Reason 6 of 10
Salvation is a free gift: it cannot be bought
Scientology's path, the Bridge to Total Freedom, is climbed through auditing and courses with set "fixed donations". The US Supreme Court treated these as payments for services. The Bible says God's gift cannot be bought at any price.
What Scientology teaches
Scientology lays out spiritual progress as a chart called the Bridge to Total Freedom: step by step through auditing and training to the state of Clear and on to the Operating Thetan (OT) levels. The Church asks for fixed donations for its services.
In Hernandez v. Commissioner, 490 U.S. 680 (1989), the US Supreme Court held that payments for auditing and training could not be deducted as charitable gifts, because they were exchanged for specific services. In 1993 the IRS recognised the Church as tax-exempt.
What the Bible says
When Simon the sorcerer offered money for spiritual power, Peter told him his money would perish with him, because he thought the gift of God could be bought. Jesus told his disciples: freely you received, freely give. Peter later wrote that we were redeemed not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.
Salvation is a gift because it was already paid for, in full, by someone else. That is why it can be offered to the poorest person on earth on exactly the same terms as the richest.
18Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Acts 8:18-20 (WEB) · context
8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
Matthew 10:8 (WEB) · context
18knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things like silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ,
1 Peter 1:18-19 (WEB) · context
1“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isaiah 55:1 (WEB) · context
23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (WEB) · context
8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, that no one would boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (WEB) · context
Why it matters
Any path that you climb by paying, studying or performing leaves a question hanging: have I done enough yet? The gospel answers it: Jesus said it is finished. Anyone who believes has eternal life, now.
30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30 (WEB) · context
24“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
John 5:24 (WEB) · context
17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:17 (WEB) · context
What Scientologists often say
Scientologists say every church needs money, that Christians tithe too, and that paying for services is honest and keeps the Church independent.
A Christian answer
Churches do need support, and Christians give. The difference is what the money is for. No Christian church can sell forgiveness, a new heart or eternal life, because God has never put them up for sale. When spiritual progress itself has a price list, the message is that freedom is earned. The gospel says it is given.
Sources
- Scientology source Church of Scientology, the Bridge to Total Freedom chart and its descriptions of services and donations (scientology.org).
- Hernandez v. Commissioner, 490 U.S. 680 (1989), US Supreme Court.
- The Bible, World English Bible (public domain).