die nichts mit Scientology zu tun haben, wie die Weigerung der Stadtbibliothek Köpenick zeigt, eine Spende des internationalen Bestsellers Schlachtfeld Erde (jetzt fürs Kino verfilmt) anzunehmen. Tatsächlich bestätigte der Bibliothekar bei einer direkten Konfrontation, dass es eine Anweisung gäbe, dass keine öffentliche Bücherei in Berlin Werke des Scientology Gründers annehmen dürfe.
Mitte des Jahres 1998 gab das Deutsche Bibliotheksinstitut, eine staatlich gegründete und geförderte Einrichtung, die alle deutschen staatlichen und städtischen Bibliotheken berät, eine Direktive heraus, die mehrere Länderanweisungen in Bezug auf das Verbot der Werke von Herrn Hubbard auflistete. Obwohl das Deutsche Bibliotheksinstitut im Jahre 1999 geschlossen wurde sind alle Anweisungen, die in seiner Direktive aus dem Jahre 1998 enthalten waren, noch immer gültig und in Kraft. Die Direktive enthielt eine Anweisung des Kultusministeriums Hessens an alle regionalen und örtlichen Bibliotheken, keinerlei Bücher von „Scientology„ anzunehmen oder anzubieten und eine Anweisung des Ministers für Wissenschaft und Kultur Niedersachsens an staatliche Bibliotheken, jede Buchspende von „Scientology„ zurückzuweisen.
Diese Anweisung wies Bibliothekare an, „es sollte in öffentlichen Bibliotheken nicht möglich sein, Scientology Veröffentlichungen auszuleihen„ und bemerkte, dass „die regionale Vereinigung deutscher Bibliotheken in Baden-Württemberg legte schon im Jahre 1994 fest, dafür zu sorgen, dass in öffentlichen Bibliotheken keine Veröffentlichungen von Scientology ausgeliehen werden können„. Die Anweisung informierte stattdessen die Bibliothekare, dass „Informationsmaterial über neue Religionen und ideologische Bewegungen, Jugendsekten, Psychogruppen und insbesondere die Scientology Church bei den staatlichen und kirchlichen Sektenbeauftragten bestellt werden kann„.
Solche „Sektenbeauftragten„ werden von der vorherrschenden Katholischen oder Protestantischen Kirche in Deutschland ernannt und sie sind in Bezug auf Religionen außer ihrer eigenen weder objektiv noch informiert. Der Bericht des Sonderberichterstatters über UN über religiöse Intoleranz in Deutschland beinhaltet auch Beschwerden von Mormonen, Zeugen Jehovas, der Baha’i Gemeinde, der Vereinigungskirche und der Hare Krishna Bewegung als auch von Scientologen über die Voreingenommenheit und Intoleranz der Sektenbeauftragte der großen Kirchen. Die Informationen über Scientology, die von den Sektenbeauftragten in Veröffentlichungen gegeben werden, sind höchst ungenau und voller Verdrehungen und stereotyper Darstellungen.
Zusätzlich zu Obigem hat die Kirche staatliche Zensur der Bücher von Herrn Hubbard in öffentlichen Bibliotheken in Hessen, Hamburg, Berlin und Niedersachsen dokumentiert.
Als Scientologen versuchten, Werke von Herrn Hubbard in öffentlichen Bibliotheken in Hessen zu bringen wies der hessische Wissenschaftsminister die Bücherein an, die Bücher an den Absender zurück zu schicken. (Tab 3) Das hessische Kultusministerium stellte fest, dass Bibliotheken Materialien der Scientology Kirche weder annehmen noch der Öffentlichkeit verfügbar machen. Ähnliche Mitteilungen wurden vom hessischen Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst und dem Sozialministerium versandt. (Tab 4)
Ein Scientologe, der den Direktor der öffentlichen Bibliotheken Hamburgs ansprach und ihn zu den Einweihungsfeierlichkeiten der neuen Räumlichkeiten der Kirche einlud wurde darüber informiert, dass es „eine interne Anweisung von der Leitung der öffentlichen Bibliotheken gibt, nach der uns nicht gestattet ist, Telefongespräche, Bücher von L. Ron Hubbard noch irgendwelche Besuche von Scientologen in öffentlichen Bibliotheken anzunehmen„. (Tab 5)
Ein Bibliotheksystem, das solch unangemessene und undemokratische Anweisungen an seine Zweigstellen ausgibt, ist mit Sicherheit nicht auf einer Linie mit dem Entwicklungsplan der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg für ihre Bibliotheken in dem es heißt: „Der Senat sieht es als die wichtigste Aufgabe von Staat und Kulturpolitik an, ein System öffentlicher Bibliotheken zu finanzieren, das dazu beiträgt, den Zugang zu Literatur und Wissen für breite Teile der Öffentlichkeit zu erleichtern„. (Tab 6)
Das niedersächsische Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur hat alle Bibliotheken im Lande angewiesen, keine Werke von Herrn Hubbard anzuschaffen. In Bayern hat sich ein höherer Beamter, der die Stadtbibliotheken unter sich hat, geweigert, Herrn Hubbard’s Bücher anzunehmen und stellte fest, er habe eine mündliche Anweisung von seinen Vorgesetzten erhalten, sie nicht anzuschaffen. In der Anlage befinden sich zusätzliche Beweise für staatliche Zensur in Bezug auf Herrn Hubbard’s Werke in der Form von Briefen von öffentlichen Bibliotheken in Rottweil in Baden-Württemberg, Halle in Sachsen-Anhalt, Ahlen in Nordrheinwestfalen, Neumünster in Schleswig-Holstein, der Staatsbibliothek des Saarlands und aus Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. (Tab 7) In Osnabrück in Niedersachsen hat die Stadtverwaltung nicht nur das diskriminierende „Sektenfilter„ gegen Scientologen eingeführt, sie hat auch eine Überprüfung aller Bibliotheken der Stadt und der Schulen angeordnet um sicherzustellen, dass dort keine Werke von Herrn Hubbard vorzufinden sind. (Tab
Auf der anderen Seite sind Bücher, die Scientology in höchst negativen Ausdrücken beschreiben, die vorgefasste Meinungen voller falscher und ungeheuerlich verdrehter Informationen enthalten, in städtischen und staatlichen Bibliotheken in ganz Deutschland sehr leicht erhältlich. In Stuttgart enthielt eine Computerliste mit Büchern über Scientology die Titel von nicht weniger als neunundzwanzig „Anti-Scientology Publikationen„ während nicht eine einzige Veröffentlichung von Herrn Hubbard, der Kirche oder ein Werk eines einzelnen Scientologen über Scientology in den Regalen oder im Lager erlaubt sind.
In Berliner Bibliotheken beläuft sich die Anzahl der „Anti-Scientology„ auf fünfzig, verglichen mit nur zwei Büchern von Herrn Hubbard, die die Religion gemäß ihrem Selbstverständnis darstellen. Als jemand versuchte, eines dieser beiden Bücher auszuleihen bedurfte es einer beträchtlichen Hartnäckigkeit, um den Bibliothekar dazu zu bewegen, es zu lokalisieren. Es wurde schließlich in einem staubigen Regal geortet, wo es niemand gefunden hätte.
Die Zensur verletzt das Grundrecht auf freie Meinungsäußerung
Derlei Richtlinien und Praktiken der Zensur der Werke des Gründers einer Religion stellen eine eklatante Verletzung internationaler Menschenrechtskonventionen dar, die die Freiheit der Meinungsäußerung und der Meinung verletzen.
Diese Rechte werden näher formuliert in Artikel 19(2) des Internationalen Vertrags über Bürgerliche und Politische Rechte und Artikel 13 des Internationalen Vertrags über Wirtschaftliche, Gesellschaftliche und Kulturelle Rechte, die beide von Deutschland ratifiziert worden sind.
Staatliche Zensur der Werke von Herrn Hubbard in Bibliotheken in ganz Deutschland stellt nicht nur eine eklatante Verletzung der Internationalen Menschenrechtsverträge dar, es entfacht ein Klima religiöser Intoleranz und Diskriminierung, dem sich Scientologen in Deutschland gegenübersehen und hält es am Leben.
Diese staatlichen Handlungen der Zensur stehen im direkten Gegensatz mit den Verpflichtungen Deutschlands zum Schutz des Rechts auf freie Meinungsäußerung. Wie das Menschenrechtskommitte im Allgemeinen Kommentar 10 in Bezug auf das Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung (Neunzehnte Sitzung, 1983) beinhaltet die Freiheit der Meinungsäußerung auch die Freiheit, Informationen und Ideen zu empfangen und zu übermitteln. Weder Artikel 10 der Europäischen Menschenrechtskonvention noch Artikel 19 des Internationalen Vertrags über Bürgerliche und Politische Recht erlauben diese drakonischen Maßnahmen.
Um eine Beschneidung des Rechts auf freie Meinungsäußerung zu rechtfertigen muss der Mitgliedsstaat zeigen – und die Beweislast liegt dabei bei ihm – dass es eine „dringende gesellschaftliche Notwendigkeit„ zur Einschränkung der Redefreiheit wegen eines von mehreren Gründen (wie der Schutz von Gesundheit oder Moral oder der Schutz der Rechte Dritter), die in Artikel 19 (3) aufgeführt sind. Jeder Eingriff in das Grundrecht auf freie Meinungsäußerung muss durch den Staat anhand dieser Kriterien gerechtfertigt werden. Die Tatsache, dass der Staat in Treu und Glauben handelt oder die beanstandete Einschränkung schon seit langer Zeit besteht macht die Einschränkung gemäß Artikel 19 nicht rechtskräftig. Wie das Menschenrechtskomitee in seinem Allgemeinen Kommentar über das Grundrecht auf freie Meinungsäußerung feststellt „wenn ein Staat bestimmte Einschränkungen in der Ausübung des Grundrechts auf freie Meinungsäußerung einführt, dann dürfen diese das Grundrecht selbst nicht gefährden. Eine solche Begründung, die „dem legitimen angestrebten Erfolg angemessen ist„ ist von der deutschen Regierung nicht angegeben worden, da es sie nicht gibt.
Desweiteren hat der Europäische Menschenrechtsgerichtshof wiederholt entschieden, dass es unter Artikel 10 § 2 des Vertrags für solche Einschränkungen oder für die Frage des öffentlichen Interesses keinen großen Spielraum gibt. In der Tat ermutigt die Erklärung über das Grundrecht auf freie Meinungsäußerung und der Information des Europarats aus dem Jahre 1982, die vom Ministerkomitee des Europarats am 29. April 1982 angenommen wurde, das Grundrecht auf freie Meinungsäußerung und missbilligt genau diese Art der staatlichen Zensur.
In Übereinstimmung mit internationalem Recht kann Deutschland nicht das Grundrecht auf freie Meinungsäußerung missbrauchen indem es als „Gedankenpolizei„ agiert, die für das Bewusstsein von Individuen verantwortlich ist und einen bestimmten Glauben oder eine bestimmte Religion fördert, aufdrängt oder zensiert. Dies ist jedoch genau das, was Vertreter des deutschen Staates getan haben, indem sie Handlungen unternommen haben, die das Recht der Kirche auf freie Meinungsäußerung unterdrückt haben um deutsche Bürger davor zu schützen, selbst zu denken und sich ihre eigene Meinung zu bilden.
Das Vorherrschen eines systematischen und ernsten Missbrauchs von Menschenrechten, der gegen die Scientologen in Deutschland gerichtet ist, steht außer Zweifel. Scientologen in Deutschland werden weiterhin ihres Grundrechts auf Meinungs- und Ausdrucksfreiheit durch den Staat und mit staatlicher Billigung einzig aufgrund ihres Glaubens beraubt. Unter diesen Umständen ist internationale Berichterstattung und Hilfe notwendig, um sicherzustellen, dass dem ungesetzlichen Handeln der deutschen Regierung, die die freie Meinungsäußerung von Mitgliedern von Minderheitsreligionen in Deutschland unterdrücken, ein Ende zu setzen.
Hochachtungsvoll
William C. Walsh
Zurück zur Pressemitteilung Originaldokument
die Vereinten Nationen vom 10. Oktober 2000
Filed under: important
The material in this survey is for non-commercial use only.
Media Survey of Scientology news in Germany
from German-language media
Period covered: 1997 – 2001, with some pre-1997
Comments:
Scientology, considered a political extremist organization, is under surveillance by the Officer for the Protection of the Constitution (OPC) in most of Germany, with the exception of Schleswig-Holstein. (Despite that fact, Scientology’s Narconon program was shut down in Schleswig-Holstein.) “Under surveillance” means the government gathers information on Scientology, with approximately 60 percent coming from sources available to the public, such as newspapers, 20 percent from other agencies, and 20 percent coming from intelligence work. That excludes phone-tapping and opening of mail, which is reserved only for violent organizations in Germany. [1] “Under surveillance” by the OPC means that Scientology was officially, publicly warned that it would be put under surveillance before it ever happened, and that the OPC publishes annual reports on what it surveils. [2]
It can be libelous to call someone a Scientologist in Germany, even if the person really is a Scientologist. One effect of this was to start the rumor mills about who might be a Scientologist. One remedy for this recommended by the authorities is to have people sign a declaration stating they don’t use Hubbard technology. Nevertheless, having people sign the Technology Declaration to say they don’t use Hubbard Technology was more the exception than the rule, even at government agencies. Of course it’s the exceptions, such as the CDU political party, which have gotten much publicity. People were also concerned about whether their banks employed Scientologists, so some banks also had their employees sign the legally approved declarations refuting Hubbard technology. When Scientologists were found, they were let go. Some of these fired Scientologists sued the banks and received compensation. The police and city governments have also been sensitive to Scientology within their ranks. Another defense against accusations of having Scientology connections is to actively pursue anti-Scientology informational work. German authorities are concerned about disassociating themselves not only from Scientology but from critics who escalate tensions as well. There are indications that Scientology has established artificial critics among its ideological enemies.
A number of public Scientology debates, which included Scientologists, have taken place in Germany, and have included speakers from the USA. There have also been a number of presentations on Scientology that did not involve Scientologists, as well as presentations on various cults of which Scientology is only one example. Perhaps as a result of these discussions, inquiries about Scientology have decreased at local cult counseling centers. Public interest in Scientology is fading.
Consumer protection seems to be a good way of dealing with the “psycho-market”, but Germany has not progressed very far along those lines. There are a few consumer protection agencies that are subsidized by the government for dealing with the topic of Scientology.
Not all German sect commissioners have taken a firm stand against Scientology. At least one state Interior Minister feels that the danger from Scientology has been overestimated for years. Others feel that it’s too late, that that battle has already been lost to Scientology and the “Me Culture.” Scientology is also regarded as a capitalistic religious substitute, which promotes success, wealth and exploitation of the weak. On the other hand, Scientology backers point out that the US knows how to do business, so they are therefore right about religion, too.
Scientology has a strong presence in the construction and real estate business in Germany. As a rule, Scientology companies do not wish it to be known that they are connected to Scientology, although this is not always possible, due to freedom of speech.
In perspective:
Scientology is only one of many Psycho-groups in Germany. Scientology is sometimes viewed as a manifestation of excessive freedom in the USA. It is recognized that the US and Germany have different views of Scientology and human rights.
Notes:
[1] Suedwestfunk: Report Baden-Baden of 27 October 1997, “Scientology und Verfassungsschutz” by Thomas Leif. “An especially effective means of gathering information is not available to the Constitutional Protection agents. Telephone tapping and opening of mail, the so-called G-10 measures, do not apply to Scientology. For that there is insufficient evidence of danger, so there’s only a limited field of insight for the intelligence agency.”
[2] For example, the OPC 1996 report from the German state of Nordrhein-Westfalen is a 304-page paperback book with color photos, and the sections are color-coded according to what type of extremist group is being reported upon: brown for rightwing, red for leftist, yellow for foreign terrorism, and green for espionage. The brown section is the largest, and this edition contains an article about Gerhardt Lauck, an American who was sentenced to four years in German prison for distributing Nazi literature in Germany. Pages 38-42 are devoted to Scientology, in a non-color-coded section called “Developments in Extremism.”
