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Similarities between Mormonism and Scientology
epologetics.org via alma.edu ^ | Dec. 23, 2007

Posted on 01/22/2011 2:19:40 PM PST by Colofornian

* Origins

o Based on entirely unevidenced stories

o Doctrines created and evolved over time, sometimes changing

* Founders

o Known for their extreme desire for wealth

o Known for telling stories and lies

o Convicted and imprisoned for illegal activities

o Died during their trouble with the law

* Legal troubles

o Involved in many illegal activities, in many cases as part of official organization doctrine and practices

o Support destruction of outsiders, especially apostates (blood atonement, shunning, "fair game")

o Legal troubles led to changes in doctrine (at least on the surface, note polygamy and "fair game")

* Teachings

o Pre- and post-mortal existence

o Eternal progression (godhood, clear thetan)

o Only way to know truth is to experience it yourself

o Christianity, Bible only partly true

o Focus on thriving and happiness in present life rather than the afterlife or eternal life

o "Salvation" by works

o Give "milk" instead of "meat"

o Official endorsement of lying about or avoiding discussion of controversial doctrines, especially origin of man and key figures (Heavenly Father, Xenu, spirit children, thetans, etc)

o Levels can be achieved (Operating Thetan levels, temple Mormons, eternal progression, different kingdoms)

o Resistance is dismissed as proof/evidence of validity

* Behavior

o Persecution complex

o Label and treat opposition as evil enemies ("Antis", "Suppressive Persons")


TOPICS: Apologetics; Other Christian; Other non-Christian; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: inman; lds; mormon; scientology; similarities
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To: caww
 

Acts 8:27-39 NIV

27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

   “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
   and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
   so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
   Who can speak of his descendants?
   For his life was taken from the earth.”[b]

 

 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37] [c] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:27-39 (PD Version, ©2010)

27 So he logged on to FR, and on his way he met a Potential Investigator, a Noobie in need of Salvation (which means “Living forever in the Presence of GOD”). This person had gone to FreeRepublic to learn, 28 and while he was reading threads; he was also sitting in his computer chair reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The spirit told PD, “Reply to that person and stay in the conversation.”

 30 Then PD replied to the Noobie and asked. “Do you understand what you are reading?”

 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So PD invited himself to continue to chat with him.

 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

   “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
   and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
   so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
   Who can speak of his descendants?
   For his life was taken from the earth.”[b]

 34 The Noobie asked PD, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then PD began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus; which can be found in the Book of MORMON.

 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the Noobie said, “Look, I've asked all kinds of questions; but you seem to be unable to answer even just ONE of them.   37 Why are the ANTI-mormons (as you lovingly call them) so much better at supplying answers?" 

 38 "They are hateful bigots; only capable of spweing regurgitated LDS teachings.  Pay them no mind.  Seek for yourself the TRUTH in the OTHER books I've refered to."

  39  Discouraged by the VAST amount of information that had to be sifted thru; the PI went away in a hopeless mood.

 

301 posted on 01/25/2011 10:54:09 AM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: svcw
R that statement of yours about God's Word is blasphemy.

What part of...

Doctrines of DEMONs

...is so hard to figger out?

302 posted on 01/25/2011 10:55:39 AM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

;^)


303 posted on 01/25/2011 10:56:54 AM PST by SZonian (July 27, 2010. Life begins anew.)
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To: Elsie

304 posted on 01/25/2011 11:09:45 AM PST by Godzilla (3-7-77)
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To: Elsie
smiley laughing computer Pictures, Images and Photos
305 posted on 01/25/2011 11:23:46 AM PST by svcw (God doesn't show up in our time, but He shows up on time)
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To: Elsie
Ye are the lying demons The JURY would like to see some EVIDENCE.

Got any; or are you just an ACCUSER?

That's interesting. If these were all lies against Mormon's, why hasn't the Mormon church sue against websites containing this information?

Why hasn't the Mormon church made a bigger issue out of it instead of replying quietly on their own website. If Mormonism was true, they would have made a bigger PR out of it. They would publicly combat the other churches. They don't do that. If I was a Mormon, I'd have some serious thinking to do as to why their religion doesn't take a real stand for their beliefs.

306 posted on 01/25/2011 11:25:04 AM PST by dragonblustar ("... and if you disagree with me, then you sir, are worse than Hitler!" - Greg Gutfeld)
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To: SZonian
Mark 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in HEAVEN. So all of those “requirements” the mormons want you to meet in order to attain the celestial kingdom and to be able to dwell with God are superfluous. God has already said you will not be married in heaven.

Has any mormon at Free Republic ever address this?

307 posted on 01/25/2011 11:29:10 AM PST by dragonblustar ("... and if you disagree with me, then you sir, are worse than Hitler!" - Greg Gutfeld)
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To: svcw; restornu

Yes, it would be defined as blasphemy... but the fact that statement was made shows clearly that adhereance to the BOM is significantly held as superior in every regard far over and above Gods written word. This is why they the truth escapes them, even when it is clearly presented. Their allegiance is to a false prophets teachings and His writings, (another gospel and another Christ), is where their devotion remains regardless of what they might say otherwise.


308 posted on 01/25/2011 12:06:59 PM PST by caww
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To: T Minus Four

What, no answer?


309 posted on 01/25/2011 12:07:07 PM PST by Osage Orange (MOLON LABE)
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To: Elsie

Quite the contrast....good post Elsie!


310 posted on 01/25/2011 12:09:14 PM PST by caww
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To: dragonblustar

Maybe, but I can’t say for certain.

I’m sure it’s “been addressed” somewhere and is just a “tired, old, regurgitated non-issue” of some kind.


311 posted on 01/25/2011 12:11:32 PM PST by SZonian (July 27, 2010. Life begins anew.)
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Comment #312 Removed by Moderator

Comment #313 Removed by Moderator

To: Osage Orange

I think it’s a sin not to answer :-)


314 posted on 01/25/2011 12:29:07 PM PST by T Minus Four ("If Mormonism were a cult, I would know it and I would not be in it")
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Comment #315 Removed by Moderator

To: Elsie

Well then, have you found Joey Smith’s peepstone? ... !!


316 posted on 01/25/2011 12:38:00 PM PST by MHGinTN (Some, believing they can't be deceived, it's nigh impossible to convince them when they're deceived.)
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Comment #317 Removed by Moderator

To: caww; restornu

Well, stated.


318 posted on 01/25/2011 1:07:10 PM PST by svcw (God doesn't show up in our time, but He shows up on time)
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To: dragonblustar
. If I was a Mormon, I'd have some serious thinking to do as to why their religion doesn't take a real stand for their beliefs.
319 posted on 01/25/2011 1:38:03 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: dragonblustar
If I was a Mormon, I'd have some serious thinking to do as to why their religion doesn't take a real stand for their beliefs.

Some have; and now they are INMEN!!!

320 posted on 01/25/2011 1:38:50 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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