are you all so sure?

a, z,

The question is not whether Scientology is a religion, it is why aren't its leaders in jail?

Joan McDougall, Frobisher, England

Previously it was Jehovah's Witnesses now its Scientologists.
Back to the future in Germany I nearly added Sieg Heil!

Houlding, Bury, UK

Agree whole heartedly - scientology is not a religion.

Any "religion" which extorts such vast sums of many to proceed to another "level" negates its authenticity. Who could be so arrogant as to confirm you had reached any level.
A personal belief and fulfillment can be had for FREE by anyone.

Go to ANY church for FREE.
Listen to any preacher for FREE
Read any "good book" for FREE

Reach your own level of spiritual peace .

Rosie, Tucson, Arizona

To Cato, Los Angeles, CA, you should know that Count Berthold von Stauffenberg, Count Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg youngest brother was a member of the Kreisau Circle the name of the Castle in Easter Prussia, now Poland, where Count Helmuth James von Moltke and many others, like Count Berthold von Bismarck, Prince Alphons von Metternich, Count Peter Yorck von Wartenburg, the two counts von der Schulemburg, started to conspire against the Nazi regime, almost immediately after Hitler took power. There are thousands of documents of all those failed attempts to kill Hitler, like those against Lenin and Stalin all of them failed, so please keep your contempt for these heroes for others. 4,500 Germans opponents perished immediately after the last plot to overthrow this horrendous regime. In fact I know much more details because members of my own family were hanged or tortured. So please try to learn history and facts.

wetzvonken, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Personally , I find it amazing that Cruise is allowed to film anywhere and thats not just because of the scientology nonsense .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

All religions make money by preying on the vulnerable. IT's just that Scientology has only come into the picture very recently. Perhaps religion needs to go into the same category as laws and sausages, in that you should never see them being made if you want to carry on enjoying them.

Simon Clark, London,

To Mr. Doug Forbes, Please write to you congressman and tell him what is being done in Iraq. That is what matters now.

jorge, carmona, spain

I am completely upset with the sole idea that a person like Tom Cruise , wants to play the role of a true Catholic and believer as it was Count Klaus Schenk von Stauffenberg, in spite of his anti Christian standing. With Helmut James von Moltke, a great intellectual, and a man involved in the struggle against the influence of Nazism amongst Lutherans, like the theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, they gave their lives to stop once and for all the horrendous regime of Adolf Hitler. Cardinal von Galen was the confessor of the Stauffenberg’s brothers; the cardinal said that they prepared the plot and the killing of the tyrant and other Nazis, as the only way to stop them. They acted as true Catholics or Protestants, they knew that Hitler and his entourage were evil and they were killing millions of innocents in name of the their neo-pagan ideas. Thousands were executed after they failed, but they were real Christian heroes. On the contrary Scientology is unreservedly a neo pagan sect.

wetzvonken, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Curious that Stauffenberg did not undertake any attempts against Hitler when the Germans were winning the war. His religious convictions were apparently awakened rather late in the game (after Normandy in any event)

Cato, los angeles, CA

I agree (Scientology is a scam invented by a writer of bad science-fiction), although I have misgivings re: the idea that an actor's off-stage views must accord with those of the character being played.

However, I think the role should be re-cast: Tom Cruise is simply too short and lacking in gravitas to play Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg, who was (besides being extremely courageous) tall, dark and very striking.

Doc M, Glasgow, Scotland

Leave it to a bunch of stupid Central European Neanderthals to act like fascists in the name of anti-facsism. The merits of Scientology are irrelevant. They are a bunch of stupid bigots. I'm going to write my congressman and demand retaliation.

Doug Forbes, Wheeling, USA

It is illuminating to see the religious intolerance for which Europe is infamous played out today. To think that a government will dictate opportunities for expression based on its interpretation of the qualities of people's faith furthers the argument made centuries ago by the brave immigrants who faced the dangers of journeying to a strange and unknown continent to practice their respective faiths in peace and without government interference. I am reminded just how singularly unique the United States is for maintaining religious tolerance for peoples of all faiths, not simply those amenable to the state and its lackeys.