Categories:
Court Reports
- Keeping Scientology under Surveillance
- 20010418 ron Scientology defeated in Court Saarbruecken
- 20010330 Saarbruecker Ztg OPC wins, Scientology loses Saarlouis
- Scientology is a commercial business, not a religion
- 20000606 Westfaelische Rundschau Court: Scientology purely commercial Muenster
- 19990102 TAZ Court rules Scientology may not sell books on the streets Freiburg
- 19970627 dpa German Scientologists fight sales tax Muenster
- Exclusion of Scientology from associations and businesses
- 19980421 AFP Court rules German CDU Party may exclude Scientologists Cologne
- 19960125 TAZ Commercial Use of Scientology Personality Tests Banned Dusseldorf
- Draft exemption
- 19790304 Spiegel Scientologist receives military exemption Darmstadt
- Domestic (au pair) girls need to be informed if they are placed by Scientologists with Scientology families
- 20010921 unofficial Employers must reveal SO membership Mainz
- 20010920 yahoo Bluem still ahead of Scientology Mainz
- 20001214 RT Domestic help from Scientology Kassel
- 20001214 AP Scientology vs. Trustworthiness Kassel
- 19990128 Court Press Release Membership not grounds for rejection Hamburg
- 19980402 Fuldaer Zeitung German Scientologist may act as broker for Au Pair girls Mainz
- Libel (and press laws, stopping information)
- 19990817 unofficial A Scientology company is connected to Scientology Berlin
- 19990701 Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger VPM and Scientology on cult list Cologne
- 19990324 Surfspion Kruchem vs. Reichelt Mannheim
- 19981230 Stuttgarter Nachrichten German Scientologist Helnwein court decision reversed Karlsruhe
- 19981230 Die Welt Helnwein defamation case to be retried Karlsruhe
- 19960927 court decision not to remove school material, includes Physical characteristics of a Scientologist reference – Munich
- 19960531 unofficial Court Decision on Scientology Octopus Cologne
- 19950705 TAZ Court rules German renters may use banners to protest Scientology realty agents Neukolln
- De-registration
- 20000919 Rhein-Neckar Court permits appeal in revocation case Mannheim
Public and government information
- 20010820 szon Armstrong sheds light on Scientology Tettnang
- 20010606 badische ztg. Gerry Armstrong in Germany Loerrach
- 20010502 nrz The Dangers of Positive Thinking Essen
- 20010426 Frankenpost Presentation on Scientology Marktredwitz
- 20010419 Mainpost Keeping Scientology Under Surveillance Duesseldorf
- 20010321 Muenster Ztg Total Control not a big selling point Muenster
- 20010208 PNP First-hand knowledge is valuable Passau
- 20001129 Volksblatt Psycho-Charlatans & Life Consultants Grafenrheinfeld
- 20001128 Braunschweiger Ztg Be Warned and Informed about Cults Koenigslutter
- 20001121 Volksfreund Spirits, Gurus and Miracle Healers Trarbach
- 20001031 FNP Official wants action against Scientology Giessen
- 20001025 StZtng Happy Birthday Constitutional Security Berlin
- 20001020 Allgemeine Keeping Scientology under Surveillance Augsburg
- 20001018 NRZ Presentations on sects Muelheim
- 20000919 Rheinische Post Bringing light into the sect tunnel Berlin
- 20000916 NordwestNet Sect counselor transferred Bremen
- 20000905 Suedwest Presse Hartwig reliable source of Scientology info Neu-Ulm
- 20000905 Neu-Ulm Ztg Federal Representative meets with Hartwig Neu-Ulm
- 20000728 TAZ Scientology disappearing from the city Bremen
- 20000626 Hessian Radio Radio Show on Psychic Dependency Hesse
- 20000515 Schwaebischer Verlag Dubious offers of healing Ellwangen
- 20000505 Neue Ruhr Ztg Local German Sect Info report Essen
- 20000419 Berlin Kurier Church & politicians warn of sects Steglitz
- 20000411 TAZ Scientology’s Bridge to Total Exploitation Duernast
- 20000410 Neue Tag Family Seminar presentation on Scientology Fensterbach
- 20000406 Main-Echo Bavarian Interior Minister Guenther Beckstein Lohr
- 20000325 Sindlefinger Ztg. A brief mention of Scientology Sindelfingen
- 20000208 Neue Tag Scientology: Church or Totalitarian Org Parkstein
- 20000202 Vogtland Anzeiger City Keeping Scientology under surveillance Plauen
- 20000106 Koelnische Rundschau Religious pluralism in large German cities Cologne
- 19991229 Saarbruecker Zeitung Cult Education: What are politicians doing? Saarbruecken
- 19991228 Neue Westfaelische NRW Constitutional Security chief speaks Duesseldorf
- 19991227 Saarbrueker Zeitung Cult Education – Scientology Saarbrueck
- 19991222 TAZ Looking for meaning can be expensive Saarbrueck
- 19991115 Fraenkischer Tag Scientology: A danger for state and society? KosterBanz
- 19991113 Echo Online German sect commissioner on year 2000 Mainz
- 19991111 Mannheimer Morgen Important ex-Scientologist tells his story Mannheim (Jesse Prince)
- 19991105 Neumarkter Nachrichten Information night for Scientology Postbauer-Heng
- 19991103 Badener Zeitung Info night on Scientology in Germany Baden
- 19991029 FNP Scientology, science fiction and raw meat Karben
- 19991013 PNP Concerned mother warns of sect methods Ettling
- 19991004 PNP Presentation on Scientology to be given Ettling
- 19990916 PNP Sect Commissioner warns of psycho-market Reisbach
- 19990914 Suedwestpresse Narconon Story Metzingen
- 19990819 PNP Sect expert speaks Altoetting
- 19990803 Ruhr Nachrichten German Scientology Info Day Innenstadt
- 19990521 Neue Westfaelischen Constitutional Security report Duesseldorf
- 19990520 KNA Scientology Overestimated Duesseldorf
- 19990515 Trierischer Volksfreund Scientology weakened Trier
- 19990424 Fraenkischer Tag Constitutional Security Exhibition Erlangen
- 19990423 Erlangen Nachrichten State security holds exhibition Erlangen
- 19990421 KNA Rightwing Extremism Receding Potsdam
- 19990403 Main-Echo Class Project America Gmuenden
- 19990330 Saarbruecker Zeitug Moslems In, Sects Out Saarbrueck
- 19990312 Mainpost German expert speaks on Scientology Gmuenden
- 19990303 Kieler Nachrichten Knothe new sect commissioner Kiel
- 19981211 Die Welt Interview with German Scientologist Sect Expert Hithere
- 19981128 Frankfurter Neue Presse German Scientology sect experts speak Kriftel
- 19981124 Mindener Tageblatt German Scientology Expert speaks Hille
- 19981120 Main Echo What is Scientology? Hithere
- 19981104 Saarbruecker Zeitung German Sect Expert Norbert Potthoff Presentation on Scientology Illingen
- 19981103 Main-Echo German Evangelical Church Information Series speaks on Scientology Dieburg
- 19981103 Hoechster Kreisblatt German Evangelical Church Presentation on Scientology Kriftel
- 19981100 book Norbert Potthoff book excerpt Berlin
- 19981007 Der neue Tag / Amberger Zeitung German Scientology Sect Expert Hans Rueckerl speaks Weiden
- 19980917 Nassauische Neue Presse German Scientology Expert Dr. Georg Schutz speaks BadCamberg
- 19980915 Die Welt German sect commissioner warns of false promises of salvation Tiergarten
- 19980906 Telepolis Gunter Wallraff on Scientology Hannover
- 19980521 Nordwest-Net German Scientology expert Pothoff speaks Ganderkesee
- 19980430 Robin-Direkt Scientology in southern Germany directed from Switzerland Baden
- 19980429 Hamburger Abendblatt German Interior Minister not worried about Scientology Kiel
- 19980427 Nordbayerischen Kurrier German sect expert Renate Hartwig speaks on Scientology Bayreuth
- 19980327 Mainpost German sect expert Renate Hartwig speaks on Scientology BadBruckenau
- 19980312 Mainpost German sect expert Ursula Hoff speaks on Scientology Salz
- 19970610 Stern New Book on Scientologist Helnwein by Peter Reichelt hiter
- 19970604 Frankenpost German Scientology expert Reverent Wolfe speaks Rehau
- 19970220 Frankenpost German Scientology sect expert Vossmerbaeumer speaks Wunsiedel
- 19960816 TAZ Scientology: Extremism of the Brainwashing kind Bavaria
- 19960115 TAZ Interior Secretary demands ban on Scientology Cologne
- 19960112 TAZ Security Chief against surveillance of Scientology Saarbrucken
- 19950925 Der Spiegel Scientology’s Operation “Snow White” RobertVaughnYoung
- 19950812 Schweriner Volkszeitung German Scientology activity report in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Rostock
- 19950512 Die Woche 18 German Scientology News Translations – Potthoff, Cabert, Beckstein, etc. hiter
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20011117 nwz Scientology will not relax or give up Dusseldorf
- 20010425 TAZ Caution: Dangerous Cult! Esslingen
- 20000301 Augsburger Allgemeine Scientology hunting for members Neu-Ulm
- 19981211 Die Welt Scientology fights surveillance Hithere
- 19981208 Schweriner Volkszeitung Scientology Lawyers in Germany give ultimatim in surveillance policy Schwerin
- 19980916 Nürnberger Zeitung Scientology Mass mailing Nuernberg
- 19980814 Hannoversche Allgemeinen Zeitung Scientology Mass Mailings – Pschology, Narconon Gottingen
- 19980731 Fulda-online Scientology Anti-psychiatry mass mailings Fulda
- Rallies, exhibitions, events
- 20010713 RON Just Say No to Scientology Erfenbach
- 20000721 Volksblatt Anti-psychiatry stand closely watched Wuerzburg
- 20000718 Volksblatt Scientology sees psychiatry as competition Wuerzburg
- 20000605 SZ Scientology recruitment event fizzles Pliening
- 20000419 Welt Traveling Scientology Show in Steglitz Steglitz
- 20000412 Neue Presse Sorry, Scientology’s in town Hannover
- 19990217 dsws newsgroup 1st Hand report of Scientology event Cannstadt
- Help Wanted
- 20010119 ZVW-Online Jobseekers: Beware the Spiked Cross Waiblingen
- 19991011 STN Unemployed referred to Scientology Filderstadt
- Investigations
- 19990722 Suedwest Presse Governor spied on by Scientology Konstanz
- 19990317 ZDF Artificial Critics Mainz
- 19970506 Sueddeutsche Zeitung German Scientology anti-psychiatry campaign Kaufbeuren
- Advertisements
- 20001207 Offenbach Post Railroad blocks Scientology ads Offenbach
- 20001206 Offenbach Post Warning: Cult advertising Offenbach
- 20000625 Westdeutsche Ztg Scientology leaflets delivered in mail Berlin
- 19990309 ADN Scientology to spend $40 million on PR Dresden
- Technology Declaration a.k.a. Security Statement a.k.a. Sect filter
- 19990208 Focus US Attorneys write letters for Scientology Berlin
- Celebrities
- Travolta
- 20000521 KSTA Battlefield Earth conquered by Gladiator Cologne
- Corea
- 20010612 weser-kurier Vanishing Discrimination in Germany? Essen
- 20010612 dnn Chick Corea the Lying Scientologist Dresden
- Einstein (sometimes used by Scientology without permission)
- 19990115 Main Post Scientology Mass Mailings do not mention Scientology Schonungen
- 19970926 Die Zeit German disputes Scientology claim of brain use hiter
- Travolta
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20010425 Stimme Refugees from Psycho-cults Heilbronn
- 20001212 FNP Just say ‘No’ to Scientology redux Altoetting
- 20001209 PNP Just say ‘No’ to Scientology Berlin
- 20001122 unofficial Young people’s book on sects Loerrach
- 20001107 Tagesspiegel No longer married to a Scientologist Zehlendorf
- 20001026 TAZ Companies support cult education Langenau
- 20001004 Koelner S-A Leaving a cult requires therapy Cologne
- 20000822 MaMo First NPD bank account closed down Mannheim
- 20000729 Ulmer Kulturspiegel Book tips for vacation Ulm
- 20000729 Neu-Ulmer Ztg Hartwig’s OWL is WISE NeuUlm
- 20000727 Schwaebische Ztg Renate Hartwig’s new book Ulm
- 20000719 SuedWest Presse Critic Hartwig publishes teen’s book Ulm
- 20000719 Sudwest Presse Teen book tells about cult recruitment Ulm
- 20000617 MaMo Scientologist Julia Migenes appearing publicly MainauIsland
- 20000617 Die Presse Upset over Scientologist opera singer MainauIsland
- 20000616 St. Gallen Tagblatt Withdrawal of support for Scientologist MainauIsland
- 20000601 Neue Bildpost Contending with the Charlemagne Award Hamm
- 20000517 Badische Ztg Hartwig on the time-bomb in industry Loerrach
- 20000506 Main-Echo Technical Standards needed for Scientology Wuerzburg
- 20000428 Fuldaer Zeitung Renate Hartwig speaks on Scientology Fulda
- 20000422 BM Noisy Scientologists dispersed Steglitz
- 20000419 Tagesspiegel Small demonstration against Scientology Steglitz
- 20000419 OTS Scientology: Psycho-Terrorism without End Baden-Baden
- 20000419 BZ Youth protest Scientology Steglitz
- 20000418 Berlin Kurier Scientology exhibition derailed Steglitz
- 20000408 Express Money needed for Duesseldorf schools Duesseldorf
- 20000223 Courier Just Say No to Scientology Holstein
- 20000222 Suedwest Scientology in Kindergartens Illertissen
- 20000217 AP Do-It-Yourself Religion gaining popularity Mainz
- 20000215 Neue Westfaelische Local cult information presentation Enger
- 20000214 TAZ Campaigns against doomsday sects Kiel
- 20000211 PNP Ursula Hoeft speaks on Scientology Lappersdorf
- 20000126 Goettinger Tageblatt Assocation Charter mentions Scientology Goettingen
- 20000125 Vogtland Anzeiger Plauen taking inventory of Scientologist Plauen
- 20000124 Freie Presse Plauen assesses Scientology situation Plauen
- 19991207 Frankischer Tag Cult Crisis Counseling Center Erlangen-Hoechstadt
- 19991020 BZ Meditation Center going up in Rheinsberg Rheinsberg
- 19990927 FNP More Stringent Laws against Organized Crime Wiesbaden
- 19990909 Reformierte Presse Catholic publishers distributing books on esoterica Berlin
- 19990506 PNP Beware False Prophets Altoetting
- 19990428 Stuttgarter Zeitung CDU party convention Erfurt
- 19990410 Pforzheimer Zeitung Selling Hot Air not a Crime Pforzheim
- 19990316 rga How Scientology made a Christian Remscheid
- 19990225 Mainpost Sect expert Renate Hartwig speaks BadNeustadt
- 19981120 Kieler Nachrichten Schleswig-Holstein sect commissioner missed Kiel
- 19981025 Zentralrat der Muslime German Moslems reject coalition with Scientology Cologne
- 19980918 Yahoo German Police Union to sign Scientology exclusion paper Bremen
- 19980730 Kreisnachrichten Bank employees sign exclusion declaration Calw
- 19980605 Deutsches Allgemeines Sonntagsblatt REMID criticizes Enquete Commission for not doing enough Marburg
- 19980214 Stuttgart News German Police moves to exclude Scientology Buehl
- 19960830 1st Person My Personal Experience with Scientology Braunschweig
- 19960815 TAZ Scientology Narconon to be Closed Down Itzehoe
- 19951215 TAZ Scientology Demo cancelled because of Christ Child Fair Nurnburg
- 19951117 TAZ Scientology may not put info stand on street Charlottenburg
- 19951109 TAZ City Government excludes Scientologists Osnabruck
- 19950828 TAZ Bodo Manegold takes on Scientology Neukolln
- 19950718 TAZ Planning Commissioner Manegold thwarts Scientology building division plans Neukolln
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20000201 Main-Echo Showman compares Catholics, Scientologists Miltenberg
- 20000129 Nuernberger Zeitung Sect is a derogatory word Nuernberg
- 19991109 Amberger Nachrichten Scientologist proves society is not informed Amberg
- 19990825 Berliner Morgenpost Nothing illegal in sending advertisements Berlin
- 19990629 Welt Cult view of Council of Europe decision Strasbourg
- 19990304 Nuernberger Zeitung Human rights and execution Nuernberg
- 19981021 Kieler Nachrichten Schleswig-Hostein will not have a sect commissioner Kiel
- 19980824 Focus Criticism of German policy on Scientology Switzerland, Hithre
- 19980528 Original Text VPM protests observation of Sects/Scientology hiter
- 19980528 Die Welt German Enquete Commission criticized by professors Rostock
- 19970117 Zeit Masquerade of Religion Germany
- both for against and for Scientology
- 20011108 Badische Ztg. Scientology claims anger former members Loerrach
- 20011031 Bad. Ztg. Public Scientology debate in Germany Loerrach
- 20001229 PNP A Scientologist mouthpiece Passau
- 20000401 OTS Bluem and Stettler to be on German TV Cologne
- 20000131 Trierischer Volksfreund Scientology Debate: Great Idea! Trier
- 19990726 Weser Kurier Communication is a High Crime in Scientology Bremen
- 19990625 ZDF Scientology Real Estate Market Mainz
- 19990424 Welt Yearbook of Extremism and democracy Potsdam
- 19990205 Die Welt Scientology fleeing forward Kiel
- 19980331 KNA German Church criticizes Scientology critic Bamberg
- 19970514 podium discussion German-American Rights Meeting on Scientology Mainz
- 19960823 Zeit Scientology in Germany Germany
Special Events
- Scientology in schools
- 20000119 Fraenkischer Tag Scientology Pied Piper tutoring programs Herzogenaurach
- 19990806 Nuernberger Nachrichten Scientologists lure children with tutoring Fuerth
- 19990703 Kieler Nachrichten Scientology School Advertises Falsely Kiel
- Freedom of Information law
- 20000919 FR Freedom of Information Law proposed Berlin
- 20000517 Abendblatt Scientology rummages gov’t files Kiel
- 20000411 BM Freedom of Information for Scientology Potsdam
- 20000405 Kieler Nachrichten Government files open to public Kiel
- 20000316 Abendblatt Scientology asking about sects Kiel
- 20000309 Welt Scientology uses file access law Potsdam
- 20000226 Berliner Morgenpost Scientology asking for government documents Potsdam
- 20000225 Tagesspiegel Scientology wants to see government docs Brandenburg
- 19990708 Yahoo Germany Data Security Law Kassel
- Technology Declaration a.k.a. Security Statement a.k.a. Sect filter
- 20000114 STN Mayor rules out Scientology employment Leutenbach
- 20000113 Saarbruecker Zeitung Security clauses against Scientology signed Leutenbach
- Scientology vs. the Internet
- 19990527 ZDNet The book Scientology couldn’t stop Berlin
- 19990521 Yahoo Scientology suppresses critical info Berlin
- 19980619 Die Woche Scientology Homepage factory floods internet hiter
- 19960620 TAZ Scientology floods internet usenet group alt.religion.scientology internet
- Dubious asylum
- 19991018 NN German federal asylum agency opens Nuernberg
- 19971124 Focus Did German Scientologist get asylum in the USA? Berlin
- 19971117 Focus Alleging Asylum from German prosecution Berlin
- Scientology in real estate
- 19990924 Freie Presse Scientology alters strategy of infiltration Reichenbach
- 19950705 TAZ Scientology VIPs visit town to deny connection to real estate business Neukolln
- 19950703 TAZ German renters oppose Scientology real estate companies Neukolln
- Suspicion
- Microsoft connection
- 20010610 Ostthueringer Ztg Is a security clause a sect filter? Thueringen
- 20000422 BM Brandenburg installs Windows 2000 Potsdam
- 20000403 Westfaelische Rundschau A Brief Mention of Scientology Westfaelia
- 20000120 Giessener Anzeiger Sect Commissioner warns about Windows 2000 Greifswald
- Real estate deal
- 20000324 FR Gov’t resources used in Scientology deal Wiesbaden
- 20000318 FR Complications in business with Scientology Wiesbaden
- 20000317 MM Minister doing business with Scientology Wiesbaden
- 20000317 Frankfurter Rundschau Minister mixing private and state affairs Wiesbaden
- 20000317 BM Controversial Scientology realty business Wiesbaden
- Miscellaneous
- 20011017 mrl Sheer intention no cure for Terrorism Mainz (TM)
- 20010703 Heilbronner Stimme Calling someone a Scientologist libelous Heilbronn
- 20010411 FP Cooperating with Scientology Plauen (Ehrlich)
- 20010404 anzeiger Was Helnwein in Scientology? Burgbrohl
- 20001124 Nordkurier Online Usedom: Close call with Scientology Mellenthin
- 20001027 Neumarkt Nachrichten Complaint against Church dismissed Neumarkt
- 20000925 Abendzeitung Man succumbs to cult madness Forchheim
- 20000922 Nuernberg AZ A father in cult rage Nuernberg
- 20000913 MainRheiner Scientologist gives virgin birth? Idstein
- 20000314 Heilbronner Stimme Scientologist banker dismissed Heilbronn (settles in court)
- 20000302 Muenchner Merkur Possible Scientologist flees to America Pliening
- 20000219 Berlin Kurier Teacher taken in by guru Jueterbog (Sch[x]ll)
- 20000211 FZ Rumor control used for Scientology Fulda
- 20000207 Report Mainz German TV report on Helnwein & hammer attack Mainz
- 19991228 FNP A brief mention of Scientology Hattersheim (Hans Hartz)
- 19991108 Der Spiegel Fraud case with possible Scientology connection Duesseldorf
- 19990708 Welt Foreign Intelligence services active Berlin
- 19990623 unofficial Helnwein’s Daily Calendar Berlin
- 19990623 dpa Helnwein Selling Castle Koblenz
- 19990515 Lippische Zeitung Not a Scientology Cult Papenhausen
- 19990511 Suedwest Presse Agent Provocateurs in Scientology Ulm (Martin Beyer)
- 19990410 Sueddeutsche Zeitung A Very Passing Mention of Scientology Schwalbach (P&G)
- 19990309 Kieler Nachrichten Rumors of Scientology Kappeln (real estate)
- 19990225 Frankfurter Neue Presse Accusation tossed about carelessly BadVilbel
- 19990210 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Rumor of Scientology Leutkirch
- 19990204 Holsteinischer Courier Scientology imperceptible so far Schleswig-Holstein
- 19990128 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Religious Newspaper Editor alleged to have breached trust Lautkirch
- 19990119 Suedwestdeutsche Zeitung Newspaper Editor falsely accused of Scientology connection Ravensburg
- 19980619 Frankenpost No leads German Scientologist opponent Gondrom car bombing Bindlach
- 19980529 Frankfurter Neue Presse German Hall being rented for Landmark Education Liederbach
- 19980520 Frankenpost German Scientology Opponent Gondrom worried after bomb assassination attempt Bayreuth
- 19980519 Frankenpost German Scientology Opponents car bombed Bayreuth
- 19971123 TAZ Accusations of Scientology in Divorce Baden-Baden
- 19960125 BZ Mayor loses 40 million marks Neckarwestheim
- Microsoft connection
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20010811 Suedwest Psycho-groups can destroy lives Ulm
- 20001212 Weltspiegel Germany a land a variety Schmitten
- 20001205 SZ Criticism from civil servant OK Ansbach
- 20001128 Bremer Nachrichten Cleaning up after Scientology left Bremen
- 20001125 RON Anti-church leaflets distributed Mutterstadt
- 20001125 Fraenkischer Tag Emotional Intelligence cult promo Weisendorf
- 20001110 FR Moon: On the Roadblock to Germany Schmitten
- 20001110 Abendblatt The Cemetery of the right sectarians Hohenwestedt
- 20001104 AFP Moslems protest imprisonment Duesseldorf
- 20001025 Cologne Rundschau If spiritual advisors know so much… Cologne
- 20001019 Rundschau Happy 50th Birthday Constitutional Security Cologne
- 20001009 Volksblatt No fight against non-believers Berlin
- 20000927 Singener Wochenblatt Jesus Freaks and sexual abuse Berlin
- 20000922 Nuernberger Nachrichten Bearing false witness against sect Nuernberg
- 20000921 Koelner Anzeiger Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany Cologne
- 20000906 Welt Cult researcher cloning dead babies Berlin
- 20000822 FR A brief mention of Scientology Darmstadt
- 20000822 BaZ Ghost Buster from Freiburg Freiburg
- 20000705 Zeit Propaganda for demagogue wannabes Berlin
- 20000628 Weser Kurier Way to Happiness Big Business Weser
- 20000628 TAZ Devout people are happier Wuerzburg
- 20000616 St. Gallen Tagblatt Withdrawal of support for Scientologist MainauIsland
- 20000520 RON Protestants and visionary Christians Kindenheim
- 20000505 Neue Ruhr Ztg Increased interest in Satanism, Occult Essen
- 20000422 unoffiicial Clinton receiving Charlemagne Award Aachen
- 20000422 unofficial Foundation for granting Charlemagne Award Aachen
- 20000419 SVZ Scientology too dangerous to spoof Berlin
- 20000414 Aachener Ztg You can rely on Billy Boy (Clinton) Aachen
- 20000320 Aachen Zeitung Feedback on Clinton’s Charlemagne Award Aachen
- 20000301 Suedkurier Students interested in media BadDurrheim
- 20000228 Westfaelische Rundschau Local complex will not house criminally insane Meinerzhagen
- 20000127 TAZ After the attack dogs come the rats Mannheim
- 20000126 Nuernberg Zeitung Scientology tactic fails for Christians Wuerzburg
- 19991227 SZ Cult Education Article mentions Scientology Saarbrueck
- 19991220 Stuttgarter Zeitung Unscrupulous Magician convicted of fraud Backnang
- 19991210 RON Map through the jungle of religious groups Berlin
- 19991210 Main-Echo Esoterica – past and present Erlenbach
- 19991113 Badischer Zeitung Scientology mentioned in ‘fight club’ review Freiburg
- 19991018 TA Fiat Lux – The spaceships are here already! Ibach
- 19990921 Stuttgarter Zeitung Dangers of Sects and Addiction discussed Goeppingen
- 19990803 Trierische Volksfreund Interlude: Protecting Old Folks Konz
- 19990802 Goettinger Tageblatt Interlude: Emotions Anonymous Goettingen
- 19990723 PNP Wellentology: the wave of the future Landau
- 19990714 Mannheimer Morgen Occultism and Youth Ladenburg
- 19990711 Westfaelische Nachrichten Medical Practitioners warn of Miracle Healers Karlsruhe
- 19990621 Rheinpfalz Online Speyer Pilgrims warned about sects Speyer
- 19990601 PNP Another brief mention of Scientology Kirchberg
- 19990428 Lycos Rightwing violence increased in Thueringen Erfurt
- 19990421 Neue Westfaelischen The high price of total freedom Bielefeld
- 19990218 Saarbruecker Zeitung Lecture given on Satanism Saarland
- 19981126 Trierischer Volksfreund Former German Scientology building threatened by wrecking ball Daun
- 19980710 Deutsches Allgemeines Sonntagsblatt German Sects in the Psycho Market hiter
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Berlin, Germany
Period covered: 1997 – 2001 with some pre-1997
Comments:
Berlin was originally the default city for Germany, so it is possible that this section contains non-Berlin events. The reports, however, can still be generalized to Germany.
