Competing Claims
Should I believe something
other than Christianity?
Origin of Islam
• At the age of 25, Mohammed marries a 40 year
old wealthy, widow named Khadijah who owns
trading caravans. During the next 15 years of his
life he interactes with Arabs known as the
Hanefites. Hanefites were Arabs who rejected idol
worship and were searching for the true religion.
They looked to the religion of the Jews and
Christians as being close to the goal. The
Hanefites abandonded their idols and would
retreat to the caves of Mecca in meditation and
prayer.
Origin of Islam
• At age 40 Mohammed had his first vision in
the year 610 AD. He was in a cave on Mt.
Hera and thought he was demon possessed.
He went to Khadijah and told her about the
event. She consulted with her uncle Waraca,
a Hanefite who converted to Christianity,
who assured them Mohammed vision was
from God. Waraca declared Mohammed was
a prophet to the Arab peoples, Waraca died
2 years later never becoming a Muslim.
Origins
• Mohommed is said to have received a
message from an angel (Gabriel).
• The book was dictated to Mohommed and
is to be the precise words of God.
• It was to serve as a corrective for all of the
idols (the ones that Mohommed saw, as
well as Judaism and Christianity).
Connection to Mormonism?
Origin of Islam
• Mohammed proclaimed Allah as the one true god
and rejected the idol worship of Mecca. Khadijah,
his wife, was Mohammed’s first convert to Islam.
Few listened to Mohammed’s message and
animosity grew against him as he confronted the
idol worshippers and preached his religion to
Mecca. Eventually Mohommed had to flee in order
to protect his life.
Origin of Islam
Then in 621 during the Hajj, Arab tribes from the city
of Yatrob later to be called Medina, came for the
annual pilgrimage. They met Mohammed and thought
him to be a prophet and invited him to their city to
bring peace and settle disputes between the warring
tribes. Yathrob was founded by three Jewish tribes
and the idea of monotheism was familiar to its Arab
tribesmen. Because of their basic beliefs in a coming
Messiah, they assumed that Mohammed was the
one.
Flight
• The next year the situation became intolerable for the
Muslims and in in June 622 they made what has become
known as the Hejira or flight. In small groups the 150
Muslims of Mecca left for the city of Medina 280 miles to
the north. When word reached those of Mecca about the
escape to Medina they tried to kill Mohammed.
• In Medina the warring Arab tribes submitted to
Mohammed leadership and prophet-hood. The Jewish
tribes rejected his claims of prophet and ridiculed his
revelations. With most of the new arrivals from Mecca
without work they needed to earn a living. Ghazu or
caravan raiding was a way tribes would prevent one tribe
from becoming to powerful. The Muslims in Medina
began to rob the caravans heading toward Mecca. This
is where the Muslim doctrine of Jihad was created.
Flight
• With their caravan business being threatened, Mecca
responds with one thousand soldiers at the battle of Bedr
in March 624 the Muslims fielded 300 warriors. The
battle went to the Muslims. Mohammed proclaimed his
victory was a sign from Allah and his status in Medina
was magnified. The lack of enthusiasm by one of the
Jewish tribes caused them to be expelled by the
victorious Muslim army. The direction of prayer was also
changed from Jerusalem to Mecca as the Jews rejected
Mohammad’s prophet-hood.
• Exactly one year later Mecca amassed 3000 soldiers at
the battle of Uhud and the Muslims fielded 1000 soldiers.
The battle did not go as planned. The Muslims, defeated
by Mecca, retreated to Medina.
• Disheartened, Muslims blamed the second Jewish tribe
as conspirators against their cause. Their homes and
possessions were confiscated, and they are expelled
from the city in 626 AD.
Flight
• The Meccans in the hope of ending the caravan
raids by the Muslims assembled 10,000 soldiers to
attack the city of Medina in the year 627. After a
two-week siege in the hot sun they are unable to
penetrate the fortress-like city. They returned to
Mecca.
