The Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is a controversial new religion developed by L. (Lafayette) Ron Hubbard. Hubbard's new religion is based on ideas from Buddhist and Hindu philosophy, science fiction, and western concepts in psychology and science. Scientology teaches that all human beings are immortal spirits ("thetan minds") who have forgotten their identity and have been deceived by the universe from which they came. This new church claims their beliefs to be compatible with the modern Christian faith. It was founded in California in the 1950's as an extension of Ron Hubbard's earlier nonreligious theory of "Dianetics". Dianetics supposedly deals with the mind and body, while Scientology deals with the human spirit. "Para-Scientology" is a branch of the doctrine that involves past lives, mysticism, and the occult. They boast over 700 centers in 5 countries. It is one of the wealthiest religions. Hollywood celebrities such as Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Kristie Alley actively endorse and support this newer religion.
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Words of Men |
Words of God |
The basic tenets of Scientology are a mixture of Eastern Philosophies which include the Vedas, Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Gnosticism, and early Greek civilization; and the teaching of Jesus, Nietzsche, and Freud.
"...the freeing of the soul by wisdom" -- L. Ron Hubbard |
"For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe. Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolish-ness; but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:21-24)
"His divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue." (2 Peter 2:3)
"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18) |
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Scientology teaches that man has been reincarnated for trillions of years. Each past life makes impressions within our mind. Experiences of extreme shock or pain cause "engrams" -- mental pictures that affect our emotional and physical condition. |
"It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgement." (Hebrews 9:27) |
The universe was not created by a single supreme being -- "ex nihilo" (out of nothing). The physical universe is a game, a product of our trillion year old spirits ("Thetans") to escape boredom.
Their concept of God appears to be Pantheistic (God has no personality, but all laws, forces, manifestations, etc. of a self existing universe are God. Therefore they tolerate the worship of all gods of various cults). |
"In the beignning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of any thing...Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God..." (Exodus 20:3-5)
There is...God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Also Read Acts 17:22-31 |
Trillions of years ago the spirits ("thetans") became bored and created the "mental universe" to play in and amuse themselves. They became hypnotized and trapped by MEST (the physical body and environment). They became materially enslaved to the MEST universe. L. Ron Hubbard discovered the secret nature of humankind and pioneered a solution (or universal plan of salvation) to free the Thetan. Through "auditing" (counseling) "engrams" can be neutralized and the Thetan "enlightened".
Thetan -- not in God's Word
MEST -- not in God's Word |
"Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin." (1 John 3:4,5)
"For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"In none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16)
Engrams -- Not in God's Word
Auditing -- Not in God's Word |
| Source: Traditions of Men Versus the Word of God by Alvin Jennings |
Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ
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