I am in no way a fan of France.
Never have been. Probably never will be.
I love their crépes and baguettes, but not their government.
That being neither here nor there, I discovered this bit of recent news.
France is trying to ban Scientology.
Ban it. I didn’t know a country could do such a thing.
A court in France just ordered the French leader of this organization to pay $44,000 and serve 2 years in prison for “organized fraud.” The court also says the organization “threatens public order.” The Church of Scientology is ordered to pay $900,000. Read about it here.
France refuses to recognize Scientology as a religion, but a sect and a “profit-generating commercial organization.”
Now there are more high-profile members leaving and threatening to leave the group.
Of course, the group, which claims to have 8 million members world-wide, says they will fight back.
I don’t understand anything about Scientology, except that it’s based on the wacky beliefs of a science fiction author and something about dianetics (which I assume has nothing to do with diatetics, which I do understand).
Here’s a taste of what Scientology has to offer.
But, here’s my concern: Can a country decide what is and is not a religion?
That fact is scary to me.
Because some could definitely say that Christianity “threatens public order.” I’m sure that’s what the Pharisees said about Jesus when He walked the earth.
Some could also say that the church is a “profit-generating commercial organization.” We command members to give their money to the church if they want to live in accordance to what the Word of God says.
Although I’m happy that Scientology is rightfully getting a bad rap, I can’t help but think about what opinions of high-ranking officials could mean for Christianity or any other religion in the future.
I’d love to see the end of all false religions and for all people to worship the One and Only True God.
Is this how it could happen? Or is this more like the end?
You are on to something here. Governments should not determine what is and isn't religion and that is the wall between church and state that Jefferson referenced. Our forefathers worked diligently to insure government could never do what France is trying to do. But since we are now trashing the Constitution at will, we may not be far behind the French in these types of actions. Good post Daphne!
Yikes. While I don't mind Scientology being the one thrown under the bus, it is frightening to think this can happen. With government sanctions. Again, yikes.
scary stuff. its almost like using a time machine to see where we'll be in 20-40 years.
Love God. Love others. Anything more than that is religion, but government shouldN'T have a say-so. {stepping off of soap-box now} 🙂
This is a taste of what is in store for us. Government can and will do whatever they want until the people uprise and tell them NO!
Come quickly Lord!
I 100% agree. Scary stuff!
You are definitely on to something here. I am afraid that government sanctions are becoming more and more a reality and Christianity is more and more the target.
One day every knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus CHRIST is Lord.
That, my friend, will be a sight to behold. Can't wait.
The French gov't also considered banning the burqa- as in not allowing Muslim women to wear it. The thought is that it violates their human rights. Yet if you look further into fundamentalist Islam, you realize that because women are relegated to the home sphere and are really not supposed to be out in public where men will lust over them, the burqa actually allows them to be out in public– kindof like a portable home. So it actually gives them MORE freedom to wear the burqa.
I really think they just do not like religion. France prides themselves on being a secular nation, and I don't think it will be long before they are after Christianity too. And I think things like this are going to become more and more common in our world.
The government wants to be in the business of telling us how to live our lives in all sorts of personal ways…so irritating. I feel strongly that law should only be used to protect us from each other…not from our own stupid selves. Clearly, some (ahem) in the government disagree.
Biblically, I think it's pretty clear that things are going to get MUCH worse for Christians before the Lord comes back for us. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm meeting in underground churches by the end of my lifetime. World governments will get stronger and more intrusive, and the True Church will suffer.
But…praise God…none of that changes who He is.
I can't claim to understand the mind of God, but from my limited perspective, it seems that the heat has to get turned up to some pretty painful levels to force people to make a choice. It won't be long before happily sitting on the fence just will not be an option.
I pray that I have the courage to shout from the rooftops until they lock me up or send me Home for good!
PS. That video…pretty revealing!
PPS. Sorry to ramble in a comment…this is why I do my own blog 😉
I'm going with more like the end.
It would be GREAT to have it down to ONE GOD…but, the bible tells us that the great deceiver must come first with his "one peace" junk. I'm not worried so much because I know that I won't be around to witness it, my call will have come like a thief in the night.
Girl you won't see an end to false religions on the earth… it's not gonna happen. But we'll see it on the New Earth, and it's going to be glorious! 🙂
I can only hope it's the end…. I'm ready for the end.
I don't think you have to worry about either France or Christianity! It's the usual European compromise. France is a very old and traditionally Christian country, which also tries to be very current and secular.
Personally, having had family members involved in Scientology – I wouldn't call it a religion either! And I consider myself to be reasonably liberal on these matters.
I do feel that it's a problem that every faith organisation has to face. How do you spread the word, but still support those who are too vulnerable to fully participate in the organisation, and also prevent those who would use the organisation for their own personal and financial ends.
I think if a country (which many in Europe do), offers certain tax relief or other benefits to religions or churches, then it's reasonable for them to say which organisations fall into that category or not!
Sometimes I lie awake, restless…fearing the world into which my husband and I are bringing children. It scares me to think times will be much less peaceful for them and harder for them to know the truth of Jesus Christ.
Good post. Thought provoking. You're dead on.
Blessings,
LVMc
Yikes. I agree — I like seeing false religions recognized as false but there are many people (and non people i.e. Satan, et al) who would love nothing more than to destroy Christianity.
Come quickly Lord!