Beckstein Is Right

It is not that often that I agree with Günther Beckstein, the Bavarian interior minister.  His heavy-handed tactics are usually exasperating.  But his statement concerning the opening of the new Scientology center in Berlin is just on-target.  This is the report in the New York Times:

The German government says it considers Scientology a commercial enterprise that takes advantage of vulnerable people. The conservative interior minister of the southern state of Bavaria called for increased surveillance of the group’s activities in Berlin and across Europe.”It is indispensable that Scientology be carefully observed in every state,” Guenther Beckstein was quoted as saying by the newspaper Berliner Zeitung in an advance from its Sunday edition.

His remarks from the interview, as reported in the Handelsblatt are even better:

„Es reicht nicht, dass das Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz Scientology beobachtet“, sagte Beckstein. Scientology sei keine religiöse Bewegung. „Sie ist vielmehr ein Unternehmen, dem es um wirtschaftliche und politische Macht geht.“  Beckstein kritisierte Berlins Innensenator Körting (SPD), der nach Gerichtsurteilen die Beobachtung durch den Landesverfassungsschutz eingestellt hatte. „Durch die fehlende Beobachtung konnte Scientology die Vorbereitungen zu einer Berliner Zentrale treffen, ohne dass es rechtzeitig bemerkt wurde“, unterstrich der bayerische Innenminister. Beckstein kündigte eine Initiative auf europäischer Ebene gegen Scientology an. „Es ist notwendig, die Bekämpfung von Scientology auch auf europäischer Ebene voranzubringen“.

(trans." It is not sufficient that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution watch over Scientology",said Beckstein.  Scientology is not a religious movement . "Rather, it is a business enterprise that seeks economic and political power." …. Beckstein announced a Europe-wide initiative against Scientology. "It is necessary to bring the fight against Scientology to a European level." )

Only in the United States is the Scientology cult recognized as a religion, and is therefore subsidized by the American taxpayer. Such is the power of dumb Hollywood celebrities in the US.

Update: The chaps over at Anglofritz explain Scientology’s theological foundations.