What does Scientology think of Christianity?

Scientology's view of Christianity is one of broad dismissal and often outright hostility, labeling it as a 'false religion' or even 'demonic.' This stands in stark contrast to the Torah-observant faith of Yeshua and the apostles.

Quick Answer

What Does Scientology Think of Christianity? An Expose Quick Answer Quick Answer: Scientology views Christianity as a "false religion" or "demonic system" that deviates from "true" spiritual understanding, often dismissing its core tenets. This stance fundamentally opposes the Hebraic-Messianic faith rooted in the Torah and the person of Yeshua as the promised Messiah. The Scholarly…

What Does Scientology Think of Christianity? An Expose

Quick Answer

Quick Answer: Scientology views Christianity as a "false religion" or "demonic system" that deviates from "true" spiritual understanding, often dismissing its core tenets. This stance fundamentally opposes the Hebraic-Messianic faith rooted in the Torah and the person of Yeshua as the promised Messiah.

The Scholarly Case

The question of what Scientology thinks of Christianity reveals a profound chasm between a modern, self-proclaimed "technology of the mind" and the ancient, divinely revealed faith of Abraham, Moses, and Yeshua. From the Hebraic-Messianic perspective, Scientology's claims are not merely divergent but fundamentally antithetical to the foundational truths of Scripture. First, let us establish the bedrock of the Hebraic-Messianic faith. Our understanding of Elohim is rooted in the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4 BSB). This "Oneness" (Hebrew: *echad*) signifies a compound unity, as seen in Genesis 2:24 where husband and wife become "one flesh," or Numbers 13:23 describing "one cluster" of grapes. This concept of *echad* allows for a plurality within the divine unity, evidenced in Genesis 1:26 (BSB): "Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness..."" The Targum Jonathan on Genesis 1:26, an ancient Aramaic paraphrase, explicitly renders this as "The Memra of YHWH said," identifying a distinct divine agent in creation. Rabbinic tradition itself wrestled with this plurality, giving rise to concepts like the "Two Powers in Heaven" (b. Sanhedrin 38b; b. Chagigah 14a), which Messianic Jews understand to be the Father and the Son, Yeshua. Yeshua HaMashiach Himself affirmed the eternal validity of the Torah and the Prophets, declaring in Matthew 5:17 (BSB): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them." His life, teachings, death, and resurrection are understood as the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies woven throughout the Tanakh, establishing Him as the "way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6 BSB). The apostles, all Torah-observant Jews, continued in this faith, teaching that Gentiles were "brought near through the blood of Christ" and integrated into "the commonwealth of Israel" (Ephesians 2:11-13 BSB), not into a new, separate religion. This was a continuation and expansion of the covenant, not an annulment. Now, let us turn to Scientology. Founded by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer, Scientology presents itself as a "technology" for spiritual enlightenment and self-improvement, rather than a traditional religion. Hubbard's seminal work, *Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health*, laid the groundwork for a system that promises to free individuals from "engrams"—painful or traumatic mental images that impede spiritual progress. The ultimate goal is to reach the state of "Operating Thetan" (OT), where individuals supposedly gain supernatural abilities, though they are forbidden from demonstrating these powers (Mormon Stories, "Scientology's 'Thetans' vs Mormon spirits"). This "technology" is presented as infallible, beyond error (Mormon Stories, ""Scientology Can Never Do Wrong""), a claim that contrasts with the fallibility inherent in many human-devised systems and also with reports of negative experiences of ex-members. Scientology's approach to other religions, particularly Christianity, is one of systemic rejection and reinterpretation. While it may superficially acknowledge a "Supreme Being," its concept is considerably removed from the personal, covenantal Elohim of Israel. Instead, Scientology posits that humans are immortal spiritual beings called "thetans" who have forgotten their true nature and power. Any external religious doctrine, including Christianity, is seen as a hindrance to this self-realization. Crucially, Scientology is often reported to portray Christianity as a "false" or even "demonic" system. Some viewpoints within this sphere assert that the "religion of Christianity is led by the ruler of this world (Satan) because its doctrines are 'mainstream'" (Truth unedited, "DO YOU KNOW THE PROMISES? WE ARE WAITIN"). Others, such as Vocab Malone, are reported to declare that "Christianity" and its adherents are inherently "the devil" (Vocab Malone, "Why They Say They Holy But Talk Like This? 😵‍💫"). This blanket condemnation (Truth unedited, "DO YOU KNOW THE PROMISES? WE ARE WAITIN"; Vocab Malone, "Why They Say They Holy But Talk Like This? 😵‍💫") often appears to stem from an engagement with Christian theology that focuses on perceived inconsistencies or tradition-driven deviations rather than the core biblical message of salvation through Yeshua. Furthermore, Scientology's narrative often frames itself as a persecuted religion facing external opposition (Mormon Stories, "Born into Scientology - Claire & Marc Headley Pt. 1 | Ep. 2065"). This tactic is reportedly used to justify isolation, secrecy, and aggressive tactics against critics, potentially turning perceived persecution into a tool for control. This contrasts sharply with the suffering of Yeshua and His apostles, who endured persecution for proclaiming truth, not for concealing it or retaliating against critics. The fundamental incompatibility is evident: 1. **Nature of God:** Hebraic-Messianic faith worships the one, compound-unity Elohim, revealed in Yeshua. Scientology offers a vague "Supreme Being" and focuses on self-divinization through "thetans." 2. **Source of Truth:** Our faith is grounded in divine revelation—Torah, Prophets, and the Brit Chadashah. Scientology's "truth" is found in Hubbard's writings and the "technology" of Dianetics. 3. **Salvation/Redemption:** In Yeshua, salvation is a gift of grace through faith, leading to repentance and Torah-observance. In Scientology, "total freedom" is achieved through expensive, progressive levels of auditing and training. 4. **Authority:** The authority in Hebraic-Messianic faith rests in the inspired Scriptures and the living Messiah. In Scientology, authority resides with L. Ron Hubbard's teachings and the Church of Scientology's hierarchy. Thus, from a Hebraic-Messianic standpoint, Scientology appears to represent a profound departure from biblical truth, offering a human-centric path to self-proclaimed divinity that bypasses the true Creator and His Messiah.

