The Belgian Attorney General wants to sue the Church of Scientology...

[Give me Beer]

Good for them I say. :D

European & Belgian divisions of course, for criminal organisation, racketeering, fraud, illegal businesspractices, infringment of the privacy laws & illegal practicing of medicine.

http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelid=DMF04092007_009 Article in "De Standaard", Belgian Newspaper (in Dutch)

http://www.lalibre.be/article.phtml?id=10&subid=90&art_id=368037 Article in "La Libre Belgique", Belgian Newspaper (in French)

[RIP Ian Curtis]

Oh sweet Jesus, how I have waited for this day. I formally take back everything I've ever said about how the Belgians deserved to be invaded by Napoleon, Wilhelm II and Hitler, on account of being Belgians.

[GreyHam]

i sincerely hope they win

its about time scientology got a reality check

although i can guarantee that the case notes get lost, hollywood celebrities encourage the US to boycott Belgium etc...

[big80smullet]

Good on em. I love belgians. Even though they are slightly german and slightly french. I really dont support the way scientology goes about their "buisness". Im glad someones standing up to tom cruises world domination plans. I fully agree that Hollywood will boycot belgium. Jean Claude Van Damme's careers gonna stall a bit...

[Anglachel]

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Belgian_justice_prosecutes_Scientology

English news

[Ian Turner]

What does everybody mean by world domination plans? Scientology will never be accepted by the common public, it's just silly with all the science fiction stuff.

[Unreal]

finally,

sweeney is a fag

[Unreal]

although i can guarantee that the case notes get lost, hollywood celebrities encourage the US to boycott Belgium etc...

it would be a pretty messsed up country if celebs have that much power and influence

[VomitStainedCretin]

The latest from Tom Cruise: "The Belgian government are truly slaves to the puppetry of Lord Xenu, who wants to ensure that our souls will eternally be polluted with Thetans!"

[ringworm]

absolutely great news and it needs to spread

[RIP Ian Curtis]

it would be a pretty messsed up country if celebs have that much power and influence

You honestly don't think that Tom Cruise could pull that off. Let alone all of his $cientologist buddies... Looks like a lot of yanks won't be eating chocolate says I.

[peeted]

haha, I'm not one for just treating Scientology as an evil stupid power or whatever and i think there is a lot of prejudice against its members which may be unfair, but its just hard to say because its so hard to know whats true about and whats just myth. If the Belgians have been investigating since 1999 then i trust they have got something pretty substantial and so im glad someones actually been able to bring it up from a trustable position which isn't vulnerable to blackmail and manipulation from Scientology or the wider media.

[big80smullet]

I dont understand how you could believe this stuff. It was "created" by a science fiction author. He makes things up for a living.

[Mr. Ron]

I dont understand how you could believe this stuff. It was "created" by a science fiction author. He makes things up for a living.

Short answer: Your basic human being is gullible

long answer: Mankind is ****ing stupid.

[GreyHam]

it would be a pretty messsed up country if celebs have that much power and influence

it happened in france in the early 90s when they were having legal issues with scientology

it might not be an 'evil power' but its sure as hell manipulative, underhand, and, as a whole, more than willing to bend the law in favour of its own survival

[big80smullet]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_controversy

the attack the attacker section is a bit crazy, the fact that as a religion they condone lying, cheating, stealing and removal of property from people who speak out againt scientology is a bit wrong.

[Tyrant21]

I dont understand how you could believe this stuff. It was "created" by a science fiction author. He makes things up for a living.

one who was quoted as saying "if you want to be rich, invent a religion" prior to inventing scientology

[Alcore]

I dont understand how you could believe this stuff. It was "created" by a science fiction author. He makes things up for a living.

I'm pretty sure the reason Scientology has such widespread celebrity support is because they dig up dirt on the celebrities and blackmail them into joining Scientology / promoting it. I heard a rumour somewhere that Tom Cruise was gay and Scientology blackmailed him with it.

[GreyHam]

cant catch me gay thoughts!

[Knifeboy]

http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/ .. Pretty disturbing

[Unreal]

You honestly don't think that Tom Cruise could pull that off. Let alone all of his $cientologist buddies...

of course not, I was being hypothetical.

I thought that the main prob with Scientology was that they swinddle ppl......

[VomitStainedCretin]

Short answer: Your basic human being is gullible

long answer: Mankind is ****ing stupid.Agreed, would Rep but need to spread more.
http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/ .. Pretty disturbingInteresting and, yes I agree, disturbing presentation. Thank you fo bringing this to light.

[lunchforthesky]

Good stuff. Hopefully they will sue the church next for lying un-remorselessly.

