I concede your fundamental point that it’s a religion, and I’d agree with the tax break thing too, but I don’t think an equal footing is right.

While I don’t particularly like the idea of tax breaks for any religion, I certainly have a problem with having them for a religion that is _also an active criminal organisation_.

A lot of atrocities have been committed in the past in the name of the major religions, and legitimised by the mainstream branches of those religions. However, Scientology is committing (admittedly smaller-scale) atrocities NOW. They’re committing crimes NOW.

Plus, I haven’t seen any record of Jesus, Mohamed or even the recent popes, ayatollahs, etc. saying things like “The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them” and the classic “If you want to get rich, you start a religion.”

That kind of crap demonstrates that the Scientologists really don’t think of themselves as a religion either when it comes down to it. It’s a sham _and they know it_. They also know they can get away with it. Give the catholics, jews and muslims credit: they actually believe in what they’re on about.