Adversary Teardown: Wikipedia

The commonly referenced Wikipedia article "Scientology and religious groups" (en.wikipedia.org) and similar summaries often present a sanitized or overly academic view of Scientology's relationship with Christianity, failing to expose the inherent antagonism propagated by Scientology itself. While Wikipedia attempts neutrality, it often falls short of critically analyzing the *substance* of Scientology's claims against Christianity, instead focusing on external perceptions or historical interactions. For instance, Wikipedia might state that "Scientology has a complex relationship with other religions, often seeing itself as compatible with them on a superficial level while offering a more advanced path." This phrasing, while seemingly objective, subtly legitimizes Scientology's self-perception as a superior "technology" without challenging the basis of this claim. It glosses over the explicit and implicit rejections of core Christian doctrines that are prevalent within Scientology's internal teachings and the statements of its proponents. The problem with such general encyclopedic descriptions is that they often rely on the adversary's own public relations rather than a deep theological or historical critique. Wikipedia, like Britannica, aims to summarize widely accepted information, but in doing so, it can inadvertently become a platform for Scientology's self-promotion as a legitimate "religion" that merely "differs" from others. This neutral framing may not fully highlight the aggressive posture Scientology takes towards Christianity, often labeling it as "Satanic" or "false" (Truth unedited, "DO YOU KNOW THE PROMISES? WE ARE WAITI"; Vocab Malone, "Why They Say They Holy But Talk Like This? 😵‍💫"). The lineage of this obfuscation stems from Scientology's strategic efforts to gain religious recognition and deflect criticism by presenting a palatable public image. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder, reportedly stated his intention to create a religion, remarking that "making a million dollars" was best achieved by founding one (Richard Dawkins on Scientology #shorts, On-Pointheism). This pragmatic, rather than spiritual, motivation for religious status underpins much of Scientology's public discourse. The deviation from traditional religious frameworks began with Hubbard's initial publication of *Dianetics* in 1950, which was presented as a secular science. Only later, as *Dianetics* faced scientific and medical skepticism, did Hubbard pivot to framing his system as a "religion" in the mid-1950s, a move that offered legal and tax advantages. This shift allowed Scientology to rebrand its "technology" as spiritual practice, thereby sidestepping scientific scrutiny and claiming religious freedom protections. Encyclopedic entries often do not fully emphasize this calculated evolution and its implications for how Scientology views and critiques other faiths. A secondary adversary, the general media, often perpetuates this superficial understanding. News articles or documentaries might focus on the celebrity aspect of Scientology or its controversies, but rarely delve into the theological specifics of its rejection of Christianity. This leaves the public with a vague impression that Scientology is "different" but not necessarily hostile or fundamentally opposed to biblical truth.

