Religious Confusion

“Although there is no policy or Scriptural mandate expressly requiring Scientologists to renounce other religious beliefs or membership in other churches, as a practical matter Scientologists are expected to and do become fully devoted to Scientology to the exclusion of other faiths. As Scientologists, they are required to look only to Scientology Scriptures for the answers to the fundamental questions of their existence and to seek enlightenment only from Scientology.”

“Scientology is a very exact faith, and a fundamental doctrine of the religion is that it’s religious services must be orthodox. This doctrine holds that spiritual salvation is attained if, and only if the path to salvation outlined in the scripture’s religious technology is followed without deviation.”

—Church of Scientology Int., IRS Form 1023 Attachment, pg 4

“I believe in God. I am a Christian. In fact just last week I attended my 100th-ish Christian Church service and it was incredible!”

—Ryan Prescott, Scientologist

“I don’t believe in God.”

—Gemma Harris, Scientologist

“I am a Jew and a Scientologist”

—Pete Sokoloff, Scientologist

It has been said before that Scientology is at least, consistent in its inconsistency. For every claim made there is a counterclaim found somewhere else.

L. Ron Hubbard wrote in Dianetics that auditing could cure any illness, then he wrote to his auditors not to say auditing could cure anything.

Scientology claims that they are the only hope for Mankind, that their technology will be the salvation of the planet.

Their Enrollment Agreement states “Neither the Church nor any other Scientology Church or organization which espouses, presents, propagates or practices the Scientology religion makes any claim:

II. That the application of any Scientology or Dianetics technology or practice will have any particular effect on me or any other person, or

III. That any particular result may be forthcoming from my participation in any Scientology Religious Service. I specifically acknowledge that I have read and that I understand Scientology Policy Directive 13 March 1996. Statements by Staff Members, which states clearly that if any individual staff member of any Scientology Church or organization makes any claims about the results which may be forthcoming from my participation in any Scientology Religious Service, any such claims are the personal opinions and beliefs of that staff member only, and are not claims made by the Church or any other Scientology Church or organization.”

“#Scientology stresses the application and workability of its principles and techniques. When properly practiced, Scientology enables one to develop in all aspects of life, both spiritual and temporal.”

—@ExposeNetwork, Twitter

It must truly be confusing to be a Scientologist.

This is a problem.

One of the attributes of a Church used by the IRS to determine exemption status is a “recognized creed and form of worship.”

There are certain aspects of each established religion that are immediately recognizable and uniform amongst the members. Ask any Christian what they believe and the response will be unequivocal; Jesus died for our sins, rose on the third day and IS our Savior. Muslims will respond “there is no God but Allah and Mohammad is His Prophet.” There is no confusion with the basic, fundamental doctrine. While different groups may have their own, distinct forms of expressing their faiths, the underlying tenets are rock solid.

Scientologists are whatever and whoever they need to be in the moment. If it suits someone to claim affiliation with the Jewish community then so be it, they are Jewish Scientologists. One simply ignores the fact that the Jewish people do not believe Jesus is the long awaited Messiah; the Jewish Scientologist walks proudly into his or her COS building which displays the ultimate Christian symbol- a Cross.

The Christian Scientologist must live in a veritable wilderness of spiritual confusion. Christians believing that Jesus is the Salvation of Mankind while Scientology teaches that THEY are the only hope and salvation. The symbol of the Cross is deeply sacred and holy, reminding us that God loved us so much He sent his only Son to save us. Scientology exhorts its members not to take anything on Faith but to use baseless technology to save the planet.

Under oath, in order to be granted their religious exemption, Scientology asserted that their tech must be followed without deviation.

If COS truly believed in the efficacy of their so-called religion they would not hedge bets with a Contract, nor would a need exist to supplement their technology with the symbols and beliefs of other Faiths.

For a Christian, Muslim, Jew or other member of an established religion, their ideology is enough.

The fact is, for all its cries of inclusion and defense of religious freedom, Scientology is incredibly disrespectful.

Taking on the symbol most sacred to the Christian community when your founder claimed Jesus did not exist, that He was a child molester and that religion was actually a false implant is heresy and blatant bigotry.

Bigotry is intolerance for the religious beliefs of others. Displaying the Cross when one does not believe in anything it represents, using this holy image simply as a tool in one’s pretense to further financial gain is beyond disrespectful. It shows a marked intolerance and disregard for the Faith of every Christian.

Adding other beliefs to this cauldron of confusion just increases the show of disregard and contempt Scientology holds for established religions.

COS has no recognizable creed.

Yes the cult claims belief that Man is a spirit, is immortal and can attain godlike powers. However they also state that Scientology can’t deliver what they promise. No other religion requires members to sign multiple contracts, waivers and releases.

For any other person of religion, their Faith is enough.

Apparently for Scientologists something vital is missing, leaving its members seeking, confused and living in the shadows. If COS truly had all the answers and could save the world none of those within its fold would need supplemental religion.

In order to qualify for and keep a religious tax exemption the organization must have their own spiritual identity and history.

Scientology has neither.

Instead it attempts to cover its lack by claiming it holds in common the beliefs of religions that go back thousands of years.

The truth is they have nothing in common with true religion.

That COS must grasp onto and misuse the beliefs of others with no respect, understanding or reverence proves how far off the mark they truly are.