deomo...@aol.com (DeoMorto) wrote in article
<19971018023801.WAA09...@ladder02.news.aol.com>
(alt.religion.scientology):

        (1) To start with, the CoS own behavior and policies.
Trying to squash dissent and use policies aimed at ruining
someone utterly, use the courts to harass, spread rumors in the
neighborhood of the critic, etc. In many of these cases, I do
think that the State should ruthlessly act against the CoS upon
any evidence of wrong and illegal acts. It would then assume
plainly its role of leveler of the playing field.

        (2) General anti-cult propaganda promoted by organizations
like the old CAN and others organizations and individuals taking
part in the anti-cult movement. They depict groups they consider
as "destructive cults" in the darkest possible way, mainly based
on the fallacious, largely debunked, argument that their members
are being brainwashed and aren't in the groups out of their own
free will.

        The anti-cult movement has done so for several groups,
among which the CoS. They are one of the main actors in
promoting cult phobia and an hysterical reaction on the part of
parents and authorities, something I believe helped to bring
Jonestown and Waco about.

        Apparently, some members of the German government fell for
this propaganda and irresponsibly help to spread the phobia
around, even though the CoS' own actions as in (1) helped to
bring that about as well.

        The InSects booklet made and diffused by the Young Union
group of the CDU is a good example.

        The cover shows insects being killed by a fly swatter. The
booklet aims at Scientology as well as Mormons, the Unification
Church, Hare Krishnas, the OSHO movement, etc. It contains a
sticker showing a skull surrounded by the words “SCIENTOLOGY -
UGLY - DIANETICS - POISON.”

        A picture of the booklet cover can be seen at:

http://hatewatch.freedommag.org/hatewach/issues/eng/risehv/monger2.ht....

        The CoS claims that the booklet represents an official
statement because it was disseminated at the CDU Federal Party
Convention in February 1994 and promoted by CDU General
Secretary Peter Hintze. While I am not sure about this
conclusion, it certainly reflects the kind of influences at play
at the government level, and I hardly consider it an objective
information to be promulgated by a responsible government.

        Tilman Hausherr, of course, justifies such practices, even
if their parallel with the anti-Jew propaganda of the 30s is
obvious. From the Germany FAQ:
_____________________________________________________

19. Are there similarities between pictures in the SS magazine
"Der Stürmer" and german newspapers?

Yes, for example the Octopus has been used by both. This has two
reasons:

 - German newspaper cartoonists do not have a collection of
   "Der Stürmer" at home to check for similarities

 - The octopus is a picture representing a concept, in this case
the "Threat that is everywhere at the same time".

The question is not whether a german newspaper, or "Der
Stürmer", or scientology itself (e.g. against psychiatry) has
used these pictures, the question is whether its use is
according to the facts. A german court ruled that scientology
may be called an "octopus", based on scientology's own
documents.
_____________________________________________________

        "The question is not whether the newspaper has used these
pictures", he says, "but whether its use is according to the
facts". That says it all... Of course, the concept of the Jew
being a "threat that is everywhere at the same time" was a
"fact" as well... A "German court ruled" that it's ok, so it's a
fact...

        I more pragmatically consider such practices as nothing
else than demonization, propaganda and inducement of fear and
paranoia. It is rather well in line with the practices of the
anti-cult movement, notwithstanding point (1) and the role of
the CoS itself.

        (3) Germany is understandably sensitive to anything that
may look like a possible resurgence of its past demons. The
combination of (1) and (2) above has for effect to make them
react out of any proportion to the real danger represented by
the CoS.

        Special laws exist in Germany to deal with extreme groups.
These were instituted in the aftermath of the war together with
the Allies in order to keep these groups under control. While
the usefulness and rationale to keep such laws in effect when
the situation has changed and it is obvious that they don't
prevent the raise of fascism (rather on the contrary since it
creates an additional reaction) is debatable, it allows the
German government to identify the CoS with these groups and
apply to them the same status.

        (4) The internet obviously had its role as well. Initially,
the reaction of internators against attempt of the CoS to sue
some of its representative and try to control it the way they
try to control other media, was, I think, an healthy and noble
reaction. This, however, has enthralled many in the illusions of
the anti-Scientology crusade. They still think it's a noble
cause, but it's often hardly more than the classic anti-cult
disinformation, of which they often don't know much and are not
historically aware about. That's one of the reasons why I
started to document the anti-cult movement history on my web
page.

        Altogether, it has spread over the net a mixture of actual
and largely exaggerated information about the CoS which gives a
new dimension to its demonization and helps its opponents to
sustain the "reasons" why it is justified to discriminate
against CoS members.

        I certainly don't propose any kind of censorship, and in
fact believe that, in the long run, the same process will help
to bring about a more accurate and balanced picture and maybe
even help to shred light on some important issues that are
underlying all of these questions.

Bernie
http://uc2.unicall.be/bernie/home.htm