The Independent reports that $cientologists have launched a landmark legal bid to overturn
marriage laws in England and Wales. Scientologists believe it is unfair that Protestants, Catholics, Quakers, Jews
and Non-Conformists are allowed to have state sanctioned marriages in
their religious buildings whilst other faiths are not.
The case has been brought by 23-year-old a bride-to-be Louise Hodkin,
who wants to marry her fiancée in the chapel at Scientology’s
multi-million pound London headquarters off Queen Victoria Street. There
is nothing to stop Ms Hodkin having a blessing in the chapel following a
civil ceremony at a nearby registrar. But under Britain’s complicated
marriage laws she cannot have a religious wedding because the Registrar
General of Births, Deaths and Marriages refuses to recognise Scientology
chapels as a “places of worship” - the necessary step before marriages
can be solemnised.
Lawyers for Ms Hodkin went to the High Court yesterday to argue that the proscription against Scientology buildings is discriminatory and in breach of the 2010 Equality Act. Lord Lester QC, Ms Hodkin’s barrister, told the High Court that she was motivated by the fact that her fiancé’s brother had been allowed to marry at a Church of Scientology chapel in Edinburgh five years ago, a right which is permitted under Scottish law but denied south of the border.
“She and her fiancee both volunteer at the Church of Scientology and seek to celebrate their marriage through a legally recognised scientology wedding, surrounded by their friends, families and fellow volunteers,” he said. He described scientology as a “theistic religion”, in company with many of the major world faiths, and insisted that its chapels are used for “worship”. “It is a religion which believes in a supreme being,“ he told Mr Justice Ouseley, adding: ”As all the evidence before the registrar shows it does so in a profound way.“
But James Strachan, for the registrar, insisted Miss Hodkin's challenge was ”misconceived“. The decision not to recognise the chapel as a marriage venue had been made under the 1855 Places of Worship Registration Act, he said, and was exclusively focused on ”whether the place in question is for use for religious worship“.
Hmm if Miss Hodkin is dumb enough to believe the bullshit that $cientologyy spouts why not then offer up a substantial payment toreceive a bullshit marriage cermony. Anyone who is taken in by $cientology deserves to be fleeced by the charlatans
Lawyers for Ms Hodkin went to the High Court yesterday to argue that the proscription against Scientology buildings is discriminatory and in breach of the 2010 Equality Act. Lord Lester QC, Ms Hodkin’s barrister, told the High Court that she was motivated by the fact that her fiancé’s brother had been allowed to marry at a Church of Scientology chapel in Edinburgh five years ago, a right which is permitted under Scottish law but denied south of the border.
“She and her fiancee both volunteer at the Church of Scientology and seek to celebrate their marriage through a legally recognised scientology wedding, surrounded by their friends, families and fellow volunteers,” he said. He described scientology as a “theistic religion”, in company with many of the major world faiths, and insisted that its chapels are used for “worship”. “It is a religion which believes in a supreme being,“ he told Mr Justice Ouseley, adding: ”As all the evidence before the registrar shows it does so in a profound way.“
But James Strachan, for the registrar, insisted Miss Hodkin's challenge was ”misconceived“. The decision not to recognise the chapel as a marriage venue had been made under the 1855 Places of Worship Registration Act, he said, and was exclusively focused on ”whether the place in question is for use for religious worship“.
Hmm if Miss Hodkin is dumb enough to believe the bullshit that $cientologyy spouts why not then offer up a substantial payment toreceive a bullshit marriage cermony. Anyone who is taken in by $cientology deserves to be fleeced by the charlatans
