Comparing Christianity and Scientology: At a Glance
| Aspect | Christianity | Scientology |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | Jesus Christ | L. Ron Hubbard |
| Sacred Texts | Bible (Old and New Testaments) | Dianetics and other writings of L. Ron Hubbard |
| Core Belief | Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior | Spiritual enlightenment through auditing and achieving Clear |
| Concept of God | Belief in one God (Holy Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit) | Vague concept of a Supreme Being |
| View of Afterlife | Heaven and Hell based on faith and deeds | Reincarnation and spiritual freedom |
| Key Practices | Prayer, Worship, Sacraments | Auditing, study, self-improvement courses |
| Place of Worship | Church (community gatherings, worship services) | Church of Scientology (centers for courses and auditing) |
Jesus Christ and L. Ron Hubbard: Side by Side
Jesus Christ: The Central Figure of Christianity
Jesus Christ is the foundational figure in Christianity. He is believed to be the Son of God, born to the Virgin Mary, and sent to earth to save humanity from sin. Christians believe that Jesus lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and taught about the Kingdom of God. His crucifixion is seen as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, and His resurrection is viewed as the victory over death, offering eternal life to believers.
Jesus‘ teachings emphasize love, forgiveness, and living a life that honors God. His message is one of hope, redemption, and the promise of eternal life in heaven. Jesus Christ is worshipped as God incarnate, the second person of the Holy Trinity, and is central to Christian worship and belief.
L. Ron Hubbard: The Founder of Scientology
L. Ron Hubbard is the founder of Scientology. Born in 1911, he was a prolific writer who developed the principles of Scientology in the mid-20th century. His book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, serves as the foundation for Scientology’s teachings. Hubbard’s work focuses on the concept of the Thetan and the process of auditing to achieve spiritual freedom.
Hubbard is regarded by Scientologists as a visionary who discovered the true nature of human beings as spiritual entities. His writings and teachings form the core of Scientology’s beliefs and practices. While he is not worshipped as a deity, Hubbard is revered as the source of Scientology’s knowledge and spiritual technology.
The Bible and Dianetics: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | The Bible (Christianity) | Dianetics (Scientology) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Guide for faith, morality, and the story of God’s relationship with humanity | Guide for mental health, spiritual awareness, and personal empowerment |
| Structure | Two main sections: Old Testament and New Testament | Single book, followed by additional writings by L. Ron Hubbard |
| Authorship | Multiple authors inspired by God | Written solely by L. Ron Hubbard |
| Core Message | Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ | Achieving spiritual freedom through auditing |
| Use in Worship | Central to Christian worship, teaching, and personal study | Used in Scientology courses and auditing sessions |
What is a Thetan in Scientology?
Thetan is the term used in Scientology to describe the true essence of an individual. According to Scientology, the Thetan is an immortal spiritual being, distinct from the mind and body. The Thetan is believed to have lived through multiple past lives and continues to exist after the death of the physical body.
The goal in Scientology is to free the Thetan from the negative influences of past experiences and traumas, known as engrams, through the process of auditing. By doing so, a person can achieve a state of Clear, where they are no longer affected by these engrams, and eventually reach the state of Operating Thetan, where they have full control over their existence and spiritual freedom.
What is Auditing in Scientology?
Auditing is a central practice in Scientology, designed to help individuals overcome the negative effects of past traumas and reach a state of Clear. During auditing, a person, known as a preclear, works with an auditor to identify and address engrams, which are harmful memories from past lives that are believed to influence present behavior and mental health.
The auditing process involves a series of questions and answers, with the auditor using a device called an E-meter to measure the preclear’s responses. The goal is to uncover and clear these engrams, allowing the individual to achieve spiritual freedom and greater awareness. Auditing is considered a key step in a Scientologist’s spiritual journey.
What Does Being “Clear” Mean in Scientology?
In Scientology, the state of Clear is a significant milestone in a person’s spiritual development. Achieving Clear means that an individual has successfully removed all engrams from their mind, freeing them from the negative effects of past traumas. A Clear individual is said to have greater self-awareness, improved mental health, and the ability to think and act more effectively.
Being Clear is considered essential for advancing to higher levels of spiritual awareness, known as the Operating Thetan levels. Scientologists believe that achieving Clear is not the end of the journey but a critical step toward reaching full spiritual freedom and empowerment.
Christian and Scientology Beliefs: Similarities and Differences
Concept of the Divine
Christianity teaches the belief in one God, manifested in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. God is seen as the creator of the universe, all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. Jesus Christ is central to this belief, viewed as both fully divine and fully human, who came to earth to save humanity from sin.
Scientology, on the other hand, speaks of a Supreme Being but does not define this concept clearly. The emphasis in Scientology is on the spiritual being, or Thetan, rather than on worshipping a deity. The Supreme Being in Scientology is an abstract concept that members are free to interpret in their own way.
Salvation and Spiritual Freedom
In Christianity, salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus died for their sins and that by accepting Him as their Savior, they receive forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. The path to salvation is through faith, repentance, and living a life that honors God.
Scientology focuses on achieving spiritual freedom through the process of auditing. Rather than salvation from sin, Scientologists seek to free themselves from the negative influences of past lives and achieve a state of Clear. The ultimate goal is to reach the state of Operating Thetan, where one has full control over their spiritual existence.
10 of the Most Important Events in Christianity and Scientology
Christianity: Key Historical Events
- The Birth of Jesus Christ: Marks the beginning of the Christian era.
- The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus: Central to Christian belief in salvation.
- The Great Schism (1054): The division between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
- The Protestant Reformation (1517): Led by Martin Luther, challenging the practices of the Catholic Church.
- The Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Established foundational Christian doctrines.
- The Conversion of Constantine (312 AD): The Roman Emperor’s conversion to Christianity, leading to its spread across the empire.
- The Spread of Christianity: Through missionary work across the world.
- The Crusades (1095-1291): A series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church.
- The Enlightenment (17th-18th Century): Challenged the authority of the Church, leading to secularism.
- The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965): Modernized the practices of the Catholic Church.
Scientology: Significant Milestones
- The Birth of L. Ron Hubbard (1911): Founder of Scientology.
- The Publication of Dianetics (1950): Introduction of the core principles of Scientology.
- The Founding of the Church of Scientology (1953): Establishment of Scientology as an organized religion.
- The Release of the E-meter (1958): A tool used in auditing.
- The Creation of the Sea Organization (1967): A religious order within Scientology.
- The Opening of Flag Land Base (1975): The spiritual headquarters of Scientology in Clearwater, Florida.
- The Establishment of Celebrity Centre (1969): Focused on attracting celebrities to Scientology.
8. Legal Recognition as a Religion (1993): In the United States, after a long legal battle with the IRS. - Expansion of Scientology Worldwide (2000s): Opening of new centers and increased global presence.
- The Ongoing Development of Advanced Courses: Continues to expand the spiritual journey for Scientologists.