Moscow court bans Hubbard’s Scientology works as extremist

RichieC · 22-03-2012 12:38PM #1

A Russian court has found that some Scientology literature distributed in Russia is illegal. The writings by the father of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, have been ruled extremist and anti-social.
The Prosecutor General's office said that the Moscow’s Shchelkovo Court had ruled that “What is Scientology?” and other L. Ron Hubbard brochures “contain calls for extremist activities.”
The court’s decision has not been enforced yet, so these books are still being sold in the shops. The PR director of the Church of Scientology of Moscow, Natalia Alekseeva, has told RT her view on the court’s decision.

http://www.rt.com/news/court-ban-scientology-extremist/

What ye make of this? I personally would just ban the "churches" operations. and leave the dianetics books on the shelves as fiction. which is what they are.

It's a dangerous and blood sucking cult that ruins lives.

Biggins · 22-03-2012 12:43PM

Best news I have heard all morning!
Honestly.
Now if they could just ban the whole thing from the country - and every country!

Seachmall · 22-03-2012 12:43PM

The books are the initial materials that manipulate people.

People who are depressed or in someway longing for something read it and it promises them the world. Then they're hooked as it feeds their delusions which is extremely dangerous.

So, I'm in complete agreement with banning the Bible, Koran, Talmud, Dianetics,

pickarooney · 22-03-2012 12:44PM

Pretty rich, coming from Russia.

seamus · 22-03-2012 01:00PM

It's as religiousy valid as any other. If you're going to ban it, there's no good reason not to ban every other religious text.

cloptrop · 22-03-2012 01:03PM

Its banned, holy **** thats so cool , where can I buy one.

NiallFH · 22-03-2012 01:05PM

RichieC wrote: »

It's a dangerous and blood sucking cult that ruins lives.

Just like every other religion

MrStuffins · 22-03-2012 01:05PM

pickarooney wrote: »

Pretty rich, coming from Russia.

Why did I read that in the voice of Michael Buffer about to introduce Roman Abramovich?

RichieC · 22-03-2012 01:05PM

seamus wrote: »

It's as religiousy valid as any other. If you're going to ban it, there's no good reason not to ban every other religious text.

If we could just prove the bible and quran were written by low rent science fiction writers that might work, but we can't. we have the unique opportunity to stop the spread of an other sickness before it falls into the realm of myth and legend.

cloptrop · 22-03-2012 01:08PM

In Russia the book reads you.

fedor.2. · 22-03-2012 01:10PM

cloptrop wrote: »

In Russia the book reads you.

I was waiting for it

Benny_Cake · 22-03-2012 01:13PM

I really don't get the enthusiasm about this decision. While Dianetics is obviously a nonsensical form of pseudoscience, it's hardly dangerous. Freedom of expression breaks down if it only applies to expression that one agrees with. It would be far more worthwhile if the finances and business activities of Scientology were investigated.

RichieC · 22-03-2012 01:17PM

I'll probably the subject of fair game for posting this thread.

Ever see how scientology guys act? it's like the Pods in the invasion of the body snatchers. glazed eyes, no real show of emotion.. creepy.

wes · 22-03-2012 01:23PM

This is hardly a good thing. The scientology texts shouldn't be banned imho. It wasn't that long ago that the Soviet Union banned the Bible, Koran and Torah etc, and destroying various places of worhship and engaged in repression of various Religions.

Now, like any church however, the activities of the church of scientology should be investigated, if there is a suspicion of something illegal going on. However, they should be free to follow there Religion as long as they aren't breaking any laws.

Ellis Dee · 22-03-2012 01:25PM

RichieC wrote: »

If we could just prove the bible and quran were written by low rent science fiction writers that might work, but we can't. we have the unique opportunity to stop the spread of an other sickness before it falls into the realm of myth and legend.

I'm afraid it's way too late for that. You might as well be throwing Christians to the lions, because this action by an undemocratic state will only give the Scientology church racket martyr status and boost its marketing efforts elsewhere in the world.:rolleyes:

The only thing that will ever work against religion is enlightenment. And I won't hold my breath while I wait for much of that to emanate from Putin's Russia.:(

Seachmall · 22-03-2012 01:26PM

Benny_Cake wrote: »

I really don't get the enthusiasm about this decision. While Dianetics is obviously a nonsensical form of pseudoscience, it's hardly dangerous. Freedom of expression breaks down if it only applies to expression that one agrees with. It would be far more worthwhile if the finances and business activities of Scientology were investigated.

The book is published with the explicit intent of manipulating others into joining an organisation with a horrendous past of mistreating it's members.

It wasn't written as a form of expression or for art's sake. It was written to attract the vulnerable members of our society and to exploit them to their own detriment.

