Scientology Wins Full Religious Recognition in Holland

Holland joins the expanding list of nations granting full religious recognition to Scientology, the world’s youngest major religion.

On August 30, 2022, Scientology received full religious recognition from the Dutch government.

The Church of Scientology Amsterdam now has official tax exemption and is listed on the Netherlands Tax Office website as a Public Benefit Organization. The Church of Scientology has by this action of the government achieved the same status as all other major religions in Holland.

Although the religious nature of Scientology has been acknowledged in Holland since the 1980s, this landmark decision ushers in a new era of opportunity for the Church and its programs. Government acknowledgment that all services and activities of the Church constitute a public benefit allows more resources to be dedicated to outreach and community betterment.

The religious recognition comes as the Church of Scientology of Amsterdam approaches the five-year anniversary of the opening of its new premises on October 28, 2017, when 1,300 Scientologists and guests gathered for the dedication by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige.

The Amsterdam Church of Scientology has been active in social betterment and community-building since opening its doors in 1974.

The Holland chapter of the Church-founded mental health watchdog Citizens Commission on Human Rights took up the challenge to protect Dutch children from psychiatric abuse. CCHR’s report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child documented overdrugging of the country’s children and resulted in a national mandate to find the actual causes of the symptoms of ADHD.

Scientologists have combated drug abuse in the city through distribution of 25,000 Truth About Drugs booklets presenting the facts about the dangers of drugs.

Some 200,000 The Way to Happiness booklets containing 21 universal moral precepts have been passed out to city residents.

And the Church has long been an active voice in interfaith initiatives, advocating for dialogue to bridge differences and increase cooperative actions among diverse religions and beliefs.

The religious recognition comes as the Church of Scientology of Amsterdam approaches the five-year anniversary of the opening of its new premises on October 28, 2017. On that day, 1,300 Scientologists and guests gathered for the dedication by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige. The 79,000-square-foot church, where all are welcome, stands near the city center as a beacon of help, extending its services to its members and its humanitarian programs to the community at large.

With the decision, Holland joins dozens of nations that have fully recognized Scientology as a religion. Also in August, Panama’s Tax Authority granted the Church of Scientology of Panama tax-exemption, confirming its activities and purpose to be for the benefit of its parishioners and the community.