---

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 2228 • Posted: Monday February 3, 2003  

---

DPA (Germany), Feb. 3, 2003
http://www.expatica.com/

BONN - In a stunning move, German tax authorities have granted tax-exempt status to the controversial Church of Scientology, retroactive back to 1994, Scientology officials announced Monday.

The announcement sent shock waves through Germany, where Scientology is widely viewed as a subversive cult.

The organization is under surveillance by German intelligence as “a movement posing a threat to the free and constitutional order” in Germany.

The German federal government, various state and local governments have all produced booklets and other information to warn unwary citizens about the “dangers” of Scientology.

The US State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report has repeatedly accused the German government of discrimination against Scientologists.

The tax ruling came from the Federal Office of Finances in Bonn on the basis of laws covering double taxation of American organizations operating in Germany.

Because the Church of Scientology is classified as a tax-exempt religious organization in the United States, it cannot be taxed in Germany, according to the ruling.

The ruling, applicable to the period 1994 to 2005, affects organization licensing fees. Until now, 25 per cent of the fee revenues was handed over to German tax coffers.

Scientology welcomed the ruling, issuing a statement saying, “This decision is a major step in our efforts to be treated like all other religious organisations in Germany, as is spelled out in the German constitution and international agreements.”

Scientology was founded in 1954 by Science-Fiction author L. Ronald Hubbard. It set up a chapter in Germany in 1970 and claims between 20,000 and 70,000 members. German intelligence puts the figure at closer to 6,000.

---

What You Can Do From Here

---

Read More Articles On These Topics Categories: Scientology Share, Blog, or Email This Article Subscribe Religion News Blog RSS feed [What is this?] RSS by topic: Scientology Read Another Article Previous entry: Scientology Granted Tax-Free Status Next entry: Vatican Weighs in on New Age Movement RNB Homepage with latest headlines Find Related Information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults Find Related Books Scientology Most Popular Today Decision expected this week on whether parents will face trial in faith healing death Church tries Goth Liturgy Ganas commune co-founder sues current and former members Los Angeles pastor used church credit cards for personal expenses Judge allows reckless homocide charges in faith healing death of Madeline Neumann Japan: Security agency calls for extension of surveillance of Aum cult Mormon church publishes journal of founder Joseph Smith Author believes Tom Cruise pressured Amazon to stop selling book critical of Scientology Exclusive Brethren an evil, corrupt cult, court told

---

Share This Article

---

To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:

• Post a link on your blog or website:
  
• Send in an email or IM:
  
• Post on a forum:
  

Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support.

Note: results are listed on another domain -- CounterCultSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.

Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs.

Note: results are listed on another domain -- ApologeticsSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.