Paid informants are no longer used against Scientology in Berlin. Berlin security police offered money to a Scientologist to spy on Scientology. The Scientologist took the money and told Scientology. Scientology sued the security police. The security police lost.
Robert Minton won a libel case against Scientology in Germany. His suit was connected with libelous information Scientology was distributing under various guises through various channels.
For a pro-cult view, see anything by Gerhardt Besier, who now heads the Hannah Arendt Institute and supposedly is leading the fight against totalitarianism. Thomas Gandow, sect commissioner for the Lutheran Evangelical Church, was a major player in keeping the public informed about the actions of Scientology.
2001 brought in tougher laws on terrorists, including groups that designate themselves as religious, but (big non-news): no special law was passed to protect religions from libel. This wouldn’t make any difference in Scientology’s case, since, as German President Rau stated, no religious substance was present in that discussion.
A Berlin police director was falsely accused of being connected with Scientology. This was a catastrophic non-event which was much capitalized upon by Scientology such as for the US State Department. The false accusation provided not only the motivation and resonance for the political enemies of Berlin’s OPC (Office for the Protection of the Constitution) to enact long overdue changes to that agency. The Berlin OPC’s cover was blown reportedly searching for connections between the police director and Scientologists. Refer to note on paid informants.
While Germany came under fire from the USA for discriminating against Microsoft for using software from Craig Jensen, a Scientologist, Jensen himself reportedly stopped providing tech support for a company because he discriminates against drug manufacturers.
Scientology celebrity John Travolta achieved much publicity with his movie “Battlefield Earth”.
Continued surveillance of Scientology was discussed and decided upon. There was a Scientology march in Berlin in 1997.
In perspective
Much attention has been paid to the experiments of American neurophysicist Benjamin Libet. They lead some observers to the conclusion that people do not do what they want, instead, they want what they do. The media present the media as a cult in The Truth fails the Sect Test. Along those lines, certain anti-Scientologists have been known to appear as exorcists.
Categories:
Court Reports
- 20011215 Spiegel End of Surveillance of Scientology?
- 20011213 unofficial Scientology sues secret agents and wins
- 20010327 unofficial Minton vs. Scientology in Berlin
- 20010327 personal Minton Wins – Scientology Loses
- 20010202 SWR TRO overturned for UPS
- 19980708 Die Welt Scientology sues to deny police director
- 19980418 TAZ Charges dropped against German police commissioner who gave data to Scientology
- 19950303 TAZ German court rules Scientology must report as a business
- 19840526 Mannheimer Morgen Is Scientology a religion?
Public and government information
- 20011115 Stern Good-bye, Cruel Will! A new slant on Brainwashing
- 20010918 rundschau Religious privilege to drop
- 20010917 dpa Tougher Laws against Terrorists
- 20010901 unofficial Free Information on Scientology
- 20010709 TAZ Consumer Protection in the Psycho-market
- 20010608 BM Scientology financial power growing
- 20010503 BD Winning is not everything
- 20010200 Esotera Tons of Documentation
- 20001205 Maerkische Allg. Better Business for religion
- 20001205 BZ Consumer Protection in Religion
- 20001122 unofficial Bundestag report on Minor Inquiry
- 20001112 EBI EBI: ‘Leaving is Chic’
- 20001110 unoffical Minor Inquiry return on Scientology
- 20001100 IHK Scientology criminal methods at work
- 20001027 Saarbruecker Ztg Germany recognizes Scientology brainwashing
- 20001026 unofficial Parliamentary inquiry on USA and Scientology
- 20001010 unofficial Minor Inquiry on Scientology
- 20001002 BM Accused of being a sect commissioner
- 20000828 BM Dealing with people in religious groups
- 20000706 BM Gandow warns of political extremism
- 20000516 BM Berlin Constitutional Security Reorganizing
- 20000510 TAZ Cleaning up Constitutional Security
- 20000504 Giessener Anzeiger European-American relations report
- 20000422 BM Key word: Scientology
- 20000417 BM Sect Mecca Berlin
- 20000310 Welt Bones of Contention between EU and USA
- 20000212 TAZ Kent: Clinton as Scientology Lobbyist
- 20000212 Berliner Morgenpost Experts fear Scientology influence growing
- 20000211 RPD Scientology’s international political influence
- 20000131 AP PDS wants more help for sect victims
- 20000129 dpa Commercial Life Management to be regulated
- 20000128 AP 200,000 young people in sects in Germany
- 20000204 RPD Dialogue of Religions criticized
- 19991220 unofficial Press Release on Enquete Recommendations
- 19991219 BM Keeping Scientology under surveillance
- 19991026 Tagesspiegel Scientology in the Real Estate Business?
- 19990724 Nuernberger Zeitung Sect Cartel
- 19990723 Nuernberger Zeitung Scientology forages eastward in Europe
- 19990129 Yahoo German states coordinate in dealing with extremism and Scientology
- 19990105 Berliner Morgenpost Renter Information on rights and Scientology
- 19981208 TAZ Scientology Real Estate News in Germany
- 19981119 Der Tagesspiegel Sects recruit on Campus
- 19980916 Sect Commissioner German Jews and Moslems deny Scientology coalition
- 19980913 Sect Commission German voters to be made aware of sects in politics
- 19980826 Sect Commissioner Reverend Gandow’s Inquiry of Scientology association from Islamic Council
- 19980529 Renate Rennebach German Enquete Commission Final report released after two year study
- 19980520 TAZ Germans report on Right Extremism
- 19971107 TAZ Gerry Armstrong speaks about Scientology
- 19971101 Zitty Scientologists in Berlin – 1997
- 19971101 Zitty Chick Corea – 1997
- 19950310 TAZ German Scientology Real Estate in Condo Conversion
- 19950310 TAZ German Scientology Real Estate – condo coversion
- 19920624 TAZ Scientologist in German steelworks
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20010901 unofficial Free Information on Scientology
- 20010703 TAZ Distortion of reality causes mental illness
- 20010400 Esotera “Facts” on McPherson & Minton
- 20001017 Freiheit OSA fax to Gandow
- 20001005 dsws Noisy Investigation in Germany
- 20001002 BM Scientology and the sect commissioner
- 20000917 Welt Scientologists at service for Lisa McPherson
- 20000905 TAZ Scientology tries defaming Gandow
- 20000900 Spirita Lampooning the Alt Charlemagne Award
- 19980808 ZVW-Online Scientology Anti-Psychiatry mass mailings
- 19980730 Evangelical Center Scientology Anti-Psychiatry Mass Mailings
- 19980724 TAZ Public Warned of Door-to-door Scientology recruiters
- Rallies and exhibitions
- 20000426 personal Personal Visit to Scientology in Steglitz
- 20000420 TAZ Come to Scientology, pick up the cans
- 20000420 Berliner Ztg The great demand for Scientology
- 20000418 TAZ Hotel cancels Scientology exhibition
- 20000418 Tagesspiegel Scientology obstructed
- 19971027 REPORT Scientology hypocrisy in Berlin
- 19951019 TAZ Scientology Adherents harass religious convention
- Celebrities
- Travolta
- 20001020 yahoo Travolta thinks flop is a classic
- 20001019 Spiegel Travolta Possessed by spirit of Hubbard
- 20000802 TV Spielfilm Battlefield Earth not showing in Germany
- 20000524 Tagesspiegel Swallowing Toads for Battlefield Earth
- 20000517 BZ Germans helped financed Battlefield Earth
- 20000515 BZ Movie Criticism Without End
- 20000515 Spiegel FACTNET referenced in Battlefield Earth
- 20000406 BZ Travolta in Hubbard’s Battlefield Earth
- Cruise
- 20000701 Cinema Tom Cruise answers Scientology question
- Corea
- 19990810 Berlin Online Same Message from Chick Corea
- 19990123 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Chick Corea advertises for Scientology
- 19981121 Berliner Zeitung Chick Corea performs for Scientology in quest of the German Cornucopia
- etc.
- 19990804 BZ Juliette Lewis
- 19990802 Die Welt Nicole Kidman
- 20001019 unofficial Microsoft No tech support for drug company Jensen
- Travolta
- Advertising
- 20011114 Berlin Kurier Big recruitment drive in Germany
- 20001123 Welt Scientology under the Christmas tree
- 20000908 Tagesspiegel Scientology Freiheit as Hate Mail
- 20000905 TAZ Advertising how a thought machine works
- 19981113 Zitty Scientology’s adventures in Berlin
Public response
- against Scientology
- 20011220 dsws Congratulations Gerry, what’s a Critic Cult?
- 20010531 Bild Dr. Bluem to receive award
- 20010426 dsws Overheard: Scientology’s Trinity
- 20010224 Award Committee Leipzig Award 2001 Winner Announced
- 20010212 personal L. Ron Hubbard Loves You
- 20010110 BZ US State Department cult apologist?
- 20001213 personal Scientology’s neo-banditry
- 20001130 Heidenheimer Presse ‘Dangerous Curiosity’ is Exciting
- 20001112 personal No longer married to a Scientologist
- 20001024 Dialog News from the Award Committee
- 20001021 IHK Renate Hartwig’s book on psycho-groups
- 20000920 Hausherr Marriage on the rocks in Scientology
- 20000918 Gandow Memorial Services for Scientology Victim
- 20000917 Sunday Service Prayer for Lisa McPherson
- 20000917 Gandow Sermon for Lisa McPherson
- 20000914 Welt Gandow considers Scientology a menace
- 20000906 BM Services for Lisa McPherson in Berlin
- 20000622 unofficial Sworn Affirmation in Fake Asylum case
- 20000605 BZ Alternative Charlemagne Award in Leipzig
- 20000531 Idea Hate Campaign against Award winner
- 20000527 TAZ Bob Minton gets Alternative Charlemagne Award
- 20000207 Berlin Kurier Conference on Controversial Cults
- 20000219 TAZ Film dubber avoids Scientology actor
- 19990801 Esotera Healing Practitioners shun Scientology
- 19990700 Hartwig Marriage and Scientology don’t mix
- 19990118 Berliner Morgenpost Right Extremists – Scientologists – excluded from police reserves
- 19981110 Berliner Morgenpost Berlin University takes a stand on sects
- 19980418 Berliner Morgenpost Bob Minton Enemy Number One of Scientology
- 19980416 Berliner Morgenpost German police still suspicious of commissioner and Scientology
- 19971015 Spiegel Scientologists Ogle Khadafi’s rancid war machines
- 19970630 MieterEcho Scientology Real Estate Business in Germany: Condo Conversion
- 19970320 Berliner Morgenpost Headed off at the Pass – Arnie Lerma
- 19951209 TAZ City moves to exclude Scientology contracts
- for Scientology
- 20010709 TAZ Besier: More Freedom for Scientology!
- 20001014 Welt Demonized cults being strangled
- 20000616 Tagesspiegel Hamburg Windows policy questioned
- 20000210 Die Welt Cult lobbyist on regulating cults
- 19990731 Berliner Zeitung ZDF show on Scientology a dud
- 19990716 Welt Scientology a non-issue in movie
- 19990507 Frankfurter Rundschau New Jewish group sprouts up
- 19990227 TAZ Criticizing Constitutional Security
- 19960210 TAZ Scientologist Helnwein answers critical article
Freedom of Information Law
- 20001113 BZ Berlin Freedom of Information
- 20000609 TAZ Records Access increases work load
- 20000609 BZ Scientology wants many files
- 20000608 TAZ Records Access for Scientologists
- 20000323 Welt Freedom of Information Law used by cult
Dubious Asylum
- 19971111 TAZ Scientology understands US politics
Suspicion
- The UPS Connection
- 20001110 ZDF UPS and Scientology?
- 20001027 Mittelbayerische Ztg. UPS defends itself against accusations
- Microsoft connection
- 20011130 Spiegel Microsoft source code revealed
- 20010320 sri German Army working with Microsoft
- 20010317 Spiegel Scientology Software Vanquished
- 20001104 dpa Windows 2000 sans Diskeeper
- 20001103 unk Microsoft reacts to Security Objections
- 20001103 Heise Technology for removing Scientology
- 20001103 Handelsblatt Microsoft works with Germany
- 20001019 unofficial Microsoft Unofficial Diskeeper de-installation
- 20000707 c’t Scientologist Jensen in Int’l Trade Politics
- 20000506 MoPo Microsoft deemed a security risk
- 20000428 Focus Source code not to be again revealed
- 20000304 Spiegel Conflicting reports about Microsoft
- 20000217 Kurier Experts demanding software checks
- 20000215 Heise Windows 2000 needs security check
- 20000119 Stern Windows 2000: from the realm of evil? 19991204 Berliner Zeitung The Scientologist in your PC
- Police director falsely accused of being a Scientologist
- 20001218 Tagesspiegel Woman heads Berlin Constitutional Security
- 20000621 TAZ Constitutional Security chief steps down
- 20000426 junge Welt Argument to dissolve Constitutional Security
- 20000420 BZ Greens demand dissolution of Security agency
- 20000401 Tagesspiegel Berlin State Office of Constitutional Security
- 20000331 Welt Berlin Constitutional Security breaking up
- 20000330 Tagesspiegel Constitutional Security to start over
- 20000325 Tagesspiegel Former Ministry of Security agent in LfV
- 20000324 BM Ex-Stasi used by Constitutional Security
- 20000317 BM Why only Stasi informants on Scientology?
- 20000110 BM 2nd Stasi man turns up in Dreksler case
- 20000107 SZ Berlin security chief retires amid scandals
- 19991117 Tagesspiegel Secret service moving (OPC news only)
- 19991029 TAZ Reinstated and put on ice
- 19991026 BM Dreksler case to come to court
- 19990917 Berlin Morgenpost The Dreksler case continues
- 19990908 Tagesspiegel Greens demand resignation of Vermander
- 19990904 Tagesspiegel Government agent must keep secrecy agreement
- 19990527 Berliner Zeitung Mistaken for a Scientologist
- 19990525 TAZ Police director falsely accused
- 19981106 Berliner Morgenpost State German Security to Reorganize
- 19980908 Yahoo Nobody to be fired for false accusation in Security agency
- 19980906 Berliner Morgenpost Former Stasi employed in state security
- 19980905 Das Deutsche Nachrichten-Magazin Former DDR agents employed in state security
- 19980727 TAZ Political Responsibility sought in unfounded accusation of Scientology membership
- 19980724 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Unfounded accusations against police director has repercussions
- 19980723 TAZ Accusations spreads from police to intelligence agency
- 19980722 Berliner Zeitung Accusations of Scientology membership against police director doubted
- 19980619 TAZ German intelligence error discussed behind closed doors
- 19980610 Die Welt German agent failed in bribing Scientologist Blown cover
- 19980515 Berliner Morgenpost German Police Director defends himself against accusations of Scientology membership
- Others
- 19990421 TAZ Another Brief Mention of Scientology
- 19990310 Zitty Anti-Facist movement in Berlin
- 19980428 Berliner Morgenpost Helnwein denies Scientology connections
In passing
- 20011009 dpa Can psychiatry cure Scientology?
- 20010918 TAZ Hodgepodge of political Islam
- 20010612 Welt New Retirement Program
- 20010329 BZ Porno-Cowboy floats his needle
- 20010313 20minuten Happy B-day! In good company
- 20010211 Spiegel Celebrities as high-profile lobbyists
- 20001223 Tagesspiegel German logic – religion and state
- 20001220 TAZ Moslem view of JW decision
- 20001219 Netzeitung Jehovah’s Witnesses getting religion?
- 20001213 Tagesspiegel RJ Lifton in Berlin
- 20001207 TAZ Possible Undercover Scientology Tech
- 20001122 Spiegel Personal Data and Net Security
- 20001121 Badische Ztg Falun Gong not Chinese Scientology
- 20001109 BZ Even a Hausherr can’t help
- 20001027 idw E-meter debunked by psychiatrist
- 20001026 Welt Who is between me and God?
- 20000915 BZ PR Company creates public opinion
- 20000828 BM Speaking with Mormons at the front door
- 20000824 Mainpost UL cult wars: Ban the Bible
- 20000810 TAZ Heil Hitler grounds for dismissal
- 20000810 TAZ Waldorf School replies to criticism
- 20000804 TAZ Waldorf Schools and theories of race
- 20000804 Junge Welt The Bible a favorite Sunday thriller
- 20000803 FNP Pure Love Alliance another Moonie front
- 20000802 idea Moon sect infiltrating youth organizations
- 20000722 TAZ The Truth fails the Sect Test
- 20000620 BM Help, I think I’m turning German!
