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posted by martyb on Thursday November 26 2015, @01:28AM   Printer-friendly
from the Xenu dept.

An Anonymous Coward submitted the news that a Court ruled Church of Scientology Moscow branch should be 'dissolved':

A Russian court has ruled that the Moscow branch of the Church of Scientology should be dissolved.

The Moscow city court accepted the arguments of Russia's justice ministry that as the term "Scientology" is a registered US trademark, the Church cannot be considered a religious organisation.

The organisation plans to appeal, reports said.

The controversial church is based in Los Angeles, California and was found in 1954 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.


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  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by stormwyrm on Thursday November 26 2015, @02:04AM

    by stormwyrm (717) on Thursday November 26 2015, @02:04AM (#268205) Journal
    The Roman Catholic Church has no trademark to its name anywhere in the world. I could start my own Roman Catholic Church with that exact same name, but with completely different doctrines and rites, and the Pope would not sue me for trademark infringement. He would certainly pronounce me excommunicated and condemn me as a schismatic of course, and warn orthodox Catholics to stay away from me, but he'd not try to extract a judgement from me in a court of law, and I would in all likelihood still be able to run my Church as I saw fit without any interference from any secular state that has freedom of religion. It'd be unlikely that I'd be able to fool any real Catholics into accepting my Church as genuine if my doctrines deviated far enough from standard Catholic orthodoxy for the Pope to condemn me for schism. The same thing seems to be true for almost every other religion out there. Why isn't this good enough for the Church of Scientology?
    --
    Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate.
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  • (Score: 2) by wisnoskij on Thursday November 26 2015, @02:13AM

    by wisnoskij (5149) <reversethis-{moc ... ksonsiwnohtanoj}> on Thursday November 26 2015, @02:13AM (#268210)

    Well the Catholic Church existed for thousands of years where church law was secular law. And an excommunication carried with it a death penalty. They were able to build a powerbase with this. I do not think it is unfair to allow Scientology to protect their name like any other business. The Catholic church would certainly file for a trademark if it was just starting out.

    • (Score: 3, Touché) by SpockLogic on Thursday November 26 2015, @02:53AM

      by SpockLogic (2762) on Thursday November 26 2015, @02:53AM (#268222)

      Good for the Ruskies. They've done something right at last.

      Personally I lean towards Pastafarianism, the more pasta the less lean I get.

      --
      Overreacting is one thing, sticking your head up your ass hoping the problem goes away is another - edIII
      • (Score: 3, Insightful) by DeathMonkey on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:29AM

        by DeathMonkey (1380) on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:29AM (#268249) Journal

        As a Pastafarian I am torn:
         
        On the one hand we have a fictional universal leader of non-human origin; who populates the earth with people; and eventually sets into motion a global catastrophic event (with explosions!).
         
        On the other hand, we've got a guy named Xenu.

      • (Score: 2) by Thexalon on Thursday November 26 2015, @12:29PM

        by Thexalon (636) on Thursday November 26 2015, @12:29PM (#268295)

        Alternately, if they used auditing process R2-45 on somebody who actually deserves it like, say, Vladimir Putin or Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, then it will be the Scientologists who finally did something right for a change.

        --
        The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
    • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @08:23AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @08:23AM (#268263)

      I do not think it is unfair to allow Scientology to protect their name like any other business.

      Nobody said they weren't allowed to. The court said that if you protect your name like any other business, you get to follow the same rules as any other business, instead of the (much more lenient) rules of religion.

      Those rules may include having a valid business license, false advertising (like claiming that you are a religion), etc.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @03:11AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @03:11AM (#268224)

    The mormons hold a trademark on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [trademarkia.com]

    The adventists hold a trademark on Adventist [trademarkia.com] and General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists [trademarkia.com]

    • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @05:01AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @05:01AM (#268242)

      Mormonism is 19th Century Scientology. They were a bit late introducing the whole "Planet Kolob" thing, but that is why they are "Later" day saints. God knows what they are like at night. Conversely and apropos, Scientology is 20th Century Mormonism, but since fads have gone away from Seer Stones and Egyptian Papyri, we have to go with Xenu, thetans, and e-meters, or Dianetics (tm). PT Barnum was the greatest religious leader of America. He said: "There's a sucker born every minute." L.Ron agreed, as did J.Smith.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @05:30AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @05:30AM (#268245)

        > Mormonism is 19th Century Scientology.
        > "There's a sucker born every minute." L.Ron agreed, as did J.Smith.

