CLEARWATER Ed Chesney had two rental homes and two vacant lots in the North Marina Area on the market for a year before his real estate agent called in late 2019 with good news. [3] Status as a "religious or worldview community" also affects a broad range of other issues in Germany, such as taxation and freedom of association. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. [68], A work instruction introduced in 1996 requires government staff in the Arbeitsmter local employment agencies and social security offices operated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to mark companies owned by Scientologists with the letter "S". Even those who have the highest positions there dont get paid that much, how much their work is trully worth. Clearwater is a beautiful town and the downtown area is now a ghost town. None. The church does not own any for-profit organizations. The organizations that others mentioned here are licensed by the church to use the work Dozens of downtown properties are being held vacant by companies tied to Scientology, a situation Jennings said he was trying to remedy through a land swap with the church. Officially known in Scientology as Flag Land Base, they were founded in the late 1970s when an anonymous Scientology-founded group called United Churches of Florida purchased the Fort Harrison Hotel for $3 million. This is intimidation, pure and simple. I have expanded the company by 10X while I worked there for nearly 5 years. [48][49], While there have been calls for Scientology to be banned, the "Church" of Scientology remains legal in Germany and is allowed to operate there. The best-known organizations operated by the Church of Scientology: Applied Scholastics Criminon International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance Narconon The Way to Happiness Youth for Human Rights International Citizens Commission on Human Rights World Institute of Scientology Enterprises The pattern of Scientology-tied companies buying so many properties and sitting on them flies in the face of most land economics, said Tobias, who has been appraising property in Pinellas County for 50 years. Scientologists also celebrate religious holidays depending on other religious beliefs, as Scientologists very often retain their original affiliations with religions in which they were raised. Whether you call it "religion tourism," "religious travel," "faith-based touring," or even "on-site religion studying," spiritual tourism (if you will) is popular. Hulk Hogan And The Church Of Scientology Hogan sparked rumors that he was the Church of Scientology's latest celebrity recruit when he started dating known (Listed if other than Religion News Blog, or if not shown above), cults use a method that experts now refer to as coercive control an act, Updated Israeli police have arrested man whom they suspect of leading a violent cult community, The upcoming trials of the last three Aum Shinrikyo cult members will inevitably revisit the, The Cult Information Centre, a UK charity that warns people of the dangers of cults,, 'Fatal Attraction' star Glenn Close has told New York Magazine that she was well-equipped for, After 25 years in operation, the Cult Information Centre in England fears it may no, A panel of academics and professionals from Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Services will, South Australia's chief prosecutor is calling for new laws to thwart the rise of cults. Companies in red have ties to Scientologists: 1) 35 Bypass Realty, LLC (RC Accessories) 2) 50 Buttermilk Hollow Realty, LLC (KRAG Chevy N. Huntington) 3) 54 Caprara Can you also say that about the sea Org folks ? #1. nicht rechtens", "Scientology Mitgliederzahl in Deutschland, Europa, USA und weltweit? [86][87][88], The move was criticized by German politicians from all sides of the political spectrum, with legal experts and intelligence agencies expressing concern that an attempt to ban the organization would likely fail in the courts. And this section of the Wikipedia entry on Clearwater also goes a long way toward explained why many locals are not amused by the Scientology cults oppressive presence: Clearwater is the headquarters of the Church of Scientology Corporation. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. [49][82] According to the agreement that concluded the case, she promised not to use Scientology methods in her work, and to inform the children's parents of her membership in Scientology. Purchases in the North Marina Area took off in July 2019, three months after the City Council voted to buy the historic North Ward Elementary School across the street from the Seminole ramp and Andrus condo. The term 'cult expert' is not protected. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. I have expanded the company by 10X while I worked there for nearly 5 years. A sub for the discussion of all things Scientology related. The names of these 26 groups appear in the Ex World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE) is an organization of businesspeople who use L. Ron Hubbard's methods in their business. Examples are the Scientology-owned publishing house Bridge Publications or the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, which promotes and sells Scientology services to businesses and entrepreneurs. Hogan sparked rumors that he was the Church of Scientology's latest celebrity recruit when he started dating known Scentiologist Sky Daily. The Church of Scientology has been a controversial collective for a number of years. I knew plenty of Scientologists who never even went to college at all, let alone held degrees, and