Scientology's Mask

A common defense to Scientology's human rights abuses is that because they're a religion, they're protected under the First Amendment and should be able to do whatever they want. This, unfortunately, just what L. Ron Hubbard wanted. Along with their tax exempt status, Scientology has gotten away with many criminal offenses simply because they claimed they were acting according to their religious scripture.

Recently, France began to prosecute the Church of Scientology for fraud and illegal pharmaceutical activity. In response to the trial, many Americans were outraged, seeing the case as France persecuting Scientologists, and violating freedom of religion. Members of US Congress even wrote a letter to the French government urging them to drop the case, insisting that Scientology and other religions considered cults and sects in France were being treated unfairly.

While it is true that freedom of religion ought to be respected, prosecuting a church for criminal acts isn't necessarily the same as persecuting people for their religious beliefs. No one in France is trying to make it illegal to subscribe to Scientology's belief system. No one is trying to ban Scientology books such as Dianetics, or the sale of Scientology equipment such as E-Meters.

True, if the Church of Scientology is destroyed in France, it will be hard to be a Scientologist, but not impossible. There are Freezoners, or people who believe in L. Ron Hubbards readings but do so on their own. The vast majority of Scientology writings and courses are available online, Scientology books can be purchased in most major bookstores, and it is possible to buy an E-Meter for personal use. Freezoners can be compared to solitary Wiccans, who study and practice on their own or in small groups, but do not belong to covens.

The case against the Church of Scientology in France is not motivated by hate or religious bigotry, and it was not instigated by Christian fundamentalists or even the so-called hate group Anonymous. France is prosecuting the Church because it broke the law, simple and plain.

No religion is above the law. If the First Amendment or any decree of religious freedom meant that all religious could do whatever they wanted, why are human and animal sacrifices illegal? After all, they're a religious practice. For that matter, why doesn't the United States legal system stop prosecuting members criminal hate groups such as the Army of God, who bomb clinics and murder doctors?

The Church of Christian Science is an example of a religion that does respect and follow the law. At least, they advocate adherence to the law. The religion favors prayer over medical treatment, but medical treatment is never prohibited and members are told to get vaccinated in accordance with what local, state, and federal laws mandate.

The Church of Scientology, however, has no regard for the law. They do as they please, even when it means putting lives in danger and drastically ruining the lives of its members. Usually when the Church is put on trial, they claim that the policy in question is religious scripture, and therefore protected by the First Amendment. This usually has no effect on the judge. However, it does affect public opinion, as well as the opinions of politicians who were raised to respect and venerate all religions, and fear that interfering with the Church of Scientology would result in a backlash.

Why hasn't the government tried to shut down the Purification Rundown, even though many people have gotten very sick from the program, and some have even died? It's a religious practice. Politicians and law enforcement keep their hands off many of Scientology's dangerous practices for the same reason it's hard to take action on female genital mutilation - it's believed to be destructive, but it's part of a culture, and banning the practice would mean invading another culture, which many feel is overstepping boundaries.

For years, Scientology has hidden behind a mask of false religion, a disguise that fools people into believing the Church can do whatever they want. As long as fear and veneration keeps the public from seeing the truth about the so-called religion, Scientology will continue to get away with its crimes and human rights abuses.