france classifies scientology as a cult, not a religion.
once you make that move, the fraud dimension becomes more obvious.
there was a transcript of some really damning testimony in le monde yesterday on the topic of financial fraud--i have a meeting, but will try to dig it up later on, if i have the time.
edit:
http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/articl...ens_id=1197411
http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/articl...ens_id=1197411
here are a couple background pieces from le monde (in french)....