CNN.com-

A French court on Tuesday convicted the Church of Scientology and six of its members of organized fraud, but stopped short of banning the church.

 

The court also fined the members as much as 400,000 euros ($595,000) each.

 

The decision follows a three-week trial in May and June, during which two plaintiffs said they were defrauded by the organization, which is classified as a sect in France.

 

The Church of Scientology has about 45,000 followers in France, and some of them were in court Tuesday.

 

The church had said before the verdict that it would appeal any judgment against it.

 

The judge at the Correctional Court in Paris said the church may continue its activities in France, but he said those activities must remain "on the correct side of the law."

 

As part of the penalties, the church was ordered to publish the results of the verdict in several national and international magazines to warn people, the judge said, about what Scientology offers and what was discovered at trial.

 

The plaintiffs focused their complaints on the use of a device that Scientologists say measures spiritual well-being. Members used the electropsychometer, or E-Meter, to "locate areas of spiritual duress or travail so they can be addressed and handled," according to Scientology's Web site.

 

The plaintiffs said that, after using the device, they were encouraged to pay for vitamins and books. They said that amounted to fraud.

 

Prosecutors had asked for the dissolution of the church and its Paris bookstore.

Meh. I don't see the point of this thread other than religion bashing.

 

"My make-believe mythology is better than yours!"

I really wish they'd lose tax exempt status here.

Meh. I don't see the point of this thread other than religion bashing.

 

"My make-believe mythology is better than yours!"

This from the guy who recently posted "Religion... Bahaha".

 

This from the guy who recently posted "Religion... Bahaha".

Exactly. Why single one out when they're all based on fantasy?

I really wish they'd lose tax exempt status here.

Who is "they"?

 

Who is "they"?

Pretty sure he was referring to Scientology

Who is "they"?

 

 

Pretty sure he was referring to Scientology

 

Yep. I generally don't have a problem with legitimate religions having tax exempt status for legitimate reasons.

Yep. I generally don't have a problem with legitimate religions having tax exempt status for legitimate reasons.

Got it. I just wanted to make sure I understood what you were saying right.

 

Not to hijack the thread...but I will.

 

What if the law was changed to have tax-exempt status only on land actually USED for worship? So, if a church buys a building across the street as a income property, that wouldn't be tax exempt. Just a thought...

If that income is used to support the church when it otherwise wouldn't be or is turned around and spent on charity or the community, eh. But thinking out loud there's already tax deductions for that sort of stuff.

If that income is used to support the church when it otherwise wouldn't be or is turned around and spent on charity or the community, eh. But thinking out loud there's already tax deductions for that sort of stuff.

I actually agree with that idea in principle, however, two problems. One, that move would bankrupt the US Catholic Church instantly, and might do the same to the Mormons. Two, you will have a hard time defining what is really used for "worship" or church business, and what is not.

 

Why give a property tax exemption for any place of worship?

I actually agree with that idea in principle, however, two problems. One, that move would bankrupt the US Catholic Church instantly, and might do the same to the Mormons. Two, you will have a hard time defining what is really used for "worship" or church business, and what is not.

 

In some cases, yes. For instance, my father-in-law is a minister for the United Church of Christ. They bought the house across the street from the church...Why? For parking. To me, that is not used for worship. I know the arguments...but the house that sits on the lot is being used for retail during the week. and Sunday too, but they open after Church lets out. Now, if that house is used for something else, like a parsonage or an annex, then yes. But to use just for parking...no.