In the past year or so, there has been an increasing amount of criticism (largely in the form of satire) aimed at Scientology. It has been my observation that most Americans find Scientology to be humorous and completely absurd. I agree that Scientology is absurd, but being that most Americans are Christian, it is my opinion that they are being hypocritical in criticizing Scientology. If we examine both religions, they appear to be equally absurd. See below for a comparison.
According to Scientology:
- Any mental illness should be treated by taking large quantities of vitamins absent any kind of psychiatric drug.
- Mothers should be completely silent during birth, while not using anesthetics.
- Humans are covered with the souls of aliens called Thetans.
- A dictator of a galactic confederacy brought billions of aliens to Earth 75 millions of years ago in spaceships that resembled modern-day airliners.
Absurd things believed by Christianity:
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them – Matthew 4:8,
This implies the earth is flat. Being that the earth is round, it is impossible to view all of the earth's surface from any point, regardless of how high it is.
- All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles. Timothy 6:1-2 It is clear that the Bible does not condemn slavery.
- If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Leviticus 20:13 Just one example of many of the Bible's hateful bigotry and violence.
- According to the Catholic Church, all forms of contraception are immoral, even within the confines of marriage! (Note: not all denominations of Christianity believe this.)
- In the Book of Jonah, Jonah lives inside the belly of a whale for three days.
- According to many biblical scholars, studying the lineage of biblical figures implies the earth was created six thousand years ago, despite vast scientific data suggesting Earth came into being about 5 BILLION years ago.
As I've said before, one faith cannot argue against another faith. One form of delusion is no more valid than any other form of delusion. Before Christians start poking fun at the absurdity of Scientology, they should look at their own religion objectively.
6 comments:
I could care less about the beliefs of Scientology.
I care about the actions of Scientology...
Look up the following
"Operation Snow White"
"Operation Freakout"
"Project Normandy"
"Lisa McPherson"
"Narconon Scam"
It may shed a little bit of light. I understand that you may not know the full scenario about Scientology, that is okay, but now should know after looking at those it is not a religion but a cloaked criminal enterprise. (a money making cult)
Same can be said for Christianity. Let's not forget televangelists lke Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell.
I don't really care about the beliefs of Scientology either, but it bothers me when people are hypocritical.
You need help...to think that verse alludes that the earth is flat is obviously a desperate attempt to talk down on something you cannot comprehend. Try harder next time. As for the "violence and bigotry" of the other verse in regards to homosexuality, it means your sin and the blood of your crimes are on your soul and not forgiven, sorry this startles or scare you, maybe that's why you need Christ in your life. Nice try to get people off the path of righteousness, I hope you find Jesus before it's too late for you.
This is an old post, but I have to comment on your list of "absurd" beliefs about Christianity and the Bible:
1) That verse does not imply that the Earth is flat, the "kingdoms of the world" were the existing civilizations at the time, which was a limited geographical area. Also, even if it were implying that the Earth was flat, the Bible is written by men who believed the Earth was flat at the time, but its inspired by God and witnessed events of Jesus' life.
2) Even though slavery is wrong, this verse is just stating that a slave shouldn't be disrespectful or treat their master the same way they are being treated. That would bring you down to their level. I don't think the Bible supports slavery at all.
3) Leviticus 20:13 along with others referred to old cultural laws that are no longer relevant. Only Christian Reconstructionists and a few Christian hate groups wish to revert to mass executions of gays and lesbians today. Most Christians don't keep the Old Testament laws.
4) Catholic beliefs about contraception are not Bible based, it was added in doctrine. I think they should consider changing that.
5) I think Jonah could have survived the "Great Fish". The phrase "three days and three nights" in ancient Hebrew usage was an expression meaning simply "three days," and was applicable even if the beginning and ending days of the period were only partial days. Thus it could refer to a period as short as about 38 hours. There is always some air in the whale's stomach, and, as long as the animal it has swallowed is still alive, digestive activity will not begin. Thus, Jonah's experience could possibly have happened entirely with the framework of natural law.
6) I believe the Earth IS Billions of years old. They used a different time format than we do today. This is talked about in the Book of Daniel:
In 538 B.C. Daniel wrote, "So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks of years and sixty-two weeks of years" (Daniel 9:25). The time period between these two events would be 69 weeks of years. This was predicted 538 years before Christ.
Since Daniel states 69 weeks of seven years each, and each year has 360 days, the equation is as follows: 69 x 7 x 360 = 173,880 days.
In nothing more than a simple mathematical demonstration, the number of days in the period from March 5, 444 B.C. (the twentieth year of Artaxerxes) to March 30, 33 A.D. (the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on the donkey) will be determined at this point. 444 B.C. to 33 A.D. is 476 years (1 B.C. to 1 A.D. is only one year). 476 x 365.2421879 (corrected for leap years) = 173,855 days. March 5 to March 30 = 25 days. Total = 173,880 days.
**As for Scientology, while I don't agree with them, I respect their beliefs and right to call it a religion. I realize that all religions have their flaws, because religions are created by people and no one is perfect so there is no perfect religion. I don't attend church, I'm spiritual and have Christian beliefs. I agree that there needs to be a separation of church and state. Religion and Politics don't mesh well.**
Thank you "Miss. Bubbles" as you have said all that i was about to say, and I would also like o add one more comment to the "world flat" statement. Modern science shows that all continents were originally adjoined and later broke apart, therefor coincidering that the mountain were at least 24,000 ft in elevation (smaller than current tallest mountain) then it would be scientifically possible, given some type of visual aid, to see all land in the entire earth, but not the water on the opposite side.
I do not think that any religion is perfect, but i dont like to see people criticize any religion. I would be sticking up for any religion to a degree if i knew more about them, as i think it is extremely hypocritical to condem a religion in this way.
For reference, I do have many christian beliefs, but again find no religion perfect.
I agree with ms. bubbles over #1 and #2
#3 Alot of the Leviticus laws are considered dated because they dealed with the culture. I do not believe that real, genuine christians would be kill anyone for their lifestyle choice, what people do is between them and GOD.
#4 The catholic church repealed there stance on contraception
#5 Read this article: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2294/have-any-real-life-jonahs-been-swallowed-by-whales-and-lived
#6 I think you should check the REAL facts of your beloved scientist before you feel so sure about the age of the earth. Lots of the tests, especially those involving testing the earth's age through rocks, has been proven to be inaccurate, at best. I would likt to see a little more solid proof on you age of the earth stance.
Nota bene: @missbubbles I was taught to read the Bible literally and not in some sort of crazy math equation code because that is ridiculous and deceptive.
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