The newly published book sheds light behind the scenes of the controversy around Scientology in Germany. The author is the former sect-commissioner, the sociologist Dr. Peter Schulte, who has collected facts around the decade-old debate around Scientology for years. His conclusion: «The negative picture of Scientology painted for the public is the product of a targeted disinformation campaign carried out by the State Churches, politicians and agencies charged with protecting the constitution. [...]»

This book exposes a scandal of considerable magnitude that has been ongoing for over 40 years, and analyses the history and development of Scientology in the context of the marginalisation campaigns directed at it.

[...]

The book is a mandatory read for everyone who is interested in Scientology and the background of its discriminatory marginalisation.

— Tattva Viveka, issue 76, p. 90ff

[...] Schulte’s conclusion is rather sad: the public negative image of Scientology is a result of a disinformation campaign by mainline churches and government agencies. This discriminating policy brought this religion under the surveillance of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. However, during almost 20 years of it, no anti-Constitutional Book Reviews actions by Scientology were found. In his book, the author tries to discover the reasons of this absurd situation.

[...]

The author compares the attitude to Scientology in Germany with those in neighboring countries—Austria and Switzerland—and concludes that the former’s one is more similar to Germany, while the latter’s is much less negative. He doesn’t go into an explanation of these phenomena, probably because he prefers to concentrate on Germany. But in my opinion, one of the reasons for it might have to do with the historic trauma that Germany and to a lesser extent Austria experienced in connection with Nazism: hence their fear of the “totalitarianism” Scientology is often (falsely) accused of. On the other hand, Switzerland never passed through this trauma and is not affected by this kind of fears.

Next, Schulte discusses the activity of four German and Austrian leaders of the anti-cult movement—Friedrich-Wilhelm Haack (1935–1991), Renate Hartwig, Ursula Caberta y Diaz, and Wilfried Handl—and carefully analyzes their respective contributions to the smear campaign against Scientology. [...]

To my mind, the existing scholarly research of Scientology is the strongest argument supporting the conclusion that it is innocent of the accusations forwarded by the German government. The opponents of Scientology are ideologically prejudiced and subjective, while scholars are not an interested party and try to reach objective conclusions. It is on their work and on official investigations previously unknown that the conclusions of Peter Schtule [sic] are based on:

Neither the binding doctrine of Scientology nor the actual conduct of their German communities give any justifiable reason to doubt their law-abidingness and respect for the German legal system. This has been repeatedly confirmed by numerous, some of them hitherto unknown, official investigations themselves of the last 20 years. On the basis of the researched facts, one inevitably comes to the conclusion that the repression of Scientology by the state is exclusively politically determined, was influenced by the church, and is devoid of any legal or factual basis (153).

Read the complete review:
— The Journal of CESNUR, issue 3/1 (2019), p. 168ff

Das neu erschienene Buch leuchtet hinter die Kulisse der Kontroverse um Scientology in Deutschland. Autor ist der ehemalige Sektenbeauftrage, der Soziologe Dr. Peter Schulte, der jahrelang Fakten zur jahrzehntelangen Diskussion um Scientology recherchierte. Sein Fazit: "Das in der Öffentlichkeit gezeichnete negative Bild über Scientology ist ein Produkt gezielter Desinformationskampagnen von Amtskirchen, Politik und Verfassungsschutzbehörden. [...]"

Dieses Buch zeigt einen mittlerweile über 40 Jahre währenden Skandal größeren Ausmaßes auf und analysiert die Geschichte und Entwicklung von Scientology im Zusammenhang mit den gegen sie gerichteten Ausgrenzungsambitionen.

[...]

Das Buch ist ein Muss für jeden, der sich für Scientology und die Hintergründe ihrer diskriminierenden Ausgrenzung interessiert.

— Tattva Viveka, Ausgabe 76, S. 90ff

[REZENSION IM ENGLISCHEN ORIGINALTEXT]

[...] Schulte’s conclusion is rather sad: the public negative image of Scientology is a result of a disinformation campaign by mainline churches and government agencies. This discriminating policy brought this religion under the surveillance of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. However, during almost 20 years of it, no anti-Constitutional Book Reviews actions by Scientology were found. In his book, the author tries to discover the reasons of this absurd situation.

[...]

The author compares the attitude to Scientology in Germany with those in neighboring countries—Austria and Switzerland—and concludes that the former’s one is more similar to Germany, while the latter’s is much less negative. He doesn’t go into an explanation of these phenomena, probably because he prefers to concentrate on Germany. But in my opinion, one of the reasons for it might have to do with the historic trauma that Germany and to a lesser extent Austria experienced in connection with Nazism: hence their fear of the “totalitarianism” Scientology is often (falsely) accused of. On the other hand, Switzerland never passed through this trauma and is not affected by this kind of fears.

Next, Schulte discusses the activity of four German and Austrian leaders of the anti-cult movement—Friedrich-Wilhelm Haack (1935–1991), Renate Hartwig, Ursula Caberta y Diaz, and Wilfried Handl—and carefully analyzes their respective contributions to the smear campaign against Scientology. [...]

To my mind, the existing scholarly research of Scientology is the strongest argument supporting the conclusion that it is innocent of the accusations forwarded by the German government. The opponents of Scientology are ideologically prejudiced and subjective, while scholars are not an interested party and try to reach objective conclusions. It is on their work and on official investigations previously unknown that the conclusions of Peter Schtule [sic] are based on:

Neither the binding doctrine of Scientology nor the actual conduct of their German communities give any justifiable reason to doubt their law-abidingness and respect for the German legal system. This has been repeatedly confirmed by numerous, some of them hitherto unknown, official investigations themselves of the last 20 years. On the basis of the researched facts, one inevitably comes to the conclusion that the repression of Scientology by the state is exclusively politically determined, was influenced by the church, and is devoid of any legal or factual basis (153).

