United States Department of State

“ However, it called upon the Government to introduce legislation for consumer protection in the "psycho-market" and highlighted the need for the Government to inform the public about dangers to health and property posed by psycho-cults and groups. The report placed particular emphasis on Scientology because it allegedly pursued policies of "misinformation and intimidation" of its critics. The report did not classify Scientology as a religion, but as a profit-oriented psycho-group with totalitarian internal structures and undemocratic goals. ”

“ The minister permitted the woman to conduct the practice teaching required for her university degree but argued that allowing a teacher to wear a headscarf on the job would violate the religious and political neutrality legally required of all civil servants, including teachers. The woman concerned announced her intention to appeal the decision in the court system. While the minister held that the political act of donning a headscarf was unacceptable for a teacher as a role model, thousands of Muslim students are free to wear headscarves in school. ”

“ Some government officials allege that Scientology's goals and methods are antidemocratic and call for further restrictions on Scientology-affiliated organizations and individuals. For example, during a March 1999 meeting with a lawyer representing the Church of Scientology and members of the working group on Scientology in the Hamburg interior ministry, Hamburg state officials expressed their belief that the Church is a criminal organization with a totalitarian ideology. ”

“ Scientologists assert that business firms whose owners or executives are Scientologists, as well as artists who are church members, faced boycotts and discrimination, sometimes with state and local government approval. Other church members reported employment difficulties, and, in the state of Bavaria, applicants for state civil service positions are screened for Scientology membership. ”

“ State governments also subsidize various institutions affiliated with public law corporations, such as church-run schools and hospitals. State subsidies also are provided to some religious organizations for historical and cultural reasons. ”

“ The Evangelical Church, which includes Lutheran, Uniate, and Reformed Protestant Churches, has 27.7 million members, who constitute 33.8 percent of the population. Statistical offices in the Church estimate that 1.4 million church members (or 5.1 percent) attend weekly religious services. The Catholic Church has a membership of 27.5 million or 33.6 percent of the population. According to the Church's statistics, 5 million Catholics (or 18.2 percent) actively participate in weekly services. Muslims make up approximately 3.4 percent of the population, or about 2.8 million persons. ”

“ In August 1998, officials in Frankfurt defended their decision to allow about 6,000 Scientology members and supporters to hold a demonstration in the city's Opera Square. Responding to criticism for issuing the demonstration permit, the officials defended Scientology's freedom of assembly.
Scientologists continued to take grievances to the courts. Legal rulings have been mixed. Some individuals who had been fired because they are Scientologists sued their employers for "unfair dismissal." Several have reached out of court settlements with employers. ”

“ Several major political parties generally hold ecumenical religious services prior to beginning their national conventions. Religious organizations and political and educational foundations hold seminars and discussion panels to promote interreligious understanding. ”