plenty who were millionaires. [83], In March 2007, it was reported that German authorities were increasing their efforts to monitor Scientology in response to the opening of a new Scientology headquarters in Berlin. I was given a written warning for breaking policy. [5] On a 2000 visit to Clearwater, Florida, Ursula Caberta of the Scientology Task Force for the Hamburg Interior Authority likewise alleged that the asylum case had been part of an "orchestrated effort" by Scientology undertaken "for political gain", and "a spectacular abuse of the U.S. A sign in front of the business says, Notice: This is one of the only spas in downtown Clearwater not owned by a Scientologist., The spas website makes it clear that, In fact, we are, by definition, a Christian based business., I do not want to be associated with them in any way. No, it doesnt make you rich. Or is there a greater trust factor knowing that you can talk to ethics and have your employees audited if you suspect they are slacking / stealing? The court ruled that the use of informants was disproportionate. [14][15] Germany is not alone in opposing Scientology; in France, the "Church" of Scientology was convicted of organized fraud in October 2009, after a court found that members had been manipulated into paying large sums for Scientology products, and the "Church" only narrowly escaped being banned altogether. [30][32][33] Perceptions that Scientology had a totalitarian character were reinforced when Robert Vaughn Young, an American ex-Scientologist and former PR official in the "Church" of Scientology, visited German officials in late 1995 and wrote an article in Der Spiegel, a widely read weekly magazine, describing Scientology as a totalitarian system operating a gulag the Rehabilitation Project Force for members of Scientology's Sea Org found guilty of transgressions. [7] These efforts have been partly successful Scientology has gained recognition as a tax-exempt religious group in a number of countries, most notably in Australia in 1983 and the United States in 1993, and in 2007 won an important case at the European Court of Human Rights, which censured Russia for failing to register Scientology as a religion. Earlier this week a rumor popped up on Reddit Los Angeles: Is the Arclight Cinemas chain owned by Scientology ?. Bahia Property Management (Raul Aleman) Blue Streak Docs (Sam Gendusa) Buzzazz Business Solutions (Keanan In total, the church owns seven historic Hollywood properties worth about $300 million, part of a Hollywood real estate empire of 26 properties, according to real estate experts. Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment for medical conditions, the church said in a statement. [98], The U.S. Department of State has repeatedly claimed that Germany's actions constitute government and societal discrimination against minority religious groups and expressed its concerns over the violation of Scientologists' individual rights posed by sect filters. You are here: Home | Al Furqan | This business is not owned by a Scientologist. government. And ditto for Decurion. [81], In 2010, the Bavarian Administrative Court ruled that a woman working in a children's daycare centre, whose employment had been terminated when her ex-husband identified her as a Scientologist, should be reinstated. Since July 2019, eight limited liability companies managed or operated by members of the church have bought 45 properties in North Marina, including Chesneys. [63] Being suspected of maintaining "ambitions against the free, democratic basic order", the Scientology organization added a declaration on human rights and democracy to its bylaws. While the whole programs meant to rid peoples bodies of harmful toxins, theres no rule in the Scientology handbook that says churchgoers cant consume alcohol or cigarettes on a regular basis you know, substances known to negatively affect the human body. There was so much emphasize about me "Not following Policy" by the management of this company but then again isn't pushing religion illegal? [44] "Neither its bylaws nor any other utterances" supported the "conclusion that the organization had criminal aims". The belief that he is at least courting the controversial religious group has been furthered this week after Hogan was spotted taking in an NFL game with Tom Cruise. [3][40] In another 2003 decision, the Administrative Court of Baden-Wrttemberg in Mannheim said there were no indications that the teachings of Scientology merely served as a pretext for commercial activity. I think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige met with city officials and acknowledged the church acquired them as part of his plan to spend $55 million renovating downtown buildings and recruiting high-end retail to empty store fronts. [27][28] As most religions seek to widen their influence in society, such a programme could of course also be defended as a missionary effort, much like those many religions engage in. This stance has been criticized by the U.S. [66] He was eventually given a 30-day suspended jail sentence for spying on Scientology, and the German government apologized to Switzerland for the incident. