Scientology By Jeston Bennett
Matt 9:36-39
Luke 10:1-3
I. Scientology was started by L. Ron Hubbard. His first major work was published in 1950. The book was called, “Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health.”
In it he offered a methodology designed to help alleviate such things as unwanted sensations and emotions, irrational fears, and psychosomatic illnesses.
The book became a best seller. In 1951, after seeing the popularity of his book, Hubbard concluded that an individual was neither his body nor his mind, but rather an immortal spiritual being.
And this became the true beginning of scientology, as Hubbard moved from being an author to a spiritual leader. He also wrote another booklet that is widely distributed to interested people called “The Way to Happiness.”
The beliefs of Scientology
A. Hubbard taught that mankind is descended from an alien race of gods called ‘thetans.’ Scientologist are encouraged to wake up their thetan or god powers by removing all mental blocks called ‘engrams.’ Engrams are traumatic experiences from the past or from past lives which stop spiritual progress. Dianetics teaches individuals how to clear oneself of all these hinderances. (Same as new age or witchcraft)
B. The word “scientology” means “the study of knowledge or truth.” The main practice of Scientology is spiritual counseling called “auditing.” It is seen as a form of personal counseling intended to help an individual look at his past hinderances or engrams. They use a set form of 200 questions, called a ‘personality test’ to ask the person being audited. This test tells them what exactly they need to work on to improve their condition. Auditing is a thoroughly codified activity with exact procedures. A Scientology counselor is known as an “auditor.” Those who remove all their past hinderances are said to be now be ‘clear’
C. Scientologists also use specially designed meters, called E-Meters or Electro-psycho meters, which are like lie detectors. These meters help to locate areas of spiritual distress by measuring the mental state of change of the person being audited. Scientologists insist that this is very much like a church confession of past sins.
D. Scientology places a strong emphasis on continual training and education in the scientology principles. This is what has caused a lot of concern today, since they charge exorbitant amounts of money for people to take these education classes, literally tens of thousands of
dollars. While auditing teaches them to see that they have some hinderances, it is ongoing training that teaches one how to overcome the experiences of their past.
E. People in Scientology believe by using both auditing and training, they can raise themselves to a higher spiritual existence. The end goal is to free themselves from the dependence on the material universe.
How does Scientology differ from Christianity?
A. As with all false religions, Scientology differs with Christianity on the three S’s that we have been talking about.
B. Savior: Jesus Christ
1. Scientology, teaches that Jesus was a good teacher that learned to be clear of his past hindrances. He is considered the model of a self actualized person that we should all follow along with L Ron Hubbard.
2. Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is the second person of the trinity, God the Son, the Savior of the world. He did not attain perfection. He was born without sin with His virgin birth and chose to live a sinless life and as a result He was able to offer Himself as a sacrifice for all mankind.
C. Scriptures
1. In Scientology there are scores of books and over 15,000 pages of technical writing and more than 3,000 recorded lectures. These books and lectures are considered to be scripture to a member of the church of scientology. The Book, Dianetics is a must read for all Scientologists. Followers are taught of list of ten rules for keeping Scientology working, the first few rules convince followers that EVERYTHING L. Ron Hubbard ever said and wrote is correct and infallible and that by following them to the letter the student will
achieve superpowers.
2. Christianity teaches that God gave us His Word, the Bible and that in it we can find God and learn of His plan for all mankind. We believe that the Bible is a ‘must read’ for all followers of God.
D. Salvation
1. Scientology is like all the other false religions. Salvation is based on one’s good works. Scientologist are continually encouraged to develop into that ultimate spirit being by working harder, taking more classes and doing good deeds. It is a religion of good works that never offers peace. Scientologist, believe in the continual cycle of reincarnation of the spirit until a person gets it right and attains the state of liberation from matter, energy, space, and time
and then enters immortality.
2. Christianity teaches that no matter how many good deeds we do, we can never pay for our past sins. We believe that the only way to take care of our past is to ask God to forgive them. Also Christianity teaches you only get one chance at this. We don’t get many chances by
coming back in some form of reincarnation. The Bible teaches that it is appointed unto man ONCE to die and then the judgment. The whole teaching of reincarnation is from the devil to let people think that if they don’t get it right this time, they get to do it again!
Why are people drawn into cults and false religions?
Matt 9:36-39, 36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 10:1-3 1After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
A. Many people have had bad experiences with Christian churches
They have been hurt and mistreated.
Many people complain about the hypocrisy they see in people who call themselves Christian and they are looking for something that is real.
B. Many people are just hurting dealing with
difficulties in life:
fears, hurts, sicknesses, loneliness, etc.
Then they meet someone from one of these false religions who offers to help them and
they are drawn in.
People just want to belong somewhere: And the occult offers it to them.
C. Matt 9:36-39 and read what Jesus said.
There are so many hurt confused, lost and lonely people in this world.
They might be our co-workers,
our neighbor,
relatives or close friend.
We have the answer to life’s questions.
It is not through perfection of oneself. We can lead them to God, who alone can meet that inner need, forgive their sins, show them unconditional love.
D. We need to ask God to give us a heart for the lost.
Jesus said “look on the harvest it is white and ready to be harvested,
pray for more laborers to enter the harvest field.”
We have the true answers may God give us the boldness to tell others.
