The Cults Ron Williams University of Life Ridgecrest Baptist Church © 2007 Ron Williams Scientology

Scientology Official Official name:Church of Scientology International Leader: Leader: L. Ron Hubbard, current leader= David Miscavige, Heber Jentzsch Headquarters: Headquarters: Los Angeles, Clearwater, Fl Current Current membership is unknown. Scientology actively seeks new members to undergo “clearing” Training Training centers exists in 50 major US cities and 50 countries

Scientology Organizations Organizations associated with Scientology include: Applied Applied Scholastics, Association for Better Living and Education, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Concerned businessmen’s Association of America, The Hubbard Dianetics Foundation International, Narconon/Criminon, National Commission on Law Enforcement and Social Justice, Religious Technology Center, Sterling Management Systems, The Way to Happiness Foundation, World Institute of Scientology Enterprises

Scientology Key Key Publication is –Dianetics: –Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health (1950). It is more of textbook on mental health than anything scripture-like

Scientology-Background Hubbard Hubbard was born in Nebraska in He had the opportunity to visit Asia during the 1920s that introduced him to eastern philosophies and thought. He He supposedly was wounded in WWII and during that time began to observe techniques that would be useful in mentally healing wounded soldiers.

Scientology-Background Hubbard Hubbard became an accepted science fiction writer. In In 1950 he wrote Dianetics. He describes these concepts as proven -- although he does not provide any acceptable documentation of such proofs He He incorporated the Church of Scientology in 1954 to promote his ideas under the guise of a religion

Scientology-Background Hubbard Hubbard apparently became financially independent as a result of Dianetics and became a recluse, spending most of his final years on his yacht. He He died with little public fanfare in 1986

Chief Outlets The book -- Dianetics The book -- Dianetics Dianetic classes Dianetic classes Call-in numbers, Call-in numbers, Local churches Local churches Churches or training centers exists in 50 major US cities and in ~ 50 countries. They provide no estimates of the number of members or individuals who have received Dianetics training Churches or training centers exists in 50 major US cities and in ~ 50 countries. They provide no estimates of the number of members or individuals who have received Dianetics training

The Skinny... Their teachings do not so much as confront Christianity as they simply ignore all religious thought. Their teachings do not so much as confront Christianity as they simply ignore all religious thought. Dianetics is not about spiritual salvation or being one with God, it is all about optimizing who you are now (your present existence on earth) Dianetics is not about spiritual salvation or being one with God, it is all about optimizing who you are now (your present existence on earth) They believe Hubbard was a genius who discovered the answers to life’s questions and unraveled the secrets of our past, present and future existences. His writings are considered authoritative They believe Hubbard was a genius who discovered the answers to life’s questions and unraveled the secrets of our past, present and future existences. His writings are considered authoritative

The Skinny... Others have noted that most of what Hubbard claims to have been his life story is exaggerated or outright lies at best. Others have noted that most of what Hubbard claims to have been his life story is exaggerated or outright lies at best. His concepts directly oppose Christian thought on how we exist, the forces that impact us and the nature of God His concepts directly oppose Christian thought on how we exist, the forces that impact us and the nature of God The training necessary to become a “Clear” is expensive. Dianetics is a money making industry, feeding on those who can accept this non-scriptural thought. The training necessary to become a “Clear” is expensive. Dianetics is a money making industry, feeding on those who can accept this non-scriptural thought.

Scripture Authority Dianetics is the textbook they use to clear the mind of unwanted earlier experiences that inhibit who you are. You cannot really call it scripture because it does not involve itself with bringing one to a state of salvation with God. It is about empowering oneself by getting rid of earlier hurts Dianetics is the textbook they use to clear the mind of unwanted earlier experiences that inhibit who you are. You cannot really call it scripture because it does not involve itself with bringing one to a state of salvation with God. It is about empowering oneself by getting rid of earlier hurts

