Why Do Some People Hate Scientology?

A Christian’s Guide to Understanding Scientology: Answering the Questions on Your Heart

In a world filled with competing voices and spiritual claims, it is an act of wisdom and faithfulness to seek clarity. You are likely here because you have questions, and perhaps deep concerns, about the Church of Scientology. This is a good and right impulse, rooted in the biblical call to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The presence of high-profile celebrities and the constant swirl of controversy surrounding this organization naturally lead people of faith to ask: What is this group really about? And how does it stand in relation to the truth of Jesus Christ?

This guide is written for you, the concerned Christian believer. It is intended to walk with you through the most pressing questions you may have, using the light of Scripture, the powerful testimonies of those who have escaped, and the sober findings of careful research to bring understanding. The goal is not to attack for the sake of attacking to lovingly protect the flock, to arm you with knowledge, and to point always toward the powerful and sufficient truth of the Gospel. Let us step forward in faith, seeking not to be conformed to this world to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Why Is Scientology So Controversial for Christians?

For many Christians, the first encounter with Scientology is one of confusion. It uses words like “church,” “spirituality,” and “auditing,” which can sound vaguely religious, yet it is surrounded by an atmosphere of intense controversy and secrecy. The reasons for this are not superficial; they strike at the very heart of what it means to follow Christ. The controversies are systemic, flowing directly from the core teachings and policies established by its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. They are not the unfortunate actions of a few individuals but the predictable fruit of a deeply flawed tree.

The central controversies for Christians can be understood in five key areas. First and foremost is the powerful theological opposition. Scientology presents a belief system that is, in the words of Christian analysts, “diametrically opposed to Christianity on every core doctrine”.¹ It fundamentally redefines the nature of God, denies the unique divinity of Jesus Christ, rejects the biblical understanding of sin, and offers a completely different, works-based path to salvation.²

Second are the widespread allegations of high-control and abusive practices. For decades, government inquiries, international courts, and countless former members have described Scientology as a “dangerous cult” and a “manipulative profit-making business”.³ These descriptions are based on consistent reports of mistreatment of members, psychological manipulation or “brainwashing,” and a pattern of aggressive, hostile actions taken against anyone perceived as an enemy.⁴

Third is the charge of financial exploitation. A persistent and well-documented criticism is that Scientology is, at its core, a “complex money-making scheme”.² Spiritual advancement within the organization is not free; it is tied to a series of courses and counseling sessions that come with exorbitant price tags. This creates a system where salvation is not a gift of grace but a commodity to be purchased, with costs running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.⁵

Fourth is the organization’s documented criminal history. This is not a matter of rumor but of public record. In the 1970s, Scientology leaders orchestrated “Operation Snow White,” the largest infiltration of the United States government in history, which resulted in the conviction and imprisonment of several of its top executives, including Hubbard’s wife.³ This pattern of criminal behavior, aimed at silencing critics and subverting government agencies, reveals a deeply troubling institutional character.

Finally, there is the pervasive culture of secrecy and deception. The Church of Scientology is intensely secretive, especially regarding its most advanced and bizarre teachings, such as the story of an alien overlord named Xenu.³ former members and critics report a deliberate strategy of being “less than truthful at the outset” with new recruits, presenting a benign, self-help facade to hide the radical and costly demands that come later.⁸

These issues are not incidental. The aggressive policies toward critics, for example, are a direct application of Hubbard’s written “Fair Game” law, which states that an enemy “May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed”.⁴ The financial system is not an optional part of the church; it is the very structure of their path to salvation, “The Bridge to Total Freedom,” where every single step has a price.⁷ The control over members is codified in official policies like “Disconnection,” which forces members to cut off ties with critical family and friends.⁹ The problem, from a Christian perspective, is not a few troubling anecdotes; it is the entire system, built from the ground up on principles that are antithetical to the Gospel.

Can a Person Be a Christian and a Scientologist?

