Special Study: Scientology
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1 Special study Scientology 1 Special Study: Scientology In this study we will consider the religion (cult) of Scientology. Also known as the Church of Scientology. Scientology is a truly unique contemporary religion. It is the only major religion to emerge in the 20th century. While it owes a spiritual debt to Eastern religions, it was born in the West and its religious beliefs are expressed in the technological language of the mid 20th century. In terms of practising adherents it is a very small religion. However as we shall see it has a number of high profile (celebrity) followers which makes it culturally relevant and worthy of our study. Also we should remember the biblical command given in Ephesians; And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesian 5:11 What's in the name? Scientology means "knowing how to know. It is a contraction of the Latin Scio ("knowing, in the fullest sense of the word ) and Greek logos ("study of or knowledge about ). What is Scientology? Scientology is a difficult religion to summarize. That is because it consists of a set of practices rather than a system of beliefs. It has been defined as the following; A religious system based on the seeking of self-knowledge and spiritual fulfilment through graded courses of study and training. According to their official literature: "Scientology is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one s true spiritual nature and one s relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being." Where did Scientology come from? Scientologists claim their religion has roots in the beliefs of all great religions and thus encompasses a religious heritage as old and as varied as Man himself and could be considered 50,000 years old. The reality In actual fact Scientology was founded by Lafayette Ron Hubbard ( ). He is more commonly known as L. Ron Hubbard. He was a successful science fiction author who had started to study the mind in In 1950 he wrote and published a book titles who wrote a book called Dianetics. The book described techniques that Hubbard suggested could rid individuals of fears and
2 Special study Scientology 2 psychosomatic illnesses. A basic idea in Dianetics is that the mind consists of two parts: the "analytical mind" and the "reactive mind." It is most accurately described as what the soul is doing to the body through the mind. Four fans, described as an attorney, a publisher, a doctor and an engineer, then formed a Hubbard Dianetics Research Foundation. The first Church of Scientology was established in February 1954, with more than a dozen new churches springing up over the next decade. The church has continued to grow and expand since then. The religion has expanded to over 160 nations. Hubbard died in 1986 and the leadership of the church was taken over by his former assistant David Miscavige. Their world headquarters are in Clearwater Florida. Is Scientology compatible with Christianity? Not surprisingly the answer as we shall see is a resounding no! Some Scientologists claim that Scientology is compatible with Christianity. Hubbard himself considered to be the reincarnation of Buddha. He believed and taught that Christianity is simply an extension of Buddhism: And the parables of Gautama Buddha were re-expressed with some differences and additions to spread westward again as Christianity. When we consider what the bible teaches with Scientology teaching we see that they differ in every significant area. 1. The Bible teaches that God is the sovereign and only creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1) mankind Denied by scientoloy 2. Mankind was created by God in His image (Genesis 1:27) Denied by Scientology 3. The only salvation available to man is by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:8) Denied by Scientology 4. Salvation is a free gift that mankind can do nothing to earn (Ephesians 2:8-9) Denied by Scientology 5. Jesus Christ is alive and well and is seated at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2:33; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3), awaiting the time when He will gather His people to Himself to reside with Him for eternity in heaven. Everyone else will be cast into a very real hell, separated from God for eternity (Revelation 20:15) All denied by Scientology Scientology, while sometimes disguising its beliefs in Christian-sounding language, in fact diametrically opposes Christianity on every core belief. Scientology is clearly, and most definitely, not Christian. Hubbard what kind of man was he? 1. He was known to take mind altering drugs. 2. He was also suspected of being a compulsive liar. 3. He was a very successful writer of fantasy fiction, well versed in science fiction and the human mind