Banning the book isn't curtailing freedom of expression, it's preventing the expansion of an organisation that is a threat to each and every individual who comes into contact with it, be they friend or foe.

FinnLizzy · 22-03-2012 01:27PM

In Soviet Russia, people fúck with Scientology.

smash · 22-03-2012 01:28PM

There's actually something illegal in Russia?

RichieC · 22-03-2012 01:30PM

They have their religious tax exempt status in the US only because as is their way, they dragged the litigation out for so long they just caved and gave it to them.

Capt'n Midnight · 22-03-2012 01:31PM

seamus wrote: »

It's as religiousy valid as any other. If you're going to ban it, there's no good reason not to ban every other religious text.

Most other religions don't have a gaggle of lawyers to enforce copyright at the drop of a hat.

And from what I've seen of it my opinion is that it's about money and power disguised as a religion for tax and law avoidance purposes

Benny_Cake · 22-03-2012 01:34PM

Seachmall wrote: »

[
The book is published with the explicit intent of manipulating others into joining an organisation with a horrendous past of mistreating it's members.

It wasn't written as a form of expression or for art's sake. It was written to attract the vulnerable members of our society and to exploit them to their own detriment.

Banning the book isn't curtailing freedom of expression, it's preventing the expansion of an organisation that is a threat to each and every individual who comes into contact with it, be they friend or foe.

I don't disagree with anything you say about Scientology - it's history and activities speak for themselves. But Dianetics (the book) predates the founding of Scientology as I understand it. I would always be uncomfortable about banning a book, far better to focus on the harassment carried out by Scientologists as well as looking into the financial activities of the organisation.

Overheal · 22-03-2012 01:53PM

seamus wrote: »

It's as religiousy valid as any other. If you're going to ban it, there's no good reason not to ban every other religious text.

I wouldn't have a problem with that..

RichieC · 22-03-2012 01:55PM

Surprised we haven't had a visit in this thread from an impeccably grammatical apologist.

Eric Cartman · 22-03-2012 02:06PM

As much as I despise scientology , no books should be illegal, its the same level of bullshiít as any other religion, femenism or anthropology .

AboutTwoFiddy · 22-03-2012 02:08PM

Few aliens be grand.

Biggins · 22-03-2012 02:10PM

It appears that the cult itself might be banned anyway by reading of the OP's first post;

In Russia, the Church of Scientology was first registered in the city of Surgut in 1994 as a non-governmental organization, but was later banned.

So following on from that, the banning of some of their more extreme books if they advocate what the Russian court states, then it makes sense to do so.

Originally Posted by Benny_Cake
I really don't get the enthusiasm about this decision. While Dianetics is obviously a nonsensical form of pseudoscience, it's hardly dangerous. Freedom of expression breaks down if it only applies to expression that one agrees with. It would be far more worthwhile if the finances and business activities of Scientology were investigated.

As Seachmall replied, well explained in his above post. 100% agree.
They banned the cults more dangerous books - not the principles behind them which are still available else where through other organisations such as "Freezone"

They have their religious tax exempt status in the US only because as is their way, they dragged the litigation out for so long they just caved and gave it to them.

Indeed - after infiltrating the CIA, stealing documents and the American government (Operation Snow White) in order to exploit it!
(The largest infiltration of the United States government in history)

johnwest288 · 22-03-2012 02:12PM

XANU IS MUCH DISPLEASED

PREPARE THE INTERSTELLAR SPACESHIPS IN THE VOLCANOES FOR ATTACK

Beano · 22-03-2012 02:15PM

johnwest288 wrote: »

XANU IS MUCH DISPLEASED

PREPARE THE INTERSTELLAR SPACESHIPS IN THE VOLCANOES FOR ATTACK

Its Xenu.

RichieC · 22-03-2012 02:20PM

Beano wrote: »

Its Xenu.

It's what ever you wish, Darling.

Sindri · 22-03-2012 02:32PM

I find the name Scientology mildly ironic...

Biggins · 22-03-2012 02:48PM

What is just as damning for the American government is that if any other organisation infiltrated the USA government as this org/cult has done, they like any other modern day bad organisation, be banned and everything related to it also taken off the public shelves.
...But seeing as its stuffed with celebs, is about making millions yearly in profit and actually managed to get a tax-free status, is just about laughable.

Sadly its not laughable by its many, many victims, be they in the cult itself or its naval slavery organisation "Sea-Org".

...Think about that - a "Religion" (cult!) with a navy!

...All tax free too!

Daftness of the highest order and the longer this stupidity continues, the American government allows itself to be seen as equally further complicit in this madness.

Moscow court bans Hubbard’s Scientology works as extremist

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