- 20000607 Unofficial National religious persecution condemned
- 20000602 BZ German Federal Chancellor Schroeder interview
- 20000505 TAZ Flirting with the Islamists
- 20000411 TAZ Army without uniforms
- 20000402 Sonntag Aktuell A brief mention of Scientology
- 20000329 BZ One man show mentions Scientology
- 20000329 BZ Sects, Right-wingers and Nazis
- 20000323 BM Back to Life comedy show
- 20000318 Welt The Marvels of Modern Technology
- 20000308 Welt A brief mention of Scientology
- 20000101 Spiegel Psychological coaching branches out
- 19991101 BZ Miss Amerika apologizes for Scientology
- 19991028 BM ‘Miss Amerika’ apologizes for Burger King, crack and Scientology
- 19991015 DS Underground Library in a Berlin Church
- 19991008 Lycos Cults: Plight of the Helpless
- 19990902 Welt Word of Caution about a totalitarian future
- 19990718 Berliner Morgenpost Some history behind fighting sects
- 19990619 Spiegel After-effects of emotional suppression
- 19990428 Berliner Zeitung Rightwing violence increased
- 19990308 Deutsch Radio The Liberty Bell
- 19990119 Die Welt International Olympic Committee uses same PR firm as Scientology
- 19981222 TAZ A Passing mention of Scientology in Real Estate
- 19980731 dpa Scientology pales to Jehovah’s Witnesses
- 19980528 MAJA VPM members wrote Cult Hunters letter
- 19980420 Stern Psycho-Market
- 19980319 Stern Personal Data Security
- 19980123 Zeit Not too late to guru
- 19971200 snsjs Unification Church (Moon Sect)
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Hamburg, Germany
Period covered: 1997 – 2001, with some pre-1997
Comments:
Scientology is under surveillance in Hamburg, although it was not considered a danger to the Constitution. Scientology is considered to be a business, not a church. Regarding what Scientology calls the “sect filter,” Scientology addressed companies directly to oppose the Hubbard Technology statements, perhaps because its complaints about it were legally inadmissable. Scientology also held a large public demonstration in Hamburg in 1999, in conjunction with moving to a new location. Scientology had gotten a deal on its old building from a Scientologist, but when that person left Scientology, s/he sued Scientology to vacate the building for unpaid back rent. This and the fact that the old building was to be demolished was interpreted by Hamburg sect commissioner Ursula Caberta to mean that Scientology’s financial power was decreasing. She may have been using this as a pretext to warn prospective landlords to be wary of Scientologists looking for a new home. The situation worsened despite her efforts, however, when it turned out that Scientology moved to an even more conspicuous location with great fanfare. Citizens united against Scientology in the first half of the last decade in Hamburg to resist Scientology’s building ‘conversion’ schemes.
Ursula Caberta has led the Work Group on Scientology (AGS), which issues the Hubbard Technology Security Declaration, commonly known by Scientology and the US State Department as the “Sect Filter”, since its inception. Scientology has not yet succeeded in removing Ms. Caberta from her job, but it’s not been for lack of trying. The AGS has also done extensive work in keeping the city of Hamburg informed about many aspects of Scientology, including the likely unintended proof that Scientology not a criminal association. Hamburg AGS has also sponsored visits to Germany for American critics of Scientology Hana and Jerry Whitfield, Bob Minton and Stacy Brooks, Graham Berry, Robert V. Young, and Canadian professor Dr. Stephen Kent.
Ms. Caberta’s self-proclaimed Nemesis is Renate Hartwig, a writer who explores the genre of cult horror tales (“Das Netz” for example). Now she still writes cult horror tales, but with Caberta and German Homeland Security cast in the roles as the She-devil and the Cult. Ms. Hartwig is listed in the survey both for and against Scientology.
In perspective:
It was noted by politicians that the US and Germany have different views on Scientology.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Scientology vs. AGS
- 20011212 taz Scientology loses in court with Caberta
- 20010117 dpa How Scientology makes news (Denmark)
- 20001005 TAZ Scientology sues Interior Agency
- 20000919 Hamburger Abendblatt Accusation of corruption against Caberta
- Scientology vs. Hubbard Technology Declaration (USA)
- 20010802 Abendblatt Caberta deposed by Scientology
- 20000729 MoPo US Scientologists sue German official
- 20000729 Abendblatt US Scientology sues German official
- Scientology vs. Hubbard Technology Declaration (Germany)
- 20000408 Welt Anti-Scientology security statement legal
- 20000408 Volksblatt Security from Scientology is Legal
- 20000408 taz Sect filter remains
- 20000408 Abendblatt Scientologists lose in Hamburg court
- 20000407 AP Scientology loses in court: security statement
- 19980525 Hamburger Abendblatt German Scientologists complaint against Caberta dismissed
- 19980129 unofficial Sect Filter complaint inadmissible
- Scientology is a commercial business, not a religion
- 19981222 Hamburger Abendblatt German Scientology Organization has to pay Social Security
- 19950322 unofficial Labor Court: Scientology Not Religion
- Scientology is not a criminal association
- 19940617 legal Scientology not a Criminal Association
- Libel (and press laws)
- 19980228 Hamburg Morgenpost German Scientologists go to court for anti-psychiatry campaign
- 19980227 Go On German Scientologists fined for slander in anti-psychiatry campaign
- 19971215 unofficial Hamburg Scientology President Convicted
- Distribution of Scientologist realtor list approved
- 19951010 TAZ Lists of Scientology Realtors distributed
- Demand for refund refused
- 19980121 Hamburg Abendblatt German Scientologists must received refund if they are dissatisfied
Public and government information
- 20010709 Spiegel Status: the Fight against Scientology
RPF Booklet - 20001024 MoPo Caught in Scientology’s concentration camp
- 20001024 FR Scientology’s Penitential Camps
- 20001024 FR Scientology’s Penitential Camps
- 20001024 BZ Scientology acknowledged as brainwashing
- 20001024 Bild Scientology’s Penitential Camps
- 20001024 Abendblatt Scientology brainwashing camps recognized
- 20001023 unofficial Brainwashing in Scientology’s RPF
- 20001023 dpa The peak of diplomatic arrogance
- 20001023 AP Addressing issue of re-education camps
- 20000608 MoPo Predominance over happy slaves
- 20000608 Hamburger Abendblatt Wrocklage backs information on Scientology
- 20000607 Yahoo France and Germany on Scientology
- 20000607 Rhein-Neckar Ztg Europe: Keeping Scientology under surveillance
- 20000513 TAZ No non-denominational sect counseling
- 20000425 MoPo Hamburg Scientologists more aggressive
- 20000407 TAZ Scientology bankrupt, but dangerous
- 20000407 MoPo Visit from Scientology Enemy Nr. 1
- 20000407 Bild Hamburg Scientology almost broke
- 20000407 Bild Hamburg Scientology almost broke
- 20000406 Abendblatt Is Scientology Bankrupt in Hamburg?
- 20000106 TAZ Hamburg Scientologists staying legal
- 19991027 MoPo Caberta interview on new Scientology center
- 19991026 TAZ Scientology changing locations in Hamburg
- 19990909 Stern Scientology not a matter of Constitutional Security
- 19990831 AP Scientology has been overestimated
- 19990812 Focus Scientology Moving out by year end
- 19990809 Focus Scientology attracts disturbed people
- 19990807 TAZ Hana and Jerry Whitfield on Scientology
- 19990625 MoPo Psycho-sect looking for a home
- 19990623 MoPo Scientology Center Coming Down
- 19990623 MoPo Interview with Ursula Caberta
- 19990623 Hamburger Abendblatt Scientology Center to be torn down
- 19990423 Welt New construction plans
- 19990423 MoPo Statistics on Extremists
- 19990422 Lycos Statistics on Extremists
- 19990415 Hamburger Abendblatt Scientology Center Relocation
- 19990415 Die Welt Scientology Center Relocation
- 19990406 Focus Sect Corporations
- 19990204 Hamburger Abendblatt Politician works to improve German-American relations
- 19990130 WN Online Expert says Scientology Losing Members
- 19981124 Hamburger Abendblatt Hamburg Scientology have Down Statistics
- 19981123 Yahoo Hamburg Scientology Center under Pressure
- 19981102 Die Welt Hamburg Scientology Center to be sold
- 19980411 TAZ German Senator Wrocklage speaks on Scientology
- 19980411 Hamburger Abendblatt German Senator Wrocklage speaks on Scientology
- 19980402 Hamburg US Scientology expert Graham Berry speaks
- 19980331 TAZ US Sect Expert Berry speaks on Scientology in Germany
- 19980331 Hamburger Abendblatt US sect expert Berry speaks on Scientology
- 19970421 Sueddeutsche Zeitung German Scientology Escapee Tanya speaks
- 19970130 Schweriner Volkszeitung US Criticism of Scientology dealings dismissed
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20010224 Welt Scientology Covert Recruitment Tactics
- 19981125 Yahoo German Scientology organization says fewer people leaving sect
- Rallies, exhibitions, events
- 20000919 TAZ Accusations of corruption against Caberta
- 20000726 Welt Scientology exhibit: personality cult
- 20000726 TAZ Traveling Scientology Show in Hamburg
- 20000721 Hamburger Abendblatt Scientologist exhibition goes on
- 20000407 Welt Scientology Driving Schools, Day Care Germany, Berlin
- 19991124 Hamburger Abendblatt Scientology in downtown Hamburg
- 19991026 Welt Germans not amused at Scientology recruitment Germany, Berlin
- 19991026 Welt Scientologists openly recruiting in Hamburg Germany, Berlin
- 19991026 TAZ Scientology’s desolate crusade in Hamburg
- 19991026 MoPo Scientology has new home in Hamburg
- 19991022 MoPo Jogging for Scientology across Europe
- 19990809 TAZ Scientologists protest psychiatric congress
- 19990806 SZ Psychiatric Association meets in Germany
- 19990806 MoPo Scientologists at World Psychiatric Congress
- 19990414 Hamburger Morgenpost More Scientology Recruitment
- Investigations
- 20000914 Freiheit Scientology Church charges corruption
- 20000527 Scientology Anti-award anti-Minton Open Letters
- 20000128 Die Welt Scientology has secret gov’t document
- 20000127 Hamburger Abendblatt Scientology accesses German secret paper
- 19971224 Hamburg Abendblatt German Scientology Attacks book
- Advertising
- 19990224 Hamburger Morgenpost Bus Advertising gets attention
- Technology Declaration a.k.a. Security Statement a.k.a. Sect filter
- 20000531 TAZ Scientology blacklisting German companies
- 20000408 MoPo Scientologists smiling after loss in court
- 19981218 Hamburger Abendblatt Scientology Uses Whistleblower Tactics
- Celebrities
- Cruise
- 20000628 dpa Tom Cruise: Scientology a non-issue
- Einstein (often used by Scientology without permission)
- 20010224 MoPo Sect Purification possible health hazard
- Cruise
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20000720 TAZ Scientology event in state-owned building
- 20000602 Rathaus Clinton & Minton: in perspective
- 20000406 MoPo Bob Minton in Germany
- 20000330 Stern Counter view to Minister on Moritz Str.
- 20000200 Hartwig Homosexuals OK for Scientology PR
- 19991207 TAZ Smile, you’re on Scientology’s camera!
- 19991207 Hamburger Abendblatt Is Scientology watching you?
- 19991029 MoPo Giant Scientology Cross has to go
- 19991028 MoPo Scientology buys real estate in Hamburg
- 19990929 Robin Direkt Scientology infiltration of Austria exposed
- 19990728 MoPo TV show about Scientology
- 19981211 Die Woche Scientology broke in Hamburg
- 19971008 Focus Scientologists blame persecution for failures
- 19961204 Hamburger Morgenpost Scientology Nursery Closed
- 19960418 MoPo Concerted Action vs. Scientology ‘conversion’
- 19950830 TAZ City Contracts to exclude Scientology
- 19950511 MoPo Concerted Action vs. Scientology ‘conversion’
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20010930 Welt Caberta in Hartwig’s Light
- 20001222 Hartwig R. Hartwig reports Cartel of Silence
- both for against and for Scientology
- 20000425 Abendblatt U.S. Scientologists to the rescue
- 20000116 Focus You might be arrogant if … Germany, Berlin
- 19990303 Renate Hartwig PR Operation
Special Events
- Scientology investigator’s cover blown (Munich)
- 19960600 Robin Direkt Report on Hans Bschorr
- Dubious asylum
- 20000629 Stern Scientology’s Big Asylum Bluff
- 20000629 ots Scientology faked asylum documentation
- Suspicion
- Microsoft connection
- 20000607 Spiegel Catholics distrust Scientology software
- 20000331 dpa Bavaria wants Windows 2000 checked out
- 19991224 Hamburger Abendblatt Is Scientology in government computers?
- 19991203 Spiegel Scientology bug in Windows 2000? Germany, Berlin
- 19991203 Handelsblatt Microsoft cannot exclude Scientology firm’s software
- Miscellaneous
- 19991227 Focus U.S. State Department helps Scientology
- 19991029 MoPo Hamburg Scientologists directed from America
- 19990828 TAZ etc TRO on Scientology show – 3 articles (Caberta)
- 19990505 Robin Direkt OSA agent exposed (Beyer)
- 19951018 Schweriner Volkszeitung German psychiatric hospital escapee linked to Scientology
- 19951017 Welt Scientology an Accessory?
- Microsoft connection
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20010502 MoPo Psychological terrorism of cults – VPM
- 20010117 dpa How Scientology makes news
- 20001204 MoPo Battlefield Earth backer decimated
- 20001204 Abendblatt Playing God
- 20000803 SZ Vitamin doctor uses accusations of genocide
- 20000414 Hamburger Abendblatt Caberta stands up in a crowd of SPD
- 19991118 Schwaebischer Verlag Jonestown, November 18, 1978
- 19991103 Hamburger Abendblatt Sect info serves as therapy for Apostate
- 19991000 Junge Karriere In the Psycho-Supermarket
- 19990807 Hamburger Abendblatt World Psychiatry Congress in Germany
- 19990805 Main-Echo Book publisher sued repeatedly
- 19990220 Spiegel Death Cheaper than a Bowl of Noodles
- 19990218 Badische Zeitung Secret Agencies Advertise on Internet
- 19950704 Welt Fascinated with Cults
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Munich, Germany
Period covered: 1998 – 2001, with some pre-1998
Comments:
Scientology is under surveillance in Munich. Munich was assumed to be where the German OSA headquarters (Office for Special Affairs: OSA) is located, so some OSA “noisy investigations” of Ursula Caberta, Thomas Gandow, Bob Minton, and Dr. Norbert Bluem are in this index. Munich is also in Bavaria, so Bavarian Interior Minister Gunther Beckstein, who is a major player in Germany’s study of Scientology, has had considerable effect upon the area. Public initiatives against Scientology were well-organized in this region, and their successes were broadcast for the public. Government response to Scientology included hotlines, crisis centers for Scientology victims, and distributing information in schools. The media, in turn, reported extensively on the suspicious death of a German Scientologist. In connection with that death, Scientology was raided, but not charged.
A regional chairman for a youth group tried unsuccessfully to call for a boycott of companies advertising for Scientology. Munich mistakenly tried to compel a civil servant to reveal his Scientology connections, if any. Scientology failed to stop Bavaria’s information campaign to inform the public about Scientology.
Prior to 1998, a few items covered include: Scientology investigator’s cover blown. German Reporters went undercover to investigate Scientology. As far back as 1972, the German media was publishing information on Scientology in Munich.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Call for boycott prohibited
- 20010703 sz Munich boycott advocate to appeal Germany, Munich
- 20010702 sz Illegal interference with right to do business
- Civil servants do not have to reveal Scientology connections
- 20010419 Tagesspiegel Civil servants and Scientology
- 20001116 Heinemann Another empty win for Scientology
- 20001031 NN Refusal to answer approved by court
- Scientology street recruiters
- 19991202 SZ Munich wins ruling over Scientology
- 19991124 SZ Are Body Routers Missionaries?
- De-registration
- 19990604 SZ Scientology to appeal court decision Germany, Berlin
- 19990604 NN Scientology De-Registered
- 19990604 Main Post Celebrity Center loses registration
- 19990604 Berlin Online Scientology must report as a business
- 19990603 Spiegel Scientology no longer an association
- 19990602 Yahoo Scientology De-Registered
- 19990602 SZ Scientology Association De-registered
- Actions against government information campaign
- 19980521 Fraenkischer Tag European Commission on Human rights rejects German Scientologists claim
- 19960927 unofficial Scientologists sue school for critical material
Public and government information
- 20010302 unofficial Bavarian OPC report on Scientology
- 20000608 Mittelbayerische Ztg Beckstein supports Constitutional Security
- 19990831 AFP Bavaria Strikes Back
- 19990705 Mittelbayerische Zeitung Meeting with Constitutional Security
- 19990323 Die Presse Are Open Borders a danger for Bavaria?
- 19990312 Unofficial Bavarian Beckstein says information over Scientology
- 19990309 KNA Crisis Centers for Scientology victims
- 19990301 Sueddeutsche Zeitung There is Hope for the USA
- 19981119 Main Echo Jesse Prince in Europe, gives statement to Bavarian Interior Ministry
- 19981118 Stern TV Konrad Aigner Memorial Pages
- 19981118 Stern TV Konrad Aigner Memorial Pages
- 19981115 Yahoo German Constitutional Security Agency to continue surveillance of Scientology
- 19981115 Focus Keeping Scientology Under Surveillance
- 19980923 Sueddeutsche Zeitung German internal state security reported on Scientology
- 19980821 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Magazin Sad story of Scientologist Konrad Aigner
- 19980821 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Scientology’s Connection to Death of its members
- 19980619 AFP German Hotline on Scientology
- 19980604 Yahoo Bavarian Minister cites Scientology psychological terrorism of critics
- 19980525 Focus Bavarian administration increases measures against Scientology
- 19980320 Bavaria Web Page German Interior Secretary speaks on Scientology
- 19980311 DLF Death of a German Scientologist
- 19980311 DLF Suspicious Death of German Scientologist
- 19980309 Main-Rheiner German Bavarian Secretary speaks on Scientology
- 19980307 Bavaria Web Page German Bavarian Secretary Beckstein speaks
- 19980306 Bavaria Web Page State Secretary of Culture criticizes Greens
- 19980214 Sueddeutsche Zeitung German Labor Laws applied to Scientology
- 19980214 Passau New Press Death of German Scientologist
- 19980214 Passau New Press Brother of deceased German Scientologist speaks
- 19970909 Bavarian Web Page Bavarian Minister Beckstein reports Scientology exploits children
- 19970609 Br-online German Reporters investigate Scientology methods
- 19970604 Book excerpt German Scientology expert Haack writes
- 19951214 sz Protecting consumers from Scientology
- 19900305 Knowledge Report copy of Knowledge Report found in Konrad Aigner’s room
- 19860424 unofficial Disposition Munich State Attorney
- 19841202 Spiegel Scientology investigates the public
- 19750530 DZtg Scientology investigates Interpol
- 19730101 Der Spiegel Scientology policy in Germany includes Telephone Terrorism
- 19720909 Spiegel Scientology establishes beachhead in Munich
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20001031 unofficial OSA Typical Scientology Court Victory
- 20000514 Main-Echo Irrelevant Theory on Scientology
- 19981208 Giessener Anzeiger Scientology Lawyers in Germany oppose surveillance
- Technology Declaration a.k.a. Security Statement a.k.a. Sect filter
- 20001200 unofficial FREIHEIT Scientology’s Psycho-Political News
- 19990208 Schweriner Volkszeitung Scientology puts pressure on German companies
- Rallies and exhibitions
- 20010505 SZ Traveling Scientology Show Photos
- 20010503 SZ Traveling Scientology Show in town
- Investigations
- 20010117 unauthorized OSA How Scientology Works
- 20001229 OSA Mouthpiece of Scientology & comment
- 20000914 Freiheit Noisy Investigation of Ursula Caberta
- 20000618 unofficial OSA Good News from OSA
- 19970100 OSA-FREIHEIT Dr. Norbert Bluem – a Trilogy
- 19860424 State Attorney Scientology Undercover Work Exposed
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20010511 SZ Just say No to Scientology
- 20010330 SZ Making the best of Scientology
- 20010105 SZ A Dark Evolution – Smoke & Mirrors
- 20001021 Focus Rehabilitative Brainwashing Force
- 20000304 personal Protesting Scientology
- 19990522 SZ Parents protest Scientology
- 19990506 epd Scientology commercials ended
- 19980605 Nurnberger Nachrichten German medical man says Scientology use psycho-therapy for obedience training
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20000817 Spiegel Interior Minister Beckstein and Windows
- 19981210 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Scientology Threat Shrinking – also see facial hair reference
- 19981121 Sueddeutsche Zeitung German Surveillance of Scientology a Waste of Taxpayer’s Money
- 19980228 Main-Echo German Police Psychologist bashes Jascke Report
- 19970426 SZ Scientologists need attention, too
- both for against and for Scientology
- 20000504 MainPost Verfassungsschutz going public
- 19970205 SZ The all too naive painter Helnwein
- 19961123 SZ Interview with German theologian on Scientology
- 19960430 Bavarian Green Party German Green Party warns of overreacting with Scientology
Special Events
- Scientology vs. the Internet
- 19991105 SZ Anonymous use of internet is popular
- Freedom of Information Law
- 20000121 SZ Scientologist wants secret files
- Scientology raided
- 19980212 Sueddeutsche Zeitung German Scientology raided
- 19980210 dpa German Scientology raided
- 19980210 dpa German Scientology Organization raided
- 19840600 Spiegel German Scientology seeds of genocide
- 19840522 Abendblatt 1984 Munich Raids
- Scientology investigator’s cover blown
- 19971121 unofficial Response to Hans Bschorr
- 19971121 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Scientologist Reporter Interviewed
- 19971105 TAZ Bavarian correspondent
- Suspicion
- Microsoft connection
- 20000223 SZ German Microsoft Chief interviewed
- 20000219 SZ Church and State eye Scientology influence
- 20000203 Heise Online Will Bavaria use Windows 2000?
