Recently, Munich, Germany shut down a Kindergarten because the "well-being of the children in the establishment was under threat because the education process was based on the principles of Scientology." This event highlights the fact that in parts of Europe, freedom of religion does not extend to Scientology, which is not recognized as a religion — some countries even call it a "sect."

The choice of famous Scientologist Tom Cruise to play a well-known Nazi resistance leader, upset many Germans, who compared his infamous Scientology video to Nazi propaganda. Last month, a German court ruled that the government may continue spying on Scientology because the group "seeks to establish a social order that runs counter to the constitution." To get a handle on the sect designation, read more.

In Germany, as in France and other countries, the Church of Scientology has been accused of abusing civil liberties, misleading the public, and fraud. Scientology is considered a "sect" because it allegedly exploits its members financially.

Is it possible to differentiate between a religion and a sect? The question illuminates the difficulty in allowing behavior in the name of religious freedom. When people can justify any activity by claiming religious motivations, societal attempts to regulate behavior are perpetually undermined. Yet dominant religions, like Christianity, may be arbitrarily favored. How do we draw the line between religious persecution and legitimate government goals?

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