German Scientology art museum conspiracy is an actual thing
Just when you thought the bizarre, insular cult of Xenu couldn’t get any skeevier, this news comes along.
German intelligence officials have been summoned to investigate the influence of the Church of Scientology over an iconic art museum in Munich, prompting concerns about the extent of the church’s power in a country already deeply distrustful of Scientology.
The German government, which does not recognize the Church of Scientology as a religion, has long maintained a suspicious attitude toward the ideology of Scientology and has routinely monitored its activities in the country. The church, which German officials have accused of attempting to undermine freedom and democracy, is estimated to have about 1,200 members in the southern state of Bavaria alone.
In Germany’s most recent Scientology scandal, rumors have reportedly arisen since at least 2014 accusing the human resources chief at the Haus der Kunst or “House of Art,” of being an avowed Scientologist. The employee in question, who worked externally as head of the human resources department, has reportedly been involved with the museum for over 20 years. He exercised control over recruitment and wages. Despite not working directly for the museum, he was reportedly assigned an usually substantial amount of responsibilities.
“Everything passes through his desk, almost all of us were hired by him,” a museum employee told German newspaper Sueddeutsche Monday.