• After this unsuccessful attack, Mohammed and
the Muslims attacked the last remaining Jewish
tribe. The tribe surrendered to the mercy of
Mohammed. The men were killed and the women
and children were sold into slavery.
• Mecca began to feel the economic impact of its
trading losses and Mohammed’s power grew in
the north. They reluctantly signed the 10 year
Hudaybiah peace agreement with Mohammed and
the Muslims in march 628.
Flight
• Two years later, in January 630, Mohammed
leads 10,000 warriors to Mecca and nullifies the
treaty of Hudaybiah. The city submits to
Mohammed and his warriors and accepts him as
prophet.
• Mohammed goes to the Kaba and destroys the
360 idols in the structure. From Mecca, the
“Muslims” wage Jihad on the surrounding cities
forcing them to accept Islam as their religion and
Mohammed as their prophet.
• Mohammed made his final Hajj in 632 and died
unexpectedly 3 months later in June. His friend
and father-in-law Abu Bakr (Father of Aisha)
succeeded him as leader of the Muslims.
Division in the Midst
• Abu Bakr received the title “Caliph” or successor of
Mohammed. Their was a struggle about who would succeed
Mohammad; some felt Ali the husband of Fatima,
Mohammed’s daughter deserved the position.
• In 634 AD Abu Bakr died and was succeeded by Umar
(Omar) the 2nd Caliphate.
• Umar advanced the Muslim armies against Syria and
Palestine. In 637 A D, the armies of Byzantium lost control
of Jerusalem to Islam. Uthman the 3rd Caliph succeeded
Umar. Uthman ordered a complete revision of the Quran,
this would cause a mutiny. He was killed and his death was
considered justified because the mutineers claimed he
ceased to be a Muslim. Following Uthman’s death there
was a struggle between rival factions of Islam about who
was the rightful successor to lead Islam.
Division in the Midst
• Ali, the 4th Caliph, Mohammad’s son-in-law and husband of
Fatima, succeeded Uthman everybody did not accept him
as rightful Caliphate. War broke out between the rival
groups, his succession was short lived, 2 years later he was
killed. The Shi’a (Party of Ali, known as the Shi’ite
Muslims) mourned the death of Ali, and his two sons
(Grandsons of Mohammed). Ali is revered as a saint by the
Shi’a who are dominate in Iran and Iraq. The Shi’a feel Ali
was the rightful successor to Mohammed and don’t
recognize the three earlier Caliphs. The Sunnis accept Ali
and the first three Caliphate as legitimate.
• As Muslims spread across Europe reaching France, they
were defeated by Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours. The
Muslims retreated, and Ferdinand Magellan sought to find a
way to spread Christianity in Asia before the Muslims
reached it. He was successful, but the two religions met in
the Philippines and Indonesia. This began a rivalry between
Islam and Christianity.
Islam Today
• Islam today is in conflict, between western
secular culture and traditional Islamic culture.
The growth of Islamic Fundamentalism is an
attempt to reach back to the glories of Islamic
history. Many Fundamentalist (Muslims) ask
themselves the question, “if Islam is the religion
of Allah, why are we being defeated by the
West (United States) and Israel.”
Islam Today
• The fundamentalist sees the problem with the failure
of Islamic nations to live as the Qu’ran commands.
This view of not living the life required by Allah, as
specified in the Qu’ran and traditions and therefore
being defeated by the West, is the spark of
fundamentalism. Today in Islam there is a struggle
between moderate and fundamentalist ideology.
• Understanding the books of the Islamic faith is just as
important to understanding its history. The books of
Islam shape both the culture and philosophy of the
Muslim world.
from Interfaith Evangelism Belief Bulletin
• Islam is the world’s youngest major religion. It
claims to be the restoration of original
monotheism and truth and thus supersedes both
Judaism and Christianity.
Qur’an
• The Qur’an is to be followed completely
and its teaching form a complete guide for
life and society.
• It is the sacred book of Islam and the
perfect word of Allah (god) for the Muslim.
