German Leaders Reject Scientology Ban

Stumbling block is procedural, not philosophical
By Heather McPherson,  Newser User
Posted Aug 8, 2007 1:30 PM CDT
German Leaders Reject Scientology Ban
The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 36th Anniversary Gala   (Getty Images)

German leaders say they won't press for a ban on Scientology—not because they're against it, but because they don't think it would succeed. The German government officially considers the organization a cult, Der Spiegel reports, but politicians from both major parties say that they probably don't have enough evidence to take their case to court.

Officials in Hamburg have agitated for a ban, but national pols say they're just being pragmatic. The domestic intelligence organization hasn't gathered enough info on Scientology to move forward, says a conservative PM. "You can't shoot from the hip with a bid to ban it. If an attempt is made it has to be successful," he says. (More Scientology stories.)

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