Scientology vs. Christianity

By Eric Gaizat

Dear Sean,

My name is Eric Gaizat and I just read your article and felt the need to reply to the statements you made in it comparing Christianity and Scientology.

First off, I just want to let you know I am a Christian. I don't mean that in the hokey-Ned Flanders-zombie-believe everything I've been told - pray Jesus into my heart- kind of Christian. My faith is well studied, and versed in both Biblical study and Early Christian writings/history. I started my faith from scratch because I WAS a mindless drone for a very long time in my life and needed to wake up.

The church I attend is one that appeals to people on a much more rational level. We don't just invite you out and ask you to say the Lord's Prayer and everything will be okay. (and add another person to the contribution lists...) We teach first and let you know what you are getting into if you say you would like to become a true Christian. Most churches do that backwards.

We are trying to hold to the teachings of the first, second and third century teachings as close as possible because they held to the closest teaching to that of Jesus. I'll address more later in response to your comments.

This article that I refer to complains of Scientology being an extortion cult. But I submit that such a claim can justifiably be said against Christianity. Does not Christianity also exhibit the traits of a cult?

Indeed, IS just as much a cult as Scientology? -There are many 'churches' that go to great lengths to extract money from their parishioners. Televangelists readily come to mind when I read this. They sell Christianity and God as a lottery ticket - you give, God pays. It's easy to prey on people's greed. I do not endorse nor approve of nearly any of their methods.

We teach that worldly wealth can and should be used to help people, like the poor and if you are very wealthy, you should be very generous in your contribution to helping people. (not just to the preacher) I'm not expecting to change your mind on what you've seen and heard. I would agree with you on many of your points against the televangelist type of peddling. Though I know it goes on in many non-televised churches as well. (I once sat in a church that passed the collection plate more than once per service!)

Addressing the second part, all religions are cults as by definition, though I would say on a side note that not all are dangerous or extortion based.

Does Christianity not exploit the susceptibility and fear inherent in the faith to separate parishioners from their money to support "the church"? Does not Christianity also manipulate and magistrate the beliefs of their followers? Why do we not bring as much criticism against Christianity for the same "crimes"?

Again, we do not teach this. Giving comes from our gratitude toward our relationship with God, not in fearful obedience. Again, I'm not saying you are wrong in your assessments of other congregations. We teach the Bible and its application to our lives and families that we can use every day. The church of Scientology changes their beliefs based on supposed new documents they find every few years (not sure how this happens) and even Jason Begehe noted that was one reason why he left.

I guess my point is that not everyone in Christianity is as corrupt as you make it sound in your article. I'm not even convinced you truly believe all people in Christianity would be this way. I do recognize a generalization when I see it.

Is Christianity any less of a business?

There are aspects that work as a business in true Christianity. Paying full-time ministry staff, paying for a building or land to build on/expand as well as raising money for programs and to help members in our congregation in case they are hit hard financially are all reasons to raise money. But if we did not have these things, we would not cease in our efforts to help people or to promote Christianity because we lacked any of these things. It's what we are taught to do. (Jesus and Paul didn't have very much when they died, did they?)

The article states that Scientology is harassing their critics. However, Christianity is not innocent of that charge either. The difference, it seems to me, is that Scientology does that in self defense. Christianity typically does that as a pre-emptive strike. As well as a post-emptive strike.

I would argue that true Christians do not harass critics. The Bible tells us that as long as it is possible to live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18) In Christianity, you either subscribe to the teaching or you don't and on the other side, if you are in Christianity, you must subscribe to it fully, not just say one thing and do another. Real Christianity is a minority position in the world. It always has been. I know there are people who use the Bible to kill abortion doctors and endorse slavery and many other ludicrous doctrines. I think we can both say they are taking things out of their original context to promote these stands. I also believe that you and I would not call them Christian by either of our understanding of what Christianity is supposed to be.

One misunderstanding you mention here is Scientology on the defense. They firmly hold to Hubbard's teaching of "always be on the attack, never the defense." A little more digging and you'll find this to be true. People are trying to put them on the defense because it makes them have to defend their behavior, which is something they do not want to do.

But, some might say, Christianity is only trying to help make the world a better place. Well, so is Scientology. Christianity wants to help save people from themselves. Scientology wants the same thing. Ultimately, what does it matter which agency that help comes from? Neither are forcing themselves onto others (well, not anymore), individuals are free to choose.

Scientology uses many of their programs to promote themselves positively in a PR perspective. The Free Zone versions of Scientology focus more-so on the betterment of their parishioner's lives. The main CoS is mainly focused on rising financially under the guise of helping people through bogus, non-scientific, non-medical means. Again, I think that doing a little more research will expose this to you.

I'm really not trying to come across as self-righteous. I just want to let you know that there are people who really are trying to show this world the real way to God and it's not through financial means. Money pays the bills and makes it easier to get the message across when we have to rent or pay for things, but it is by no means our only focus.

I notice you are an author and imagine you spend a good deal of time reading. I would like to suggest a couple of books to you from my favorite author, Doug Jacoby www.douglasjacoby.com. The books are called True and Reasonable (1&2) and they are very light and you could finish both in a couple of hours. (He has written several books and I'm sure you'd find them all interesting as he approaches people from a very realistic and sensible position - even sometimes from an atheistic position to show how he arrives at his conclusions) Doug also responds to emails and questions posted on his website.

I would also like to pick up the book, Paradox: Journey Inside Out I saw advertised in the article and perhaps start a discussion on what you've written. I hope you will accept.

Either way I hope you will see that there is a side fighting for the good of mankind that isn't draped in the hokey-balogne version of Christianity that is not only untrue, but insulting to those of us who do know what we're fighting for and can see both sides of things. I also hope you will do more research on Scientology. I have spent a great deal of time trying to understand many of the religions motives and I think you are almost to the same level of understanding that I am - just dig a little deeper.

I hope I haven't bored you. I look forward to any response you may have.

Sincerely,
Eric Gaizat

"Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? - Psalm 94:16

"Nothing in the world is the way it ought to be. - It's harsh, and cruel. - But that's why there's us. Champions. It doesn't matter where we come from, what we've done or suffered, or even if we make a difference. We live as though the world was what it should be, to show it what it can be." -Unknown

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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