Scientologists Lose Court Case

Source: Washington Post
Date: January 24, 1997

A Greek judge has declared an Athens Scientology group illegal, ruling that it had obtained a license to operate here under false pretenses.

The ruling was the first in Greece against the Scientologists, a group founded in 1954 by U.S. writer L. Ron Hubbard that says it represents a godless religion whose members strive for spiritual growth and self-improvement.

Critics of the group argue that it is a cult that exercises undue influence over its members and bilks them of money.

The court noted that the Scientology group here, the Greek Center of Applied Philosophy, had obtained a license as a nonprofit, public interest organization. Instead, the court said, one of its prime aims was to make money by charging newcomers for courses and making its members work without pay.

The group also put people's mental and physical health at risk by using amateur psychology methods, the court said.

The Greek Orthodox Church and parents of youths who became members of the group have tried unsuccessfully to bring the Church of Scientology to trial in the past year.