This is perhaps the most direct and personal question a Christian can ask, and it deserves a clear and pastoral answer. The answer is no. Although the Church of Scientology may tell its new recruits that their beliefs are compatible with Christianity, a careful examination of the core tenets of both faiths reveals that they are fundamentally and irreconcilably opposed.⁸

Scientology’s public-facing message is often one of inclusion. It presents itself not as a replacement for one’s faith but as an “applied religious philosophy” that can be added to it.³ This is a strategic and welcoming message for someone from a Christian background who is seeking answers or personal improvement but does not want to abandon their heritage. This claim of compatibility serves as a deceptive entry point. Multiple sources, including former high-ranking members, describe this as a deliberate tactic to lower the defenses of potential converts. They are told they can be both, calming their initial misgivings until they have become so invested—financially, emotionally, and psychologically—that the deep contradictions no longer seem to matter, or the cost of leaving becomes too high.⁸

The core of the incompatibility lies in the exclusive claim of Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus does not present Himself as one of many options or a helpful addition to other philosophies. He declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.¹ This is the bedrock of Christian faith. To accept the writings and “technology” of L. Ron Hubbard as the ultimate path to spiritual freedom is, by definition, to reject the sufficiency and exclusivity of Christ’s work on the cross. One cannot have two masters and two paths to salvation.

Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, was not neutral toward Christianity. In his private writings and upper-level teachings, he was openly hostile, attacking Christianity as a fictional “implant” designed to control humanity.¹⁰ This hidden contempt for the Christian faith reveals the disingenuous nature of the organization’s public claims of compatibility.

On a practical level, the sheer demand of Scientology makes dual allegiance impossible. Despite the initial claims, scholars and former members agree that “as a practical matter, Scientologists are expected to and do become fully devoted to Scientology to the exclusion of other faiths”.¹⁰ The immense financial commitment, the countless hours required for auditing and training, and the psychological pressure to conform to the group’s worldview effectively crowd out any other spiritual practice or belief system.

For the Christian, this presents a clear choice. A belief system that must misrepresent its own teachings to attract followers stands in stark contrast to the Gospel, which is proclaimed openly and freely. The question becomes one of ultimate allegiance: Is salvation found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Bible, or is it found in the secret, costly, and man-made techniques of L. Ron Hubbard? The two paths lead in opposite directions.

What Does Scientology Teach About God, Jesus, and Salvation?

To understand why Christianity and Scientology are incompatible, one must look at what each teaches about the most fundamental questions of faith. When placed side-by-side, the doctrines are not just different; they are direct opposites. Scientology systematically dismantles and replaces every core pillar of Christian theology with a new system derived from the mind of L. Ron Hubbard.

On God

Christianity proclaims one, true, and personal God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.⁸ He is the sovereign Creator of the heavens and the earth, a being who is intimately involved with His creation and who desires a personal relationship with humanity.²

Scientology’s concept of God is vague, impersonal, and ultimately irrelevant to its practice. Officially, God is referred to as the “Supreme Being” or the “Eighth Dynamic,” a concept described as “the urge toward existence as infinity”.¹¹ The organization states that it “has no set dogma concerning God that it imposes on its members,” and belief in God is not considered essential to progress in Scientology.⁸ The real “gods” within the Scientology framework are human beings themselves. The core teaching is that each person is an immortal spiritual being called a “thetan,” who was originally godlike, possessing immense creative powers has forgotten this true nature over trillions of years of existence.⁸ Scientology, therefore, does not point people to worship the God of the Bible; it teaches people that they are their own gods.

On Jesus Christ

For Christians, Jesus Christ is the center of all history and faith. He is the divine Son of God, God in the flesh, the second person of the Trinity. His sacrificial death on the cross and His bodily resurrection are the sole and sufficient means by which sinful humanity can be reconciled to a holy God.²

In Scientology, Jesus holds no essential place.⁸ At the introductory level, he may be acknowledged as a “good teacher” or a historical figure who was unfortunately killed he is not seen as divine.² But in the secret, upper-level teachings, Hubbard’s view of Christ becomes openly contemptuous. He taught that Jesus was not real but was a “fiction,” a false memory “implanted” into humanity’s collective consciousness by hostile alien forces millions of years ago to control us.⁸ This teaching reveals a deep and hidden animosity toward Christ that is masked at the lower levels.

On the Human Condition (Sin)

The Bible teaches that the fundamental problem of humanity is sin. We are not “basically good”; we are born with a sin nature that separates us from God. As Romans 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The solution to this problem is repentance and faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins.¹

Scientology completely rejects the concept of sin. It teaches that man is “basically good” and that it is “despicable and utterly beneath contempt to tell a man he must repent or that he is evil”.² The problem, according to Scientology, is not moral failure but a form of psychic trauma. It posits that painful or unconscious moments, especially from past lives, are stored as mental image pictures called “engrams.” These engrams are the source of all irrational behavior, fears, and psychosomatic illnesses.⁸ The human problem is not sin against a holy God a collection of traumatic memories that need to be erased.