Who is God? They provide no definition of the nature or person of God or a supreme being. They sometimes refer to the eighth dynamic or infinity. They sometimes use the term “allness of all” to describe one like God. They provide no definition of the nature or person of God or a supreme being. They sometimes refer to the eighth dynamic or infinity. They sometimes use the term “allness of all” to describe one like God. Our response: God is eternal, infinite, and personal creator of the universe. He exists as Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Our response: God is eternal, infinite, and personal creator of the universe. He exists as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Who is Man? Man is a collection of thoughts “engrams” that have occurred prior to birth, during past lives and during the formative years. Man has always existed and is recycled through new lives. Man is a collection of thoughts “engrams” that have occurred prior to birth, during past lives and during the formative years. Man has always existed and is recycled through new lives. It is the bad memories or events from former lives that causes individuals to be morally corrupt, evil, failures, sick, etc. It is the bad memories or events from former lives that causes individuals to be morally corrupt, evil, failures, sick, etc. Getting rid of all of the earlier bad experiences is needed to heal someone to where they can be fully productive in their current life. Getting rid of all of the earlier bad experiences is needed to heal someone to where they can be fully productive in their current life. Our response: Man is a created being of God who constantly rebels from God and lives in a state of sin. Only God has the ability to redeem man and he did so through Jesus Christ. Our response: Man is a created being of God who constantly rebels from God and lives in a state of sin. Only God has the ability to redeem man and he did so through Jesus Christ.

What about death? Dianetics says that people are immortal, divine beings. They are composed of soul, mind, and body. Dianetics says that people are immortal, divine beings. They are composed of soul, mind, and body. Our response: People are souls created in the spiritual and likeness of God. They are twofold in nature (not threefold). This consists of body and spirit. There is no existence before eartly life. Our response: People are souls created in the spiritual and likeness of God. They are twofold in nature (not threefold). This consists of body and spirit. There is no existence before eartly life.

Who was Jesus? Jesus is not a figure in Dianetics. Jesus is not a figure in Dianetics. Our response: Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Heavenly Father, Wonderful Counselor, the Living Word. He was, is, and is to come. No other historical figure has died and been resurrected to eternal life. He has proven himself to be true. Our response: Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Heavenly Father, Wonderful Counselor, the Living Word. He was, is, and is to come. No other historical figure has died and been resurrected to eternal life. He has proven himself to be true.

Who is the Holy Spirit? The deity of the Holy Spirit is not a reality. There is no Trinity. The deity of the Holy Spirit is not a reality. There is no Trinity.

How are we saved? Salvation is never considered in Dianetics. The ultimate goal is to be liberated from mind, energy, space, and time (MEST). Because of their belief in reincarnation, you may have to go through many, many clearance procedures to ever liberate yourself from the hurts of your current and past lives. Doing so will allow you to become spiritually aware and one with the universe. Salvation is never considered in Dianetics. The ultimate goal is to be liberated from mind, energy, space, and time (MEST). Because of their belief in reincarnation, you may have to go through many, many clearance procedures to ever liberate yourself from the hurts of your current and past lives. Doing so will allow you to become spiritually aware and one with the universe. Our response: There is no reincarnation. Failure to be saved results in eternal judgment. Christ is the only means to a happy eternal life. Our response: There is no reincarnation. Failure to be saved results in eternal judgment. Christ is the only means to a happy eternal life.

The Resurrection The do not believe in a resurrection, rather a continuous reincarnation as one repeatedly tries to obtain a state of “Clear”. The do not believe in a resurrection, rather a continuous reincarnation as one repeatedly tries to obtain a state of “Clear”. Our response: Jesus was the first fruits of the resurrection. Our response: Jesus was the first fruits of the resurrection.

Quotes from Dianetics Dianetics consists of -the goal of man;the single source of all inorganic mental and organic psychosomatic ills, and therapy Dianetics consists of -the goal of man;the single source of all inorganic mental and organic psychosomatic ills, and therapy Dianetics is an adventure. It is an exploration to an unknown land, the human mind. Page 1 Dianetics is an adventure. It is an exploration to an unknown land, the human mind. Page 1

Quotes from Dianetics The science of the mind is composed of: The science of the mind is composed of: –an answer to the goal of thought –source of all insanities –scientific evidence as to the basic nature....of the human mind –techniques by which the discovered single source could be invariably cured –methods of prevention of mental derangement –the cause and cure of all psychosomatic ills. Page 12