• It’s claimed that the Qur’an was dictated
in Arabic by the angel Gabriel to
Muhammad and were God’s precise
words.
Qur’an
• As such, it had pre-existed from eternity in
heaven with God as the “Mother of the Book”
and was in that form uncreated and co-eternal
with God.
• Islam teaches that it contains the total and
perfect revelation of the will of God. The Qur’an
is about four-fifths the length of the NT and is
divided into 114 “surahs” or chapters.
• What problems do you see for Muslims in
believing Islam is a connection to Christianity
and Judaism (as far as Jesus, the OT, etc.)?
Qur’an
• While Islam respects the Torah, the Psalms of
David and the four Gospels, the Qur’an stands
alone in its authority and absoluteness.
• It is believed to be most perfectly understood in
Arabic and it is a religious obligation to seek to
read and quote it in the original language.
Five Pillars of Islam
• These are the framework for the Muslim’s
life and discipline.
• Successful and satisfactory adherence to
the pillars satisfy the will of Allah.
• They form the basis for the Muslim’s hope
for salvation along with faith and belief in
Allah’s existence, the authority of
Muhammad as a prophet, and the finality
and perfection of the Qur’an.
Pillar #1: Shahada
• Confession of Faith: It is the declaration
that there is not god but Allah and
Muhammad is his prophet (the typical
saying you will hear from Muslims)
• Sincerity in voicing of the confession is
necessary for it to be valid. It must be
held until death and repudiation of the
Shahada nullifies hope for salvation.
Pillar #2: Salat
• Prayer: Five times a day, preceded by
ceremonial washing, the Muslim is required to
pray facing Mecca (as we will see today).
• Specific formulas, recited from the Qur’an (in
Arabic), along with prostration are included.
• Prayer is, in this sense, an expression of
submission to the will of Allah. While most of
Islam has no hierarchical priesthood, prayers are
led in mosques by respected lay leaders.
• There are Imam’s who serve as the
priests/pastors of the community.
• The five times of prayer are before sunrise,
noon, midafternoon, sunset, and prior to sleep.
Pillar #3: Zakat
• Almsgiving: The Qur’an teaches the
giving of two and one-half percent of
one’s capital wealth to the poor and/or for
the propagation of Islam. By doing so, the
Muslims’ remaining wealth is purified.
Pillar #4: Sawm
• The Fast: During the course of the lunar month
of Ramadan, a fast is to be observed by every
Muslim from sunrise to sunset.
• Nothing is to pass over the lips during this time,
and they should refrain from sexual relations.
After sunset, feasting and other celebrations
often occur.
• The daylight hours are set aside for selfpurification. The month is used to remember the
giving of the Qur’an to Muhammad.
Pillar #5: Hajj
• Pilgrimage: All Muslims who are economically and
physically able are required to journey as a pilgrim to
Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
• The pilgrim’s required simple dress stresses the notion
of equality before God.
• Another element of the Hajj is the mandatory walk of
each pilgrim seven times around the Kaabah – the
shrine of the black rock, the holiest site of Islam.
• Muhammad taught that the Kaabah was the original
place of worship for Adam and later for Abraham. The
Kaabah is thus venerated as the site of true religion, the
absolute monotheism of Islam.
Doctrines of Islam
• God: He is numerically and absolutely one.
God is beyond the understanding of man so that
only His will may be revealed and known. He is
confessed as the ‘merciful and compassionate
one.”
• Sin: The most serious sin that can be ascribed
to people is that of “shirk” or considering God as
more than one. Original sin is viewed as a
‘lapse’ by Adam. The fallen nature of
humankind is not endorsed by Islam.
Humankind is considered weak and forgetful,
but not as fallen.
Doctrines of Islam
• Angels: Islam affirms the reality of angels as
messengers of God. Evil spirits or Jinn also
exist. Satan is a fallen angel. Angels perform
important functions for God both now and at the
end of time.
• Final Judgment: The world will be judged at
the end of time by God. The good deeds and
obedience of all people to the five pillars and the
Qur’an will serve as the basis of judgment.