On Salvation and the Afterlife

In Christianity, salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It cannot be earned through good works or purchased with money (Ephesians 2:8-9).¹ It is a release from the penalty and power of sin, resulting in eternal life with God in heaven. The Bible teaches that we are “destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27), rejecting the idea of reincarnation.¹

Scientology’s “salvation” is the polar opposite. It is a state of spiritual enlightenment that must be earned by oneself and paid for at great expense.¹ Through a type of therapy called “auditing,” a person works to erase their engrams to achieve the state of “Clear.” From there, they continue to pay for and progress through the “Operating Thetan” (OT) levels, with the ultimate goal of regaining their original godlike abilities and becoming free from the cycle of reincarnation.² This process is laid out on a chart called “The Bridge to Total Freedom,” and it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete.⁷ Instead of heaven and hell, Scientology teaches reincarnation, believing that thetans are reborn over and over until they can achieve this state of spiritual freedom.¹⁰

The chasm between these two belief systems is absolute. They offer different gods, different saviors, different diagnoses of the human condition, and different paths to salvation.

At a Glance: Core Christian Beliefs vs. Scientology Teachings

To see these powerful differences clearly, the following table provides a direct comparison of the core doctrines of biblical Christianity and the teachings of Scientology.

Who Was L. Ron Hubbard, and Why Is His Life Story a Point of Contention?

In Christianity, the person of Jesus Christ—His life, character, death, and resurrection—is the unshakable foundation of the faith. The historical record of who He was and what He did is paramount. For this reason, the life story of Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, is a critical point of examination. A deep and troubling conflict exists between the official biography promoted by the Church of Scientology and the factual history uncovered by journalists, courts, and government documents.

The Church of Scientology presents Hubbard in hagiographic terms, portraying him as a larger-than-life figure: a brilliant nuclear physicist, a daring explorer, a decorated war hero, and a powerful philosopher who selflessly dedicated his life to helping humanity.¹³ They have published a massive 16-volume encyclopedia dedicated to this version of his life.¹⁷

But independent research paints a starkly different picture. Critical biographies, most notably Bare-faced Messiah by Russell Miller and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Going Clear by Lawrence Wright, have used Hubbard’s own letters, diaries, and declassified government files to dismantle the official myth. The documented record shows that Hubbard was a prolific but struggling pulp science-fiction writer who dropped out of college after his second year.¹⁸ His claims of being a highly decorated war hero are demonstrably false. The church claims he received 21 medals for his service in World War II; his official U.S. Navy records show he received only four routine, non-combat medals and was removed from command of two different ships for poor performance.¹⁸ Far from being a man of high character, a California judge who reviewed extensive evidence from his life described him as “virtually a pathological liar” who exhibited “egoism, greed, avarice, lust for power and vindictiveness”.²² He was even convicted of fraud in absentia by a French court in 1978.³

This fabrication of Hubbard’s biography is not merely an exercise in public relations; it is essential to the entire structure of Scientology. Unlike faiths that claim divine revelation, Hubbard asserted that his “technology” of Dianetics and Scientology was the result of his own personal research and life experiences.³ Therefore, his credibility as a “researcher” and “war hero” who supposedly healed himself of grievous injuries is paramount. If his life story is a fraud, the foundation of the “science” he claimed to have discovered crumbles. The aggressive legal campaigns and harassment directed at critical biographers are not just about protecting a reputation; they are about protecting the organization’s very source of authority.²⁰ The entire system is built upon the personality and fabricated history of its founder.

Strong evidence suggests that Hubbard’s decision to frame his ideas as a “religion” was a calculated business move. He is widely quoted as having told fellow science-fiction writers in the late 1940s, “You don’t get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion”.⁵ This is corroborated by a 1953 bulletin in which he instructed an associate to investigate the “religious angle,” noting its potential for legal and financial protection, just before he incorporated the first Church of Scientology.¹³

For a Christian, this raises a powerful moral question. If the very foundation of a belief system is built on documented lies about its founder’s life, character, and motivations, what does that say about the “truth” it offers? It presents a stark contrast to a faith founded on a historical person, Jesus Christ, whose life and claims have withstood two millennia of scrutiny.

