Posted on 10/31/2007 12:34:27 PM PDT by Tulsa Ramjet
TAMPA, Florida (CNN) -- Some Christian congregations, particularly in lower income, urban areas, are turning to an unlikely source for help -- the Church of Scientology.
Rev, Charles Kennedy uses Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's book during a Friday night sermon.
Scientologists do not worship God, much less Jesus Christ. The church has seen plenty of controversy and critics consider it a cult. So why are observant Christians embracing some its teachings?
....The Rev. Charles Kennedy, of the Glorious Church of God in Christ, a Pentecostal church in Tampa, Florida, and the Rev. James McLaughlin, of the Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, are among the theological hybrids.
They say they are not scared off by programs with ties to a church that critics say has aggressive recruiting, secretive ways and rigid theology. As men of God rooted in Christian values, they do not see Scientology as a threat to their faith, but rather as a tool to augment it.
Scientology was founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer. Followers are taught that they are immortal spiritual beings called thetans. Although the church says there is a supreme being, its practices do not include worshipping God.
...Critic Rick Ross, a court-certified Scientology expert, sees something more sinister at work. He warned that mainstream acceptance makes it easier for the Scientologists to achieve their ultimate goal -- new recruits.
"Their hope is that through these programs, people will become more interested in L. Ron Hubbard, what else Mr. Hubbard had to offer, and this will lead them eventually to Scientology," Ross said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Thetans....hmmmm. And all this time I thought we came back as tribbles.
"Their hope is that through these programs, people will become more interested in L. Ron Hubbard, what else Mr. Hubbard had to offer"
....like a good cup of joe and a mind wipe.
...Some Pastors are idiots.
yeah. but the collection plate is overflowing!
Recruit: “Just fifty thousand more dollars and I can make it to the next level.” “Lose your Soul Now, Ask me How!”
The Rev. Kennedy.
Part of the Seeker Sensitive, “get them in the door by any means necessary” Movement. I’ve seen these new Protestant churches borrow from everyone, from Mormonism to Wicca. It’s the new Unitarianism.
fools...
Hail Xenu!
I want to come back as kibbles and bits. I don't care which.
I want to come back as kibbles and bits. I don't care which.
FAIL
E-meter session in place of the “altar call”?
What do you want to bet that the Scientologist purchased their way into these “pastors” hearts?
Deep pockets + greedy pastors.
$$$$ Kaa ching!!! $$$$
Poor little clams. Snap! Snap! Snap!
‘...Some Pastors are idiots’
scientology is cultist and these pastors are fooling themselves...wonder when they will realize scientology is not what they thought. crazy!
FYI.
I can’t seem to find the Scripture, but God tells us somewhere that we are not to add nor delete from His Word. Too bad these “urban” preachers find the Word of God insufficient, and have to resort to the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, of all people, to get their message out.
Obviously the writer didn't do even cursory research into the beliefs of this organized-crime-masquerading-as-religion group.
I hate $cientology, but Janet Reno Davidian advisor Rick Ross is more evil than any of them. Too bad the bastard keeps getting face time in these exposes.
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