        What evidence do you have that the LDS is charging adherents to progress in the path of salvation?

        • (Score: 3, Informative) by aristarchus on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:05AM

          by aristarchus (2645) on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:05AM (#268246) Journal

          Evidence? Church Doctrine! Tithing is a real thing with Mormons, more "ideal" with Catholics! So yes, they are charging. Of course, not quite on the "pay to know" schedule of the Scientologists, but if you do not go to Temple, well, need I say more? No "Special Underwear" for you, no celestial wives and children, no planet of your own where you get to the the next Yahweh . . . Special kind of crazy is common to both Scientology and Mormonism. May Xenu find your home address, you spoil-sport probably a Baptist?

          It is not that I want religious people to feel unwelcome here on SoylentNews, it is just that I want them to feel stupid. If they are incapable of feeling stupid, then trying to defend their stupidity would be a acceptable substitute. So here we go: Christianity is the 0 Century version of Scientology. Or something.

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:31AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:31AM (#268250)

            Come on man. Mormons tithe the same amount as catholics - 10%. And in neither case is tithing about paying to progress spiritually.

            > It is not that I want religious people to feel unwelcome here on SoylentNews, it is just that I want them to feel stupid.

            I'm an athiest, but it doesn't take religion to to see that is exactly the same thing. You are welcome to be here as long as it makes you feel shitty!! Don't be that asshole.

            • (Score: 4, Informative) by aristarchus on Thursday November 26 2015, @07:19AM

              by aristarchus (2645) on Thursday November 26 2015, @07:19AM (#268258) Journal

              Catholics are supposed to tithe. they do not, by and large. Mormons are much better at tithing, because of the consequences of not doing so. Of course, one result of this is that Mormon social support services, if you are a Mormon, are much better than what Catholics provide. But then again, Catholics, like most other Christian sects, do not only help their members but offer aid to all, as part of their mission. So you see, Mormons are tribalist assholes. Leave the church, and you will never get any assistance at all from them. You may even be designated as the Mormon equivalent of a "supressive person"? And then they may send in the "Death Angels" . The history is not good. Mountain Meadows. The Salamander papers, and car bombs in Salt Lake. And now, active banning of all homosexuals. I am not that asshole, religion is that asshole. And I must say, starting with the Elusian Mysteries, I have seen enough of them to know. If you truly are an atheist, you know you are proposing a false equivalency.

              • (Score: 3, Touché) by Runaway1956 on Thursday November 26 2015, @09:36AM

                by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 26 2015, @09:36AM (#268279) Journal

                " I am not that asshole,"

                Perspective, Grasshopper. Get some.

              • (Score: 2) by HiThere on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:24PM

                by HiThere (866) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:24PM (#268373) Journal

                When comparing objects rather than integers there are often several different things that can be compared. Many times two distinct objects will compare equal WRT some characteristics and different WRT others. This is especially true if they are instances of two different descendant classes.

                Well, object-oriented programming doesn't map exactly onto reality, but I feel that there is an ancestral "class" of Religion that includes everything from tribal religions through Buddhism. Then there are descendant classes, often called things like "monotheistic", etc. Each major brand of religion is essentially a new descendant class. So when you compare instances of two distinct religious classes you will not find identity, but you may find them equal in certain characteristics shared by their common ancestor.

                Actually purely objective languages, like Io, are a better map of how things change and evolve, but few people would understand the argument if I used that framework. And they are uncommon because the approach is inefficient. But that is common with evolved rather than designed systems. (Even purely objective languages that I'm aware of don't include featrue deletion, so the map could be improved...at the cost of even more inefficiency.)

                --
                Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
              • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 27 2015, @07:02PM

                by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 27 2015, @07:02PM (#268749)

                > you know you are proposing a false equivalency.

                The only one with a false equivalency here is you - equating Mormonism to all religions so you can feel justified in shitting on people for being religious. You and buzzard are birds of a feather both thinking that your personal arbitrary judgment of groups of people you've never met and know nothing about beyond a couple of simple facts gives you moral standing to be assholes.

                • (Score: 2) by aristarchus on Friday November 27 2015, @07:40PM

                  by aristarchus (2645) on Friday November 27 2015, @07:40PM (#268765) Journal

                  moral standing to be assholes

                  Thank you for your comment. I will have to ponder this concept for a while. Perhaps there is no such thing, which was kind of my point. Could I be guilty as well? Maybe. (I let the Buzzard speak for its self, since no one seems able to prevent that.

            • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday November 26 2015, @09:33AM

              by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 26 2015, @09:33AM (#268278) Journal

              "And in neither case is tithing about paying to progress spiritually."

              Uhhhh - a lot of the "faithful" seem to believe that their tithes buy their way into heaven. Catholics, especially, often have the idea that they can do anything they like, so long as they go to mass, pay the tithe, and confess. That mindset isn't unique to Catholics, but it has always seemed especially obvious among them.

              • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @01:24PM

                by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 26 2015, @01:24PM (#268303)
                I'm a semi-practising Catholic in a country where more than 90% of the population is Catholic, and I can tell you that there is nothing like the strict tithing that the Mormons seem to be big on. Sure, they pass around the collection plate at Offertory and you're encouraged to make an offering but nowhere do they tell you that you are obligated to give anything, or that giving anything is a condition for salvation. The sale of indulgences was never official Catholic doctrine: nowhere in Catholic doctrine does it say that you can buy your way into salvation. Going to confession will not be enough to save you if you are unrepentant. Sure, people have that kind of attitude you describe but that is not the fault of the Church.
      • (Score: 2) by mendax on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:20AM

        by mendax (2840) on Thursday November 26 2015, @06:20AM (#268248)

        As I recall, Mark Twain called Mormonism a combination of Christian and Freemasonry, but I can't find the quotation. However, he did say this:

        The Book of Mormon, engraved upon metal plates, was dug up out of the ground in some out-of-the-way corner of Canada by Joseph Smith, a man of no repute and of no authority, and upon this extravagantly doubtful document the Mormon Church was built, and upon it stands to-day and flourishes. "Science and Health" was sent down from heaven to Mother Eddy, after having been sent up there by Brother Quimby, and upon "Science and Health" stands the great and growing and prosperous Christian Science Church to-day. Evidently one of the least difficult things in the world, to-day, is to humbug the human race.

        Both Mormonism and the alleged Christian Science are equally ridiculous IMHO, but people can believe whatever they want to believe so long as they don't try to push their religious delusions upon me.

        Now, if Mark Twain were alive today he would have a field day with Scientology. He was always trying to find a way to make a fortune. He's probably spinning in his grave regretting that he didn't think of doing what L. Ron Hubbard did and create his own religion to become rich.

        --
        It's really quite a simple choice: Life, Death, or Los Angeles.
        • (Score: 4, Interesting) by Phoenix666 on Thursday November 26 2015, @01:36PM

          by Phoenix666 (552) on Thursday November 26 2015, @01:36PM (#268305) Journal

          There is actually some truth to that. When the olympics came to salt lake city there was something that caught my eye that looked masonic, so I investigated and found some interestingconnections between joseph smith and freemasonry. Joseph smith was a young teenager in the area in upstate new york where the captain morgan affair occurred. After that a wave of anti-masonic fervor swept the country. Membership in masonic lodges plummeted. By the time joseph smith had moved his followers to naboo, IL, the lodges there were on the brink of extinction. Joseph smith seemed to have retained a fascination with freemasonry from his early teenage years, so he took all the men in his congregation into masonry. It seemed the lodges were initially more than happy to take them. Then smith adopted masonic rituals and practices into the mormon church, right down to the garb they wear to church under their clothes. It seems some of the masons were enraged by this, becuase there is a very strict taboo against mixing religion and politics with masonry. Smith was lynched, and the perpetrators were acquitted by judges who were masons. Thus began the mormon exodus to utah. It's why to this day the mormon church holds extreme antipathy toward freemasonry. They did retain all those masonic rituals and practices, though.

          --
          Washington DC delenda est.
        • (Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Friday November 27 2015, @04:16AM

          by hendrikboom (1125) Subscriber Badge on Friday November 27 2015, @04:16AM (#268518) Homepage Journal

          Mark Twain was always too honest to do anything like making a fraudulent religion to get rich. He would definitely have lampooned the Scientologists, and have had a field day dealing with their lawsuits. With his ready wit and eye for effective publicity, the Scientologists would have been best off leaving him alone.

  • (Score: 2) by frojack on Thursday November 26 2015, @04:53AM

    by frojack (1554) on Thursday November 26 2015, @04:53AM (#268240) Journal

    The Roman Catholic Church has no trademark to its name anywhere in the world.

    Such confidence!!

    You've searched all the records then?

    --
    No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.