KINGDOM ACADEMY

Course:

Salvation

Assignment No:

Lecturer:

Rev Erick Kibuga

Assignment topic:

Christian Apologetics

Date:

17th August 2012

Student No:

S/KA1001/JG 12

Submitted under the Salvation course in partial fulfilment of the Diploma in Christian/Kingdom Ministries

Christian Apologetic response to Scientology (a) A brief study of the origin and founder of Scientology Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard a writer of science fiction as a successor to his branch of psychotherapy called Dianetics, in 1952. This formed the philosophical background to the practice of scientology which is essentially the study of spirits and their relationships to the universe and other life forms. Dianetics was initially developed and presented as a form of self-help and employed a method of analysis called auditing that enabled one to identify and expel from the subconscious, submerged or hidden traumatic memories, which would otherwise cause discomfort from anxiety and affect the functioning of the individual. The purpose of dianetics was to clear from the individual any traces of these traumatic memories called engrams; however well established scientific organisations in the US did not consider dianetics worthy of discussion. The reported experiencing of practitioners of dianetics of what they considered past lives led Hubbard to postulate the existence of spirit beings he called thetans that were supposedly the individual expression of a cosmic force that comprised the true identity of the human being. These thetans were omniscient or all knowing in nature, and were responsible for creation of reality as it was known. They were eternal, transcendent beings. It was this discovery that saw dianetics transform into scientology and from pseudo-psychotherapy into a religion. In time past the thetans fell from grace or became less than perfect when they began to identify with the creation rather than their own perfect state. Subsequently they go through a process of reincarnation called assumption whose purpose is to bring them closer to the created universe and eventually back to their original perfect state. Hubbard published a book on his beliefs Scientology, a religious philosophy instituted a series of churches to promote these beliefs and associated practices. It is not clear what his true motives were, but it appears that he took the reports of past life experiences seriously. The core purpose of Scientology is to return these thetans contained in human bodies back to their awareness of their identity and nature. It recognises the human mind as being divided into two - the analytical and rational; and the reactive mind where emotional trauma or hurt and pain are located. These are stored as mental images not normally available to the conscious rational mind; thus they cause the individual to move away from his true identity as a thetan. Equally, the religion seeks to optimise the individuals existence on earth by putting forward a framework of transformation of the individual which are called dynamics, the basic one being survival of self, the ultimate one being transformation into the Supreme Being. The more dynamics a potential solution to a problem encompasses or satisfies, the more rational that solution is considered, and the greater the spiritual progress that is achieved; as a religion Scientology considers reason over morals. Scientology employs various techniques and tools for its analysis; these are considered proprietary to the religion and jealously guarded. At higher levels of initiation, more esoteric knowledge is introduced which is akin to a creation myth. The story itself, as much of scientology, bears close similarities with eastern religions notably Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Taoism. Hubbard (who died in 1986) and the Scientology leadership are very defensive over their beliefs and practices and vigorously persecuted anyone who cast them into negative light

including past members. To this end they fought and continue to fight battles over their legitimacy as a religion. This stems possibly from Hubbards rejection by the scientific community in the early days of Dianetics and Scientology. In recent times it has gained a following from prominent individuals. It however remains controversial with a community of dedicated critics. (b) Beliefs held by Scientology with respect to: God their belief is in a Supreme Being into which they all coalesce as they become enlightened. They claim that ones awareness of the Supreme Being or what they call existence as infinity comes through achieving the preceding seven dynamics that starts with survival of self. They are categorical that there is no transcendent being outside of self that constitutes God. ii. Creation - The thetans which are akin to souls were self existent transcendent beings that possessed unlimited creativity, which created the universe for their own pleasure; they were omniscient. The universe only exists as a consensual construct of these thetan, i.e. they agree it exists so it does. iii. Morality the view of Scientology is that reason prevails above morality. There is a sense that there are no absolute moral values or principles that are transcendent, since the objects of any moral code the thetans are themselves omniscient in potential. They view spiritual growth and self-actualisation as a gradual process of achieving the common good, i.e. maximising the extent of dynamics satisfied. These dynamics or stages of spiritual growth and development are akin to Maslows hierarchy of needs, namely: 1.survival; 2.procreation and family; 3.groups; 4.mankind; 5.all life; 6.the physical universe; 7.the spirit; 8.the Supreme Being. However Scientology is exclusive in the sense that it cannot brook competition; thus it considers it ethical to eliminate any competing philosophy, and turn the attention of its proponents exclusively to its own philosophy by whatever means deemed necessary. iv. Evil on its website it claims that it draws a distinction between good and evil as being that which enhances the survival in the aspects of life, called dynamics, as being good, and those that dont as being evil. However as can be seen, there is no absolute sense of morality. It is not based on some extrinsic (external) standard, but is a relative construct. Elsewhere the official website states that only at the highest level of attainment of survival do ethics and morality meet; otherwise ethics are held to be superior and exclusive to morality (c) Worldview classification This belief system falls under the worldview category of pantheism for the following reasons: i. Scientology teaches that the highest level of revelation is infinity. This is the level of the Supreme Being; this is consistent with other religions falling within this worldview. They have no concept of a distinct, transcendent deity. ii. The Supreme Being is not a person & cannot be known one morphs into it as one ascends through the levels of awareness or survival iii. Creation they believe that spirit of man thetans, created the universe. There is no word on who created the thetans. Thus thetans are self-existent, yet capable of folly and mistakes - imperfect creators. (d) Rebuttal of Scientology as the ultimate reality The argument against Scientology and for theism would necessarily be formed around the considerations above, namely views on God, creation, morality and evil i.

