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Gateway Bible ChurchSunday, September 2, 2012“Differences” Series # 5Christian Science and ScientologyActs 17:22-31 – Paul’s sermon on MarsHill22 SoPaul stood in the midst of theAreopagus and said, “Men of Athens, Iobserve that you are very religious in allrespects. 23 For while I was passingthrough and examining the objects ofyour worship, I also found an altar withthis inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWNGOD.’ Therefore what you worship inignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 TheGod who made the world and allthings in it, since He is Lord of heavenand earth, does not dwell in templesmade with hands; 25 nor is He served byhuman hands, as though He neededanything, since He Himself gives to allpeople life and breath and all things;26 and He made from one man everynation of mankind to live on all the
face of the earth, having determinedtheir appointed times and theboundaries of their habitation, 27 thatthey would seek God, if perhaps theymight grope for Him and find Him,though He is not far from each one ofus; 28 for in Him we live and move andexist, as even some of your own poetshave said, ‘For we also are Hischildren.’ 29 Being then the children ofGod, we ought not to think that theDivine Nature is like gold or silver orstone, an image formed by the art andthought of man. 30 Therefore havingoverlooked the times of ignorance,God is now declaring to men that allpeople everywhere should repent,31 because He has fixed a day in whichHe will judge the world in righteousnessthrough a Man whom He hasappointed, having furnished proof toall men by raising Him from the dead.”Paul faced several groups of thinkers:The: They believedeverything happened by way ofchance. Death was the end ofeverything. Any happiness was to befound here in this life. They didn’tbelieve in heaven or hell.The: They believed everythinghad the spirit God within them verysimilar to the New Age Movement oftoday.Paul spoke them by saying:1. God is both creator andeverything (verses 24-25, 28)2. God wants for us to(verses 26-27)ofHim.
3. God has chosen a day of verdict forthose who do not follow Him (verse 31)They responded to Paul: The largest groupat Pauland considered him irrational(verse 32) Some people wanted tohimagain Some people acknowledged his1 John 4:1 (NASB)4Beloved,do not believe every spirit,but test the spirits to see whether theyare from God, because many falseprophets have gone out into the world.Christian ScienceHistory Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in1879o She established the FirstChurch of Christ, Scientist inLynn Massachusetts (alsoknown as The Mother Church,now located in Boston)(source: Handbook of World Religions,Len Woods, page 34) Mary Baker was born in 1822 She was married at 22o Her husband, George Glover,died 7 months after they weremarried of yellow fever whileshe was pregnant Her 2nd marriage was to Dr. DanielPatterson She married a 3rd time to Asa Eddyo He died 5 years later
She demanded an autopsy (Sheaccused her former students ofmentally poisoning her husbandwith malicious mesmerism in theform of arsenic) When she died in 1910 she had 1million followers worldwide Today there are about 200,000followers(source: So What’s the Difference, Fritz Ridenour,page 165) NOTE: P.P. Quimby of Portland,Maine must also be considered.Eddy became acquainted withhim in 1862 as she was beingtreated for “spinal inflammation.”She claimed he had cured her.However, later in life she claimedhe didn’t know what he wastalking about. Dr. Quimby calledhis ideas, “Science of Health.” Sheentitled her book, “Science andHealth with Key to the Scriptures.”Mrs. Eddy plagiarized a great dealof her book from Dr. Quimby.(source: The Kingdom of the Cults, Walter Martin,pages 150-151)Beliefs Material things deceive us intobelieving that they are ultimate,but these physical things andsubstances are not “real” in thesense that God is real.They only seem essential, vital,fundamental, and enduring.Likewise, sickness, death, and sin arenot “real.”
Illness is deceptive.It is a kind of mental trick.Healing begins when one understandsthat illness can be traced to subjectiveproblems in the mind, not objectiveissues in the body. Healing is experienced throughrefocusing one’s mind on thepositive and true teachings ofChristian Science and prayingaccordingly, perhaps with thehelp of a Christian Sciencepractitioner. Jesus is not God.He did not die on the cross, nor did Hephysically rise from the dead.He was one who possessed andperfectly displayed the Christ spirit, andis thus our “Way-Shower.”(source: Handbook of World Religions, Len Woods,page 36)Misc Christian Science has no clergy.Lay members of the faith conduct allministries. The Christian Science MotherChurch broadcasts its weeklyservice (these involve readingsand music) Practitioners are members whohave undergone special trainingand serve the church full time bypraying for situations brought to
their attention Christian Scienceadherents and those outside thechurch. (NOTE: Becausepractitioners are self-employed,the charge for their services) Christian Science nurses aremembers who offer physical care(but no medical treatment) tothose who are seeking healingthrough Christian Science. Christian Science reading roomsare found worldwide (about 1,900in number).They double as bookstores andresearch centers for the exploration ofspiritual healing, prayer, andspirituality.”(source: Handbook of World Religions, Len Woods,page 36)ScientologyTerms/History/Etc.Scientology (which literally means, “thestudy of truth”) began with thepublishing of Dianetics in 1950.Main Text: Dianetics: The ModernScience of Mental Health, L. RonHubbardFounder: L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986) He became fascinated with thehuman mind and went on to studyat George Washington University.
