(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/121108_israel-scientology.photoblog600.jpg)Ariel Schalit / APBooks by American science fiction writer and founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard on display at the Scientology center in port city of Jaffa, Israel, where Scientology opened a new center in August.By The Associated PressTEL AVIV, Israel -- The Church of Scientology has apparently found one place where its presence doesn't set off alarms, protests and demonstrations, and that place is one of the world's most religiously fraught countries — Israel.
In August, Scientology opened a gleaming new headquarters in the ancient port city of Jaffa, part of Tel Aviv. Since then, visitors and the curious have streamed through with no incidents.
And this in a country where Jews and Muslims harbor clashing claims over the same holy sites, sometimes sparking violence, and competing Jewish streams disparage each other openly and often.
Scientology has confronted charges in many countries that it is a dangerous cult that brainwashes its followers and confiscates their assets. Its leaders deny that.Reports indicate that actress Katie Holmes was concerned about her daughter's upbringing within the Church of Scientology, the controversial faith Tom Cruise supports. NBC's Jeff Rossen reports.
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