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UK Supreme Court rules in favour of Church of Scientology

December 11, 2013

UK Supreme Court Issues Landmark Decision
Regarding the Scientology Religion

Church of Scientology International is pleased to announce that the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has issued a landmark ruling declaring the Chapel at our London Church of Scientology to be a place of religious worship under UK Law. We are delighted for our London Church and the happy couple who brought the case and we are delighted that all English Scientologists will now be able to legally solemnize their marriage before family and friends in a Scientology religious wedding ceremony celebrated at the London Church Chapel.

The Supreme Court ruling embraces the principles of equality and non-discrimination in matters of religion. The decision ensures that the Church of Scientology and Scientologists will be treated no differently than other religions and their parishioners and accorded the same rights.

In finding that Scientology is a religion and that its Chapel (which is found in every Church throughout the world) is a place of religious worship, the Supreme Court determined that the definition of religion and worship must be modern and broad enough to encompass the faiths practiced by a majority of the population of the world.

Today’s decision coupled with a 1983 ruling by Australia’s High Court recognizing Scientology as a religion represent two important cases on the subject of religion by the highest courts in the United Kingdom and Australia. Moreover, the religiosity of Scientology has been affirmed by numerous judicial and administrative decisions by many countries throughout the world.

We wish the happy couple well and look forward to our English parishioners celebrating many such weddings in the future in our London Chapel.

ENDS

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