Doctrines of Islam
• Salvation: It is determined by faith, as defined by
Islam, as well as by compiling good deeds
primarily in conformity to the five pillars.
• Marriage: Muslims uphold marriage as honorable
and condemn adultery. While many Muslim
marriages are monogamous, Islamic states allow
as many as four wives. Men consider woman as
less than an equal, and while a man has the right
to divorce his wife, the wife has no similar power
(Surah 2:228; 4:34).
• Nonetheless, the female has a right to own and
disown property. Modesty in dress is encouraged
for both men and women. As you see in the area,
there are differences for how this is to be
understood.
Writings on Women
• “Women shall with justice have rights similar to those
exercised against them, although men have a status
above women.” 2:228
• “Men has authority over women because God has made
the one superior to the other, and because they spend
their wealth to maintain them. Good women are
obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God
has guarded them. AS for those from whom you fear
disobedience, admonish them, forsake them in beds
apart, and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no
further action against them.” 4:34
Doctrines of Islam
• War: The term jihad or ‘struggle’ is often
considered as both external and internal, both a
physical and spiritual struggle. The enemies of
Islam or ‘idolaters’, states the Qur’an, may be
slain “wherever you find them” (Surah 9:5).
Paradise is promised for those who die fighting
in the cause of Islam.
• Moderate Muslims emphasize the spiritual
dimension of jihad and not its political element.
• And now, two readings from the Koran (Qur’an)
Doctrines of Islam
• Diet and Food: Muslim dietary codes
forbid the eating of pork and the use of
intoxicating drinks. Other meats may be
eaten from animals slaughtered by devout
Muslims. Healthy diet and lifestyle are
encouraged.
GOD
• One God – Allah
• Will is revealed, but
Allah is unknowable
• Allah never
portrayed as loving
or a Father.
• Allah is the one
who causes both
good and evil.
• One God – triune
being called God
or Yahweh
• Will revealed an
invites all into a personal
relationship through
Christ.
• Portrayed as a loving
Father who cares for His
people (and all).
• Loves good, hates evil.
JESUS
• A prophet who was
virgin born, but not the
son of God.
• Sinless Messiah
• Blasphemy to say
Jesus is God.
• Did not die, but taken
into Heaven and
another man (some
believe Judas) was
killed and onlookers
mistake him for Jesus.
• Born of a virgin
• Sinless messiah
• Fully God and fully
man (God’s Word and
Savior to humanity)
• Died on the cross to pay for
the sin of man and was
raised on the third day, then
ascended to Heaven after
about 40 days.
MUHAMMAD
• The last in the line
of prophets and
therefore the final
authority in spiritual
matters.
• Not accepted as a
prophet or legitimate
theological source.
SCRIPTURE
• Qu’ran is the final
word of God.
• Old and New
Testament were
distorted by both
Christians and
Jews
• Qu’ran corrects the
errors of the Bible.
• The Bible is the
Final Word of God
• The Bible was written
through men by the Holy
Spirit (God-breathed)
• Bible is complete and
not to be added to.
MAN & SIN
• Man is created by Allah
as sinless.
• Sin is disobedience to
the established law, but
sin does not grieve
Allah.
• Man is weak and prone
to error (misguided),
but not necessarily
sinful.
• Man simply needs
guidance from Allah.
• Man is created in
God’s image.
• Sin is rebellion against God
and grieves Him.
• Man is sinful and separated
from God due to the fall.
• Man needs a savior to pay
the price of sin.
SALVATION
• Heaven attained by
submitting to the
will of Allah.
• No security or
assurance of
Heaven outside of
martyrdom.
• Only granted by
Allah’s mercy,
therefore no
guarantee.
• Eternal life is only
by grace, through
faith in Jesus and His
work on the cross.
• Eternal life begins at
conversion, based on
Christ’s deeds, not our
own.
• Salvation is only in a
relationship with Christ.
LAST DAYS
• There will be bodily
resurrection and final
judgment with final
destination.