- 19991209 cp/c’t Microsoft won’t talk about Windows Germany, Berlin
- Miscellaneous
- 20010106 Goettinger Tageblatt Bearing false witness
(related) 19990801 Spiegel Hypovereinsbank saga - 19990623 SZ Helnwein exhibition
- 19990315 Spiegel Scientology in the Film Industry
- 19970219 SZ Critic writes to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung (Helnwein)
- 19970206 SZ German Newspaper: Surprisingly Uncritical (Helnwein)
- 20010106 Goettinger Tageblatt Bearing false witness
- Microsoft connection
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20001223 SZ German argument – religion and state
- 20000824 SZ Anybody can be sucked into a cult
- 20000803 SZ German pharmaceuticals expanding
- 20000721 junge Welt Esoteric Thought and Fascistoid Structure
- 20000712 Psychologie Heute Everybody has his cult Germany, Munich
- 20000627 Welt Battlefield Earth supporter downstat
- 19991231 SZ USA prepared for sect violence
- 19991218 SZ Adult education esoteric courses
- 19991213 Computerwoche Internet Links in danger of censorship?
- 19990507 SZ Religious Neutrality at Issue
- 19990228 Sueddeutsche Zeitung US Human Rights Report
- 19981125 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Sect Apologist explains World Conspiracy Theory
- 19981024 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Positive Thinking Can Make You Sick – Harmful Management Training
- 19980325 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Classified German Scientology information stolen with computer
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Stuttgart, Germany
Period covered: 1998 – 2001, with some pre-1998
Comments:
Scientology is under surveillance in Stuttgart. Stuttgart, besides Hamburg and Munich, is one of Germany’s hotbeds of Scientology activity. A long-term unsuccessful effort was made to try to de-register Scientology, but the state failed for at least two reasons. It relied solely on the testimony of one witness, and that witness’s testimony was finally thrown out with a reference to “bias” (Verwaltungsgericht Stuttgart 16 K 3182/98 decision of 17 November 1999). There were a few scandals in which the unemployment office referred job-seekers to Scientology centers. Also, Scientology was occasionally successfully in its combined advertising/PR efforts in Stuttgart.
Besides the deregistration, unemployment and advertising failures, Stuttgart’s bloopers included publishing Scientology’s confidential tax information. Then there was another disgrace when the Stuttgart authorities spied upon one of their own politicians without telling him. Nothing in Germany however, with the possible exception of the the Berlin police director who was falsely accused of being a Scientologist, topped the Stuttgart secret agent who went into Switzerland to collect information on Scientologists. He was arrested by the Swiss Federal Police for being a foreign agent illegally gathering intelligence.
In the public sector, the city managed to prosecute a Scientologist for slapping a girl who had popped his balloon. In the private sector, the ABI consumer protection office successfully defended itself in keeping the public informed about Scientology.
Categories:
Court Reports
- 20010206 StN Stuttgart vs. Scientology Dianetics
- 20000215 STN Scientology dispute continues in Stuttgart
- 20000215 Sindelfinger Zeitung Scientology dispute continues in Stuttgart
- 20000215 Sindelfinger Zeitung Dianetics Stuttgart decision to be appealed
- 20000108 Stuttgarter Zeitung Scientology’s protective religious camouflage
- 20000108 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Decision on Scientology association to be appealed
- 19991119 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Dianetics retains association status
- 19991118 Stuttgarter Zeitung Dianetics Stuttgart on trial by state
- 19991118 STN Dianetics Stuttgart on trial
- 19991117 Sindelfinger Zeitung Scientology may lose association status
- 19990622 unofficial German Court Decision on Scientology
- 19981113 Stuttgarter Zeitung Scientologists Lose Suit to reinstate street recruiting in Stuttgart
- 19981111 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Scientology sues to get Street Recruiting reinstated in Stuttgart
- 19980529 Stuttgarter Nachrichten German city reinstates suit against Dianetics/Scientology – explains Administrative Presidium
Public information
- 20010203 StZ Agency break-down causes upset
- 20010202 StZ Unemployed referred to Scientology
- 20000826 StN Street Recruiting illegal again
- 20000809 StZ Scientology campaigning in Stuttgart
- 20000721 StN Scientology may advertise in Stuttgart
- 20000526 Sindelfinger Ztg 2000: Keeping Scientology under Surveillance
- 20000525 Suedwest Presse Warning of increased sect advertising
- 20000323 Suedwest Presse Bluem is against Scientology
- 20000107 dpa Keeping Scientology under Surveillance
- 19991229 Suedwest Presse Keeping Scientology Under Surveillance
- 19990914 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Keeping Scientology Under Surveillance
- 19990914 Mannheimer Morgen Keeping Scientology Under Surveillance
- 19990619 Sindelfinger Zeitung Ursula Caberta in Stuttgart
- 19990427 MaMo Foreign Extremism on the Advance
- 19990311 Stuttgarter Zeitung Scientology in tactical retreat
- 19990311 Mannheimer Morgen ABI warns about Scientology
- 19990310 KNA Scientology Being More Careful
- 19990310 dpa Spotlight still on Scientology
- 19990303 Stuttgarter Nachrichten State plans Scientology clause
- 19990303 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Consumers should be better protected
- 19970224 StN Childrens’ RPF case
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20001014 StN Scientology didn’t lose, it won
- 20000920 StN Appeal against Scientology decision
- 20000814 StN Scientology thanks codes office
- 20000525 Suedwest Presse Warning of increased sect advertising
- 20000520 StN Despite slapping, Scientology still advertises
- 20000413 StZ Beware of Scientologists on the streets
- 20000217 private Scientologist strikes back?
- 19990305 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Scientology criticizes security clauses
- 19980911 Stuttgarter Zeitung Scientology Freiheit magazine being mass mailed
- Exhibitions
- 20000311 StZ Public Scientology recruitment in Stuttgart
- 20000310 StN Scientology Exhibition in Stuttgart
- 19990615 Sindelfinger Zeitung A Scientology Seminar
- 19990216 Stuttgarter Zeitung Scientology rents community hall Germany, Berlin
- 19990129 Stuttgarter Zeitung Scientologists celebrate 40 years in Europe
- 19990129 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Scientology celebrates 40 years in Europe
- 19980512 dpa Scientologist stage public protest demonstrations against spying Switzerland, Basel,
- Advertisements
- 20010201 StZ Scientology vs. Stuttgart
- 20010111 StZ Scientology Advertising in Stuttgart
- 19990219 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Ads Banned
- Undercover operation
- 19990727 Sindelfinger Zeitung Background on Foreign Ministry infiltration
- 19990727 Sindelfinger Zeitung German Foreign Ministry infiltrated
Public response
- against Scientology
- 20000920 Sindelfinger Ztg Appeal in association statute
- 20000914 StN Mayor seems wishy-washy on Scientology
- 20000731 Stuttgarter Ztg Youth novel against sects
- 19990225 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Happy Valley where Scientology is King
- for Scientology
- 20010303 StN Scientology tax info is confidential
- 20000411 StuttgarterZtg Scientology is everywhere: no hysteria
- 19990910 Suedwest Presse Not everybody wants to observe Scientology response to Rannacher
- 19990709 Stuttgarter Zeitung Criticism of ABI
- 19981112 Stuttgarter Zeitung Green Party opposes Scientology Under Surveillance
- both for and against Scientology
Suspicion
- The Microsoft connection
- 20000222 Stuttgarter Zeitung Windows and Scientology under scrutiny
- UPS connection
- 20010223 slrz ABI wins over UPS in Scientology case
- 20010202 ABI Does UPS indirectly support Scientology?
- 20001103 unofficial Possible connection to Scientology
- 20001012 ABI UPS money helping Scientology
- The Moslem connection
- 20011013 faz Millie Goerues in Germany
- others
- 20010213 swp Born to Sue
- 19990708 Sindelfinger Zeitung Millions in fraud money goes to Scientology
- 19990708 Pforzheimer Zeitung Victim of Scientology?
- 19990424 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Soccer clash
Special Events
- Caught spying at home
- 19990724 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Rannacher Concedes Mistake
- 19990723 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Constitutional Security Faux Pas
- 19990723 Sindelfinger Zeitung Constitutional Security findings questioned
- 19990723 Mannheimer Morgen Did Scientology spy on Teufel?
- Caught spying in Switzerland
- 19980701 Stuttgarter Zeitung Swiss Scientology critic concerned for German agent
- 19980430 Stuttgarter Nachrichten German investigating Scientology treated harshly
- 19980424 dpa German intelligence say Scientology uses a secret intelligence service
- 19980415 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Possible political motive for arrest of German investigating Scientology in Switzerland
- 19980411 Stuttgarter Nachrichten German agent investigating Scientology arrested in Swizerland
In passing
- 20000907 StN Did Scientology make her do it?
- 20000814 StN Sect expert clears Scientology
- 20000405 StN Moslems in Germany
- 20000313 Suedwestdeutsche Religious instruction in schools
- 19990727 Stuttgarter Zeitung New German-American Relationships
- 19990601 Stuttgarter Zeitung Christian Science is not Scientology
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Bonn, Germany
Period covered: 1997 – 2001, with some pre-1998
Comments:
Scientology is under surveillance in Bonn. As a matter of fact, Bonn is where the Germany interior ministers met to make that decision. Despite being under surveillance, several dozen Scientologists hold civil service positions in Germany. However, a German Bundestag Enquete Report stated after a two-year investigation it found no clear and present danger to society from Scientology, while the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (OPC) found that Scientology presented a threat to the internal security of Germany. The Enquete Commission brought back valuable findings from the USA, including the need not to be prejudiced against Scientology and not to make Scientologists feel like criminals.
Ingo Heinemann has been a reliable source of information on Scientology for decades. He has pointed out details of cults missed by the press, like that of a Scientologist buying the name of an anti-cult association to pose it as a cult counseling organization. Mr. Heinemann distinguishes between pro-cult and anti-cult critics. He advocates a sect consumer protection law.
Bonn noted differences between the US and Germany, of which the attitude toward Scientology is only one.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Domestic (au pair) girls need to be informed if they are placed by Scientologists with Scientology families
- 20001215 Heinemann Ingo Heinemann: Criticism of Scientology
- Ex-member sues for back pay
- 20000524 unofficial Forced laborer sues Scientology for pay
Public and government information
- 20001115 Heinemann Scientology exploits court decisions
- 20000117 Heinemann Synopsis of Scientology in German courts
- 19990325 Yahoo Constitutional Security report presented
- 19990306 Hamburger Morgenpost Human Relations among nations
- 19981120 Berliner Zeitung Keeping Scientology Under Surveillance
- 19981119 Hamburger Abendblatt Keeping Scientology Under Surveillance
- 19981107 Spiegel German Interior Ministers’ Conference decides to continue surveillance of Scientology
- 19980919 Der Spiegel German Security reports Scientology is on the decline
- 19980703 Berliner Morgenpost Scientologists hold 40 civil service positions
- 19980619 AFP Enquete Final Report – recommends continued surveillance of Scientology
- 19980529 Hamburger Abendblatt German Enquete Says sects not a threat and Scientology is not a sect
- 19980529 Berlin Online German Enquete recommends that psychological training groups be registered
- 19980314 Fuldaer Zeitung German Security accuses Scientology of endangerment
- 19980306 CityWeb Enquete on Scientology: Theme of Psycho-Terrorism
- 19980305 unofficial Opposing prejudice
- 19980303 Hamburg Abendblatt Dialogue about Scientology between Germany and the USA has materialized…
- 19980213 Rundschau Online German Enquete Commission investigates Life Management Training
- 19970627 German Web Page German Enquete Commission formed in response to people’s requests
- 19970218 Heinemann Sect Consumer Protection Law
- 19960116 Die Welt German Federal Minister supports surveillance of Scientology
- 19951127 Spiegel Psychological Warfare with Scientology
- 19940918 Welt The Giant Scientology Octopus
- 19931224 sz Scientology’s plan for Albania folded
Scientology creations
- Advertisements
- 19980306 Bonn Express Scientology places Ad in German Magazine
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 19990429 Heinemann So-Called Independent Experts
- 19990417 AGPF Ingo Heinemann: Scientology Critical Review
- 19990406 Focus Sect Corporations
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 19980620 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Seven Renowned Professors disagree with Enquete after final report submitted
- both for against and for Scientology
- 19990521 Bonner Rundschau Constitutional Security and the public good
Special Events
- Suspicion
- Microsoft connection
- 20000616 Tagesspiegel Scientology program debated
- 20000607 dpa Controversial Microsoft Software
- 20000217 Spiegel Scientology software in Windows
- Miscellaneous
- 20000204 Heinemann Helnwein Tale Unravels
- Microsoft connection
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20000601 ots Amnesty Int’l criticizes Clinton’s award
- 19991216 cdscsu Keeping an eye on doomsday cults
- 19991116 AGPF Mass Murder, not suicide, in Jonestown
- 19991018 Welt Buyer Beware of personnel trainers
- 19990917 CDU/CSU unofficial World Children’s Day
- 19990713 TAZ Experts want action on sects
- 19990713 Frankfurter Rundschau Parliament has taken no action on sects
- 19990630 AFP Herbal Remedies
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Zwickau, Germany
Period covered: 1998 – 2001, with some pre-1998
Comments:
Thanks to an amazing display of showmanship by Scientologist Kurt Fliegerbauer, the story of Scientology in Zwickau is basically the story of Kurt Fliegerbauer vs. the city management of Zwickau. Fliegerbauer supposedly left town, but really didn’t, and the Zwickau administration never seemed to quite get the upper hand in the situation. They were up against a Scientologist who put in an application for the government’s cult information office.
The reaction against Fliegerbauer included city assembly members signing the anti-Hubbard technology declaration, but they didn’t go so far as to allot funds for a downtown cult information office. The subject of Scientology was even a concern for local politicians. Questions to this theme were directed to a visiting Scientology expert, though specific answers have been elusive. An appeal to the federal government got the town nowhere.
In perspective:
Relations with the USA probably weren’t helped by placing an image of Donald Duck on a historical building.
Categories:
Court Reports
Public and government information
- 20011021 fp Norbert Potthoff in Zwickau
- 20011012 fp Scientology expert Norbert Potthoff
- 20001216 Freie Presse No Scientology Info Office in Zwickau
- 20001213 Freie Presse Scientology smoldering in Zwickau
- 20001101 Freie Presse Office of Information on Scientology
- 20000527 FP Federal Chancellor cannot help city
- 20000427 Freie Presse Counseling on Scientology contested
- 20000215 Frankfurter Rundschau The retreat of the Thetan
- 20000127 Saechsische Zeitung Zwickau seeks help with Scientology
- 20000122 Freie Presse Chemnitz Scientology debate in Zwickau intensifies
- 20000108 Vogtland Anzeiger Zwickau does not support Scientology
- 19960312 Stern Scientology in German Real Estate
- 19960216 Stern Scientology in German Real Estate
Scientology creations
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20010315 fp Standing united against Scientology
- 20000102 Freie Presse Scientology as a bone of contention
- 19990920 Freie Presse Zwickau CDU keeps distance from Scientology
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20000118 Freie Presse Fliegerbauer’s Nazi comparisons
Special Events
- Scientology in real estate
- 20011129 fp Fliegerbauer walks smiling from court
- 20011116 fp Fliegerbauer confident of winning
- 20011022 fp Zwickau reacting to Fliegerbauer
- 20010502 fp Fliegerbauer blocking traffic
- 20010419 fp etc Shakedown in Zwickau – Fliegerbauer
- 20001108 FP Fliegerbauer’s Public Departure Fake
- 20000911 Freie Presse Fliegerbauer never left Zwickau
- 20000211 Vogtland Anzeiger Farewell to Fliegerbauer
- 20000211 Frankenpost Scientologist withdraws from Zwickau
- 20000211 Berliner Zeitung Scientology godfather to leave Zwickau
- 20000210 TAZ Farewell to Fliegerbauer
- 20000205 Freie Presse Farewell to Fliegerbauer
- 20000128 Freie Presse Farewell to Fliegerbauer
- 20000107 Freie Presse Fliegerbauer and the Scientology fanatics
- 19991228 Freie Presse Scientologist applies for Cult Info position
- 19991019 Freie Presse Scientologist buying real estate in Zwickau
- 19980922 Freie Presse Online Scientologist to buy downtown buildings
- 19980318 Freie Presse Online German town wants to investigate Scientology connections
- 19980317 Berliner Zeitung German Realtor admits to being a Scientologist
- Real estate deal
- 20000208 Freie Presse Fliegerbauer The Sect Man and Politics
- 20000309 Stern Hessian Minister in Scientology real estate
- 20000207 FNP Politicians inadvertently dealing with Scientologist
- Miscellaneous
- 20000523 Freie Presse Scientology still smoldering in Zwickau
- 20000316 Tageespiegel Hesse’s CDU under pressure
- 20000201 Freie Presse Secret Municipal Support for Scientology
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20000207 Freie Presse Seidel eyes mayor’s seat
- 20000128 Freie Presse Scientology pet Donald Duck removed
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Frankfurt Germany
Period covered: 1998 – 2001
Comments:
The Scientology protest and recruitment rally in 1998 was the big event in Frankfurt. It gained Scientology publicity for a worthy cause, but the fact that the organization was publicly protesting persecution and intolerance of itself disproved its own assertions to some extent.
In perspective:
Mike Heron called his long-term involvement [in Scientology] “silly”, because he should have seen, “that the control it exercised over me was stronger than anything I could’ve learned from it.”
Vested interest:
Scientology is not the only one that makes money; money can be made from Scientology. Data base information about alleged Scientologists or companies cost up to 300 marks; it is difficult to find out how good these data bases are.
Categories:
Court Reports
- 20010223 FR Ruling: Church & Cult incompatible
- 20000922 Rheinpfalz Online Scientology Minister Helnwein gives up
- 20000920 Schweitzer Gottfried Helnwein capitulates
- 20000826 Heinemann Helnwein case caves in
- 20000320 FNP Scientology must pay commerce fees
Public information
- 20001122 FNP 9th Graders interview sect commissioner
- 20000331 AP Help for Families divided by Sects
- 20000229 FNP Secrecy a Commodity in Scientology
- 20000226 FNP What is Scientology?
- 19990630 FNP Sect advertisement is legal
- 19990630 FNP Dealing with sects in Germany
- 19981019 Frankfurter Neue Presse German Scientology consulting business in trouble
Scientology creations
- Letters
- 20001207 FNP Is Scientology a Sect?
