Cults
Lesson 7 w/answersThe Church of Scientology
In recent history, Tom Cruise and others have provided a degree of notoriety and publicity surrounding the Church of Scientology, and this is the cult that we will be examining in this lesson. So let’s have a look at yet another of man’s ideas regarding how to achieve happiness and salvation through the power of the mind.
Get your research tools handy; you might find the Internet extremely helpful, as well as Dr. Martin’s book, "The Kingdom of the Cults", and answer the following questions:
- The founder of the Church of Scientology was L. Ron Hubbard. Can you find out what the "L" stands for?
- ANSWER: Lafayette.
- Born in 1911 in Nebraska, what was his vocation in the 30’s and 40’s?
- ANSWER: He was a popular science fiction writer.
- In 1949 what did he announce in New Jersey at the Science Fiction Convention?
- ANSWER: "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wanted to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion."
- What is "Dianetics" and when did he publish his book about it?
- ANSWER: Dianetics is "A Modern Science of Mental Health" published in 1950, following the Science Fiction Convention.
- When was the Church of Scientology Incorporated, and where?
- ANSWER: On Feb 18, 1954, in California.
- See if you can find what he lists as his personal accomplishments during his life leading up to the founding of the church?
- ANSWER 1: Studied extensively in Asia.
- ANSWER 2: Studied Science and Math at George Washington University.
- ANSWER 3: Graduated from Columbian College.
- ANSWER 4: Attended Princeton and Sequoia University.
- ANSWER 5: Crippled and blind at the end of WW II.
- ANSWER 6: Twice pronounced dead.
- Of all the above "accomplishments," which are true?
- ANSWER: He did attend GW, took one science class—physics—and flunked. He was kicked out of GW for "poor grade sheets."
- What do we know about "Sequoia University?"
- ANSWER: A diploma mill operated out of a house in California, eventually shut down in 1958 by an act of the California Legislature.
- What does Scientology hold as their basic doctrine? What is the basic instinct of all people, and how can they improve on that?
- ANSWER: The basic instinct of all people is survival; man’s environmental conditions, and painful experiences, result in failure. If a man changes his circumstances and eliminates pain, then his condition improves. Therefore, man is to avoid pain and seek pleasure.
- What does Scientology teach is the primary cause for our troubles, problems and difficulties in this life?
- ANSWER: Some thing, or things, you did in one of your prior lives. This explains away a lot.
- What does Scientology teach about Christ?
- ANSWER: That much about Christ was a legend that is not to be believed. That Christ believed in reincarnation and that, while he had good intentions and teachings, he is simply one in a long line of "messiahs" that go back to other "messiahs" like Moses.
- What does the Bible say about reincarnation? (Hebrews 9:27)
- ANSWER: It is appointed unto man to die once, then judgment.
- What does Scientology teach about God?
- ANSWER: That God exists along with many other gods. That each person attains his own definition of what God is and that other gods also exist.
- What does Scientology teach about "Man?" What does Romans 3:10 say about Man?
- ANSWER: Scientology teaches that man is basically good. The Bible teaches that man is basically evil.
- What does Scientology teach about the creation?
- ANSWER: Darwinian evolution.
- How does Scientology define "salvation?"
- ANSWER: Breaking free from the cycle of reincarnation. Joining up with aliens from other planets and galaxies will end the cycle of reincarnation.
Again, we have examined at a religion that offers its followers freedom from the pain and struggles of this life and one that says we can define our own gods, make our own salvation, and explain away our mistakes as something that was caused in a "prior life."
We see a focus on mankind’s actions for achieving salvation through "the mind," along with a message that replaces God’s Holy Word with man’s fiction.
Today we see famous and popular people commending the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard and the doctrines of the Church of Scientology. They think that this false teaching permits them to follow after all manner of pleasure, ignore God’s original plan for man, and blame their troubles on others and theirpast lives. It allows them to be completely unaccountable for anything bad, take credit for everything good, and to avoid thinking of death—as they believe that, upon death, they will either join aliens on another planet or galaxy, or return here to try it all over again. Don’t fall for this folly, and by all means pray for those who have.
As Bible–believing Christians, we are challenged at every turn to know the truth and to guard the truth with all diligence. Christ tells us that He is the Truth; believe in Him, and the Truth will set you free. I pray that our studies in these lessons have helped you in this quest, and in the daily battle to keep God’s Word pure and in your heart.
Please continue to pray for all of us that God will lead us to take what we are learning from these studies and use it to witness to the millions of lost and dying all around us. May He help us grow each day as we continue together studying and working in His kingdom.
Thanks again for studying with us.
In Christ,
Wes
[2019]