Another act of discrimination towards Scientology by the German authorities. Government agencies have no business using public resources to take side in controversies regarding matters of personal beliefs. Of course, in Germany, given the anti-Scientology atmosphere, it isn't going to be an issue, but it still is improper and would be illegal in many other countries.Official Resistance: Berlin District Posts Warning About Scientology - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International:
"A poster denouncing Scientology has gone up on a public kiosk outside the Scientology headquarters in Berlin. Local officials warn that Scientology may be 'undemocratic'posted a warning sign near the city's Scientology headquarters, explaining that local authorities mistrust the organization. [...]
A public kiosk on the sidewalk in CharlottenburgThe district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf [...]
'expresses its opposition to the activities of the Scientology sect in this district and in Berlin, and hopes that responsible parties in Berlin will watch the Scientology sect with a critical eye in the near future, and that any new information will be made public.' [...]
the poster doesn't mention [Cruise]. It only says that local officials see 'a possible danger to democratic society' in the 'increased activities of Scientology in this district.'"
Update Jan 27: The Telegraph claims the poster is the result of a campaign over fears Valkyrie will boost membership in the CoS:
Germany fights Scientology boost linked to Valkyrie release - Telegraph: "German authorities have launched a propaganda campaign against Scientology over fears the latest Tom Cruise film Valkyrie will boost membership."
Related posts: -Berlin_Posters-
1 comment:
You'd think the past 70 years of German history would have taught them about the dangers of an overly paternalistic society. But, of course, they don't see paternalism as the problem -- they think it's "undemocratic ideas". With all our faults, one thing we do know here in the US is that the best way of dealing with objectionable ideas or speech is MORE ideas and speech. In other words, allow people to think what they want and count on common sense to eliminate the really bad or stupid ideas. Though... none of this has prevented the television show "American Idol" from becoming a huge success.
;-)
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