Is It True That Salvation in Scientology Must Be Purchased?

One of the most shocking and un-Christian aspects of Scientology is its explicit fee-for-service model for spiritual salvation. In Christianity, salvation is the ultimate free gift, offered by God’s grace and received through faith in Christ. As Isaiah 55:1 invites, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!…without money and without price.” Scientology turns this principle on its head, creating a system where spiritual enlightenment is a product with a staggering price tag.

The central pathway in Scientology is called “The Bridge to Total Freedom.” It is a detailed, step-by-step chart that every member is required to follow to reach the states of “Clear” and “Operating Thetan” (OT).⁷ This is presented as the one and only road map to spiritual freedom. But it is not a path of prayer and study a sequence of paid services. “Each step on the Bridge has a monetary cost,” and these costs are not nominal.⁷

The costs are astronomical. Introductory courses may be inexpensive to draw people in prices quickly escalate.²⁵ A single 12.5-hour block of counseling, known as an “intensive” of auditing, can cost thousands of dollars, with some reports citing rates as high as $1,000 per hour.⁵ The full journey across “The Bridge” is a massive financial undertaking. Leaked price lists and estimates from former members consistently place the total cost to reach the level of OT VIII at well over $300,000, with some estimates approaching half a million dollars when factoring in required materials, donations, and repeated courses.⁷ For example, as of 2013, just three of the initial OT levels cost a combined $16,885 ($2,750 for OT I, $5,225 for OT II, and $8,910 for OT III).²⁹

This creates what can only be described as a gospel for the rich. It is a spiritual caste system where advancement is based on one’s ability to pay. This is why critics note that Scientology’s “pews are filled only with the wealthy”.² This transactional system is more than just a way to generate revenue; it is a powerful mechanism of control. Each payment represents a deeper investment, making it psychologically harder for a person to walk away. It is a spiritual application of the “sunk cost fallacy”: the more you have spent, the more you need to believe it is working to justify the expense. Members are heavily pressured to pay for large blocks of services in advance to receive “discounts,” further locking them into the system financially and emotionally.²⁷

This practice stands in brutal contrast to the ministry of Jesus, who welcomed the poor and warned of the spiritual danger of wealth. For the Christian, the idea of purchasing salvation is abhorrent. Why, as one Christian author asks, would someone “pay potentially tens of thousands of dollars to get CLEAR from an existence you never had when grace awaits you for free at the table of Christianity?”.¹ Scientology’s financial structure reveals it to be a system of spiritual bondage, the very antithesis of the freedom offered in Christ.

What Are the Heartbreaking Practices of “Disconnection” and “Fair Game”?

Among the most disturbing aspects of Scientology are its institutionalized policies for dealing with critics and dissenters. These policies, known as “Disconnection” and “Fair Game,” have left a trail of broken families and ruined lives. They reveal a culture of retribution and control that is the polar opposite of Christian love, grace, and forgiveness.

The system begins with the label “Suppressive Person,” or “SP.” An SP is anyone that the leadership of Scientology deems to be an enemy of the organization. This label can be applied to journalists asking critical questions, former members who speak out, government officials investigating the or even a person’s own spouse, parent, or child who expresses skepticism or concern.⁴

Once a person is declared an SP, two policies are enacted. The first is “Disconnection.” This requires every Scientologist in good standing to sever all ties with the SP. They must cut off all communication—no phone calls, no letters, no contact of any kind. This forces members to make an agonizing choice: their faith in Scientology or their family. Countless stories, highlighted in documentaries like Leah Remini’s Scientology and the Aftermath, document parents who have not spoken to their children in years, and children who have been forced to abandon their elderly parents, all because of this policy.⁹ It is a cruel and calculated tool to isolate members from any outside influence that might cause them to question the organization.