3 Special study Scientology 3 The perfect combination for founding a new religion. How many members does the church have? It is very difficult to cite accurate figures for church membership. The church itself makes claims which census evidence does not support. It claims to be one of the fastest growing world religions which welcomes 4.4 million new people per year. This is a gross exaggeration. The "Scientologists Online" website presents "over 16,000 Scientologists On-Line" (2007). In 2014 investigative journalist Tony Ortega gave about the most research-backed membership estimate possible of 30,000 worldwide. In 2016 that estimate was revised down to under 20,000: Probably therefore worldwide they may be between 20, ,000 Scientologists. What is the appeal of scientology? There are a number of high profile celebrity Scientologists (see the back of this study guide). What exactly is the appeal of this strange cult? According to the church, people believe in Scientology because of an "absence of answers" from science. They claim Scientology supplies workable methods of application, that made it possible for Man to reach the ancient goal he has been striving toward for thousands of years: to know himself and, in knowing himself, to know and understand other people and, ultimately, life itself. Read: Genesis 3:4-5 From a Christian perspective Scientology fits alongside all the other man made religions. It is man wanting, or attempting to control his own destiny (man as god) without the need of God or His involvement in the world. Criticisms of the church of scientology One of the most common criticisms of Scientology is that it is nothing more than a complex money-making scheme. The LA Times reported that the financial policy of Hubbard s organization was, in Hubbard s own words, MAKE MONEY, MAKE MORE MONEY, MAKE OTHERS PRODUCE SO AS TO MAKE MONEY (Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos. The Scientology Story, Part 2: The Selling of a Church. latimes. Monday, 6/25/1990, page A1:1. Los Angeles Times. WEB. 11/23/2015). Scientology is a very expensive religion to pursue. Every aspect of Scientology has some sort of fee associated with it. This is why Scientology's pews are filled only with the wealthy. It is also a very strict religion and very punitive against those who would try to leave behind its teachings and membership. In this regard it bears the marks of a cultic group.
4 Special study Scientology 4 The church has faced numerous court cases There have been allegations of human trafficking, holding people against their will and members cutting ties from their families. The Church has its own cruise ship, the MV Freewinds, based in Curacao, for the most committed members. A former member claims she was held against her will on board for twelve years, and forced to perform hard labour. An Australian senator called Scientology a "criminal organisation" and accused it of embezzlement and blackmail. Debbie Cook discovered that the Hubbard s successor was hoarding over $1 billion dollars directly from Scientologists Suspicious Deaths connected to the church Heribert Pfaff was taken off his epilepsy medication by Scientologist doctors and died while taking vitamins. ( Josephus Havenith reportedly drowned but in the autopsy it was discovered that his body was placed into boiling water until his skin melted (at Scientology Fort Harrison Hotel 1980) Jeremy Perkins was taken off his schizophreniamedication and stabbed his mother 77 times. Lisa McPherson was injured in a minor car accident and was taken out of the hospital by fellow Scientologists. She was kept in isolation for 17 days and then finally taken to a hospital. McPherson was pronounced dead on arrival. The fair game policy The policy of Fair Game basically teaches that any opponent of Scientology can be treated as fair game (a target that can be legitimately attacked). Fair Game, says a "suppressive" person who is an enemy of the church "may be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. Anyone who stands against the church may be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed" (High Command Office Policy Letter, Oct. 18, 1967). Although Scientologists deny that they still openly follow some of Hubbard's more punitive policies, such as Fair Game, many court cases have found that Scientologists still operate under Hubbard's principles of aggression The above are given as examples and some indication that there are some serious issues related to the Church of Scientology. Beliefs of Scientology A) Holy books. Their scriptures are limited solely to the writings and teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. In particular but not exclusively Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard, first published in 1950.
5 Special study Scientology 5 B) Body, mind, spirit They believe that everyone has a body and a mind to represent themselves, but their spirit is their true selves. Man is primarily a spiritual force. This spirit is known as the thetan. Body parts and images do not determine who or what a person is. The simple goal is: true spiritual enlightenment and freedom. The ultimate goal is to become an Operating Thetan (god-like figure). To be in control rather than be controlled. C) The nature of man Scientology teaches that man is, by nature, good. Read the following to get the bible's position. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. Romans 5:12 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 God exists but is different for different people. Good is constructive action and thought. Evil is destructive action and thought. They believe life is compartmentalised into eight dynamics. 1. Self Survive as an individual and be yourself 2. Creativity Survive along with family units and prepare yourself for the future 3. Group Survive as a group of individuals 4. Species Survive throughout all of mankind 5. Life forms Survive along with others as life forms with interest in living 6. Physical universe Survive 7. Spiritual The urge for your spirit and life to survive 8. Infinity Survive and become a supreme-being or creator
6 Special study Scientology 6 D) God The Church of Scientology has no set dogma concerning God that it imposes on its members. As with all its tenets, Scientology does not ask individuals to accept anything on faith alone. scientology.org 2015 Whilst Scientologists have a concept of God or Supreme Being they categorically deny the existence of the God of the Bible. Scientology believes that there are multiple gods and that some gods are above other gods. E) Xenu Important to note: This is what they believe but they have been trained to deny this. They believe that there is a galactic over lord named Xenu. Xenu's job is to deal with the overpopulation of thetans on his 76 planets. He has been doing this apparently for 20,000,000 years. Xenu placed some of these thetans on Earth and they must discover how to free themselves from being trapped within a human body. This is achieved through auditing which is a type of counselling. The practice of auditing is where people return to past traumatic experiences in their past and re-live / re-experience them in order to Clear themselves. The state of Clear allows the thetan to become an Operating Thetan (god-like figure). Scientologists are only introduced to the idea of Xenu at a higher level of training and then they are supposed to publicly deny his existence. F) Special days They celebrate three official church holidays., a. L. Ron Hubbard's birthday on March 13th b) The anniversary of the first publication of Dianetics on May 9 th c) Auditor's Day in September. G) Special symbols (see appendix) Scientologists use the following symbols. An 8-point cross which represents the 8 dynamics this is worn by ministers to establish status. An S intertwined with 2 triangles. The two triangles to represent ARC (affinity, reality and communication) and KRC (knowledge, responsibility, control). This symbol is worn by Scientologists who have reached clear. H) Salvation Scientology holds that Man is basically good, and that his spiritual salvation depends upon himself, his relationships with his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe. Read: 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:25-26 (ESV)
7 Special study Scientology 7 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 Scientology teaches that mankind is an immortal being (called a Thetan) not originally from this planet, and that man is trapped by matter, energy, space, and time (MEST). Salvation for a scientologist comes through a process called auditing, whereby engrams (basically, memories of past pain and unconsciousness that create energy blockage) are removed. Auditing is a lengthy process and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. When all engrams are finally removed, the Thetan can once again control MEST instead of being controlled by it. Until salvation, each Thetan is constantly reincarnated. I) Jesus Christ Like other cults, Scientology denies the deity of Christ. Instead of having a biblical view of who Christ is and what He did, they assign to Him the characteristics of some sort of lesser god who has obtained legendary status over the years. Jesus is recognized in Scientology as part of its "religious heritage," and "is seen as only one of many good teachers." Hubbard's teaching regarding Jesus went through two distinct phases. Phase 1 The early years Jesus never existed Christ never existed but was only an idea electronically implanted in our minds during the "between lives" period (he called this implant "R6"). Somebody on this planet, about 600 B.C. found some pieces of "R6." I don't know how they found it; either by watching madmen or something. But since that time they have used it. And it became what is known as Christianity. The man on the cross. There was no Christ! The Roman Catholic Church, through watching the dramatizations of people picked up some little fragments of R6.C Phase 2 The latter years Jesus existed but was not God For those of you whose Christian toes I may have stepped on, let me take the opportunity to disabuse you of some lovely myths. For instance, the historic Jesus was not nearly the sainted figure [he] has been made out to be. In addition to being a lover of young boys and men, he was given to uncontrollable bursts of temper and hatred. You have only to look at the history his teachings inspired to see where it all inevitably leads. It is historic fact and yet man still clings to the ideal, so deep and insidious is the biologic implanting. Hubbard described Scientology as "the Western Anglicized continuance of many earlier forms of wisdom", and cites the teachings of Jesus Christ among belief systems of those "earlier forms"
