From the article:

quote:

The ruling, involving the expertise of psychologists, psychiatrists and sociologists, was prompted by a transport Prosecutor’s office in Russia’s Urals when a customs officers discovered that books and video materials by Hubbard were being sent from the US to different addresses in the area. The materials were confiscated and subjected to a thorough investigation by specialists.

In most cases I'd probably see this as religious persecution, but when it comes to Scientology it's another story. Scientology is a dangerous cult and I'm glad the Russian court banned Hubbard's books.

quote:

The experts stated that the materials contain calls for social and religious hatred, promote ideas of superiority and inferiority based on the creed of the person, as well as urge to hinder the activity of courts and law-enforcement bodies.

Now that would never fly in an American court. Merely calling for "social and religious hatred" isn't enough to get a book banned in the U.S. or for arresting its promoters as terrorists or subversive. It has to go beyond that, to the point of advocating violence against alleged alleged inferiors or enemies. As a matter of fact, it has get to the point of actively plotting violence before the perps can be prosecuted. I guess America sets the bar of religious tolerance a lot higher than many other countries.

quote:

Scientology is a total of beliefs and related practices created by L. Ron Hubbard. It teaches that people are immortal spiritual beings who have forgotten their true nature.

There is nothing wrong with that belief per se...hell, that's what *I* believe! It's where the Scientologists go with that belief that's the problem.

--Linda

     I read Hubbard's Dianetics many years ago and may still have the book. Dianetics seemed to me to be a form of psychotherapy that promised more than it could reasonably be expected to deliver. Until Stephen's posting I was unaware it had transmogrified into a new and profitable religion. Wikipedia brought me up-to-date on that. Scientology's homepage is marvellously seductive. Don't miss Hubbard's audio biography if you go there. After that you should go to the Wikipedia biography of Hubbard to restore your equlibrium.
Seán