Eric Pickles urges 'no tax breaks' for Scientology

[SeriousSam]

This piece of news definately deserves a

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11554738

[jim]

I don't know about that. Well, I guess the statement in itself makes sense, but the story is very odd.

Various councils have, for no obvious reason, given tax breaks to Scientology institutions without any requirement from the government. That's slightly concerning in my eyes. I'd like to know exactly what it is that those particular sites are bringing to their respective communities that warrants such a huge handout from the councils, but I doubt that information is forthcoming.

[autopilot]

I agree. But then I think the same should apply to all religions too.

[Andeh13]

Various councils have, for no obvious reason, given tax breaks to Scientology institutions without any requirement from the government. That's slightly concerning in my eyes. I'd like to know exactly what it is that those particular sites are bringing to their respective communities that warrants such a huge handout from the councils, but I doubt that information is forthcoming.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I can't understand how people can see Scientology as anything else other then the cult it clearly is. It's one big money making machine geared towards attracting the vulnerable and enticing them to through money into the system!

[Steve]

I'm happy for Scientologists to believe whatever they want.

However, the institution that runs it most definitely does not deserve tax breaks, or status as a religion/charity.

There was a Panorama recently where Jon Sweeney revisited the faith. Anyone see it?

[SeriousSam]

I'm happy for Scientologists to believe whatever they want.

However, the institution that runs it most definitely does not deserve tax breaks, or status as a religion/charity.

There was a Panorama recently where Jon Sweeney revisited the faith. Anyone see it?

It made interesting watching... makes you wonder what they've got on Tom Cruise Though they do say "Never trust a short man... his brains too near his ass"

[Lucio]

The fact that Scientology persists, despite the sheer volume of negativity directed towards this (even more than Christianity gets), speaks of how deeply introdicinated they must keep their members. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that their "secret book" has a guide to brainwashing inside!

[Flash477]

Various councils have, for no obvious reason, given tax breaks to Scientology institutions without any requirement from the government. That's slightly concerning in my eyes. I'd like to know exactly what it is that those particular sites are bringing to their respective communities that warrants such a huge handout from the councils, but I doubt that information is forthcoming.

I'm assuming 1 or 2 things are likely here:

1. They have members high up in the councils

2. Back handers

[planet436]

I'm assuming 1 or 2 things are likely here:

1. They have members high up in the councils

2. Back handers

Yes basically. A line needs to be drawn under cults gaining religious/charity status, especially ones where the clear focus is on extracting as much money from its members as possible.

On a side note it is rather clever they manage to get people to pay so much money to be told increasingly ridiculous theories about humans, mix of celebrity cult and exclusivity perhaps

[scaryjim]

Let's be honest, Scientology was created by a mediocre science fiction author to win a bet. And it continues to make money to this day, by pretending to be a religion and thereby seeking to exploit beneficial tax laws.

The only thing that really worries me about it is that, since it's being going so long now, some of the people at the top might have forgotten that it's a money making scheme and actually started *believing* the utter rubbish they peddle. Now *that's* a scary thought...