Scientology expands in
Europe
Not only thanks to its
prominent members like Tom Cruise or John Travolta Scientology is a
hot news items every day. But aside from glamor and gossip the
Church of Scientology can mark some major recognitions this
year.
Since the opening of a series of new
major Churches (in Berlin/Germany, Madrid/Spain and New York/USA)
the religious status of the Church of Scientology has been further
acknowledged all over the world.
On the 24th of September 2007, the European Court
of Human Rightsconfirmed the Court’s unanimous decision of April
2007 affirming that the Church of Scientology is entitled to the
rights and protections of religious freedom thatflow to religious
organizations pursuant to Article 9 of the European HumanRights
Convention.
The principles enunciated in that decision upheld
the religious freedom of Scientologists and their religious
associations and apply throughout the forty- seven member states
that have signed and ratified the European Human RightsConvention
for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,
including Germany and other key European countries.
On the 31st of October 2007, the National Court in
Madrid issued alandmark decision recognizing that the National
Church of Scientology of Spain should be entered in the Registry of
Religious Entities as a religion.
On the 5th of November 2007, the Church of
Scientology of Portugal was officially recognized as a religious
organization.
On the 3rd of December 2007, the South African
Revenue Service granted the Church of Scientology the status of a
Public Benefit Organization as a religious entity with full tax
exemption.
The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron
Hubbard. The first church was established in the United States in
1954.It has grown to more than 7,500 churches, missions and groups
and ten million members in 163 nations.
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