Justin, Philadelphia, PA, USA

German government prevents broad disclosure of a historical site by banning filming to disclose it, and its past events there. Does the government prefer to cow in shame? Expose the madness of Hilter and let us all move on with life! And the excuse used? German constitution guarentees freedom of religion, while government's implementation rings it a hollow document. That sort of illogic spawned an earlier dictator, does anyone recall his hame?

Terryeo, San Francisco, USA

"To Claudia from Atlanta: Have you ever been in Germany? "

Yes, I am half German and have visited many times. And many of my German relatives ply me with anti-American and anti-religious statements whenever I go there. Germany is a beautiful country, but I think that beauty comes at a price, as I do think that there exists a level of groupthink in Europe that doesn't exist here in the US. Here your religion is your own business. I agree with Paul Edwards that "If people are rich and stupid enough to give all their money to be 'audited' then let them". Every free country should allow people the freedom to be stupid. The best answer against a truly harmful group is more education, not bans.

Tom Cruise is a great actor and has made many entertaining film for us, and as far as I know he hasn't hurt anyone. I don't think he should be discriminated against in this way.

Claudia, Atlanta, USA

Scientology's ideas are no more ridiculous than the other religions. All of which are basically money-making or power-making vehicles.

Adela, Peterborough,

Are you aware that the European court of human rights very
recently recognised that Scientology is a religion and is
protected in the same way as any other religion. The bigoted thinking of some members of the German government cannot be allowed to to interfere with people's freedom of concience.

Andrew, london,

I find it greatly ironic that other Hollywood Scientologists would liken the treatment of Scientologistst the treatment of Jews by the Nazis, when they themseleves are not exactly accepting of those outside their circle. Must we revist the Tom Cruise-Brooke Shields anti-depressant debacle to prove this point? They have proven themselves to be incredibly self righteous. And yes they follow the definitions of a cult.

Molly, Salt Lake City, USA

I am completely upset with the idea that a person like Tom Cruise wants to play the role of a true Catholic and believer as it was Count Klaus Schenk von Stauffenberg, in spite of his anti Christian position. With Helmut James von Moltke, a great intellectual, and a man involved in the struggle against the influence of Nazism amongst Lutherans, like the theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer as well, they gave their lives to stop once and for all the horrendous regime of Adolf Hitler. Cardinal von Galen was the confessor of the Stauffenberg brothers; the cardinal said that they prepared the plot and the killing of the tyrant and other Nazis, as the only way to stop them. They acted as true Catholics or Protestants, they knew that Hitler and his entourage were evil and they were killing millions of innocents in name of the their neo-pagan ideas. Thousands were executed after they failed, but they were real Christian heroes. Nothing to do with Scientology.

wetzvonken, Buenos Aires, Argentina

For some reason my first post didn't sem to make it, anyway.
As Matt from Germany says, Scientology is just a money making organization that preys on weak individuals with psychic problems (they belive that mental health professionals use drugs in order to enslave the human race.).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
I especially think the 'Controversy and criticism' is an indicator on what they're actually up too.
The fate of Hubbard's son is quite interesting as well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Hubbard
Claudia: Yes Europe is a very liberal part of the world, but not even here is it ok to take advantage of the weaker for your own personal gain.
Hubbard himself once said that the best way to make money is to start a religion, so that's what the former (actually scratch that) science fiction writer did. And the fact that they have special buildings (Celeberity Centers) for celebrities say's quite a lot about what kind of organization it really is.

