Is that way that scientology is seen in modern times comparable to how Christianity was seen in Ancient Rome?

Question

I'm currently reading the book The End of Faith by Sam Harris, and one particular chapter is dedicated to religious discrimination. This topic reminded me that Christianity was seen as "wrong" during the time of classical Rome, and, while I know there was active discrimination through murder, I thought that the Roman's might've seen Christianity as inferior and "stupid" in comparison to the Roman religion.

From this realisation, I found that similar thoughts are present today about scientology, even if we aren't actively persecuting them. I also gained the following questions:

Are the general population's thoughts on scientology similar to those that the Romans probably had for Christians?

Is it possible that, in the future, scientology may become more popular, similar to how Christianity went from being a minority religion to the world-wide religion it is now?

(Note: I decided that this question bests fits this category, but a sub-category could be considered history.)

I'd very much appreciate it if people looked at this with an open mind.

Yes, scientology was created unintentionally through a work of fiction, but how do you know that Christianity wasn't created in the same way?

I'm just saying that people can forget about the roots of things, especially religion, and it could easily be forgotten that scientology was created through a fictitious book. If that did happen during the future, what would stop people from believing it?

I'm not trying to offend anyone -Christian, scientologist, or otherwise- but I am curious. What if the people of the future DID forget about scientology's origination? What would make it less believeable than Christianity or Islam?

Answer 1

I too am reading that book at the moment but unfortunately I haven't made it quite as far as you. Time to stop procrastinating, aye?

I suppose it's a possibility that Scientology could gain incredible momentum in the years to come, but I don't think it would in quite the same way as Christianity. Scientology could conceivably attract the attention and thick wallets of the "financially secure"... in other words, the people who could afford to pay for the myriad of expensive services intrinsic to official membership.

Then again, unlike the time of the beginning of Christianity, there wasn't a huge, interconnected communcation system like the internet. There was no way for people to do instantaneous research or to contact members and ex-members for testimonials. These days there is a veritable wealth of information on the web concerning Scientology. There are of course apologetic sites as well as opposing sites, apologetic as well as opposing literature... there are court documents and there is film footage... it's all out there and it's inevitable that this kind of readily available information will significantly impact the evolution of acceptance in a way nothing in the days of early Christianity ever could.

Answer 2

There is no comparison at all. In the first century, Rome saw Christianity as an extension of Judaism and was somewhat protected. Once they saw that they were separated from Judaism and not a part of it, the persecution began. The Romans were pantheists, worshiping many gods. Christians would have gotten along fine worshiping Jesus if they also worshiped the Roman gods. They refused, saying that Jesus was Lord and refusing to bow to the Roman gods. The persecution suffered by the early church, and continuing today in many parts of the world included torture, imprisonment, and very painful deaths. I have yet to hear of any Scientologists suffering torture, imprisonment or death for what they believe. They are a cult based on the writings of a science fiction writer. Their beliefs are based on his ideas, not truth.To say they are way out there is being kind.

Answer 3

Don't get sucked into false teachers, or crazy Christians for that matter. Scientology works in some ways because they have pieces of the truth. But they do not have the whole truth.

Read the Divine Conspiracy for a fresh common sense look at Christianity. People have warped it terribly over the years, and what he teaches makes SOOOO much sense, and really brings things in perspective.

Answer 4

Even as a non believer, while I don't think Christianity is right and at one time was a "cult" in it's own sense, Scientology is just nuts!

I really hope it's not mainstream someday, although it seems to be pushing it's way into accepted...

Answer 5

No, comparing them is utterly ridicules.

Do some research on Christianity, not just from the Church, but from a Historical perspective. Study the times and what happened back then and see how it fits with the New Testament.

L.Ron is a Cult leader like Jim Jones and David Koresh.

Good Luck in your Search!

Peace!

Answer 6

Scientology is a story that wasn't meant to be taken seriously. The creator of it even said that himself. People are just idiots enough to follow it. It doesn't give you fantastic confidence in mankind when you walk down the street and see 'The Church of Scientology'. Seriously, there's one of those in a city near me.

Answer 7

I'm actually writing a book about the "New Roman Empire" that people often don't seem to realize exists...

Answer 8

who knows maybe it will be i mean when it comes down to different religions it's like a new one comes along all the time and eventually more and more people follow that new religion i mean who knows maybe within time there will be more agnostics or atheists i mean seriously you never know

Answer 9

Maybe the problem is that Christianity should still be seen like it was back then.

Answer 10

No, because Christianity is right and Scientology is wrong.