Is Scientology a cult?
The word means different things to different people, and arguing over it rarely helps. We would rather compare its teaching with the Bible, and show who Jesus is.
Many Christian writers, such as Walter Martin in The Kingdom of the Cults, classify Scientology as a cult in the theological sense: a group whose teaching departs from the core of the Christian faith. The Church of Scientology rejects that label. Labels can shut conversations down. The better question is what is true about God, about you and about Jesus.
15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,
1 Peter 3:15 (WEB) · context
6I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”, 7but there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
Galatians 1:6-8 (WEB) · context