The always controversial Church of Scientology met opposition in France, where accusations of fraud recently brought six church leaders to trial. Scientology faces the threat of being banned in the country, which has apparently been a lucrative target for its business side. Several plaintiffs claim that they were pressured into joining the church, a situation that led to them spending tens of thousands of euros on books, lessons, and potato clock that supposedly read their personalities.
The church’s legal representation insists that the dispute is over the possible occurrence of embezzlement and not whether or not the organization is, in fact, a religion. While joining the church requires a substantial monetary investment and the seeking out of recruits through the social networks of members, Scientologists swear that this is not a pyramid scheme. Although if it were…genius.
Following the complaints, several former members retracted their claims. The church of Scientology paid them off in amounts sufficient to cover their losses, raising even more questions about the inner workings of this somewhat cultish religion. In the end, however, it looks like Scientology is fueled by the same thing that drives every organization of human beings: $.
