Tom Cruise can't teach English here.

For 2 of my 3 jobs, I had to sign a very interesting separate contract clause that says exactly this:

I, [my name here] as a freelance worker for, among others, [name of my language school here], declare that in the fulfillment of my contract I will not in any way apply the teachings or technology of L. Ron Hubbard (founder of Scientology). I further confirm that I have never been and am not a member of IAS (International Association of Scientologists) and will not recruit new members for the IAS.

Violation of this agreement can result in termination of the freelance contract without notice. Furthermore, [name of my language school here] has the right to pursue any damages incurred as a result.

Oh and I love the title of this contract clause: "Voluntary Sect Filter Clause." Gotta love euphemisms. :)

I know that Germany isn't too fond of Scientologists, but I didn't know this would be one of the ramifications...Interestingly enough, the Interior Ministry, which is actually right next to our apartment building, is in the midst of deciding whether Scientology will undergo federal investigation (since it's only undergoing state-level investigation right now) in hopes of eventually banning the "religion." Reason why?

Source - Time Magazine "...the Scientology organization, agenda and activities are marked by objectives that are fundamentally and permanently directed at abolishing the free democratic basic order" and in 2004, a German judge "... ruled that the monitoring was warranted because the activities of the Scientologists were a threat to German constitutional protections, and in particular the right of Germans to exercise their political will, the right to equal treatment, and guarantees against bodily harm. (The judge ruled, among other things, that the group brainwashes members.)"

From what I've heard so far from colleagues and other Germans, the government here is basically treating it almost as a terrorist organization and doing their best to watch them as closely as possible to get clear(er) proof to ban them. About a month ago they shut down a Scientology daycare center in Munich, claiming that they were teaching the kids according to the Scientology ideologies. Meanwhile, the German Scientology headquarters sprang up in Berlin in 2005 (it's about a mile and a half from our pad.)

So all this made me curious about what the deal is with all this Scientology crap in general (aliens and shit, right?) My friend Gianni told me a while ago that in the end, when Scientologists reach some advanced level of whatever the hell it is their practicing (apparently there are a bunch of levels in this religion that one must attain, or something, by paying through the nose of course), the "truth" is that a dead alien souls, left behind from an evil alien ruler called Xenu that killed a crapload of aliens inside Earth's volcanoes, live inside your body:

Scientologists ACTUALLY believe the evil alien ruler Xenu killed a lot of aliens (Thetans) from around the universe by bringing them to earth & blowing them up inside volcanoes. They believe the souls of these aliens (these souls are "Body Thetans") have attached themselves to us & cause many of our mental & physical ills. Members who know about Xenu will attempt to deny it or pretend like it doesn’t matter. They are required to sign a contract binding them to silence on the matter. Lower level members don’t know about Xenu & accordingly deny everything because they honestly don’t know.

Sounds pretty funny so far (and that part was, but this video explaining gruesome deaths directly caused by Scientology, is not. Viewers beware!)

To rid ourselves of "Body Thetans" & also “engrams” (past negative experiences stored in our unconscious mind) so that we can become “clear”, we have to go through "auditing" with a member of the “church” who uses an "e-meter" to measure our “reactive mind”...... & we have to pay lots & lots of money for “auditing” (purchased in 12.5-hour blocks, costing anywhere from $750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 & $9,000 for advanced sessions) & to take courses on Scientology to advance to higher “levels” in the “church”. The “church” has also taken a very hostile stance towards psychiatry & psychiatric drugs irrespective of the fact that some people require medication to remain adequately functional in everyday life. They deny the reality of chemical imbalance & profound mental disturbance & accordingly do NOTHING to effectively stabilize the dangerously unstable. The “church” has been known to withhold prescription pharmaceuticals from member (with deadly results).

Scientology is undeniably a cult. For more information on what a cult is & what their damaging effects are, please visit the link provided at the bottom of the sources. Just know that Scientology DOES qualify by meeting these 5 criteria:

(1) It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate & retain its members. (2) It forms an elitist totalitarian society. (3) Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable & has charisma. (4) It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds & recruit people. (5) Its wealth does not benefit its members or society.

Man, did Tom drink the Kool-Aid or what.