• All Muslims go to
heaven, though some
must be purged of their
sins first.
• All infidels are destined
for hell.
• There will be bodily
resurrection and final
judgment and eternal
destination.
• Destination (heaven or hell)
will be decided based on
good works, but it is
impossible to outweigh bad
works without Christ
removing sin on the cross.
• All who have not accepted
Christ have to pay the price
of their own sin which means
separation from God.
Apologetic
Questions
• Who is the Messiah predicted by the Jews?
• How do you explain Jesus’ claims to be God, forgive sins,
make God known, and to warn of coming teachers who
would oppose His message (like Mohammed)?
• What evidence do you have the the Bible was distorted?
• How do you explain Jesus’ resurrection and the eyewitnesses?
• If the foundation of the faith was laid through violence,
should violence characterize the life of followers?
• How do you reconcile this with “Islam” as “Peace?”
• Others?
Christianity in Iran
Even though Open Doors USA ranks Iran 5th in terms of
the persecution of Christians, more and more Iranians
are converting. Much of this growth has been in the
house church movement often called the Muslim
Background Believer Church. Just 40 years ago, there
were about 200 MBBs in Iran. Now, it’s estimated that
there are 370,000 MBBs. Added to that number are
around 80,000 traditional Armenian and Assyrian
Christians.
Carl Moeller, the president of Open Doors USA, says,
"Men and women, out of emptiness of their current
situation spiritually, are turning to faith in Jesus Christ
despite the literally lethal risks in doing so. That's only
attributable to the work of the Holy Spirit."
• Exclusive Religion: explain other religions as either
in error, or as corruptions or counterfeits of the
true faith. Requires adherence to teachings/beliefs
of that religion (Christianity, Islam, Judaism)
• Inclusive Religion: recognizes truth in all faith
systems, not agreeing or disagreeing about the
differences, but typically see their own faith as in
some way ultimate (though they would not say it).
• Native religion to India, which ranges back to
the early Indus civilization about 3000 B.C.
• There is no specific prophet like other religions
like Islam.
• The sacred Scriptures are the most integral part
of the development of it’s beliefs.
• The Scriptures are the Vedas, the Upanishads,
and the Bhagavad Gita (among others).
• Many of the beliefs have been arrived at by
members of the faith through meditation and
Yoga.
• There are over 500 million Hindus (most live in
India – the second most populated country in
the world).
Origin
• Hindu is not a missionary religion like
Christianity or Islam, but there has been
some push to get the word out.
• Wherever there are a gathering of
Hindus, there is a temple.
• The most popular form of Hinduism in
the west is the Hare Krishna
Consciousness societies. These follow
the Bhagavad Gita in devotion to the god
Krishna.
• Transcendental Meditation societies and
classes are offered all over Europe and
North America.
Scriptures
• Though the Bhagavad Gita has become
the most popular, there have been
several that have shaped belief over
time:
• Veda: oldest, very speculative about
the origin of the universe – no definite
answers – written in ancient Sanskrit;
unknown author.
• Upanishad: philosophical – unity in
diversity, become one with Brahman.
In this knowledge is the key – through
Yoga.
God, Gods, no God
• There are many deities, but this will take
more explanation.
• Elements of other religions or any
combination of gods can be practiced.
• In Hinduism, people can believe in one
God, no God, several Gods, and still be
accepted by other Hindus.
• The reality is that all is god. This concept
is called pantheism.
Brahman
• Brahman is the true being – or the Hindu idea
of God.
• Atman is the individual soul (you and me) –
but ultimately they are one. In fact the goal is
to become united with the Brahman.
• The Brahman is an impersonal, absolute God
with whom a relationship is impossible (and
really inconceivable by Hindus).
Concepts of God in Hinduism
• Pantheistic – supreme principle which has
presence in everyone and everything.
• Monistic – unifying purpose or principle
throughout the universe with no divine
personal characteristic.
• Polytheistic – many gods ruling together.