Counter-Arguments Anticipated

Objection 1: Scientology respects all religions and only offers a path to greater spiritual awareness.

This is a common public relations claim by Scientology, but it is contradicted by internal teachings and the statements of its adherents. While Scientology may claim to be compatible with other faiths at lower levels, its ultimate goal is to move individuals beyond "false" belief systems to its own "Operating Thetan" levels. As noted, there are explicit teachings that label Christianity as "Satanic" or "demonic" (Truth unedited, "DO YOU KNOW THE PROMISES? WE ARE WAITI"; Vocab Malone, "Why They Say They Holy But Talk Like This? 😵‍💫"). This is not respect; it is a systematic dismantling of other belief systems under the guise of offering a "higher truth." True respect would acknowledge the validity of another's faith, not seek to replace it with a self-devised "technology."

Objection 2: Christianity is itself a cult, so Scientology's criticisms are valid.

This argument often arises from a misunderstanding of what constitutes a cult versus a legitimate faith. While critics like Westbrook (Mormon Stories, "Religion (specifically Christianity, Islam, Mormonism) is akin to a cult") may broadly categorize all religions, including Christianity, as cult-like due to "extravagant claims" or demands for "blind faith," this is a sweeping generalization. The Hebraic-Messianic faith, as revealed in Scripture, is based on historical events, prophecies that are considered by adherents to be fulfilled in Yeshua, and an open call to investigate truth, not blind adherence. True faith is a relationship with a revealed Elohim, not manipulation. Walter Martin's *The Kingdom of the Cults* provides criteria for identifying cults—such as carefully avoiding definition of cardinal doctrines and creating semantic mazes—which, ironically, align with Scientology's own opaque "OT levels" and specialized jargon, rather than the transparent teachings of Yeshua (Matthew 16:18).

Objection 3: Scientology's teachings are a modern science or "technology" for self-improvement, not a religion in conflict with Christianity.

Scientology presents itself as a "technology" with mechanisms for successful living (Mormon Stories, ""Scientology Can Never Do Wrong""), implying it's beyond mere belief. However, this "technology" lacks scientific peer review, verifiable results under controlled conditions, and relies on pseudoscientific claims about "engrams" and "thetans" that are not demonstrable. Furthermore, its shift from a secular "science" (*Dianetics*) to a "religion" reportedly was a strategic move by L. Ron Hubbard, not a natural evolution (On-Pointheism, "Richard Dawkins on Scientology #shorts"). The core of the Hebraic-Messianic faith is a relationship with the Creator, Yeshua, and adherence to His Torah, leading to spiritual transformation and eternal life. Scientology offers a human-devised system for self-actualization, a stark contrast to the divine grace and revelation central to our faith.

Position Lock

Position Lock: Scientology's rejection and demonization of Christianity stand as an irreconcilable theological opposition to the Hebraic-Messianic faith, which affirms Yeshua HaMashiach as the exclusive path to Elohim and the eternal validity of His Torah.