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name: 58 are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. [108] However, it rejected the comparison of the treatment of Scientologists with that of Jews during the Nazi era. Who is the blonde girl in the new Verizon commercial? The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. [36] Federal ministries and state governments were asked[by whom?] [4][5], Scientologists in Germany face specific political and economic restrictions. Downtown Clearwater is an occupied downtown. They say he has gathered a multi-ethnic group of 20 to 30 young men around him, and they are fiercely loyal to him. Probably this motivation becomes obsession in some cases due to various church influences, but it also follows that humans just like to work with other humans with similar interests. [53][68] Such sect filters, primarily used to screen out Scientologists, have been drafted by German government agencies for use by businesses. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear, he said, so its tough to make economic sense out of it.. Church of Scientology-owned properties The church owns approximately 12 million square feet of property, with Hollywood at the center, and twenty-six properties worth 400 million. I had also been under pressure by a realtor who we were not able to service like yesterday and so I referred her to the owner's best friend's company and whom we had been doing networking with for many many years. The belief that he is at least courting the controversial religious group has been furthered this week after Hogan was spotted taking in an NFL game with Clearwater officials bemoan lack of progress on land talks with Scientology, Sheriffs Office identifies victims in suspected murder-suicide, Body of missing Clearwater teen found, police say, Clearwater takes first step in bringing renaissance to North Greenwood, MLK Day parades and festivals will be in St. Petersburg and Tampa on Monday, Clearwater has not recycled since July; solid waste official resigns, Largos TD Synnex posts $62B in revenue, plans $1B in stock buybacks, Tampa Bay internet celebrity Baked Alaska gets 60 days for Jan. 6 riot, Bounce the Mall tour of elaborate inflatables coming to Tyrone Square, Clearwater woman killed, child wounded in gunfight between boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, police say, Church of Scientologys presence in Pinellas County, Clear Takeover: How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover, Typhoon cancels Clearwaters sister city visit to Nagano. [3] Two points are contested: first, whether or not the teachings of Scientology qualify as a "religion or worldview" (Religion or Weltanschauung; these are equal before German law[50]), and secondly, whether or not these teachings are only used as a pretext for purely commercial activity; if the latter were the case, this would most likely imply that Scientology would not qualify for protection as a "religious or worldview community" (Religions- oder Weltanschauungsgemeinschaft) under Article 4 of the German constitution, which guarantees the freedom of belief, religion and worldview. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, Mod - Chaotic Neutral, Ex-Sea Org, Ex-Staff. The following are trademarks, service marks, or collective membership marks that the Church of Scientology and affiliated organizations claim to own, some of which are registered in some nations. The Broeker Operation was first revealed in 2009 when former church executives Marty Rathbun and Mike Rinder told the Tampa Bay Times that Miscavige wanted to know about Broekers every move after he continued his life outside the church. [86][89][90] Sabine Weber, president of the Church of Scientology in Berlin, called the accusations "unrealistic" and "absurd" and said that the German interior ministers' evaluation was based on "a few sentences out of 500,000 pages of Scientological literature". David Miscavige Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. The uniforms are worn by members of Sea Organization, a religious order of Scientologists who keep the churchs spiritual and administrative functions going. [73], The city-state of Hamburg set up a full-time office dedicated to opposing Scientology, the Scientology Task Force for the Hamburg Interior Authority, under the leadership of Ursula Caberta. It is headed by David Miscavige[1]. They also believe that Hubbard's "tech" is superior to any wog ideas so they believe that a Scientologist would necessarily be the better "trained" employee. Hulk Hogan And The Church Of Scientology. [38] Management-consultancy firms led by Scientologists often conceal their association with Scientology; once they have recruited members of their clients' upper management, these managers may send employees to Scientology trainers, as part of company education and training programmes, without informing them as to the origin of the training methods used. 25 years ago, nobody really knew about Scientology's inner workings, and many people had never heard of it at all. TheSportster Podcast has returned! The project broke ground in August and is aimed at helping bring businesses and foot traffic to the empty storefronts in the surrounding blocks. Employment - these entities seem to mostly hire practicing scn's to the extent possible. Within the sphere of the upper Scientology management there are also several corporations with specific functions with regard to publication, distribution, administration, and finances. Quick Answer : Does Grindr tell if you screenshot? In court testimony a Scientology security worker said that his job is to monitor the security cameras for Scientology. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. [29][99][100][101] The U.S. Department of State began to include the issue of Scientology in Germany in its annual human rights reports after the 1993 agreement between the Church of Scientology and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, through which Scientology gained the status of a tax-exempt religion in the United States.