Annotations Related to Scientology

In this brief article, Westbrook makes some comparisons between Christian Science and Scientology. In common both draw on a theological link between science and religion, and both refer to their main church body as their ‘Mother Church.’ But mainly Westbrook points out their dramatic differences in theology, organization and mission.

​​Scientology was often confused with Christian Science in public thought, especially around the first decade of the current century. Although that confusion has dissipated to a degree, comparisons between the two often crop up in scholarly work. This book, an academic compilation of chapters about Scientology written by scholars of New Religious Movements, includes a few of those comparisons.

Braswell’s primary interest in his overview of Christian Science lies in the relationship between Christian Science and traditional Christianity. Braswell quotes extensively from the primary sources of Eddy’s own writings, highlighting those passages that answer questions from the viewpoint of Christian orthodoxy. The implication of his critique is based on his view that Christian Science is declining because of its deviation from orthodoxy.

Bednarowski compares Christian Science and Scientology, two religions often confused. Both Christian Science and Scientology radically seek an understanding of God and reality which the physical world obscures. Mary Baker Eddy’s Christian Science emerged from Christ-centered revelation and a deep study of the healing message of the Bible. L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology and terminology is more psychological, taking the form of self-help.

Wallis draws parallels between Christian Science and Scientology to illuminate his study of the processes leading to sectarianism. Regarding Christian Science, he argues that ideological insulation, and the secretiveness of its higher teachings available only by special instruction, create a precarious state. These problems tend to inhibit development of a cohesive collectivity.