Challenging Scientology

The Church of Scientology is a controversial, relatively new religion developed by L. Ron Hubbard as an extension of his earlier psychological theories of Dianetics. Drawing on ideas from Buddhist and Hindu religious philosophy, science fiction, and Western concepts in psychology and science, L. Ron Hubbard produced a religion that sees all human beings as immortal spirits (thetans) who have forgotten their identity and become deceived by the very universe they mentally emanated in order to amuse themselves. Scientology claims it can free the thetan to realize his or her true nature and powers through certain controversial procedures that allegedly heal the mind and free the spirit." - From "Is Scientology Compatible With Christianity?" by John Weldon

The Church of Scientology is a commercial enterprise that masquerades as a religion, and that increasingly acts like a hate group. Scientology has a long history of hate and harassment activities, which - along with lying and deception - are condoned and encouraged in the cult's own "scriptures." This is why Apologetics Index classifies the organization as a hate group.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there's a major fundamental problem with the L. Ron Hubbard-founded Church of Scientology as Scientologists believe they're little gods....The "religion" is based exclusively upon Hubbard's research, writings and recorded lectures - all of which constitute the scriptures of the religion.

As with so many other religions around the world, Scientology completely misses the mark. Its concept is totally transparent in that it caters to the "Me" people who idolize only themselves and the almighty dollar. Scientologists believe man is in control of himself and his environment; there is no God, per se -- just a "Supreme Being" whom they do not worship; man is an immortal spiritual being who is basically good and righteous; his experience extends well beyond a single lifetime; and his capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized.

This ideology should prompt the following questions for Netzari/Messianic believers - those who believe in YHWH (Yahweh) the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and in His Son, Yeshua:

Scientology is completely man-made and based upon "self." How can that possibly answer the questions of "Who am I?", "Where did I come from?", "What is the meaning of life?", and "What happens when I die?" The only viable response is, man could NOT have created himself, and therefore HAD to be created by God. Who am I and where did I come from? I am a child of YHWH, created in His own image. Period. What happens when I die? Depending on my choice (the God-given choice to believe or not to believe that Yeshua was our Final SIN Sacrifice), I will either go to heaven or hell - as is clearly outlined in the Bible. My soul will not wander around waiting to invade another's body....

Given man's selfish nature, it is not surprising that those who follow the concept of Scientology have chosen to allow a human being to dictate their beliefs and doctrines (although human thoughts, activities, and "religions" have gotten our world into trouble time and time again - to wit: Hitler, Stalin, Mlosovic, the KKK, David Koresh, Jim Jones, etc.). Man has several times brought this world to the brink of extinction. When will he realize he cannot govern himself without the guidance of God?

YHWH warns us against "human thinking" throughout the Bible:

1 Corinthians 2: 14. For a man in his natural self does not receive spiritual concepts; for they are foolishness to him. Neither can he know them; for they are discerned by the Spirit. 15. But he that is spiritual, judges of all things: and he is judged of by no one. 16. For who has known the mind of Master YHWH, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Mashiyach. (AENT)

Colossians 2: 6. As therefore you have received Y'shua the Mashiyach our Master, walk you in him, 7. strengthening your roots and building up yourselves in him and establishing yourselves in the faith which you have learned in which may you abound in thanksgiving. 8. Beware, or else any man make you naked by philosophy and by vain deception, according to the doctrines of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to the Mashiyach 9 in whom dwells all the fullness of Elohim bodily. 10. And in him you are also complete because he is the head of all principalities and authorities. (AENT)

Colossians 2: 21. But, you do not touch and you do not taste and you do not handle: 22. for these things perish in the using; and they are the commandments and doctrines of men. 23. And they seem to have a kind of wisdom in a show of humility and of the Fear of Elohim, and of not sparing the body; not in anything of excellence, but in things subservient to the body. (AENT)

Scientology dictates that mankind can only achieve spiritual salvation by following Scientology and the path it outlines. The Bible says otherwise:

John 14: 6. Y'shua said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me. 7. If only you would have known me, you would have also have known my Father. And from now on you know Him and you have seen Him. (AENT)

Along that same vein God said:

Exodus 22:19-21: Whoever sacrifices to any god other than YHWH must be destroyed...

Exodus 20:2-4: You shall have no other elohim before me.

Matthew 16: 23. But he turned and said to Keefa, Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me because you do not think of Elohim, rather of the sons of men. 24. Then Y'shua said to his disciples, He who wishes to follow after me, let him deny himself and take up his staff and follow after me. 25. He who desires to save his life, will lose it. And he who loses his life for my sake, will find it. (AENT)

Deuteronomy 6:13-15: Do not follow other elohim, the gods of the peoples around you...

Scientology espouses, "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology."

In the 40 years of the church's existence, can they honestly say they've done away with war or criminals? If anything, we have more of both! In the existence of mankind, there have only been about three hundred years of peace. Man simply cannot live together without fighting. Like God says, it's our nature. That "love thy neighbor" thing will never happen the way it's supposed to until Yeshua returns. (Although, since followers of Scientology are in charge of themselves and the environment, perhaps they can stop it?)

Scientologists also insist "there is no aspect of life that cannot be improved through the application of Scientology principles." Really? Then how come Hollywood's finest are committing some major sins (according to GOD's laws) and doing their level best into leading others astray. For instance, homosexuality is okay now; never mind that God repeatedly calls it an abomination. Marriage is temporary and divorces are the norm now; never mind that God hates divorce. Cussing is okay now; never mind that God commands us to keep our mouths clean. Murder is okay if you're the product of past abuse or whatever; never mind that He commands us to not kill. Getting rich and/or famous by hook or by crook is okay now; never mind that we are commanded not to have false idols....

"Man is in control of himself and his environment?" Not, according to YHWH!

Exodus 4:10-12: YHWH said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, your Elohim?

Deuteronomy 7:3-5: ...for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and YHWH's anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.

Genesis 24:25-27: Then the man bowed down and worshiped Elohim...

Romans 14: 10. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or, why do you despise your brother? For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Mashiyach! 11. As it is written: As I live, says Master YHWH, to me every knee will bow; and to me every tongue will give praise. 12. So then, every one of us must give account of himself to Elohim. (AENT)

Scientology teaches that man is immortal. Here's what YHWH says:

Genesis 6:2-4: Then ADONAI said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

Scientology teaches that man is basically good and righteous. YHWH says differently:

Genesis 6:4-6: ADONAI saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

This "religion" is totally man-made and is therefore invalid, according to YHWH's Scripture. Scientology is no better than most of the world's other religions - like them, Scientologists are doing nothing but spreading satan's lies! What they are touting is nothing short of blasphemy.

Scientology has gained so much popularity, in short, because it's strictly "me" oriented; it allows everyone to do their own thing; and, no one has to follow God's rules. One can only pray that the followers of this totally man-made religion will allow the God of the universe to open their spiritual eyes and allow them to see the reality of the following scripture:

John 12: 35 Walk while you have light or else the darkness overcomes you and he who walks in the darkness does not know to where he goes. (AENT)