By Hank Hanegraaff
The Church of Scientology was founded in the 1950s by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. Since its inception, Scientology has emerged as one of the most socially influential, financially powerful, and decidedly controversial religions of the twenty-first century. Devotees range from liberal Hollywood personalities such as Tom Cruise to Fox News icon Greta Van Susteren. Yet behind the glitz and glamor, Scientology has left a veritable trail of T-E-A-R-S that, ironically, provides a helpful way of remembering its tenets.
THETANS. Scientology teaches that humans are immortal thetans trapped in a physical universe of their own mental construction. As such, humans are not sinners in need of a Savior, but immortal beings who must overcome enslaving engrams.
ENGRAMS. In the pseudoscience of Scientology, all human failings are traceable to engrams—subconscious memories of past negative experiences lurking in our “reactive minds.” In Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, Hubbard described engrams as the cause of unhappiness, sickness, depression, and other psychological and physical maladies.
AUDITING. Through the enormously costly process of “auditing”—a face-to-face encounter with a church counselor who uses an electro-psychometer (E-meter) to discover repressed engrams—one is believed to achieve “Clear” and a future state of spiritual enlightenment.
REINCARNATION. In addition to all the above, a continuous cycle of reincarnation (or “rebirth”) is said to await every one of us. Only through Scientology can one overcome this vicious cycle, achieve self- actualization, and realize the status of OT (Operating Thetan).
SUPREME BEING. Despite allowing its adherents to believe in the gods of their own choosing, Scientology champions a Supreme Being that bears a remarkable resemblance to the Brahman of Hinduism. According to Hubbard, an OT has “about the same capabilities as those which have been assigned to the Supreme Being.”
While Scientology’s Supreme Being is science fiction and, as such, impotent, the Supreme Being of Scripture can dry our trail of tears—thetans, engrams, auditing, reincarnation, Supreme Being—and satisfy our deepest needs.
From among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Acts 20:30–31 NKJV
THETANS
ENGRAMS
AUDITING
REINCARNATION
SUPREME BEING
**Note the preceding text is adapted from a new Revised and Updated version of The Complete Bible Answer Book that is forthcoming. When available we will update this page with corresponding information. Until then you can still purchase or receive for your partnering gift the current version by clicking here for purchase or here for partnering gift. ***