From: pjs@reimari.uwasa.fi (Peik J Strömsholm) Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology,alt.religion.christian,talk.religion.misc Subject: SCIENTOLOGY CRITICIZED 1700 YEARS AGO Date: 4 Nov 1995 00:43:42 +0200 Organization: University of Vaasa, Finland Message-ID: <47e5uu$67@reimari.uwasa.fi> NNTP-Posting-Host: reimari.uwasa.fi -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- If you are not interested in early Christian heresies and Scientology, I suggest you skip to the next article. In two earlier articles to a.r.s. and some other newsgroups I quoted early Church documents and upon request also produced relevant quotations from the Bible, to show that Scientology in general and reincarnation in particular are foreign to the Christian religion. Since people on the IRC channel #clambake, nowadays #scientology, have asked for references to early Gnostic heresies reminding of Scientology, this posting contains a short introduction to some sources on this subject. Jeff Jacobsen has written about the same subject in his treatise "The Hubbard is bare", pointing out the Valentinian heresy and giving a short overall view of the early Gnostics and Scientology. This article will contain material which was written by early Church Fathers to refute the Gnostics; Scientology critics will recognize many of the expressions and methods used. The following introductory quote is, however, from Wakefield's book "The Road to Xenu", chapter 10, electronic version. "Once again, I found myself studying the sage words of Hubbard: Scientology is the science of knowing how to know answers. It is an organized system of Axioms and Processes which resolve the problems of existence. This science is formed in the tradition of ten thousand years of religious philosophy and considers itself a culmination of the searches which began with the Veda, the Tao, Buddhism, Christianity, and other religions. Scientology is a gnostic faith in that it knows it knows." [ed note: end quote from Wakefield, "Road to Xenu"] Gnostic? I looked the word up in the New World Dictionary. The definition seemed a bit circular. Gnostic. Of the Gnostics or Gnosticism. I looked down to the next definition. Gnosticism. A system of belief combining ideas derived from Greek philosophy, Oriental mysticism, and ultimately, Christianity, and stressing salvation through gnosis. All right, I thought. So what is 'gnosis?' Gnosis. Positive, intuitive knowledge in spiritual matters, such as the Gnostics claimed to have." With this quote it can be established that Scientologists consider themselves to be 'Gnostics'. Anyone can of course choose to join any religion they wish; this article contains a few references to why Christians have found the Gnostics to be foreign to their religion. In his treatise "Against the Valentinians" (written c:a 207 a.D - Jeff Jacobsen's statement about "Valentinus writing c:a 300 a.D" is clearly a mistake) Tertullian, an early Christian apologist, describes the Valentinian heresy in terms which have relevance to the religion of Scientology. Short notes about relevant connections to a.r.s. are given. Quote from Tertullian: Commentary: "The Valentinians, who are no doubt a very large body of heretics - comprising as they do so many apostates from the truth, who have a propensity for fables, and no discipline to deter them (therefrom) Compare Scientology's care nothing so much as to obscure strange Xenu stories and what they preach, if indeed they (can the policy of keeping be said to) preach who obscure their the doctrine secret. doctrine. The officiousness with which they guard their doctrine is an officiousness which betrays their guilt. Their disgrace is proclaimed in the very earnestness with which they maintain their religious system. Now, in the case of those Eleusinian mysteries, which are the very heresy of Athenian superstition, it is their secrecy that is their disgrace. Accordingly, they previously beset all Compare this to the access to their body with tormenting 'purification rundown' etc. conditions; and they require a long in Narconon/RPF/Ethics. initiation before they enrol (their members), even instruction during five Compare this to the long years for their perfect disciplines, time of auditing etc. in order that they may mould their before completing Clear, opinions by this suspension of OT-levels, etc. knowledge, and apparently raise the dignity of their mysteries in This has been said about proportion to the craving for them the 'trade secrets' of which they have previously created. Scientology as well. Then follows the duty of silence. Compare this to the reports Carefully is that guarded, which is so of Scientologists avoiding long in finding. All the divinity, even mentioning the name 'Xenu'. however, lies in their secret recesses: there are revealed at last all the aspirations of the fully initiated, the entire mystery of the sealed tongue, the symbol of virility. But this Compare this to the pretext allegorical representation, under the of 'Scientific Research' pretext of nature's reverend name, and 'Religious Freedom'. obscures a real sacrilege by help on an arbitrary symbol, and by empty images obviates the reproach of the falsehood. In like manner, the heretics who are In like manner, the Scientologists now the object of our remarks, the show many similarities to these Valentinians, have formed Eleusian early heresies and mystery Dissipations of their own, consecrated religions from the first and by a profound silence, having nothing second centuries. of the heavenly in them but for their mystery. By the help of sacred names Compare the references to and titles and arguments of true 'religious values' and religion, they have fabricated the 'Scientific research' and