Intolerance & Discrimination Against the Scientology Community in Germany Today

January 1994, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: A discriminatory measure entitled “Fight against the Scientology-Organization” was passed by the parliament which included an unsupported parliamentary “evaluation” that Scientology is not a religion, despite authority to the contrary, and a demand that the government:

– take action to “counteract” Scientology expansion;

– provide information to the public and chambers of commerce and industry to “protect firms and businesses from infiltration (i.e., to forbid the hiring of employees and consultants who are Scientologists) by the Scientology organization.

– institute an economic boycott of Scientology churches and companies owned by Scientologists.

– refuse nonprofit status to the Church of Scientology.

March 1994, Schleswig-Holstein: The state government established an information and documentation office called “Sects and sect-like organizations” to observe the activity of new religions and philosophical groups.

The government also expressed support for the decision of the Conference of Minister Presidents of 7 Dec. 1994, asking for “education and training” (actually hostile propaganda) for state prosecutors and judges in the field of new religions.

May 1994, Hamburg: Together with other members of the Hamburg state parliament, Antje Blumenthal (CDU) asked the Senate “to arrange everything so that the Hamburg state office for the Protection of the Constitution can observe the activities of the ‘Scientology-Organization’ immediately.”

May 1994, Hamburg: The City published an anti-Scientology propaganda pamphlet called “Scientology, Labyrinth of Illusions.” The Minister of Interior wrote the foreword and this pamphlet was not only financed by the city government but also distributed as an official government publication across the country. (The Church sued on constitutional grounds and in June 1994, the Hamburg State Court of Appeals ruled that the government’s involvement in the booklet was illegal and ordered it withdrawn from distribution.)

May 1994, Iserlohn: The City Council decided to take measures against the Church of Scientology and passed a resolution against the Church, announcing they would produce anti-Scientology propaganda in cooperation with the Catholic and Lutheran Churches.

Following this resolution, Scientologist J. and his parents experienced harassment and discrimination. Having lived in the community since 1943, J. was a well-respected, honorable citizen of Iserlohn. But since the resolution was issued, he has experienced many incidents of discrimination.

June 1994, Baden-Württemberg: Although the Church was cleared of any charges of illegalities after thorough investigation by the Hamburg state prosecutor, the conference of Ministers of Justice decided that all prosecutors and Courts should be better “briefed” on Scientology. (If this recommendation were put into practice, the independence of the courts in Germany would no longer be guaranteed as the Church would have no means to determine what behind the scenes “briefings” were being circulated to the courts.)

June 1994, Schleswig-Holstein: A flyer was distributed by the CDU Young Union demanding that the Church of Scientology be forbidden to advertise, to rent rooms and to exercise other civil liberties.

July 1994: Antje Blumenthal (CDU) requested a ban of an anti-drugs initiative after learning that a member of the group was a Scientologist. This group gives out information warning of the dangers of drug abuse and also hands out free soup to drug addicts.

August 1994, Baden-Württemberg: The State Conference of the Ministers of Justice issued the results of an investigation by legal scholars to determine if the Church constitutes a criminal association. The outcome was that the Church does not in any way constitute a criminal association.

However, no public statements were made by the government, nor was this finding published in the media, in contrast to the widespread coverage when the unsubstantiated charge was originally made by the State of Baden-Württemberg.

August 1994, Gormaringen: After Scientologists sold books in the marketplace, the town adopted a new sales ordinance worded to prevent any Scientologist from obtaining a permit.

Government sanctioned discrimination continued...