Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Some Christian pastors embrace Scientology
CNN ^ | From Diana Miller and Gary Tuchman10/31/2007

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 ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christian; pastor; pentecostal; scientology
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last
"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."

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.

1 posted on 10/31/2007 12:34:28 PM PDT by Tulsa Ramjet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet

...Some Pastors are idiots.


2 posted on 10/31/2007 12:36:08 PM PDT by never4get (Sweathog ready to make a skilk purse.....With her face in the beer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: never4get

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!”


3 posted on 10/31/2007 12:37:59 PM PDT by Tulsa Ramjet ("If not now, when?" "Because it's judgment that defeats us.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet

The Rev. Kennedy.

4 posted on 10/31/2007 12:38:33 PM PDT by Greg F (Duncan Hunter is a good man.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet

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.


5 posted on 10/31/2007 12:38:37 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: never4get

fools...


6 posted on 10/31/2007 12:40:03 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet

Hail Xenu!


7 posted on 10/31/2007 12:41:08 PM PDT by dynachrome (Immigration without assimilation means the death of this nation~Captainpaintball)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet
"And all this time I thought we came back as tribbles.">

I want to come back as kibbles and bits. I don't care which.

8 posted on 10/31/2007 12:41:09 PM PDT by Past Your Eyes (Some people are too stupid to be ashamed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet
"And all this time I thought we came back as tribbles.">

I want to come back as kibbles and bits. I don't care which.

9 posted on 10/31/2007 12:41:38 PM PDT by Past Your Eyes (Some people are too stupid to be ashamed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet

FAIL


10 posted on 10/31/2007 12:41:58 PM PDT by Constantine XIII
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet

E-meter session in place of the “altar call”?


11 posted on 10/31/2007 12:42:51 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet
“...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.”

What do you want to bet that the Scientologist purchased their way into these “pastors” hearts?

Deep pockets + greedy pastors.

$$$$ Kaa ching!!! $$$$

12 posted on 10/31/2007 12:43:59 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet
Oh, yes:

Poor little clams. Snap! Snap! Snap!

13 posted on 10/31/2007 12:44:08 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: never4get

‘...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!


14 posted on 10/31/2007 12:44:23 PM PDT by aimee5291
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Alex Murphy

FYI.


15 posted on 10/31/2007 12:45:14 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet
L. Ron Hubbard Jr:

You've got to realize that my father did not worship Satan. He thought he was Satan. He was one with Satan.


16 posted on 10/31/2007 12:46:59 PM PDT by WhistlingPastTheGraveyard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet

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.


17 posted on 10/31/2007 12:49:32 PM PDT by Joann37
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet
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....that will be loosing members in the upcoming months.
18 posted on 10/31/2007 12:50:32 PM PDT by Taggart_D
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet
Followers are taught that they are immortal spiritual beings called thetans.

Obviously the writer didn't do even cursory research into the beliefs of this organized-crime-masquerading-as-religion group.

19 posted on 10/31/2007 12:52:12 PM PDT by GovernmentShrinker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Ramjet

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.


20 posted on 10/31/2007 12:52:44 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (Hunter 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson