L. Ron Hubbard

Scientology

Science Fiction plus Religion equals Deception

 

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Following are ideas and beliefs of a false religion. Please pray for protection and discernment as you read. It is not my intention to promote such lies and deception but to expose them as well as to protect the innocent and rescue those who are deluded by such false beliefs.

 

Only in America can a science fiction writer blend his imaginary ideas of the origin of man with a religious outreach and develop what we know as the Church of Scientology. This pseudo-religious, semi-scientific belief system would very likely have died out long ago if it were not for the involvement of numerous movie stars and prominent individuals. It is very likely successfully growing as an influence in the world due to its financial success and popularity among those who desire to be independent from God and His truth.

 

Scientology was found by L. Ron Hubbard who began his “church” in Washington D.C., in 1955, but his plans for such a movement were very likely formulating as early as the 1940s. Hubbard was quoted to say, “Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start a religion.” The origins of Scientology can probably be attributed to the book “Dianetics – The Modern Science of Mental Health” which was published by Mr. Hubbard in 1950. The book promoted Hubbard’s psychotherapeutic answer to the techniques of modern psychiatry. The medical community responded to his theories with great concern. Such actions forced Hubbard to formalize his theories into a religion to avoid confrontation with doctors of medicine and legal issues. This formation of the Church of Scientology also allowed L. Ron Hubbard to obtain tax-exempt status and freedom from governmental interference with his organization. Since its establishment it has grown to over 600,000 members with over 4 million sympathizers. Currently such movie stars as John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Kirstie Alley and Tom Cruise have promoted their dedication to Scientology in many of their interviews. Christians must be aware of the distortion of reality and the repackaging of old satanic lies that is at the substance of Scientology.

 

Dianetics means “through the soul” and promises to reveal “the single source of all man’s insanities, psychosomatic illnesses, and neuroses.” The Church of Scientology has adopted the symbol of the cross to represent their belief structure but it has nothing to do with the cross of Christ. The cross to them is a symbol of ancient religious connotation with the cross bar representing matter and the vertical bar symbolizing spirit. Church ministers wear typical black priest-suits with the obvious white collar. Scientology church services consist usually of “pleasant” secular music and a taped lecture from L. Ron Hubbard. Hang on to your hearts and minds while I share briefly the false structure of man’s history that is promoted by those who belong to the Church of Scientology.

 

Hubbard teaches that mankind is descended from a race of uncreated, omnipotent gods called “thetans.” These “thetans” gave up their powers to enter the MEST or “Material-Energy-Space-Time” world of the Earth. Over time these “thetans” gradually evolved upward through reincarnation to become humans. The problem, as humans the evolved “thetans” could no longer remember their former deified state of being. Scientologists seek to awaken their dormant “thetan” potential by removing all mental blocks called “engrams.” If members of the Church of Scientology can remove these “engrams” they can realize their true personhood and achieve total power and control over their “MEST.” So what are these “engrams” according to the beliefs of Scientology?

 

“Engrams” are believed by Scientologists to be traumatic experiences in past lives. Scientology promotes the idea that each person has two minds. Their “analytical mind” reasons, but their “reactive mind” simply records “engrams” that impede spiritual progress in life. The Church of Scientology through Dianetics teaches the techniques for removing or “clearing” all “engrams” that hinder the realization of their “thetan” origins. I hope you have kept up with me till now. This false belief unfolds like a complex science fiction movie. Anyone who joins the Church of Scientology is called a “PC” (Preclear). It is believed that such a person is in need of “clearing” and this is done through “auditing” to discover his or her “engrams.” This “auditing” process is promoted first as a “free personality analysis” and is useful for their evangelization. This process of “auditing” is done through the use of a “galvanometer called and “E-Meter.” The “E-Meter” measures the resistance to electric current by recording galvanic skin responses much like a lie detector does. Just like with a polygraph (lie-detector), the instructor, or auditor, asks a series of questions while the “PC” holds the two tin cans of the “E-Meter” in his or her hands. Scientologists insist that this auditing procedure is just like a church confessional. Those “PCs” who go through this process and remove their psychic hindrances (engrams) are said to be “clear.” The individuals who are now “clear” are now a “thetan” who has audited out his or her “reactive-mind” responses (negative engrams). The importance of “auditing” is dramatic for Hubbard has said, “Unless we are audited we will die as a personal being.” While the first “auditing” is free, following sessions work up a ladder of escalating costs involving a fee of $250, $500, $2,800 and even $11,140 for one of the higher level Operating Thetan seminars. You can see from what I have shared about the practices of Scientologists that there is a mixture of science, technology, imagination, religious beliefs and out-right deception. Let’s see what Christianity has to say about the beliefs of Christian Science.

 

A central core belief in Scientology is the belief in reincarnation. They practice and believe in astral travel, regression to past lives, and have an urge to exist as spirits. They believe that each of us was a “thetan” who has reincarnated through various individuals through history. Scripture contradicts this belief for it strongly states that any man or woman has just ONE life to live. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Reincarnation is a lie and supports the false doctrine that man can better himself through reincarnating in numerous lifetimes without a need for redemption of sins.

 

A major belief of Scientology is that mankind is basically good and simply must purge or clear their “engrams” to achieve their godhood. Romans 3:23 tells us something different when it states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Jeremiah 17:9 also verifies this as well where it states, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

 

Scientology looks upon Christianity as “one of the great religions of the world” but Scientology believes that redemption can occur through many ways and religions. Scripture declares there is only one-way when in John 14:6 the words of Jesus speak against Scientology, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus also states in John 10:9 “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” Scientology is basically salvation through one’s self using technological equipment and man-made philosophies. Scientology has a do-it-yourself salvation plan that includes processing and self-determination activities that basically comes under the heading of human works. Such efforts of self-salvation are futile and pointless and only end in hopelessness and spiritual death.

 

Scientologists believe Christ was simply a “cleared” individual but not our Savior. Scripture tells us that Jesus was not just a good man. He was the Son of God, sinless and perfect. Hebrews validates this when it says in 4:15-16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.” Jesus was sinless yet faced every temptation we face. His perfection made it possible for Him to be the pure and holy sacrifice necessary to pay for our sins.

 

Very likely the central problem with L. Ron Hubbard and his Scientology religion comes from his own mouth. He stated, “Be your own advisor, keep your own council, and select your own decision.” Scripture contradicts such false deception when it says in Proverbs 3:5-6

 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

 

 Ephesians 5:11

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.