8 Special study Scientology 8 Contradicting the Christian concept of Jesus' "atonement of mankind's sins" through his death on the cross, Hubbard states in the Volunteer Ministers Handbook that; "Man is basically good, but he could not attain expression of this until now. Nobody but the individual could die for his own sins to arrange things otherwise was to keep man in chains." In Scientology salvation comes through following a man made process. J) Creation The origin of the universe and man Scientology beliefs concerning the origins of the universe and Mankind follow the much older traditions of Eastern religion dating back to the Vedic Hymns. It is a tradition that holds one is in brotherhood with the universe, that spiritual enlightenment is attained through knowledge of self, that one has lived lifetime after lifetime, and that only through spiritual enlightenment can one fully understand and comprehend the Creator. Scientology beliefs concerning the creation of the universe flow from the theory that the life force present in all living things (referred to in Scientology by the Greek letter theta) created the physical universe of matter, energy, space and time (known by the acronym MEST). Theta and MEST combine to form living organisms. The church believes in reincarnation and that humans have lived previously on other planets and that their souls have reincarnated. Scientologists believe that they may have lived thousands of times Read Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Practices What are the practices of Scientology? Hubbard teaches in Dianetics that there are two parts to the human mind. One is the analytical mind, the other is the reactive mind. The analytical mind The analytical mind is our thinking processes, logic, and memory. This is our conscious mind. The reactive mind The reactive mind is where memories of intense pain and suffering are stored. This is our unconscious mind which takes over' during traumatic episodes. The reactive mind records everything that happens and forms called "Engrams." Anything associated with the trauma can induce the ill effects of that trauma. For example, if a person is knocked unconscious in an auto accident, and while unconscious a train passes by, the negative engram of the passing train can later trigger ill effects even long after physical healing. Dianetics claims to be able to cure a person's negative engrams not only in this life,
9 Special study Scientology 9 but also in past lives. The process of removing these engrams is called "auditing." It is the application of Dianetic principles by a trained person. Primarily, this process involves asking various questions and receiving a response from the one being audited. Additionally, an E-Meter is used to aid the auditor in discovering engrams. E-meter is short for electropsychometer. This device is, basically, a lie detector that registers physical reactions to various questions. The goal of Dianetics is to achieve "Clear." Clear is the state of development attained through auditing where a person is no longer affected by the reactive mind. He has no engrams. Supposedly, someone who has attained the state of Clear is happier, healthier, more productive, better socially, more able to enjoy life, and is more mentally stable. The path to Clear is called The Bridge, which is development of knowledge in the principles of Dianetics, as well as achieving Dianetic goals. The progress is measured on a Classification Gradation and Awareness Chart. This process is expensive and costs range in the thousands of dollars. Operating Thetan is a state above Clear. It is a place of mental and spiritual health where the person is in control of himself and can cause positive effects upon himself and thought, life, matter, time, and space. Everyone begins at level 34. The goal is to achieve operating Thetan at level 21. By researching Scientology yourself and participating in auditing a person pushes themselves further across The Bridge. At level 21 a person is an Operating Thetan and they continue to level OT-VIII The rest of the levels are hidden from the public, only certain Scientologists are informed about these levels People pay upwards of $500,000 to reach these levels of Scientology. Conclusion Scientology only leads away from God and eternal life. Scientology, while sometimes disguising its beliefs in Christian-sounding language, in fact diametrically opposes Christianity on every core belief. Scientology is clearly, and most definitely, not Christian.
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