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Scientology made the news recently when a number of Hollywood personalities wrote an "open letter" to the government of Germany, accusing it of activities parallelling those of the Nazi regime -- only this time, Scientologists were painted as the victims.

So I thought I'd resurrect an old post of mine to alt.religion.scientology, on that very subject, in response to a posting by a Scientologist named Cory Brennan.

It's interesting that you always bring up the Nazis' persecution of the Jews in Germany during World War II, hoping to cast yourself in the role of the Jews.

Let's do some comparison.

Jews	Scientology
Have been a religion for thousands of years	Became a religion fewer than 50 years ago for, in Hubbard's words, "the tax angle".
Persecuted, driven from their homes, killed in death camps.	Call open discussion of their beliefs "persecution". Mortgage and sell their own homes to progress up the "Bridge". Put their own Sea Org members in RPF.
Wanted to simply live in peace	Want to make the entire planet follow Scientology
Very strong moral code	"Ethics" completely redefined. Morality does not apply when dealing with non-Scientologists

Hmm, not very similar there. How about another comparison?

Nazis	Scientology
Had concentration camps	Has concentration camps (RPF)
Militaristic structure	Militaristic structure (especially in the Sea Org)
Espionage organisations (Gestapo)	Espionage organisations (GO B1, OSA)
Charismatic ruler who inspired fervor (Hitler)	Charismatic ruler who inspired fervor (Hubbard)
Military uniforms	Military (naval) uniforms
Short, pompous leader (Hitler)	Short, pompous leader (Miscavige)
Looked down on Jews	Look down on Wogs
Hitler believed blacks to be subhuman	Hubbard believed blacks to be subhuman
Aryans believed to be supermen	Clears and OTs believed to have supernormal powers
German citizens encouraged to join Nazi party	Scientologists encouraged to join staff and Sea Org
Disliked having their policies (death camps, etc.) become public knowledge	Dislike having their policies (RPF, etc.) become public knowledge
Intended to conquer the entire planet	Intend to conquer the entire planet
Absolute loyalty demanded of party members	Absolute loyalty demanded of members
Party members forbidden to have relationships with Jews	Members forced to disconnect from SPs
Founder wrote a book (Mein Kampf) viewed as a blueprint and foundation.	Founder wrote a book (Dianetics) viewed as a blueprint and foundation.
Appropriated a religious symbol from another source (the fylfot, or swastika).	Appropriated a religious symbol from another source (Aleister Crowley's "crossed-out cross").
Thought nothing of harming Jews	Think nothing of harming SPs

Gee, what a surprise -- a lot more similarities there!