• Early Hinduism (when it started) Gods were
like humans: Varuna – moral/physical god;
Indra – warrior/storm god of sacred drink; Agni
– god of fire, light and warmth.
• Most of these gods have disappeared – now
the focus is on Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Important Beliefs
• All things that exist in the universe, including
yourself, are of no importance because they are
only temporary.
• The only important thing is the realm that exists
out and beyond this world.
• Souls continue to reincarnate until they are
united with the ultimate soul – the impersonal
God which we discussed earlier (Brahman).
• Karma – one must balance bad with good in
order to break the reincarnation cycle. As the
soul attains good karma, the chances become
better that they will break the cycle and achieve
Moksha (freedom).
From the Laws of Manu:
• “But in order to protect this universe He, the most
resplendent one, assigned separate (duties and) occupations
to those who sprang from his mouth, arms, thighs, and feet.
To Brahmanas he assigned teaching and studying (the
Veda), sacrificing for their own benefit and for others, giving
and accepting of alms. The
• Kshatriya he commanded to protect the people, to bestow
gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), and to abstain
form attaching himself to sensual pleasures;
• The Vaisya to tend cattle, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices,
to study (the Veda), to trade, to lend money, and to cultivate
land.
• One occupation only the lord prescribe to the Sudra, to serve
meekly even these (other) three castes.”
• It is important to note that these castes are looked at as
levels that should be climbed through attaining good karma,
with the Brahmin being the highest. The caste you are born
in is the one you stay in and you have no hope of escaping
that caste in this lifetime.
• There have been changes lately by a small group of Hindus
in hopes of making the caste system not so strict.
3 ways or margas
• Karma Marga – way of works, emphasizing
offerings and sacrifices to gods, godesses, and
spirits in ceremonies both in temples and in
homes (altars).
• Many Hindu deities dwell on the earth and take
their abodes in images and earthly forms. The
temple is the place of the deity. Often, temples
are built by the wealthy to attain good karma
and merit.
• Brahmin care for the deity by waking it, feeding
it, bathing it and pampering it – not to mention
communing with it and worshiping it.
• Good works can be attained through worship
(puja) at the temple, home (where the same
rituals are performed).
Jnana marga
• Jnana marga – way of knowledge; four stages
• Student: study Veda and Upanishad with a Guru to learn
truth.
• Householder: Wed a woman, raise a family, provide
sustenance of the family as well as the needy.
• Forest Dweller: Hindu charges son to care for his wife,
gives property to family, performs sacrifice for the final
time, and leave home for the forest. He finds a Guru to be
a spiritual guide and takes up an ascetic and meditative
life far from family and worldly disturbance.
• Ascetic: After learning Yoga and meditation techniques,
he goes and practices self-mortification: laying on a bed
of nails/thorns, stare into the blazing sun until his sight
disappears. He may stand on one foot for many hours.
Self-torture is a way to put the body in its place so one
can develop the concentration of the mind.
• The goal of Yoga is to reach a state of samadhi, a feeling
of lightness, exemption from laws of gravity, and
peacefulness.
Bhakti Marga
• Bhakti Marga – Way of Devotion.
• This way offers the Hindu a deity who is
personal and who gives grace to
overcome bad Karma.
• When the Hindu gives love and devotion
to (typically Krishna) a god, the god
makes liberation possible. There is no
need to sacrifice countless offerings to
numerous deities.
• None of the ways assure you that you will
break the reincarnation cycle.
GOD
Brahman is formless,
abstract, eternal being
without attributes. Takes
form in a three main gods
as well as millions of
lesser gods.
God is an eternal, personal,
spiritual Being in three
persons, as Father, Son,
Holy Spirit, yet one
(trinity).
CREATION
The universe was created
billions of years ago and
the earth is just one world
in a series of thousands of
worlds.
God created everything that exists in
six days. His creation is good
and He will redeem it at
the end of time.
SALVATION
Man is justified through
devotion, meditation,
good works and selfcontrol.