Quotes from Dianetics Dianetics does these by: Dianetics does these by: –an organized science of thought built on natural laws –a therapeutic techniqe..with assurance of a complete cure –producing a condition of ability and rationality for man well in advance of the current norm –gives a complete insight into the full potentialities of the mind –the basic nature of man is discovered and is found to be good –the single source of mental derangement is discovered –the storage capacity and recall ability of the human memory is finally established –the full recording abilities of the mind are discovered –brings forth the nongerm theory of disease –ends the necessity of destroying the brain by surgery –explains many problems posed by endocrinology –educational, sociological, political, military studies are enhanced –cytology is aided by Dianetics, page 13-14

Quotes from Dianetics The optimal individual is call a “Clear”, page 15 The optimal individual is call a “Clear”, page 15 The Clear has full color-vision, tone-sonic, tactile, olfactory, rhythmic, kinesthetic, thermal and organic imagination, page 23 The Clear has full color-vision, tone-sonic, tactile, olfactory, rhythmic, kinesthetic, thermal and organic imagination, page 23 Man is good, page 26 Man is good, page 26 the universe contains mind, energy space and time, page 29 the universe contains mind, energy space and time, page 29 the goal of life can be considered infinite survival, page 30 the goal of life can be considered infinite survival, page 30 Man has evolved, page 45 Man has evolved, page 45

Quotes from Dianetics Man survives because of Man survives because of –self drive for survival –sex- having children –group activities –mankind’s desire for immortality, page 46 –That man is selfish is a valid statement when one means an abberated man, page 47 –Engram is a moment of unconsciousness, page 54 –The villan is the reactive mind, page 64 –if there ever was a devil, he designed the reactive mind, page 68

Quotes from Dianetics There are no real demons in Dianetics, page 114 There are no real demons in Dianetics, page 114 The common cold has been found to be psychosomatic. Clears do not get colds. page 123 The common cold has been found to be psychosomatic. Clears do not get colds. page 123 “Call The Dianetics Information line,page 131 “Call The Dianetics Information line,page 131 Dianetics is not interested in saving man, but it can do much to prevent him from being “saved”, page 139 Dianetics is not interested in saving man, but it can do much to prevent him from being “saved”, page 139 The acceptance of the prenatal engram… makes it possible to be a Clear, page 169 The acceptance of the prenatal engram… makes it possible to be a Clear, page 169 The womb is a wet, uncomfortable, and unprotected place, page 171 The womb is a wet, uncomfortable, and unprotected place, page 171 A family which runs on the godhead plan, where somebody must be obeyed without question… is never a happy family, page 183 A family which runs on the godhead plan, where somebody must be obeyed without question… is never a happy family, page 183

Quotes from Dianetics Any person who is intelligent….should be able to become a Dianetic auditor, page 225 Any person who is intelligent….should be able to become a Dianetic auditor, page 225 PreClean recall past engrams in a 10 step process, page 264 PreClean recall past engrams in a 10 step process, page 264

What makes it attractive? Sense of self-empowerment Sense of self-empowerment You can become one with the universe by clearing your mind of bad thoughts You can become one with the universe by clearing your mind of bad thoughts Sin is not an issue Sin is not an issue There is a methodology (works) that allows you to obtain spiritual awareness There is a methodology (works) that allows you to obtain spiritual awareness There is no God that you are accountable to. There is no God that you are accountable to.

Witnessing to Scientologists Have a clear understanding of what the person believes Have a clear understanding of what the person believes Ask the person what will happen to them upon their death. Relate how you know you can be sure of your fate Ask the person what will happen to them upon their death. Relate how you know you can be sure of your fate Have a good understanding of what the Bible teaches about creation, who God is, God’s plan for mankind, and why the Bible is true Have a good understanding of what the Bible teaches about creation, who God is, God’s plan for mankind, and why the Bible is true

Witnessing to the Scientologists Discuss the authority of the Bible and that nothing that Dianetics teaches is consistent with that teaching Discuss the authority of the Bible and that nothing that Dianetics teaches is consistent with that teaching Tell them about Jesus. Most will have heard about Him but would not know who He really is. Tell them about Jesus. Most will have heard about Him but would not know who He really is.