8mm
Posted on 09/14/2008 12:03:58 PM PDT by narses
Continuing the Saturday series on minority religions, a glimpse of Scientology:
Spanning 129 countries and about 500,000 members, Scientologists rank 22nd among world religions. It may be difficult for a full count, as it is more applied philosophy than religion, and thus allows members to belong to other faiths and still fully practice Scientology. Half of Scientologists also report being Christians.
The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954, based on the teachings of Louisiana-born author Lafayette Ron Hubbard. His family moved to Montana when he was 2 (1913), where he befriended Blackfoot Indians and began a personal spiritual journey. By 1923 he lived in Seattle, becoming the youngest Eagle Scout in history. After many more travels in the U.S. and abroad, observing so much human suffering, Hubbard began to write his 5,000 books, essays and articles on how to improve oneself, which comprise the teachings of Scientology.
The word Scientology comes from the Latin word "scio" meaning "knowing," and the Greek word "logos" meaning "study of." Scientologists believe:
• Man is an immortal spiritual being with unlimited capabilities.
• His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.
• Man consists of three parts: spirit ("thetan"), the mind (for communication and control of spirit), and the body.
• Man is basically good; his spiritual salvation depends upon his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.
• Every man is capable of solving his own problems, accomplishing his goals, and gaining lasting happiness.
• No one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. Each individual discovers truth for himself through observation, self-awareness, and experience. This is why Scientology is compatible with nearly any other religion.
• Dianetics (Greek "dia" (through) and "nous" (soul) is what the soul does to the body. It refers to a method to increase sanity, intelligence, confidence, and well-being by eliminating unwanted emotions and psychosomatic ills, addressing the unconscious. This method is the foundation for survival, health, and happiness.
Scientologists are highly active in the global community, making numerous humanitarian missions to impoverished communities here and across the oceans. For much more information see www.scientology.org/home.html.
Coming up: Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and more.
Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. E-mail sholehjo@hotmail.com
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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
Maybe on Neptune or the Crab Nebula.
Since Scientology doesn’t teach the existence of a divine creator, I don’t consider it to be a religion. It’s a belief system but not a religion.
Religions are dogmatic, and therefore incompatible by nature. The only two I would consider in the ballpark are Judaism and Christianity.
gag
The Clam Nebula - see www.xenu.net this is about a clambake.
A clam allergy?
Science Fiction creation that skipped the YoPis
• Man is an immortal spiritual being with unlimited capabilities.
Wrong: Man created by God is a physical being with a soul. As a creature, he is finite in his capabilities. At the last Judgment, the dead will rise in new bodies--to eternally enjoy Heaven or despair Hell.
• His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.
Wrong, reincarnation is an illusion: "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment..." (Hebrews 9:27)
• Man consists of three parts: spirit ("thetan"), the mind (for communication and control of spirit), and the body.
Scripture only mentions two parts, body and spirit or soul. The words for a human spirit and soul are used interchangeably. A minority view amidst Christians is we are 3 parts, body, soul, and spirit.
• Man is basically good; his spiritual salvation depends upon his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.
Man was created basically good, but due to his own will, fell into sin. This fallen nature Adam passed on to all his progeny. A fallen nature retains the image of God, but is flawed--hence all humans are mixture of good and evil. Salvation is a free gift found in the unique sinless God-Man, Jesus Christ.
• Every man is capable of solving his own problems, accomplishing his goals, and gaining lasting happiness.
Without the grace of God given in Jesus, every man is helpless to attain goals that ultimately matter, and eternal happiness.
• No one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. Each individual discovers truth for himself through observation, self-awareness, and experience. This is why Scientology is compatible with nearly any other religion.
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
• Dianetics (Greek "dia" (through) and "nous" (soul) is what the soul does to the body. It refers to a method to increase sanity, intelligence, confidence, and well-being by eliminating unwanted emotions and psychosomatic ills, addressing the unconscious. This method is the foundation for survival, health, and happiness.
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (I Tim. 4:8)
Wrong: We are made in the image of God. god is triune we are triune. Pauls prayed
1st Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A great book that goes into the details of the 3 part man is Watchman Nee's book Spiritual Man.
The Supreme Court once ruled that Secular Humanism is a religion...Scientology, cultish as it is, is a religion!
No mention of the bet with John W. Campbell (IIRC) that he (Hubbard) could start a successful fake religion?
1 Thess 5:23 is known as a proof text for tripartism and can easily be understood as Paul doing a typically Hebraic practice of repeating synonyms for emphasis (just like we even say, “first and foremost,” or, “null and void”). Elsewhere its clear Paul uses “soul” and “spirit” interchangeably.
Scripture says we are created in God’s image; it never says human beings have a trinity, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” nature.
But of course this is an issue which orthodox Christians differ. If you want to agree with the non-Christian Scientologist cult on this, go ahead.
Like I said,”A minority view amidst Christians is we are 3 parts, body, soul, and spirit.”
There are dichotomous and trichotomous views of man’s anthropology.
The Old Testament calls on the the nephesh as being God breathed life in the man. Plants do not have nephesh, but animals do have nephesh and part of the reason why the blood sacrifice of the animal was acceptable to God, while Cain’s plant sacrifice was lesser.
The NT refers to the soul as being composed of the heart and the mind.
The sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, was in reference to His soul being given.
Upon faith alone iin Christ alone, God the Holy Spirit regenerates the human spirit, distinct from the mind or heart.
Or was it Joseph Campbell? My memory is hazy too.
I would have to say that they agree with most Christians.
Please show me where Paul has used spirit and soul interchangeable. If you look at the Greek words they are different and if Paul wrote the letters then when he used soul that is what he meant and when he used spirit that is what he meant.
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