Man is justified
through the
sacrificial death and
resurrection of Jesus
Christ
JESUS
Jesus is just one of many
Jesus is the only begotten
incarnations, or sons of
Son of
God. Christ was not the
God, the Father.
Son of God. He was no
He is God as well as man;
more divine than any
sinless; and He died for
other man and He did not
our redemption.
die for man’s sin.
SIN
Sin is proud, independent
Good and evil are relative
rebellion that separates
terms. Whatever helps is
man from God. It is falling
good; whatever hinders is
short of the standards God
vice. Man cannot help
has established in His
Word to men. Sin must be
“stumbling” over these
obstacles as he strives to
punished, and its
know himself. If he
consequence is death and
cannot succeed in this life,
eternal separation from
he may try again in
God.
reincarnated form.
SCRIPTURE
Many scriptures all of which • The Bible is the
are guides to the correct
Final Word of God
path and can only be
• The Bible was written
discerned as the reader
through men by the Holy
advances toward
Spirit (God-breathed)
enlightenment.
• Bible is complete and not
to be added to.
SALVATION
Man is justified through
devotion, meditation,
good works and selfcontrol.
Man is justified
through the
sacrificial death and
resurrection of Jesus
Christ
Apologetic
Questions
• How can opposing views be true at the same time?
• You respect Jesus as an Avatar, but he claimed to be the
only way? How do you reconcile this?
• The Bible and Jesus are authenticated through verifiable
miracles; what evidence is there that Hinduism is true?
• Science seems to point to the idea that the universe is not
eternal, but had a beginning. How does this fit with a
Hindu view of reality?
L. Ron Hubbard
"Writing for a penny a word is
ridiculous. If a man really wants to make
a million dollars, the best way would be
to start his own religion"
The Founder and
Creator of Scientology
GOD
Fundamentally panentheistic. God is an eternal,
It teaches that there are a
personal, spiritual
multitude of thetans who,
Being in three persons, as
"collectively" with all life,
Father, Son, Holy Spirit,
could be said to comprise
yet one (trinity) who is
the Supreme Being
both transcendent and
immanent.
MAN
Immortal spirit, like the
atman in Hinduism. As in
Hinduism, man may be
considered a deity of sorts
who has forgotten he is
divine.
Man is both physical
and spiritual, created
in the image of God, but
marred by sin. We can
forgiven, restored, and be
adopted as sons and
daughters of God if we
accept Christ as our
savior.
SALVATION
Progresses from personal
Man is justified
ignorance and bondage to
through the
matter into gnostic
sacrificial death and
enlightenment and freedom
resurrection of Jesus Christ,
from the MEST body and
NOT based on any merit of
universe. At an ultimate cost
our own.
of tens of thousands of dollars,
one is progressively "saved"
from engrams by knowledge
(Scientology beliefs) through
good works (Scientology
auditing and practice, etc.) to
arrive at the highest state of
"operating thetan."
DEATH
Endlessly repeatable through A one-time event that
reincarnation and is hence carries either the most
almost inconsequential.
sublime of blessings
Death, however, is at least
(eternal heaven) or the
potentially beneficial in
most horrible of
that it may permit the
consequences (eternal hell).
release of the soul from the
prison of the body.
Apologetic
Questions
Really?
L. Ron Hubbard
"Writing for a penny a word is
ridiculous. If a man really wants to make
a million dollars, the best way would be
to start his own religion"
The Founder and
Creator of Scientology
I don’t believe in God,
I believe in SCIENCE!!!
Nature is all there
ever is, ever was,
or ever will be.
Science Quotes
• “Even if there were no actual evidence in favor of the
Darwinian theory…we would still be justified in
preferring it over all rival theories”
• Richard Dawkins
• “Even if all the data point to an intelligent designer,
such an hypothesis is excluded from science because it
is not naturalistic” A Kansas State University Professor
• “Many people believe that a supernatural force or deity
created life. That explanation is not within the scope of
science.”
• A High School Textbook.
• “By attributing the diversity of life to natural causes
rather than to supernatural creation, Darwin gave
biology a sound scientific basis”.