[Mr. Ron]

http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/ .. Pretty disturbing

What in the **** did I just watch? 0_o

[Ollie The Drumming Legend]

haha, I'm not one for just treating Scientology as an evil stupid power or whatever and i think there is a lot of prejudice against its members which may be unfair, but its just hard to say because its so hard to know whats true about and whats just myth. If the Belgians have been investigating since 1999 then i trust they have got something pretty substantial and so im glad someones actually been able to bring it up from a trustable position which isn't vulnerable to blackmail and manipulation from Scientology or the wider media.

I don't think it's an "evil power" and I don't hate religion, I just think that, if what I have read and heard is true, they've got it coming to them, and I don't like what they're doing. THe scientologists, that is. Good on Belgium for not worrying about being accused of persecuting a religious sect if they're breaking the law. The spokespeople of that cult come up with such $hit btw. Did anyone see that thing on TV where the reporter got majorly angry with the scientologist guy??

[redleaf]

Did anyone see that thing on TV where the reporter got majorly angry with the scientologist guy??

http://www.tv-links.co.uk/listings/9/5249

posted before but well worth a watch..

[Mr. Ron]

But seriously, that video disturbed the **** out of me. Seems like somehting out of a science fiction novel.


oh wait

[Iscariot]

You honestly don't think that Tom Cruise could pull that off. Let alone all of his $cientologist buddies... Looks like a lot of yanks won't be eating chocolate says I.

tom cruise doesn't even have a job anymore the spotlight has left him in the dark

[Otherside]

he has two movies coming out in the next year :\

[Tyrant21]

travolta's a scientologist but isn't nearly as open about it as that fag cruise is

[Iscariot]

he has two movies coming out in the next year :\

this is news to me

what movies

[Otherside]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/tom_cruise/about.php

[Iscariot]

ok thanks now i know what movies to boycott

[VomitStainedCretin]

Tom Cruise is best in films where he acts as himself, i.e. a complete prick, e.g. Magnolia.

[Reaganista]

gotta watch out for those 'powerful legal teams'

[GreyHam]

never got to saw that documentary first time around, although i did see the news report

i wouldnt have apologised. he had nothing to apologise for

[Futue te Ipsum]

Short answer: Your basic human being is gullible

long answer: Mankind is ****ing stupid.i like how the long answer is shorter than the short one.

[superpeer]

There goes my Hollywood career.

[Ganondorf]

I'd love to see how the mods would react to a thread where everyone, for example, called Jesus an ''unremorseless liar'' or advocated boycotting movies from a Jewish actor.

[Futue te Ipsum]

I'd love to see how the mods would react to a thread where everyone, for example, called Jesus an ''unremorseless liar'' or advocated boycotting movies from a Jewish actor.those christians barely get any people insulting their religion.

Oh, wait.

[Ganondorf]

Yes but not in such a blatant way which would usually be reprimanded.

[GreyHam]

scientologies practices are INCREDIBLY dubious. 'Fair game' is a terrifying prospect. They dont ACCEPT any criticism at all, which just gives people more ammunition to throw against them

they bring it on themselves basically - most christians i know will defend their faith if questioned, not just stand there ranting and raving (and then following you around town)

[Ganondorf]

This is true I guess, and my personal beliefs are certainly ones of suspicion towards the religion, but at the end of the day when talking about it in public it is only fair to show the same respect as you would to any other religion. The BBC would never have made a documentary where the interviewer yells at the Pope for example.

[PerpetualBurn]

The Pope would never have given a BBC journalist such despicable treatment.

And if the interviewer had had reason to yell, the BBC would've treated the incident in the same manner.

[Smokey D]

I'd love to see how the mods would react to a thread where everyone, for example, called Jesus an ''unremorseless liar'' or advocated boycotting movies from a Jewish actor.

I wouldn't care, except I'd say you don't really have evidence or reason to do either.

Jesus might have been an unremoresless liar, but that isn't really the way religions get founded, especially in 2000 years ago.

And boycotting Jewish films is anyone's prerogatives, but it's rather stupid unless their bad quality. I think it was more a quip about Tom Cruise's acting talent than whether or not he's crazy.

[Reaganista]

jesus wasnt a liar so much as a fictional character

[Ganondorf]

And if the interviewer had had reason to yell, the BBC would've treated the incident in the same manner.

Do you honestly believe that?

[VomitStainedCretin]

And boycotting Jewish films is anyone's prerogatives, but it's rather stupid unless their bad quality.Since Hollywood is controlled by the Jews you would have to restrict your viewing to ultra-independent or foreign material.

:rolleyes:

[PerpetualBurn]

Do you honestly believe that?

