Christianity versus Scientology - are there any simularities? What is your take on both religions?

Answer 1

Yes there are similarities, but there are also major differences.

Both Scientology and Christianity make the claim that theirs is the only faith/philosophy that can lead to true happiness/enlightenment and ultimately personal "salvation" (in whatever form that may take). They are both centered around a "prophet" of sorts (Hubbard for Scientology and Jesus for Christianity). They both have "holy scripture" (for Christianity, the Bible, and for Scientology, any Hubbard-published material relating to Dianetics and Scientology).

They differ in many ways as well. For instance, Christianity calls bad behavior "sinning". Scientology calls it "low tone" (see link for the "Tone Scale": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_scale ) Christian doctrine states that we live one life and then based on our faith and our actions go either to heaven or hell. Scientology teaches that our "real selves" are actually our spirit, not our mind or body, and that our spirit (called our "Thetan" in Scientology terms) lives forever, moving from body to body over time, hence no afterlife, no heaven, no hell.

As for belief in a god, Christians obviously believe in the existence of the Abrahamic deity Yahweh. Scientology claims that belief in God is one of the "8 Dynamics" in life and that Scientologists are free to follow whatever god they may have worshiped before joining Scientology or whatever god they may find while a Scientologist, but Hubbard has only ever expressed consideration of a "Big Thetan" possibly existing (certainly not the god of the Bible).

Christians accept Jesus as their Lord, their redemption, their savior, etc. They consider him son of Yahweh, the man who died on the cross for all our sins. The Church, as far as I know, takes no official stance on this, but Hubbard has been recorded as having said "The man on the cross? There is no Christ!".
http://www.skeptictank.org/gen3/gen01874.htm

Here's a side-by-side comparison of between Scientology and Christian doctrine: http://www.sweenytod.com/cos/Theology/Theology/peik.htm

Answer 2

At least the Bible was written by a whole bunch of different supposedly religious men. Scientology was written on a lark by L. Ron Hubbard, and some people were stupid enough to believe it. Christianity has a belief in a central character and a specific morality(in spite of the differences between the religions.) Scientology is geared to moving people up the heirarchy of "reading clear". Oh, yeah, and you have to pay to reach each new level! LOL

Answer 3

Well as a Scientologist my religion promotes tolerance and respect of the religious beliefs of others so it wouldn't be a case of one versus another.

Here's a factual description of Scientology from which you can make your own comparisons to other religions if that's your thing:

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. It is a very practical religion.
All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyone’s faiths of beliefs in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual as part of his life.
It is also not a messianic religion. This means there is no worship of prophets or messiahs in Scientology. It is not belief or faith based. A truth should be true according to ones own observation and experience.
The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.

The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. and life.And to rehabilitate his native goodness, abilities and potential.
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.

How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. L. Ron Hubbard researched and made new discoveries about the human spirit. He developed technology from these discoveries to apply to increase spiritual awareness and ability.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable personal estate, when he died.

He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 10 million Scientologists in more than 163 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 53 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.

This is just an overview.
L. Ron Hubbard explained fully the theology and technologies of Scientology in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 2,000 tape-recorded public lectures.

Answer 4

I was on staff in the Church of Scientology. I was raised Christian and studied comparative religion in my ministerial studies - I was once an ordained minister in Church of Scientology.

I don't see many real similarities. Scientology does not address the issue of deities. They do not believe in the heaven/hell concept. I don't see too much civic service going on in Scientology. What it does address is a person's integrity and responsibility in dealings with self and others.

Answer 5

Scientology is B.S. based on a science fiction book by L. Ron Hubbard.

It has no connection to Christianity or any other religion.

Hubbard regrets ever being associated with it, but he needed the money at the time.

Answer 6

They are both based on BS:

One is based on BS ( Bible Study )

The other is based on BS ( the stuff that does not smell very nice )

L Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology was talking to his accountant about starting up a new business and the accountant suggested that if he called his new business a religion, it would be tax exempt.

And so the Religion of Scientology was born.

Pastor Art

PS: I was not talking about Boy Scouts who don't take baths.

Answer 7

Scientology tries not only to steal your money but to keep you in bondage. I know an ex-scientologist now christian who knows about how evil scientology is. Christ came to set the captives free. And give you life Everlasting. In Heaven and in the new Earth and New Heaven.

Answer 8

they might both be baloney, but scientology was created by a failed science fiction writer who admitted that the best way to get rich in this country was through religion.

if christians were bieng snowed, then scientologists were TOLD that it was a con beforehand but still chose to be conned anyway.

Answer 9

As a non-believer, Christianity is wrong, but at least Christianity is a legitimate relgion that grew out of ancient belief systems through historically valid philosophies.

Scientology was a money-making scheme created to win a bet by a mediocre science fiction author. I cannot deny its brilliance as a sociological experiment in the gullibility of wealthy celebrities, but it is a way bigger load of crap than real religions.

Answer 10

Both is a bunch of B.S. (in my humble opinion) For what Scientologists believe, go to this site (on the sources list) and I'm sure you know what Christianity is about...though I disagree with both religions, anything with aliens in it sounds cool by me...