Mattias, Finspong, Sweden

I'm happy to see that the quite narrow minded comment posted by Claudia is getting some opposition by readers of this article. Claudia, do yourself a favour and buy an airline ticket to Germany. Have a look around the place for yourself, and rethink whether it was so intelligent to compare today's Germany to the Nazi regime. By the way, the German constitution (somewhat shaped and influenced by American input after the war) is very clear on how to approach any group or organization, that even remotely shows traces of fascist, totalitarian or nationalist dogma. I think it's absolutely responsible that the German government stops scientologists from offering cheap daycare without telling the parents that they will indoctrinate and brainwash their children. Scientology methods are highly questionable. I once saw Scientology followers (not identifying themselves as such) hand out "free" movie tickets for a "cool new Hollywood film" to teenagers in Boston. It was for a propaganda film.

Mike, Washington, D.C.

I am completely upset with the sole idea that a person like Tom Cruise, wants to play the role of a true Catholic and believer as it was Count Klaus Schenk von Stauffenberg, in spite of his anti Christian position. With Helmut James von Moltke, a great intellectual, and a man involved in the struggle against the influence of Nazism amongst Lutherans, like the theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, they gave their lives to stop once and for all the horrendous regime of Adolf Hitler. Cardinal von Galen was the confessor of the Stauffenberg’s brothers; the cardinal said that they prepared the plot and the killing of the tyrant and other Nazis, as the only way to stop them. They acted as true Catholics or Protestants, they knew that Hitler and his entourage were evil and they were killing millions of innocents in name of the their neo-pagan ideas. Thousands were executed after they failed, but they were real Christian heroes. On the contrary Scientology is unreservedly a neo pagan sect.

wetzvonken, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Scientology may have had or does have some issues, but the human rights thing to do would be to confront individual acts, not label and ban a whole religion or consider someone guilty when he ir she is innocent

Rev. John Bowen Brown II, Tucson, AZ

because i know very little about the 'religion' of scientology, i cannot claim it is a money making scheme (after all...what is the catholic church...all that gold wasn't given to them by "GOD", and nobody is going after them, they have their own state), i just don't know enough about it....but for the german gov't to question people in bavaria to see if they are scientologists sounds a bit to naziish for me....i thought they would have learned their lesson with the 3rd reich, but apparently its just in the nature of the germans to FEAR, after all that is the message that the german gov't is sending out. Whether or not the church of scientology is a money making scheme, that is not up to the german gov't to decide...the german people may or may not accept the religion, but in a "free" (because i dont believe this exists anywhere, we are all controlled, in some shape or fashion) nation the decision lies in the hearts and minds of the people.

Serggio, Fairhaven, USA

To Claudia from Atlanta: Have you ever been in Germany?

Wessolleck, Muenster, Germany

I'm not the biggest fan of Scientology and agree that it's a money-making firm rather than a religion but I don't believe anyone has ever been killed in the name of Scientology unlike every other major religion in the World. We should protect vulnerable people from organisations such as this but not by banning them. If people are rich and stupid enough to give all their money to be 'audited' then let them, personally I'd rather stick with Cosmic ordering.

Paul Edwards, London,

"Germany’s few war heroes" In an era when Germans were brought up in pure propaganda it was hard to know the real truth of what the Nazis were doing. There were German heroes, normal soldiers not SS/Nazis who convientiently turned a blind eye at the right time so people could get away, even if they risked severe reprisals (or against their families back home) from the SS.

Thats how some of my relatives managed to survive.

The period shows not only how evil people can be, but how dangerous the media can be as well when it has a single message.

Terry, London,

I agree - the Germans SHOULD be furious.
We get too many people "with an axe to grind" (politicians, religious people, cranks) using various communication tricks to foist their twisted views onto the rest of us!
All I can hope is that Scientology, 'Moonies', and other various money-spinning, dictatorial extremists are eventually seen for what they are and ignored!
Unfortunately, us ordinary folk can't win! If Cruise gets away with it he and his lot win - if the Germans (or anyone else) raises the question by banning him, Cruise (and his lot) will win by publicity through newspapers and the like!!

Mann, London, UK

Nonsense. Scientology is not a religion, it's a sham, much like Avatar, only trying to finagle naive people's money.

