Does Scientology deserve more scrutiny than other religions?

[abaris]

It's not just that. I have a friend in Florida, near their HQ, who in the past as a biker/bouncer has had, shall we say, "business dealings" with that church. Very shady stuff -- gun-running, stalking, drug dealing. My friend was approached for recruitment, which he turned down. Glad he had a concealed weapon; no shots were fired but according to him it was a very tense standoff.

It's a criminal racketeering organization, I'm convinced.

They are tied to numerous dubious deaths on an international level. Former members getting too vocal about the ongoings or even their relatives suddenly dying. There's also the rumor that what happens in Clearwater stays in Clearwater, as far as the local police is concerned. They don't seem too eager to shed a light on crimes that seem at least connected to Scientology.

So yes, I would say they're like the Mafia. What I never got though is who's actually profiteering from all the money they're raking in. You always hear about people paying obscene sums for useless seminaries. Even Tom Cruise. But you never hear about the people buying the fat Limousines and building mansions. It's not like Bagwan who flaunted his fleet of Royces or some of the mob bosses.