Is Scientology considered a religion or a cult?

[fishbrains]

Originally Posted by nana053

There is a biography of L. Ron Hubbard out that you can read.

https://www.amazon.com/Bare-Faced-Me.../dp/0805006540


He was quite the charlatan, imo.

On the entertaining side, there is a podcast called "Oh No, Ross and Carrie" (google them) where they investigate Scientology by joining for a bit. They also discuss LRH's background. I agree, he was a charlatan.

[RcHydro]

This sums it up pretty good.



"The difference between a religion and a cult, is what happens when you leave".

[Hefe]

The question is technically wrong so any answers are useless. It's like asking "Is an apple a fruit or a food?"

I think you wanted to ask "Is Scientology a church or a cult?" or "Is Scientology a religion or a (business or philosophy or a social movement or...)?"

But a cult can be a religion, or a social or political movement.

[Harry Diogenes]

Both. They are not exclusive, and often have several similar ideas. Psalms 14:1 is a typical type of cult argument, calling outsiders fools. It is for insiders, it is not for gaining converts.

While I am not calling Christianity a cult, any Christian using Psalms 14:1 is treating their religion as a cult.