vainest and foulest figment for men's that you can be 'Christian pliant liking, out of the affluent and Scientologist at the suggestions of Holy Scripture, since same time'. from its many springs even errors may well emanate. If you propose to them inquiries This must be a coincidence, sincere and honest, they answer you but compare the 'stern look' with stern look and contracted brow, to TR-0. and say, 'The subject is profound'. If Compare this to the you try them with subtle questions, Scientology policy of discussing with the ambiguities of their double religion only in general terms tongue, they affirm a community of with the great public. faith (with yourself). If you intimate to them that you understand their opinions, they insist on knowing nothing themselves. If you come to a close engagement with them, they destroy your own fond hope of victory over them by a self-immolation. Not even their own Compare the PC-folders and disciples do they commit a secret psychological tactics before they have made sure of them. used by Scientology. They have the knack of persuading men before instructing them; although truth This could be the official persuades by teaching, but does not motto of FACTnet. teach by first persuading." (Tertullian, Against the Valentinians, Chapter I, quoted in the Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. III, Michigan 1957, pp. 503-504.) Tertullian continued: Commentary continued: "For this reason we are branded by them Compare this to Hubbard's as simple, and as being merely so, remarks about a (suppressive) without being wise also; as if indeed person who has not had wisom were compelled to be wanting in any training/auditing in simplicity, whereas the Lord unites Dianetics/Scientology. them both: 'Be ye therefore wise as (wog/raw meat/criminal etc.) serpents, and simple as doves'. Now if we, on our parts, be accounted foolish because we are simple, does it then follow that they are not simple because they are wise? [...] Besides, the face of the Lord is All in all it seems very patiently waited for by those who seek foreign to Scientology to Him in simplicity of heart, as says the have any 'simplicity' in very Wisdom - not of Valentinus, but of the 'Advanced Tech'. Solomon. Then, again, infants have Of course it's obvious that borne by their blood a testimony to Jesus Christ did not teach Christ. (Would you say) that it was any 'Advanced Tech' to children who shouted 'Crucify Him' ? his disciples, who were They were neither children nor infants; simple fishermen. in other words, they were not simple. The apostle, too, bids us to 'become children again' towards God, 'to be children in malice' by our simplicty, yet as being also 'wise in our practical faculties'. (Op. cit, chapter II, pp. 504.) "Let then, the serpent hide himself as much as he is able, and let him wrest all his wisdom in the labyrinths of obscurities; let him dwell deep down in the ground; let him worm himself into secret holes; let him unroll his length through his sinuous joints; let him tortuously crawl, though not all at once, beast as he is that skulks the light. Of our dove, however, how simple is the very home! - always in the high and open places, and facing the light! As the symbol of the Holy Spirit, it loves the (radiant) East, that figure of Christ. Nothing causes truth a blush, except only being hidden, because no man will be ashamed to give ear thereto." (Op. cit, chapter III, p. 504.) "Yet, to induce oneself to turn from this multitude of deities to another crowd, to remove from a familiar This is what it's all about - authority to an unknown one, to wrench changing from the Christian oneself from what is manifest to what view to the Scientology is hidden, is to offend faith on the religion is against the Christian very threshold. faith. Now, even suppose that you are Comments to this initiated into the entire fable, will end have also been it not occur to you that you have heard made at a.r.s. something very like it from your fond several times. nurse, when you were a baby, amongst the lullabies she sang to you about the towers of Lamia, and the horns of the sun. (Op. cit, Chapter III continued, pp. 503-504). Let, however, any man approach the subject from a knowledge of the faith which he has otherwise learned, as soon as he finds so many names of Aeons, so Compare the intricate many marriages, so many offsprings, so cosmology of Hubbard many exits, so many issues, felicities with thetans, marcabs etc. and infelicities of a dispersed and mutilated Deity, will that man hesitate at once to pronounce that these are "the fables and endless genalogies" The reference is to Paul, which the inspired apostle by I Timothy I:4. anticipation condemned, whilst these seeds of heresy were even then shooting forth? Deservedly, therefore, must they be regarded as wanting in simplicity, and as merely prudent, who produce such fables not without difficulty, and defend them only indirectly, who at the So, when have Milne et al same time do not thoroughly instruct answered questions directly? those whom they teach. This, of course, shows their astuteness, if their lessons are disgraceful; their unkindness, if they are honourable. As for us, however, who are simple folk, we know all about it. In short, this is the very first weapon with which we are armed for our encounter; it unmasks and brings to view the whole of their depraved system. And in this we have the first augury of I think Dennis Erlich and our victory; because even merely to most of the other critics point out that which is concealed with of Scientology can agree so great an outlay of artifice, is to with this statement. destroy it." (Op. cit, p. 504) After the first introductory chapters follows a more detailed