Ever since Scientology was formed in 1954 based on the teachings of fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, it has struggled to gain status as an actual religion. Despite support from well-known celebrities such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise, non-scientologists generally view scientology as more of a cult or business than an actual practicing religion. Despite this, Scientology is practiced all around the world and has many active members (critics and church leaders disagree on the actual number of members, but that's a different story).

In the past week, the French chapter of the Church of Scientology has been convicted of fraud, further damaging its credibility in the minds of critics. A Paris court convicted the church, its library, and six of its leaders of fraud and swindling former members. Although the branch was not actually shut down, it was fined $888,000 and told to change its methods in order to avoid being shut down in the future. Alain Rosenberg, a prominent leader in the church, was also found guilty of fraud and sentenced to a two-year prison sentence and a hefty fine of $44,000.

Georges Fenech, head of a government cult-fighting unit called Miviludes, applauds the court's decision, suggesting that "if the church begins swindling again, they can be subject to dissolution in the future." Although he insists that he has no problem with the actual belief system of Scientologists, he is very concerned that the church is exploiting families and former members.

The case stemmed from the accusations of people who have tried to leave the church. According to former Scientologists, they were pressured into paying up to $73,000 in ritual products. Apparently, recruits were harassed into buying these products in order to become practicing Scientologists. None of this money was returned after they decided to stop practicing Scientology.

Officials in the church are outraged and fully intend to appeal the court's decision. Eric Roux, a Scientology minister, feels that his church is being persecuted. He is concerned about the negative attitude that is held against Scientology in general and fears that minority religious groups are not being accepted as they should be. American Scientologists have suggested that the proceedings in France were nothing more than a "heresy trial" against their church. Although they are pleased that the court ruled that Scientology should continue in France, they fear that the trial is stepping on the rights of the group as a religious institution.

However, many non-Scientologists in France feel that the church should consider itself lucky that the French branch of Scientology was not dissolved, as was demanded by state prosecutor Maud Morel-Coujard in June this year. The original suggested sentence was to be a fine of $3,000,000 and the discontinuation of Scientology in France. The church, and its branches all around the world, may be facing many similar trials as more former members come out about their experiences as practicing Scientologists and their struggles in leaving the church.

Critics of Scientology are pleased by this prospect and hope to see the church held accountable for more of its cult-like tendencies in the future.