Similarities between Mormonism and Scientology

  • Origins
    • Based on entirely unevidenced stories
    • Doctrines created and evolved over time, sometimes changing
  • Founders
    • Known for their extreme desire for wealth
    • Known for telling stories and lies
    • Convicted and imprisoned for illegal activities
    • Died during their trouble with the law
  • Legal troubles
    • Involved in many illegal activities, in many cases as part of official organization doctrine and practices
    • Support destruction of outsiders, especially apostates (blood atonement, shunning, "fair game")
    • Legal troubles led to changes in doctrine (at least on the surface, note polygamy and "fair game")
  • Teachings
    • Pre- and post-mortal existence
    • Eternal progression (godhood, clear thetan)
    • Only way to know truth is to experience it yourself
    • Christianity, Bible only partly true
    • Focus on thriving and happiness in present life rather than the afterlife or eternal life
    • "Salvation" by works
    • Give "milk" instead of "meat"
    • 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)
    • Levels can be achieved (Operating Thetan levels, temple Mormons, eternal progression, different kingdoms)
    • Resistance is dismissed as proof/evidence of validity
  • Behavior
    • Persecution complex
    • Label and treat opposition as evil enemies ("Antis", "Suppressive Persons")