• Another High School Textbook
Definition of Secular Humanism
• Some SH-like quotes:
• Secular – of this
• “God is a crutch for weakage/world – reality is not
minded people”
transcendent
Jessie ‘the body’ Ventura
• Humanism – beliefs about
• “The way to see by Faith is to
reality center on human
shut the eye of Reason”
values, capacity and
Benjamin Franklin
worth
• "When one person suffers
“A doctrine emphasizing a
from a delusion, it is called
person’s capacity for selfinsanity. When many people
suffer from a delusion, it is
actualization through
called Religion.“
reason; rejects religion
R.M. Pirsig
and the supernatural”
What do SHs believe?
1. We can live good lives without religious or
superstitious beliefs.
2. We only have one life and should make the best
of it by creating meaning and purpose for
ourselves using reason, experience and shared
values.
3. We should try to live happy and fulfilled lives
and help others to do the same.
4. The way we achieve this is to live responsibly,
think rationally about right and wrong, consider
the consequences of our actions and try to do the
right thing.
5. Evolution is the best explanation for creation.
6. Naturalism is the only way to understand the
world (no god)
What do SHs believe?
7. Moral values derive their source from human
experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational,
needing no theological or ideological sanction.
8. Ethics are arrived at by mutually agreed upon
ideals – like laws.
9. We should live according to ethical relativism
10.Humans are autonomous and self-sufficient (man
is the measure)
11.Traditional religions inhibit humans from
experiencing their full potentialities.
12.We can discover no divine purpose or providence
for the human species. We are responsible for
what we are or will become. No deity will save us
- we must save ourselves.
Things to know about SH
The Secular Humanist wants to eliminate belief in
God from all influence in society.
– From ethics
– From government
– From science
Secular Humanists want there to be NO moral
restraint or ethical absolutes.
Secular Humanists think that contemporary science
leaves no possibility of the supernatural.
Secular Humanist embrace evolution as their story
for how the world came about and their
explanation for understanding this world.
Things to Understand
• Everyone believes something
• Atheism and humanism is not lack of
belief, but a differently focused belief.
• It is not as if Christians have to turn
their brains off while everyone else is
using their brain.
• We have justification for thinking our
belief is true.
Good Things about Secular Humanism
• Promote Morals in Education
• Freedom “You can do anything you set
your mind to do”
• Toleration (remember the caution)
• Political Goals – World Peace,
Eliminate Poverty, World Unity
• In general, want a better world and
believe in the value of humans.
Compared to Christianity
Secular Humanism
• God – there isn’t one
• The ‘cosmos’ is all
there is, was and will be
• The world and we came
about through
evolution
• Science is the only way
to know anything
Christianity
• Trinitarian belief in an
exclusive God
• God is both transcendent
and immanent and there is
a world beyond this one.
• God created the world and
us
• Jesus is our faith and the
foundation of knowledge,
but not the only means to
knowledge
Compared to Christianity
Secular Humanism
• There is no right or
wrong, only choices
• We need to escape
supernaturalism and
embrace rationalism
• Socialism and one
world government is
the goal
• Message must be taught
• Creeds, Manifestos, and
beliefs source of truth
Christianity
• God commands us to
live a certain way
• We need to escape evil
and embrace Jesus
• A world united under
the kingdom of God is
the goal
• Message must be taught
• Bible as God’s Word
the source of truth
Christian Humanism
• Putting Science and Belief at Odds
• Making Morals Relative
• Humanist Gospel
–
–
–
–
Salvation is about YOU
God gives you joy, peace, health, eternal life
Prosperity Gospel
Its all about YOU
Apologetic Questions
• How do you explain the origin of life?
• What happened before the Big Bang (the
unmoved mover) and what evidence is there?
• How do you know that science is the only way to
know things? Can you show that scientifically
(keep in mind, we agree science is good and
helpful)?
• Have you ever examined the evidence for the
claims of Christianity?
• How do you explain the claim that at least some
people have experienced God?