The second policy is “Fair Game.” This policy, established in writing by L. Ron Hubbard, dictates how SPs are to be treated by the organization. A 1967 policy letter states that a person designated as Fair Game “May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed”.⁴ Though the church claims to have cancelled the use of the term “Fair Game,” former members and journalists maintain that the practice itself continues unabated under different names.⁵

The history of this policy in action is chilling. One of the most infamous cases is that of author Paulette Cooper, who wrote an early exposé called The Scandal of Scientology. In retaliation, Scientology’s intelligence wing, the “Guardian’s Office,” launched a campaign to “utterly ruin her.” This included framing her for bomb threats by stealing her stationery and using her fingerprints to type the threats, which led to her indictment and facing 15 years in prison before FBI raids on Scientology offices uncovered the plot and exonerated her.⁵ Journalists like Russell Miller, while researching his critical biography of Hubbard, were subjected to intense surveillance, harassment, and campaigns to feed false, damaging information about him to his neighbors and the police.²⁰

These policies are not just about punishing enemies; they are about creating a powerful “us versus them” siege mentality within the group. By labeling all criticism—no matter how valid—as an attack from an evil, “anti-social” SP, the leadership inoculates followers against doubt. It fosters a persecution complex where the group is seen as the only safe harbor in a hostile world. This intense loyalty to the organization, placed above family, truth, and basic human decency, is a hallmark of a destructive cult.

For Christians, these practices are a grotesque perversion of God’s commands. Jesus taught his followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He commanded us to forgive, to turn the other cheek, and to overcome evil with good. The policies of Disconnection and Fair Game represent a codified system of malice, revenge, and the weaponization of human relationships—the very antithesis of the way of Christ.

What Is the Catholic Church’s Stance on Scientology?

The Catholic through its official bodies and theological writers, has been clear and consistent in its assessment of Scientology: its teachings are fundamentally incompatible with the Christian faith, and from a Catholic perspective, it is not considered a legitimate religion.³³ This position is grounded in both a defense of core Catholic doctrine and a deep pastoral concern for the well-being and dignity of the human person.

Theologically, the conflicts are powerful and non-negotiable. A central point of opposition is Scientology’s teaching on creation and the nature of God. The Catholic faith is built on the creedal affirmation of “God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” Scientology’s doctrine that the universe was created by immortal alien spirits called “thetans” is seen as a complete rejection of this foundational truth. As one Catholic writer puts it, “when their belief is that the world was created by thetans and not by God, one wonders what sort of supreme being this god might be, and how this ‘church’ can be called a proper religion”.¹³

The Catholic Church teaches that salvation was accomplished “once for all in the mystery of the incarnation, death, and resurrection of the Son of God” and that the as the body of Christ, is the ordinary means of this salvation.³³ This stands in stark opposition to Scientology’s path of self-salvation through its own costly techniques. The fact that Scientology lacks any form of true worship of God, focusing instead on the development of an individual’s own potential, further disqualifies it as a religion in the Catholic understanding.¹³

Out of pastoral concern, the Vatican has undertaken studies of what it terms “sects” or “new religious movements” (NRMs). A 1986 report was commissioned in response to the concern of bishops worldwide over the spread of these groups.³⁴ Although the Church encourages interreligious dialogue with major world faiths, a 1991 Vatican document on the topic explicitly set aside dialogue with NRMs like Scientology, citing the “diversity of situations which these movements present and the need for discernment on the human and religious values which each contains”.³⁵ This signals a powerful level of caution and a refusal to grant Scientology the same standing as other religions.

The Church’s opposition is not merely academic; it is also a response to the real-world harm caused by the organization. Catholic news agencies and publishers have reported on Scientology’s abusive practices, such as the legal threats made against the Daughters of St. Paul, a Catholic religious order of nuns, for publishing a critical book by an ex-Scientologist.³⁶ Catholic commentators have pointed out that a false doctrine about God and humanity inevitably leads to practices that are harmful to human dignity. If you teach that critics are evil, it justifies harassment. If you teach that salvation must be bought, it justifies financial exploitation. Therefore, the Catholic Church rejects Scientology on two interconnected fronts: its teachings are false, and these false teachings lead to practices that disregard human freedom and violate the dignity of the person, a cornerstone of Catholic social teaching.³³

How Do Other Major Christian Denominations View Scientology?

Although the Catholic Church has been clear in its rejection of Scientology, it is far from alone. An examination of the teachings and positions of major Protestant denominations reveals a broad and unified consensus: Scientology is theologically incompatible with the historic Christian faith. Despite major differences in worship style government, and secondary doctrines, these diverse traditions are united in their opposition to Scientology’s core tenets.

Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)

Although there appears to be no formal resolution from the SBC dealing specifically with Scientology, the denomination’s foundational beliefs make its position clear. The SBC holds to the inerrancy and supreme authority of the Bible, the exclusive deity of Jesus Christ, and the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Each of these pillars is directly contradicted by Scientology. Southern Baptist leaders and agencies focused on apologetics and evangelism, such as the North American Mission Board (NAMB), have long identified and warned against “aberrant religions” or cults. Dr. Phil Roberts, a Southern Baptist expert on cults, has stated that the growth of such groups is a direct result of the church’s failure to teach sound doctrine and evangelize effectively, a framework that would include Scientology.³⁷ The

Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, a publication of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has dedicated entire issues to addressing the challenges of other belief systems like Mormonism and Islam, demonstrating a commitment to defending orthodox Christianity against competing truth claims.³⁸

United Methodist Church (UMC)

The United Methodist rooted in the Wesleyan tradition, emphasizes God’s grace, personal and social holiness, and a commitment to justice.³⁹ While a prominent Methodist minister, Dean M. Kelley, wrote a report in 1996 concluding that Scientology qualified as a religion in a

legal sense for tax purposes, this was not a theological endorsement of its beliefs.⁴¹ The UMC’s own Social Principles, which are grounded in a biblical worldview, would stand in stark contrast to Scientology’s practices. Policies like Disconnection, which tear families apart, and the financial requirements that exploit members, are fundamentally at odds with the Methodist commitment to the social community and economic justice.⁴² Personal accounts from individuals who grew up Methodist and later joined Scientology serve to highlight the deep theological chasm between the two.⁴⁴

Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA)

The Presbyterian tradition, with its strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and systematic theology (as expressed in confessions like the Westminster Confession of Faith), would find Scientology’s doctrines completely untenable. Resources from the PCUSA have identified Scientology as a movement started by a science-fiction writer whose ideas are widely dismissed as pseudoscience.⁴⁶ Although the PCUSA’s official stance on interreligious relations calls for respect and dialogue, it is firmly rooted in the uniqueness of Christ and the truth of the Gospel, leaving no room for the syncretism Scientology proposes.⁴⁷

Assemblies of God (AG)

As the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination, the Assemblies of God places a strong emphasis on the deity of Jesus Christ, salvation by grace, the absolute authority of the Bible, and a personal experience with the Holy Spirit.⁴⁸ Their official position papers on topics such as the “Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture” are in direct opposition to Scientology’s exclusive reliance on the writings of L. Ron Hubbard.⁵⁰ The Pentecostal focus on a personal, Spirit-filled relationship with Jesus is the antithesis of Scientology’s impersonal, technical, and self-powered approach to spirituality.

This remarkable unity across the Christian spectrum is major. It shows that the concerns about Scientology are not a narrow, sectarian issue. Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Pentecostals—despite their many differences—all arrive at the same conclusion because Scientology contradicts the most essential, non-negotiable doctrines of the Christian faith. It is not another Christian denomination; it falls entirely outside the bounds of historical, biblical Christianity.

What Can We Learn from Those Who Have Found Freedom in Christ?

The theological analysis and documented controversies surrounding Scientology paint a grim picture. But the most powerful testimony often comes not from analysis from the lived experience of those who were trapped within its walls and have since found true freedom in Jesus Christ. Their stories bring the abstract dangers into sharp, human focus and reveal the powerful hope of the Gospel.

Karen Pressley: A Journey from Brokenness to Grace

Karen Pressley’s story is a powerful illustration of a search for truth that led down a dark path before finding the light.⁵¹ Feeling that the Catholic church of her childhood was just “routine” and lacked a personal connection to God, she began a spiritual search that eventually led her and her husband to Scientology. Believing she had found the answers, she dedicated her life to the cause, joining the elite “Sea Organization” at Scientology’s international headquarters. She gave up an affluent life to work 16-hour days for just $45 a week, convinced she was helping to save humanity.⁵¹

