The Scientology Comparative Theology Page

Hubbard's Views on Religion,
Joe Harrington, 1997.

An essay by an ex-Scientologist with references from Hubbard's earlier writings and taped lectures, including the Philadelphia Doctorate Course. Contains references to general religion, Islam, and Christianity.
Escape from the Nightmare, "California Dreaming",
Andres T. Tapia.
Details Kieth and Shawn Scott's entry and exit from Scientology.
About the Author,
Perry Scott, 1996.

Ex-Scientologist's experience with misleading Scientology recruiting techniques.
An Afternoon with Scientologists,
Michael Voytinsky, 1997.
Non-scientologist's experience with misleading Scientology recruiting techniques.
Scientology 510(c)(3) Statement ,
United States Internal Revenue Service.

" ... as a practical matter Scientologists are expected to and do become fully devoted to Scientology to the exclusion of other faiths."
'What was [religion] a solution to?',
Remedy BG
,
How Scientology audits out (deprograms) religious belief.
Pattinson First Amended Complaint,
Pattinson, 18 Aug 1998.
Scientology deprograms religious belief.
8th [God] Dynamic Sec[urity] Check,
from The L10 Rundown, 1962.
Scientology vs Other Faiths,
Roland Rashliegh-Berry.

A study of "What is Scientology?", the Scientology "Catechism". With Real Audio.

Scientology and Religion in General

Hubbard believed that religion was based on the implants from R6 (see Advanced Technology ). According to Hubbard, people throughout history have found pieces of R6 and used them to control or enslave other people. Thus, as a matter of Scientology doctrine, all religions are based on abberations caused by the reactive mind. The purpose of Scientology is to free us from the reactive mind and thus by extension, all religions. In this way, Scientology is diametrically opposed to religion. [Harrington]

Scientology believes that God exists, but goes on to say "As to the form in which He exists, we do not know" ( Scientology: A World Religion, p. 17: What is Scientology, p. 200). And although Scientology does not know the EXACT form of God (i.e., the Supreme Being), it does teach that there are "gods above other gods, and gods beyond the gods of the universes" (Scientology 8-8008, p. 72). Scientology also states that each thetan (person) "has as far as we can see in the manufacture of energy, about the same capabilities as those which have been assigned to the Supreme being in the universe" (Philadelphia Doctorate Course#9, LRH). All of these views would be problematic for Christians, especially when Scientology claims to be compatible with all religions. These views are certainly not compatible with Christianity.

While incompatibility with other religions is common among belief systems, the crucial difference is that Scientology lies [Tapia] [Scott] [Voytinsky] to its new recruits, saying they are compatible with all religions. After extended discussion with two Scientology spokespersons, "compatible" appears to apply to the cultural (but not spiritual) aspects of other religions. When queried on specific Hubbard directives that teaches against "mixed practices", the references were denied as a "misunderstanding", despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary [U.S. IRS] [Remedy BG] [Pattinson] [8D Sec Check].

Throughout his writings, Hubbard was critical of organized religion in general and Christianity in particular. Hubbard appears to have gone out of his way in the upper-level lectures to gratuitously denigrate God, Christianity, and the Roman Catholic Church [Harrington] ["Hubbard Maligns Religion", below]. At the highest levels of Scientology, the adherent is expected to renounce their previous faith [Remedy BG] [8D Sec Check] [Tapia]. A former OT-8 [Pattinson] has sworn an affidavit regarding how Scientology attempted to forcibly deprogram his belief in Christianity.

Scientology is quick to claim religious persecution whenever someone criticises their actions, scripture, or beliefs. (As Hubbard surmised when he cloaked Scientology with religion, exposing fraudulent business practices is good citizenship, while criticising religious beliefs borders on bigotry.) Scientology makes exaggerated accusations of others to divert attention away from their own shortcomings. Hubbard's own words taken in total show that Scientology's Founder and by extension Scientology itself has no respect for any belief system except its own.

Hubbard Maligns Religion

Note: to comply with the provisions of Fair Use, some of this commentary errs on the side of tedium. Besides being opposed to religious freedom, Scientology is apparently opposed to scholarly freedom as well.

Hubbard on the Basis of Religion

These sequential passages are from History of Man by L. Ron Hubbard, as reported in Advance #138. Note that a "thorough checkout" on HOM is required to attain OT VIII, the highest level in Scientology.

Hubbard on Faith

Hubbard on Religion's Effectiveness

Hubbard on Religious Zeal

Hubbard on Poverty

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