- 20000615 FNP Scientology reaction to espionage precautions
- 19980810 Frankfurter Neue Presse Feedback on Scientology Marathon Finale
- Rallies
- 20000226 FNP What is Scientology in Frankfurt
- 19980814 Original Text Scientology reports on Marathon Finale
- 19980713 Frankfurter Rundschau Scientology Post-Marathon Event scheduled
- Celebrities
- 20010930 dpa Ambassador Corea’s Dept. of Truth
Public response
- against Scientology
- 19990225 Frankfurter Rundschau Missing in Happy Valley?
- 19980821 Frankfurter Neue Presse Feedback on Scientology Marathon Finale
- 19980811 Frankfurter Neue Presse Feedback on Scientology Marathon Finale
- for Scientology
- 19990521 Frankfurter Rundschau Negative Criticism of Constitutional Security
Suspicion
- Microsoft connection
- 20000224 Frankfurter Rundschau Windows selling buggy software
- Police director falsely accused of being a Scientologist
- 20000425 faz OSA and Verfassungsschutz in non-existence
In passing
- 20011228 fr The Incredible String Band
- 20000128 Main Rheiner Sects, Spirits & Miracle Healers
- 19990923 Frankfurter Rundschau Happiness or Freedom?
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Leipzig, Germany
Period covered: 2000 – 2001
Comments:
Scientology is under surveillance in Leipzig, at least theoretically. It would probably be more accurate to say the Leipzig Human Rights Award is under surveillance by Scientology. That human rights award has been recognized numerous times in various publications, including some, even if presented in a negative light, from Scientology and Scientology sympathizers. The 2001 award winner is Dr. Norbert Bluem, and the 2000 award winner is Mr. Robert Minton.
In perspective:
A member of the Leipzig Human Rights award committee has contributed significantly to this survey.
Categories:
Public and government information
- 20010611 Junge Welt Fighting the new Scientology Imperialism
- 20010610 unofficial Norbert Bluem’s speech at Leipzig
- 20010610 Remscheider Bluem receives human rights award
- 20010610 Leipzig Volksztg. Leipzig report on Award for Bluem
- 20010610 Bremer nachricht. Human Rights Award for Bluem
- 20010604 fp Bluem receives human rights award
- 20010226 BZ Bluem receiving human rights award
- 20010225 Walsroder Ztg Human Rights Award for Norbert Bluem
- 20001024 unofficial Alternative Charlemagne Award 2001
- 20000605 Bild First Alt. Charlemagne Award for Critic
- 20000603 Tagesspiegel American gets Alternative Charlemagne Award
- 20000603 LVZtg Alternative Charlemagne Award in Leipzig
- 20000603 FR American receives Human Rights Award
- 20000603 dpa American gets Alternative Charlemagne Award
- 20000531 BNN Bob Minton and Bill Clinton
Scientology creations
- Advertisements
- 20000329 Leipziger Volksztg. Scientology at the Book Fair
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20010607 Leipzig German premiere of The Profit
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20010219 lvz Sect Counselling in Saxony
Media Survey of Scientology news in the USA
from German-language media
Period covered: 1997 – 2001, with some pre-1997
Comments:
Scientology launched a worldwide negative PR campaign against Germany after it attained tax exemption from the American IRS tax agency in 1993. Some people subsequently viewed Germany’s response to Scientology as an attack upon the freedoms of speech and religion in the sense of the US Constitution.
Even though the USA has been a good source of information on cults in the past, the US government is still often viewed by Europe as pro-Scientology. The headquarters of Scientology is in the United States, for instance, and a percentage of money collected by Scientology in Europe is transferred back to the United States. President Bush’s persistent proposals to have the state support religion have raised questions as to whether he also supports Scientology. Clinton was more friendly with Germany than Bush despite Scientology. Clinton also extended the hand of friendship to the Scientologists several times, but promised to veto a Scientology bill if it ever passed Congress. US Secretary of State Berger denied any Scientology-Clinton connection in regards to the Scientology bill. Germany Scientology’s FREIHEIT magazine published what appeared to be Clinton’s Endorsement for Scientology’s drug policies.
The US views Europe’s distribution of information on cults as intolerance of religious minorities, though the U.S. has toned down its criticism over the years. Earlier US criticisms were more closely aligned with official Scientology policy. Several congresspersons in particular have sided with Scientology in introducing legislation to chastise other countries for not respecting Scientology as traditional religion. Europeans noted that a US Congressional Scientology proponent lost his congressional seat..
Scientology views itself being put on trial in France as a human rights violation. The USA was reported to view the Technology Declaration “sect filter” as a human rights violation. Bavarian Interior Minister Gunther Beckstein says Scientology violates rights in response to the US report on Germany. Europe, in turn, has unofficially criticized the US for religious persecution, as well as potential human rights violations with regard to the death penalty. Trans-Atlantic views were exchanged when the Germany Enquete commission visited the US. Over the years, several Europeans have traveled to Clearwater, Florida to picket Scientology in remembrance of the death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson. The county dropped its charges against Scientology in that case, but no date has been set for the civil action as of June 2003. German telejournalist Peter Reichelt documented Scientology in the USA, and encountered a certain amount of personal risk from Scientologists in doing so.
In perspective:
It was a German that financed the Battlefield Earth movie. The movie was John Travolta’s rendition of a book by “L. Ron Hubbard,” and failed at the box offices. Travolta announced he was making a sequel to Battlefield Earth.
The press also noted that the press tends to emphasize the negative about places distant from the readers.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Scientology vs. Hubbard Technology Declaration (USA)
- 20011213 unofficial International Showdown in Florida court Washington
- Lisa McPherson wrongful death
- 20000613 Reuters Charges against Scientology dropped Clearwater
- 20000613 dpa Charges against Scientology dropped Clearwater
- 19981116 TAZ Scientology Indicted as a result of Criminal Investigation Washington
- Libel (and press laws, stopping information)
- 20010117 Netzeitung Church of Greed Loses in Court NewYork
Public and government information
- 20001018 Presse USA expresses political displeasure Washington
- 20000616 Tagesspiegel Does Hollywood pay anti-German politicians? Washington
- 20000616 Tagesspiegel Scientology gains another U.S. agency Washington
- 20000509 NZZ Scientology & Missile Defense talks Washington
- 20000504 FAZ German Federal President Rau in Washington Washington
- 20000225 dpa U.S. sees positive trend in human rights Washington
- 19991023 Tagesspiegel US Congressmen Condemn Germany for Scientology Washington
- 19991023 BM Scientology Bill reincarnates for 2nd time in US Washington
- 19991022 SWR Germany accused of discrimination Washington
- 19991022 dpa Congressmen accuse Germany of discrimination Washington
- 19990909 dpa USA sees sect filter and human rights violation Washington
- 19990909 AFP US condemns German Scientology policy Washington
- 19990227 Tages-Anzeiger Throwing money at victims Washington
- 19990226 Landeszeitung Lueneberger Heide USA Human Rights Report critical of foreigners Washington
- 19981104 Yahoo Scientology proponent D’Amato Ousted from office Washington
- 19980808 Yahoo Scientology Bill rears its head again Washington
- 19980302 Sueddeutsche Zeitung German delegation gets clear picture of Scientology in USA Washington
- 19980228 Stadt-Anzeiger German Enquete Commission speaks on Scientology Washington
- 19980227 AFP US Representative welcomes German Enquete Commission Washington
- 19980227 AFP German Enquete Commission speaks on Scientology Washington
- 19970227 AFP German Enquete Commission speaks on Scientology Washington
- 19970131 Die Welt US Foreign Religion Policy and Scientology Washington
- 19530806 Der Spiegel German magazine looks at Dianetics LosAngeles
- 19520109 Der Spiegel German magazine examines Dianetics LosAngeles
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20000818 FREIHEIT FREIHEIT on Alternative Charlemagne Award Hollywood
- 19991100 IAS Scientology forgot to mention 1999 Marathon LosAngeles
- 19980411 Reuters Scientology President Jetzsch wrote German ambassador to complain LosAngeles
- Rallies, exhibitions, events, programs
- 20011129 ta Scientology’s Catastrophe Corps NewYork
- 20010919 Tagesspiegel Feeling Scientology’s Finger NewYork
- 20010131 Tagesspiegel Religious Trouble in River City Washington
- 20000823 MoPo A Scientology Minute of Hate Clearwater
- 20000811 TA Clearwater Cult Condemns German Clearwater
- 19990301 Berlin Online Report viewed as criticism Washington
- 19990206 Saarbruecker Zeitung A Saarlander looks at juvenile correction Montana
- Investigations, attacks on critics
- 20000807 Spiegel Scientologists stalk German in Florida Clearwater
- 20000207 OTS Hammer attack on German News Team Clearwater
- 20000205 dpa Hammer man attacks TV team while filming Clearwater
- 20000204 dpa Man attacks Camera with Hammer Clearwater
- 20000203 Reichelt Brutal hammer attack on TV team Clearwater
- 19990921 ZDF.MSNBC Scientology wants to put France on trial LosAngeles
- 19990921 KNA Scientology wants to charge France LosAngeles
- 19990609 Heise Scientology pursues critics internet
- 20000418 unofficial OSA OSA dead agent letter on Minton & Brooks LosAngeles
- 19941130 GP Magazin Scientology launches anti-German smear campaign NewYork
- 19941012 TAZ Scientology launches full page anti-German smear campaign NewYork
- 19940922 New York Times Scientology Anti-Germany Full Page Advertisements and campaign NewYork
- Technology Declaration a.k.a. Security Statement a.k.a. Sect filter
- 20000905 dpa State Department criticizes sect filter Washington
- 20000502 dpa USA attacks Scientology filter Washington
- Celebrities
- Travolta
- 20000814 Spiegel The Battlefield Earth Boondoggle Hollywood
- 20000625 Scheinwerfer Road to Total Feeblemindedness Hollywood
- 20000523 Spiegel BE: Cult Psycho-torture Hollywood
- 20000522 Berlin Kurier Free tickets to Battlefield Earth? LosAngeles
- 20000520 SZ Travolta a martyr in Battlefield Earth LosAngeles
- 20000516 MoPo Insults and Mockery for Travolta Hollywood
- 20000516 BM Travolta’s Gigantic Flop LosAngeles
- 20000404 AFP Travolta and Preston have a baby LosAngeles
- 20000112 dpa John Travolta making Scientology movies LosAngeles
- 19990122 Stern Travolta invests in Scientology movie Hollywood
- 19990114 ebiz Scientologist Travolta to produce cult film LosAngeles
- 19981211 Die Welt John Travolta to make Scientology Movie LosAngeles
- 19980626 TAZ Travolta points finger at Germany in Congress Washington
- 19980404 Frankfurt New Press John Travolta interested in filming Scientology movie LosAngeles
- Cruise
- 20010601 Heise Tom Cruise Missile Coordinates Germany, Berlin
- 20010209 BM Scientology battles for adopted children NewYork
- 20010206 AFP Cruise and Kidman split Hollywood
- 20000706 NRZ Tom Cruise does it all in MI-2 Hollywood
- 19990717 Standard Scientology a non-issue in movie Hollywood
- Corea
- 20010609 Tirol Online Chick Corea goes to Austria NewYork
- Lisa Marie Presley
- 20000328 SAD Elvis’ daughter to wed in Scientology NewYork
- Travolta
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20001213 personal Clearwater 2000 – Days 4 and 5 Clearwater
- 20001211 personal Clearwater 2000 – Day 3 Clearwater
- 20001208 personal Clearwater 2000 – Day 2 Clearwater
- 20001204 personal Picket Report from Clearwater Clearwater
- 19991127 Tagesspiegel Religious Persecution News from Germany Anytown
- 19990226 AFP Beckstein says Scientology violates rights Washington
- 19990225 SWR3Lost in Happy Valley HappyValley
- 19990225 Frankfurter Allegemeine Lost in Happy Valley HappyValley
- 19990220 Mannheimer Morgen Human Rights and the Death Sentence Washington
- 20010303 CISAR US Sect Report on Scientology in Germany Pennsylvania
- 19981104 Saarbruecker Zeitung No Change on Disapproval of Scientology by new German Secretary of State Washington
- 19980922 TAZ Alleged Scientology Cure of homosexuality questioned Germany, Berlin
- 19980919 1st Person Anti-Scientology Picket report Washington
- 19980811 Berliner Zeitung Scientology Sued by Gay Man LosAngeles
- 19980728 Mannheimer Morgen Dramatic Report of Scientology Capture of German Reporters GilmanHotSprings
- 19980512 dpa US Administration against automatic sanctions based on religion Washington
- 19980423 Rheinischer Merkur Bob Minton wages Crusade against Scientology Miami
- 19980419 TV Bob Minton’s Crusade against Scientology Part 1 Clearwater
- 19980318 a.r.s. Radio Free Scientology internet
- 19970402 TV First German TV investigation of Scientology LosAngeles
- 19970118 Die Welt American Actor refused to sign Scientology’s Anti-Germany declaration LosAngeles
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20011105 TAZ The Red, White and Blue religion Germany, Berlin
- 20010511 TAZ France: USA + Scientology Washington
- 19971100 FREIHEIT Clinton’s Endorsement for Scientology Washington
- both for against and for Scientology
- 19991021 AFP Scientology is no longer a trans-Atlantic problem Washington
- 19981121 Main Echo Scientology President Heber Jentzsch hurl invectives at German politicians LosAngeles
Special Events
- Suspicion
- Microsoft connection
- 20001106 dpa Scientology criticizes Microsoft agreement Washington
- 20000220 Spiegel Is Microsoft supporting US Intelligence? Washington
- Miscellaneous
- 19990717 Bild Scientology Gossip California
- 19990205 Welt 10 percent of parking fees for WISE NewYork
- 19980813 Stern Scientology woos ex-Spice Girl LosAngeles
- 19980217 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Secretary of State denies connection with Scientologist John Travolta Washington
- 19980217 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Berger denies Scientology Clinton connection Washington
- Microsoft connection
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20010131 Tagesspiegel Is the Bible a deterrent to crime? Washington
- 20001124 OOeN Starving to get to Heaven Washington
- 20001103 dpa Satan’s Killer wants US asylum Batavia
- 20001028 Spiegel Hillary leaves Hamas, heads for Senate NewYork
- 20001016 AFP Farrakhan defends Palestinians Washington
- 20000826 Die Presse Chinese cult repression accommodated NewYork
- 20000704 TAZ Award Namesake had scandalous affair Hollywood
- 20000516 dpa UPI now owned by Moonies NewYork
- 20000221 Spiegel Waco inferno to be re-enacted Waco
- 19991113 SZ Extraterrestrials do not resemble humans LosAngeles
- 19990927 Saarbruecker Zeitung Preparedness Expo for Millennia Mania Charlotte
- 19990817 Telopolis A Brief Mention of Ron Hubbard – Star Wars Hollywood
- 19990814 FNP Religious Rightwing Radicalism in the USA Washington
- 19980901 Die Welt Primary Colors a trendsetter? LosAngeles
- 19980408 Berliner Morgenpost US publicizes Nazi picture of Germany Chicago
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Switzerland
Period covered: 1998 – 2001, with some pre-1998
Comments:
Scientology is not under surveillance in Switzerland. Not only that, but the government avoided the idea of sect politics after many opinions and much discussion on the topic. Nevertheless a law was passed and upheld on deceptive measures employed on public land. This idea has been successfully pursued in several Swiss cities, although some take care not mention the word Scientology.
Germany and Switzerland signed an agreement possibly to prevent another fiasco like the one where the German agent was caught and prosecuted in Switzerland for attempting to gather information on Scientologists.
In perspective:
Strangely enough, Swiss author and sect expert Hugo Stamm has been described as a cultist himself because he is very involved in the fight against esoteric and sect gurus.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Scientology’s public land use for commerce (as opposed to religion)
- 20011012 apa Continuing Scientology activity rejected Lausanne
- 20010713 NZZ Scientology advertising not legal Lausanne
- 19990701 NZZ Scientology loses Swiss appeal Lausanne
- 19990701 NZZ Challenge to unfair advertising dismissed Lausanne
- 19990701 Aargauer Zeitung Scientology Challenge turned down Lausanne
- Alleging discrimination
- 20000630 sda Scientology targets police director Lausanne
- 19970625 sda Scientologist loses racism case St.Gallen
- 19970513 Tagblatt Scientologist sues critic for racism St.Gallen
- Libel
- 20000328 BaZ Libelous Scientologist fighting judgment Lausanne
- Exploitation
- 19981204 Teletxt Schweiz Swiss Scientologist sentenced for exploitation Lausanne
Public and government information
- 20001216 NLZ No special surveillance of Swiss sects Bern
- 20001216 Bund Non-surveillance Swiss status quo
- 20001215 News Not watching Scientology Bern
- 20000630 NLZ Swiss government dodges sect politics Lucerne
- 19990701 Neue-LZAG Expert Advice Lucerne
- 19980831 News Window Federal Police Report on Scientology presented Berne<
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 19990824 TA Scientology adds supplement to Swiss Police report Bern
- 19990824 Berner Zeitung Scientology adds supplement to Swiss Police report Bern
- 19970625 Tagblatt Scientology losing religion St.Gallen
- Rallies, exhibitions, events
- 19990629 Tagblatt Scientology Planning Operation Buchs
- 19980804 Sect Commissioner Scientology Anti-Psychiatry mass mailings Hamm
- 19980716 dpa Scientology Marathon demonstration Geneva
- 19980716 AFP Scientology Marathon hosts demonstration Geneva
- Investigations
- 19980923 Blue Window Swiss Scientology report is accurate and will not be changed Berne
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20010103 Tagblatt Germany acknowledges sect victims St.Gallen (responded to by 010115a
- 20001214 TA CCHR libelous statements unwanted Embrach
- 20000616 sda Annoying Scientologists risk arrest Lausanne
- 20000427 Basel Online Scientologists, Nazis not welcome Berne
- 19991107 SDA State should employ a sect politic Bern
- 19990703 TA Bern must deal with sects Bern
- 19990701 BZ Federal Assembly must break the tabu Bern
- 19990622 Tagblatt No street recruitment Buchs
- 19990609 Tagblatt If it isn’t written, it isn’t true Buchs
- 19990609 TA Scientology activity banned Buchs
- 19990602 personal Why the U.S. promotes Scientology Waldegg
- 19980824 Focus Scientology Reformists offer services at competitive prices freezone
- 19980710 Basler Zeitung Swiss Lawmakers concerned with sects, which includes Scientology Geneva
- 19980708 Yahoo Scientology worries about Sect Law in Switzerland Geneva
- 19980609 Tages-Anzeiger Swiss city officials want to control sects Geneva
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20010115 Tagblatt Field Staff Member public relations St.Galler
- 20001222 NLZ Is Doubt equal to Intolerance? Lucerne
- 20000925 Berner Ztg Anti-drug association opens its arms Bern (see sb.htm#000926a)
- both for against and for Scientology
- 20000926 Berner Zeitung Anti-drug association rejects sects Bern
- 19991108 Bund Debate: Critics vs. Cults Bern
Special Events
- Scientology vs. the Internet
- 199808220 Tages-Anzeiger Scientology Homepage factory floods internet internet
- Scientology in Schools
- 19991110 NLZ Survey about schools circulating in Littau Littau
- 19991018 TA Scientology School not closed after all Littau
- 19991001 TA Scientology School loses government permit Littau
- 19991001 NLZ Scientology School loses permit Littau
- Caught spying in Switzerland
- 20000326 Sonntag International Intrigue in Switzerland Bern
- 19990429 Badische Zeitung Germany and Switzerland sign agreement Berne
- 19980411 Stuttgarter Nachrichten German Swiss tension over Scientology investigation Berne
- 19980409 SFDRS Constititional Protection agent arrested Switzerland
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20010126 Tagblatt Government should handle sects St.Gallen
- 20001027 Landbote Cult Addiction is under-funded Winterthur
- 20000826 BernerZeitung Swiss law to enable spiritual healers Bern
- 20000201 NLZ Jehovah’s Witnesses make a case Lucerne
- 20000119 Suedostschweiz Sect Expert Hugo Stamm Speaks Weesen
- 19991109 NLZ Gordon Freeman Fraser in Switzerland Nidwalden
- 19991109 Berner Zeitung Film Festival Queerview Bern
- 19991108 Berner Zeitung The State as Protector of Tolerance Bern
- 19990920 Suedostschweiz Online Is the End of the Millennium the End of Time? Rapperswil
- 19990703 TA Protecting children from sects Bern
- 19990127 Wochenblatt Online Scientology-like VPM rejected by school Singen
- 19980804 Tages-Anzeiger Baerbel Schwertfeger wrote book on controversial trainers hiter
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Zurich, Switzerland
Period covered: 1998 – 2001, with some pre-1998
Comments:
Although Scientology is not looked upon fondly, its street recruitment is not looked upon as religion, and Scientology is not welcome by its neighbors, it is nonetheless not under surveillance in Switzerland. Scientology objected to Hugo Stamm writing about Scientology for a newspaper. After failing to incriminate Hugo Stamm in the suicide of a Scientologist, Scientology warned the public about the dangers of anti-sect hysteria. Besides Mr. Stamm, another well respected authority on cults in general is Prof. Georg Schmid.
