Jesus in Scientology - Commentary

Commentary

In the book New Religions and the Theological Imagination in America (1995) by Mary Farrell Bednarowski, the author comments that "In the game of life as Scientology understands it, sin does not call for repentance as much as it does the eradication of error, and that must come through the technology, the auditing process, sometimes referred to as pastoral counseling. In fact, in regard to getting rid of sin, Scientology sees parallels between the goals of its technology and Jesus's saving action." Bednarowski quotes from the Scientology publication The Scientology Catechism in noting these parallels between the stated mission of Scientologists and the teachings imparted by Christ to his disciples. She notes that Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is not regarded in Scientology as a "divine savior", but rather a "loved friend and teacher". Writing in Signs of the Times : The New Religious Movements in Theological Perspective (1996), John A. Saliba cites Mary Bednarowski, and goes on to note "Helle Medgaard asserts that Scientology also misunderstands Jesus and repudiates the key Christian doctrine of the forgiveness of sins." In his book The Sociology of Religious Movements (1996), William Sims Bainbridge cites the research of Roy Wallis, in noting "Scientology ... has no discernible connection to Christianity".

In 1997, Scientology administrator Peggy Crawford said in a statement to The Commercial Appeal: "We definitely believe in God and we believe in individuals as spiritual beings." Professor Paul Blankenship of the Memphis Theological Seminary studied Scientology and commented on this view, saying "They do not do a lot of talking about God or Jesus. It's more getting your mind cleared, and I could see how they could say that that could be compatible. Scientology has not really developed into a complete religious tradition. They may very well develop."

Reverend Raymond Guterman of the Northwood Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, Florida, gave a sermon in 2001 titled: "Why Scientology Isn't a Church". "I'm not anti-Scientology; I'm not pro-Scientology. I just don't exactly understand individually why it's called the Church of Scientology and why there would be a cross, even if it's a different cross. When I see the cross, I think of Christ. If Christ is not the center of Scientology, then why would an organization use the cross and call itself a church? I'm just wondering, but I don't really plan to say any of that Sunday," said Reverend Guterman. He explained that in his view Scientology was not a "church" because it did not follow the words of Jesus Christ and accept him as savior, and for this reason said "in my opinion, it's not a church." Scientology representative Pat Harney contacted Reverend Guterman, and told the St. Petersburg Times she thought he was using Scientology in order to generate interest. "There's a definition of 'church' in the dictionary. It's called a congregation. There's a definition of the word 'church' that applies. I understand his Christian perspective. In truth, the derivation of the word 'church' predates Christianity," said Harney. The St. Petersburg Times noted Reverend Guterman's public discussion of Scientology in such a manner was "virtually unheard of" in Clearwater, Florida, due to the large presence of Scientology in the area.

Calvin Miller comments in Miracles and Wonders (2003) that L. Ron Hubbard "held to such odd notions, blending his Jesus with 'spacey theology.'" Writing in Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality (2004), Bob Larson points out that "In his 1952 book entitled Scientology: A History of Man Hubbard even adapted the words of Jesus as found in Matthew 11:5 to describe his new teaching." Author Steven Hutson writes in What They Never Taught You in Sunday School (2006) that "The Church of Scientology recognizes Jesus as one part of its 'religious heritage.' And this same 'heritage' also includes Zoroaster (an ancient Persian prophet), Socrates (the Greek sage), and a wide assortment of other philosophies and religions."

R. Philip Roberts writes in The Apologetics Study Bible (2007): "Scientology makes occasional reference to Jesus Christ in its writings and uses as its symbol a cross with starbursts at each end. But even though it refers to itself as a church and may at times use Christian terminology and symbolism, it is clearly nonbiblical in its view of God, Jesus, Scripture, salvation, and other important doctrines." Roberts goes on to note that "Scientology does not accept the biblical concepts of Jesus as God the Word incarnate. It also places no emphasis on the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus. Rather, it views Jesus as a proponent of reincarnation and other Eastern mystical concepts." In his 2007 book The Bible Answer Book for Students, author Hank Hanegraaff writes: "Although the church claims to be compatible with Christianity, the two belief structures – one rooted in science fiction, the other in soteriological fact – are contradictory and can't be harmonized." Hanegraaff explains the nature of the Scientology concepts of auditing, engrams, and thetans, and concludes: "Scientology is a rejection of the biblical doctrines of creation, original sin, and exclusive salvation through Jesus Christ."