A suspicious attack upon sects has started in Germany caused by the Scientology Church – so the official declaration. I personally asked the man in the Scientology headquarters in Miami, Florida, USA, in September 1997 the following questions:

“Are you a religious faith?” Answer: “No.”

“Do you have religious services?” “No”.

“Do you administer baptism?” “No”.

“Do you practice the LORD'S Supper?” “No.” etc.

The so-called “Scientology Church” has nothing to do with the proclamation of the gospel but is calling herself “church” to enjoy the benefits of a non-profit religious organization.

That is bad, but still worse is that the German government has taken a stand openly against sects. All this is just a pretext to persecute the free churches and fellowships who do not join the World Council of Churches. Until now in our country the two state churches, Catholic and Lutheran, had their sect observation offices, but now we do have a “state office” to observe every fellowship in the country they call sect. That is being done in a nation where religious freedom is guaranteed by the constitution. Some of the non-recognized fellowships have already lost their “non-profit” status. The whole situation is alarming in the country known as the birthplace of the reformation.

Parallel to government action the media has played up the whole matter. The tendency in Germany and other European countries to consider anyone not belonging to one of the state churches to be a member of a sect is still unchanged.

The same problem is being faced in Austria. The mayor of the city of Innsbruck has given the order that all who work in government offices must be checked whether they belong to a sect. The city council was ordered to check everyone who applies for a post in a municipal office whether belonging to a sect. These two countries were involved especially during the time of World War 11 in the pogrom of the Jews. Now the stage is being set to legitimize the persecution of religious minorities. The whole matter is cunningly presented to justify the indictment of anyone belonging to a religious fellowship. Most surely before the year 2000 there will be in force an international law, sanctioned by the European Council. that anyone writing or speaking against the pope or the church of Rome can be taken to court, so confirm insiders.

A suspicious attack upon sects has started in Germany caused by the Scientology Church – so the official declaration. I personally asked the man in the Scientology headquarters in Miami, Florida, USA, in September 1997 the following questions:

“Are you a religious faith?” Answer: “No.”

“Do you have religious services?” “No”.

“Do you administer baptism?” “No”.

“Do you practice the LORD'S Supper?” “No.” etc.

The so-called “Scientology Church” has nothing to do with the proclamation of the gospel but is calling herself “church” to enjoy the benefits of a non-profit religious organization.

That is bad, but still worse is that the German government has taken a stand openly against sects. All this is just a pretext to persecute the free churches and fellowships who do not join the World Council of Churches. Until now in our country the two state churches, Catholic and Lutheran, had their sect observation offices, but now we do have a “state office” to observe every fellowship in the country they call sect. That is being done in a nation where religious freedom is guaranteed by the constitution. Some of the non-recognized fellowships have already lost their “non-profit” status. The whole situation is alarming in the country known as the birthplace of the reformation.

Parallel to government action the media has played up the whole matter. The tendency in Germany and other European countries to consider anyone not belonging to one of the state churches to be a member of a sect is still unchanged.

The same problem is being faced in Austria. The mayor of the city of Innsbruck has given the order that all who work in government offices must be checked whether they belong to a sect. The city council was ordered to check everyone who applies for a post in a municipal office whether belonging to a sect. These two countries were involved especially during the time of World War 11 in the pogrom of the Jews. Now the stage is being set to legitimize the persecution of religious minorities. The whole matter is cunningly presented to justify the indictment of anyone belonging to a religious fellowship. Most surely before the year 2000 there will be in force an international law, sanctioned by the European Council. that anyone writing or speaking against the pope or the church of Rome can be taken to court, so confirm insiders.