Vollständige Rezension lesen unter:
— The Journal of CESNUR, Ausgabe 3/1 (2019), S. 168ff

This book was written in a very objective mann and is based on data and facts. Very informative. In my opinion highly recommended.

If one is secretly fascinated by the machinations going on behind the curtains, then he should definitely read this book. A light is finally shined on that which is behind the whole of agitprop in general. Whether it be Jehovah’s Witnesses or Scientology, the Buddhists or whomever.

There is so much material about Scientology. Most of what I had read were either cheap polemics, unproven statements or the parroting of various “sect-experts”. This book is different. Right from the beginning it is made clear where the information comes from. The veracity of the information is researched and backed up with real documentation. I now have a completely different viewpoint as to where the actual danger originates from. This book from Peter Sdhulte contains everything that one needs to gather a comprehensive picture of the attacks against Scientology, from whom they originate and why. Peter Schulte, as a former sect commissioner, truly beyond reproach. I admire his courage to so openly persist against the will of the “all-powerful” authorities. He is a great whistleblower.

This is a book addressed to those who won’t be satisfied with a two or three sentence brush-off regarding the activities of Scientology but to those looking for background and facts. […]

This tell-all book achieves a special level of explosiveness through the inclusion of previously unavailable dossiers that were squeezed out of government agencies through years of effort and legal proceedings and they prove: “The deception offered the public was known […] to relevant political circles.” The documents show that right from the beginning the police and law enforcement agencies gave an all-clear and that not even first indications for a criminal investigation, not to mention for surveillance on the part of the Office For the Protection of the Constitution, had been observed. Despite this they were pressured to continue through orders on the part of politicians. […]

One feels that it is the author’s intention to pursue the truth, to conduct honest research and obtain honest answers: Is there any basis to the charges against Scientology? What led to the fact that a philosophical movement to which not even a tenth of a percent of the world population belongs should be fought against with such a vehemence when no facts existed to justify it? And who is pushing for the battle? In the case of “The Scientology File” a tell-all book has been written that really dives below the surface and that not the least, because of its explosive revelations, is a cliff-hanger from the first page right up to the last.

— Kent-Depesche

Das Buch wendet sich an diejenigen, die sich nicht mit zwei, drei Sätzen über das Wirken von Scientology abspeisen lassen, sondern Hintergründe und Fakten wollen. [...]

Besondere Brisanz erhält das Enthüllungsbuch durch bisher nicht zugängliche Akten, die in jahrelangen Bemühungen aus den Behörden herausgeklagt wurden und beweisen: "Die Täuschung der Öffentlichkeit war relevanten politischen Stellen […] bewusst." Die Dokumente belegen, dass Polizei und Strafverfolgungsbehörden von Anfang an Entwarnung gaben und noch nicht einmal einen Anfangsverdacht für strafrechtliche Ermittlungen, geschweige denn für eine Beobachtung durch den Verfassungsschutz sahen. Dennoch wurden sie auf Weisung der Politik jahrelang zum Weitermachen angehalten. [...]

Dem Autor geht es spürbar um Wahrheitsfindung, ehrliche Recherche, aufrichtige Antworten: Was ist wirklich dran an den Vorwürfen gegen Scientology? Was führte dazu, dass eine weltanschauliche Bewegung, der noch nicht einmal ein zehntel Prozent der Bevölkerung angehört, mit einer Vehemenz bekämpft wird, die durch Fakten nicht zu rechtfertigen ist? Und wer treibt diesen Kampf voran? Mit "Die Akte Scientology" ist ein Enthüllungsbuch entstanden, das unter die Haut geht und das nicht zuletzt aufgrund seiner brisanten Enthüllungen von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite spannend bleibt.

— Kent-Depesche

Es gibt so viel über Scientology. Das meiste was ich gelesen habe war entweder billige Polemik, nicht nachweisbar oder Nachgeplapper von irgendwelchen sogenannten "Sektenexperten". Ganz anders dieses Buch. Es wird von Anfang an klargemacht, woher die Informationen kommen, der Wahrheitsgehalt wird überprüft und mit echten Dokumenten untermauert. Ich habe einen vollkommenen anderen Gesichtspunkt darüber woher die eigentliche Gefahr kommt. Dieses Buch von Peter Schulte enthält alles, was man braucht, um sich ein umfassendes Bild über die Angriffe gegen Scientology, von wem und warum sie initiiert werden zu machen. Peter Schulte ist wohl als ehemaliger Sektenbeauftragter über jeden Zweifel erhaben. Ich bewundere seinen Mut so offen gegen "allmächtige" Behörden vorzugehen. Ein großartiger Whistleblower.

Wenn sich jemand für die Machenschaften im Geheimen interessiert dann sollte er diese Buch unbedingt lesen. Es kommt endlich ans Tageslicht was hinter der ganzen Hetzpropagande im Generellen steckt. Sei es Zeugen Jehovas oder Scientology, die Buddhisten oder wer auch immer.

Das Buch ist sehr sachlich geschrieben und bezieht sich auf Fakten und Tatsachen. Sehr Aufschlussreich. Meiner Meinung nach zu empfehlen.