Thinking Europe is some liberal free-for-all is to grossly misunderstand it. We do have laws, and they exist to protect the unsuspecting from these charlatans.

Hafen Slawkenbergius, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Germany has a right to protect itself and it´s citicens from rubbish like Scientology. Just the same way as the Nazi party is forbiden in many countries, our doubting the holocaust is too. Why can some do and other not?

Cruise can shoot his movie wherever he is welcome, but let´s respect a country internal policies. All countries have their do´s and dont´s why can´t Germany have their own?
Are they goin to be suspicious of everything all the time?
Plain Rubbish!

Nicolás, Donosti, Basque Country

No way. Claus Graf von Stauffenberg came from a venerable and aristocratic Catholic family and was himself devout to a high degree. Choosing this actor insults the Graf's heroism and the Catholic religion which motivated him. Also insulting is Scientology's comparison of their treatment with that of the Jews during the Holocaust.

And to Claudia, Scientologists are not well known for letting people think what they want, neither for that matter is Brussels where I live - but they do have a big building which serves as the HQ for the Scientologists. Their esoteric creed which is meant to empower, but only on the terms of this sect goes down well with certain individuals in the European institutions.

Christopher Gillibrand, Brussels, Belgium/ Europe

No Claudia, Germany has learned...

And that's why they take their correct position against a cult.

G.Smith, NY,

That's ridiculous. You may not like Scientology and think it's wacky, but the people who happen to believe in it should have the same rights as anyone else, After all, isn't Europe supposed to be a free, liberal place where people can think whatever they want? And last time I checked, Scientologists have not been responsible for any suicide bombings or beheadings lately. Maybe Scientologists should be allowed in Germany only if they wear some markings on their shirt sleeves. Germany never learns, does it?

Claudia, Atlanta, USA

Claus, Graf von Stauffenberg was a genuine hero and paid a terrible price, as did his fellow conspirators. I fail to see how Mr. Cruise and his ridiculous cult could possibly do justice to this.

Sarah N., London, UK

The German government is correct to suspect Scientology of totalitarian ambitions. This is a pseudo-scientific extremist sect that brainwashes its members and preaches a form of ubermensch mentality along with a code of secrecy and absolute loyalty. An attempt by a Scientologist friend to recruit me many years ago revealed the manipulative mind-control techniques that Hubbard and his followers have devised to make converts belong body, soul and (most importantly) mind to this cult. Thousands of others, Cruise included, have not seen through the ruse in time. As to whether or not Cruise would use his portrayal of von Stauffenberg openly to promote his religion is hard to say, though he does use his stature as a major Hollywood actor to spread its message every day.

Raymond, Cairo, Egypt

Well, i have to agree with the germans on this one, scientology is just a money hungring cult. Hubbard himself once said that the best way to make money is to start a relgion. So thats what he did, science fiction writer that he was.

Even his son didn't want anything to do with his fathers cult. He tried to commit suicide once but failed and after that didn't recieve any help because scientologist belive that mental health professionals use drugs in order to enslave the human race.

He later suceeded in killing himself (alledgely) dispite the fact that the tox screen didn't find any drugs in his system.

And of course like all "religions" scientology has nothing to prove that their beleifs are true. I suggest that everyone takes a look at what the scientologist actually belive in, it's some really wierd stuff.

Mattias, Finspong, Sweden

The 'you have' religion. Have most often a cripiling andd or fatal malidy. There are sometimes miricals tho and most if not all become, religion Nazis (RNs), quite possibile!

Arthur Frank Bayley III, Fort Worth, United States of America

An excellent decision by the German Government who recognise Cruise and scientology for what they are.

L. Ron., London/Berlin/NY.,

Scientology is not a religion, it is a money-making firm preying on the vulnerable. Hubbard has said he'll invent a religion so he's never got to work again. Why don't people take him at face value?

Matt, Wuerzburg, Germany