[Talk-GB] Scientology building on Queen Victoria Street, London

[David Woolley]

On 28/08/2022 21:40, Paul Berry wrote:
> This is how the Manchester one is mapped:
> https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3991423209

Actually, comparing like for like, it is 
<https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/670994123> which is an anonymous, 
generic, six storey building.

The node version in London also has entrance=main, but both node 
versions aren't actually on the building periphery.

I notice that the note on an earlier version of the London building was 
rather stronger than the current one.

I'd say that the only real question was whether it was a  PoW, but as 
the note on the London node says, Scientologist is a recognized religion 
for OSM, so either that has to be changed, or I think one has to accept 
it as a PoW. Taginfo reports 61 nodes, 34 way, and 2 relations.

As to having to pay, churches are nearly always businesses.  Payment may 
be voluntary, but there is a strong expectation that you pay according 
to your means  Then again, there were indulgences, in the middle ages.

I think both the current and earlier notes on the London building 
represent personal views, not objective mapping.

It would appear that the Supreme Court ruled, in 2013, that one of their 
London buildings was "place of meeting for religious worship", so was a 
valid place for a marriage. (Louise Hodgkin v The Registrar General). 
So, in spite of also having reservations, it would look like, for the 
purposes of English Law, PoW is correct. 
<https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/11/scientology-bride-wins_n_4424746.html>