Yes.

Because the behaviour of the interviewer was a result of the despicable treatment and the constant threats that were strewn upon him by the scientologist legal team.

And if the Catholic Church actually treated him like that, then that is what would've happened.

[Give me Beer]

This is true I guess, and my personal beliefs are certainly ones of suspicion towards the religion, but at the end of the day when talking about it in public it is only fair to show the same respect as you would to any other religion. The BBC would never have made a d0cumentary where the interviewer yells at the Pope for example.

It's not because the US treats them like a religion, that everybody does. They are NOT recognised as a religion here in Belgium.

[pedro durruti]

Yes.

Because the behaviour of the interviewer was a result of the despicable treatment and the constant threats that were strewn upon him by the scientologist legal team.

And if the Catholic Church actually treated him like that, then that is what would've happened.
Scientologists seem like complete douche bags but so did that Tom Sweeney dude, although not so much. At least, the report wasn't presented in a way that made me want to completely favor his side. Although, it's probably just because Scientologists are idiots.

[PerpetualBurn]

They invited him in to do the documentary and then drove him over the edge by constantly trying to prevent him from doing the job they'd agreed to let him do. They were controlling, intimidating, and piled him with constant legal threats. He reacted. Badly. But the final cut showed this in a reasonable light and did not make attempts to excuse his behaviour, but simply demonstrated why he reacted so fiercely.

I can't blame him for losing his temper.

[Unreal]

still a professional should never give way like he did,

[GreyHam]

im not sure thats fair - hes only human after all. the scientologist was STILL talking even when he was being shouted at. completely unwilling to consider anyone elses viewpoint except their own. i know the documentary wasnt exactly objective, but he didnt make up the 'fair game' policy - they demonstrated EXACTLY what their 'religion' is all about - control, manipulation, intimidation, and money

Id like to think, like PB, that if any organisation, religious or otherwise, had acted that way towards a filmaker, that the BBC would have allowed it to have been shown.

whatever the details are, there is something INCREDIBLY dodgy about scientology. ridiculously so, and in my opinion it has far more potential to damage people than other mainstream religions do. i personally dont view it as a religion, and i think my reasoning behind that is justified. it certainly doesnt seem like an organisation that gives any respect to human autonomy, to freedom of speech, and in general to whatever laws are in place in the country that it is being practiced in

[PerpetualBurn]

still a professional should never give way like he did,

I think the fact that scientology pushed a seasoned journalist that far only highlights how despicable they are.

[pedro durruti]

i personally dont view it as a religion, and i think my reasoning behind that is justified. it certainly doesnt seem like an organisation that gives any respect to human autonomy, to freedom of speech, and in general to whatever laws are in place in the country that it is being practiced in
Well, neither did Catholicism during the Middle Ages (although it was often the law of the country). For me, it seems hard to differentiate between cult and religions, but maybe that is because I don't understand what cult means exactly. If Scientology is a cult because of its outlandish views, then so is Buddhism, Christianity, etc.

[PerpetualBurn]

I view it as a religion.

I just don't think that giving it the term "religion" implies any positive attributes.

[GreyHam]

i dont say it because of their views - i say it because of how they act towards the press, the legal community, towards their members and their critics

i think their views ar epretty dumb, but lots of people say that about mainstream religions. however, nowadays at least, people who defect from the church arent followed, harrassed, and sued. because they insist upon such specialist treatment, it makes it so suspricious that theres more to it than what theyd like us to think, if that makes sense?

[Unreal]

If Scientology is a cult because of its outlandish views, then so is Buddhism, Christianity, etc.

christianity did outlandish things, but its views nowadays can't be labeled in that way

but buddism?

I get where your going though

[Reaganista]

of course the views of christianity can be labeled as outlandish

[RIP Ian Curtis]

I agree man. Christianity you've got ressurection (twice). Islam has a flying fuc'king donkey. Buddha's wang was supposedly encased in a special sheath on his body and after he attained enlightenment, it retreated into it, never to come out. Just what is outlandish?

I think perhaps the words you are looking for are things like "extortionist", "underhanded" or "steaming mountain of bollocks".

[big80smullet]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBDDOMfcx8I

[Iskandar]

Islam has a flying fuc'king donkeyWhoa, what?

[RIP Ian Curtis]

Actually sorry, my bad, I think the flying donkey is Christian. But there's a bunch of other retarded shi't in the Qu'ran.

[big80smullet]

Theres no flying donkey in christianity! where the hell are you getting this? sounds like hinduism or shinto or rastafarianism.

[Smokey D]

Whoa, what?

There is, however, a mystical ****.


.... by which I mean rooster.