Replacing Scripture with Scientology Literature
It never ceasing to amaze me when so-called Christians, especially pastors or teachers, claim that the Scriptures are ancient or merely too hard to read (apparently just for their congregation), so they find literature by various kinds of authors (Christian or non) to take its place, believing it will do a better job than the Word of God in people’s lives.
Apparently, “Two [Pentecostal and Methodist Episcopal] pastors who spoke recently with CNN explained that when it comes to religion, they still preach the core beliefs of Christianity. But when it comes to practicing what they preach in a modern world, borrowing from Scientology helps.” [article]
They would have us believe, “As men of God rooted in Christian values, they do not see Scientology as a threat to their faith, but rather as a tool to augment it.”
Note: “Scientology was founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer. Followers are taught that they are immortal spiritual beings called thetans. Although the church says there is a supreme being, its practices do not include worshipping God.”
Apparently, one of these persons attended a meeting at the spiritual headquarters of the Church of Scientology in Florida, and fell in love with the book entitled "The Way to Happiness" written by the Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. “It constitutes Hubbard's attempt at developing a non-religious moral code based purely on common sense.”
The 21 precepts are: [wikipedia]
- Take care of yourself.
- Be temperate.
- Don't be promiscuous.
- Love and help children.
- Honor and help your parents.
- Set a good example.
- Seek to live with the truth.
- Do not murder.
- Don't do anything illegal.
- Support the government designed and run for all the people.
- Do not harm a person of good will.
- Safeguard and improve your environment.
- Do not steal.
- Be worthy of trust.
- Fulfill your obligations.
- Be industrious.
- Be competent.
- Respect the religious beliefs of others.
- Try not to do things to others that you would not want them to do to you.
- Try to treat others as you would want to be treated.
- Flourish and prosper.
Tell me again, just by looking at this list, why one must turn from the Scriptures to an atheist’s book, claiming, “it is easier to understand and clearer to follow than ancient Scriptures taken from the Bible?”
Point blank, sir, does Scientology contract the gospel of Jesus Christ?
“"Sometimes yes. Sometimes no." But, the “congregation can relate to "The Way to Happiness."”
If this person (so-called pastor) can honestly say that he and his congregation can relate to an atheist’s writing more than they can relate to the Word of God, there is a deep spiritual problem, which can’t be found in the broad way which they are walking.
2 comments:
Well well.
To be frank, I don't see any major flaws with the 21 rules of happiness, except the dodgy "respect the beliefs of others" part.
I think I might just write a scientology article from an atheist's perspective instead.
Beast
"I condemn false prophets, I condemn the effort to take away the power of rational decision, to drain people of their free will - and a hell of a lot of money in the bargain. Religions vary in their degree of idiocy, but I reject them all.
For most people, religion is nothing more than a substitute for a malfunctioning brain."
- Gene Roddenberry, American Screen Writer and Producer, best known for his work, "Star Trek"
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