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What Do Scientologists Believe? Do They Believe in Jesus?

What Do Scientologists Believe? Do They Believe in Jesus?

Last updated on: November 29, 2013 at 11:52 am by Jack Wellman

What Do Scientologists Believe? Do They Believe in Jesus? 2013-11-29T11:52:15-06:00 Jack Wellman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Do Scientologists believe in the same Jesus? What do they believe about Jesus? Are they Christian? What do Scientologist believe?

Scientology’s Origination

Scientology originated by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, inventor of Dianetics, a self-help system who created Scientology as a religion so this religion does not have as its Author Jesus Christ Who said He would build His church ( Matt 16:15). Hubbard believes that people have forgotten their true nature and that they are immortal beings without knowing it and that this immortal being is trapped in a physical body. This spiritual body is called the “Thetan” (from the Greek word “theta” which means life force). The Church of Scientology was the result of Hubbard’s work and is fully his own effort seems to contain both science and religion. The non-denominational church has a history of expensive legal litigation in the court systems against those who have criticized it and they have been accused of aggressively harassing those who are critical of the church and condemning of their belief system.

The church believes in reincarnation and that humans have lived previously on other planets and that their “souls” have reincarnated. There have been accusations that some members who want to know have to pay to know more about scientology, and by paying in thousands of dollars into the church they are allowed to know more of the hidden knowledge that is not revealed to members in general. The church believes that the means of realizing their full, spiritual potential is by emphasizing self-knowledge.

Some of the greatest known names in Hollywood and in the mass media are said to be members and former members of the Church of Scientology.

Celebrity Status

Some of the greatest known names in Hollywood and in the mass media are said to be members and former members of the Church of Scientology. Names of current or former members include; many well-known celebrities that are known as actors, comedians, directors, authors, and politicians. Current and former members are like a veritable who’s-who but several of these former members got out of Scientology because they felt very disenfranchised and vowed to never go back. Many former members call it the “Hotel California”, which is a song by the Eagles where there is a line that “you can check in but you can never check out.” This is somewhat misleading because the church claims that people are free to leave but there have been some reports that former members have been harassed by the church.

The Church is Banned

In Australia, the church was actually banned in the mid-sixties because of their alleged hypnosis of members that reported that during the auditing process, according to the Anderson Report, hypnotists were placing the audited person under a positive authoritative control. The church was forced to legally change its name to “Church of the New Faith” because of their ongoing battles with the Australian government.

The Goodness of Man?

Here is where Christianity and Scientology differ. Scientologists believe in the goodness of man while the Bible teaches about man’s depravity. Mankind is thought to be basically good, even though what we see in the world does not square up to this knowledge. Humans have within them hidden powers and abilities that they can release through the enforcement and self-actualization of unwanted behaviors and by strict disciplining of the body. The scientific approach is a self-help mechanism to enable them to reach their incredible potential. Their powers and abilities are said to be suppressed and they seek to release these forces that are supposed to be locked deep within the human spirit but are currently trapped by their physical externalities. This religion straddles the fence between psychology and religion.

Conclusion

Scientologists believe that they may have lived thousands of times and will its members are still striving to unleash their potential but the Bible actually says that it is appointed for man to die only once and then there is a judgment (Heb 9:27). The Word of God does not teach that we live many lives and have many rebirths in what Scientologist call reincarnations. John 14:14 answers this foolishness with Job asking a rhetorical question: “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come.” Yes, man will live again but only once again and then will either have an eternal separation from God or be with God forever.

Scientologists disagree with what the Word of God says by their claim that there is an inherent goodness in mankind because the Bible says “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it” (Jer 17:9)? It doesn’t matter what a person believes, no one can call themselves a Christian unless they have repented and put their trust in Christ because what a person or religion believes doesn’t make it true. The Word of God is sure and until we humble ourselves (James 4:6), God will not give us grace and if we do not believe in Christ and put our trust in Him after we repent and confess our sins, we have the wrath of God still abiding on us. We have no hidden powers or abilities. We do have sin hidden in our heart and we must have the righteousness of Christ imputed to us (2 Cor 5:21) or we’ll face a God-less eternity in suffering (Rev 20:11-15).

Jack Wellman is Senior Writer at What Christians Want to Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design

photo credit: kballard via photopin cc

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