A German Redditor was puzzled and bemused by a provision in his teaching job application. The application specifically banned adherents of Scientology.
Most Redditors predictably screeched ALL RELIGIONS ARE EVIL! Other Germans correctly explained that Scientology is unique. Hubbard always recruited top-level elites, and used extortion and blackmail and technology to weaponize the elites as a shadow government. Fortunately the cult has faded in recent years.
Hubbard is not unique historically. In earlier centuries the Knights Templar and the Jesuits and the Masons had similar recruiting practices and similar paramilitary and shadow government aims.
A basic Euro vs American cultural difference is also hiding in this question. Germany still has an established Church with special governmental subsidies and privileges. Britain still explicitly ties the Church to the King. Scientology competes with both churches and governments, so it’s a double threat to the government/church in such countries.
Polistra's Mill 