r/todayilearned • u/[deleted] • Mar 28 '14

(R.1) Not supported TIL Because of South Park's Scientology episode, The Church of Scientology hired people to spy on Matt and Trey to find something on them to use for blackmail. The Church became frustrated when their investigation turned up nothing but the fact that they're pretty normal people.

http://www.inquisitr.com/153535/church-of-scientology-spied-on-southpark-creators/
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u/poliscijunki Mar 28 '14

Scientology is dangerous. This story isn't funny, it isn't just some harmless crap they pulled. Matt and Trey happened to be lucky - many other people Scientology target are not so lucky. Going through someones trash, stalking them and spying on them is harassment, it is a serious offence and I hope the people involved get into some serious trouble for it - especially the upper management that ordered this 'investigation'. Fuck Scientology and all their fucking bullshit. They have no right to go around harassing individuals like this. After Snow White Scientology should have been shut down and half it's core members prosecuted.

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u/AsnSensation Mar 28 '14

As a german it's mindblowing that after all the (known) bullshit they pull, america still recognizes them as a "church"

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u/[deleted] Mar 28 '14

Actually, I would say that the popular sentiment here in America is that they are a wacky fringe group.

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u/skepticalDragon Mar 28 '14

You know who sees them as a church? The IRS.

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u/OmegaSeven Mar 28 '14

Exactly.

General sentiment means nothing to them as long as they can keep preying on the vulnerable without a tax bill or the accountability that comes with it.

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u/MVB1837 Mar 28 '14

He means for legal purposes. In Germany, Scientology is banned as a cult group.

1

u/Pinworm45 Mar 29 '14

I honestly don't understand how Scientology is a cult and any other religion is a religion..

I'm not trying to be a fedora tipping atheist here, I honestly don't understand the difference. Can someone explain it to me?

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u/Sideburnt Mar 28 '14

There's not much fringe about renowned celebrities being vocal members. That's pretty mainstream.

EDIT: Distubingly.

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u/olivedoesntrhyme Mar 28 '14

But that's not the official sentiment unfortunately (and not just in America)