account of the Valentinian system of thought. Those interested in 'Gnostic' systems may look up the treatise (see reference above) and those who know Scientology may compare these systems. Another early Christian writer, Irenaeus, described several Gnostic systems of thought in detail in his work "Against heresies" ('AH'), written in 180 a.D. Only some quotations of his opinions regarding the heresy of Valentinus in general will be given here. The reference is to The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. I, Michigan 1951. The same format as above will be used for quoting and commentary. Quote from Irenaeus: Commentary: "... to unfold to thee, my friend, Some have alleged that you these portentous and profound can't really believe in the upper mysteries, which do not fall within the levels of Scientology unless range of every intellect, because all you are thoroughly brainwashed. have not sufficiently purged brains." (AH I,pref:2, p. 315) "They have good reason, as seems to me, why they should not feel inclined to teach these things to all in public, but only to such as are able to pay a As you can tell, this high price for an acquaintance with is not a new practise. such profound mysteries. For those doctrines are not at all similar to those of which our Lord said: 'Freely The reference is to ye have received, freely give'. They Matthew 10:8 - I doubt are, on the contrary, abstruse, and you can find it in portentous, and profound mysteries, to Hubbard's extant works. be got at only with great labour by such as are in love with falsehood. For who would not expend all that he The sarcasm reminds me of possessed, if only he might learn in certain statements at a.r.s.; return, that from the tears of the the system described here is enthymesis of the Aeon involved in different than the cosmology passion, seas, and fountains, and of Scientology, but the rivers, and every liquid substance criticism is on the same lines. derived its origin; that light burst forth from her smile; and that from her perplexity and consternation the corporeal elements of the world had their formation?" (AH I,4:3, p. 321) "..it is most manifest that he confesses the things which have been said to be his own invention, and that he himself has given names to his scheme of things, which had never been previously suggested by any other. It is manifest also, that he himself is Compare Hubbard's statements the one who has had sufficient audacity about Dianetics and Xenu. to coin these names; so that, unless he (Dianetics was totally had appeared in the world, the truth unprecendented, Hubbard was the would still have been destitute of a only one in 75.000.000.000 years name." to solve the problem of Xenu, etc.) (AH I,11:4, p. 332) "Those things which are everywhere acted in the theatres by comedians with This reminds me of a certain the clearest voices theey transfer to Science Fiction writer who their own system, teaching them started his own religion undoubtly through means of the same and copied some of his teaching arguments, and merely changing the from psychology and other names. sources. (AH II,14:1, p. 376) And not only are they convicted of bringing forward as their own [original ideas], those things which are to be found among the comic poets, but they also bring together the things which have been said by all those who were ignorant of God, and who are termed philosophers; and sewing together, as it were, a motley garment out of a heap of miserable rags, they have, by their Readers of a.r.s. could think subtle manner of expression, furnished of Hubbard's alleged connections themselves with a cloak which is really to strange Occult groups and not their own. They do, it is true, persons. introduce a new kind of doctrine, inasmuch as by a new sort of art it has been substituted [for the old]. Yet it is in reality both old and Many critics of Scientology useless, since these very opinions have could agree with this been sweed together out of ancient statement applied to dogmas redolent of ignorance and Scientology. irreligion." (AH II,14:2, p. 376) "But I will merely say, in opposition to these men - Did all those who have been proved to coincide in expression, know, or not know, the truth? If they knew it, then the descent of the Saviour into this world was Well, it's obvious that you superfluous. For why [in that case] did don't need Jesus, when you have He descend? Was it that He might bring the 'Tech' of Hubbard. Jesus didn't that truth which was [already] known to even seem to know about Xenu etc. the knowledge of those who knew it? If, on the other hand, these men did not know it, then how is it that, while Still, it's strange that you express yourselves in the same Hubbard's "new" system terms as do those who knew not the was copied from older ones. truth, ye boast that yourselves alone possess that knowledge which is above all things, although they who are ignorant of God [likewise] possess it?" (AH II,14:7, p. 378) As you can see from the above quotes from the second century, Christianity has passed judgement on Scientology 1700 years before Hubbard was born. These two religions are not compatible. As usual, please allow me to repeat that I support freedom of religion. You are free to believe anything you want. This article might be followed by other articles with references to the Christian Church Fathers, if anyone is interested. The early Church Fathers have some remarkable thoughts about 'combatting cult mind control'. - -------------------------------------------------------------------- pjs@uwasa.fi, Student of Theology & Law Student at the U of Helsinki "...to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace." 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