Scientology tried unsuccessfully to get state funding stopped for a cult information center, however, Scientology itself downsized in Zurich. On the government side, the government discussed, but did not take action on, an official sect policy.
In perspective:
As a result of occasionally contrary interactions, it was noted that Scientology critics occasionally battle among themselves.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Scientology’s public land use for commerce (as opposed to religion)
- 20010824 unofficial Court recognizes commercial business
- 20000701 NZZ Commercial advertising cannot be banned
- 20000701 BaZ Scientologists may advertise
- 20000311 TA Painful Victory for Scientology in Zurich
- 19991105 NZZ Is Scientology a Religion?
- Refund wanted
- 20000630 TA Ex-Scientologist wants his money back
Public and government information
- 20011102 TA Terrorism a breath of fresh air for cults
- 20011030 TA Profiting from anthrax
- 20001218 TA Totalitarianism OK for Scientology
- 20001215 Suedoestschweiz Scientology buying front groups Switzerland, Zurich
- 20001014 Der Bund Scientology complained about bad press
- 20000916 TA A personal withdrawal from Narconon
- 20000912 Tagblatt No police problems with Narconon
- 20000627 TA Scientology most asked-about cult
- 20000105 TA Scientology wants Swiss tax exemption
- 19990702 Swiss Report on Sect PoliticsUnofficial Translation
- 19990603 TA Scientology takes second place
- 19990505 TA Scientology Center still not moved
- 19990505 TA Anti-Psychiatry Propaganda
- 19990422 TA Families influenced by Sects
- 19980707 TAZ Scientology harasses journalists
- 19980628 Sonntagszeitung Scientology critics battle among themselves
- 19980509 Tages-Anzeiger Scientology targets children for recruitment
- 19971001 Tages-Anzeiger Scientology Recruitment and Advertisement
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20010308 unofficial Stop Talking or we’ll sue you!
- 20001129 Bund Picture Germany Persecuting Jews!
- 19991013 TA Scientologist Stettler warns of hysteria
- 19990619 TA Swiss Scientology Spokesman Speaks
- Rallies, exhibitions, events
- 20010312 TA Narconon opens info center
- 20001008 SonntagsZeitung Scientologists against electrotherapy
- 20000719 TA Scientologists protest sect info
- 20000505 TA Scientology recruitment drive turns heads
- 19990930 NZZ Scientology Moves into new center in Zurich
- 19990623 TA Conflict over Sect Center
- 19990611 TA New Digs
- 19990515 TA Traveling Scientology Show
- Investigations
- 20010320 Bund Protecting witnesses from Scientology
- 20000518 TA Infosekta 90 – Scientology 0
- 19990908 TA Scientology challenges InfoSekta subsidies
- 19970315 Tages-Anzeiger Scientology accused journalist of misconduct in suicide of Scientologist
- Celebrities
- Travolta
- 20001130 Facts Battlefield Box Office
- 19980621 Sonntagszeitung Scientologist John Travolta’s Story
- Travolta
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20001014 Presserat Criticism not ‘dangerous hate-journalism’
- 20000704 dsws Scientology dedicates movie to Squirrel
- 20000509 Blick Scientology’s OCA copyright violation
- 20000429 TA Scientology leaving: People relieved
- 20000108 TA Sect centers are in the public interest
- 19991112 TA Zurich Greens don’t support Scientology
- 19991111 TA InfoSekta to continue receiving funds
- 19990224 Tages-Anzeiger Scientology booted out
- 19990202 Tages-Anzeiger Scientology Not Welcome
- 19990122 Tages-Anzeiger Happy that Scientology is leaving
- 19980507 Neue Zuericher Zeitung Letter to the Editor criticizes Scientology Re-Definition of Terms
- 19980404 Tages-Anzeiger Scientology accusations against jouralist Hugo Stamm rejected by press council
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20000125 TA Scientology’s Opposing View
- 19991008 TA Critical Thought vs. Thought Police
- 19990717 Tagblatt Feedback on Scientology’s defeat
- 19990717 TA 5 letters – feedback on sects
- 19990715 TA More negative feedback on sects article
- 19990710 TA Feedback on Sects
- 19970204 Tagesanzeiger Questions Choice of State Security Sect Expert Mayer
- both for against and for Scientology
- 20011001 nlz CCHR capitalizing on mass murder
- 20000126 TA Is Scientology a nice neighbor?
Special Events
- Scientology vs. the Internet
- 20001217 Sonntagszeitung Scientology uses ‘Outright Crime’ label
- 20000303 NZZ USA safe harbor for extremists
- Scientology in Schools
- 20011002 Landbote Second Scientology School in Zurich
- 20000624 Schaffhauser Nachrichten Scientology school gets permit
- 19990616 TA Private Schools
- Scientologists and fraud
- 20010303 TA Investors bilked out of millions
- 20000211 TA Convicted Scientologist swindled millions
- 20000203 NZZ Scientology con man imprisoned
- 19990708 TA Scientology is like Heroin
- 19990708 NZZ Investing with Phantom Bankers
- 19990708 Landbote More Fraud
- 19980528 Facts Scientologist phony investment scams
- 19980528 Facts Scientologist commits commercial crime to make money for Scientology
- Caught spying in Switzerland
- 20000928 Beobachter Critic wins award, dies This is a footnote to the theme about Odette Jaccard.
- 19980507 Badische Neueste Nachrichten Was German agent lured into Switzerland?
- Suspicion
- Microsoft connection
- 20000113 TA Financial support for Scientology: Windows 2000
- Miscellaneous
- 20000219 TA Beyond Scientology: fake cancer cure
- 19991130 NZZ 11th day of murder trial
- 19991126 NZZ Suspected Murderer tries to implicate Scientology
- 19991117 TAZ Accused murderer questioned in Switzerland
- 19991115 Tagblatt A mysterious, passing mention of Scientology
- 19990512 TA Letter to the editor (suspicion that CCHR is Scientology)
- Microsoft connection
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20010424 Tagblatt Multi-Cult Tolerance & Totalism
- 20010115 TAZ New Religions use Stealth Politics Germany, Berlin
- 20010114 TA Holocaust Revisionism in Mind Control
- 20010107 Sonntagblick Collaborating with Cults
- 20010105 TA Cell Phone psychs of Universal Life
- 20001209 Suedostschweiz Presse The peculiar world of sects
- 20001127 TA Does the world cause a guru pain?
- 20001123 TA Cancer patient refuses medicine
- 20000903 SonntagsZtg Record Marijuana Harvest in Switzerland
- 20000808 Brueckenbauer New book on esoteric belief
- 20000427 TA Should lie detectors be admitted in court?
- 19990928 TA Sects push into politics
- 19990926 Sonntagsblick The Bellasi Case
- 19990730 TA Psychiatrist favors charter of united religion
- 19990628 TA Mecca for Charlatans
- 19991109 NLZ Definition: What is a sect?
- 19991014 Tagblatt Obscure Gurus
- 19990619 TA What happened to the Raelians?
- 19990222 Tages-Anzeiger Police investigate Patty Schnyder’s keeper
- 19981103 Tages-Anzeiger Swiss Heroin Distribution
- 19980914 Sect Commission Georg Schmid on sect problems in the legislature
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Basel, Switzerland
Period covered: 1998 – 2001, with some pre-1998
Comments:
Scientology street recruiting has decreased in Basel, thanks to Susanne Haller. Ms. Haller also was responsible for catching the German agent in Basel who was trying to collect information on Scientologists. The German agent, from Stuttgart, Baden-Wuertemburg, actually went to court, where he was convicted.
In perspective:
Scientology is not under surveillance in Switzerland.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Scientology’s public land use for commerce (as opposed to religion)
- 19981128 Badische Zeitung Swiss Scientology recruiters will ignore law
- 19981118 Blue Window Scientology Law-Fighters Lose a Round in Switzerland on sect law
- 19981022 Basler Zeitung Scientology files federal complaint against Swiss sect law
- 19980921 Basler Zeitung Swiss Scientology Sect Law represents consumers
- 19980917 Basler Zeitung Swiss Law on sects affecting Scientology passed quickly
- 19980916 News-Window Swiss Sect Law passed
- Alleging discrimination
- 20010612 Heinemann Scientology an untrustworthy, destructive cult
- Fraud
- 19870610 unofficial Scientologists sentenced
Public and government information
- 20000624 BaZ Paris fighting Mental Manipulation
- 19991023TA Scientology wins Swiss battle, loses war
- 19990813 Bieler Tagblatt Swiss Sect Expert Hugo Stamm
- 19990707 BAZ Basel Police Tighten Up
- 19981202 Basler Zeitung Swiss Scientologists Charged under new sect law
- 19980908 Basler Zeitung Swiss proposed sect law may affect Scientology
- 19980901 Basler Zeitung Swiss Scientology report presented
- 19980710 Tages-Anzeiger Scientology Law under consideration
- 19980710 Basler Zeitung Legislature explores sect law
- 19980315 Sonntagszeitung German Scientology sect expert Caberta speaks
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20000425 BaZ Easter in Basel, Switzerland
- 20000323 BasZ Scientology recruitment down in Basel
- 19991229 Basler Zeitung Scientology complains about convictions
- 19980908 Basler Zeitung Scientology Letter to the Editor – Symptomatic
- Rallies, exhibitions, events
- 20010225 Sonntagszeitung Say ‘No’ to Scientology addiction
- Investigations
- 19980826 News-Window Scientology demanded extensive investigation of failed intelligence
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20000419 BaZ Researching sects in eastern France
- 19981128 Badische Zeitung Swiss sect law went into effect, charges discussed
- 19980507 Basler Zeitung Scientology finds new way of disguising advertisements in mail Switzerland, Zurich
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 19980821 Neue Zuericher Zeitung Scientology Sect Law questioned Switzerland, Zurich
- both for against and for Scientology
- 20010611 BaZ Explaining the French Sect Law
Special Events
- Caught spying in Switzerland
- 20000524 Beobachter Swiss critic nominated for Prix Courage
- 19991223 Beobachter Basel Spy Antics
- 19991130 Walsroder Zeitung German security agent in Swiss court
- 19990408 Basler Zeitung Trial date set for German
- 19990202 Stuttgarter Nachrichten Spying proceedings postponed
- 19980527 Basler Zeitung Government has concluded investigation of German agent for spying on Scientology
- 19980515 Basler Woche Politician tells her story in arrest of German agent
- 19980411 TAZ German Spy investigating Scientology arrested in Switzerland
- 19980409 Tagesanzeiger German agent researching Scientology arrested in Switzerland
- Suspicion
- Miscellaneous
- 20000722 BaZ Review of World Children’s Festival
- 20000630 BaZ Response to Scientologist’s Peace Globe
- 20000621 TA Scientology artist at work
- 20000621 BaZ Scientology artist makes public impression
- Miscellaneous
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20001125 NZZ Reincarnation: Fact or Fantasy?
- 20001031 dpa Hope for Infertile Women
- 20000922 BaZ Government may take action on sects
- 19991224 BAZ Christmas without Christ
- 19990225 Basler Zeitung Letters to the Editor – Patty Schnyder
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Austria
Period covered: 1998 – 2001
Comments:
Scientology is not under surveillance in Austria. Scientology is not recognized as a religion in Austria, nor is it prohibited. Civil servants are not required to say whether they’re Scientologists or not. At least one political party, however, has stated that its goals and the goals of Scientologists were not compatible.
In perspective:
Austria, along with Munich as Switzerland, has concentrations of “Freezoners,” Scientologists that do not operate under the authority of the US corporate structure of Scientology.
Categories:
Public and government information
- 19990510 Die Presse Scientologists to remain anonymous St.Poelten
- 19980821 Kleine Online Scientology Sect Expert Hosak speaks Hartberg
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20001011 unofficial Jilted Scientologist in cult stupor Korneuburg
- 19980722 Original Text Janicello fumes over obstacles to Scientology show Innsbruck
- Rallies and exhibitions
- 19980804 Tiroler Tageszeitung Scientology Marathon Demonstration Innsbruck
- 19980722 pn Scientology Marathon Advertisement Banned Innsbruck
- Advertisements
- 19981212 Kleine Online Scientology advertises at Christ Child Fair Graz
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20010211 ARSCC(wdne) ARSCC Ski Report from St. Anton St.Anton
- 20010205 ARSCC Report from St. Anton Ski Resort St.Anton
- 20010121 ARSCC Vienna ARSCC at the Hahnenkamm Races Tyrol
- 19990616 Salzburger Nachrichten “Missing in Happy Valley” airing in Austria Salzburg
- 19990427 Salzburger Nachrichten Scientologists unwanted in civil service Salzburg
- 19981223 Kleine Online Scientology at Christ Child Fair – Letter to the Editor Graz
- 19981204 Kleine Online Undesirable Scientology Advertising Graz
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20000531 Standard Cult Supporters Germany, Berlin
Special Events
- Scientology vs. the Internet
- 19990120 Kleine Online Scientology uses bizarre form of copyright law Graz
- Suspicion
- Miscellaneous
- 20000620 Badener Ztg The Avatar – Scientology connection lingers Germany, Berlin
- 19990823 Kleine Online Is Happy Kids Abusing Child Abuse? Graz
- Miscellaneous
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20001214 OTS Cooperating with sects worthwhile St.Poelten
- 20001211 Presse A Variety of sects in Tyrol Innsbruck
- 20000828 OOeN Boss prescribes massages and more Linz
- 20000107 SN, APA Divine Light Center guru dies in Austria Bregenz
- 19990916 Kleine Online Exhibition on Authoritarian Religions Graz
- 19990715 Kleine Online Sect Guru comes under fire by critics Graz
- 19990213 Kleine Online The Magnet Doctors Vienna
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Vienna, Austria
Period covered: 1998 – 2001, with some pre-1998
Comments:
Scientology is not under surveillance in Vienna, however the presence of Scientology in civil service is discouraged by a governmental minority in Austria. Austria is a center for “Freezone” Scientologists, those that do not recognize the authority of the US headquarters.
Scientology withdrew its application to be acknowledged as religion in Austria. Some public information work in Austria about Scientology has been done by a group calling itself ARS-CC Vienna (alt.religion.scientology central committee, a facetious, fictitious name). The ARS-CC claims to have gained mention in the US State Department’s annual religious freedom report and has provided documentation. The same report was acclaimed by Scientology Austria.
The person who was supposedly listed in the US State Department report as an example of a Scientologist being persecuted, Mark Janicello, publicly proclaimed a desire to publicly disassociate himself from Scientology, after he appeared repeatedly to confront the public for Scientology’s benefit. The US report probably took into account Austrian Families minister Martin Bartenstein and the Brochure on Sects he released, along with the plans for a cult information center. The Families minister sued Scientology-Austria in reaction to their delving into his personal background.
It was reported that due to research by Guenther Zaeuner and Renate Hartwig, a Scientologist was transferred from a sensitive job in Austria. A school employee was fired for distributing sect information in school.
In perspective:
It was reported tongue-in-cheek that a presidential candidate benefitted from a Scientology Comm Course.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Charges mentioned in US State Dept. report alleged to have been dropped
- 20000301 unofficial Janicello charges dropped
- 20000126 unofficial Charges from Janicello concert
- libel
Public and government information
- 20010530 Presse Gerry Armstrong speaks in Austria
- 20010420 ARSCC(wdne) ARSCC Vienna reconnaissance debrief
- 20010121 ARSCC(wdne) ARSCC at the Vienna Philharmonic
- 20010107 ARSCC(wnde) ARSCC(wdne) 2001 Entertainment Calendar
- 20001114 personal No longer married to a Scientologist
- 20001005 OTS Big Win [TM] for Scientology Austria
- 20000906 personal State Department honors ARSCC Vienna
- 19991123 Der Standard Austria pilots Moslem school
- 19990701 Standard Scientology objection dismissed
- 19990428 Der Standard Excluding Scientologists unpopular
- 19990000 Brochure Brochure on Sects
- 19980908 Kurier Plans for Scientology Sect Center going slow
- 19980711 Salzburger Nachrichten Scientology withdraws its religious application
- 19980604 Kleine Zeitung Parliament discusses Scientology re-education camps, etc.
- 19970728 Profil American Psychologist? Money Laundering?
Scientology creations
- Letters, posts, press releases, personal contact
- 20010123 OTS Scientologists want opponents dissolved
- 19990714 Die Presse Scientology letters in disguise
- Rallies and exhibitions
- 20011012 Standard Cult fundamentalism at the book fair
- 20010131 ARSCC Scientologists imitate their critics
- 20010128 ARSCC(wdne) ARSCC dines with French Ambassador
- 20000503 Standard Scientology recruiting in Austria
- 20000503 El Awadalla Scientology on the Viennese stock exchange II
- 20000502 El Awadalla Scientology on the Viennese stock exchange
- 20000314 pressetext Scientology leafletting schools
- 19990411 TAZ Aggressive Sect Recruiters in Action
- 19990408 Die Presse Minors should be safeguarded
- 19990407 Wien-Journal Scientology Exhibition
- 19981211 Personal Web Page Report of Scientology Janicellos appearance – Say no to drugs
- 19981207 Original Text Mark Janicello promotes Scientology
- 19980703 Original Text Scientology Announces Marathon in Europe
- 19980213 1st Person Recollection of the Scientology CCHR meeting, Vienna
- Investigations
- 19980710 Der Standard Scientology questions psychiatric patients
- 19980609 Die Presse Scientology suggests wrong-doing on the part of Families Minister
- 19980315 Die Presse Scientology denies taking the offensive against country
- 19980313 Kurier Scientology lauches black propaganda campaign against Minister Bartenstein
- Celebrities
- Travolta
- 20000517 Kleine Ztg Flop with Ron
- 19991116 News Travolta expanding
- Travolta
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20011214 Hruby My time in the cult
- 20011117 Hruby Life in the Thetan Factory
- 20011111 Hruby Nurses evaluation of autopsy photos
- 20011106 Hruby Students FAQ on Scientology
- 20011021 personal Child Abuse and Freedom of Belief
- 20010210 personal Why can’t we be friends?
- 20010207 personal Marriage Counseling: Pick up the cans
- 20010204 Personal The Cleared Office, a one-act Play
- 20000830 personal Book: Married to a Scientologist
- 20000830 ARSCC(wdne) Vienna Scientology company sued
- 20000100 Solidaritaet Scientology sold as management training
- 19991025 Kurier Scientologist transferred from sensitive job
- 19990618 Die Presse Missing in Happy Valley
- 19980604 Kurier Scientology just another Boonswoggle – no law against being stupid
- 19980530 Salzburger Nachrichten Federal Minister wants to exclude Scientologists from certain jobs
- 19980505 Personal Web Page Scientology is not recognized as religion in Austria
- 19980403 Die Presse Austrian Scientologist fired for distributing sect information in school
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20000725 NEWS Mark Janicello bares his soul
- 20000616 Presse Austrian Sect Booklet criticized in U.S.