In his 20’s and 30’s he enjoyedsuccess as a science fiction writer. He traveled extensively anddeveloped an interest in Easternphilosophy, especially Hinduism,Buddhism, and Taoism.He developed a uniquereligious/scientific/philosophical beliefsystem that would later be called,DianeticsThe word comes from the Greek word,nous (meaning soul) and the prefix dia(meaning through)Dianetics attempts to describe whatthe soul is doing to the body throughthe mind.Dianetics was proposed by Hubbard asan alternative to expensive sessions ofpsychotherapy (Dianetics claims to beable to eliminate negative and painfulemotions, stress, unhappiness, andpsychosomatic illness)The first Scientology church wasestablished in California in 1954 (NOTE:This began a 40 year battle with the IRSwhich denied Scientology was alegitimate church worthy of religioustax exemption. The IRS finally grantedthe Scientology church tax exemptstatus in 1993)(source: Handbook of World Religions, Len Woods,page 177)Following the death of L. Ron Hubbard,David Miscavige becameScientology’s leader in 1987.
Basic Beliefs/DifferencesScientology’s main text is Dianetics:The Modern Science of Mental HealthChristianity’s main text is The Bible It is the plumb line for us More than 40 authors wrote it overa period of more than 1,500 years,telling a unified message of God’slove for mankind. The texts of Scientology werewritten by one man over 30 yearstelling an evolving story of man’spursuit of personal potential.Scientology does not define God anddoes not acknowledge the God of theBibleScientology believes that Xenu was anintergalactic space tyrant who reigned75 million years ago, murdering billionsof aliens on earth by droppinghydrogen bombs into volcanoes(source: World Religions and What People Believe,Bryan McAnally, page 196)Scientology teaches that Jesus is adeception designed to impede thespiritual development of a persontoward clarity, implanted in a thetanby Xenu a million years ago and thenspread like a virus by the thetan.Hubbard claimed that an alien groupknown as Marcabians implanted adeceptive interpretation of Jesus thatwas not supported by objectiveobservation, resulting in the deepseated perception that humans need
a savior and that Jesus was the lovingChrist sent to pray for man’s mistakes.(source: World Religions and What People Believe,Bryan McAnally, page 204)Christians believe God is personal,omniscient, and omnipotentJesus Christ is not acknowledged orrevered within ScientologyScientology believes man is basicallygood; all humans are made up ofbody, mind, and “,” theiressential immortal spiritWe have the potential to solve our ownproblems, accomplish our goals, andgain lasting happiness.John 1:14 (NASB)We can achieve new, higher states ofawareness and ability; howevernegative experiences in our many liveshave produced engrams (negativemental images) that prevent the soulfrom using its vital force.14AndChristianity believes in original sinChristianity believes Jesus is God’s Sonsent to earth to die on the cross for oursinsthe Word became flesh, anddwelt among us, and we saw His glory,glory as of the only begotten from theFather, full of grace and truth.Romans 5:12 (NASB)12Therefore,just as through one man sinentered into the world, and death
through sin, and so death spread to allmen, because all sinned—Within Scientology there is no mentionof sin or repentance; humans need tobe clear of “” (destructivethoughts)Scientology believes deliverance fromthe endless cycle of lives through“” (ridding the mind ofnegative mental thoughts) by reachinga state of “” and becoming anOperating Thetan.Therefore, Scientologist “”(the religion’s version of clergy) guideadherents through a process called“.”By using(electropsychometers, amachine comparable to a lie detectorthat measures pulse rate and bodytemperature as counselees discusstheir lives), auditors are able to pinpointareas of wrong thinking (or engrams)Then through drills, certain disciplines,and further counseling, one is able toachieve its full potential.One drill is called(a detoxification program) used tohelp new converts to Scientology enddrug and alcohol addictions.Another program is designed to helpthe newborn children of Scientologyfamilies have the best start in life byproviding for them a birth experiencefree from trauma.
The birthing process is calledand discourages the use of any drugsin the birthing process, as well as usingany yelling or loud speech while thebaby is delivered.The belief is that any loud noise imprintson the reactive mind and creates anengram that will later cause obstaclesin the child’s life.Scientology believes in a continuing upthe Operating Thetan Bridge until one isfree from the cycle of birth and deathfrom the restraints of matter, energy,space, and time this “eighthdynamic” is the urge toward existenceas infinity, or the Supreme being.Acts 4:12 (NASB)12Andthere is salvation in no one else;for there is no other name underheaven that has been given amongmen by which we must be saved.” Dr. Jeff Ward, 2012
Scientology’s main text is Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health Christianity’s main text is The Bible It is the plumb line for us More than 40 authors wrote it over a period of more than 1,500 years, telling a unified message of God’s love for mankind. The t