But instead of fulfillment, she found exhaustion, total control, and a deep spiritual emptiness. When she decided to leave, she found herself trapped by threats of a massive bill for her time there and the prospect of losing her husband, who was still a believer. Her escape came only after she reached a point of “complete brokenness.” In that moment of despair, she says she felt a peace from God she had never known, who spoke to her spirit and gave her the courage to leave for good. After a dramatic escape, she made her way to Atlanta, where her mother lived. Unknown to Karen, her mother had recently become a Christian and had been praying fervently for her daughter’s release. For months, Karen resisted anything to do with her mind conditioned by years of Scientology’s anti-Christian teachings. But slowly, her heart began to soften. After hearing a series of sermons on God’s love and forgiveness, she gave her life to Jesus Christ. “I am no longer searching,” she later said, “I now know the source of all knowledge is Jesus Christ”.⁵¹

A Professor’s Journey: From Intellectual Seeking to Humble Faith

Another powerful testimony comes from a university professor who, as a self-destructive teenager, was drawn to Dianetics because it promised a scientific, intellectual solution to his problems.⁵² He was deeply invested until a Christian friend challenged his beliefs, planting a seed of doubt. After reading a critical book on Scientology, his worldview shattered. He felt devastated and embarrassed.

It was that same Christian friend who then shared the simple, powerful gospel of Jesus Christ with him. The professor realized he had heard this same message at different points in his life, and suddenly, “everything clicked.” He understood that his problem wasn’t a lack of knowledge or a collection of “engrams,” but that he was, in his own words, a “dirty, rotten, selfish, indulgent sinner.” He trusted in Jesus as the God-man who died for his sin and rose from the dead. His life was transformed not by a complex, secret technology by the simple, public truth of God’s grace.

The Courage to Speak

The work of former high-ranking Scientologists like Leah Remini and Mike Rinder has also been instrumental in exposing the truth.⁵³ Their Emmy-winning documentary series,

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, provided a platform for hundreds of victims to share their stories of abuse, financial ruin, and shattered families.³¹ One former Sea Org member, Amy Scobee, captured the tragic irony of life inside: “Supposedly we have the… Answers to making everybody free and happy… And all of us… We’re all miserable”.⁵³

These stories paint a vivid contrast between two spiritual paths. One is a path of endless work, crushing financial debt, broken relationships, and spiritual misery, all in pursuit of a “freedom” that never arrives. The other is a path that begins with admitting one’s own brokenness and receiving the free gift of grace, forgiveness, and true freedom offered by Jesus Christ. These testimonies make the theological differences personal, demonstrating the real-world consequences of a false gospel and the life-changing power of the true one.

Conclusion: Responding with Truth and Love

The evidence is overwhelming and the conclusion is clear. The Church of Scientology is not a benign self-help group or another Christian denomination. It is a system built upon the fabricated life story of its founder, a system whose core theology is fundamentally and irreconcilably opposed to the biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its practices have been shown to be financially exploitative, psychologically manipulative, and relationally destructive.

As Christians, how should we respond to this knowledge? Our response must be shaped by two guiding principles: a firm commitment to truth and a deep compassion for people.

We must have compassion for those who are trapped inside Scientology. It is easy to look at the bizarre beliefs and troubling practices and feel anger or ridicule. But the testimonies of those who have escaped show that many members are not villains; they are victims. They are often sincere spiritual seekers who, in a moment of vulnerability or pain, were drawn in by deceptive promises of answers and healing.⁵¹ They are people made in the image of God who are in desperate need of the true hope and freedom that can only be found in Christ. Our response should be to pray for them—for their eyes to be opened, for their hearts to be softened, and for God to make a way for their escape.

We must have a renewed confidence in the power and sufficiency of the Gospel. In the face of Scientology’s complex charts, secret levels, and expensive techniques, the Christian message stands in beautiful and powerful simplicity. We are saved not by what we do by what Christ has done. Our hope is not in our own ability to “clear” ourselves in the finished work of the cross. We must be prepared, as 1 Peter 3:15 urges, to “give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” This means studying the essentials of our own faith, understanding the core truths of who God is, what He has done in Christ, and the free gift of salvation He offers.

The most effective antidote to a false gospel is the bold and loving proclamation of the true one. Let us commit to living out the love and grace of Jesus with such authenticity and joy that it becomes a compelling witness to a watching and searching world. Let us hold fast to the truth, speak it with love, and trust in the God who alone can rescue the lost and set the captives free.

May the Lord grant us wisdom to discern, courage to stand for the truth, and a heart of compassion for all who are lost and seeking, so that in all things, He may be glorified. Amen.

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