- 19990915 Standard U.S. criticizes Austrian religious freedom
- 19980921 Die Presse European Union Bishops Conference discusses Scientology
- both for against and for Scientology
- 20001102 Furche US and the Austrian debate on Sects
- 19991103 Die Presse Scientologist Janicello’s concert surprise
- 19990805 NEWS Scientology without Scientology
- 19990503 Standard Scientology opposes professional ban
- 19990503 Oberoesterreich Online Scientology preparing to sue
- 19980604 Der Standard Sect Center for Consumer Protection protested by Scientology
Special Events
- Scientology raided
- 19941205 Profil 1994 Austrian raids, Miscavige interview
- Suspicion
- Miscellaneous
- 20000310 Presse Neuro-Linguistic Programming in use
- 19990817 Der Standard Happy Kids Child Abuse letter
- 19980409 NEWS 15/98 Scientologists reported to be infiltrating AKM (collects royalities for music)
- 19980402 News Conspiracy Theorist profits from Comm Course
- Miscellaneous
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20011218 ots case load rising at cult center
- 20001205 Presse VPM supports leaving EU
- 20000806 Welt Mainstream church deals with change
- 20000503 Presse Russian Orthodox Easter celebration
- 20000406 OTS A need exists for information on sects
- 20000308 APS Sect Centers of Power in Austria
- 19991010 Kleine Online Steve Martin on Bowfinger and Scientology
- 19990914 Standard Sects – From Prevention to Intervention
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
France
Period covered: 1998 – 2001
Comments:
Scientology is regarded in France as as a particularly dangerous organization with a totalitarian structure. The About-Picard legislation, also known as the anti-cult law and would affect Scientology, was passed in France. The United States expressed “concern” about such a law and thinks that observing cults is intolerant. The French view Scientology as a secret foreign association from the United States, and are suspicious of sects that transfer large quantities of cash.
A Scientologist leading operations of nuclear power plant posed a dilemma for French authorities.
In perspective:
The Council of Europe’s decision to observe cults was objected to by several US congresspersons.
Categories:
Court Reports
- Fraud
- 19991116 Stuttgarter Zeitung Scientologists convicted in France Marseille
- 19991116 Der Bund Scientologists victimized people in France Marseille
- 19991116 Badischer Zeitung French Scientologists convicted of fraud Marseille
- 19991115 dpa Prison Sentences in French Scientology Trial Marseille
- 19991115 AP Five Scientologists condemned in France Marseille
- 19990929 dpa Scientology Trial marches on Paris
- 19990921 TA Journey to the Prison of the Mind Paris
- 19990920 Merkur Online Scientology victims go on trial Marseille
- 19990920 dpa Scientology trial on target Marseille
- Is Scientology a religion?
- 19990710 Press Releases Scientology propaganda/brainwashing example Paris
- Unjust taxation
- 20001208 dpa Scientology wins in French court Paris
Public and government information
- 20010618 Kleine Online French meeting for lawyers on sects Paris
- 20010531 Le Monde World Premiere of the Anti-Cult Law Paris
- 20000623 TA Mental Manipulation possible crime in France Paris
- 20000209 TAZ Scientology: The Road to Totalitarianism Paris
- 20000209 SZ Scientology: a foreign secret alliance Paris
- 20000207 Patriot It’s official; Scientology’s totalitarian! Paris
- 20000207 AFP Scientology classified as Totalitarian Paris
- 19990921 Welt Processing people for money and power Paris
- 19990916 Die Presse France considers dissolution of Scientology Paris
- 19990623 NZZ Despite US Congress, Help demanded for sect victims Strassburg
- 19990622 Welt French Sect Report Paris
- 19990617 dpa Crackdown on sect sales Paris
Scientology creations
- Investigations
- 19990915 Berlin Morgenpost Serious Accusations against Scientologists in France Germany, Berlin
- 19990915 AFP French officials say Scientology infiltrated govt Paris
- Celebrities
- Travolta
- 19990923 TAZ Travolta leaves France for Scientology Paris
- Travolta
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 19990104 Berlin Online Scientologist leading operations of nuclear power plant poses dilemma Paris
- 19981221 Vienna Online French Nuclear Power Dilemma with prespective Scientologist manager Paris
- For Scientology (This includes criticism of the critics)
- 20010515 AFP Biased informants in State Department? Paris
- 19991002 dpa Scientology in France Paris
- 19990616 Frankfurter Rundschau Franks renounces US accusations Paris
Special Events
- Scientology raided
- 20000602 afp Scientology Raided in Paris Paris
- 20000601 AFP Scientology Raided in Paris Paris
- Suspicion
- Disappearance of court documents
- 20000105 Zurich Express Punishment in destruction of court documents Paris
- 19990921 Frankfurter Rundschau Mysterious disappearance of Scientology documents Paris
- 19990921 Der Standard Scientology trial in France Paris
- 19990910 TA Scientology Trials records destroyed before trial Paris
- 19990909 Rhein Zeitung Scientology documents shredded in Marseille Marseille
- 19990909 Main Rheiner Scientology documents shredded in Marseille Marseille
- 19990909 Frankfurter Rundschau France weighs ban on Scientology Paris
- 19990908 Yahoo Scientology Investigation Files Destroyed Paris
- 19990908 AFP Scientology Evidence destroyed in France Marseille
- Miscellaneous
- 19990608 Welt Luring Customers Paris
- 19990608 Welt Luring Customers Paris
- Disappearance of court documents
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 19991210 dpa France has doomsday cults under surveillance Paris
- 19990924 Dolomiten Online Sorry the world didn’t end Germany, Berlin
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Sweden
Period covered: 1998 – 2001
Comments:
Scientology is regarded in Sweden as a foreign religion, the same status the Catholic church has, as a result of the church-state split in 2000. For a while, the Scientology Secret Scriptures were publicly available from a part of the Swedish government, Stockholm’s Tingsraett, Justitiekanslern.
Categories:
Public and government information
- 20000505 NGZ More than 3,000 Scientologists in Sweden? Stockholm
- 20000504 AFP Swedish Scientology Marriages announced Stockholm
- 20000317 Stuttgarter Zeitung Seeming Scientology Victory in Sweden Stockholm
- 20000315 orf Only Lutherans recognized as religion Stockholm
- 20000315 NLZ Swedish by-product of church-state split Stockholm
- 20000315 BM Scientology gaining influence in Europe Stockholm
- 20000315 Aargauer Zeitung Scientology on the advance in Europe Stockholm
- 20000314 dpa Scientology recognized as religious in Sweden Stockholm
- 19980620 Frankfurter Rundschau Swedish Court rules Scientology Secret Scriptures are public material Stockholm
- 19980308 Aftenposten Scientology Bible temporarily classified as secret Stockholm
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 19980407 Berlin Kurier Royal Swedish Couple annoyed by Scientology Stockholm
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
China
Period covered: 1998 – 2001
Comments:
Scientology is not regarded as a religion in China. In the data for this survey, Scientology has not reported any problems in China in the public German press.
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 20010227 sda Peking faults US Human Rights Peking
- 20001027 dpa More Falun Gong shipped off Peking
- 20000629 TAZ Persecution of Falun Gong in China Peking
- 20000627 NZZ China continues round-up of Falun Gong HongKong
- 20000125 Welt First Falun Gong Self-Immolation Peking
- 20000115 dpa Brainwashing Alive and Well in China Peking
- 19991210 AP Christian sect members arrested in China Peking
- 19991030 Patriot China outlaws sects Peking
- 19991014 FNP Chinese messiah executed Peking
- 19990802 TAZ Interlude: Falun Gong: breath of Revolution Peking
- 19990726 Amberger Nachrichten Falun Gong: Sect or Cult Movement Peking
- 19990722 NZZ Mass Arrests of Sect members in China Peking
- 19990426 dpa Falun Gong Demonstration Peking
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
Russia
Period covered: 1998 – 2001
Comments:
The rapid expansion of Scientology in Russia in the 1990s reached it high point with Scientology “medical” treatment for Chernobyl children. After that happened, the Russian health ministry banned use of Hubbard’s Scientology treatment in government programs. Since then, Scientology’s popularity has reversed itself, and it has come under observation by police.
Categories:
Public and government information
- 19980426 Berliner Morgenpost Scientology expanding in Russia Moscow
Scientology creations
- Rallies, exhibitions, events, programs
- 19971100 Stern Purification Program for Chernobyl children Moscow
Special Events
- Scientology raided
- 19990314 AFP Scientology under investigation Moscow
- 19990225 dpa Scientology Raided in Moscow Moscow
- Suspicion
- Miscellaneous
- 19991211 TAZ Russian election campaigns and Scientology Moscow
- 19991205 Sonntags Zeitung Scientology mentioned in Russian power struggle Moscow
- 19991111 BerlinOnline Scientology Money Laundering in Russia Moscow
- 19980429 Sueddeutsche Zeitung Kirijenko calls Scientology report an April Fools joke Moscow
- 19980404 Der Spiegel Kirijenko has possible Scientology background Moscow
- 19980401 Hamburger Abendblatt Russian Sergei Kirijenko suspected of being a Scientologist Moscow
- 19980329 TAZ Russian Scientology graduate in line for high government office Moscow
- Miscellaneous
Media Survey of Scientology news
from German-language media
of 19 countries
Period covered: 1997 – 2001 with some pre-1997
Comments:
This contains 19 countries that had ten or less media articles per country.
Scientology has used its rehabilitation programs to recruit in Italy. El Awadalla, an Austrian writer whose work has been publicized in German-speaking northern Italy, noted the occasional overreaction to suspicions of Scientology among ordinary people. A dubious asylum attempt was reported of a German Scientologist driving his Porsche to the Netherlands to allegedly flee governmental persecution in Germany. Scientology raided a Dutch ISP in search of secret Scientology texts. Scientology is not a charitable organization in England. Scientology was raided in Belgium, which has a special commission to observe sects. A man from Hungary tried to use the Internet to extort money from Scientology in Los Angeles, but he was duly caught, convicted, and put on probation. Scientology is not recognized as a religious denomination in Slovakia.
In perspective:
An international court condemned the USA’s executions of two German brothers. This is said to be relevant in that the court has never condemned Germany’s treatment of Scientologists.
Categories:
Court processes
- The Spanish trial
- 20011203 apa 15 Scientologists cleared of charges Spain, Madrid
- 20010206 dpa US forgot to tell Jentzsch about trial Spain, Madrid
- 19990525 epd Spanish Proceeding postponed Spain, Madrid
- 19990301 Tages-Anzeiger Imprisonment demanded for Scientologists Spain, Madrid
- 19990206 Hannoversche Allgemeine Legal Proceedings against Scientology pursued Spain, Madrid
- 19881230 AGPF Spain: Their only god is money Spain, Madrid
- Human rights
- 20010627 sda Intl. court: US rights violation Netherlands, TheHague
- Libel (and press laws, stopping information)
- 20011129 APA Scientology sues over use of ‘cult’ Belgium, Brussels
- Extortion
- 19990913 Focus Hungarian tries web extortion on Scientology Hungary, Budapest
- Demanding refund from Scientology
- 20010828 Berlingske Danish women want refund Denmark, Copenhagen
Public and government information
- 20010830 Dolomiten Online Purification Program is Scientology Italy
- 20001025 Dolomiten Online Knowledge protects you from Scientology Italy, Bozen
- 20000422 Dolomiten Online El Awadalla – Inside Sects Italy, Schalnders
- 20000422 Dolomiten Online Getting into cults is easy Italy, Schlanders
- 19990601 Dolomiten Online Sect Lecture Given Italy, Vetzan
- 19980408 Dolomiten Online Sect Expert Andrea Kuntner speaks on Scientology Italy, Kastelbell
- 19990526 epd Keeping Sects Under Surveillance Spain, Madrid
- 19991210 AFPW Scientology not a charitable organization England, London
- 19991206 unofficial AGPF Info on Belgian Sect Commission Belgium, Brussels
- 19991202 Liechtensteiner Volksblatt The Search for Meaning in Cults Liechtenstein, Vaduz
- 20011117 presse Central Europe infiltration Slovakia, Pressburg
Scientology creations
- Advertisements
- 19981021 Dolomiten Online South Tyrol targetted for Scientology Mass Mailings Italy, Bozen
- Investigations
- 20010610 Heise Refugee from Scientology free in Canada Canada, Toronto
Public response
- Against Scientology
- 20010129 FR British media law going to heaven England, London
- 20010124 Computer Channel Narconon caught in copyright scandal England, London
- For Scientology
- 19970813 De Groene Amsterdammer Theology Debate scales tipped by CESNUR Netherlands, Amsterdam
- 20000225 Volksblatt Liechtenstein Reader thinks Germany violating Scientology’s rights Liechtenstein, Mauren
Special Events
- Scientology vs. the Internet
- 19950907 TAZ US Scientology raids Dutch ISP Netherlands, XS4ALL
- 20010319 index.hu Scientology vs. Slashdot Hungary, Budapest
- Scientology raided
- 19990520 unofficial Scientology Guilty in Greece Greece, Athens
- 19971216 unofficial Excerpts from Greek court judgment Greece
- 19970122 Tages-Anzeigung Scientology Banned in Greece Greece, Athens
- 19961231 Focus Scientology illegal files on private citizens Greece, Athens
- 19961005 Tagesanzeiger Scientology Raided Greece, Athens
- 19991001 AFP Scientology Raided in Belgium Belgium, Brussels
- Dubious Asylum
- 19980423 Yahoo Possible German Scientologist flees with Porsche claiming persecution but returns Netherlands, Groningen
- 19980423 Stuttgarter Nachrichten German applies for asylum in vain Netherlands, Groningen
- Scientology in education
- 19980515 Kieler Nachrichten Scientology school established in Denmark next to Germany Germany, Kiel, Denmark, Nordschleswig
In passing – reports of an incidental nature
- 19991001 Kleine Online Europe risks backslide into Heathenism Italy, Rome
- 19990412 Dolomiten Online Another Passing mention of Scientology Italy, Bozen
- 19990223 Heise Online Abortion site mirrored Netherlands, Amsterdam
- 20000302 Financial Times Aum infiltrates government computers Japan, Tokyo
- 19990929 dpa Leading member of Aum sect arrested Japan, Tokyo
- 19990928 AP Aum Shinrikyo growing Japan, Tokyo
- 19990902 TA Bugging Criminals and Cults in Japan Japan, Tokyo
- 19990926 Berlin Kurier Breatherianism England, London
- 20001026 AFP Moonies praying for cars in N. Korea Korea, Seoul
- 20000210 AFP Dan Quayle at Moon’s birthday party Korea, Seoul
- 19991013 Salzburger Nachrichten Fear of mass suicide in Jerusalem Israel, Jerusalem
- 19990709 RNZ Sects in Israel Israel, Jerusalem
- 20000720 TAZ Power struggles within the cult India, Poona
- 20000628 NZZ Copyrights for Club Med(itation) India, Delhi
- 20010830 ZG Cut’m off, Pin’m down, Take’m out Vatican, Vatican
- 20000327 Spiegel Mass Graves in the Garden of the Prophets Uganda, Rugazi
- 20001018 Bund Moon Sect buys entire town Paraguay, PuertoCasado
- 19990701 FNP Sects in Guatemala Guatamala, City
Filed under: important
….SCIENTOLOGY!
Schulmassaker,Überflutungen[Germany/USA],Tibet,China,Bush,Kriege,Nahrung,Kinder in Not,Freedom,….usw.
Hier zu Erweiterung für die Anklage am internationalen Gerichtshof wegen Verschwörung gegen die Menscheit.
Thüringer Allgemeine 7. Mai 2002
Die Menschenfänger
Auf der Suche nach Trost wurde in der vergangenen Woche vielen Erfurtern eine Broschüre angeboten, die den “Weg zum Glücklichsein” versprach. Für den Laien kaum erkennbar: Hinter dem Büchlein steckt die Scientology-Sekte.
Neben dem Blumenmeer am Erfurter Gutenberg-Gymnasium stand in der vergangenen Woche häufig ein netter junger Mann mit Rasta-Locken und einer Tasche. Unaufdringlich bot er Menschen in seiner Umgebung ein Gespräch an über die schwierige Situation. Auf dem Weg in die Zukunft könne vielleicht ein kleines Heftchen helfen, ein “Leitfaden zum besseren Leben, der auf gesundem Menschenverstand beruht”, so der Titel. Verantwortlich für die Publikation zeichnet der Verein “Der Weg zum Glücklichsein”. Angegeben ist eine dänische Adresse.
Das Heft war nach der Katastrophe meist dort zu haben, wo sich viele Menschen versammelten. Offenbar schwärmten die Helfer generalstabsmäßig aus. Schule, Rathaus, Domplatz. Im Impressum wird ausdrücklich darauf verwiesen, dass das Vertreiben des Buches “Regierungsbehörden und deren Angestellten gestattet” sei, “da es keine religiöse Aktivität ist.”
Über den Weg zum Glücklichsein wurden vor Monaten bereits andere Katastrophenopfer belehrt. Nach dem 11. September in New York, direkt am “Ground Zero”, verteilten “ehrenamtliche Geistliche” das Büchlein an Feuerwehrleute. Die Organisatoren rühmten sich damals der Erlaubnis, neben Polizei, Feuerwehr und Mitarbeitern des Roten Kreuzes in den Bereich rund um das World Trade Center zu dürfen. Absender der Erklärung war die Scientology-Sekte. Für den Verfassungsschutz ist das Auftauchen von Scientologen weder in New York noch in Erfurt eine Überraschung. Ein Stuttgarter Experte kommentierte das New Yorker Engagement so: “Angst und Unsicherheit sind bevorzugte Angriffspunkte.” Wolfgang Herbrand, Sprecher des Thüringer Innenministeriums, spricht von einem “Riesenmarkt”, den sich natürlich auch selbsternannte Heilsbringer nach den Erfurter Ereignissen nicht entgehen lassen konnten.
Dabei sind die Aktivitäten von Scientology in Thüringen nach Erkenntnissen des hiesigen Verfassungsschutzes gegenüber den alten Ländern bisher eher zurückhaltend. Sie gehen über den gelegentlichen Versand von Zeitschriften, Magazinen oder Büchern an Privatpersonen, Rathäuser oder Polizeidienststellen kaum hinaus. Niederlassungen soll es im Freistaat noch nicht geben. Ob sich das durch die jüngste Verteil-Aktion ändert, sei noch nicht klar, meint das Innenministerium. Aber auch die deutsche Broschüre lässt sich klar einer der Unterorganisationen von Scientology zuordnen, der “Association for better living and education”. Ziel dieser 1988 gegründeten Vereinigung ist es, in “gesellschaftlichen und sozialen Bereichen Verbesserung der individuellen Lebenssituation herbeizuführen”. Nach Scientology-Verständnis. Dazu zählen sowohl Nachhilfeunterricht als auch Anti-Drogen-Programme. Wer sich darauf einlässt, spürt früher oder später, was nach Aussage von Opfern Scientology wirklich von seinen Jüngern will: viel Geld und Gehorsam.
Der Inhalt des kleinen Heftes gibt sich unverfänglich. Lebensregeln, an den zehn Geboten orientiert (“Du sollst nicht töten”), hygienische Fragen (“Sie sollten sich ihre Zähne machen lassen”). Dazu kleine Tipps, wie man Erfolg haben kann, ohne dabei die Menschlichkeit zu vernachlässigen. Nur: Der Text stammt aus der Feder des großen Scientology-Meisters L. Ron Hubbard.
Die Publikation ist nicht im üblichen Sekten-Deutsch gehalten. Es handele sich mehr um eine “Einstiegsdroge”, sagen Experten. Der Leser soll mit dem Verein “Der Weg zum Glücklichsein” etwas Positives in Verbindung bringen, damit beim nächsten Mal die Kontaktaufnahme leichter falle.
Ob es ein nächstes Mal in Erfurt gibt, bleibt abzuwarten. Mit den Übertragungswagen und Touristenpulks verschwanden offenbar auch viele der so freundlichen Verteiler wieder aus der Landeshauptstadt. Nur eine sehr gut deutsch sprechende ältere Dame soll gestern noch mit ihren kleinen Büchern vor dem Erfurter Rathaus gesehen worden sein.