i.

God Scientology postulates that the Supreme Being is the highest reality, that he is the ultimate infinity, and a level of existence to which one ascends. The rebuttal would be that by definition for one to be called god, one has to be perfect and beyond the standards and limitations of ones own creation. That not being the case, in Scientology, since the supreme is part of his creation, then he cannot be considered to be god. In contrast, theism is categorical that all of creation was established by a supreme, transcendent, all-powerful being who is Himself self-existent and self-sufficient. Such a being or deity is capable and worthy of being revered and therefore worshipped by His creation. Since He exists outside of the created reality, He is not capable of mistakes. Col.1:16 states it eloquently, as does Gen.1:2-25.

ii. Creation in Scientology, creation created itself a clear impossibility. Natural laws in the universe notably the law of cause and effect state this clearly; all phenomena have a causative factor, without they would not exist. In theism however, we see something different; because God is self-existent He is, always was and forever will be (Rev.4:8). He is called the ancient of days as He transcends time and all other created phenomena (Dan.7:9). He is God and therefore was not created, but rather was the creator of all things as noted above. Not only is He to be worshipped for this cause, but also He continues to be involved in His creation through man, to whom all authority on earth and in heaven has been bequeathed by God Himself in Christ Jesus. In Eph.1:21, all authority in existence is given to Christ by God the Father, which Christ Jesus in turn, delegates the same to those who believe in Him (Eph.2:6,7). iii. Morality Scientology like other forms of pantheism, regards morality firstly as fluid; there are no absolutes. Secondly it views it as subordinate to rationality. Third it regards morals as dependent on competition between different dynamics or stages of transformation. In theism by contrast, morality is the offspring of perfection as defined by God. Because He is perfect, then His creation has a transcendent standard to gauge its own behaviour and attitudes. This is the basis of morality that there are absolute morals codes and standards that the individual recognises whether they meet them or not. They are knowable and apply to all. Obeying them or not also has its consequences on earth and later in the afterlife. Whilst on earth, one has every opportunity to achieve them, and even try again through repentance. iv. Evil Scientology has no real concept of evil, though pays lip service to it, by stating that there is an optimal and sub-optimal way of life. Theism is categorical that evil is the absence of good, defined by God explicitly. As such, evil is distinct, intrinsic (part of) and extensive. Evil is perpetrated and even perpetuated by people, and involves free choice. It is going against the will of God. Doing or avoiding evil involves relationships with either, the Holy One, Jehovah the Creator (good), or satan, the lord of the flies (evil). In summary, I would show Maya that theism is superior to Scientology because it is truth, and has a distinct, transcendent God; one is assured of continuity and order, access to power and ultimately redemption. I would gently show how fanciful the story of self-creation is; that things just dont come into being something creates them, and that the created are in need of the creator. I would also point out the myths that make up the esoteric knowledge that is the higher reaches of Scientology are not available to the ordinary adherent at all; that one is paying a hefty subscription for knowledge that ought to be imparted freely if it has any merit. Then I would get to the redemption story to show Maya what an absolutely loving God we have; He ensures salvation and redemption to all who receive His Son as their Lord and Saviour. That this all powerful creator seeks to have fellowship with His creation in love; that the sole

purpose of creation was relationship (fellowship, family etc). That God our Father speaks to us ongoingly and is always relevant. I predict Maya would come around and embrace Christ Jesus