Long considered by many as a dangerous sect that needs dissolution, the Church of Scientology is expected to have its first court ruling on June 10. It is accused of taking advantage of ‘misguided souls.’ The religious organization that claims to be a modern religion is also criticized as damaging to human bodies with its endorsed harmful drug products and ‘use of scientifically dubious cures.’

The French justice hearing the case says he is not interested in the debate as to whether the Church of Scientology is a religion or a cult. What is important to the court magistrate are the clear cases of manipulation of vulnerable victims in manipulated and conditioned scams which are considered serious crimes.

France regards Scientology as a sect and not a religion. If the group loses the current case, it could be banned from the country. Noticeably, it is the first time that an entire organized religion becomes a defendant in a fraud case in French courts. Previous cases only ‘involved individual Scientologists.’

The present case involves the complaint filed by a woman who claims that she was offered a free personality test by Scientology members 10 years ago. She ‘ended up spending 21,000 euros ($29,400, £18,400) on lessons, books and medicines she was told would cure her poor mental state.’

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Via BBC