Scientology on trial for fraud
Scientology on trial in France
The Church of Scientology has gone on trial in the French capital, Paris, accused of organised fraud.
The case centres on a complaint by a woman who says she was pressured into paying large sums of money after being offered a free personality test.
The church, which is fighting the charges, denies that any mental manipulation took place.
France regards Scientology as a sect, not a religion, and the organisation could be banned if it loses the case.
It is the first time the church has appeared as a defendant in a fraud case in France.
Her lawyers are arguing that the church systematically seeks to make money by means of mental pressure and the use of scientifically dubious “cures”.
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To be fair, one could say that about most religions. But most religions aren’t founded by a hack sci-fi writer on a bet.
